ReSCUE Oceans Act

Bill: 118-s-5629
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI]
Introduced: 2024-12-19
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Latest action: action_date: 2024-12-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Summaries:

tv_txt: II 118th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 5629 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES December 19 (legislative day, December 16), 2024 Mr. Schatz introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation A BILL To support marine carbon dioxide removal activities, and for other purposes.

1. Short title; table of contents (a) Short title This Act may be cited as the Removing and Sequestering Carbon Unleashed in the Environment and Oceans Act or the ReSCUE Oceans Act . (b) Table of contents The table of contents for this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. Sec. 2. Definitions. Sec. 3. Purposes. Sec. 4. Rule of construction. Sec. 5. Research security. TITLE I—Matters relating to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Sec. 101. Establishment of program for advancing marine carbon dioxide removal. Sec. 102. Monitoring of marine carbon dioxide removal. Sec. 103. Research areas for marine carbon dioxide removal. Sec. 104. Interagency working group for marine carbon dioxide removal. Sec. 105. Biennial report on marine carbon dioxide removal. Sec. 106. Authorization of appropriations. TITLE II—Matters relating to the National Science Foundation Sec. 201. Researching marine carbon dioxide removal. TITLE III—Matters relating to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Sec. 301. Measuring marine carbon dioxide removal from space. Sec. 302. Authorization of appropriations. TITLE IV—Matters relating to the National Institute of Standards and Technology Sec. 401. Validating marine carbon dioxide removal. Sec. 402. Authorization of appropriations. 2. Definitions In this Act: (1) Carbon removal credit The term carbon removal credit means 1 metric tonne of carbon dioxide or equivalent (tCOe) that— (A) is removed through marine carbon dioxide removal and durably stored; (B) is unique, registered, and validated; and (C) may be traded on a voluntary carbon market and retired after purchase. (2) Coastal waters The term coastal waters has the meaning given that term in section 304 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 ( 16 U.S.C. 1453 ). (3) Contiguous zone The term contiguous zone has the meaning given that term in section 502 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act ( 33 U.S.C. 1362 ). (4) Exclusive economic zone The term exclusive economic zone has the meaning given that term in section 3532 of the Maritime Security and Fisheries Enforcement Act ( 16 U.S.C. 8001 ). (5) Indian The term Indian has the meaning given that term in section 6151 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 7491 ). (6) Indian tribal government The term Indian tribal government means the recognized governing body of any Indian or Alaska Native tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village, community, component band, or component reservation, individually identified (including parenthetically) in the list published most recently as of the date of the enactment of this Act pursuant to section 104 of the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994 ( 25 U.S.C. 5131 ). (7) Interagency working group The term interagency working group means the interagency working group established under section 104. (8) Internal waters The term internal waters means the waters shoreward of the baseline of the territorial seas, which is normally the mean low water line along the coast of the United States. (9) Marine carbon dioxide removal The term marine carbon dioxide removal means an intentional intervention in the marine environment that results in the net removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as measured on a life-cycle basis, taking into account all greenhouse gasses measured in carbon dioxide equivalents. (10) National sea grant college program The term national sea grant college program means the program maintained under section 204(a) of the National Sea Grant College Program Act ( 33 U.S.C. 1123(a) ). (11) Native American individual or entity The term Native American individual or entity means— (A) an Indian; (B) a Native Hawaiian; (C) a Tribal organization; (D) the Office of Hawaiian Affairs; or (E) a Native Hawaiian organization. (12) Native Hawaiian The term Native Hawaiian has the meaning given that term in section 6207 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 7517 ). (13) Native Hawaiian organization The term Native Hawaiian organization means a private nonprofit organization that— (A) serves and represents the interests of Native Hawaiians; (B) has as its primary and stated purpose the provision of services to Native Hawaiians; (C) has Native Hawaiians serving in substantive policymaking positions; and (D) is recognized for having expertise in Native Hawaiian affairs. (14) Office of Hawaiian Affairs The term Office of Hawaiian Affairs has the meaning given that term in section 6207 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 7517 ). (15) Program The term Program means the program established and maintained under section 101. (16) Protocol The term protocol means a systematic approach for generating a carbon removal credit that follows a transparent and thorough science-based methodology— (A) for the development of projects to remove greenhouse gas emissions or sequester carbon; and (B) for demonstrating how to measure, monitor, report, and verify the removal of greenhouse