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Iowa House and Senate Vote Overwhelmingly to Pass Bill Protecting Iowa Jobs, Consumer Access to Homegrown Biofuels

JOHNSTON, IOWA – The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) today applauded the Iowa Legislature for voting overwhelmingly to pass Senate File 2344, showing a strong, bipartisan commitment to protecting Iowa biodiesel jobs and providing increased consumer access to homegrown E15. S.F. 2344 was amended and passed by the Iowa House in a 96 – 2 vote last night, and the Iowa Senate today passed the amended bill 48 – 0. S.F. 2344 now heads to the Governor for signing.

“The entire Iowa Legislature should be commended for its commitment to ensuring that Iowa not only continues to lead the way in biofuels production, but also in renewable fuels policy,” stated IRFA Policy Director Grant Menke. “S.F. 2344 will help preserve Iowa biodiesel jobs while also expanding Iowa motorists’ access to cleaner-burning, more locally-produced E15, and I applaud Iowa’s elected leaders for standing united with Iowa’s renewable fuels community.”

With renewable fuels producers facing unprecedented federal policy uncertainty, Senate File 2344 protects Iowa’s renewable fuels industry by extending the state’s biodiesel production tax credit that is set to expire at the end of this year, and enhancing the state’s E15 retailer tax credit to help alleviate extra costs to Iowa retailers who want to offer E15 as a registered fuel during the summer driving season.  The bill also updates Iowa Code to define biobutanol as a renewable fuel option for Iowans.

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