Bill · S. 5170· Senate(119-S-5170)
Carbon Dioxide Removal Leadership Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 7/29/2026
- Last activity
- 7/29/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- Sponsored by
- Christopher Coons
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Carbon Dioxide Removal Leadership Act of 2026 requires the Secretary of Energy to remove carbon dioxide directly from the ambient air or seawater. The bill establishes specific removal targets that increase over time, beginning with 50,000 net metric tons in 2026 and reaching 10,000,000 metric tons by 2036. These removal requirements are subject to economic feasibility based on specific price-per-ton thresholds. The Secretary is authorized to enter into contracts with entities to achieve these goals, with a mandate to prioritize certain project types. Additionally, the act requires the establishment of standards for measurement, monitoring, reporting, and verification. Finally, the bill calls for a study to evaluate long-term management and financing options for scaling these efforts to a gigaton scale by 2050.
Yes· 3 of 16
Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change?+10
The bill establishes a mandatory requirement for the Secretary to remove carbon dioxide from the air and sea.
Does this make it easier to run a small business?+6
The bill includes a specific set-aside for small removal projects to ensure their participation.
Is this likely to create jobs?+5
The bill prioritizes projects that provide for domestic job creation and partnerships with labor organizations.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Job Creation and Economic Development: The bill directs the Secretary to prioritize projects that provide for domestic job creation, specifically seeking partnerships with labor organizations, small businesses, minority-owned businesses, and women-owned businesses (Section 2(h)(4)). Furthermore, it aims for economic development or diversification in regions that have historically relied on the production, processing, or combustion of fossil fuels (Section 2(h)(6)).
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Community and Environmental Benefits: Priority is given to projects that quantify and mitigate risks to nearby communities, residents, the environment, agriculture, and public health (Section 2(h)(7)). This includes efforts to improve local air, water, and soil quality (Section 2(h)(7)(A)).
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Support for Small Businesses: The bill includes a "Small Removal Project Set-Aside," requiring that at least 20 percent of the required carbon dioxide removal be handled through small removal projects (Section 2(e)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Environmental and Health Risks: While the bill encourages mitigation, it acknowledges that carbon dioxide removal activities may carry risks to nearby communities, residents, the environment, agriculture, and public health (Section 2(h)(7)).
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Impacts from Technology Implementation: The Secretary must ensure that entities mitigate environmental impacts which can include impacts on biodiversity, land use, and air and water quality associated with the equipment or technology used (Section 2(a)(1)(C)(i)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+4Good For Union Workers+4Good For African Americans+3Good For Farmers+3Good For Women+3
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+6Increases Job Creation+5Improves Economic Growth+3Improves Union Protections+3
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Reduces Carbon Emissions+10Improves Environmental Protections+5
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+5Improves Government Transparency+4
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Gender Equality+3Improves Racial Equity+3
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+4
- 7/29/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Sheldon WhitehouseDemocrat · Rhode Island