EPA approves canola as advanced biofuels feedstock

In Washington, the U.S. Canola Association (USCA) applauds the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s determination that canola oil-derived renewable diesel and related biofuels qualify as “advanced biofuels” under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program. This is good news for canola growers, renewable fuel producers, consumers, and the environment.

In March 2020, the USCA petitioned the EPA to approve canola oil as a feedstock for renewable diesel. In April 2022, the EPA issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that renewable diesel, jet fuel, naphtha, liquified petroleum gas (LPG) and heating oil produced from canola oil reduce GHG emissions by at least 50 percent compared to petroleum in order to be eligible for the RFS. In fact, the EPA conservatively estimates that lifecycle GHG emissions from canola oil-based renewable diesel are 67 percent less than the diesel baseline. Naphtha, LPG, and canola oil-based jet fuel have similar reductions compared to baseline emissions.

As only biofuels produced by EPA-approved pathways are eligible for the RFS program, these new canola oil pathways can now contribute to reducing GHG emissions in the transportation sector. Renewable diesel, for example, is a “drop-in” biofuel that is chemically similar to petroleum so it can be used in existing transportation vehicles at 100 percent replacement.

Canola has a higher percentage of oil (45%) and better cold weather properties than other oilseed feedstocks due to low saturated fat content (7%). In addition, canola is a sustainable rotational crop that improves farm economics, weed management, soil health, pollinator habitat and more.