CoverCress Inc., developer of the winter oilseed crop CoverCress®, revealed that the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved renewable fuel pathways for its product under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) programme.
Under the Chevron Geismar CoverCress Pathways, EPA has determined that renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) produced from CoverCress® oil qualify for biomass-based diesel (D4) Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs).
Renewable naphtha and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) produced through the same pathways qualify for advanced biofuel (D5) RINs.
RINs are the tradable credits obligated parties use to meet RFS obligations, so pathway approval is what allows fuel made from CoverCress oil to be sold into the RFS market and earn credit value.
The approval arrives as CoverCress prepares for its first commercial crush in early 2027, giving growers, grain handlers, processors and fuel producers regulatory certainty as they plan for the crop’s expanding role in the renewable fuel supply chain.
“The recognition of CoverCress® oil as an approved feedstock pathway under the Renewable Fuel Standard strengthens the commercial foundation for adoption across the value chain — from growers to grain handlers, processors and fuel producers,” said CoverCress CEO Jim Hedges. “This is a major milestone for our company and stakeholders. We appreciate the thorough review conducted by EPA and the commitment of industry partners who have helped advance the development of this innovative crop.”
As a winter annual oilseed, CoverCress® is planted after traditional cash crops and harvested before spring planting, giving growers an additional source of farm income while providing soil cover during otherwise fallow periods.
The crop is being developed to supply fuel producers with a new, scalable and domestic source of renewable fuel feedstock.
EPA approves renewable fuel pathways for CoverCress oil
