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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 8, 2007

Western Dubuque Biodiesel, LLC Begins Production at Biodiesel Refinery near Farley

Iowa Now Has 13 Operating Biodiesel Refineries and 3 Under Construction

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

“State-of-the-art biodiesel refineries like Western Dubuque Biodiesel have made Iowa number one in production and number one in quality,” said Monte Shaw, IRFA Executive Director.  “IRFA welcomes WDB to the fastest growing industry in Iowa.  We look forward to working with WDB to grow opportunities for biodiesel blending in Iowa and around the nation.”

The refinery was built by the Renewable Energy Group Inc. (REG).  REG President Nile Ramsbottom stated:  “Production of high quality biodiesel at this commercial-scale biodiesel production facility is exciting for the Iowa biodiesel industry, the WDB Board of Directors and their employees.  We commend them for this accomplishment.  We look forward to our continued partnership with WDB as we market their biodiesel nationwide as a way to increase our nation’s energy security and help provide a cleaner burning fuel for our environment.”

Iowa is the leader in renewable fuels production.  Iowa has 13 biodiesel refineries with a combined annual capacity of nearly 260 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.  There are 19 ethanol refineries under construction or expansion that will add nearly 1.4 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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