http://www.biodieselmagazine.com/articles/2060970/iowas-2016-biodiesel-production-tops-prior-year-by-23-percent
Iowa's 2016 biodiesel production tops prior year by 23 percent
By The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association | January 03, 2017
Iowa’s 2016 biodiesel production reached a recording-breaking total of
297 million gallons, surpassing 2015’s total 242 million gallons by 55
million gallons. This 23 percent increase is largely attributed to
policy certainty at the federal level during 2016, including the
biodiesel tax incentive and renewable fuel standard. State level
policies targeting higher biodiesel blends, such as Iowa’s B11 excise
tax differential, also helped drive demand.
“This record-busting year speaks volumes of the hard work and strength
of Iowa’s biodiesel producers,” said Iowa Renewable Fuels Association
Executive Director Monte Shaw. “Iowa is home to some of the most
efficient biodiesel plants in the world and they took advantage of
strong demand in 2016. As we turn the calendar forward to 2017, we
unfortunately turn back to the policy uncertainty of prior years. The
federal biodiesel tax credit expired on Dec. 31, and we don’t know for
sure whether or when it will be reinstated in 2017. Regardless of the
pending challenges of 2017, Iowa plants are well-positioned to remain
number one in biodiesel production.”
Compared to 2015, soybean oil remained the largest feedstock for Iowa
biodiesel production—holding steady at 66 percent. Animal fats dropped
slightly to 14 percent of production, while corn oil held steady at
around 10 percent. Used cooking oil and canola oil doubled their 2015
numbers, combining to account for roughly 10 percent of 2016 biodiesel
production in Iowa.