Forestry legislation under consideration in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate aims to, in part, expand research and demonstration initiatives to support the development of biochar projects.&nbsp;The Fix Our Forests Act, or S. 1462, was introduced by Sen. John Curtis, R-Utah, on April 10 and addressed during a hearing held by the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry on May 6. Current cosponsors included Sens. John Hickenlooper, D-Colo.; Tim Sheehy, R-Mont.; and Alex Padilla, D-Calif. Similar legislation is pending in the House.&nbsp;Section 301 of S. 1462 aims to support the development, commercialization and research of biochar through demonstration projects, grants and policy development, aiming to enhance forest health, carbon sequestration, job creation and market development.&nbsp;The bill would require the USDA, the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Department of Energy to create a program to fund biochar demonstration projects via partnerships with eligible entities. At least 50% of the biochar feedstock would need to sourced from forest thinning or management on public lands. It would also direct the U.S. Department of the Interior, in consultation with the DOE, to launch or expand a competitive research grant program for eligible institutions, such as land-grant universities.&nbsp;Additional information is available on Padilla’s <a href="https://www.padilla.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senate-fix-our-forests-act-gets-committee-hearing/">website</a>.&nbsp;

2025-05-21 - Bill aims to support R&D for biochar projects (Biomass Magazine)

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Forestry legislation under consideration in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate aims to, in part, expand research and demonstration initiatives to support the development of biochar projects. 

Bill aims to support R&D for biochar projects

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