Western Dubuque Biodiesel celebrates 500 million gallons of production
The Iowa Biodiesel Board congratulated Western Dubuque Biodiesel, a biodiesel plant in Farley, Iowa, on producing its 500-millionth gallon of biodiesel in October.
The achievement comes without a single recordable accident from the Occupational and Safety Health Administration, another milestone representing a positive safety culture, plant officials said.
Since opening its doors in August 2007, Western Dubuque Biodiesel has grown into one of the area’s anchor employers.
The plant has 23 direct employees and 19 contract drivers.
It has the nameplate capacity to produce 45 million gallons of biodiesel per year, using soybean oil, a locally grown resource.
“One of things I’m most proud of is that biodiesel has made Farley and the surrounding area a better place for the people living here now and for the next generation,” said Tom Brooks, the general manager of Western Dubuque Biodiesel. “Every gallon we make supports our farmer neighbors, truckers, the restaurants, soybean-crush employees and more. Our dollars really churn in a town of about 1,700 people.”
Brooks has kept detailed records and estimates that through 2025, the plant has contributed more than $145 million to the state’s economy since it began operating in 2007, not including construction.
“We congratulate Tom and the entire Western Dubuque Biodiesel team,” said IBB Executive Director Doug Struyk. “Plants like this one are what make Iowa the nation’s leading biodiesel producer, and they show what Iowa gets in return for supporting this industry.”
The milestone comes as Iowa’s biodiesel industry continues to rebound from previously stalled federal policy.
With Renewable Fuel Standard volumes and the 45Z clean fuel production tax credit now in place, the industry is largely back up and running in 2026, with eight operating plants and capacity to produce more than 400 million gallons per year.
Even in a down year, biodiesel production made a big contribution to Iowa.
According to the “Iowa Economic Contribution Report” by Decision Innovation Solutions, Iowa biodiesel production supported 1,198 jobs, $92 million in labor income, $67.2 million in value added and nearly $1.5 billion in output in the Iowa economy in 2025, after accounting for indirect and induced effects.
Meanwhile, Iowa’s biodiesel production and promotion tax credits are both set to expire Dec. 31, 2027.
Lawmakers will decide whether to extend them during the upcoming legislative session.
“Western Dubuque Biodiesel shows what these credits do for Iowa—good jobs in a small town, steady demand for Iowa soybeans and a homegrown fuel that keeps dollars in our state,” Struyk said. “States with the strongest policies capture the most value from federal policies. Extending the biodiesel production tax credit and biodiesel promotion tax credit is the most important step lawmakers can take to stabilize and grow Iowa’s biodiesel industry, so plants like this can keep producing for another 20 years.”
