Overview

Title

An Act To amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to require the Secretary of Energy to carry out terrestrial carbon sequestration research and development activities, and for other purposes.

ELI5 AI

H. R. 4824 is a plan that tries to help the Earth by finding better ways to store carbon in the ground and in plants, which can help the planet stay healthy. It's being looked at by important people in the government to see if it's a good idea.

Summary AI

H. R. 4824, known as the "Carbon Sequestration Collaboration Act," seeks to amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The bill aims to enhance research and development activities regarding carbon sequestration, focusing on methods that increase carbon storage in soil and plant biomass. It outlines cooperation among various federal agencies and stresses improving the understanding of carbon cycling, advancing monitoring and reporting technologies, and fostering new tools and technologies for carbon storage. The bill has been passed by the House and awaits further consideration in the Senate.

Published

2024-05-01
Congress: 118
Session: 2
Chamber: SENATE
Status: Referred in Senate
Date: 2024-05-01
Package ID: BILLS-118hr4824rfs

Keywords AI

carbon sequestration energy policy act of 2005 research and development terrestrial carbon sequestration federal agency coordination carbon storage carbon cycling monitoring technologies geologic sequestration h. r. 4824

Sources

Bill Statistics

Size

Sections:
2
Words:
1,442
Pages:
9
Sentences:
12

Language

Nouns: 431
Verbs: 104
Adjectives: 77
Adverbs: 9
Numbers: 33
Entities: 61

Complexity

Average Token Length:
4.47
Average Sentence Length:
120.17
Token Entropy:
4.81
Readability (ARI):
62.86

AnalysisAI

The proposed legislation, "H. R. 4824," aims to amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to ensure that the Secretary of Energy conducts comprehensive research and development in the domain of carbon sequestration. The bill addresses the need to both capture and store carbon dioxide (CO2) effectively as a strategy to combat atmospheric pollution. It outlines the development and implementation of both terrestrial and geologic sequestration methods, enhancing collaboration across federal agencies and aiming for continuous improvements in technology and strategies for carbon storage.

General Summary of the Bill

The main objective of this legislation is to foster research into carbon sequestration—a process crucial for mitigating climate change by capturing CO2 emissions and storing them to prevent their release into the atmosphere. It builds on existing policies by broadening the definition and scope of carbon sequestration practices. Specifically, the bill includes engineered solutions on agricultural and forest lands, as well as the use of natural geologic formations. Importantly, the legislation calls for federal agencies to collaborate on these efforts, thus promoting a comprehensive, interagency approach to addressing climate change-related challenges.

Summary of Significant Issues

The bill presents several notable challenges:

  1. Coordination with Multiple Agencies: The legislation involves coordination with numerous federal agencies, raising concerns about potential bureaucratic inefficiencies and overlapping efforts that could undermine the program's effectiveness.

  2. Technical Language Barriers: The bill is heavily laden with technical language, which may limit its comprehension among non-experts. The complexity can affect transparency and hinder broader engagement from the public and stakeholders less familiar with scientific nuances.

  3. Undefined Collaboration Processes: While the bill speaks to leveraging the capabilities of various agencies, it does not clearly define how collaboration should be regulated or carried out, which could result in accountability issues.

  4. Introduction of New Terms: By introducing new terms without adequate context, there is a risk of varied interpretations that could complicate implementation and slow progress.

  5. Delayed Research Plan Requirement: Requiring a research plan submission two years post-enactment may delay the development of actionable insights, which could impact the timely progression of carbon sequestration technologies.

Impact on the Public and Stakeholders

Broader Public Impact

The impact of this legislation on the public could be significant, as effective carbon sequestration is vital for addressing climate change—a major global concern. By potentially reducing atmospheric CO2 levels, the legislation could help mitigate climate-related risks like extreme weather events, contributing to environmental stability and promoting public health.

Stakeholder-specific Impacts

  • Federal Agencies: The bill mandates considerable interagency cooperation, which, if well-managed, could result in more efficient resource use and streamlined research efforts. However, it might also burden participating agencies with additional coordination responsibilities without clear guidance.

  • Agricultural and Forestry Sectors: These sectors stand to benefit from enhanced carbon sequestration practices that could improve soil health and productivity through methods like biochar application and improved land management techniques.

  • Scientific Community: Researchers in fields related to environmental science, agriculture, and geology might find opportunities for innovation and collaboration. However, the reliance on existing knowledge and data may limit newer, breakthrough technologies if not carefully balanced.

  • Industrial Stakeholders: Companies involved in carbon capture and storage technologies may gain from the expanded market and increased governmental focus on sequestration, leading to further advancements and possibly favorable economic conditions.

In conclusion, while the proposed bill offers a robust framework for advancing carbon sequestration, its ultimate success will heavily depend on effective coordination, transparent communication, and adaptable strategies that incorporate new scientific discoveries and address challenges as they arise.

Issues

  • The coordination with multiple federal agencies as outlined in Section 2 could lead to bureaucratic inefficiencies and redundant efforts, which might hinder the effectiveness of the carbon sequestration initiative.

  • The highly technical language used in Section 2 may limit understanding and engagement from non-experts, potentially affecting transparency and public trust.

  • The lack of specifics in the leveraging clause within Section 2 about collaboration with listed agencies and entities might lead to unclear accountability or overlapping responsibilities.

  • Introducing multiple new terms and definitions in Section 2 without sufficient context or guidelines may result in varied interpretations, potentially complicating implementation.

  • The requirement for the research plan to be submitted two years after enactment in Section 2 could delay actionable insights and developments, which might hinder timely advancements in carbon sequestration technology.

Sections

Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.

1. Short title Read Opens in new tab

Summary AI

The first section of the bill establishes its short title, which is the “Carbon Sequestration Collaboration Act.”

2. Carbon sequestration research initiative Read Opens in new tab

Summary AI

The amendment to Section 963 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 introduces definitions and enhancements related to carbon sequestration, which is the process of capturing and storing carbon dioxide to reduce atmospheric pollution. It emphasizes the development of both terrestrial and geologic carbon sequestration methods, coordination across federal agencies, and continuous research to improve technologies and strategies for effectively storing carbon, including in agriculture, forestry, and various geological settings.