Iowa Biodiesel

Iowa currently has eight biodiesel refineries in operation with an annual production capacity of nearly 115 million gallons. In addition, there are six new plants and one major expansion under construction that will add over 200 million gallons of annual capacity. Several more 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. The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association is working to correct myths and unscientific attacks on the renewable fuels industry. This compilation of issues, responses and resources was put together to aid the public in separating fact from fiction.

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Biofuel - Make Your Own Biodiesel

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) today announced that Iowa biodiesel refineries will produce a record 60 million gallons in 2006. This production represents a 240% increase over the 25 million gallons produced by Iowa biodiesel refineries in 2005. In producing the record amount of biodiesel, Iowa’s biodiesel refineries processed the oil from over 40 million bushels soybeans. According to a release from the Iowa Soybean Association, Iowa has 14 biodiesel plants with total production capacity of 317.5 million gallons of biodiesel annually. Two additional plants are under construction in Iowa which will have the combined capacity to produce an additional 35 million gallons. Biodiesel production and demand is growing exponentially and Iowa is leading the way according to Monte Shaw, IRFA Executive Director. Consider that last year the entire country produced only 75 million gallons of biodiesel and this year U.S. biodiesel production is estimated between 200 and 250 million gallons. Iowa farmers and entrepreneurs are leading the way in production and quality.