Iowa first state to build renewable bio-fuel facility
EDDYVILLE, Iowa — Iowa’s agriculture industry continues to grow with the construction of a renewable bio-fuel facility in southeast Iowa.
Eddyville is now the first city in the United States to have this new energy saving building and Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig are both supporting this project.
This project that has been six-years in the making is called QIRA. The purpose of QIRA is to help make products become more sustainable.
“QIRA is not a new chemical to the world, but it uses an innovative process starting from corn sugar. So instead, of making butane, they are from fossil fuels and pulling coal from the ground. This is made from carbon dioxide pulled from the air.”
Reynolds praises the project saying its more valuable than ever right now.
This product will mean better market opportunities for farmers and benefits for people across the state of Iowa and around the world. And you can count on Iowa to deliver.,” said Reynolds.
Naig also endorsed QIRA, expressing how important this project is for Iowa.
“Words like ‘renewable’ and ‘bio-based’ mean something in a state like Iowa,” said Naig. “This great joint venture between Cargill and HELM provides certainly increased economic opportunity here and jobs in rural communities that are so important to us. It also shows and reminds us again how important value-added agriculture opportunities and partnerships are here in Iowa.”
Reynolds said because of projects like QIRA, Iowa can stay thriving.
“We push boundaries. And of course, I as governor, I couldn't be more thrilled that we'll continue to be a hall of incredible innovation, like what will take place at this facility,” said Reynolds.
