The Environmental Protection Agency on Friday released its final rule approving camelina oil as a new low-carbon feedstock under the Renewable Fuel Standard, providing another option for producing domestic fuels, the National Biodiesel Board says.

Anne Steckel, vice president of federal affairs for the National Biodiesel Board, said the decision is important for =energy security, the U.S. economy and for addressing climate change.

"We thank the EPA for conducting a thorough and fair review," Steckel added.

EPA approves advanced biofuel pathway for Camelina. (Penn State Extension photo)

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, NBB notes.

Already, a handful of biodiesel feedstocks such as recycled cooking oil, soybean oil and animal fats qualify as Advanced under the program.

The EPA rule on camelina can be found on EPA's website.