Hinson visits Western Dubuque Biodiesel

Iowa 1st District Congresswoman Ashley Hinson met with officials at Western Dubuque Biodiesel, in Farley, Aug. 3, participating in a roundtable discussion before touring the facility.

Renewable fuels play a big role in Iowa’s economy, 395 million gallons of biodiesel were produced in the state last year, with more than 800 fueling stations offering biodiesel blends. There were 495.1 million gallons of biodiesel blended fuels sold by Iowa retailers in 2019 — 59.1% of total diesel sales in the state.

In a press release, Hinson said, “Recent fuel supply challenges and rising gas prices show the need to increase the use of biofuels as a reliable and clean energy source, and the conversations I had today confirmed that Iowa’s biofuel industry stands ready to meet his need.”

Western Dubuque Biodiesel General manager Tom Brooks expressed appreciation for Hinson’s support of biofuels.

“I’d like to thank you for a couple of things you’ve done on the federal level. You signed on to the Biodiesel tax extension act. Biodiesel alone reduces carbon by 74%,” Brooks said.

“The second thing I’d like to thank you for is being a leader on the renewable fuels infrastructure program. A lot of people don’t know that in this infrastructure bill going on in Congress, there’s no biodiesel, ethanol, and no renewable fuel in that bill whatsoever.

“Finally, I’d like to thank you for leading the House Biofuels Caucus letter to make sure the RFS (Renewable Fuel Standard) is part of any future decision we make as far as where we go with fuel.”

Hinson told roundtable participants that along with electric, nuclear and solar power playing a role in carbon reduction, biofuels need to be part of the discussion.

“We need low emissions and biofuels are a part of that. With the goal of getting carbon reduction, this really helps in the conversation right now,” she said. “There are obviously people on both sides of the aisle on both sides of the issue.”

“Unfortunately, Washington bureaucrats continue to ignore the clear benefits of biofuels, and producers in this industry need certainty,” continued Hinson’s statement. “I have already co-led legislation to extend the biodiesel tax credit and to codify waivers that will allow the sale of higher ethanol-blended fuels. I will continue calling for policies that provide certainty for Iowa’s biofuel producers and farmers during these uncertain times.”