The US is expanding its feedstock base for biofuel production

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved the use of oil from the winter oilseed crop CoverCress for renewable fuel production under the federal Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program. The decision gives the crop access to the US biofuel market and lays the groundwork for expanding its commercial production.

Renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) produced from CoverCress oil under the approved pathways will qualify for D4 Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs). Renewable naphtha and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) produced from the same feedstock will qualify for D5 RINs. These credits are used by US fuel market participants to meet RFS obligations, making the approval an important factor in the commercial viability of the new feedstock.

CoverCress is a winter oilseed crop that can be integrated between major cash crops in a crop rotation. It is planted after the main crop is harvested in the fall and harvested before spring planting begins. This allows farmers to generate an additional crop and source of income from the same land while maintaining soil cover during the winter.

CoverCress is preparing for its first commercial crush in early 2027. EPA approval removes one of the key regulatory barriers to developing a new supply chain involving farmers, grain handlers, processors and renewable fuel producers.

The emergence of a new source of vegetable oil is particularly important amid growing US biofuel demand. The development of CoverCress could expand domestic supplies of oilseed feedstocks and provide an additional alternative to traditional biofuel feedstocks, including soybean and rapeseed oil.