Renewable Fuels

What is a Renewable Fuel?

Renewable fuels are fuels generated from a wide spectrum of grown products, their by-products, and animal fats. Many factors contribute to the overall sustainability of these fuels, including the feedstock's properties and the agricultural system in which it was grown.

Renewable Fuels in Iowa

• The Federal Renewable Fuel Standard was increased for 2008 to match current production that was exceeding previous ethanol production goals (the United States will produce 9 billion gallons of ethanol in 2008, 2.2 billion from Iowa).

• Iowa consumes 1.6 billion gallons of gasoline per year, and has the capacity to produce 3.3 billion gallons of ethanol, making Iowa a net exporter of fuel.

• Iowa also has the capacity to produce more than 322 million gallons of biodiesel.

• Iowa is well-positioned to expand its production capacity through various new technologies that will utilize more economic and environmentally sustainable practices.

• Iowa state government was one of the earliest adopters of E85 fuel (85 percent ethanol, 15 percent gasoline) and owns one of the largest fleets of E85 vehicles in the nation with more than 650 vehicles.

• Iowa is home to more than 200,000 registered vehicles capable of using either E85 or biodiesel.

Keep Iowa Moving Forward

The Iowa Office of Energy Independence released the 2008 Plan for Energy Independence with several recommendations in the area of biofuels. View the full Energy Independence Plan.

Biofuels Recommendations

• Enhance the economic and environmental viability of the biofuels industry

• Develop a biomass feedstock supply infrastructure for second generation biofuels

• Support development and deployment of integrated biorefineries

• Improve the analysis used to develop greenhouse gas performance measures