Biochar Research Network Act of 2025
The Biochar Research Network Act of 2025 would require the Secretary of Agriculture to create a national biochar research network of up to 20 sites. The network would test a wide range of biochar types, feedstocks, production methods, and application practices across diverse soils, climates, and management systems. Its goals are to determine how biochar can best contribute to soil health, carbon sequestration, climate mitigation, farm profitability, and resilience to extreme weather, and to provide region-specific, practical guidance to farmers, foresters, urban land managers, and others. The act would involve multiple federal agencies in administration and coordination, and would authorize $50 million per year from 2025 through 2030 to fund the network and related activities. It also envisions the development of conservation practice standards informed by the research and integration of biochar into conservation programs.
Key Points
- 1Establishes a national biochar research network of up to 20 research sites/facilities to test a full range of biochar types, feedstocks, production processes, and application methods across various soils and regions.
- 2Aims to assess soil carbon sequestration potential, contribute to climate mitigation, improve crop production and resilience, support ecosystem and soil health, conserve natural resources, and enhance farm profitability; and to deliver science-based, region-specific guidance to land managers.
- 3Research scope includes cross-site mechanistic studies, technoeconomic analysis of biochar production and bioenergy co-products, life-cycle modeling, reactor and biorefinery design data, and development of standardized testing methods for potential contaminants.
- 4Includes site-specific farm/forestry system assessments and pilot-scale production/applications to refine best practices, quantify impacts, and generate data for decision making and life-cycle analyses.
- 5Administration by the Agricultural Research Service, with partnerships among the Forest Service, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, the Department of Energy, the Department of Commerce, the Department of the Interior, and other USDA agencies; NRCS to use findings to develop/adjust conservation practice standards and support related programs.
- 6Authorization of appropriations of $50,000,000 for each fiscal year 2025 through 2030.