Demand for Ultra-Low Carbon Ethanol Will Continue to Drive Opportunities

Contact: Emma Koehler
515-252-6249

WEST DES MOINES, IA – Today South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden signed House Bill 1052, which prohibits the exercise of eminent domain for a pipeline that carries carbon dioxide. Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) Executive Director Monte Shaw made the following statement:

“We are disappointed in today’s news from South Dakota. An unnecessary roadblock has been thrown up between Midwest corn farmers and much needed new markets. The South Dakota law effectively bans carbon pipelines in the state. While this is horrible for South Dakota and unfortunate for nearby states, there are numerous opportunities to sequester and ways to get there that don’t include South Dakota. The demand for ultra-low carbon ethanol around the globe is so massive that, at the end of the day, no one state will be able to stop the ethanol industry from accessing that market.

“Despite the rhetoric, this bill had nothing to do with protecting property rights. If the authors wanted that they would have had it apply to all projects. They did not. This specifically targeted CO2 pipelines in direct opposition to President Trump’s stated energy policies to ensure American energy dominance. While I feel bad for my friends in South Dakota, Iowa will keep working.”

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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