Iowa
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The midwestern state of Iowa is the largest producer of corn, as well as the biofuels ethanol and biodiesel.
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Events
- 31 January 2008, Des Moines: Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit (Themes: fuels)
- 7-10 September 2008, Ames: 6th Annual Biobased Industry Outlook Conference. (Themes: biofuels, bioeconomy, sustainability, legislation, climate change)
- 6-10 October 2008, Ames: Biodiesel Technology Workshop (Themes: biodiesel, technology)
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Issues
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Biofuel production
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Policies
- 2006 tax policy to promote biofuels.
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News
- Uprising Against the Ethanol Mandate, 23 July 2008 by the New York Times: "Gov. Rick Perry of Texas is asking the Environmental Protection Agency to temporarily waive regulations requiring the oil industry to blend ever-increasing amounts of ethanol into gasoline. A decision is expected in the next few weeks."
- "His request for an emergency waiver cutting the ethanol mandate to 4.5 billion gallons, from the 9 billion gallons required this year and the 10.5 billion required in 2009, is backed by a coalition of food, livestock and environmental groups."
- "In ethanol’s home ground of the Midwest, where much of the corn is grown and the additive is made, Mr. Perry’s petition was opposed by 12 governors. Senator Charles Grassley, Republican of Iowa, accused the Grocery Manufacturers Association, the group leading the public relations fight against ethanol, of 'treasonous' acts."[1]
- Study: biofuels industry added 10% to Iowa's GDP in 2007, 1 February 2008, Biopact. The study, published by the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association finds that the construction of new biorefineries for both biodiesel and ethanol has driven growth in the agricultural economy, especially in rural areas.
- Where ethanol is king, 9 March 2007 by Alan Boyle in CosmicLog, the science blog of MSNBC: "If America follows through on its biofuel aspirations and creates an "OPEC of ethanol," Iowa could well become one of its most energy-rich emirates." Boyle states that "the biofuel boom is already changing Iowa - for good and potentially for ill."
- Demand for corn for ethanol production has raised the price of corn to "over $4 a bushel" -- which is beneficial for corn producers, and detrimental for livestock producers.
- "The higher prices have led some farmers to boost the acreage they'll be devoting to corn when the planting season begins - and the federal government just might give farmers an "early out" from conservation set-aside contracts to boost the land put into production. There's also evidence that crop rotations might be tweaked to favor corn."[2]
- If sustainable farming methods are not implemented, "soil erosion could create a situation in which the state loses a pound of topsoil for every gallon of ethanol gained," according to Robert Anex, Associate Director of the Office of Biorenewable Programs at Iowa State University.[3]
- New Iowa Legislation to Boost Renewable Fuel Use, 7 June 2006 from EERE News, reported on new legislation that "creates a tax credit for selling E85...that starts at 25 cents per gallon and phases out by 2021, and another tax credit of three cents per gallon for diesel blends containing at least 2 percent biodiesel."
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Organizations
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Governmental organizations
- Iowa State Energy Center
- Iowa office of energy independence
- Iowa Plan for Energy Independence (PDF file) - In this report, state officials explain their "goal to make Iowa the national leader in energy efficiency, and sustainable energy." Excerpts:
- "We want to make Iowa what we have called the Silicon Valley of the Midwest with respect to our new energy economy....We have announced plans for the nation’s first cellulosic bio-refinery, which will be able to extract ethanol from the whole corn plant, not just the kernel."
- "We have made renewable fuels more accessible to Iowans by opening more E85 pumps across the state, converting the state fleet to all flex-fuel vehicles, and opening distribution lines for bio-diesel."
- "Now, we are undertaking another ambitious yet attainable goal – one of energy independence by the year 2025."
- Iowa Plan for Energy Independence (PDF file) - In this report, state officials explain their "goal to make Iowa the national leader in energy efficiency, and sustainable energy." Excerpts:
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Nongovernmental organizations
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Companies
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Academia
- Iowa State University - Office of Biorenewable Programs (Ames, Iowa)
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Publications
See books, reports, scientific papers, position papers and websites for additional useful resources.
- Adoption Subsidies and Environmental Impacts of Alternative Energy Crops by Bruce A. Babcock, Philip W. Gassman, Manoj Jha, Catherine L. Kling; Center for Agricultural and Renewable Development, Iowa State University, March 2007. Provides "estimates of the costs associated with inducing substantial conversion of land from production of traditional crops to switchgrass" and examines "potential environmental consequences of conversion".
- Costs of Producing Switchgrass for Biomass in Southern Iowa (pdf) by Michael D. Duffy and Virginie Y. Nanhou; Reprinted from: Trends in new crops and new uses. 2002. J. Janick and A. Whipkey (eds.). ASHS Press, Alexandria, VA.
| Iowa | edit | |
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