Bill > SB643

This bill establishes the Carbon Dioxide Removal Purchase Program, which requires the California Air Resources Board (ARB) to purchase carbon dioxide removal credits from eligible projects within the state between 2026 and 2035. The program aims to support emerging carbon removal technologies like direct air capture, biomass carbon removal, enhanced mineralization, and marine carbon dioxide removal, with a total budget of $50 million. The bill limits purchases to $25 million per project category and $12.5 million per individual project sponsor, and requires the ARB to prioritize projects that can accelerate carbon dioxide removal strategies, deliver credits by 2035, and provide community benefits. The program includes strict guidelines for eligible projects, such as requiring physical location in California, community benefit mechanisms, long-term carbon sequestration (minimum 100 years), and prohibitions on using the technology for enhanced oil recovery. The ARB must conduct annual surveys of carbon dioxide removal projects, publish reports on program activities, and develop a transparent purchasing process through public workshops. The broader context is California's goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045, recognizing that carbon removal will be crucial to meeting this target.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance, Transportation and Infrastructure

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB643