IRFA: SIRE seeds monarch fueling station project
PHOTO: Iowa Renewable Fuels Association
April 16, 2019
BY Iowa Renewable Fuels Association
Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy is one step closer to providing monarch butterflies with a new place to fill up on their cross-country journey.
The ethanol plant seeded their Monarch Fueling Station this week. Seeding was done by local farmer Rick Frost. Habitat Establishment Coordinator Kevin Reynolds said the plant can expect to see growth relatively soon.
Advertisement
Advertisement
“The first year there are a few species of plants that will sprout rapidly,” he said. “However, the majority will spend this first growing season developing strong roots. Managers of the project will need to be vigilant about weed control during this time to ensure the long-term success of the habitat.”
SIRE established the Monarch Fueling Station in February of 2018 with the help of Reynolds.
Advertisement
Advertisement
“This is an exciting next step for our Monarch Fueling Station,” said SIRE CEO Mike Jerke. “We can’t wait to see green sprouts in this field and watch it flourish over time to provide much-needed habitat for Iowa’s monarch butterflies.”
The Monarch Fueling Station Project was established by the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association in partnership with the Iowa Monarch Conservation Consortium in December 2017. It is a program to help Iowa’s ethanol and biodiesel plants establish patches of monarch habitat on plant grounds. To learn more about the IRFA Monarch Fueling Station Project, contact IRFA at info@IowaRFA.org or 515-252-6249.
Related Stories
The U.S. Energy Information Administration maintained its forecast for 2025 and 2026 biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production in its latest Short-Term Energy Outlook, released July 8.
XCF Global Inc. on July 10 shared its strategic plan to invest close to $1 billion in developing a network of SAF production facilities, expanding its U.S. footprint, and advancing its international growth strategy.
U.S. fuel ethanol capacity fell slightly in April, while biodiesel and renewable diesel capacity held steady, according to data released by the U.S. EIA on June 30. Feedstock consumption was down when compared to the previous month.
XCF Global Inc. on July 8 provided a production update on its flagship New Rise Reno facility, underscoring that the plant has successfully produced SAF, renewable diesel, and renewable naphtha during its initial ramp-up.
The USDA’s Risk Management Agency is implementing multiple changes to the Camelina pilot insurance program for the 2026 and succeeding crop years. The changes will expand coverage options and provide greater flexibility for producers.
Upcoming Events
