The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) welcomed today’s announcement that Chevron will restart its biodiesel production facility in Ralston, Iowa, supported by a feedstock supply agreement with Landus Cooperative.
The Ralston facility was idled in 2024 following a downturn in biodiesel market conditions resulting from lapsed federal tax policies and weak Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) blending targets. Chevron plans to restart operations in phases, beginning with staffing, maintenance, safety, and operational-readiness activities.
“This may be the biggest sign yet of the powerful impact of the robust RFS blending levels finalized by the Trump EPA earlier this year,” said Monte Shaw, Executive Director of IRFA. “A major facility is coming back online, creating new demand for Iowa-grown soybeans and creating good-paying jobs in rural Iowa. IRFA strongly urges the Trump Administration to maintain the RFS and to reject any actions that would reverse course. As the saying goes – if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
Iowa has the agricultural resources, infrastructure, and industry leadership to grow its renewable fuels sector. Strong and stable federal and state policies can help turn that potential into more investment, more production, and more opportunities for rural communities.
“Strong renewable fuels blending levels aren’t just numbers on a spreadsheet. They translate into real investments, real markets for farmers, and real jobs in rural communities,” Shaw said. “If we want to see more announcements like this, we need federal and state policy that keeps renewable fuels moving forward.”
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The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association represents the state’s liquid renewable fuels industry and works to foster its growth. Iowa is the nation’s leader in renewable fuels production with 42 ethanol refineries capable of producing over 5 billion gallons annually – including 34 million gallons of annual cellulosic ethanol production capacity – and 9 biodiesel facilities with the capacity to produce 450 million gallons annually. For more information, visit the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association website at: www.IowaRFA.org.
