| Iowa, nicked named the Tall Corn State on | | | | modification. The fuel is renewable, |
| account of its most common crop, is a medium | | | | biodegradable and cleaner burning compared to |
| sized state situated in the Midwestern region | | | | regular petrol or diesel. It also has the |
| of the USA. The state is an unlikely leader | | | | highest energy balance of any "green fuel" - |
| in green fuel; it is the largest producer of | | | | i.e. for every one unit of fossil-fuel energy |
| ethanol, a major producer of biodiesel | | | | needed to produce biodiesel, 3.2 units of |
| (manufacturing more than 15 million gallons | | | | energy are gained. |
| per year from its two biodiesel plants) and | | | | |
| boasts the 3rd largest wind powder economy in | | | | Ethanol is another fuel which is having a big |
| America. | | | | impact on reducing the dependence on foreign |
| | | | oil imports. All new cars being built in the |
| However, despite being a leader in the | | | | US are required to have engines that can run |
| production of renewable energies and fuel, | | | | on 10% Ethanol blended fuel without any |
| the state has lagged behind in using them, | | | | further modification. The fuel is a proven |
| although the Iowa state government currently | | | | octane enhancer which can be used to replace |
| uses Biodiesel in two of its Department of | | | | lead and other toxic compounds in gasoline, |
| Transportation fleets. To help increase | | | | and is also an ideal fuel for use in small |
| renewable energy uptake proposals have been | | | | engines too, such as lawn mowers, chainsaws, |
| recently made to quadruple the use of | | | | snowmobiles and outboard motors. |
| renewable fuels over the next decade and Iowa | | | | |
| is hoping that their new legislation will | | | | In the future it's hoped that homes, schools |
| form a model for which other states will | | | | and hotels in Des Moines and other large |
| follow. | | | | settlements across Iowa could be powered |
| | | | completely by renewable fuels, which would |
| The proposal will require Iowa petrol | | | | make Iowa a trailblazer in the world of green |
| retailers to sell a minimum percentage of | | | | energy which other states could then follow. |
| renewable fuels; ethanol blends such as E10 | | | | |
| and E85 would also count towards the quota. | | | | In addition to its environmental benefits, |
| The schedule would require minimum renewable | | | | the positive economic impact of ethanol fuels |
| fuel sales of 10% by 2008, 15% by 2010, 20% | | | | is huge, both at a state and nationwide |
| by 2012, and 25% by 2015. Currently, Iowans | | | | level. The ethanol industry provides more |
| can purchase biodiesel and ethanol blends | | | | than 27,205 jobs, and generates $156 million |
| from more than 150 locations across the state | | | | in farm income in Iowa alone, and the scope |
| and this is predicted to rise. | | | | for growth in the industry is massive. |
| | | | |
| Biodiesel has been hailed as a wonder fuel; | | | | Iowa's green credentials are admirable, and |
| it's a blend of soy oil and diesel fuel that | | | | environmentalists across the States and the |
| can significantly reduce air emission without | | | | wider world hope that others will follow this |
| comprising vehicle performance. Some blends | | | | Midwestern state's eco-friendly lead. |
| can even be used without any engine | | | | |