Category Archives: Iowa RFA

Iowa Gets Aggressive on Blend Wall

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E85 pump in IowaThe Iowa Legislature has passed H.F. 640 that supports fuel choice for Iowa’s fuel retailers and consumers. The legislation protects retailers from Big Oil efforts to restrict competition by guaranteeing them the right to offer ethanol and biodiesel blends of their choice including E15, E85 and B20.

“This legislation represents a solid step forward for higher ethanol blends, consumer choice, and the federal Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS),” said Iowa Renewable Fuel Association (IRFA) President Rick Schwarck, CEO of Absolute Energy. “I find it ironic that Big Oil consistently claims that retailers don’t want to sell higher ethanol blends like E15, yet they use every trick in the book to prevent retailers from offering E15.  In fact, the American Petroleum Institute (API) fought tooth and nail to try to keep these retailer protections out of the bill.  This bill tears down one part of Big Oil’s bogus blend wall in Iowa.”

The legislation includes a section that amounts to a retailer ‘Bill of Rights,’ preventing oil refiners’ supply agreements from directly or indirectly limiting the ability of local retailers to offer the ethanol and biodiesel blends they choose. The provision was based on a law enacted in South Dakota in 2011 and addresses specific, anti-competition provisions from actual refiner supply agreements.  As a result, new supply agreements will not be allowed to:

  • Restrict fuels from other suppliers;
  • Restrict installing a blender pump;
  • Restrict using current equipment from offering higher blends, like E15, E85, and B20;
  • Restrict ethanol or biodiesel blends from being advertised;
  • Restrict the locations where a retailer may offer the higher blends (like under a canopy); and
  • Restrict payment for higher blends to cash only (no credit cards).

“One supplier should not be allowed to dictate to local retailers what they can and cannot do with products from other suppliers,” continued Schwarck.  “More freedom for retailers to offer the fuels they choose often means more ethanol and biodiesel blends, which benefits consumers by increasing competition at the pump.  And it also means more RINs will be generated for use in complying with the federal RFS.”

Free Fuel Workshops in Iowa

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The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) will be hosting a summer workshop series addressing upcoming changes in the fuels shipped to Iowa via the current pipeline system. According to IRFA, these workshops are aimed at assisting fuel retailers, suppliers and marketers in preparing for the first major change in the types of fuel available at retail locations since lead was phased out of gasoline starting in the mid-1970’s.

IowaRFAlogo“Upcoming changes in the types of fuels offered through the major pipeline running through Iowa will force Iowa’s fuel retailers and distributors to make some important business decisions,” said IRFA managing director, Lucy Norton. “These workshops will help participants prepare for this product change, understand the economic considerations and evaluate how renewable fuel blending fits into the new product mix.”

Magellan’s announcement to eliminate regular unleaded gasoline shipments to Iowa will require all retailers to evaluate their product offerings. The workshops will provide details of the new fuel options along with the impact on ethanol blends, future market conditions, and E15 as a new fuel option.

“Fuel distributors and retailers have a lot to take into consideration before the fuel shipped through the major pipeline in Iowa changes in September,” Norton added. “We want to assist the fuel industry in preparing for this significant change to their business portfolio and encourage fuel suppliers and retailers to attend one of the workshops to better understand the fuel options that will affect the future of their businesses.”

Iowa Biodiesel Plants at Just Over Half Capacity

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ia-rfaIowa’s biodiesel plants are at just over half capacity … leaving a lot of room for growth of the green fuel in the state. The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) says the refineries are at 54 percent capacity in the first quarter of 2013, producing 42.7 million gallons.

Nine of the state’s 12 biodiesel plants reported production. If all 12 Iowa biodiesel facilities operated at full capacity, they would produce 315 million gallons in one year. The industry is focused on promoting higher biodiesel blends to boost demand and maximize the biodiesel industry’s positive impacts on the state’s economy.

“While the first quarter was solid start, biodiesel production in Iowa has plenty of room to grow,” stated IRFA Communications Director T.J. Page. “Iowa’s famers and policymakers have a real opportunity to further boost biodiesel’s job creation and rural revitalization potential. IRFA continues to urge the Legislature to create a B10 differential in any fuel tax legislation considered this year. We’ve seen a strong move toward B5 blends, but promoting B10 has the potential to double the positive economic impact.”

