Valero Renewables, which has ethanol plants in Webster and Kossuth counties, has joined the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association as a producer member.

The second largest ethanol producer in the United States, Valero Renewables has five ethanol plants in Iowa. Together they produce nearly 700 million gallons of ethanol a year.

“With Valero’s footprint in ethanol, refining and renewable diesel, they bring a unique perspective to the IRFA’s board,” Monte Shaw, executive director of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, said in a written statement.

“We both see a bright future ahead for liquid transportation biofuels as we continue to try to address both U.S. energy security and lower carbon fuel demand,” he added. “IRFA looks forward to working alongside Valero to promote our shared priorities.”

Valero Renewables has an ethanol plant west of Fort Dodge in the ag industrial park called Iowa’s Crossroads of Global Innovation. It also has one in Lakota in Kossuth County.

Its other Iowa plants are in Albert City, Charles City and Hartley.