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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 4, 2007

IRFA’s Norton Appointed to Iowa Power Fund Board by Governor Culver

Board Will Direct the $100 Million Iowa Power Fund With Goal of Energy Independence

JOHNSTON, IA – The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) announced on Sep. 4 that Iowa Governor Chet Culver appointed IRFA Managing Director Lucy Norton to serve on the 11-member Iowa Power Fund Board.  Norton is one of seven "at-large" board members.  The Iowa Power Fund Board will oversee the $100-million Iowa Power Fund with the mission to move Iowa towards energy independence.

“It is indeed an honor to be appointed to the Power Fund Board by Governor Culver to represent Iowa’s biodiesel and ethanol producers,” said Norton.  “The Iowa Power Fund represents a tremendous opportunity to maintain Iowa's lead in the move towards energy independence.  We certainly believe that renewable fuels will continue to play a bigger and bigger role in this effort.”

The IRFA was formed in 2002 to represent renewable fuels producers in the state.  Representing a trade association that works with both biodiesel and ethanol producers, Norton is in a unique position to bring a real-world, industry perspective to the Power Fund Board.

“To make the Iowa Power Fund a success, we need to ensure that R&D makes it from the laboratory into an Iowa renewable fuels refinery,” added Norton.  “And that when a new technology is commercialized, that the technology will make a difference worthy of the investment.  By working with the members of the IRFA, I can bring that knowledge base to the Power Fund Board.”

Norton has worked on behalf of Iowa's biodiesel and ethanol producers at the IRFA since 2002, assisting with the formation of the trade association.  Previously she worked on renewable fuels issues as the Marketing Director of the Iowa Corn Growers Association.

Iowa is the leader in renewable fuels production.  Iowa has 29 ethanol refineries with the capacity to produce nearly 2 billion gallons annually.  There are 18 ethanol refineries under construction or expansion that will add nearly 1.4 billion gallons of annual capacity.  In addition, 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.  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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