The Board of Directors of Siouxland Energy Cooperative, a producer owned ethanol plant in Sioux Center, Iowa have idled their 70-million gallon ethanol production facility.
Board President Kelly Niewenhuis says margins have been squeezed for a year now. He says the large number of small refiner exemptions granted reduced ethanol demand and forced their decision to idle operations.

He says while they’ve halted production for the time being, they’re keeping all their employees on staff and hoping for a restart in the future.

He says the renewable volume obligations waivers granted under President Obama were reallocated but none have been under President Trump.

Niewenhuis says their board is being prudent with how they’re running their ethanol plant and are committed to making it work.

Siouxland Energy, founded in 2000,currently has 42 employees.