Iowa Behind National in Ethanol Use
Iowa is the top ethanol producing states, but it has dropped behind the national average when it comes to using the fuel.
According to the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA), that 71 percent of the gasoline sold in the state during September was 10 percent ethanol, compared to 80 percent for the average nationwide.
“Iowa’s ethanol sales are lagging behind the nation, Iowa history, and the 2009 goal of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Standard,” said Monte Shaw, IRFA Executive Director. “While the rest of the country has steadily increased ethanol use since 2006, Iowa has at best held even and now seems to be falling back. In 2006, Iowa was one of the nation’s leaders in ethanol sales. Today, Iowa does not lead. Iowa is not average. Iowa is below average. These disappointing statistics should force a complete reexamination of how Iowa intends to move forward to be a leader in the use of ethanol, not just the production.”
IRFA figures show a downward trend in Iowa ethanol usage this year. E10 sales were 75 percent in 2008, but are averaging only 73 percent this year. Iowa is the leader in renewable fuels production, with 40 ethanol refineries capable of producing nearly 3.3 billion gallons annually.
4 Comments »
Nicholas Hollis
Another clear indicator of the underlying fraudulent nature of the “Ethanol Scam” – when Iowa farmers, who produce ethanol, don’t want to use it themselves in their tractors and motor vehicles, the wider motoring public should take note, Farmers aren’t fools and they know lower mileage with ethanol blends adds up to a “fleecing at the pump”, so they take their subsidies on corn and use regular (non-ethanol) gasoline.
Rocky Caldwell
The solution is clear. In the fine tradition of, “What is sauce for the goose, is sauce for the gander.” the Iowa assembly needs to pass a law mandating that Iowa farmers must run their ag equipment on ethanol.
Cindy Zimmerman
That would be great, if it were not for the fact that most farm equipment is diesel.
Rocky Caldwell
I know most farm equipment is powered by diesel engines, but why don’t ag equipment makers put engines in their machinery that burn ethanol?
Farmers should be burning the fuel for which they grow the feedstock. A legislative mandate would be a stimulus to get ag equipment makers to start putting ethanol-burning engines in their machines.
We need to see some flexfuel tractors, pickers, combines, and harvesters in those Iowa fields. If it’s good enough for America’s auto drivers, it’s certainly a good enough fuel for its farmers.
Iowa’s farmers need to walk the walk, not just expect everyone else to use the fuel they make.
If farmers asked for it, America’s farm equipment makers would supply it.
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