We have spent a lot of time talking about the challenges that have faced the biofuels industry. A year ago, as we entered into 2020, we already looked at the damage being done by the EPA on small refinery exemptions (SRE?s) and the trade issues that arose from multiple trade wars. The industry was looking forward to a positive 2020. However, COVID-19 hit and the year of promise turned sour very quickly.
Yesterday, the Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit was held virtually. Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) Executive Director Monte Shaw gave his recap of the year that was and his goals for the year ahead. While Shaw did start off by saying ?who the heck wants to remember 2020??, there were things the industry could look back on with some sense of pride.
Audio: Monte Shaw’s Full Address to the IRFA Summit.
It is difficult to sometimes find the silver linings in a year like 2020, but IRFA?s Monte Shaw did highlight how the industry stepped up when the pandemic revealed a glaring need that the ethanol and biodiesel industries could fill.
Also, Shaw talked about how there was a need for industrialized CO2. The Des Moines Public Water Works had an extreme shortage of it for water treatment use. Shaw talked about how Lincolnway Energy produced what was needed for the city, while operating at a loss, to help out their neighbors.
Shaw wrapped up his analysis about the condition of the biofuels industry in Iowa, he said that it is too important to quit fighting for. Even when the odds are stacked against it, the people involved simply will not stop fighting for their communities and their industry.
