20 Iowa lawmakers are renewable fuels 'champions'

Twenty members of the Iowa Legislature have been named "Champions of Renewable Fuels" by the Iowa Renewable Fuels AssociationPAC for their votes and leadership in support of renewable fuels.  This is the second election cycle that the IRFA PAC has given such recognition.

Iowa is in a unique position to lead the nation toward availability and acceptance of higher renewable fuels blends like E15 and B10, according to IRFA PAC Treasurer Walt Wendland, general manager of Golden Grain Energy and Homeland Energy Solutions. "But that won't happen without leadership.  These award winners have demonstrated outstanding commitment to the renewable fuels industry and worked relentlessly to strengthen Iowa's economy by improving opportunities for ethanol and biodiesel.”

The recipients are:

Senators: Sen. Randy Feenstra, R-Hull; Sen. Mike Gronstal, D-Council Blufs; Sen. Merlin Bartz, R-Graftonl Sen. Jeff Danielson, D-Cedar Falls; Sen. Tim Kapucian, R-Keystone; and Sen. Tom Courtney, D-Burlington

Representatives: Rep. Dan Huseman, R-Aurelia; Rep. Helen Miller, D-Fort Dodge; Rep. Gary Worthan, R-Storm Lake; Rep. Dan Muhlbauer, D-Manilla; Rep. Cecil Dolecheck, R-Mount Ayr; Rep. Dan Kelley, D-Newton; Rep. Josh Byrnes, R-Osage; Re. Brian Quirk, D-New Hampton; Rep. Shareon Steckman, D-Man City; Rep. Linda Upmeyer, R-Garner; Rep. Dave Jacoby, D-Coralville; and Rep. Jim Lykam, D-Davenport

Iowa is the leader in renewable fuels production.  Iowa has 13 biodiesel facilities with the capacity to produce 320 million gallons annually.  In addition, Iowa has 41 ethanol refineries capable of producing nearly 3.7 billion gallons annually and one new facility under construction.

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.

For more, visit www.IowaRFA.org.