Iowa’s biodiesel producing capacity to increase to 400 million gallons a year

The Iowa Biodiesel Board (IBB) has announced that the state’s capacity to produce biodiesel is rising by 20%, from 334 million gallons (1.5 billion litres) a year to close to 400 million gallons (1.8 billion litres) a year.

Proactive state policies have played a pivotal role in the growth, as well as expansion projects either recently completed or currently in progress, the IBB announced at its recent ‘Biodiesel Day on the Hill.’

Iowa has long been considered the US’ leading biodiesel producer. “It’s no accident that Iowa’s biodiesel manufacturing sector is thriving above all other states,” Grant Kimberley, IBB executive director, told Wallaces Farmer. “Our proactive state biodiesel policies have effectively increased production and consumption in Iowa, benefiting our economy.” Among those policies is the Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program, which provides grants to aid fuel distributors and retailers in modernising equipment to include biofuels.

IBB members and supporters met with state legislators at the Biodiesel Day on the Hill event in the hope of securing funding for the program for another year. “It’s important that we continue to create opportunities for customers to access these clean-burning homegrown fuels,” Iowa secretary of agriculture Bill Northey told Wallaces Farmer. “Iowa is fortunate to have many retailers making significant investments to provide their customers with renewable fuels, and the Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program is available to support their efforts.”

Since 2006, the Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program has resulted in 261 new biodiesel retail pumps and 55 new terminal locations throughout the state, improving access for Iowans to the renewable fuel.