Press Contact: Monte Shaw

515-252-6249

Leading Republican U.S. Senate Candidates Invited to Participate in Forum on December 19 in Cherokee, Iowa

JOHNSTON, IOWA –The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) announced today it will host a renewable fuels forum for Iowa’s leading Republicans seeking the GOP nomination to run for U.S. Senate in 2014.  The seat is currently held by U.S. Senator Tom Harkin.  The forum will be held at the Western Iowa Tech Community College Cherokee Campus Auditorium on Thursday, December 19 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.  The event is open to the public and press.

“Over ten thousand Iowa households work directly for or are invested in Iowa’s renewable fuels industry and they want to know where the candidates stand,” stated IRFA President Rick Schwarck. “Iowa is the nation’s number one renewable fuels state, and, at this forum, leading republican candidates will have the chance to speak directly on important issues like the federal Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), E15, and biodiesel that are vital to Iowa jobs and Iowa’s economic future.”

The IRFA Renewable Fuels Forum will be held at the Western Iowa Tech Community College Cherokee Campus Auditorium located at 220 Victory Drive in Cherokee, Iowa.  The candidates invited to participate are Sam Clovis, state Senator Joni Ernst, Mark Jacobs, Matt Whitaker, and David Young.

This forum is free and open to the public, but seating is limited. Those with questions can contact Grant Menke at (515) 252-6249 or gmenke@IowaRFA.org.

Iowa is the leader in renewable fuels production. Iowa has 42 ethanol refineries capable of producing over 3.8 billion gallons annually, with three cellulosic ethanol facilities currently under construction. In addition, Iowa has 12 biodiesel facilities with the capacity to produce nearly 315 million gallons annually.

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.