[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 73 (Monday, April 29, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H2654-H2656]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CARBON SEQUESTRATION COLLABORATION ACT
Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill
(H.R. 4824) to amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to require the
Secretary of Energy to carry out terrestrial carbon sequestration
research and development activities, and for other purposes, as
amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 4824
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Carbon Sequestration
Collaboration Act''.
SEC. 2. CARBON SEQUESTRATION RESEARCH INITIATIVE.
Section 963 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C.
16293) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as paragraphs
(2) and (3), respectively;
(B) by inserting before paragraph (2), as so redesignated,
the following new paragraph:
``(1) Carbon sequestration in geologic formations.--The
term `carbon sequestration in geologic formations' means
carbon sequestration methods or technologies utilizing
existing permeable or porous formations in geologic settings,
such as basins or aquifers.''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(4) Terrestrial carbon sequestration.--The term
`terrestrial carbon sequestration' means carbon sequestration
methods or technologies engineered by humans and targeted at
rangelands, agricultural lands, fallow lands, or forest
stands to increase soil organic carbon levels or sequester
carbon through transport processes via plant and root
biomass, including through soil additives, geochemical
approaches, and other engineered solutions that can increase
the storage of produced carbon in inorganic or mineral forms,
such as biochar and carbon mineralization utilizing mine
tailings.''; and
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) by striking ``shall establish'' and inserting ``, in
coordination with the heads of relevant Federal agencies,
carry out''; and
(ii) by inserting ``, including through terrestrial carbon
sequestration and carbon sequestration in geologic
formations'' before the period;
[[Page H2655]]
(B) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in subparagraph (A)--
(I) by striking ``in coordination with relevant Federal
agencies,''; and
(II) by striking ``assess the capacity of geologic storage
formation'' and inserting ``evaluate terrestrial carbon
sequestration and carbon sequestration in geologic
formations'';
(ii) in subparagraph (B)--
(I) in the matter preceding clause (i), by inserting ``and
terrestrial carbon storage sites'' after ``geologic
formations''; and
(II) in clause (ii), by striking ``geologic storage'' and
inserting ``across a variety of ecosystems'';
(iii) in subparagraph (D)--
(I) by striking ``formation''; and
(II) by inserting ``, and determining the fate of carbon
dioxide concurrent with and after injection into geologic
formations'' before the semicolon;
(iv) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``geologic
sequestration of carbon dioxide'' and inserting ``terrestrial
carbon sequestration and carbon sequestration in geologic
formations'';
(v) by striking subparagraphs (F) and (G);
(vi) by redesignating subparagraphs (H) and (I) as
subparagraphs (F) and (G), respectively;
(vii) in subparagraph (F), as so resesignated, by striking
``and'' after the semicolon;
(viii) in subparagraph (G), as so redesignated, by striking
the period and inserting a semicolon; and
(ix) by adding at the end the following new subparagraphs:
``(H) enhancing the scientific understanding of, and
reducing uncertainties associated with, the cycling of carbon
in agriculture lands, forests, and geologic formations,
including long- and short-term behavior and potential
environmental effects of sequestered carbon;
``(I) identifying scientific barriers and pursuing research
solutions to challenges preventing terrestrial carbon
sequestration and carbon sequestration in geologic
formations, including supporting cost and business model
assessments to examine the economic viability of technologies
and systems developed under the program;
``(J) collecting, identifying, standardizing, and utilizing
data and data sharing practices needed to--
``(i) increase the understanding of terrestrial carbon
sequestration, in particular carbon sequestered through
agricultural practices and conservation agriculture, such as
rangeland and grazing management, soil cover, and crop
rotations; and
``(ii) support the development and demonstration of new
carbon sequestration tools and technologies; and
``(K) coordinating across Federal agencies research efforts
regarding terrestrial carbon sequestration and carbon
sequestration in geologic formations.'';
(C) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (5);
(D) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following new
paragraphs:
``(3) Leveraging.--In carrying out activities under the
program, the Secretary shall leverage for the advancement of
monitoring, reporting, and verification, including tools,
modeling, and analysis, the collective body of knowledge and
data, including experience and resources from existing carbon
utilization and sequestration research, entities, and
demonstrations, from the following:
``(A) The United States Geological Survey, the Agricultural
Research Service, and the national Carbon Utilization
Research Center.
``(B) The Department of Energy, including the Office of
Science, the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management,
and the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations.
``(C) Interagency research and development initiatives and
data collection activities.
``(D) Other Federal agencies, research communities, and
users of the data referred to in subparagraph (J) of
paragraph (2), including the Farm Service Agency, the
National Institute of Food and Agriculture, the Forest
Service, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
``(4) Coordination.--The Secretary of Energy shall carry
out the program in coordination with, and avoid unnecessary
duplication of, the following:
``(A) Other research entities of the Department of Energy,
including the National Laboratories and the Advanced Research
Projects Agency-Energy.
``(B) Research entities, services, and partnerships of the
Department of Agriculture, including the Agricultural
Research Service, the Natural Resources Conservation Service,
the Farm Service Agency, and the Forest Service.
``(C) Research entities of the Department of the Interior.