gas emissions or carbon sequestration by projects described in subparagraph (A). (17) Relevant congressional committees The term relevant congressional committees means— (A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate; (B) the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives; and (C) the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives. (18) Secretary The term Secretary means the Secretary of Commerce. (19) Standard The term standard means a broad principle or set of criteria established to ensure the credibility and integrity of a carbon removal credit or marine carbon dioxide removal by providing guidance on measurement, monitoring, reporting, and verification of greenhouse gas removals. (20) State The term State means any of the several States of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. (21) Territorial seas The term territorial seas has the meaning given that term in section 502 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act ( 33 U.S.C. 1362 ). (22) Tribal organization The term Tribal organization has the meaning given that term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act ( 25 U.S.C. 5304 ). (23) Voluntary carbon market The term voluntary carbon market means a voluntary market through which carbon removal credits may be bought or sold. 3. Purposes The purposes of this Act are— (1) to support research, development, and field trials of safe and responsible marine carbon dioxide removal; (2) to ensure robust monitoring and protection of coastal and marine ecosystems; and (3) to coordinate Federal actions on marine carbon dioxide removal. 4. Rule of construction Nothing in this Act shall be construed in derogation of applicable law regulating or restricting the use of the contiguous zone, the territorial seas, the exclusive economic zone of the United States, or coastal waters other than internal waters. 5. Research security The activities authorized under this Act shall be carried out in a manner consistent with subtitle D of title VI of the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act ( 42 U.S.C. 19231 et seq. ). I Matters relating to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 101. Establishment of program for advancing marine carbon dioxide removal (a) In general The Secretary, through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and in consultation with the interagency working group, shall establish, not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and maintain a program to support and conduct activities to advance the science and understanding of marine carbon dioxide removal consistent with the objectives and focal areas described in subsection (b). (b) Objectives and focal areas (1) Objectives In carrying out the Program, the Secretary shall seek to— (A) generate, through research, development, and field trials, the necessary knowledge, theoretical basis, and empirical evidence to evaluate— (i) the efficacy of marine carbon dioxide removal, including measurability, durability, magnitude, and additionality; (ii) environmental and ecosystem responses to marine carbon dioxide removal; and (iii) the social and economic impacts, including on public health and safety, of marine carbon dioxide removal to adjacent and associated coastal communities; and (B) apply the knowledge described in subparagraph (A) to— (i) develop best practices for how marine carbon dioxide removal efficacy is measured, monitored, reported, and verified; (ii) establish a methodology for defining actionable thresholds of environmental and ecosystem impacts for the deployment of marine carbon dioxide removal; (iii) evaluate and recommend marine carbon dioxide removal approaches that could be safe and effective for larger-scale deployment for climate mitigation, considering potential positive and negative climate, environmental, and social outcomes; (iv) evaluate the sustainability of marine carbon dioxide removal approaches, including resource requirements, life-cycle efficiency of net carbon removal on a carbon dioxide equivalent basis, scalability, and potential for cost reductions; (v) analyze viable commercialization pathways and requisite enabling conditions for safe and effective marine carbon dioxide removal; and (vi) as necessary or appropriate, support the implementation of this Act. (2) Focal areas In carrying out the Program, the Secretary shall support and conduct activities to advance the science and understanding of— (A) ocean alkalinity enhancement; (B) electrochemical engineering approaches; (C) macroalgae cultivation; (D) nutrient fertilization; (E) artificial upwelling and downwelling; (F) coastal marine ecosystems as a natural climate solution; and (G) other marine carbon dioxide removal approaches as the Secretary considers appropriate. (c) Grants (1) In general In carrying out the Program, the Secretary shall award grants, on a competitive basis, to fund research in accordance with the objectives described in subsection (b)(1) and the Federal research plan described in section 104. (2) Code of conduct The Secretary shall require grantees under this subsection conducting activities in the field to abide by the code of conduct established under section 104. (3) Funding for engagement and consultation (A) In general Except as provided in subparagraph (B), not more than 15 percent of the value of any grant awarded under this subsection may be expended in support of engagement and consultation activities. (B) Exception The limitation described in subparagraph (A) shall not apply to any grant awarded for a proposal the primary focus of which is the study of outreach, engagement, or social science. (d) Additional