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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 18, 2007

Maple River Energy, LLC Begins Construction on Biodiesel Refinery and Soybean Crush Facility near Galva

Iowa Now Has A Dozen Operating Biodiesel Refineries and 3 Under Construction

JOHNSTON, IA – The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) today congratulated Maple River Energy, LLC for beginning construction on its biodiesel refinery and soybean crush facility near Galva, Iowa.  The facility will crush 3 million bushels of soybeans into meal and oil, converting the oil into 5 million gallons of biodiesel and half a million gallons of glycerin annually.

“Maple River Energy is a unique, locally-owned biodiesel refinery,” said Monte Shaw, IRFA Executive Director.  “Maple River will have the advantage of producing its own biodiesel feedstock at the soybean crush facility.  It will then be marketing soybean meal in addition to biodiesel and glycerin.”

“We are delighted with the response our equity drive received in northwest Iowa”, stated Delayne Johnson, General Manager of Maple River Energy, LLC.  “We appreciate each and every one of our 231 Iowa shareholders who came forward to support this local project.  Maple River Energy will create 13 more jobs for Ida County in 2008, and we are proud to be a part in creating a legacy for future generations of soybean farmers in our area.  Renewable fuels are here to stay, and we are excited about this project and all that it means for our children and grandchildren.”

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.  Three biodiesel refineries under construction will add 95 million gallons of capacity.  In addition, Iowa has 28 ethanol refineries with the capacity to produce over 1.9 billion gallons annually.  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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