CREST Act of 2023

Subjects: Environmental Protection


<html><body><pre>[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1576 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

&lt;DOC&gt;






118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                S. 1576

To provide for advancements in carbon removal research, quantification, 
 and commercialization, including by harnessing natural processes, and 
                          for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 11, 2023

Ms. Collins (for herself, Ms. Cantwell, Mr. Cassidy, Mr. King, and Mr. 
Coons) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred 
            to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To provide for advancements in carbon removal research, quantification, 
 and commercialization, including by harnessing natural processes, and 
                          for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Carbon Removal and 
Emissions Storage Technologies Act of 2023'' or the ``CREST Act of 
2023''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
            TITLE I--CARBON REMOVAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

                   Subtitle A--Biomass Carbon Removal

Sec. 101. Biomass carbon removal programs.
Sec. 102. Biological carbon dioxide conversion programs.
                 Subtitle B--Geological Carbon Removal

Sec. 111. Carbon mineralization pilot projects.
Sec. 112. Carbon mineralization resource assessment.
Sec. 113. Tailings and waste mineralization program.
                   Subtitle C--Aquatic Carbon Removal

Sec. 121. Ocean carbon removal mission.
Sec. 122. Direct ocean capture assessment.
Sec. 123. Offshore carbon storage program and assessment.
                 Subtitle D--Atmospheric Carbon Removal

Sec. 131. Direct air capture technology manufacturing research program.
               Subtitle E--Carbon Removal Quantification

Sec. 141. Carbon removal quantification.
           TITLE II--CARBON REMOVAL PURCHASING PILOT PROGRAM

Sec. 201. Carbon removal purchasing pilot program.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Carbon removal.--The term ``carbon removal'' means the 
        intentional removal, including by harnessing natural processes, 
        of carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere or upper 
        hydrosphere and subsequent storage of the carbon dioxide in 
        geological, biobased, or ocean reservoirs or in value-added 
        products that results in a net removal of carbon dioxide from 
        the atmosphere, as measured on a lifecycle basis.
            (2) Carbon removal technology or approach.--The term 
        ``carbon removal technology or approach'' includes--
                    (A) direct air capture with durable storage;
                    (B) soil carbon sequestration;
                    (C) biomass carbon removal and storage;
                    (D) enhanced mineralization;
                    (E) ocean-based carbon dioxide removal; and
                    (F) afforestation or reforestation.
            (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Energy.

            TITLE I--CARBON REMOVAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

                   Subtitle A--Biomass Carbon Removal

SEC. 101. BIOMASS CARBON REMOVAL PROGRAMS.

