Hoosier Ag Today by: Gary Truitt
The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) today announced that Iowa?s 43 ethanol plants produced over 4 billion gallons during 2015, up slightly from 3.9 billion gallons in 2014. Iowa continues to be the number one ethanol producing state, and is estimated to account for roughly 27 percent of national ethanol production in 2015. The increase came from efficiency gains and debottlenecking at existing plants, as well as ethanol production from cellulosic feed stocks such as corn stover and corn kernel fiber.
?While Iowa took a modest step forward in production this year, we have the corn supplies to really expand ethanol production,? said IRFA Executive Director Monte Shaw. ?What we don?t have is access to the market for higher ethanol blends. The USDA blender pump grant program will help move the needle forward in 2016 and we hope the EPA will get the RFS back on track when they propose the RFS levels for 2017. If we can crack the petroleum monopoly on fuel choice, it will benefit consumers, farmers and the environment.?
Iowa is the nation?s leader in renewable fuels production. Iowa has 43 ethanol refineries capable of producing 3.9 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 nearly 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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