authority The Secretary may enter into contracts, public-private partnerships, cooperative agreements, or other financial agreements in furtherance of this Act. (e) Data management (1) Strategies The Secretary, in cooperation with such partners as the Secretary considers relevant, shall develop and implement data management strategies to ensure all non-proprietary data collected pursuant to this Act are— (A) properly stewarded for the long-term; and (B) findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable. (2) Implementation; preservation and curation The Secretary shall— (A) ensure management of data collected under this Act is implemented in accordance with— (i) chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code; and (ii) the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018 ( Public Law 115–435 ; 132 Stat. 5529) and the amendments made by that Act; and (B) preserve and curate such data in accordance with chapter 31 of title 44, United States Code (commonly known as the Federal Records Act of 1950 ), in order to maximize use of such data. (f) International coordination In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall coordinate with the Secretary of State and appropriate international entities. 102. Monitoring of marine carbon dioxide removal (a) In general For field activities conducted as part of the Program, the Secretary shall, as practicable, provide or otherwise develop the instrumentation, infrastructure, and personnel for efficient and rigorous monitoring to— (1) understand and minimize negative ecosystem, community, and economic impacts related to marine carbon dioxide removal; and (2) maximize co-benefits of marine carbon dioxide removal for communities and ecosystems. (b) Monitoring goals In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary shall— (1) use monitoring assets to achieve the objectives described in section 101(b)(1); (2) support compliance with applicable environmental law; (3) support rigorous, science-based approaches for the research, development, and trialing of technologies for marine carbon dioxide removal; (4) develop and improve technologies for monitoring, modeling, analyzing, remediating, or mitigating impacts from marine carbon dioxide removal; (5) study ecosystem responses to marine carbon dioxide removal technology; and (6) collect data to inform the development of uniform standards and protocols for marine carbon dioxide removal, including— (A) the amount of carbon dioxide removed from the ocean and the atmosphere attributable to marine carbon dioxide removal; (B) the duration of carbon sequestration and risk of reversal of sequestration, as applicable; (C) for marine carbon dioxide removal technologies that rely on an energy source, the amount of energy consumed by the technology; and (D) other metrics the Secretary considers necessary or advisable. (c) Technical assistance To support the development of reliable, fair, and efficient voluntary carbon markets and best practices, the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Energy, may provide technical assistance to promote consistency, reliability, effectiveness, efficiency, and transparency, including through protocol documents and details relating to— (1) calculations; (2) sampling methodologies; (3) accounting principles; (4) systems for measurement, monitoring, reporting, and verification; and (5) methods to account for additionality, durability and duration of carbon storage, leakage, and, as appropriate, avoidance of double counting. (d) Public-Private-Academic partnerships The Secretary may examine and develop models for public-private-academic partnerships to efficiently monitor marine carbon dioxide removal, including with respect to— (1) data sharing and standardization; (2) cost sharing; (3) in-kind contributions; and (4) contracts and grants for third-party monitoring activities. (e) Contracts In carrying out this section, the Secretary may enter into contracts the Secretary considers necessary or advisable. (f) Unlimited right data (1) In general Subject to contracts protecting confidential proprietary data, the Secretary shall make monitoring data collected, and protocols created, under this section available to the public at no cost and with no restrictions on copying, publishing, distributing, citing, adapting, or otherwise using such data or protocols. (2) Limitation The Secretary may enter into cooperative research and development agreements that restrict data sharing and ensure protection of intellectual property for such users of research areas designated or established under section 103 as the Secretary considers appropriate. 103. Research areas for marine carbon dioxide removal (a) In general In carrying out the Program, the Secretary may— (1) designate federally administered oceanic, coastal, estuarine, riverine, or terrestrial areas for research related to one or more marine carbon dioxide removal approaches; or (2) award grants to eligible entities to establish such areas for such research. (b) Purpose The purpose of the research areas designated or established under this section shall be to enable— (1) the basic and applied science needed to achieve the objectives described in section 101(b)(1), including through— (A) bench-scale, mesocosm, and wet lab experiments; and (B) field trials, other field research, and demonstration projects; (2) coordinated permitting and compliance with applicable environmental law, engagement and consultation with relevant stakeholders, and risk mitigation; (3) sensing networks that can reliably return accurate observations across a wide field of variables in support of the monitoring