116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Ethanol production in Iowa remains steady
JOHNSTON, Iowa (AP) - Ethanol production in Iowa has remained at a steady number for the first time in a decade.
The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association says the state's 41 ethanol plants produced 3.7 billion gallons in 2012, matching last year's production numbers. But it was the first time since 2002 where production did not increase year to year.
IRFA Executive Director Monte Shaw says most plants pulled back on production due to drought conditions, but another plant's production offset those reductions.
Shaw says rain and a trend-line corn yield will be needed next year to jumpstart the industry.
Fermenters sit in the foreground with distilation columns rising in the background on the right at Penford Products Co. facility in Cedar Rapids on Tuesday, April 6, 2010. Fermenters and distillation columns are part of the process of manufacturing ethanol. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette, file)
Daily Newsletters