FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Monte Shaw, Executive Director, 515-252-6249

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 11, 2007

Iowa Renewable Energy, LLC Begins Production at Biodiesel Refinery near Washington

Iowa Now Has A Dozen Operating Biodiesel Refineries and 2 Under Construction

JOHNSTON, IA – The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) today congratulated Iowa Renewable Energy, LLC (IRE) for beginning production at its biodiesel refinery near Washington, Iowa.  The facility processes soybean oil and animal fats into 30 million gallons of biodiesel and 3 million gallons of glycerin annually.

“New generation biodiesel refineries like Iowa Renewable Energy are making Iowa the world leader in biodiesel quality and production,” said Monte Shaw, IRFA Executive Director.  “Iowa Renewable Energy creates quality jobs, produces an environmentally superior fuel and reduces our use of imported oil.  No other diesel fuel option can match it.”

The refinery was built by the Renewable Energy Group (REG).  REG President Nile Ramsbottom stated:  “The start of biodiesel production at this state-of-the-art facility is a great accomplishment. With cutting-edge technology and an in-house laboratory, Iowa Renewable Energy, LLC is poised to produce high quality biodiesel.”

“The plant creates 28 new good-paying jobs and most were filled with local people,” stated Dick Gallagher, IRE Board member and the plant’s representative to the IRFA.  “With up to a hundred people working to build the plant, it was quite a boost to the local economy over the last year.  Now plant operations will continue to pump millions annually into the region.”

Iowa is the leader in renewable fuels production.  Iowa has 12 biodiesel refineries with a combined annual capacity of nearly 230 million gallons in operation.  Two biodiesel refineries under construction will add 90 million gallons of capacity.  In addition, Iowa has 28 ethanol refineries with the capacity to produce over 1.9 billion gallons annually.  There are 20 ethanol refineries under construction or expansion that will add nearly 1.5 billion gallons of annual 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.

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