DES MOINES –Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today encouraged Iowa fuel retailers and gas stations to submit nominations for the Secretary’s Renewable Fuels Marketing Awards, which recognize fuel retailers that have gone above and beyond in their efforts to sell renewable fuels.  Awards are presented for both the marketing of ethanol and biodiesel.

“We continue to see significant growth in the availability of renewable fuels, both ethanol and biodiesel, at the pump, but we still have more to do,” Northey said.  “Fuel retailers are on the frontlines of making these homegrown renewable fuels available and this award is an opportunity to recognize them for all their work.”

Qualifying stores will be those that market the renewable fuels they have available through creative efforts including, but not limited to: hosting special events highlighting their renewable fuels, development of creative signage, initiation of new advertisements or marketing efforts, and efforts dramatically increase renewable fuel availability.

Nominations forms can be found on the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s website at www.IowaAgriculture.gov.  Completed nominations can be submitted via email at Dustin.VandeHoef@iowaagriculture.gov or mail at Henry A. Wallace Building, Attn: Dustin Vande Hoef, 502 East 9th Street, Des Moines IA 50319.  They should be submitted by January 1, 2011.

The winners will be recognized during the Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Stores of Iowa Annual Meeting in Des Moines on January 11th.

This is the fourth year for the award.  Last year Randy Woodard of Elliott Oil Company in Ottumwa and Terry Bahl of Farm Service Company in Council Bluffs were recognized.

Iowa leads the nation in the production of ethanol and biodiesel.  According to the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, Iowa has 40 ethanol refineries with the capacity to produce nearly 3.3 billion gallons annually.  Iowa also has 14 biodiesel refineries with a combined annual capacity of over 320 million gallons.

Northey, a corn and soybean farmer from Spirit Lake, was just elected to serve his second term as Secretary of Agriculture. His priorities as Secretary of Agriculture are advancing the opportunities available through renewable energy, promoting conservation and stewardship, and telling the story of Iowa agriculture.