What's New
Iowa RECs Fueling the Bio-Energy Industry
It takes energy to make energy. Iowa leads the nation in ethanol production and is clearly on the forefront of the bio-fuels industry. Many of Iowa's RECs are seeing unprecedented electric load growth from these new facilities. According to the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, Iowa has 28 ethanol plants in operation with two plants in expansion mode and four new projects under construction.
A few more astounding statistics about Iowa's ethanol industry as taken from the June 19, 2006 edition of Feedstuffs are:
Iowa RECs are partners in the growth and expansion of the ethanol and iodiesel industries. Together Iowa RECs provide power to over half of the renewable fuel plants in the state. The most recent plant in production is Horizon Ethanol plant, a premier partner with Broin Companies in Hamilton County north of Jewell and west of I-35.
The 60 million gallon plant employs approximately 40 people and began operation in March. Midland Power Cooperative provides power to the Jewell facility.
The other side of the bio-energy arena is the emerging soy biodiesel industry. Iowa currently has three biodiesel plants, with three more under construction and almost 20 at various stages of discussion and planning. Western Iowa Energy has completed a 30 million gallon biodiesel facility south of Wall Lake and began production of biodiesel in June. Currently Western Iowa Energy is the largest biodiesel plant in the country employing approximately 30 people. Sac County REC provides Sac County REC provides power to the Western Iowa Energy complex.
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From the 2nd Quarter, 2006 issue of Ventures & Viewpoints, published by the Iowa Area Development Group.
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For more information on items in this section contact Ann Foster, Director of Communications, Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives, (515) 727-8945 or afoster@iowarec.org
A few more astounding statistics about Iowa's ethanol industry as taken from the June 19, 2006 edition of Feedstuffs are:
- Iowa distilled 10 million gallons of ethanol in 1978, an amount that increased 11,000% to 1.1 billion gallons in 2005.
- Iowa will distill over 1.5 billion gallons of ethanol in 2006.
- Iowa's renewable fuel standard signed into law is among the most aggressive standards in the country, calling for 25% of gasoline sales to be replaced with renewable fuels by 2019.
- Iowa has approximately 4,250 jobs within the ethanol industry.
Iowa RECs are partners in the growth and expansion of the ethanol and iodiesel industries. Together Iowa RECs provide power to over half of the renewable fuel plants in the state. The most recent plant in production is Horizon Ethanol plant, a premier partner with Broin Companies in Hamilton County north of Jewell and west of I-35.
The 60 million gallon plant employs approximately 40 people and began operation in March. Midland Power Cooperative provides power to the Jewell facility.
The other side of the bio-energy arena is the emerging soy biodiesel industry. Iowa currently has three biodiesel plants, with three more under construction and almost 20 at various stages of discussion and planning. Western Iowa Energy has completed a 30 million gallon biodiesel facility south of Wall Lake and began production of biodiesel in June. Currently Western Iowa Energy is the largest biodiesel plant in the country employing approximately 30 people. Sac County REC provides Sac County REC provides power to the Western Iowa Energy complex.
# # #
From the 2nd Quarter, 2006 issue of Ventures & Viewpoints, published by the Iowa Area Development Group.
______________________________________________________________
For more information on items in this section contact Ann Foster, Director of Communications, Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives, (515) 727-8945 or afoster@iowarec.org
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