Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and three members of Congress have introduced legislation to strengthen marine carbon dioxide removal research and development.
“Alaska has unrivaled potential for carbon sequestration and carbon dioxide removal, both onshore and offshore,” Murkowski said. “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.”
The Removing and Sequestering Carbon Unleashed in the Environment and Oceans Act (ReSCUE) was introduced on Feb. 25 by Murkowski and Sen. Brian Schatz, D-HI, with Reps. Suzanne Bonamici, D-OR, and Earl L. “Buddy” Carter, R-GA.
Schatz noted that carbon dioxide removal is an essential tool in the fight against the climate crisis and said the bill would encourage research beneficial to coastal communities and ecosystems.
The bill would establish a dedicated research program and grants at NOAA to evaluate such research efficacy and safety, including effects on ecosystems and coastal communities. It would also establish an interagency working group co-chaired by NOAA and the U.S. Department of Energy to develop a federal marine carbon dioxide removal research plan with monitoring goals, standards, and clear safeguards.