``(D) Other entities within Federal agencies that conduct
research, development, or demonstration on terrestrial carbon
sequestration and carbon sequestration in geologic
formations.''; and
(E) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(6) Research plan.--Not later than two years after the
date of the enactment of this paragraph and annually
thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology, the Committee on Natural
Resources, and the Committee on Agriculture of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural
Resources and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and
Forestry of the Senate the long-term strategic and
prioritized research agenda to identify and address
scientific challenges for widespread adoption of terrestrial
carbon sequestration and carbon sequestration in geological
formations, including in shallow formations and sites not
used for enhanced oil recovery.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Oklahoma (Mr. Lucas) and the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Lee)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Oklahoma.
General Leave
Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include
extraneous material on H.R. 4824, the bill now under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Oklahoma?
There was no objection.
Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4824, the Carbon Sequestration
Collaboration Act.
Mr. Speaker, this commonsense legislation increases the coordination
among Federal research entities that are focused on the topic of carbon
sequestration.
Specifically, this bill improves the capacity to sequester carbon
through land use activities by authorizing a coordinated research
effort across the Department of Energy, the Department of the Interior,
and the Department of Agriculture.
To date, most Federal research has been focused on large-scale carbon
sequestration in geologic formations. That entails finding a specific
spot deep in the Earth to trap carbon generated by large sources, like
multiple power plants that supply an entire region.
This leaves a significant knowledge gap related to carbon storage
potential at small-scale and everyday sites, like soils, rangelands,
biochar, mine tailings, and forests. The USDA has already started to
explore programs for farmers, ranchers, and landowners to generate
carbon credits by adopting practices to reduce emissions or sequester
carbon on their land.
Yet, I will be the first to admit that USDA is by no means an expert
on quantifying amounts of carbon sequestered or tracking how it behaves
over time. Therefore, we need to ensure that we have scientific support
to develop tools that are needed to quantify, track, and verify carbon
sequestration changes over time, especially in the short term.
By combining DOE expertise in fundamental research and carbon
storage, DOI capacities in geologic mapping, and USDA knowledge in
plant and crop interactions, we can rapidly develop the research to
mature technologies and ensure scientific transparency.
Mr. Speaker, I introduced a similar bill in the last Congress to
address these activities. I am very pleased with my colleague from
Indiana (Mr. Baird), who has worked so hard on championing this issue.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Carbon Sequestration
Collaboration Act. The bill amends the carbon storage provisions of the
bipartisan Energy Act of 2020 to support research and development on
ways to sequester carbon in terrestrial ecosystems, agriculture, and
forestry.
Recent academic research has found that agricultural approaches that
enhance the carbon uptake of soils have many potential benefits,
including increased productivity and improvements in the stability of
yields.
Mr. Speaker, this bill will help us better understand the potential
short-term or long-term behavior of sequestered carbon and help
identify any scientific barriers to the widespread deployment of these
technologies.
This is not to mention the added benefit of removing carbon from the
atmosphere, making this one of many solutions we need to advance if we
are to slow down or even reverse the effects of climate change.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 4824,
and I reserve the balance of my time.
[[Page H2656]]
Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Baird) to speak on his bill.
Mr. BAIRD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr.
Lucas) for yielding and for all the work done in committee to get this
important piece of legislation to the floor.
Mr. Speaker, I also thank the gentlewoman from California (Ms.
Lofgren), the ranking member of the Science, Space, and Technology
Committee, for her leadership and support on this bill.
Mr. Speaker, there are a lot of misconceptions about what this bill
does, and, unfortunately, there are some who are intentionally
spreading misinformation about this bill for political gain. Before I
continue any further, let's put these rumors to rest by telling the
American people what this bill does not do.
This bill does not give Federal agencies any authority to seize
private property. I am a farmer and a private landowner, and I would
never sponsor or support a bill that would give the Federal Government
more power to seize private land.
This bill does not specify any land for carbon capture projects or
undermine the property rights of American citizens.
This bill does not directly benefit or impact private companies with
an interest in carbon sequestration.
The United States has been using carbon sequestration methods to
store excess carbon emissions underground for over 50 years, and
President Biden's Department of Energy is currently studying large-
scale carbon sequestration at the Federal level. The problem is that
our Federal agencies are not communicating properly about this
technology, leaving a knowledge gap that wastes taxpayer dollars and
could result in important findings falling through the cracks.
H.R. 4824 will force the executive branch to submit a plan to
Congress and require Federal agencies to share research, data, and
current sequestration technologies. Simply put, this bill puts
guardrails on the administration's national energy plan by adding a
reporting requirement to Congress and requires Federal agencies to talk
to one another and share research in the most efficient way.
Mr. Speaker, I am sponsoring this legislation because I believe every
Hoosier and every American, for that matter, should have the best
information that is available when making informed decisions about
their land and their community.
That is why, Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this
legislation.
Ms. LEE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote
``yes'' on H.R. 4824, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to
close.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4824 is a practical bill that lets Federal agencies
collaborate on this important issue.
Mr. Speaker, I would note that before my father's family lived in
Oklahoma, we lived in Indiana. I would also note to my colleague on the
other side of the aisle that before they lived in Indiana, they lived
in Pennsylvania.
Nonetheless, this is an important piece of legislation, and we need
to pass this.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to adopt it, and I yield back
the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Lucas) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 4824, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.
____________________