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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 7, 2008

Free Workshop Announced to Help Retailers Profit from

Ethanol and Biodiesel

JOHNSTON, Iowa — Fuel retailers from across Iowa will have the opportunity to learn about some of the options available to market and sell clean-burning alternative fuels and how it can help their business. The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) and the Iowa Department of Economic Development (IDED) will hold a free retailers workshop at the Sheraton Inn in West Des Moines on Wednesday, July 30, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The workshop will cover a variety of E85 topics, including marketing potential, boosting profits, equipment and installation options, state requirements, and financial assistance for renewable fuels infrastructure. A panel of retailers will be on hand to share their “how-to” knowledge and their success with E85. A special session on marketing biodiesel year-round will also be offered.

“Retailers in Iowa have a unique opportunity to capitalize on domestic fuels grown and produced right here in the state,” said IRFA Managing Director Lucy Norton. “This workshop will help lay out some of the many options they have to market E85 and biodiesel to Iowa drivers. This is a great opportunity to discover things that can help their business grow.”

Interested retailers can register online at www.IowaRFA.org or by calling 515-252-6249. Registration for the free event begins at 9 a.m. A continental breakfast and lunch will be provided.

Iowa is the leader in renewable fuels production. Iowa has 29 ethanol refineries with the capacity to produce over 2.2 billion gallons annually. There are 15 ethanol refineries under construction or expansion that will add nearly 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.  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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