November 8, 2016

The 2016 presidential election has farmers and other people throughout the Midwest wondering what kind of impact a new administration and Congress will have on the renewable fuels industry. You can find out the latest information to help answer that question by attending the 2017 Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit. It will take place in Des Moines on January 31 and online registration for the summit is now open.

ANOTHER QUESTION: By the end of November the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is supposed to release its final Renewable Fuel Standard rule for 2017. The RFS is a federal mandate requiring that a certain minimal amount of ethanol and biodiesel is blended into the U.S. fuel supply each year.
Speakers to address role of biofuels in energy and trade policy
“The summit will address the future of biofuels and their role in energy and trade policy, and we will have a number of knowledgeable speakers on the program,” says Monte Shaw, executive director of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association.
“Given the record corn harvest this fall in the U.S. and an uncertain political climate, farmers and renewable fuels producers are understandably focused on not only preserving but also growing biofuels markets at home and abroad,” notes IRFA managing director Lucy Norton. “Assessing the current terrain and charting an effective course for the future will be key topics of this year’s Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit.”
Record corn harvest and uncertain political climate raise questions
The summit is free to attend and open to the public. The 2017 Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit will take place at the Prairie Meadows Conference Center on January 31, 2017. To register to attend, learn more about the summit, and review sponsorship and trade show opportunities, please visit IowaRFA.org/summit.
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. IRFA 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.
Iowa ethanol plant celebrates one billion gallons of production
In other news, IRFA announced recently recognized Homeland Energy Solutions, an ethanol production facility near Lawler in northeast Iowa, for producing its one billionth gallon of ethanol. That ethanol plant has purchased $1.7 billion worth of corn to reach this milestone. The plant has been in operation for eight years.
“Congratulations to Homeland Energy Solutions for achieving one billion gallons,” said IRFA’s Monte Shaw. “Their commitment to cleaner-burning, homegrown ethanol has resulted in more local jobs, a cleaner environment and decreased dependence on foreign oil. The one billion gallons we celebrate today has not only had a big impact on the local economy, but its positive ripple effects extend across our nation.”
Homeland has purchased $1.7 billion of corn to reach milestone
Homeland and Energy Solutions, which began production in April 2009, officially produced its one billionth gallon of ethanol on Aug. 31 of this year. The plant employs 49 workers and produces more than 150 million gallons of ethanol a year, making it one of the largest dry grind plants in operation today. In honor of its one billionth gallon, the company held an October 22 open house.
“Homeland Energy Solutions is proud to achieve this important milestone," said James Broghammer, the firm’s CEO. “Since the beginning, we have focused on expanding first through optimization followed by capital investments. We strive to get the most out of what we have while using a team approach with vendors, employees and suppliers.
Homeland reached this milestone as quickly as any other U.S. plant
“While we were not the first plant to reach one billion gallons, we reached this milestone as quickly as any other plant in the country,” said Kevin Howes, Homeland Energy Solutions plant manager. “This would not have been possible without a very proactive board of directors and an outstanding group of employees. It is an honor and a privilege to be a part of and lead one of the best teams in the industry. I’m looking forward to producing the next billion gallons.”
One billion gallons of ethanol equals 34,722 loads of rail tanker cars. In reaching the one billionth milestone, Homeland Energy Solutions has purchased more than 340 million bushels of corn, which equals approximately $1.7 billion dollars. The facility also has produced more than 162 million pounds of corn oil and 2.6 million tons of distillers grains since it began production. For more information visit the IRFA website IowaRFA.org.
You May Also Like