Iowa breaks ethanol production record at 4.1 billion gallons

In Iowa, the state’s 43 ethanol plants had another record-breaking year, producing 4.1 billion gallons in 2016. The slight uptick in production from 4 billion gallons in 2015 is largely due to an increase in gasoline demand, allowing more E10 blending and increased ethanol export opportunities.

“Setting another annual ethanol production record is a testament to the efficiency and hard work of Iowa’s ethanol plants,” said Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Executive Director Monte Shaw. “However, Iowa has the resources, both in corn and plant capabilities, to do much more.  In order to unlock this wealth of untapped potential, we need to move beyond E10 and ensure that all consumers have access to higher blends of ethanol at the pump, like E15. The federal government needs to break down regulatory barriers to higher blends that serve no purpose other than to protect petroleum.”

IRFA’s top state policy priority for 2017 is securing funding for the Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program to ensure more retailers have the equipment necessary to offer higher blends of ethanol now and in the future.