[House Report 118-213]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]


118th Congress    }                                     {       Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 1st Session      }                                     {      118-213

======================================================================



 
                 CARBON SEQUESTRATION COLLABORATION ACT

                                _______
                                

 September 22, 2023.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on 
            the State of the Union and ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

   Mr. Lucas, from the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, 
                        submitted the following

                              R E P O R T

                        [To accompany H.R. 4824]

    The Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, to whom 
was referred 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, having considered the same, 
reports favorably thereon without amendment and recommends that 
the bill do pass.

                                CONTENTS

                                                                   Page
Purpose and Summary..............................................     1
Background and Need for Legislation..............................     2
Legislative History..............................................     2
Section-by-Section...............................................     3
Related Committee Hearings.......................................     3
Committee Consideration..........................................     3
Roll Call Votes..................................................     4
Application of Law to the Legislative Branch.....................     6
Statement of Oversight Findings and Recommendations of the 
  Committee......................................................     6
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives............     6
Duplication of Federal Programs..................................     6
Federal Advisory Committee Act...................................     6
Unfunded Mandate Statement.......................................     6
Earmark Identification...........................................     6
Committee Cost Estimate..........................................     6
New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditures     7
Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate........................     7
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported............     7

                          Purpose and Summary

    The purpose of this bill is to amend the Energy Policy Act 
of 2005 to direct the Secretary of Energy to carry out 
terrestrial carbon sequestration research and development 
activities. It also directs the Secretary of Energy to submit 
reports to Congress on these activities.

                  Background and Need for Legislation

    Land is a critical component of a climate system in which 
plants and healthy ecosystems can absorb carbon through 
photosynthesis and store it in biomass. Terrestrial carbon 
sequestration through land sinks currently removes close to 
one-quarter (24%) of human-caused carbon dioxide emissions from 
the atmosphere and the National Academies estimates that there 
is potential for soil alone to store up to 13% of the United 
States' annual CO2 emissions. Recent studies suggest 
land-based mitigation options could sequester 200-440 million 
metric tons of CO2 per year by mid-century. Many of 
these approaches, such as those that enhance carbon storage in 
agricultural soils, have many positive benefits, including 
increased productivity, water holding capacity, stability of 
yields, soil regeneration, and nitrogen use efficiency.
    Yet, when it comes to the specifics of carbon land sinks, 
there remains a severe lack of coordinated research, modeling, 
and data that will be needed to realize the full potential of 
these methods. A better understanding of land-based carbon 
storage is necessary not only to maximize the environmental 
benefits, but also to ensure any potential voluntary 
certification programs are science-based. Additional research 
is needed to explore the full suite of carbon sequestration 
practices across geographies, measure and verify terrestrial 
carbon storage, and develop the next generation of agriculture 
and land-based solutions.
    Despite its decades of leadership in both carbon management 
and environmental science, the U.S. Department of Energy 
(DOE)'s carbon storage research has focused primarily on large-
scale carbon sequestration in geologic formations. This leaves 
a significant knowledge gap related to carbon storage potential 
in soils, rangelands, biochar, mine tailings, and other smaller 
scale methods. The Energy Act of 2020 included a comprehensive 
reauthorization of DOE's Fossil Energy and Carbon Management 
activities including in carbon storage validation and testing. 
H.R. 4824 would take this reauthorization one small but 
critical step further by expanding DOE's existing carbon 
storage program to leverage its expertise in terrestrial carbon 
sequestration and enhancing its coordinated research and 
development (R&D) efforts in this space.

                          Legislative History

    On July 24, 2023, Representative James Baird (R-IN) 
introduced H.R. 4824, with Representative Lofgren (D-CA) as the 
original cosponsor.
    On July 27, 2023, the Committee on Science, Space, and 
Technology met to consider H.R. 4824. Chairman Lucas moved that 
Committee favorably report the bill, H.R. 4824, without 
amendment, to the House of Representatives with the 
recommendation that the bill be approved. The motion was agreed 
to by a vote of 35-0.

                           Section-by-Section


Section 1. Short title

    This section establishes that this legislation may be 
referred to as the ``Carbon Sequestration Collaboration Act''.

Section 2. Carbon sequestration research initiative

    This section amends Section 963 of the Energy Policy Act of 
2005 (42 U.S.C. 16293) to expand the Department of Energy's 
carbon storage program activities to include both terrestrial 
carbon sequestration and carbon sequestration in geological 
formations. This section provides updates to this program 
authorization, including additional requirements for 
coordination with relevant federal agencies like the Department 
of the Interior and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It also 
requires the Secretary of Energy to submit to Congress a 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.

