DES MOINES– Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, the nation’s longest serving Governor, was honored Saturday by renewable fuels industry leaders, the Governors’ Biofuels Coalition and the National Governors Association at a breakfast commemorating his steadfast leadership in renewable fuels.
“Gov. Branstad is a true champion for renewable fuels, and we’re delighted to see him honored for his long-standing leadership,” stated Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) Executive Director Monte Shaw. “Under Gov. Branstad’s direction, Iowa has grown to be the nation’s epicenter for renewable fuels, producing more ethanol, biodiesel and cellulosic ethanol than any other state. That alone hasn’t been enough for the Governor, as he has continually stood up for biofuels at every turn, helping to found the Governors’ Biofuels Coalition and working with colleagues to expand renewable fuels access, testifying before the EPA in support of a robust RFS, and encouraging state leaders to ensure Iowa continues to lead the way in biofuels.”
Today’s breakfast honoring Gov. Branstad was a part of the agenda for the National Governors Association summer meeting, and was hosted and sponsored by the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA), Governors’ Biofuels Coalition, Nebraska Ethanol Board and several other biofuels industry partners.
According to a recent IRFA study, Iowa’s renewable fuels industry accounts for more than $4.6 billion of Iowa GDP, generates $2.3 billion in income for Iowa households and supports more than 43,000 jobs throughout all sectors of the Iowa economy.
Iowa is the nation’s leader in renewable fuels production. Iowa has 43 ethanol refineries capable of producing 4 billion gallons annually, including nearly 55 million gallons of annual cellulosic ethanol production capacity. In addition, Iowa has 12 biodiesel facilities with the capacity to produce more than 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.
