Part B—Carbon Capture and Sequestration Assessment and Framework
§17271. Carbon dioxide sequestration capacity assessment
(a) Definitions
In this section—
(1) Assessment
The term "assessment" means the national assessment of onshore capacity for carbon dioxide completed under subsection (f).
(2) Capacity
The term "capacity" means the portion of a sequestration formation that can retain carbon dioxide in accordance with the requirements (including physical, geological, and economic requirements) established under the methodology developed under subsection (b).
(3) Engineered hazard
The term "engineered hazard" includes the location and completion history of any well that could affect potential sequestration.
(4) Risk
The term "risk" includes any risk posed by geomechanical, geochemical, hydrogeological, structural, and engineered hazards.
(5) Secretary
The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the United States Geological Survey.
(6) Sequestration formation
The term "sequestration formation" means a deep saline formation, unmineable coal seam, or oil or gas reservoir that is capable of accommodating a volume of industrial carbon dioxide.
(b) Methodology
Not later than 1 year after December 19, 2007, the Secretary shall develop a methodology for conducting an assessment under subsection (f), taking into consideration—
(1) the geographical extent of all potential sequestration formations in all States;
(2) the capacity of the potential sequestration formations;
(3) the injectivity of the potential sequestration formations;
(4) an estimate of potential volumes of oil and gas recoverable by injection and sequestration of industrial carbon dioxide in potential sequestration formations;
(5) the risk associated with the potential sequestration formations; and
(6) the work done to develop the Carbon Sequestration Atlas of the United States and Canada that was completed by the Department.
(c) Coordination
(1) Federal coordination
(A) Consultation
The Secretary shall consult with the Secretary of Energy and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency on issues of data sharing, format, development of the methodology, and content of the assessment required under this section to ensure the maximum usefulness and success of the assessment.
(B) Cooperation
The Secretary of Energy and the Administrator shall cooperate with the Secretary to ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, the usefulness and success of the assessment.
(2) State coordination
The Secretary shall consult with State geological surveys and other relevant entities to ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, the usefulness and success of the assessment.
(d) External review and publication
On completion of the methodology under subsection (b), the Secretary shall—
(1) publish the methodology and solicit comments from the public and the heads of affected Federal and State agencies;
(2) establish a panel of individuals with expertise in the matters described in paragraphs (1) through (5) of subsection (b) composed, as appropriate, of representatives of Federal agencies, institutions of higher education, nongovernmental organizations, State organizations, industry, and international geoscience organizations to review the methodology and comments received under paragraph (1); and
(3) on completion of the review under paragraph (2), publish in the Federal Register the revised final methodology.
(e) Periodic updates
The methodology developed under this section shall be updated periodically (including at least once every 5 years) to incorporate new data as the data becomes available.
(f) National assessment
(1) In general
Not later than 2 years after the date of publication of the methodology under subsection (d)(1), the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy and State geological surveys, shall complete a national assessment of capacity for carbon dioxide in accordance with the methodology.
(2) Geological verification
As part of the assessment under this subsection, the Secretary shall carry out a drilling program to supplement the geological data relevant to determining sequestration capacity of carbon dioxide in geological sequestration formations, including—
(A) well log data;
(B) core data; and
(C) fluid sample data.
(3) Partnership with other drilling programs
As part of the drilling program under paragraph (2), the Secretary shall enter, as appropriate, into partnerships with other entities to collect and integrate data from other drilling programs relevant to the sequestration of carbon dioxide in geological formations.
(4) Incorporation into NatCarb
(A) In general
On completion of the assessment, the Secretary of Energy and the Secretary of the Interior shall incorporate the results of the assessment using—
(i) the NatCarb database, to the maximum extent practicable; or
(ii) a new database developed by the Secretary of Energy, as the Secretary of Energy determines to be necessary.
(B) Ranking
The database shall include the data necessary to rank potential sequestration sites for capacity and risk, across the United States, within each State, by formation, and within each basin.
(5) Report
Not later than 180 days after the date on which the assessment is completed, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives a report describing the findings under the assessment.
(6) Periodic updates
The national assessment developed under this section shall be updated periodically (including at least once every 5 years) to support public and private sector decisionmaking.
(g) Authorization of appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $30,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2008 through 2012.
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Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective on the date that is 1 day after Dec. 19, 2007, see section 1601 of
§17272. Assessment of carbon sequestration and methane and nitrous oxide emissions from ecosystems
(a) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Adaptation strategy
The term "adaptation strategy" means a land use and management strategy that can be used—
(A) to increase the sequestration capabilities of covered greenhouse gases of any ecosystem; or
(B) to reduce the emissions of covered greenhouse gases from any ecosystem.
(2) Assessment
The term "assessment" means the national assessment authorized under subsection (b).
(3) Covered greenhouse gas
The term "covered greenhouse gas" means carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane gas.
(4) Ecosystem
The term "ecosystem" means any terrestrial, freshwater aquatic, or coastal ecosystem, including an estuary.
(5) Native plant species
The term "native plant species" means any noninvasive, naturally occurring plant species within an ecosystem.
(6) Secretary
The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of the Interior.
(b) Authorization of assessment
Not later than 2 years after the date on which the final methodology is published under subsection (f)(3)(D), the Secretary shall complete a national assessment of—
(1) the quantity of carbon stored in and released from ecosystems, including from man-caused and natural fires; and
(2) the annual flux of covered greenhouse gases in and out of ecosystems.
(c) Components
In conducting the assessment under subsection (b), the Secretary shall—
(1) determine the processes that control the flux of covered greenhouse gases in and out of each ecosystem;
(2) estimate the potential for increasing carbon sequestration in natural and managed ecosystems through management activities or restoration activities in each ecosystem;
(3) develop near-term and long-term adaptation strategies or mitigation strategies that can be employed—
(A) to enhance the sequestration of carbon in each ecosystem;
(B) to reduce emissions of covered greenhouse gases from ecosystems; and
(C) to adapt to climate change; and
(4) estimate the annual carbon sequestration capacity of ecosystems under a range of policies in support of management activities to optimize sequestration.
(d) Use of native plant species
In developing restoration activities under subsection (c)(2) and management strategies and adaptation strategies under subsection (c)(3), the Secretary shall emphasize the use of native plant species (including mixtures of many native plant species) for sequestering covered greenhouse gas in each ecosystem.
(e) Consultation
(1) In general
In conducting the assessment under subsection (b) and developing the methodology under subsection (f), the Secretary shall consult with—
(A) the Secretary of Energy;
(B) the Secretary of Agriculture;
(C) the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency;
(D) the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere; and
(E) the heads of other relevant agencies.
(2) Ocean and coastal ecosystems
In carrying out this section with respect to ocean and coastal ecosystems (including estuaries), the Secretary shall work jointly with the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere.
(f) Methodology
(1) In general
Not later than 1 year after December 19, 2007, the Secretary shall develop a methodology for conducting the assessment.
(2) Requirements
The methodology developed under paragraph (1)—
(A) shall—
(i) determine the method for measuring, monitoring, and quantifying covered greenhouse gas emissions and reductions;
(ii) estimate the total capacity of each ecosystem to sequester carbon; and
(iii) estimate the ability of each ecosystem to reduce emissions of covered greenhouse gases through management practices; and
(B) may employ economic and other systems models, analyses, and estimates, to be developed in consultation with each of the individuals described in subsection (e).
(3) External review and publication
On completion of a proposed methodology, the Secretary shall—
(A) publish the proposed methodology;
(B) at least 60 days before the date on which the final methodology is published, solicit comments from—
(i) the public; and
(ii) heads of affected Federal and State agencies;
(C) establish a panel to review the proposed methodology published under subparagraph (A) and any comments received under subparagraph (B), to be composed of members—
(i) with expertise in the matters described in subsections (c) and (d); and
(ii) that are, as appropriate, representatives of Federal agencies, institutions of higher education, nongovernmental organizations, State organizations, industry, and international organizations; and
(D) on completion of the review under subparagraph (C), publish in the Federal Register the revised final methodology.
(g) Estimate; review
The Secretary shall—
(1) based on the assessment, prescribe the data, information, and analysis needed to establish a scientifically sound estimate of the carbon sequestration capacity of relevant ecosystems; and
(2) not later than 180 days after the date on which the assessment is completed, submit to the heads of applicable Federal agencies and the appropriate committees of Congress a report that describes the results of the assessment.
(h) Data and report availability
On completion of the assessment, the Secretary shall incorporate the results of the assessment into a web-accessible database for public use.
(i) Authorization
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $20,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2008 through 2012.
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Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective on the date that is 1 day after Dec. 19, 2007, see section 1601 of