goals set forth in section 102(b); (4) a community of practice among Federal and non-Federal researchers, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders; (5) the incubation or acceleration of businesses that can safely deploy— (A) marine carbon dioxide removal; or (B) technologies to measure, monitor, report, or verify approaches; and (6) long-term community engagement and participation in marine carbon dioxide removal activities. (c) Inventory Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall— (1) conduct an inventory of existing Federal facilities and oceanic, coastal, estuarine, riverine, or terrestrial areas that may be suitable for designation as federally administered research areas under this section; (2) submit the inventory to the interagency working group for review; (3) following submittal of the inventory under paragraph (2), publish the inventory to the Federal Register for public comment; and (4) use such public comments to inform the selection of research areas. (d) Grants (1) Eligible entities For purposes of grants under this section, an eligible entity is any of the following: (A) A National Laboratory (as defined in section 2 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 ( 42 U.S.C. 15801 )). (B) An institution of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1001 )). (C) A State, local, or Indian tribal government. (D) Any other private or public entity. (E) A consortium of entities described in any of subparagraphs (A) through (D). (2) Applications An eligible entity seeking a grant under this section shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. (3) Private sector investment In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall seek to leverage private sector investment, to the extent possible. (e) Suitability assessment (1) In general The Secretary shall assess the suitability of each research area under consideration for designation or establishment under this section. (2) Data; tools; considerations In carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary— (A) shall use relevant scientific, social, and economic data, including baseline environmental data and any assessments of baseline environmental data; and (B) may— (i) develop and employ marine spatial planning tools; and (ii) consider non-contiguous areas that are proximate to one another and connected by ecological or oceanographic factors. (3) Factors In carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary may assess the following: (A) Matters relating to oceanographic and ecological characteristics, including— (i) proximity and access to geologic storage formations; (ii) impacts to coastal and marine ecosystems, biodiversity, protected species, and the habitat of such species; (iii) proximity and impacts to existing protected areas, such as marine monuments and sanctuaries; and (iv) bathymetry, ocean circulation, and carbon chemistry baselines. (B) Matters relating to human uses and communities, including— (i) current and possible future human uses of the research area and the areas in reasonable proximity to the research area; (ii) availability of existing sensor networks, technology, infrastructure, and land-based facilities; (iii) where appropriate, potential colocation with existing infrastructure such as desalination plants, ships, moorings, and renewable energy; and (iv) potential socioeconomic or sociocultural impacts on adjacent coastal communities, including Native American individuals or entities. (C) Potential downstream impacts beyond the research area. (D) Such other factors as the Secretary considers appropriate, in consultation with— (i) States or Indian tribal governments that are in reasonable proximity to the research area; or (ii) the interagency working group. (f) Terms and conditions (1) In general For each research area designated or established under this section, and subject to subsection (i), the Secretary shall develop terms and conditions by which all users of the research area shall abide. (2) Elements At a minimum, the terms and conditions developed under this subsection shall include— (A) a requirement for any user of the research area to abide by the code of conduct established under section 104; (B) stewardship, management, and conservation measures that incorporate local and traditional knowledge, to the greatest extent practicable; (C) a requirement for the user to develop and follow a plan to— (i) mitigate risks and conflicts regarding local ecological conditions, biological sensitivities, protected resources, and commercial and human uses; (ii) monitor ecosystem responses within, and in reasonable proximity to, the research area; (iii) address potential environmental degradation resulting from activities at the research area; and (iv) following the expiration of a research area, remove— (I) the user’s fixtures, furnishings, equipment; and (II) any improvements made to the research area; (D) clear, objective thresholds of environmental harm that require the immediate cessation of a user’s activities at the research area; (E) the user’s consent for— (i) remote monitoring of the user’s activities and the impacts of those activities on the environment; and (ii) regular and unannounced inspections of the user’s activities by the advisory board for the research area appointed under subsection (j); (F) a requirement that the user will comply with all applicable law and policies; and (G) additional terms and conditions as the Secretary considers necessary or appropriate in furtherance of this Act. (g) Duration (1) In general The duration of research areas designated or established under this section shall be determined