    (a) Office of Science.--Section 306 of the Department of Energy 
Research and Innovation Act (42 U.S.C. 18644) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsections (k) and (l) as subsections 
        (l) and (m), respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after subsection (j) the following:
    ``(k) Algal Biomass Carbon Removal.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Director shall carry out a research 
        and development program to gain understanding of the underlying 
        biology of algal biomass systems and the possible use of algal 
        biomass systems as a means of carbon removal (as defined in 
        section 2 of the Carbon Removal and Emissions Storage 
        Technologies Act of 2023) from the air and aquatic sources.
            ``(2) Requirements.--The program carried out under 
        paragraph (1) shall--
                    ``(A) support efforts to reduce long-term technical 
                barriers for algal biomass with carbon capture; and
                    ``(B) coordinate closely with the Bioenergy 
                Technologies Office and the Office of Fossil Energy and 
                Carbon Management.''.
    (b) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.--Section 932 
of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16232) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in paragraph (5), by striking ``and'' after the 
                semicolon;
                    (B) in paragraph (6), by striking the period and 
                inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(7) biological carbon removal (as defined in section 2 of 
        the Carbon Removal and Emissions Storage Technologies Act of 
        2023).''; and
            (2) by inserting after subsection (e) the following:
    ``(f) Biological Carbon Removal.--
            ``(1) Definition of carbon removal.--In this subsection, 
        the term `carbon removal' has the meaning given the term in 
        section 2 of the Carbon Removal and Emissions Storage 
        Technologies Act of 2023.
            ``(2) Goals.--The goals of the biological carbon removal 
        program under subsection (b)(7) shall be to develop and deploy, 
        in partnership with industry and institutions of higher 
        education--
                    ``(A) improved tools and understanding of 
                feedstocks, supplies, and logistics with respect to 
                carbon removal using biomass sources;
                    ``(B) technologies for the optimized conversion of 
                aquatic and terrestrial biomass for carbon removal;
                    ``(C) cost-competitive carbon capture technologies 
                applied to bioenergy, including--
                            ``(i) algal, terrestrial, and marine 
                        biomass;
                            ``(ii) biofuels; and
                            ``(iii) bioproducts; and
                    ``(D) applied research on best practices in 
                macroalgae cultivation and phenotype selection, 
                including by carrying out aquatic pilot projects.
            ``(3) Coordination.--Activities conducted under this 
        subsection shall be coordinated with the relevant programs of 
        the Office of Science, the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon 
        Management, and the Department of Agriculture.''.
    (c) Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management.--Section 962(b) 
of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16292(b)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``performance of'' and 
        all that follows through the period at the end and inserting 
        the following: ``performance of--
                    ``(A) coal and natural gas use;
                    ``(B) biomass with carbon capture for utilization 
                or permanent storage; and
                    ``(C) manufacturing and industrial facilities.''; 
                and
            (2) in paragraph (3)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A)--
                            (i) in clause (v), by striking ``and'' 
                        after the semicolon;
                            (ii) in clause (vi), by striking the period 
                        at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
                            (iii) by adding at the end the following:
                            ``(vii) developing advanced boilers to 
                        enable net-negative lifecycle carbon emissions 
                        through co-firing with biomass.''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(G) Developing carbon capture technologies 
                applied to bioenergy systems that result in net-
                negative lifecycle carbon emissions, including--
                            ``(i) biofuels production;
                            ``(ii) bioproducts;
                            ``(iii) biomass used in power systems and 
                        industrial applications; and
                            ``(iv) fossil fuel power systems and 
                        industrial systems co-fired with biomass.''.
    (d) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.--
            (1) In general.--The Energy Independence and Security Act 
        of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17001 et seq.) is amended by striking 
        section 228 (121 Stat. 1535) and inserting the following:

``SEC. 228. AQUATIC BIOMASS.

    ``(a) In General.--The Director of the Bioenergy Technologies 
Office shall carry out applied research on--
            ``(1) microalgae and macroalgae cultivation and phenotype 
        selection; and
            ``(2) optimization of aquatic biomass conversion pathways.
    ``(b) Requirements.--The research carried out under subsection (a) 
shall support efforts--
            ``(1) to develop best practices in microalgae and 
        macroalgae cultivation and phenotype selection, including by 
        carrying out aquatic pilot projects--
                    ``(A) on microalgae and macroalgae; and
                    ``(B) in freshwater and seawater; and
            ``(2) to optimize aquatic biomass conversion pathways that 
        result in carbon removal (as defined in section 2 of the Carbon 
        Removal and Emissions Storage Technologies Act of 2023) for 
        biopower, biofuels, and other uses.
    ``(c) Funding.--There are authorized to be appropriated to the 
Secretary to carry out this section--
            ``(1) $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2024;
            ``(2) $8,000,000 for fiscal year 2025; and
            ``(3) $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 
        2028.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents for the 
        Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-
        140; 121 Stat. 1493) is amended by striking the item relating 
        to section 228 and inserting the following:

``Sec. 228. Aquatic biomass.''.

SEC. 102. BIOLOGICAL CARBON DIOXIDE CONVERSION PROGRAMS.

    (a) In General.--The Energy Policy Act of 2005 is amended by 
inserting after section 977 (42 U.S.C. 16317) the following:

``SEC. 977A. BIOLOGICAL CARBON DIOXIDE CONVERSION PROGRAMS.

