House File 2689 makes changes to the Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program that was created in 2006 to expand renewable fuel infrastructure and access to renewable fuels all across Iowa. Specifically, this legislation makes the following key changes to the 2006 program:

•Renewable fuels infrastructure funding is expanded to include blender pumps (pumps that blend ethanol at difference percentages than E-10 or E85);

•Allows retailers interested in putting in both E-85 and biodiesel at the same location to now receive funding for both as opposed to the current restriction of limiting to just one or the other;

•Increases funding for biodiesel terminals from $50,000 to $100,000;

•Encourages state and local government fleets to use biodiesel when commercially available;

•Tasks Office of Energy Independence to create a state-wide renewable fuels marketing plan and marketing campaign for owners of flex fuel vehicles;

•Builds upon the long standing public/private partnership the State of Iowa has had to increase access and usage of renewable fuels. Since its inception, this program has led to led to leveraging of $17 million in private investment for infrastructure, 20,000 more flex fuel vehicles on the market, and an additional one million gallons of E-85 sold. These new changes will only enhance those efforts and will expand market access to our renewable fuels producers when it is most desperately needed during these difficult economic times due to high input costs.

“Iowa is becoming a national leader in the field of renewable energy,” said Governor Culver. “We’re building a very diverse renewable energy portfolio, and developing a statewide energy plan. We’ve created 2000 green-collar jobs of the future, and we’re on our way to becoming the renewable energy capital of the United States and the Silicon Valley of the Midwest. I am pleased to sign into law this important legislation which modernizes the very successful state renewable fuels infrastructure program and makes biofuels more accessible and available for individuals traveling throughout Iowa.”

http://www.governor.iowa.gov/news/2008/05/12_2.php

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