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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 9, 2010

IRFA PAC Announces Champion of Renewable Fuels Awards for Iowa Legislature

Awards Were Based on Voting Record and Leadership

JOHNSTON, IA – The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) PAC today announced 19 recipients of their “Champion of Renewable Fuels” award for state legislators.  The IRFA PAC Board established that the Champion of Renewable Fuels awards would be given to state legislators with a clear voting record supporting renewable fuels and who also provided leadership for renewable fuels in the Iowa Legislature.  This is the first time the IRFA PAC has given such recognition.

“The IRFA PAC is proud of the broad support for renewable fuels these ‘Champion’ awards represent,” stated IRFA PAC Treasurer Walt Wendland, general manager of Golden Grain Energy.  “The renewable fuels industry has been ramping up its political presence – at the grassroots level and in the PAC arena – because we want Iowa to lead the nation in pro-renewable fuels action, not rhetoric.  These award winners have demonstrated outstanding commitment to the renewable fuels industry and worked relentlessly to strengthen Iowa’s economy by improving the opportunities for ethanol and biodiesel.”

Recipients of the 2010 Champion of Renewable Fuels awards were:

State Senators                               District

Sen. Amanda Ragan                    SD 7

Sen. Daryl Beall                          SD 25

Sen. Nancy Boettger                    SD 29

Sen. Staci Appel                          SD 37

Sen. Joe Bolkcom                        SD 39

Sen. Hubert Houser                     SD 49

Iowa Representatives                  District

Rep. McKinley Bailey                   HD 9

Rep. Henry Rayhons                   HD 11

Rep. Sharon Steckman               HD 13

Rep. Andrew Wenthe                  HD 18

Speaker Pat Murphy                   HD 28

Rep. Ray Zirkelbach                   HD 31

Rep. Annette Sweeney                HD 44

Rep. Donovan Olson                   HD 48

Rep. Helen Miller                        HD 49

Rep. Gary Worthan                     HD 52

Rep. Betty DeBoef                      HD 76

Rep. Nate Reichert                      HD 80

Rep. Paul Shomshor                    HD 100

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 nearly 320 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