    ``(a) Genetic Modeling and Tools; Bioprospecting.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Director of the Office of Science 
        shall establish a program to improve genetic modeling and 
        manipulation for carbon dioxide conversion.
            ``(2) Methodology.--The program established under paragraph 
        (1) shall--
                    ``(A) support efforts to improve carbon dioxide 
                uptake and conversion through genetic manipulation of 
                crops and trees, including--
                            ``(i) soil enhancements;
                            ``(ii) enhanced photosynthesis, including 
                        microbial soil amendments and perennialization; 
                        and
                            ``(iii) root growth; and
                    ``(B) support efforts to bioprospect using tools 
                and high-throughput screening methods for organisms 
                with unique attributes related to carbon dioxide 
                conversion.
            ``(3) Coordination.--In carrying out the program 
        established under paragraph (1), the Director of the Office of 
        Science shall coordinate with the National Science Foundation 
        and the Agricultural Research Service.
    ``(b) New Materials Development and Application.--
            ``(1) Definition of carbon removal.--In this subsection, 
        the term `carbon removal' has the meaning given the term in 
        section 2 of the Carbon Removal and Emissions Storage 
        Technologies Act of 2023.
            ``(2) Program.--The Assistant Secretary for Energy 
        Efficiency and Renewable Energy, in consultation with the 
        Secretary of Agriculture, shall establish a program to develop 
        new biologically based carbon dioxide utilization products and 
        coproducts that result in carbon removal.
            ``(3) Methodology.--The program established under paragraph 
        (2) shall--
                    ``(A) support efforts to develop new carbon dioxide 
                utilization products that result in carbon removal;
                    ``(B) prioritize products that have the potential 
                to be deployed at a large scale; and
                    ``(C) support efforts to develop valorization of 
                coproducts for--
                            ``(i) feed;
                            ``(ii) fuel; and
                            ``(iii) other uses.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents for the Energy 
Policy Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-58; 119 Stat. 600) is amended by 
inserting after the item relating to section 977 the following:

``Sec. 977A. Biological carbon dioxide conversion programs.''.

                 Subtitle B--Geological Carbon Removal

SEC. 111. CARBON MINERALIZATION PILOT PROJECTS.

    (a) In General.--The Energy Policy Act of 2005 is amended by 
inserting after section 963 (42 U.S.C. 16293) the following:

``SEC. 963A. CARBON MINERALIZATION PILOT PROJECTS.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary, in consultation with the 
Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
and the Director of the United States Geological Survey, shall conduct 
field experiments of ex situ and in situ carbon mineralization 
approaches for the purposes of advancing carbon removal technologies or 
approaches (as defined in section 2 of the Carbon Removal and Emissions 
Storage Technologies Act of 2023).
    ``(b) Activities.--In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary 
shall--
            ``(1) conduct field experiments of ex situ carbon 
        mineralization--
                    ``(A) using desalination brine treatment; and
                    ``(B) through the broadcast of reactive minerals 
                on--
                            ``(i) soils;
                            ``(ii) beaches; and
                            ``(iii) shallow oceans; and
            ``(2) conduct field experiments of in situ carbon 
        mineralization, including through drilling and injection in 
        reactive formations for--
                    ``(A) mantle peridotite;
                    ``(B) basalt; and
                    ``(C) other relevant formations.
    ``(c) Field Experiment Goals and Objectives.--The Secretary shall 
develop goals and objectives for field experiments carried out under 
this section to decrease the energy requirements and costs to produce 
the resulting mineralized carbon.
    ``(d) Environmental Impact.--In carrying out field experiments 
under this section, the Secretary shall comply with all applicable 
environmental laws and regulations.
    ``(e) Funding.--There are authorized to be appropriated to the 
Secretary to carry out this section--
            ``(1) $4,000,000 for fiscal year 2024;
            ``(2) $9,000,000 for fiscal year 2025;
            ``(3) $18,000,000 for fiscal year 2026; and
            ``(4) $30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 and 
        2028.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents for the Energy 
Policy Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-58; 119 Stat. 600) is amended by 
inserting after the item relating to section 963 the following:

``Sec. 963A. Carbon mineralization pilot projects.''.

