EPA approves advanced biofuel pathway for camelina

The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) has responded to the news that the EPA finalised its rule approving camelina oil as a new low-carbon feedstock under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS)

'This decision adds to the growing list of biodiesel feedstocks that meet the EPA's standards for advanced biofuel and gives us yet another option for producing sustainable, domestic biodiesel that displaces imported oil,’ says Anne Steckel, NBB's vice president of federal affairs. ‘This is important for our energy security, for our economy and for addressing climate change, and we thank the EPA for conducting a thorough and fair review.

The RFS requires a 50% greenhouse gas emissions reduction for qualifying biomass-based diesel or advanced biofuel.

Assessing whether a fuel pathway meets that threshold requires a comprehensive evaluation of the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions of the renewable fuel as compared to the lifecycle emissions of the gasoline or diesel fuel that it replaces.

A handful of biodiesel feedstocks, such as recycled cooking oil, soyabean oil and animal fats already qualify as ‘advanced’ under the programme. The EPA has ruled that biodiesel reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 57% to 86%, depending on the feedstock used.