Golden Grain Energy Celebrates One Billionth Gallon

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) congratulated Golden Grain Energy, an ethanol production facility in Mason City, Iowa, for producing its one billionth gallon of cleaner-burning, homegrown ethanol.

Golden Grain Energy held an event Monday February 16th, celebrating the monumental achievement with stakeholders and featured speakers Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey.

“Congratulations to Golden Grain Energy for reaching this monumental milestone,” stated IRFA Executive Director Monte Shaw. “It’s not an easy road to one billion gallons. Golden Grain survived the commodity boom-bust of 2008, the drought of 2012, and more than a decade of attacks on their product from Big Oil. But the investors, board and hardworking employees of Golden Grain Energy did more than survive – they thrived. They doubled the original size of the plant; they developed new domestic and foreign markets; and they powered the ag economy for 100 miles around the plant. Simply put, hitting the one billion gallon threshold is a true Iowa success story.”

“This achievement represents a lot of work from farmer to producer to truck driver. Each stage of production leads to a tremendously beneficial final product,” stated Sen. Chuck Grassley. “Every gallon of ethanol used in transportation increases our energy independence, reduces polluting emissions and adds economic value in rural communities. I’m glad to congratulate Golden Grain Energy on one billion gallons produced. I’m looking forward to the next billion.”

“This remarkable milestone by Golden Grain Energy is a great opportunity to celebrate the tremendous impact this plant and the 42 other ethanol refineries have had in reducing our dependence on foreign oil, protecting our environment and boosting the Iowa economy,” stated Iowa Ag Sec. Bill Northey. “It is important we recognize the local investors who invested millions to build this plant. Thanks to their vision and passion for this industry, billions of miles have been driven in Iowa and across the nation using clean-burning, homegrown renewable fuels.”

“This is a huge occasion for the plant, the staff, and the community as a whole,” stated Golden Grain Energy Chief Operations Officer Chad Kuhlers. “To the best of my knowledge I believe we are the first single location ethanol plant in the country to reach this production mark, and it couldn't have been done without the support from the shareholders, community and the great work from our employees over the years.”

To put one billion gallons into perspective, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that the average faucet flows at a rate of 2 gallons per minute. This average faucet would have to flow non-stop for more than 950 years to produce 1 billion gallons.

Golden Grain Energy is a 115 million gallon per year capacity ethanol production facility in Mason City, Iowa. Golden Grain Energy began production in the winter of 2004.

Source: Iowa Renewable Fuels Association

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