SEC. 112. CARBON MINERALIZATION RESOURCE ASSESSMENT.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of the Interior (referred to in this 
section as the ``Secretary'') shall complete a national assessment of 
the potential for using carbon mineralization for carbon removal, in 
accordance with the methodology developed under subsection (b).
    (b) Methodology.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary, acting through the Director of 
the United States Geological Survey, shall develop a methodology to 
assess geological resources, mine tailings, and other alkaline 
industrial wastes to identify sustainable sources of reactive minerals 
suitable for carbon mineralization, while taking into consideration 
minerals and mineral classes with high reactivity and fast kinetics.
    (c) Coordination.--
            (1) Federal coordination.--To ensure the maximum usefulness 
        and success of the assessment under subsection (a), the 
        Secretary shall--
                    (A) consult with the Secretary of Energy and the 
                Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency on 
                the format and content of the assessment; and
                    (B) share relevant data with the Department of 
                Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency.
            (2) State coordination.--The Secretary shall consult with 
        State geological surveys and other relevant entities to ensure, 
        to the maximum extent practicable, the usefulness and success 
        of the assessment under subsection (a).
    (d) Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date on 
        which the assessment under subsection (a) is completed, the 
        Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural 
        Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources 
        of the House of Representatives a report describing the 
        findings under the assessment, including the locations and 
        available quantities of suitable reactive minerals.
            (2) Public availability.--Not later than 30 days after the 
        date on which the Secretary submits the report under paragraph 
        (1), the Secretary shall make the report publicly available.

SEC. 113. TAILINGS AND WASTE MINERALIZATION PROGRAM.

    (a) Tailings and Waste Mineralization Program.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall conduct field 
        experiments to examine the use of mine tailings and industrial 
        wastes for the purpose of carbon mineralization.
            (2) Activities.--The field experiments using mine tailings 
        and industrial wastes conducted under paragraph (1) shall 
        assess--
                    (A) the reusing of industrial slags and mine 
                tailings in manufacturing; and
                    (B) other industrial wastes that may have carbon 
                mineralization properties.
    (b) Study on Environmental Impacts of Mineralization Products.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 3 years after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall conduct, and submit 
        to Congress a report that describes the results of, a study on 
        the environmental impacts of--
                    (A) broadcasting materials and distributing piles 
                of mine tailings at various scales for the purposes of 
                enhanced carbon mineralization; and
                    (B) additional mining for the purposes of carbon 
                mineralization.
            (2) Requirements.--The study under paragraph (1) shall 
        include an analysis of--
                    (A) the relative carbon removal potential 
                associated with various scales of carbon 
                mineralization;
                    (B) the cost of environmental mitigation of the 
                environmental impacts identified under the study; and
                    (C) opportunities--
                            (i) for remediation;
                            (ii) to co-extract reactive minerals with 
                        conventional mining operations; and
                            (iii) for the use of reactive minerals in 
                        mining remediation.

                   Subtitle C--Aquatic Carbon Removal

SEC. 121. OCEAN CARBON REMOVAL MISSION.

    Section 969D of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16298d) is 
amended--
            (1) in subsection (a) by inserting ``and aquatic sources'' 
        after ``atmosphere''; and
            (2) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) in paragraph (5), by striking ``and'' after the 
                semicolon;
                    (B) in paragraph (6), by striking the period at the 
                end and inserting a semicolon; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(7) ocean carbon removal and strategies, such as--
                    ``(A) blue carbon, which is the management of 
                vegetated coastal habitats (including mangroves, tidal 
                marshes, seagrasses, kelp forests, and other tidal, 
                freshwater, or saltwater wetlands) that sequester 
                carbon (including autochthonous carbon and 
                allochthonous carbon) from the atmosphere, accumulate 
                carbon in biomass, and store the carbon in soils;
                    ``(B) direct ocean capture (as described in section 
                122(a) of the Carbon Removal and Emissions Storage 
                Technologies Act of 2023);
                    ``(C) microalgae and macroalgae cultivation for--
                            ``(i) biofuels;
                            ``(ii) bioproducts; and
                            ``(iii) carbon storage; and
                    ``(D) ocean alkalinity enhancement; and
            ``(8) any combination of activities described in paragraphs 
        (1) through (7) that have the potential for significant carbon 
        removal (as defined in section 2 of the Carbon Removal and 
        Emissions Storage Technologies Act of 2023).''.

SEC. 122. DIRECT OCEAN CAPTURE ASSESSMENT.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall conduct a comprehensive 
assessment of the potential for removing carbon dioxide directly from 
the oceans.
    (b) Methodology.--In conducting the assessment under subsection 
(a), the Secretary shall consider the potential and relative merits 
of--
            (1) pathways, methods, and technologies that are able to 
        directly remove carbon dioxide from the oceans through 
        engineered or inorganic processes; and
            (2) technologies such as filters, membranes, phase change 
        systems, chemical conversion, or other technological pathways.
    (c) Inclusion.--In conducting the assessment under subsection (a), 
the Secretary shall incorporate any information on the results of 
activities conducted under section 223 of the National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (10 U.S.C. 4001 note; Public Law 
116-92).
    (d) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the Administrator of the 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, shall submit to the 
Committees on Energy and Natural Resources and Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce 
of the House of Representatives a report describing the results of the 
assessment under subsection (a).
    (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section--
            (1) $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2024;
            (2) $4,000,000 for fiscal year 2025; and
            (3) $8,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2028.

