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Last week, I joined an incredible group of biochar carbon removal (#BCR) pioneers, gathered by the US Biochar Coalition (USBC) for 20+ meetings with the US Congress and the Administration.
⏩ Tl:dr: momentum for BCR is building. I am no longer explaining what biochar is and why we need it. Instead, supporters can be found in key positions all around D.C., pushing forward policy to help scale BCR due to its climate, environmental, and agricultural benefits.
The details? Here are my personal takeaways:
👩🏫 Biochar Research Network Act: $50m for each fiscal year 2023 through 2028, focused on promoting biochar research. This bill enjoys bipartisan support and seems a no-brainer. Originally intended as part of the Farm Bill, it could also pass earlier as part of a cromnibus bill in Sep 2024.
🌱 Growing Access to Environmental Sustainability (#GATES) Act: among others, remove the $900k adjusted gross income (AGI) barrier for farms to be eligible for Code 336 funding (see next point). Bipartisan with strong agreement in the House, but considerable democratic resistance in the Senate. If passed, this could be a game changer.
💰 NRCS Code 336: farmers receive up to $800 per acre when applying biochar. Currently capped at $900k AGI per farm, allowing only very small farms. Highly scalable policy that could drive widespread adoption of biochar on farms across the US.
💸 45Q tax credit: up to $185/t for DACCS and BECCS. #45Q is up for renewal in 2024 and different groups are mobilizing to make the case for a more technology-open 45Q. Watch this space.
🚀 Carbon Negative Shot: numerous opportunities led by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE): up to $7m or 80% of CAPEX costs for up to 5 BiCRS projects (which includes BCR) to be allocated in the next 12 months. And a public procurement pilot worth $35m, to be topped up with another $20m.
📜 Carbon Dioxide Removal Research and Development Act (#CDRLA): up to $10b for up to 40Mt of CO2 removed, including BCR. However, democratic bill with no chance of passing in the current environment.
As you can see, plenty of opportunities to support the scale-up of BCR in the U.S.
🚜 What about the #FarmBill? Honest take: the 2023 Farm Bill won’t see the light of day until 2025. As such, all efforts should focus on the opportunities laid out above.
💬 So how does the above resonate with you? Anything I missed? 💬
📢 Do you want to stay up-to-date on BCR policy in the U.S.? And help shape it? Join the US Biochar Coalition (USBC) - the go-to expert for all things BCR in the U.S., already gathering the who’s who of modern, industrial BCR.
👏🎉🌟 Finally, a big shout out to everyone who made this wonderful week such a success: USBC’s Executive Director Maureen. My fellow USBC Board members Mayo, Amy, Karl, Robert, John, and Tom. The incredible team at SMART Policy Group Gaurav, Hailey, Deirdre. And our member Jack.
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