The release goes on to say how biodiesel is helping farmers’ bottom lines by increasing the price of soybeans, cutting feed costs and raising the value of animal fats for Iowa’s livestock producers.

Sixth E15 Station Opens in Iowa

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IowaRFAlogoThe Iowa Renewable Fuels Association reports that Sperry One Stop in Coon Rapids is the sixth Iowa retailer to offer 15% ethanol as a registered fuel for all 2001 and newer passenger vehicles and all flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs).

“This is a new station and we want to be offering the fuels of the future, and that’s cleaner-burning, American made E15,” stated Sperry One Stop Owner Kurt Sperry. “With the POET-Coon Rapids plant nearby, there’s a strong renewable fuels presence here in Coon Rapids, so offering a fuel like E15 just made sense.”

“The citizens of Coon Rapids will really benefit from renewable, less expensive options at the pump like E15,” said IRFA Managing Director Lucy Norton. “This station is offering a variety of ethanol blends as well as biodiesel, and we see that as a win for the consumer and a win for the local economy.”

Retailers interested in installing a blender pump to offer E15, E85, and other ethanol blends can apply for a grant from the Iowa Department of Agriculture. The IRFA provides assistance in the application process. For more information, please visit: http://www.iowaagriculture.gov/agMarketing/IRFIP.asp.

Attacks on RFS, Blend Wall Bogus

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The message being delivered to Washington, D.C. today is that Big Oil attacks on the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), so-called blend wall and E15 are bogus. Today representatives from the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA), the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) and the Auto channel held a briefing in the Capitol Visitors Center to discuss these issues as well as highlight how E15 and the RFS are key parts of an “all of the above” American energy solution.

Blend Wall Briefing-1“Exposing the so-called blend wall for what it is—a Big Oil bluff—highlights how important E15 and the RFS are to achieving a more secure energy future for America,” said IRFA Executive Director Monte Shaw to the crowd. “Big Oil uses scare tactics like the so-called blend wall and bogus E15 studies to protect the petroleum monopoly at the expense of the American consumer. Meanwhile, renewable fuels benefit the American consumer by lowering gas prices, creating American jobs, and decreasing our dependence on foreign oil.”

Fuel retailer and owner of Midway Service in Sioux Falls, S.D. Bruce Vollan said to the ethanol advocates, “We have been offering blends of ethanol from zero to E85 at our station for nearly five years, and year after year, my customers buy an average of 20 to 25 percent ethanol. Despite what the so-called ‘experts’ say, we haven’t had to pay a single repair bill during that time. I think we’ve shown that – given the choice – customers are smart enough to know what works in their engines, and – given the choice – they will buy more ethanol. Being able to offer my customers all of the different fuels they want is just one of the reasons I’ve been an independent retailer for nearly ten years. I couldn’t sell these blends if my station was branded.”

When discussing Big Oil’s efforts to smear E15, ACE Senior Vice President Ron Lamberty explained, “Ethanol’s opponents have dramatically misrepresented the findings of studies about E15. We want to make sure that Congress is looking at the actual science and not just Big Oil’s distorted representations of that science.”

Auto Channel Executive Vice President Marc Rauch added, “For 180 years, the world’s top scientists and automotive engineers have known that ethanol is the best and safest engine fuel. It’s time to put this great domestic resource to serious use, and that means embracing E15 today. I’d much rather have my fuel money go to American farmers than to foreign terrorists.”

Ten Ways Renewable Fuels are Enviro

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The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) has unveiled a list of 10 ways the renewable fuels industry is helping to improve the environment. According to IRFA, renewable fuels offer positive impacts on the environment compared to petroleum-based counterparts.

“Renewable fuels make our planet a better place to live with healthier air and water, and that’s exactly what Earth Day is all about,” said IRFA Executive Director Monte Shaw. “Smart energy policies like the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) encourage the production and use of cleaner, more environmentally friendly fuels like E15 and B20 that significantly reduce the environmental harm that is caused by petroleum-based fuels.”

Corns impact source NCGAThe following Top 10 list highlights ways in which ethanol and biodiesel have benefited the environment over the past decade through improvements at the plant, on the farm, and out of the tailpipe.