SEC. 123. OFFSHORE CARBON STORAGE PROGRAM AND ASSESSMENT.

    (a) Carbon Dioxide Impacts and Fate in the Ocean.--
            (1) In general.--The Department of Energy Carbon Capture 
        and Sequestration Research, Development, and Demonstration Act 
        of 2007 (Public Law 110-140; 121 Stat. 1704) is amended by 
        adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 709. CARBON DIOXIDE IMPACTS AND FATE IN THE OCEAN.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish a program to 
monitor, research, and model the ecological impacts of ocean carbon 
dioxide removal and storage techniques.
    ``(b) Coordination.--In carrying out the program established under 
subsection (a), the Secretary shall coordinate with the Administrator 
of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the 
Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
    ``(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section--
            ``(1) $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2024; and
            ``(2) $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 
        2028.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents for the 
        Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-
        140; 121 Stat. 1496) is amended by inserting after the item 
        relating to section 708 the following:

``Sec. 709. Carbon dioxide impacts and fate in the ocean.''.
    (b) Outer Continental Shelf Resource Assessment.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall--
                    (A) expand the CarbonSAFE Initiative of the 
                Department of Energy to complete a national carbon 
                mineralization assessment that examines the full range 
                of carbon mineralization storage potential for the 
                outer Continental Shelf region; and
                    (B) submit to the Committees on Energy and Natural 
                Resources and Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
                the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of 
                the House of Representatives a report describing the 
                results of the assessment.
            (2) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
        to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this 
        subsection $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 
        2028.
    (c) Assessment To Determine the Potential for Offshore Carbon 
Storage.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary, in consultation with the 
        Secretary of the Interior, the Administrator of the 
        Environmental Protection Agency, and the Administrator of the 
        National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, shall conduct 
        a comprehensive assessment of the potential for offshore carbon 
        storage, including an assessment of--
                    (A) the potential for offshore carbon storage--
                            (i) in deep offshore sub-seabed locations, 
                        such as in geological formations;
                            (ii) at the seabed, such as through biomass 
                        sinking; and
                            (iii) within the oceans, such as liquid 
                        carbon dioxide storage; and
                    (B) other relevant methods of offshore carbon 
                storage.
            (2) Inclusion.--The assessment under paragraph (1) shall 
        include recommendations of measures that the Department of 
        Energy may take to improve the ease, safety, and security of 
        offshore carbon dioxide storage.
            (3) Reporting.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the 
        Committees on Energy and Natural Resources and Commerce, 
        Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on 
        Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives a report 
        describing the results of the assessment under paragraph (1).

                 Subtitle D--Atmospheric Carbon Removal

SEC. 131. DIRECT AIR CAPTURE TECHNOLOGY MANUFACTURING RESEARCH PROGRAM.

    (a) Initiative.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a program 
        for the research, development, and demonstration of 
        manufacturing techniques for direct air capture technologies 
        (referred to in this section as the ``program'').
            (2) Coordination.--In carrying out the program, the 
        Secretary shall leverage expertise and resources from--
                    (A) the Office of Science;
                    (B) the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable 
                Energy; and
                    (C) the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon 
                Management.
    (b) Contactor Design.--
            (1) In general.--In carrying out the program, the Secretary 
        shall conduct research on applied technology development of air 
        contactor design.
            (2) Requirements.--The research under paragraph (1) shall 
        support efforts to improve air contactors with--
                    (A) low pressure drop;
                    (B) high surface area; and
                    (C) high longevity.
    (c) Manufacturing Improvement.--
            (1) In general.--In carrying out the program, the Secretary 
        shall conduct research scaling-up manufacturing of direct air 
        capture components.
            (2) Requirements.--The research under paragraph (1) shall--
                    (A) support efforts to improve techniques for low-
                cost manufacturing of direct air capture components and 
                materials; and
                    (B) be coordinated with private industry and 
                universities.
    (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Secretary--
            (1) to carry out subsection (b)--
                    (A) $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2024;
                    (B) $7,000,000 for fiscal year 2025; and
                    (C) $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 
                through 2028; and
            (2) to carry out subsection (c)--
                    (A) $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2024;
                    (B) $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2025; and
                    (C) $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 
                through 2028.

