Senator Chris Coons Joins U.S. Senator and Two U.S. Representatives in Introducing Carbon Dioxide Removal Legislation
Legislation introduced this week by U.S Senators Chris Coons and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island as well as and U.S. Representatives Paul D. Tonko of New York and Scott Peters of California would require the Department of Energy to make investments to support purchase of innovative carbon removal services and combat climate change. Senator Coons says this legislation– Carbon Dioxide Removal Leadership Act of 2024— will promote American competitiveness, create good-paying jobs, and help secure a low-carbon future.
Additional information:
The legislation is supported by more than one dozen organizations, whose statements of support can be viewed here.
The Carbon Dioxide Removal Leadership Act of 2024:
- Requires the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to remove an increasing amount of carbon dioxide emissions using direct air capture or other technology-based removal solutions;
- Ensures high standards for monitoring, reporting, and verifying carbon removals and for robust public engagement;
- Sets a declining per-ton price ceiling to incentivize cost reductions over time and give flexibility for the DOE to invest in nascent technologies with high potential;
- Creates a set-aside for newer CDR technologies to promote a broad portfolio of technologies; and
- Prioritizes domestic job creation, environmental justice, innovative technologies, and community benefits.
A fact sheet of the legislation can be viewed here. A summary of the legislation can be viewed here.
