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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 16, 2008

IRFA Announces Third Annual Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit

Larger Trade Show and New Hours

JOHNSTON, IA – Companies and individuals will have the opportunity to be part of Iowa’s biofuels revolution at the third annual Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit on January 27, 2008. The event is hosted by the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association and will take place at the Polk County Convention Center from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

              The summit is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is required, which can be done at www.IowaRFA.org. Anyone with questions can contact Lucy Norton at the IRFA office at (515) 252-6249. Last year’s summit drew over 1,000 people, and more are expected this year.

“It doesn’t matter if you work in the renewable fuels industry or are just interested, the Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit will outline the current status and future of the industry,” said IRFA Executive Director Monte Shaw. “Renewable fuels do not just keep the price at the pump down, but power the state’s economy while being environmentally friendly. This conference is our way of keeping everyone up-to-date on the amazing advances taking place.”

              Attendees will hear from industry leaders about challenges and opportunities facing biofuels.  In addition, panels for this year’s summit are:  “RFS2: Holding Renewable Fuels to a Higher Standard?” “An Acre for An Acre? Implementing a Low Carbon Fuel Standard,” “Beating the Blend Wall,” and “Linking the Value Chain.”

Iowa is the leader in renewable fuels production.  Iowa has 36 ethanol refineries with a combined annual capacity of nearly 2.9 billion gallons in operation.  There are 7 ethanol refineries under construction that will add 850 million gallons of capacity.  In addition, Iowa has 14 biodiesel refineries with the capacity to produce over 317 million gallons annually.  Two biodiesel refineries under construction or expansion will add 35 million 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 liquid renewable fuels industry. 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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