               Subtitle E--Carbon Removal Quantification

SEC. 141. CARBON REMOVAL QUANTIFICATION.

    (a) In General.--Title V of the Energy Act of 2020 (42 U.S.C. 
16298e et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 5003. QUANTIFYING THE BENEFITS OF CARBON REMOVAL.

    ``(a) Purposes.--The purposes of this section are--
            ``(1) to quantify the net carbon removed through 
        atmospheric and aquatic carbon removal pathways;
            ``(2) to determine the current and projected carbon removal 
        capacity of atmospheric and aquatic carbon removal pathways;
            ``(3) to determine the current and likely future technical 
        readiness of carbon removal technologies or approaches for 
        large-scale carbon removal deployment; and
            ``(4) to aid in the commercialization of carbon removal 
        technologies or approaches.
    ``(b) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Carbon removal; carbon removal technology or 
        approach.--The terms `carbon removal' and `carbon removal 
        technology or approach' have the meanings given the terms in 
        section 2 of the Carbon Removal and Emissions Storage 
        Technologies Act of 2023.
            ``(2) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means 
        any of the following entities:
                    ``(A) An institution of higher education.
                    ``(B) A National Laboratory.
                    ``(C) A Federal research agency.
                    ``(D) A State research agency.
                    ``(E) A nonprofit research organization.
                    ``(F) An industrial entity.
                    ``(G) A consortium of 2 or more entities described 
                in subparagraphs (A) through (F).
            ``(3) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary 
        of Energy.
    ``(c) Carbon Removal Footprint Program.--
            ``(1) Establishment.--Not later than 1 year after the date 
        of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall establish a 
        program to carry out the purposes described in subsection (a), 
        including by providing financial assistance to eligible 
        entities to examine the technological, economic, and 
        environmental impacts of carbon removal pathways and 
        technologies.
            ``(2) Eligible activities.--Activities eligible to receive 
        financial assistance under this section include--
                    ``(A) assessments of technological or economic 
                barriers to the widescale deployment of carbon removal 
                pathways and technologies; and
                    ``(B) lifecycle assessments for carbon removal 
                pathways and technologies, including gathering data in 
                partnership with a direct air capture test center 
                authorized under section 969D(f)(1) of the Energy 
                Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16298d(f)(1)).
            ``(3) Applications.--An eligible entity seeking financial 
        assistance under this section shall submit to the Secretary an 
        application that includes a description of--
                    ``(A) the applicable project;
                    ``(B) the software programs, consultants, and 
                general methodologies to be used to conduct the 
                assessment;
                    ``(C) the location of any applicable facility or 
                project;
                    ``(D) expected feedstocks and other inputs; and
                    ``(E) the expected use of carbon removed.
            ``(4) Priority.--In selecting eligible entities to receive 
        financial assistance under this section, the Secretary shall 
        give priority to eligible entities that--
                    ``(A) make the assessment publicly available, with 
                confidential business information redacted or removed; 
                and
                    ``(B) have not previously received financial 
                assistance under this section.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents for the Energy Act 
of 2020 (Public Law 116-260; 134 Stat. 2419) is amended by inserting 
after the item relating to section 5002 the following:

``Sec. 5003. Quantifying the benefits of carbon removal.''.

           TITLE II--CARBON REMOVAL PURCHASING PILOT PROGRAM

SEC. 201. CARBON REMOVAL PURCHASING PILOT PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--Subtitle F of title IX of the Energy Policy Act of 
2005 (42 U.S.C. 16291 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the 
following:

``SEC. 969E. CARBON REMOVAL PURCHASING PILOT PROGRAM.

