Bill > HR4764

This bill seeks to establish a National Biochar Research Network through an amendment to the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998, directing the Secretary of Agriculture to create a network of up to 20 research sites focused on studying biochar (a type of charcoal produced from organic materials through a process called pyrolysis). The network's primary objectives include assessing biochar's potential for soil carbon sequestration, understanding its productive uses in climate mitigation, crop production, and ecosystem health, and developing region-specific guidance for farmers, ranchers, and land managers. The research will encompass a wide range of agricultural and environmental applications, conducting cross-site experiments to fill knowledge gaps about biochar's impact on soil properties, plant growth, and greenhouse gas emissions. Eligible research entities include state agricultural and forestry experiment stations, federal research facilities from the Department of Agriculture, Energy, Commerce, and Interior, with an initial funding authorization of $50 million annually from 2026 to 2030. The network will be administered by the Agricultural Research Service in partnership with multiple federal agencies, with the goal of generating comprehensive scientific data to support sustainable biochar production and application across various environmental and agricultural contexts.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4764/all-info