                       Related Committee Hearings

    On July 26, 2023, Chairman Frank Lucas presiding, the House 
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology's Subcommittee on 
Energy held a hearing titled, ``Unearthing Innovation: The 
Future of Subsurface Science and Technology in the United 
States''' to explore the status of U.S. subsurface science and 
technology research including in the areas of fundamental 
scientific discovery, clean energy production and storage, 
waste management strategies, and next generation mining 
technologies. This hearing specifically examined research and 
development activities carried out or supported by the U.S. 
Department of Energy (DOE).
    Witnesses:
           Dr. Alexandra Hakala, Senior Fellow, 
        Geologic and Environmental Systems, National Energy 
        Technology Laboratory, U.S. Department of Energy
           Mr. Ben Serrurier, Government Affairs and 
        Policy Manager, Fervo Energy
           Dr. Kevin M. Rosso, Associate Director, 
        Physical Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National 
        Laboratory
           Dr. Haruko Murakami Wainwright, Norman C. 
        Rasmussen Career Development Professor, Assistant 
        Professor of Nuclear Science and Engineering, and 
        Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental 
        Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
           Ms. Allyson Book, Chief Sustainability 
        Officer, Baker Hughes

                        Committee Consideration

    On July 27, 2023, the Committee met in open session and 
ordered reported favorably the bill, H.R. 4824, without 
amendment, by a recorded vote of 35 yeas to 0 nays, a quorum 
being present.

                            Roll Call Votes

    Clause 3(b) of rule XIII requires the Committee to list the 
record votes on the motion to report legislation and amendments 
thereto. The following reflects the record votes taken during 
the Committee consideration:

[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

              Application of Law to the Legislative Branch

    The Committee finds that H.R. 4824 does not relate to the 
terms and conditions of employment or access to public services 
or accommodations within the meaning of section 102(b)(3) of 
the Congressional Accountability Act (Public Law 104-1).

  Statement of Oversight Findings and Recommendations of the Committee

    In compliance with clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII and clause 
(2)(b)(1) of rule X, the Committee's oversight findings and 
recommendations are reflected in the descriptive portions of 
this report.

         Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives

    Pursuant to clause (3)(c)(4) of rule XIII, the goal of H.R. 
4824 is to amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to direct the 
Secretary of Energy to carry out terrestrial carbon 
sequestration research and development activities. H.R. 4824 
takes DOE's Fossil Energy and Carbon Management activities, 
including in carbon storage validation and testing, one small 
but critical step further by expanding its existing carbon 
storage program to leverage existing expertise in terrestrial 
carbon sequestration and enhancing its coordinated R&D efforts 
in this space.

                    Duplication of Federal Programs

    Pursuant to clause 3(c)(5) of rule XIII, the Committee 
finds that no provision of H.R. 4824 establishes or 
reauthorizes a program of the Federal Government known to be 
duplicative of another Federal program, including any program 
that was included in a report to Congress pursuant to section 
21 of Public Law 111-139 or identified in the most recent 
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance.

                     Federal Advisory Committee Act

    The Committee finds that the legislation does not establish 
or authorize the establishment of an advisory committee within 
the definition of section 5(b) of the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act.

                       Unfunded Mandate Statement

    The Committee adopts as its own the estimate of Federal 
mandates prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget 
Office pursuant to section 423 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform 
Act.

                         Earmark Identification

    Pursuant to clauses 9(e), 9(f), and 9(g) of rule XXI, the 
Committee finds that H.R. 4824 does not include any 
congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff 
benefits.

                        Committee Cost Estimate

    Pursuant to clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII, the Committee 
adopts as its own the cost estimate prepared by the Director of 
the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 402 of the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974. At the time this report was 
filed, the estimate was not available.

   New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditures

    Pursuant to clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII, the Committee 
finds that H.R. 4824 would result in no new or increased budget 
authority, entitlement authority, or tax expenditures or 
revenues.

               Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate

    Pursuant to clause 3(c)(3) of rule XIII, at the time this 
report was filed, the cost estimate prepared by the Director of 
the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 402 of the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 was not available.

         Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported

  In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of 
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by 
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law 
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new 
matter is printed in italics, and existing law in which no 
change is proposed is shown in roman):

                       ENERGY POLICY ACT OF 2005




           *       *       *       *       *       *       *
TITLE IX--RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Subtitle F--Fossil Energy

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SEC. 963. CARBON STORAGE VALIDATION AND TESTING.

  (a) Definitions.--In this section:
          (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.
          [(1)] (2) Large-scale carbon sequestration.--The term 
        ``large-scale carbon sequestration'' means a scale 
        that--
                  (A) demonstrates the ability to inject into 
                geologic formations and sequester carbon 
                dioxide; and
                  (B) has a goal of sequestering not less than 
                50 million metric tons of carbon dioxide.
          [(2)] (3) Program.--The term ``program'' means the 
        program established under subsection (b)(1).
          (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.
  (b) Carbon Storage Program.--
          (1) In general.--The Secretary [shall establish], in 
        coordination with the heads of relevant Federal 
        agencies, carry out a program of research, development, 
        demonstration, and commercialization for carbon 
        storage, including through terrestrial carbon 
        sequestration and carbon sequestration in geologic 
        formations.
          (2) Program activities.--Activities under the program 
        shall include--
                  (A) [in coordination with relevant Federal 
                agencies,] developing and maintaining mapping 
                tools and resources that [assess the capacity 
                of geologic storage formation] evaluate 
                terrestrial carbon sequestration and carbon 
                sequestration in geologic formations in the 
                United States;
                  (B) developing monitoring tools, modeling of 
                geologic formations and terrestrial carbon 
                storage sites, and analyses--
                          (i) to predict carbon dioxide 
                        containment; and
                          (ii) to account for sequestered 
                        carbon dioxide in [geologic storage] 
                        across a variety of ecosystems sites;
                  (C) researching--
                          (i) potential environmental, safety, 
                        and health impacts in the event of a 
                        leak into the atmosphere or to an 
                        aquifer; and
                          (ii) any corresponding mitigation 
                        actions or responses to limit harmful 
                        consequences of such a leak;
                  (D) evaluating the interactions of carbon 
                dioxide with [formation] solids and fluids, 
                including the propensity of injections to 
                induce seismic activity, and determining the 
                fate of carbon dioxide concurrent with and 
                after injection into geologic formations;
                  (E) assessing and ensuring the safety of 
                operations relating to [geologic sequestration 
                of carbon dioxide] terrestrial carbon 
                sequestration and carbon sequestration in 
                geologic formations;
                  [(F) determining the fate of carbon dioxide 
                concurrent with following injection into 
                geologic formations;
                  [(G) supporting cost and business model 
                assessments to examine the economic viability 
                of technologies and systems developed under the 
                program; ]
                  [(H)] (F) providing information to the 
                Environmental Protection Agency, States, local 
                governments, Tribal governments, and other 
                appropriate entities, to ensure the protection 
                of human health and the environment; [and]
                  [(I)] (G) evaluating the quantity, location, 
                and timing of geologic carbon storage 
                deployment that may be needed, and developing 
                strategies and resources to enable the 
                deployment[.]
                  (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.
          (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.
          [(3)] (5) Geologic settings.--In carrying out 
        research activities under this subsection, the 
        Secretary shall consider a variety of candidate onshore 
        and offshore geologic settings, including--
                  (A) operating oil and gas fields;
                  (B) depleted oil and gas fields;
                  (C) residual oil zones;
                  (D) unconventional reservoirs and rock types;
                  (E) unmineable coal seams;
                  (F) saline formations in both sedimentary and 
                basaltic geologies;
                  (G) geologic systems that may be used as 
                engineered reservoirs to extract economical 
                quantities of brine from geothermal resources 
                of low permeability or porosity; and
                  (H) geologic systems containing in situ 
                carbon dioxide mineralization formations.
          (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.
  (c) Large-scale Carbon Sequestration Demonstration Program.--
          (1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a 
        demonstration program under which the Secretary shall 
        provide funding for demonstration projects to collect 
        and validate information on the cost and feasibility of 
        commercial deployment of large-scale carbon 
        sequestration technologies.
          (2) Existing regional carbon sequestration 
        partnerships.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the 
        Secretary may provide additional funding to regional 
        carbon sequestration partnerships that are carrying out 
        or have completed a large-scale carbon sequestration 
        demonstration project under this section (as in effect 