    ``(a) Purposes.--The purposes of this section are--
            ``(1) to accelerate the deployment and commercialization of 
        technologically diverse carbon removal pathways and 
        technologies;
            ``(2) to stimulate the development and commercialization of 
        low-carbon products made with carbon dioxide removed from the 
        atmosphere or oceans; and
            ``(3) to support the development and diversification of 
        technologies relating to carbon removal.
    ``(b) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Additional.--The term `additional', with respect to 
        carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere or upper 
        hydrosphere, means that carbon dioxide was removed pursuant to 
        an intentional carbon removal activity that delivers a net 
        removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, measured on a 
        lifecycle basis, that would not have occurred without the 
        carbon removal activity.
            ``(2) All-in cost.--The term `all-in cost' means the total 
        cost of--
                    ``(A) the capture, transport, and storage of carbon 
                dioxide; and
                    ``(B) the measurement, reporting, and verification 
                of carbon dioxide removed on a net ton carbon dioxide 
                equivalent basis.
            ``(3) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means a 
        carbon removal facility that--
                    ``(A) is located in the United States;
                    ``(B) meets all applicable Federal and State 
                permitting requirements; and
                    ``(C) meets financial, technical, and technological 
                diversity criteria established by the Secretary.
            ``(4) Removal.--The term `removal' means--
                    ``(A) the capture of carbon dioxide from the 
                atmosphere or upper hydrosphere through a chemical, 
                physical, or other process; and
                    ``(B) the subsequent permanent storage or use of 
                the carbon dioxide in a manner that ensures that the 
                carbon dioxide does not reenter the atmosphere or upper 
                hydrosphere.
            ``(5) Upper hydrosphere.--The term `upper hydrosphere' 
        means the total liquid water existing on the surface level of 
        the earth, including--
                    ``(A) oceans;
                    ``(B) lakes;
                    ``(C) rivers; and
                    ``(D) other surface bodies of water.
    ``(c) Program.--
            ``(1) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a 
        competitive purchasing pilot program under which the Secretary 
        shall purchase from eligible entities carbon dioxide removed 
        from the atmosphere or upper hydrosphere.
            ``(2) Purchase.--In carrying out the pilot program under 
        paragraph (1), the Secretary shall purchase, subject to the 
        availability of appropriations, removed carbon dioxide from 
        eligible entities--
                    ``(A) until the date on which the first reverse 
                auction is held under paragraph (3), by making a 
                payment per net ton carbon equivalent basis to account 
                for lifecycle greenhouse gas inputs to carbon removal 
                in an amount determined by the Secretary; and
                    ``(B) beginning with the first reverse auction held 
                under paragraph (3), in accordance with the reverse 
                auction procedures described in that paragraph.
            ``(3) Reverse auction procedures.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the 
                date of enactment of this section, and annually 
                thereafter, the Secretary shall conduct a reverse 
                auction under which--
                            ``(i) the Secretary shall solicit bids from 
                        eligible entities in each tier described in 
                        subparagraph (B)(ii) (referred to in this 
                        section as a `permanence tier'); and
                            ``(ii) eligible entities shall submit to 
                        the Secretary sealed bids describing--
                                    ``(I) a desired price for the 
                                removed carbon dioxide on a per net ton 
                                carbon dioxide equivalent basis;
                                    ``(II) the estimated net ton carbon 
                                dioxide equivalent removed by the 
                                eligible entity annually that the 
                                eligible entity desires the Secretary 
                                to purchase at the desired price;
                                    ``(III) details of the permanence 
                                of the removed carbon dioxide;
                                    ``(IV) details on the purity, 
                                location, and transportation options 
                                for the removed carbon dioxide to be 
                                purchased by the Secretary for purposes 
                                of the all-in costs;
                                    ``(V) a lifecycle assessment of the 
                                operation to quantify the net carbon 
                                dioxide removed, while accounting for 
                                greenhouse gas emissions associated 
                                with the production of the inputs 
                                necessary for the carbon dioxide 
                                removal and storage processes; and
                                    ``(VI) any other details the 
                                Secretary may require.
                    ``(B) Selection.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The Secretary shall--
                                    ``(I) examine the bids submitted 
                                under subparagraph (A)(ii) to determine 
                                which bids are acceptable under the 
                                criteria established by the Secretary 
                                for the applicable permanence tier; and
                                    ``(II) of the bids determined to be 
                                acceptable under subclause (I), 
