DES MOINES, Iowa — The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship encourages Iowa fuel retailers and gas stations to submit nominations for the Secretary’s Renewable Fuels Marketing Awards, which recognize fuel retailers that have gone above and beyond in their efforts to market and sell renewable fuels. Awards are presented for both the marketing of ethanol and biodiesel.
“Iowa is fortunate to have fuel retailers across the state that are committed to promoting ethanol and biodiesel and making the investments that can be necessary to make these fuels more available to customers,” said Mike Naig, Iowa Deputy Secretary of Agriculture. “Fuel marketers are the access point for customers and this award is an opportunity to recognize their efforts to increase awareness of and access to these clean-burning, homegrown fuels.”
Qualifying entities will be those that market the renewable fuels they have available through creative means including, but not limited to: hosting special events highlighting their renewable fuels, development of creative signage, initiation of new advertisements or marketing efforts, and efforts that dramatically increase renewable fuel availability.
Nominations forms can be found on the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s website at www.IowaAgriculture.gov. Completed nominations can be submitted via email at Dustin.VandeHoef@iowaagriculture.gov or mail at Henry A. Wallace Building, Attn: Dustin Vande Hoef, 502 East 9th Street, Des Moines IA 50319. Nominations must be submitted by Dec. 31, 2017.
Charlie Good, the owner and operator of Good & Quick in Nevada, IA and Richard Weiner with Cartersville Elevator, Inc. in Nora Springs were the 2017 winners of the awards
The winners will be announced and recognized during the Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Stores of Iowa Annual Meeting in Des Moines on Jan. 9, 2018. The Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Stores of Iowa (PMCI) is a non-profit state trade association serving the needs of independent petroleum marketers and convenience store owners throughout the state of Iowa.
Iowa leads the nation in the production of ethanol and biodiesel. According to the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, Iowa has 43 ethanol refineries capable of producing more than 4 billion gallons annually, including nearly 55 million gallons of annual cellulosic ethanol production capacity. In addition, Iowa has 12 biodiesel facilities with the capacity to produce nearly 350 million gallons annually.
The Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program offers cost-share grants for the installation of E85 dispensers, blender pumps, biodiesel dispensers, and biodiesel storage facilities. The grant program is managed by Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and more information can be found on the Department’s website at www.IowaAgriculture.gov.
— Iowa Department of Agriculture
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