Ethanol Production: A Top Market for Corn Farmers
Since ethanol very first entered the fuel scene, Iowa Corn has been engaged in promoting and gaining consumer access to corn-based fuel. Why? Because of the incredible demand ethanol creates for corn and corn farmers. Today, 52% of Iowa’s corn is processed at an ethanol plant that produces clean-burning ethanol fuel, dried distillers grains (DDGS) for livestock feed and nearly 4,000 other everyday products.
Iowa Corn and Ethanol, Then and Now
In 1978, the Iowa Corn Promotion Board (ICPB) invested in the installation of the first gasohol pumps with a 10% ethanol blend in five Iowa cities.
In 1990, the Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) lobbied to have the Clean Air Act amended to mandate the use of clean-burning ethanol in fuel.
In 2005, ICGA along with National Corn Growers Association and other corn states and ethanol supporters lobbied for and succeeded in passing the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) to require 15 billion gallons of ethanol be blended into the U.S. fuel supply by 2015.
Today, over 98% of the fuel sold in the U.S. is blended with a 10% ethanol blended fuel. And, the opportunity for growth in ethanol demand will be from consumers fueling up with higher blends at the pump, which is why upgrading infrastructure and policies to allow the sale of Unleaded 88 is so crucial. Iowa Corn is working to build retailer and consumer demand and access for UNL 88/E15 year-round.
Ethanol Plants in Iowa
Iowa is home to 42 dry mill and wet mill ethanol plants and two cellulosic plants, producing more than 4.1 billion gallons of ethanol annually. Learn more about these locations.
Infrastructure for Higher Blends of Ethanol
ICGA lobbied for the Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program (RFIP) here in Iowa. The RFIP is managed by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) and designed to assist Iowa fueling retailers in the conversion of their equipment to allow the expanded sale of Unleaded 88 and E85. Cost-share grant incentives are exclusively available to Iowa fuel retailers. Reimbursement can be for 50% of the costs for with a three-year commitment to offer E15 and E85, or up to 70% with a five-year commitment.
ICPB, along with the Iowa Renewable Fuel Association, provide a Retailer Outreach Coordinator to help retailers with the grant application and process. Please contact Brian Kinney at e15foriowa@yahoo.com or (515) 689-7965 for more information.