        on the day before the date of enactment of the Energy 
        Act of 2020) for additional work on that project.
          (3) Demonstration components.--Each demonstration 
        project carried out under this subsection shall include 
        longitudinal tests involving carbon dioxide injection 
        and monitoring, mitigation, and verification 
        operations.
          (4) Clearinghouse.--The National Energy Technology 
        Laboratory shall act as a clearinghouse of shared 
        information and resources for--
                  (A) existing or completed demonstration 
                projects receiving additional funding under 
                paragraph (2); and
                  (B) any new demonstration projects funded 
                under this subsection.
          (5) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of the Energy Act of 2020, the Secretary 
        shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural 
        Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Science, 
        Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a 
        report that--
                  (A) assesses the progress of all regional 
                carbon sequestration partnerships carrying out 
                a demonstration project under this subsection;
                  (B) identifies the remaining challenges in 
                achieving large-scale carbon sequestration that 
                is reliable and safe for the environment and 
                public health; and
                  (C) creates a roadmap for carbon storage 
                research and development activities of the 
                Department through 2025, with the goal of 
                reducing economic and policy barriers to 
                commercial carbon sequestration.
  (d) Integrated Storage.--
          (1) In general.--The Secretary may transition large-
        scale carbon sequestration demonstration projects under 
        subsection (c) into integrated commercial storage 
        complexes.
          (2) Goals and objectives.--The goals and objectives 
        of the Secretary in seeking to transition large-scale 
        carbon sequestration demonstration projects into 
        integrated commercial storage complexes under paragraph 
        (1) shall be--
                  (A) to identify geologic storage sites that 
                are able to accept large volumes of carbon 
                dioxide acceptable for commercial contracts;
                  (B) to understand the technical and 
                commercial viability of carbon dioxide geologic 
                storage sites; and
                  (C) to carry out any other activities 
                necessary to transition the large-scale carbon 
                sequestration demonstration projects under 
                subsection (c) into integrated commercial 
                storage complexes.
  (e) Large-scale Carbon Storage Commercialization Program.--
          (1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a 
        commercialization program under which the Secretary 
        shall provide funding for the development of new or 
        expanded commercial large-scale carbon sequestration 
        projects and associated carbon dioxide transport 
        infrastructure, including funding for the feasibility, 
        site characterization, permitting, and construction 
        stages of project development.
          (2) Applications; selection.--
                  (A) In general.--To be eligible to enter into 
                an agreement with the Secretary for funding 
                under paragraph (1), an entity shall submit to 
                the Secretary an application at such time, in 
                such manner, and containing such information as 
                the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
                  (B) Application process.--The Secretary shall 
                establish an application process that, to the 
                maximum extent practicable--
                          (i) is open to projects at any stage 
                        of development described in paragraph 
                        (1); and
                          (ii) facilitates expeditious 
                        development of projects described in 
                        that paragraph.
                  (C) Project selection.--In selecting projects 
                for funding under paragraph (1), the Secretary 
                shall give priority to--
                          (i) projects with substantial carbon 
                        dioxide storage capacity; or
                          (ii) projects that will store carbon 
                        dioxide from multiple carbon capture 
                        facilities.
  (f) Preference in Project Selection From Meritorious 
Proposals.--In making competitive awards under this section, 
subject to the requirements of section 989, the Secretary 
shall--
          (1) with respect to the research, development, 
        demonstration program components described in 
        subsections (b) through (d) give preference to 
        proposals from partnerships among industrial, academic, 
        and government entities; and
          (2) require recipients to provide assurances that all 
        laborers and mechanics employed by contractors and 
        subcontractors in the construction, repair, or 
        alteration of new or existing facilities performed in 
        order to carry out a demonstration or commercial 
        application activity authorized under this section 
        shall be paid wages at rates not less than those 
        prevailing on similar construction in the locality, as 
        determined by the Secretary of Labor in accordance with 
        subchapter IV of chapter 31 of title 40, United States 
        Code, and the Secretary of Labor shall, with respect to 
        the labor standards in this paragraph, have the 
        authority and functions set forth in Reorganization 
        Plan Numbered 14 of 1950 (15 Fed. Reg. 3176; 5 U.S.C. 
        Appendix) and section 3145 of title 40, United States 
        Code.
  (g) Cost Sharing.--Activities carried out under this section 
shall be subject to the cost-sharing requirements of section 
988.
  (h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to 
be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section 
$2,500,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2022 through 
2026.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


                                  [all]