as provided in this subsection. (2) Research areas administered by a Federal agency (A) Reassessment Not less frequently than once every 5 years, the Secretary shall reassess each research area administered by a Federal agency to ensure that the research area advances the purpose set forth in subsection (b), the research area is suitable under subsection (e), and users of the research area are in compliance with applicable terms and conditions developed under subsection (f). (B) Termination of activities If, pursuant to a reassessment carried out with respect to a research area under subparagraph (A), the Secretary finds that the research area does not advance the purpose set forth in subsection (b), the research area is not suitable under subsection (e), or users of the research area are noncompliant with applicable terms and conditions developed under subsection (f), the Federal agency administering the research area shall— (i) terminate activities at the research area; and (ii) (I) close down operations at the research area pursuant to applicable terms and conditions; or (II) remediate the research area to comport with subsections (b), (e), and (f). (3) Research areas administered by an eligible entity (A) Initial period An eligible entity administering a research area under this Act may carry out activities at the research area for an initial period of 5 years. (B) Reassessment Before the conclusion of an initial period for a research area described in subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall reassess the research area to ensure that the research area advances the purpose set forth in subsection (b), the research area is suitable under subsection (e), and users of the research are in compliance with applicable terms and conditions developed under subsection (f). (C) Additional period If, pursuant to a reassessment carried out with respect to a research area under subparagraph (B), the Secretary finds that the research area advances the purpose set forth in subsection (b), the research area is suitable under subsection (e), and users of the research area are in compliance with applicable terms and conditions developed under subsection (f), the Secretary may authorize the eligible entity administering the research area to carry out activities at the research area for a single, additional period of 5 years. (D) Termination of activities If, pursuant to a reassessment carried out with respect to a research area under subparagraph (B), the Secretary finds that the research area does not advance the purpose set forth in subsection (b), the research area is not suitable under subsection (e), or users of the research area are noncompliant with applicable terms and conditions developed under subsection (f), the eligible entity administering the research area shall— (i) terminate activities at the research area; and (ii) (I) close down operations at the research area pursuant to applicable terms and conditions; or (II) remediate the research area to comport with subsections (b), (e), and (f). (E) Reestablishment In order to allow for continuity of operations, not later than 1 year prior to the conclusion of an additional 5-year period for a research area authorized under subparagraph (C), the eligible entity administering the research area may reapply for the establishment of the research area under this section. (h) Community benefits For each research area designated or established under this section, and subject to subsection (i), the Secretary shall develop, to the extent possible, opportunities to deliver benefits to communities with interest in the research area, such as— (1) community benefit agreements; (2) workforce development opportunities; (3) mitigation measures; (4) public education efforts; and (5) other socioeconomic or educational benefit schemes. (i) Engagement or consultation; partnerships In carrying out subsections (f) and (h), the Secretary— (1) shall engage or consult, as appropriate, regarding the terms and conditions and community benefits described in such subsections with— (A) State, local, and Indian tribal governments with jurisdiction over any part of the research area; (B) members of communities proximate to the research area, including relevant recreational and commercial users, academic institutions, Native American individuals or entities, and nongovernmental organizations; and (C) other stakeholders as the Secretary considers necessary to ensure full and fair engagement with potentially impacted community members; and (2) may leverage existing partnerships and assets to support meaningful public participation, including— (A) the national sea grant college program; (B) Regional Ocean Partnerships; and (C) the Regional Collaboration Network. (j) Advisory boards (1) In general Except as provided in paragraph (3), the Secretary shall appoint an advisory board to support oversight of each research area designated or established under this section, consisting of— (A) one or more representatives of each Federal agency participating in activities at the research area; (B) one or more representatives of each State, county, or Indian tribal government adjacent to the research area; (C) one or more members from each community adjacent to the research area; (D) one or more representatives of the users of the research area; and (E) additional members as the Secretary considers appropriate. (2) Duties (A) In general A board appointed under this subsection shall— (i) monitor the delivery of community benefits, compliance with the applicable terms and conditions, and, as necessary or advisable, inspections of activities at the research area; (ii) meet