The Salazar Havesting Energy Act of 2007

'The Salazar Harvesting Energy Act of 2007

Biopact, October 2007

Towards carbon-negative bioenergy: US Senator introduces biochar ...

"Biochar thus offers the promise of carbon-negative biofuel production sustained by a cycle in which crop production is boosted, emissions lowered, and reliance on synthetic fertilizers reduced. Moreover, unlike CCS it is a cost-effective carbon sequestration method: under a basic scenario sequestering biochar from biofuels produced by pyrolysis would be competitive when carbon prices reach US$37 (carbon currently fetches €21.55 on the European market, that is $30.5, and prices are expected to increase strongly in the near future).

The great advantage of biochar is the fact that the technique can be applied world-wide on agricultual soils, and even by rural communities in the developing world because it is relatively low tech. It is hoped that at the upcoming UNFCCC summit in Bali, experts will include biochar as a strategy to fight climate change that would be eligible for carbon credits under the Clean Development Mechanism.

The biochar concept has meanwhile received formal political support. In order to speed up biochar research the U.S., Colorado's Senator Ken Salazar (D) recently introduced 'The Salazar Harvesting Energy Act of 2007' [*.pdf], focused on carbon-negative bioenergy production. The bill (S.1884) is awaiting discussion in the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee. The following is a summary of the legislation as it relates to biochar:"

Carbon-Negative Biomass Energy and Soil Quality Initiative for the 2007 Farm Bill