Media Contact: Monte Shaw

515-252-6249

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                     

July 1, 2011                                                                                                               

E10 Sales Remain Flat, but Iowans Saved $50 Million with Ethanol So Far This Year

Ethanol Can Save Money for Iowans During July 4th Weekend

JOHNSTON, IA – The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) today announced that Iowans choosing E10 blends have saved over $50 million during the first five months of 2011.  Iowa Department of Revenue fuel sales figures released this week showed ethanol sales steady at 75 percent of total gasoline sales, totaling over 500 million gallons from January through May.  E10 blends averaged a 10-cent savings compared to E0 (non-ethanol gasoline) during that time.

“With the busy Fourth of July weekend upon us, it is important to remember that Iowans choosing E10 will keep more money in their wallets,” stated IRFA Executive Director Monte Shaw.  “With high crude oil prices driving up the cost of nearly everything we buy, from food to clothing, it is nice to know ethanol is helping to reduce high gasoline prices.”

A recent study by the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD) at Iowa State University found that consumer savings from ethanol goes far beyond the price reduction at the pump.  In 2010, Midwestern consumers saved an average of $1.37 per gallon because ethanol expanded the fuel supply and helped to drive down the cost of all gasoline products, regardless of ethanol content.

“Today, 25 percent of the gasoline produced from domestic resources is ethanol,” continued Shaw.  “Having ethanol as an affordable, domestic alternative to high priced foreign oil is paying big dividends – for consumers, for jobs, and for energy security.”

Iowa is the leader in renewable fuels production.  Iowa has 41 ethanol refineries capable of producing nearly 3.7 billion gallons annually. In addition, Iowa has 12 biodiesel facilities with the capacity to produce 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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