I
117th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2581
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 15, 2021
Ms. Herrell (for herself, Mr. Westerman, Mr. Newhouse, and Mr. Gosar) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
A BILL
To establish a biochar demonstration project and biochar grant program, and for other purposes.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the Biochar Innovations and Opportunities for Conservation, Health, and Advancements in Research Act of 2021
or the BIOCHAR Act of 2021
.
BIOCHAR demonstration project
Demonstration projects
Establishment
In general
Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretaries shall establish a program to enter into partnerships with eligible entities to carry out demonstration projects to support the development and commercialization of biochar in accordance with this subsection.
Location of demonstration projects
The Secretaries shall, to the maximum extent practicable, establish at least one biochar demonstration project in each Forest Service region.
Proposals
To be eligible to enter into a partnership to carry out a biochar demonstration project under paragraph (1)(A), an eligible entity shall submit to the Secretaries a proposal at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretaries may require.
Priority
In selecting proposals under paragraph (2), the Secretaries shall give priority to partnering with eligible entities that submit proposals to carry out biochar demonstration projects that—
have the most carbon sequestration potential;
will create new jobs and contribute to local economies, particularly in rural areas;
will demonstrate—
new and innovative uses of biochar;
viable markets for cost effective biochar-based products;
the ecosystem services of biochar;
the benefits of biochar to restore forest heath and resiliency, including for forest soils and watersheds; or
any combination of purposes specified in clauses (i) through (iv);
are located in local markets that have the greatest need for the biochar production units due to—
nearby lands identified as having high or very high or extreme risk of wildfire;
availability of sufficient quantities of feedstocks; or
a high level of demand for biochar or other commercial byproducts of biochar; or
any combination of purposes specified in subparagraphs (A) through (D).
Use of funds
In carrying out the program established under paragraph (1)(A), the Secretaries may enter into partnerships and provide funding to carry out demonstration projects that—
acquire and test various feedstocks and their efficacy;
develop and optimize commercially and technologically viable biochar production units, including mobile and permanent units;
demonstrate the production of biochar from forest residues and the use of biochar to restore forest health and resiliency;
build, expand, or establish biochar facilities;
conduct research on new and innovative uses of biochar or demonstrate cost-effective market opportunities for biochar and biochar-based products;
carry out any other activities the Secretaries determine appropriate; or
any combination of the purposes specified in subparagraphs (A) through (F).
Feedstock requirements
To the maximum extent practicable, a biochar demonstration project under this subsection shall, with respect to the feedstock used under such project, derive at least 50 percent of such feedstock from forest thinning and management activities, including mill residues, conducted on National Forest System lands.
Review of biochar demonstration
In general
The Secretaries shall conduct regionally specific research, including economic analyses and life-cycle assessments, on the biochar produced from the demonstration projects under this subsection, including—
the effects of such biochar on—
forest health and resiliency;
carbon capture and sequestration, including increasing soil carbon in the short-term and long-term;
productivity, reduced input costs, and water retention in agricultural practices;
soil and grassland health for grazing activities, including grazing activities on Federal land;
environmental remediation activities, including abandoned mine land remediation; and
other ecosystem services of biochar;
the efficacy of biochar as a co-product of biofuels or in biochemicals; and
whether biochar can effectively be used to produce any other technologically and commercially viable outcome.
Coordination
The Secretaries shall, to the maximum extent practicable, provide data, analysis, and other relevant information collected under subparagraph (A) to eligible institutions conducting research and development activities on biochar pursuant to receiving a grant under subsection (b).
Limitation on funding for establishing biochar facilities
In the case of an eligible entity that enters in to a partnership to carry out a biochar demonstration project under this subsection and seeks to establish a biochar facility under such demonstration project, the Secretaries may not provide funding to such eligible entity in an amount greater than 35 percent of the capital cost of establishing such biochar facility.
Biochar research and development grant program
Establishment
The Secretary of Agriculture shall establish an applied biochar research and development grant program to make competitive grants to eligible institutions to carry out the activities described in paragraph (3).
Applications
To be eligible to receive a grant under this subsection, an eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary a proposal at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.
Use of funds
An eligible institution that receives a grant under this subsection shall use the grant funds to conduct applied research on—
the effect of biochar on forest health and resiliency, accounting for variations in biochar, soil, climate, and other factors;
the effect of biochar on soil health and water retention, accounting for variations in biochar, soil, climate, and other factors;
the long-term carbon sequestration potential of biochar;
the best management practices of biochar and biochar based-products to—
maximize carbon sequestration benefits; and
maximize the commercial viability and application of such products in forestry, agriculture, environmental remediation, water quality improvement, and other uses;
the regional uses of biochar to increase productivity and profitability, including—
uses in agriculture and environmental remediation; and
use as a co-product in fuel production;
new and innovative uses from biochar byproducts; and
opportunities to expand markets for biochar and create jobs, particularly in rural areas.
Reports
Report to Congress
Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretaries shall submit a report to Congress that—
includes policy and program recommendations to improve the widespread use of biochar;
identifies the areas of research needed to advance biochar commercialization; and
identifies barriers to further biochar commercialization, including permitting and siting considerations.
President’s annual budget request
Beginning 2 years after the date of the enactment of this section and annually until the date described in subsection (d), the Secretaries shall include in the budget materials submitted to Congress in support of the President’s annual budget request (submitted to Congress pursuant to section 1105 of title 31, United States Code) for each fiscal year a report on the status of the demonstration projects carried out under subsection (a) and the research and development grants carried out under subsection (b).
Sunset
The authority to carry out this section shall terminate on the date that is 10 years after the date of the enactment of this section.
Definitions
In this section:
Biochar
The term biochar means carbonized biomass produced by converting feedstock through reductive thermal processing for non-fuel uses.
Eligible entity
The term eligible entity means—
State, local, and Tribal governments;
eligible institutions; and
private, non-private, or cooperative entities.
Eligible institution
The term eligible institution means land-grant colleges and universities, including institutions eligible for funding under the—
Act of July 2, 1862;
Act of August 30, 1890, including Tuskegee University;
Public Law 87–788 (commonly known as the McIntire-Stennis Act of 1962
); or
Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 301 note).
Feedstock
The term feedstock means excess biomass in the form of plant matter or materials that serves as the raw material for the production of biochar.
Secretaries
The term Secretaries means—
the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service; and
the Secretary of Energy, acting through the Director of the Office of Science.