regularly with the Secretary to provide advice and guidance for the management, conservation, and stewardship of the research area; (iii) provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary on whether a proposed use or user of the research area should be allowed; and (iv) take other actions to support the safe, effective, orderly, and lawful operation of the research area at the discretion of the Secretary. (B) Additional duties Upon the request of a board appointed under this subsection, the Secretary may assign additional duties to the board as the Secretary considers appropriate. (3) Special rule for Regional Ocean Partnerships At the discretion of the Secretary or upon the request of a State, local, or Indian tribal government, the Secretary may request that the Regional Ocean Partnership in which the research area is located carry out the duties described in paragraph (2) instead of appointing a board as provided in paragraph (1). 104. Interagency working group for marine carbon dioxide removal (a) In general There is established an interagency working group for marine carbon dioxide removal under the Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology of the National Science and Technology Council. (b) Membership The interagency working group shall be composed of one or more representatives from each of the following: (1) The Army Corps of Engineers. (2) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (3) The National Institute of Standards and Technology. (4) The Department of Energy. (5) The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. (6) The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement. (7) The United States Fish and Wildlife Service. (8) The United States Geological Survey. (9) The Department of State. (10) The Environmental Protection Agency. (11) The National Aeronautics and Space Administration. (12) The National Science Foundation. (13) The Smithsonian Institution. (14) The Office of Naval Research. (15) The Department of the Navy. (16) The Coast Guard. (17) The Department of Agriculture. (18) The Council on Environmental Quality. (19) The Office of Science and Technology Policy. (c) Co-Chairs One or more representatives from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and one or more representatives from the Department of Energy shall serve as co-chairs of the interagency working group. (d) Meetings The interagency working group shall meet not less frequently than once each year, at the call of the co-chairs. (e) Duties The interagency working group shall— (1) not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, establish a plan to coordinate Federal research on marine carbon dioxide removal in accordance with subsection (f); (2) not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act— (A) establish a code of conduct in accordance with subsection (g); and (B) standardize the implementation of that code of conduct; (3) coordinate efforts among Federal agencies to support compliance with existing law; (4) support research and development of safe and effective marine carbon dioxide removal; (5) coordinate Federal funding opportunities in a manner that avoids duplication of funding and research efforts and maximizes funding for marine carbon dioxide removal; (6) as appropriate, provide recommendations to— (A) support the transition from research to operations of safe and effective marine carbon dioxide removal; and (B) integrate marine carbon dioxide removal into voluntary carbon markets; (7) publish and submit the biennial report required by section 105; (8) not later than 90 days after the date on which the interagency working group receives the inventory submitted under section 103(c), review the inventory and provide recommendations to the Secretary for the selection of research areas; (9) ensure the public availability of and public access to the results of marine carbon dioxide removal research in accordance with subsection (h); and (10) take other actions, as the interagency working group considers necessary, to coordinate Federal support for safe and effective marine carbon dioxide removal. (f) Federal research plan (1) Adoption of existing plans In carrying out subsection (e)(1), the interagency working group may adopt one or more research plans prepared by agencies represented on the interagency working group or through other interagency efforts. (2) Updates Not later than 5 years after the date on which the plan described in subsection (e)(1) is established, and every 5 years thereafter, the interagency working group shall update the plan. (3) Requirements The plan described in subsection (e)(1) shall— (A) prioritize public engagement and ecosystem impacts; and (B) further the objectives and focal areas described in section 101(b). (g) Code of conduct (1) In general The interagency working group shall, after publication and an opportunity for public comment in the Federal Register, establish a code of conduct for research relating to marine carbon dioxide removal (in this subsection referred to as the code of conduct ). (2) Adoption by agencies The agencies represented on the interagency working group shall adopt the code of conduct. (3) Applicability Each grantee under this Act conducting activities in the field and each user of a research area designated or established under section 103 shall abide by the code of conduct. (4) Minimum substantive requirements The code of conduct shall, at minimum, require— (A) open access to research data, findings, codes of conduct, mitigation plans, and scientific publications arising from the research; (B) that open-water testing is preceded and informed by