1.  According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), for every unit of fossil energy needed to produce biodiesel, 5.5 units of energy are gained, while ethanol generates 2.3 units of energy for every unit of fossil energy input. By comparison, gasoline and diesel fuel have negative energy balances.

2.  The adoption of regenerative thermal oxidizers (RTO) has significantly reduced volatile organic compound emissions from ethanol plants.

3.  On a per gallon basis, today’s ethanol plants require 28% less thermal energy and 32% less electricity than a decade ago, according to the University of Illinois at Chicago.

4.  According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), biodiesel reduces greenhouse gases (GHG) by up to 86% compared to petroleum diesel, while Yale University found that ethanol reduces GHG by up to 59% compared to gasoline.

5.  Water used to produce a gallon of ethanol has dropped 40% over the last decade, while biodiesel production reduces wastewater by 79% and hazardous waste by 96% when compared to petroleum diesel.

6.  Increased income from ethanol demand for corn has allowed farmers to invest in precision farming equipment and stronger conservation and environmental protections.

7.  The environmental footprint of U.S. corn production has improved greatly since the advent of the ethanol industry, including significant reductions in soil loss, irrigation, energy use and the amount of land required to produce a bushel of corn.

8.  Ethanol and biodiesel are both biodegradable and non-toxic.

9.  Biodiesel and ethanol significantly reduce tailpipe carbon monoxide emissions, air toxics, fine particulate matter and smog pollution compared to petroleum diesel and gasoline, making our air healthier to breathe.

10. Since the beginning of the RFS, biodiesel use alone has reduced lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by nearly 74 billion pounds, the equivalent of removing 5.4 million vehicles from U.S. roads.

Iowa Senate Stands Firm on RFS

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Made in the USA graphic USA TodayThe Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) today congratulated the Iowa Senate for voting unanimously to pass Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 5 (SCR 5) that  urges the United States government to continue its commitment to energy independence and maintain its support of the federal Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

SCR 5, in part, states: “The United States government is urged to renew its commitment to this nation’s energy security, move the United States toward greater energy independence and security as required by the federal Energy Independence and Security Act, and use all efforts to meet the highest possible renewable fuel volume requirements set forth in RFS2 in order to ensure that this nation achieves energy independence.”

“I commend the Iowa Senate for showing solidarity with the Iowa Congressional delegation by urging the federal government to stand behind the federal RFS, our nation’s most successful energy policy,” stated IRFA Executive Director Monte Shaw. “The RFS forms the bedrock of Iowa’s economic resilience – creating good-paying Iowa jobs, boosting Iowa’s farm income, and reducing prices at the pump for Iowa consumers.  The RFS is vital to Iowa’s economic future and IRFA will oppose any effort to undermine it.”

Randy Olson, CEO of the Iowa Biodiesel Board said of the bill, “The legislature’s resolution makes clear our state’s commitment to renewable fuels like biodiesel, and shows backbone to the few but vocal opponents of the RFS-2. It is gratifying to see continued support from our state’s leaders, who recognize the RFS and federal tax incentive for biodiesel as smart energy policy living up to their promise.  On behalf of the biodiesel industry in Iowa, we thank the state legislature for standing up for biodiesel.  It’s not only in our state’s best interest, but also our nation’s, and we’re proud to see Iowa once again at the forefront of leadership in this important industry.”

The bill passed by a vote of 50-0 and now goes to the Iowa House for consideration.

IRFA Submits Comments on RIN White Paper

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IowaRFAlogoThe Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) has submitted a letter responding to the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s request for stakeholder comment on the Committee’s white paper regarding the so-called blend wall.

IRFA Policy Director Grant Menke stated, “Our stakeholder comments focused on three main points. First, there is no valid E10 blend wall. The blend wall vanished as soon as EPA approved E15—in the most extensive testing of any fuel in history—for 2001 and newer vehicles. 

Second, the oil industry has taken specific actions and inactions to attempt to build a bogus blend wall, brick by brick, to undercut the RFS and protect its virtual monopoly over the transportation fuel marketplace. We detail these deliberate Big Oil obstruction efforts in our comments and explain how these ‘bogus blend wall bricks’ could be removed immediately by the oil companies if they chose to do so. 