                                identify a technologically diverse set 
                                of carbon removal approaches, and for 
                                each of those selected approaches, 
                                select the bids containing the lowest 
                                desired price for carbon dioxide, 
                                subject to clause (iv), until the 
                                amount of funds available for the 
                                applicable permanence tier of the 
                                reverse auction is obligated.
                            ``(ii) Permanence tiers.--In selecting bids 
                        under clause (i), the Secretary shall group the 
                        permanence of each carbon removal bid into 1 of 
                        the following 2 tiers:
                                    ``(I) Medium-term tier for bids 
                                providing for the removal of carbon 
                                dioxide for at least 100 years, but 
                                fewer than 1,000 years.
                                    ``(II) Long-term tier for bids 
                                providing for the removal of carbon 
                                dioxide for 1,000 years or more.
                            ``(iii) Priority.--In any case in which the 
                        desired price in 2 or more bids submitted under 
                        subparagraph (A)(ii) for an applicable 
                        permanence tier is equal, the Secretary shall 
                        give priority to eligible entities that 
                        demonstrate outstanding potential for local and 
                        regional economic development in carrying out 
                        projects to remove carbon dioxide from ambient 
                        air or aquatic sources.
                            ``(iv) Limitation on funds received by a 
                        single company.--To the extent that there are 
                        sufficient bids acceptable under clause (i)(I), 
                        the Secretary shall ensure that one or more 
                        eligible entities under common control does not 
                        receive more than 15 percent of the amounts 
                        made available for a fiscal year under this 
                        section.
            ``(4) Cost cap.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), for 
                purposes of a reverse auction under paragraph (3), the 
                Secretary shall--
                            ``(i) determine the current average market 
                        price per net ton carbon dioxide equivalent 
                        basis to account for lifecycle greenhouse gas 
                        inputs of removed carbon within each permanence 
                        tier; and
                            ``(ii) set that price as the maximum price 
                        per ton to be paid under the reverse auction 
                        within each permanence tier.
                    ``(B) Increased cap.--In the case of an eligible 
                entity that uses a technology that has the potential to 
                eventually remove carbon dioxide at an all-in cost of 
                less than $100 per net ton carbon dioxide equivalent, 
                the Secretary shall double the maximum price per net 
                ton carbon dioxide equivalent established under 
                subparagraph (A)(ii) with respect to the eligible 
                entity.
            ``(5) Requirement.--In purchasing removed carbon dioxide 
        under the program under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall 
        determine that the carbon dioxide--
                    ``(A) is additional;
                    ``(B) shall be delivered not later than 5 years 
                after the date of the purchase;
                    ``(C) shall have a monitoring, reporting, and 
                verification plan approved by the Department of Energy; 
                and
                    ``(D) has not less than a 99 percent likelihood of 
                being stored for not fewer than 100 years.
    ``(d) Use of Carbon Dioxide.--Carbon dioxide purchased under the 
pilot program under subsection (c), at the discretion of the Secretary, 
may be used or stored in any manner that ensures that the carbon 
dioxide does not reenter the atmosphere or upper hydrosphere during the 
time period associated with the applicable permanence tier.
    ``(e) Pilot Program Coordination.--Amounts made available under 
this section may be made available to carry out pilot and demonstration 
projects described in section 969D(f)(2)(B) and section 969D(g).
    ``(f) Confidentiality.--The Secretary shall establish procedures to 
ensure that any confidential, private, proprietary, or privileged 
information that is included in a sealed bid submitted under this 
section is not publicly disclosed or otherwise improperly used.
    ``(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--
            ``(1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated 
        to the Secretary to carry out this section--
                    ``(A) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2024;
                    ``(B) $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2025; and
                    ``(C) $60,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 
                through 2028.
            ``(2) Allocation.--Amounts made available under paragraph 
        (1) for each fiscal year shall be allocated between the 
        permanence tiers as follows:
                    ``(A) 70 percent shall be allocated for the 
                permanence tier described in subsection 
                (c)(3)(B)(ii)(II).
                    ``(B) 30 percent shall be allocated for the 
                permanence tier described in subsection 
                (c)(3)(B)(ii)(I).''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents for the Energy 
Policy Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-59; 119 Stat. 600; 134 Stat. 2550) 
is amended by adding at the end of the items relating to subtitle F of 
title IX the following:

``Sec. 969E. Carbon removal purchasing pilot program.''.
                                 &lt;all&gt;
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