Iowa Ethanol Production Held Steady at 3.7 Billion Gallons for 2012

Ethanol production remains steady in Iowa

JOHNSTON, IA – The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) today announced that Iowa’s 41 ethanol plants produced 3.7 billion gallons during 2012, matching 2011 production. Iowa is estimated to account for roughly 28 percent of national ethanol production in 2012. This is the first time since 2002 where production did not increase year to year.

“2012 will be remembered for the great drought,” said IRFA Executive Director Monte Shaw. “Due to Iowa’s incredible farmers, the state weathered the drought better than most. Iowa was fortunate not to have an ethanol plant shut down in 2012. Most plants pulled back on production due to the drought, but we had another plant operating for a full year that offset those reductions. In the end we held steady, but everyone is praying for rain and a trend-line corn yield in 2013 to really jumpstart the industry.”

Iowa is the leader in renewable fuels production.  Iowa has 41 ethanol refineries capable of producing nearly 3.7 billion gallons annually, with one traditional ethanol plant and two cellulosic ethanol facilities currently under construction. In addition, Iowa has 12 biodiesel facilities with the capacity to produce 300 million gallons annually.

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association was formed in 2002 to represent the state’s liquid renewable fuels industry. The trade group fosters the development and growth of the renewable fuels industry in Iowa through education, promotion, legislation and infrastructure development.