(NEWTON, IOWA) April 19, 2011—Today Renewable Energy Group® officials hosted USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson as well as leaders from the ethanol industry at their REG Newton biorefinery to discuss the role of advanced biofuels in meeting the President’s energy independence goals.

“We applaud Secretary Vilsack and Administrator Jackson for their roles in implementing energy independence and clean air programs focused on enhancing advanced biofuels production and utilization,” said Renewable Energy Group’s President and Chief Operating Officer, Daniel J. Oh who opened the roundtable discussion. “We appreciate our partners in the ethanol industry, Jeff Broin, CEO of POET, and Todd Becker, President and CEO of Green Plains Renewable Energy for joining us in highlighting the opportunities and challenges in the biodiesel and ethanol industries.”

Broin highlighted the importance of continuous process advancement for creating new opportunities. “The growing cooperation between the ethanol and biodiesel industries will benefit the country by offsetting even more oil imports and holding down gas prices in coming years,” Broin told USDA and EPA leaders.

“Creating good paying American jobs, decreasing carbon emissions and strengthening our national security by reducing our dependence on foreign oil are very positive contributions from this country’s biofuels industry,” said Todd Becker, President and CEO of Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc. during the roundtable. “Projects like our BioProcess Algae bioreactors in Shenandoah, Iowa are paving the way for next generation biofuels.”

“Our production facility is proof that next‐generation advanced biofuel is commercially-available today. Our Newton biorefinery is supporting 23 full‐time green collar jobs, regional economic development and Iowa agriculture,” said Oh before leading the group through REG’s 30 million gallon per year facility.

During the tour, REG showcased the wide variety of raw materials it uses to produce biodiesel.

“This facility efficiently converts recycled and natural fats and oils into advanced biofuel which may be used in any diesel engine seamlessly,” explained Oh. “Biodiesel production complements protein production by using the co‐products and by‐products of meat and meal production.”

Oh highlighted a bottle of inedible corn oil feedstock and another of inedible corn oil‐based biodiesel, pointing out the importance POET’s recent corn oil technology announcement.

Broin noted, “POET’s newest co‐product shows that through new technology, the renewable fuels industry is helping the President achieve his goal of reducing oil imports. Biodiesel producers like Renewable Energy Group are already using POET’s corn oil today, and that means we’re producing even more fuel from the same bushel of corn.”

Biodiesel reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 57‐86% as compared to petroleum and qualifies for both the Biomass Based Diesel and Advanced Biofuels categories. More than 2.2 billion gallons of biodiesel industry capacity are currently registered with the EPA to meet the combined 950 million gallon Biomass Based Diesel and Advanced Biofuels obligations.

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About Renewable Energy Group®
Renewable Energy Group® is North America’s largest biodiesel manufacturer and marketer. Utilizing an integrated value chain model, Renewable Energy Group is focused on converting natural fats, oils and greases into advanced biofuels, primarily biodiesel. With more than 180 million gallons of owned/operated annual production capacity— which meets or exceeds ASTM quality specifications REG® is a proven biodiesel partner in the distillate marketplace.

About POET
POET, the largest ethanol producer in the world, is a leader in biorefining through its efficient, vertically integrated approach to production. The 23-year-old company produces more than 1.7 billion gallons of ethanol and 9 billion pounds of high-protein animal feed annually from 27 production facilities nationwide. POET also operates a pilot-scale cellulosic ethanol plant, which uses corn cobs as feedstock, and will commercialize the process in Emmetsburg, Iowa. For more information, visit http://www.poet.com.

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