Third, the RFS is working and must be preserved. To gut the RFS would preserve the oil monopoly, reward the bad actors who have spent years undermining the RFS instead of preparing for it, and deprive consumers of more choices at the pump—choices that are cleaner, cheaper and homegrown. The fundamental intent of the RFS was to crack the petroleum monopoly, and it is on the verge of doing so if Congress allows it to keep working.”

Click here to read IRFA’s full comments.

Around the World on E15 – Twice

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In the past month, residents of Baxter, Iowa have driven the equivalent of more than two trips around the world on 15% ethanol fuel (E15).

baxterThe Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) today reported that statistic since Baxter fuel retailer Kountry Korner began offering E15 as a registered fuel for 2001 and newer vehicles on March 8, 2013.

“Since offering E15 as a registered fuel, I’ve seen more and more use of the fuel every day,” stated Kountry Korner Owner Bryan DeJong. “E15 has brought in many new customers to my store who are in search of lower-cost, more homegrown fueling options. The consumer response to the fuel has been very positive and I anticipate our E15 sales to continue to grow in the coming weeks.”

“E15 has been priced at an average of almost 20 cents cheaper than regular gasoline and the response in Baxter has been quite positive,” said IRFA Managing Director Lucy Norton. “Retailers around the state should take notice that there is a real demand for cleaner, more homegrown E15, and consumers wishing to have access to this less expensive option should ask their local fuel retailers to offer E15.”

IRFA notes that retailers interested in installing a blender pump to offer E15, E85, and other ethanol blends can apply for a grant from the Iowa Department of Agriculture.

In case you are wondering – assuming 20 miles per gallon fuel economy and about 49,800 miles around the world twice – that’s approximately 2500 gallons of E15 for the little town of Baxter (pop. 1,093) in 30 days.

Report: Iowa Biodiesel Sales Triple In 2 Years

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Biodiesel Pump Photo Joanna SchroederAccording to a new report from the Iowa Department of Revenue (DOR), the total amount of biodiesel blended into diesel in Iowa has more than tripled from 7.4 million gallons in 2010 to 23.3 million gallons in 2012.

The report also shows that biodiesel’s market penetration has also made great strides, with biodiesel now blended in 42.6 percent of all Iowa diesel sales, an increase of more than 10 percent since 2010. Of those sales, the average biodiesel content has more than doubled since 2010 from 3.1 percent to an 8.1 percent blend of biodiesel.

“Based on the data, it’s obvious that both retailers and consumers are realizing the benefits of biodiesel, and that’s a win for Iowa,” said IRFA Communications Director T.J. Page. “Taking into account the switch in the state’s retailer tax credit from being applied to a 2 percent biodiesel blend to a 5 percent biodiesel blend and the continued support of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), I expect biodiesel sales to continue on this upward trajectory and grow dramatically in the coming years.”

Randy Olson, executive director of the Iowa Biodiesel Board also noted that biodiesel has room for growth for on-farm usage. Just 30 percent of distributors, he says, reported carry biodiesel.

“We’re encouraging our state’s farmers to demand biodiesel as they head into spring planting, and we believe distributors will respond to their customers,” Olson said.  “Economic research shows soybean, corn, livestock and hog farmers all stand to gain from biodiesel production.  It is in their best interest to use their own product.”

To view the entire Iowa Department of Revenue report, please click here.

Popke’s in Rock Rapids, IA Joins the E15 Club

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Popke’s, Inc. in Rock Rapids, Iowa has joined the E15 “club” now joining four other stations in Iowa to sell the 15 percent ethanol, 85 percent gasoline fuel blend.

Greg Popke Photo- Sioux City Journal Dave Dreeszen“My business believes in supporting Iowa’s farmers and growing our local economy,” said Popke’s, Inc. owner Greg Popke. “American-made E15 is the next step in securing our independence from foreign oil. The citizens of Rock Rapids have been asking for E15 and are excited to have ready access to this cleaner, less-expensive fuel.”

Popke’s, Inc. is located in Northwest Iowa at the corner of Highway 9 and Highway 75 in Rock Rapids. E15 can be used by all 2001 and newer passenger vehicles and all flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs). Those vehicles account for 85 percent of fuel use in the United States. In order to offer E15 to the non-FFVs, a retailer must register with the EPA. The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) works with retailers to ensure they comply with all federal and state E15 regulations.

“We hope more retailers will continue to incorporate E15 into their business models,” added IRFA Managing Director Lucy Norton. “Offering E15 is a win-win as it provides economic value to both retailers and consumers.”

