IRFA Remembers State Senator Jack Kibbie as Renewable Fuels Pioneer, Champion
March 6, 2025
Kibbie was Recognized with IRFA’s First-Ever Lifetime Champion of Renewable Fuels Award
Contact: Emma Koehler
515-252-6249
WEST DES MOINES, IA – Former Iowa Senate President Jack Kibbie passed away on March 4, 2025, at the age of 95. During his lifetime of public service, Kibbie was a passionate supporter of renewable fuels and played an instrumental role in passing many of Iowa’s pioneering renewable fuels policies. In recognition of his service, the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) created a new award and presented the first-ever Lifetime Champion of Renewable Fuels award to Kibbie in December of 2011. IRFA Executive Director Monte Shaw made the following statement:
“When I learned of Sen. Kibbie’s passing this morning a lump came to my throat and a smile to my face. He was a great senator, a great Iowan, and a great man. His passion for renewable fuels and what they could mean for farmers was irrepressible. If Jack was fired up, we knew we didn’t even need to lobby other Democrat senators because no one was going to stand in his way. But his passion wasn’t bluster or bullying. It was deeply sincere and that’s why it was so powerful. He was an optimist who wasn’t afraid to roll up his sleeves and turn an idea into reality. It is not an exaggeration to say that many early policies that helped get Iowa ethanol and biodiesel producers going were due in large part to Sen. Kibbie. We owe him a huge debt. That’s why it was so fitting Jack Kibbie was IRFA’s first Lifetime Champion award winner.”
Former IRFA president Walt Wendland (left) presenting Kibbie (right) with the Lifetime Champion of Renewable Fuels award in 2011.
The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association represents the state’s liquid renewable fuels industry and works to foster its growth. Iowa is the nation’s leader in renewable fuels production with 42 ethanol refineries capable of producing 4.7 billion gallons annually – including 34 million gallons of annual cellulosic ethanol production capacity – and 10 biodiesel facilities with the capacity to produce 416 million gallons annually. For more information, visit the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association website at: www.IowaRFA.org
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