EPA Expands Woody Biomass Eligibility for Sustainable Aviation Fuel

The U.S. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) clarified its regulation of approved feedstocks for sustainable aviation fuel in March to include more categories of woody biomass.

Previously, the “approved pathways for renewable fuels” did not include much of low-grade wood fiber that would be practical as a fuel source.

The March release of Approved Pathways for Renewable Fuels included broader coverage for waste wood, including:

For “Jet Fuel”: “L- slash, pre-commercial thinning and tree residue”:

Also “M”- slash, precommercial thinning, and tree residue”

The change is important in the Lake States due to plans for a sustainable aviation fuel plant in Hayward, Wisconsin, and plans for sustainable aviation fuel use at the MSP Regional Airport.

Previously, many of the “approved pathways” for SAF related to agricultural and food waste.

The list of approved pathways is here:

https://www.epa.gov/renewable-...