Retailers interested in installing a blender pump to offer E15, E85, and other ethanol blends can apply for a grant from the Iowa Department of Agriculture. The IRFA provides assistance in the application process. Click here for more information.

RFS & E10 Blend Wall White Paper Released

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The U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee has released a “white paper” analyzing the federal renewable fuels standard (RFS) and the so-called E10 blend wall. On page two, the white paper highlighted that new fuels are banned from competing with petroleum products unless first approved for use by the federal government. According to the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA), this federal petroleum mandate hampers consumers from purchasing the ethanol blend of their choice.

Energy Chairman Upton John Shinkle:POLITICO“It has been more than five years since the RFS was last revised, and we now have a wealth of actual implementation experience with it,” the white paper explains. “In some respects, the RFS has unfolded as expected, but in others it has not. Several implementation challenges have emerged that received little if any consideration prior to passage of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. Furthermore, the overall energy landscape has changed since 2007. It is time to undertake an assessment of the RFS.”

In addition, the white paper examines issues for producers, refiners, auto manufacturers, and fuel retailers. and poses a number of questions for discussion. The committee is requesting interested stakeholders to send responses to these questions by April 5, 2013.

“IRFA welcomes a full, fair, and factual review of the RFS by the House Energy and Commerce Committee.  However, the initial white paper focused on the so-called “blend wall” is very one-sided,” responded IRFA Executive Director, Monte Shaw. “In fact, it seems to approach every issue from the Big Oil point of view.  For example, despite the contention, there simply is no such thing as a real ‘E10 blend wall.’  The reality is that refiners are going to great lengths to construct an artificial blend wall through their own direct actions as an excuse to tear apart the RFS.  Such a conclusion by elected officials would be highly ironic given that the RFS was enacted with the expressed purpose of cracking the petroleum monopoly and forcing the oil companies to allow alternative options to compete – options like cheaper, cleaner, higher performing E15.

“In what was perhaps an unintended moment of balance, the white paper does highlight that federal law establishes a federal petroleum mandate – a federally enforced prohibition of any fuel that contains less than 85 percent petroleum.  The federal petroleum mandate is one of the biggest problems today preventing fuel competition, consumer choice, and lower cost fuel options for Americans,” concluded Shaw.

Fast Stop in Cresco, Iowa Offering E15

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E15 Blender Pump in Cresco IowaDave Sovereign from Cresco, Iowa has been busy. Last week he helped to convert the Fast Stop station he owns in his hometown to E15. Then he caught an airplane to Washington, D.C. to participate in the American Coalition for Ethanol’s (ACE) Biofuels Beltway March where he met with a number of freshman Congressman. Fast Stop, located in Northeast Iowa at 22268 Highway 9 West in Cresco, marks the fourth retailer in Iowa to offer consumers additional fuel choices at the pump.

Sovereign said from the time the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association helped him file the application to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to become an approved seller of E15, it only took about 45 days to when he began to sell the fuel. In the case of Fast Stop, Sovereign said they already had a blender pump in place so it was just a matter of adding E15 to the pump using EPA’s recommendations.

“Consumers need more renewable fuel choices to support our communities and keep dollars in our local economies,” said Sovereign. “Since flex-fuels were not available in Cresco, a group of local business leaders formed an LLC, purchased land and constructed a fueling location to remedy this Dave Sovereignsituation. Also, with unblended 87 octane gasoline no longer being shipped through the pipeline this fall, ethanol blended fuels will dominate Iowa’s fuel market and we wanted to be on the cutting edge with E15.”

During his meetings with legislators, Sovereign discussed E15 and told his personal story about bringing E15 to his area. He said that the majority of those he met with were optimistic about ethanol and that the legislators appreciated his coming to DC to hear is story first hand.

Listen to the interview with Dave Sovereign interview here: Fast Stop in Cresco, IA Offering E15

View the ACE Biofuels Beltway March 2013 Photo Album.

2013 – 100 Year Anniversary for Oil Tax Subsidies

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Did you know that the oldest, continuous tax subsidy for oil companies was enacted by Congress in 1913, making 2013 the 100th year of federal tax subsidies specific to the oil industry? Shouldn’t this event garner a party? The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) and the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) thought so and on March 14, 2013 held a “Century of Subsidies” birthday party for big oil in Washington, DC. On hand for the event were Rick Schwarck, president of the IRFA and CEO of Absolute Energy, Monte Shaw, executive director for IRFA and Brian Jennings, executive vice president of ACE.

