(Johnston, Iowa) Iowa's 43 ethanol plants produced 4.2 billion gallons this year, which tops the the 4.1 billion produced in 2016.
Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Director Monte Shaw says the increase is due to several plant expansions as well as increased demand of exports and higher blends like E15.
He says several plants have just completed expansion projects or will finish during the 1st quarter of 2018, so he says production could jump again next year.
The Association is announcing it's 2018 priorities are expanding export markets and breaking down barriers to E15 in the United States.
Shaw says their top state policy priority for 2018 is securing funding for the Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program (RFIP) to ensure more retailers have the equipment necessary to offer higher blends of ethanol now and in the future.
“The EPA needs to provide the same regulatory treatment for E15 as all other ethanol blends,” added Shaw. “That step alone would draw many more retailers into offering the option of E15 to their customers. Also, as the world’s cheapest source of fuel octane, we’ll be working to continue to build on the record exports of 2017.”