Carbon Dioxide Removal Leadership Act of 2026
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (29 Jul 2026): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
What this bill does
S. 5170, the Carbon Dioxide Removal Leadership Act of 2026, would require the Secretary of Energy to remove specified quantities of carbon dioxide directly from ambient air or seawater, scaling from 50,000 net metric tons in fiscal years 2026-2027 up to 10 million net metric tons annually by fiscal year 2036 and beyond. This is required only "to the extent economically feasible," with feasibility defined by declining per-ton price caps over time. The Secretary could meet these targets through competitive contracts of up to 15 years, with at least 20% of removal set aside for small projects and a cap limiting any single entity to 25% of the annual requirement. The bill sets rules for what technologies qualify, requires independent verification of removed carbon dioxide, establishes measurement and reporting standards, and directs the Secretary to prioritize projects based on factors such as job creation, community benefits, domestic supply chains, and support for regions historically dependent on fossil fuels.
The bill primarily affects the Department of Energy, which would administer the program, and companies or entities developing carbon removal technologies, which could compete for federal contracts. It could also affect communities near removal projects, given required assessments of environmental, health, and economic impacts, and workers in fossil-fuel-dependent regions, who are named as a priority for economic diversification efforts.
The bill also directs a separate study, due within one year of enactment, on options for scaling federal carbon removal to a gigaton-per-year level by 2050, including possible organizational structures such as a government corporation or contracted service provider.
Introduced by Senator Coons (with Senator Whitehouse) on July 29, 2026, the bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. It would need committee consideration, floor votes in both chambers, and the President's signature to become law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Timeline
29 Jul 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Common questions
- What does S. 5170 do?
- S. 5170, the Carbon Dioxide Removal Leadership Act of 2026, would require the Secretary of Energy to remove specified quantities of carbon dioxide directly from ambient air or seawater, scaling from 50,000 net metric tons in fiscal years 2026-2027 up to 10 million net metric tons annually by fiscal year 2036 and beyond. This is required only "to the extent economically feasible," with feasibility defined by declining per-ton price caps over time. The Secretary could meet these targets through competitive contracts of up to 15 years, with at least 20% of removal set aside for small projects and a cap limiting any single entity to 25% of the annual requirement. The bill sets rules for what technologies qualify, requires independent verification of removed carbon dioxide, establishes measurement and reporting standards, and directs the Secretary to prioritize projects based on factors such as job creation, community benefits, domestic supply chains, and support for regions historically dependent on fossil fuels. The bill primarily affects the Department of Energy, which would administer the program, and companies or entities developing carbon removal technologies, which could compete for federal contracts. It could also affect communities near removal projects, given required assessments of environmental, health, and economic impacts, and workers in fossil-fuel-dependent regions, who are named as a priority for economic diversification efforts. The bill also directs a separate study, due within one year of enactment, on options for scaling federal carbon removal to a gigaton-per-year level by 2050, including possible organizational structures such as a government corporation or contracted service provider. Introduced by Senator Coons (with Senator Whitehouse) on July 29, 2026, the bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. It would need committee consideration, floor votes in both chambers, and the President's signature to become law.
- Has S. 5170 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 5170. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S. 5170?
- S. 5170 was sponsored by Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE] (D-DE), with 1 cosponsor.
- What's the latest action on S. 5170?
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (29 Jul 2026).
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