Schwark noted that they are not saying all the tax subsidies are necessarily bad and should be discontinued, but rather, that oil has had 100 years of an unfair advantage over all other fuels, including ethanol, and when discussing policies such as the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), the debate should be a full, fair and factual discussion that looks at how to level the playing field.

Today, here are the current oil specific tax subsidies: Expensing of Intangible Drilling Costs; Percentage Depletion Allowance; Deduction for Tertiary Injectants; Geological and Geophysical Expenditures; Exception for passive loss limitations for oil and gas; Enhanced oil recovery credit; and Marginal oil well credit.

To counterbalance the “Century of Subsidies” and other policies that favor petroleum, ACE and IRFA called upon Congress to protect the federal Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS). The RFS cracks open the petroleum monopoly to give consumers non-petroleum choices at the pump. Consumers benefit from market access to lower cost renewable fuels like E15 and E85.

“If oil companies cannot stand on their own two feet after 100 years of clinging to certain taxpayer subsidies, Congress shouldn’t hurt American consumers by repealing the RFS, a policy that helps level the playing field with oil a little bit by giving people affordable and renewable fuel choices,” said ACE Executive Vice President Brian Jennings. “ACE members met with Congress during our fly-in this week to emphasize how the RFS costs taxpayers nothing and has succeeded in delivering benefits for all Americans.”

View the ACE Biofuels Beltway March 2013 Photo Album.

ACE, IRFA Celebrate A Century of Subisides

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Century of Subsidies Birthday CakeThe Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) and the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) along with a full house, celebrated a “Century of Subsidies” for Big Oil today with a miniature version of the Capitol cake and ice cream. The cake was created by Charm City Cakes especially for the event that highlighted the fact that oil industry has received certain subsidies since 1913 – 100 years.

“Today’s ‘Century of Subsidies’ birthday party was not about saying every tax subsidy the oil companies get is bad,” said Rick Schwarck, President of the IRFA and CEO of Absolute Energy, an ethanol plant near St. Ansgar, Iowa. “Today’s ‘Century of Subsidies’ birthday party was a reminder to policy makers that Big Oil has benefited from taxpayer support for 100 years – and not just with tax subsidies, but mandates and loan guarantees and other policies.”

“So when the debate heats up over the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and other renewable fuels policy, the debate should be a full, fair and factual discussion that takes an honest, hard look at how federal policy has been tilted in favor of Big Oil for a century,” continued Schwarck. American consumers deserve a level playing field that does not hold back homegrown, low-cost renewable fuels options.”

U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), who was voting on budget issues during the event submitted a statement in response to one hundred continuous years of oil subsidies. “America needs ‘all of the above’ for its energy policy, including domestic oil and gas, renewable energy, conservation, and emission-free nuclear. Oil, gas and nuclear all receive longstanding federal support. Any changes to support for renewables should be made within a broad-based energy policy discussion. Targeting renewables outside of a comprehensive debate doesn’t make any sense when it comes to good policy, and it’s intellectually dishonest if the effort is driven by competition that receives federal support.”

U.S. Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) added, “This issue comes down to one thing: supporting renewable energy and our country’s energy security, all while creating good, middle class jobs that sustain a green economy in states like Iowa. That is why keeping the Renewable Fuel Standard in place is so critical. I salute ACE and the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association for recognizing these contributions and continuing their Century of Subsidies Press Confsupport at a time when it is needed the most.”

On Tuesday and Wednesday, nearly 70 ethanol advocates from around the country met with Congress to discuss the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), E15 and other ethanol related topics as part of ACE’s Biofuels Beltway March. The point of the press event was to show the need to counterbalance the “Century of Subsidies” and other policies that favor petroleum, in part by protecting the federal RFS. The RFS cracks open the petroleum monopoly to give consumers non-petroleum choices at the pump. Consumers benefit from market access to lower cost renewable fuels like E15 and E85.

Listen to the Century of Subsidies press event here: Celebration of a Century of Subsidies

View the ACE Biofuels Beltway March 2013 Photo Album.