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🌲 In January, the bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act (H.R.471) was introduced by Representative Bruce Westerman into the new Congress. The legislation focuses on mitigating wildfire risks, restoring forest resilience, and improving stewardship through collaborative and science-driven approaches. Yet, in this bill, there are also strong provisions for biochar carbon removal (BCR).
⚡ With cosponsors from both parties, the bill moved with lightning speed through the House, passing with a 279-141 vote and will now pass onto the Senate.
🧯 While BCR’s role in carbon sequestration and carbon dioxide removal (CDR) is acknowledged, it is not the bill’s central driver. The Act highlights biochar as a critical tool in conservation, wildfire prevention, and land restoration.
🤩 While BCR is by no means the main character, the bill does:
▪️ Mandate establishment of biochar demonstration projects
▪️ Maximum 35% of capital costs covered
▪️ At least 50% of feedstock must come from forest thinning
📜 This type of bill might be indicative of how future CDR-related policy could be successful in this new political era. Not as standalone climate policies, but as integrated components within broader forestry, land management, economic development, and agricultural legislation.
🧐 Could this pragmatic, co-benefit-driven approach be the most viable path forward for large-scale CDR policy adoption in the US? What are your thoughts?
👏 Shout out to the US Biochar Coalition (USBC) who will be rallying the BCR troops in DC next month to continue to raise federal and legislative awareness of the tremendous benefits of biochar. Stay tuned!
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