ReSCUE Oceans Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7656
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-02-24: Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2026-03-17T18:59:19Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The ReSCUE Oceans Act aims to advance scientific understanding and safe application of marine carbon dioxide removal (a process that intentionally removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere using ocean-based methods, measured over the full life cycle of the activity). Its core goals are to:
- Support research, development, and small-scale field tests of responsible marine carbon dioxide removal techniques.
- Protect coastal and ocean ecosystems through monitoring.
- Coordinate federal efforts across agencies.
- Engage and consult with affected coastal communities, Indian Tribes (federally recognized Native American groups), Tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations on research and activities.
Key Provisions
The bill establishes new programs and mechanisms across federal agencies to promote marine carbon dioxide removal while prioritizing safety, ecosystem protection, and community involvement. Major elements include:
- Definitions (Section 2): Clarifies terms like "marine carbon dioxide removal" (net removal of CO2 from the atmosphere via ocean interventions, accounting for all related greenhouse gases); "carbon removal credit" (a tradable unit representing one metric ton of verified, durably stored CO2 from marine methods); and geographic zones (e.g., coastal waters, exclusive economic zone—U.S. ocean areas up to 200 nautical miles offshore).
- NOAA-Led Program (Title I):
- Establishes a program within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to fund research, grants, and field trials on techniques like ocean alkalinity enhancement (increasing ocean pH to absorb more CO2), macroalgae cultivation (growing large seaweeds for carbon storage), and nutrient fertilization.
- Requires monitoring of environmental, social, and economic impacts, including use of traditional ecological knowledge (indigenous and local insights on ecosystems).
- Authorizes designation of research areas (oceanic or coastal sites for experiments) with community advisory boards, terms for risk mitigation, and periodic reassessments (every 5 years) to ensure safety.
- Creates an interagency working group (under the National Science and Technology Council) with representatives from 20+ agencies (e.g., NOAA, Department of Energy, EPA) to coordinate research, develop a federal research plan, establish a code of conduct (requiring open data, public disclosure, and mitigation plans), and produce biennial reports on progress.
- Mandates data sharing (public access to non-proprietary info) and consultation with Tribes, protecting their data from mandatory sharing or FOIA disclosure without consent.
- Authorizes appropriations for NOAA activities through fiscal year 2031.
- National Science Foundation (NSF) Role (Title II): Directs NSF to award grants for research on efficacy, ecosystem responses, and measurement tools, while building workforce capacity through training programs. Coordinates with other agencies.
- NASA Role (Title III): Leverages satellites and modeling to monitor marine carbon dioxide removal from space, aligning with the federal research plan. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 2031.
- NIST Role (Title IV): Launches an initiative to create standards, benchmarks, and measurement protocols for validating carbon removal technologies. Includes international coordination via the State Department. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 2031.
- General Rules: Activities must comply with existing environmental laws (e.g., no weakening of protections for U.S. ocean zones). Emphasizes public-private partnerships, voluntary carbon markets (private trading of removal credits), and at least $10,000 per grant for community engagement.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces new federal frameworks without directly amending prior laws, but it builds on and coordinates with them:
- Creates novel structures like the NOAA program, interagency working group, and designated research areas, which did not previously exist for marine carbon dioxide removal.
- Integrates traditional ecological knowledge into federal research processes, a step beyond typical scientific mandates.
- Establishes a code of conduct and standards for carbon credits, potentially influencing voluntary markets and future regulations.
- Enhances data management under laws like the Federal Records Act and Evidence-Based Policymaking Act, with new protections for Tribal data sovereignty (e.g., exemptions from FOIA).
- Aligns with the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act for research security, ensuring no conflicts with ocean pollution or coastal management laws (e.g., Coastal Zone Management Act).
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Increases coordination and funding for NOAA, NSF, NASA, and NIST, potentially streamlining research but adding administrative burdens (e.g., biennial reports, consultations). Other agencies (e.g., EPA, DOI) gain roles in oversight, fostering interagency efficiency while avoiding duplication.
- Citizens and Communities: Coastal residents may benefit from job training, education, and economic opportunities (e.g., via community benefit agreements), but face risks from field trials, mitigated by monitoring and engagement requirements. Promotes equitable access to carbon market benefits, though small-scale demos limit broad economic shifts initially.
- International Relations: Encourages U.S. leadership in global standards through State Department coordination, potentially aiding climate diplomacy and voluntary market harmonization, without binding international commitments.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Agencies: NOAA (lead), NSF, NASA, NIST, Department of Energy, EPA, Department of the Interior (including Bureau of Indian Affairs), and others in the working group.
- Indigenous and Tribal Groups: Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations, with mandatory consultations, data control, and inclusion in advisory boards/research areas on Tribal lands (with consent).
- Coastal Communities and Governments: States, local governments, and residents near research sites, including fishers, recreational users, and businesses, through engagement, benefits, and impact assessments.
- Researchers and Private Sector: Universities, nonprofits, and companies involved in carbon removal tech, gaining grants, research sites, and market pathways, but bound by codes of conduct.
- Broader Public: Beneficiaries of open data portals and reports, advancing climate science accessibility.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces compliance with environmental laws (e.g., no overrides for ocean zones) and Tribal sovereignty (e.g., consent for data use, aligning with Indian Self-Determination Act), potentially setting precedents for geoengineering regulation. Supports voluntary carbon markets without mandating them, avoiding new regulatory burdens.
- Constitutional: Upholds federalism by requiring state/Tribal consultations and protects First Amendment interests via public data access, while respecting privacy for proprietary/Tribal info.
- Political: Positions the U.S. as proactive on climate mitigation amid global ocean challenges, but emphasizes "safe and responsible" approaches to address environmental justice concerns. Biennial reporting to Congress enables oversight, with focal areas like macroalgae potentially sparking debates on scalability vs. ecosystem risks. No partisan mandates, focusing on science-driven coordination.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1]
Cosponsors (2)
Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1], Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20]
Recent Actions
- 2026-02-24: Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-02-24: Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-02-24: Introduced in House
- 2026-02-24: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Removing and Sequestering Carbon Unleashed in the Environment and Oceans Act — issued 2026-02-24 — PDF (51 pages)