Murkowski And Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Bill To Advance Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski, (R-AK) and Brian Schatz, (D-HI), with Representatives Suzanne Bonamici, (D-OR) and Earl L. “Buddy” Carter, (R-GA) introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to strengthen marine carbon dioxide removal research and development in the United States.

The Removing and Sequestering Carbon Unleashed in the Environment and Oceans Act (ReSCUE Oceans Act) would establish the United States as a leader in marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) research, development, and responsible testing by investing in science-based measurement tools, creating environmental and community safeguards, as well as strengthening coordination between federal research agencies.

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“Alaska has unrivaled potential for carbon sequestration and carbon dioxide removal, both onshore and offshore. As the state with by far the most coastline, emerging marine options, such as seaweed and kelp farming, have shown great promise as we seek to responsibly reduce emissions on a net basis,” Senator Murkowski said. “Our bipartisan, bicameral legislation will provide for new research and development of these technologies in close partnership with local governments, communities, and the private sector. As we seek to develop them the right way – fully protecting our marine environment – I’m excited by what lies ahead and the opportunities this will help create across Alaska.”

“Carbon dioxide removal is an essential tool in the fight against the climate crisis, in addition to being a driver of American innovation,” Senator Brian Schatz said. “Our bill will encourage research into mCDR to ensure it’s safe, effective, benefits coastal communities, and protects ecosystems.”

“We must do all we can to reduce carbon pollution, which fuels more frequent and extreme weather events,” Representative Bonamici said. “Marine carbon dioxide removal is a promising strategy that can enhance the ocean’s role as a natural carbon sink to absorb and store emissions. But we need more rigorous science, meaningful federal investment, and a clear research framework to safely deploy it. Oregon’s coastal communities understand the power and vulnerability of the ocean, and they should have a voice in studying mCDR. As Co-Chair of the House Oceans Caucus, I’m pleased to join my colleagues in leading this bipartisan legislation to explore responsible use of mCDR.”

"Marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) is an emerging tool to help us reduce and capture emissions while spurring economic innovation," Representative Carter said. "Our oceans absorb 30 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions. Funding further research for mCDR will help us better understand this emerging and exciting technology, and I am proud to colead this legislation with Congresswoman Bonamici, Congressman Tonko, Senator Murkowski, and Senator Schatz."

Key Provisions Of The ReSCUE Oceans Act

Specifically, the ReSCUE Oceans Act would:

• Establish a dedicated research program and grants at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to evaluate mCDR efficacy and safety, including effects on ecosystems and coastal communities;

• Invest in monitoring infrastructure to evaluate environmental effects, measure outcomes, develop mCDR standards and protocols, and make findings publicly available;

• Develop a framework to designate mCDR field research sites to coordinate science resources and create clarity for researchers and communities;

• Establish an interagency working group co-chaired by NOAA and the U.S. Department of Energy to develop a federal mCDR research plan with monitoring goals, standards, and clear safeguards;

• Create a research code of conduct based on transparency and ecosystem protection to collect critical data to inform mCDR development, regulation, and siting; and

• Leverage research, workforce, measurement, and standards development resources across federal science agencies, including the National Science Foundation, NOAA, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

Endorsements

This legislation is endorsed by Carbon180, Carbon Removal Alliance, Carbon To Sea Initiative, ClearPath Action, Climate Innovation Action, Ocean Conservancy, Ocean Visions, World Resources Institute, and Third Way.

Additional statements of support can be found here.

A one-page summary of the ReSCUE Oceans Act can be found here and a section-by-section summary of the bill can be found here. The full text of the legislation is available here.