FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Monte, 515-252-6249

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 5, 2010

For Renewable Fuels, 2010 Legislative Session
Was an Exercise in Missed Opportunities

Legislature Failed to Act on Ethanol, Biodiesel Priorities

JOHNSTON, IA – The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) today stated that the 2010 Iowa legislative session was an exercise in missed opportunities for renewable fuels.  The trade group representing Iowa’s ethanol and biodiesel producers noted that despite strong support from many members, legislation designed to move Iowa to a leadership position on renewable fuels ultimately failed to pass.

“The 2010 General Assembly missed the opportunity to enact meaningful legislation protecting and expanding green collar jobs, making Iowa more energy independent, and bringing home-grown, less expensive fuel options to Iowa consumers,” said Monte Shaw, IRFA Executive Director.  “Despite moving some legislation through parts of the process, at the end of the day none passed both the House and Senate to go to the Governor.”

Among the issues the Legislature missed the opportunity to address are:

• Taking action on an ethanol fuel quality standard that would save taxpayer money while opening up storage infrastructure for less expensive E15. (SF 2359 was not voted on in Senate or House)
• Taking action on a biodiesel fuel quality standard to support Iowa jobs and expand renewable options for Iowa motorists.  (SF 464 passed Senate, no vote in House)
• Taking action to end the taxation of “phantom” gallons of biodiesel that no motorist ever buys. (SF 2382 passed Senate, no vote in House)
• Taking action to end the double taxation of some diesel that is blended with biodiesel.  (SF 2382 passed Senate, no vote in House)
• Taking action to ensure proper testing of out-of-state fuel, including renewable fuels, brought into Iowa jobber tank farms or sold at Iowa retailers. (HF 2531 passed both the Senate and House with restrictive funding)

“IRFA members sincerely appreciate the extremely hard work of many legislators who understand the importance of renewable fuels to Iowa’s economy,” added Shaw.  “We will do more to recognize these leaders over the coming months.  Unfortunately, the legislature as an institution did not follow through.  IRFA members will simply have to work harder and do a better job of explaining the benefits to our elected officials and legislative candidates.  When Iowans hear a candidate running for the state house or state senate talk about energy independence or green collar jobs, they should think back to the missed opportunities of this legislature and find out, specifically, on which side of these issues the candidate stands.”

Iowa is the leader in renewable fuels production.  Iowa has 39 ethanol refineries capable of producing nearly 3.3 billion gallons annually. In addition, Iowa has 14 biodiesel facilities with the capacity to produce over 315 million gallons annually.

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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For more information, visit the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association website at:  www.IowaRFA.org.