Photo: Western Iowa Energy, Wall Lake
Two area biodiesel plants have expanded, becoming major contributors to Iowa’s 20 percent increase in biodiesel production. Proactive biodiesel policies include the Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program, which provides grants to help fuel distributors and retailers modernize equipment to include biofuels. These policies and programs have resulted in 261 new biodiesel retail pumps and 55 terminal locations throughout Iowa since 2006. “It is important we continue to create opportunities for customers to access these clean-burning homegrown fuels,” said Bill Northey, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture. “Iowa is fortunate to have many retailers making significant investments to provide their customers with renewable fuels, and the Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program is available to support their efforts.” The recent expansions at REG in Ralston, from 12 million gallons a year to 30 million, and at Western Iowa Energy in Wall Lake, from 30 million gallons a year to 45 million, contribute to an overall increase across the state from 334 million gallons a year to 400 million. Western Iowa Energy, which began with the raising of $22 million from investors in 2004, began construction of the biodiesel plant in June of 2005 and went online in May of 2006. The plant is able to process not only soybeans, but other crude vegetable oils and animal fats through a two-step pre-treatment process for a pure biodiesel oil. The shareholder-owned business employs 30 people from Wall Lake and surrounding communities.
