The US Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service has introduced a proposed regulation which could allow the agency to evaluate proposals for carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) projects on national forests and grasslands, as reported by Reuters on November 4. If finalized, this rule would permit applications for carbon sequestration projects on these lands to be considered for permanent use. However, the proposal has faced opposition from various environmental organizations, expressing concerns that it might pave the way for the privatization of public land.

Forests and grasslands have historically functioned as crucial carbon sinks, capable of sequestering carbon in various forms such as woody biomass, leaves, and underground structures. By enabling CCS projects on these lands, the Forest Service aims to contribute to global efforts in employing carbon sequestration as a tool to combat climate change. This initiative aligns with broader international endeavors. For instance, the Biden administration, through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022, increased the tax credit for CCS projects from USD 50 to USD 80 per ton of carbon. This move supports the global goal of capturing and sequestering 1.2 gigatons of carbon dioxide annually by 2030, as projected by the International Energy Agency (IEA), in order to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

Sources:

https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/us-agency-proposes-allowing-carbon-capture-projects-national-forests-2023-11-03/

https://www.fs.usda.gov/news/releases/usda-forest-service-proposes-rule-facilitate-carbon-capture-and-sequestration

https://www.energymonitor.ai/carbon-removal/global-ccs-capacity-grows-44-in-a-year/?cf-view