JOHNSTON, IOWA – Today Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed an executive order declaring that all new diesel vehicles purchased for state fleets shall be from engine manufacturers who have explicitly approved of B20 use.
Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) President Derek Winkel praised the Governor’s leadership following the signing.
“Today’s executive order sends a strong market signal to diesel engine manufacturers,” Winkel said. “If we are serious about reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector and boosting Iowa’s rural economy, we should be looking for new ways to increase biodiesel use. This proclamation by Governor Reynolds sets the state of Iowa on a course to do exactly that by ensuring all new diesel vehicles can use higher biodiesel blends.”
The executive order is intended to encourage diesel engine manufacturers to increase the number of engines expressly approved for B20, a fuel blend containing 20% biodiesel and 80% diesel.
In part, the order reads: “WHEREAS, biodiesel production is a growing, vital industry in the State of Iowa, essential to the health of the agricultural economy, sustainable environmental commitments and local jobs…All State of Iowa executive branch agencies shall ensure that any procurement solicitations…for vehicles containing diesel engines shall require the responses to certify that the engine manufacturer has provided explicit written support for the use of B20 biodiesel.”
Iowa is the country’s number one producer of biodiesel, producing 365 million gallons in 2018. The state’s 11 plants have the capacity to produce 400 million gallons annually.
“We thank Governor Reynolds for taking this step to help ensure Iowa is not only a leading producer of biodiesel but also an avid consumer of biodiesel,” said IRFA Executive Director Monte Shaw. “Today’s action comes at a time when the biodiesel industry is in greatest need of it. Between refinery exemptions to the Renewable Fuel Standard destroying biodiesel demand and uncertain federal tax policy, the biodiesel industry faces many headwinds these days. This executive order opens a new door of opportunity and will help drive biodiesel demand.”
