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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 30, 2008

Ethanol Sales Reach Nearly 74 Percent of Gasoline Market in 2007

Attractive Prices Pushed Ethanol Sales to Near Record Levels

JOHNSTON, IA – The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) today announced that Iowans chose E10 (10-percent ethanol, 90-percent gasoline) nearly 74 percent of the time in 2007.  This is up from 69 percent in 2006 and just below the all-time record of 75 percent set in 2005.

“Iowa’s ethanol sales were strong in 2007 as E10 was often 10 to 13 cents per gallon cheaper than gasoline without ethanol,” said Monte Shaw, IRFA Executive Director.  “Our neighbors to the north and south (Minnesota and Missouri) use ethanol in every gallon of gasoline, so we’ve still got work to do.  But strong growth in E85 sales and implementation of the 25-percent Iowa renewable fuels standard should move us in the right direction.”

According to the Iowa Department of Revenue (IDR), in 2007 Iowans purchased:

Type                                  Gallons                 Percentage of Iowa Gasoline Sales

E0 Gasoline                         429,278,543                 26.1%

E10                                    1,212,613,525                 73.9%

Previous E10 Usage in Iowa

2007 -- 73.9%

2006 -- 69.3%

2005 -- 75%

2004 -- 65%

2003 -- 62%

Iowa is the leader in renewable fuels production. Iowa has 28 ethanol refineries with the capacity to produce nearly 2.1 billion gallons annually. There are 16 ethanol refineries under construction or expansion that will add over 1.5 billion gallons of annual capacity. In addition, Iowa has 14 biodiesel refineries with a combined annual capacity of over 315 million gallons in operation. Two biodiesel refineries under construction will add 35 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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