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Ethanol is a flourishing industry in Iowa and the nation, with production and use of the renewable fuel growing daily. Iowa has created many incentives and laws to expand ethanol development in the state. This level of support has helped make E10 (90 percent gasoline, 10 percent ethanol) a widely used fuel in the state. Currently, Iowa motorists choose ethanol-blended fuel more than 70 percent of the time, according to the Iowa Department of Revenue and Finance. |
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Additionally, 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.
Major Projects and Accomplishments Across Iowa and the U.S.:
- Iowa's ethanol plants are capable of producing more than 938 million gallons per year.
- The state has 63 retail and 7 state locations that offer E85.
- Iowa retail stations sold more than one billion gallons of E10 and more than 140,000 gallons of E85 in 2004.
- Iowa's local, county and state governments are required by law to use ethanol-blended fuel in all applicable vehicles.
- Iowa's state government is committed to using alternative fuels. On April 22, 2005, Governor Vilsack signed
Executive Order 41,*.pdf which requires the use of E85 and biodiesel in the state fleet.
- Efforts are underway to develop ethanol from cellulosic feedstocks in addition to corn. Wood waste, switchgrass, crop residue and other plant materials are being studied as potential sources for these feedstocks. Because they are substantially cheaper and more accessible, they could eventually surpass corn as an ethanol source.
Other Information:
Links:
DNR Contact:
Brian Crowe
(515) 281-8518
Brian.Crowe@dnr.state.ia.us
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