US Forest Service proposes rule to facilitate carbon capture and sequestration permitting on national forest lands; proposal would harmonize framework between two largest federal land managers by aligning with BLM's regulatory structures

Carbon dioxide emissions can be mitigated by capturing and sequestering these emissions into suitable deep underground geologic formations. These efforts are important to combat climate change and to meet President Biden’s domestic climate goal of net-zero emissions economy-wide by 2050. A recent analysis by the International Energy Agency projected that globally, 1.2 gigatons of carbon dioxide must be captured and sequestered every year by 2030, to remain on track to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.

Today’s proposal, if finalized, would allow the Forest Service to contribute to this broader global effort to mitigate climate change. This would be in addition to the other ways through which healthy forests and grasslands help mitigate climate change by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it in plants and soils.

If this amendment is finalized, applications for carbon sequestration on national forests or grasslands would be considered for permanent use. The proposed regulation changes the initial screening criteria to allow the Forest Service to consider proposals for carbon capture and sequestration projects and does not allow for any other permanent uses on national forests and grasslands.

The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to ensuring that carbon capture and sequestration projects are designed, built, and operated safely and responsibly, and in a way that reflects the best science and responds to the needs and inputs of local communities.

The Forest Service does not currently have any carbon sequestration project proposals under consideration. All proposals must still pass secondary screening to be accepted as a formal application. Any carbon storage proposals must also comply with the National Environmental Policy Act and receive approval by an authorized officer at the Forest Service. The proposed amendment does not supersede existing tribal treaty rights, agreements, authorities and land use.

All proposals must also receive permits from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which is the permitting agency for geologic carbon sequestration wells, also known as Underground Injection Control Program Class VI injection wells under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

The text of the proposed rule, "Land Uses; Special Uses; Carbon Capture and Storage Exemption," and instructions on how to comment are available in the Federal Register at https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2023-24341. Comments, identified by RIN 0596–AD55, may be sent through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https://www.regulations.gov.