Bill > AB1086

This bill establishes the Marine Carbon Initiative, which aims to advance scientific research and understanding of marine carbon dioxide removal and sequestration technologies in California. The initiative will create a Marine Carbon Council of seven experts who will be selected through a public nomination process, focusing on diverse expertise in marine science, ecology, and carbon removal technologies. The council will be responsible for identifying research gaps, recommending research strategies, and providing guidance on marine carbon removal methods such as ocean alkalinity enhancement, macroalgae cultivation, and coastal marine ecosystem restoration. The bill also establishes a Marine Carbon Research Program that will award competitive grants for eligible marine carbon dioxide removal projects, with a requirement that projects have at least one California-based partner. The state will allocate $2 million annually for at least seven years to fund the program, and the council must submit biennial reports to the Legislature detailing their findings and progress. The broader context is California's commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2045 and addressing climate change by exploring innovative carbon removal strategies, particularly those that leverage the ocean's significant carbon absorption capabilities. The initiative aims to responsibly research and potentially develop technologies that could remove billions of tons of carbon from the atmosphere and oceans by 2050.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1086