FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Lucy Norton, Managing Director, 515-225-9242
Monte Shaw, Executive Director, 515-225-9242

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                      Press Contact:  Monte Shaw
April 16, 2007                                                                                                             515-252-6249

VeraSun Begins Production at Charles City Ethanol Plant

Iowa Leads Nation in Renewable Fuel Production

JOHNSTON, IA – The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) today congratulated VeraSun Energy for beginning production at its ethanol plant near Charles City, Iowa. The plant will process 39 million bushels of corn into 110 million gallons of ethanol and 350,000 tons of distillers grains annually.

            “VeraSun Energy continues to push the ethanol envelope,” said IRFA Executive Director Monte Shaw.  “At a time when major projects are lagging behind, VeraSun finished ahead of schedule.  IRFA congratulates VeraSun on the successful completion of their Charles City biorefinery and we look forward to another successful project at Hartley.”

            VeraSun Energy currently operates ethanol refineries in Fort Dodge and Charles City, Iowa, and Aurora, South Dakota.  They have ethanol refineries under construction in Hartley, Iowa, and Welcome, Minnesota.

“We are pleased to announce our Charles City facility is starting production nearly three months ahead of schedule,” said Don Endres, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of VeraSun. “This early startup truly showcases the Power of PartnershipTM among VeraSun, our contractors and the Charles City community. We are pleased to contribute even more to our nation's domestic fuel supply.”

Iowa is the leader in renewable fuels production.  Iowa has 27 ethanol refineries with the capacity to produce over 1.8 billion gallons annually.  There are 20 ethanol refineries under construction or expansion that will add 1.5 billion gallons of annual capacity.  In addition, Iowa has nine biodiesel refineries with a combined annual capacity of over 137 million gallons in operation.  Five biodiesel refineries under construction will add 180 million gallons of capacity.  Many additional renewable fuels projects are under development.

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association was formed in 2002 to represent the state’s ethanol and biodiesel producers.  The trade group fosters the development and growth of the renewable fuels industry in Iowa through education, promotion, legislation and infrastructure development.