laboratory, mesocosm, and modeling research; (C) public disclosure of funding sources; (D) educational materials and community learning opportunities to increase awareness and literacy of proposed research activities, findings, risks, uncertainties, potential benefits, and the distribution of anticipated benefits and harms; (E) opportunities for interested stakeholders to provide input on research design; (F) where applicable, solicitation and incorporation of local and traditional knowledge into research design and decisions; (G) reasonable efforts to deconflict research with existing commercial and human uses; (H) for each experiment, a mitigation plan that describes— (i) potential ecosystem responses; (ii) potential social outcomes, including to health and safety; (iii) any measures taken to minimize harm; and (iv) liability and guidelines for remediation of adverse impacts, including environmental degradation, resulting from research; (I) compliance with all applicable domestic and international laws and policies; and (J) other requirements or best practices, as the interagency working group determines necessary, to assess and communicate positive and negative social and environmental impacts and uncertainties. (5) Minimum engagement requirements In fulfilling the requirements described in paragraph (4), grantees and users described in paragraph (3) shall maximize participation of and consultation with, at minimum— (A) State, local, and Indian tribal governments with jurisdiction over any part of the area in which field research relating to marine carbon dioxide removal is conducted; (B) members of communities proximate to the area, including relevant recreational and commercial users, academic institutions, Native American individuals or entities, and nongovernmental organizations; and (C) other stakeholders as the head of the Federal agency providing resources for the grantee or user considers necessary to ensure full and fair engagement with potentially impacted community members. (6) Updates Not less frequently than once each year for the first 5 years following the date of the enactment of this Act, and once every 5 years thereafter, the interagency working group shall review, and, as appropriate update, the code of conduct to ensure that it remains timely and relevant. (h) Public availability and access (1) In general Subject to contracts protecting confidential proprietary data, the interagency working group may make research papers and other results generated under this Act available to the public at no cost and with no restrictions on copying, publishing, distributing, citing, adapting, or otherwise using such papers or results. (2) Portal Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the interagency working group shall establish a new portal or designate an existing information portal to ensure, while protecting sensitive proprietary information, that data and information on marine carbon dioxide removal generated under this Act, or by other Federal programs and relevant stakeholders, is easily, digitally accessible, including information that would be useful to policymakers, researchers, and other stakeholders for advancing research or evaluating the deployment of marine carbon dioxide removal. (i) Memorandum of agreement Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the members of the interagency working group shall enter into a memorandum of agreement to implement this Act. 105. Biennial report on marine carbon dioxide removal (a) In general Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, and not less frequently than once every 2 years thereafter, the interagency working group shall— (1) publish a report on marine carbon dioxide removal carried out pursuant to this Act, in accordance with subsection (c); and (2) submit the report to the relevant congressional committees. (b) Elements Each report required by subsection (a) shall include, for the period covered by the report, the following: (1) A description of progress made toward the objectives described in section 101(b)(1), including— (A) findings generated under subparagraph (A) of such section and the information on which those findings are based; and (B) efforts and outcomes related to subparagraph (B) of such section. (2) A summary of the activities conducted at all research areas designated or established under section 103, including— (A) the number of entities and personnel using each research area for marine carbon dioxide removal; and (B) the specific marine carbon dioxide removal approaches studied or deployed. (3) A summary of key findings from data collection and monitoring, including— (A) the amount of carbon dioxide removed from the ocean and the atmosphere, as measured on a life-cycle basis, by each removal technology; (B) whether a particular removal technology results in net removals of greenhouse gasses from the atmosphere over its life cycle, and the duration of sequestration, as applicable; (C) for removal technologies that rely on an energy source, the amount of energy consumed by the technology; and (D) any other metrics the interagency working group considers necessary or advisable. (4) A summary of research findings, knowledge gaps, and future research priorities. (5) An assessment of the permitting regime regulating marine carbon dioxide removal that includes recommendations for improved efficiency or coordination, as applicable. (6) An identification of barriers in resources, capacity, technology, infrastructure, or expertise to advancing the science and application of marine carbon dioxide removal. (7) Strategic updates to the objectives described in section 101(b)(1). (8) Any additional matters the interagency working group considers relevant. (c) Public availability The interagency working group shall— (1) publish each report required by subsection (a) on a publicly accessible website; and (2) make each such report available to the public at no cost and with no restrictions on copying, publishing, distributing, citing, adapting, or otherwise using the report. 106. Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated to the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere to carry out this title— (1) $264,000,000 for fiscal year 2025; (2) $263,200,000 for fiscal year 2026; (3) $256,400,000 for fiscal year 2027; (4) $256,200,000 for fiscal year 2028; (5) $244,400,000 for fiscal year 2029; (6) $149,200,000 for fiscal year 2030; (7) $149,200,000 for fiscal year 2031; (8) $149,200,000 for fiscal year 2032; (9) $149,200,000 for fiscal year 2033; and (10) $149,200,000 for fiscal year 2034. II Matters relating to the National Science Foundation 201. Researching marine carbon dioxide removal (a) Research The Director of the National Science Foundation shall award grants to support the Federal research plan described in section 104, including research related to— (1) the efficacy of marine carbon dioxide removal, including measurability, magnitude of greenhouse gas removal, durability, and additionality; (2) ecosystem responses to and social dimensions of marine carbon dioxide removal; (3) tools and technologies to support understanding and measurement of the efficacy and environmental impacts of marine carbon dioxide removal; and (4) other relevant research areas, as determined by the Director of the National Science Foundation. (b) Coordination In carrying out subsection (a), the Director of the National Science Foundation shall coordinate with the heads of appropriate Federal agencies, including the Secretary. (c) Science workforce development The Director of the National Science Foundation shall leverage, as appropriate, the existing scientific training, workforce development programs, and networks of the National Science Foundation to build and expand scientific capacity and expertise related to marine carbon dioxide removal. III Matters relating to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 301. Measuring marine carbon dioxide removal from space (a) Marine carbon dioxide removal activities To the extent practicable, the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (referred to in this title as the Administrator ) shall ensure that the capabilities and assets of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration are used to advance understanding of the efficacy and impacts of marine carbon dioxide removal and to support the Federal research plan described in section 104, including by— (1) leveraging the research portfolio of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; (2) enhancing the monitoring and modeling programs of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to incorporate relevant data for marine carbon dioxide removal; (3) leveraging and aligning the Mission Directorates of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; and (4) carrying out any other relevant activity, as determined by the Administrator. (b) Coordination and program consistency In carrying out the activities described in subsection (a), the Administrator shall coordinate with the head of any appropriate Federal agency, including the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, to ensure that the research activities of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration are carried out in cooperation with the efforts of such agency. 302. Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated to Administrator to carry out this title— (1) $4,900,000 for fiscal year 2025; (2) $4,900,000 for fiscal year 2026; (3) $4,800,000 for fiscal year 2027; (4) $4,800,000 for fiscal year 2028; (5) $4,600,000 for fiscal year 2029; (6) $2,800,000 for fiscal year 2030; (7) $2,800,000 for fiscal year 2031; (8) $2,800,000 for fiscal year 2032; (9) $2,800,000 for fiscal year 2033; and (10) $2,800,000 for fiscal year 2034. IV Matters relating to the National Institute of Standards and Technology 401. Validating marine carbon dioxide removal (a) Marine carbon dioxide removal initiative The Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology shall carry out an initiative to develop and standardize benchmark materials, measurements, data, and models to accelerate innovation in and validate performance of materials and technologies for marine carbon dioxide removal. (b) Coordination In carrying out the activities described in subsection (a), the Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology shall coordinate with the heads of such Federal agencies as the Under Secretary considers appropriate, including the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere. (c) International engagement The Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology, in coordination with the Secretary of State, shall engage international bodies to promote global adoption of the standards referred to in subsection (a). 402. Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated to the Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology to carry out this title— (1) $11,500,000 for fiscal year 2025; (2) $11,500,000 for fiscal year 2026; (3) $11,200,000 for fiscal year 2027; (4) $11,200,000 for fiscal year 2028; (5) $10,700,000 for fiscal year 2029; (6) $6,500,000 for fiscal year 2030; (7) $6,500,000 for fiscal year 2031; (8) $6,500,000 for fiscal year 2032; (9) $6,500,000 for fiscal year 2033; and (10) $6,500,000 for fiscal year 2034.