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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 14, 2008

Advantages of Ethanol Blender Pumps to be

Showcased at Free Retailers Workshop

JOHNSTON, Iowa — Participants at an upcoming workshop will have the chance to see how blender pumps work first-hand. A blender pump, which dispenses multiple ethanol blends, will be on display at a free retailers workshop on Wednesday, July 30 at the Sheraton Inn in West Des Moines. Blender pumps are the newest way to offer different ethanol blends in Iowa.

Blender pumps make it easy to mix traditional gasoline with different volumes of ethanol, such as E20, E30, E50 and E85. Any blend level above E10 is intended for flexible fuel vehicles only. The additional options will let flex fuel drivers select different blends based on fuel efficiency and price. The workshop will discuss implementing blender pumps at service stations, profit potential, and other advantages to offering customers more options.

“As petroleum prices continue to rise, consumers are looking for more economical alternatives,” said IRFA Managing Director Lucy Norton. “The workshop will show retailers how a variety of ethanol blends can boost interest from consumers, especially as auto manufacturers continue to produce more flex fuel models.”

The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is co-sponsored by the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) and the Iowa Department of Economic Development (IDED). Interested retailers can register online at www.IowaRFA.org or by calling 515-252-6249. 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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