The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association announced speakers that will address expansion of the biodiesel market through policy initiatives and broader distribution networks at the 8th Annual Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit and Trade Show taking place at The Meadows Conference Center at Prairie Meadows in Altoona, Iowa, on Jan. 28.

The “More B for Me: Growing Biodiesel’s Popularity” panel will include Michael Whitney of Love’s Travel Stops, who will discuss the company’s move to higher biodiesel blends at its Travel Stops and the future outlook for this renewable fuel as part of Love’s business plan. Love’s has been in the convenience store and travel center business for more than three decades with 300 stores in 39 states.

Joining Whitney will be Minnesota Soybean Processors’ Ron Marr, who will outline the State of Minnesota’s plans to increase biodiesel use by transitioning from a B5 standard to a B10 standard. The Minnesota Soybean Processors is a member cooperative that owns and operates a soybean crush facility and biodiesel plant in Brewster, Minn.

“This biodiesel panel will provide great insight into the benefits of biodiesel and its successful emergence as the nation’s only commercially available advanced biofuel,” stated IRFA Managing Director Lucy Norton. “This panel will be an excellent compliment to a great line-up of speakers representing the Renewable Fuels Association, Chrysler Group, Ricardo Inc., DuPont Cellulosic Ethanol, and the National Renewable Energy Lab.”

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit and Trade Show is a great opportunity to network with biofuels professionals and business leaders from throughout the Midwest, and listen to experts address the key issues that are shaping the future of the renewable fuels industry.

The Summit is free, open to the public, and preregistration is required. To register and learn about sponsorship opportunities, click here.

Space is still available in the trade show. To reserve an exhibit booth, click here.

Iowa is the leader in renewable fuels production. Iowa has 12 biodiesel facilities with the capacity to produce nearly 315 million gallons annually. In addition, Iowa has 42 ethanol refineries capable of producing over 3.8 billion gallons annually, with three cellulosic ethanol facilities currently under construction.

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association was formed in 2002 to represent the state’s liquid renewable fuels industry. The trade group fosters the development and growth of the renewable fuels industry in Iowa through education, promotion, legislation and infrastructure development.