H.R. 2750House117th Congress (2021-2023)In Committee

Blue Carbon for Our Planet Act

Introduced April 22, 2021

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 8, 2026 at 2:11 AM UTC

The Blue Carbon for Our Planet Act creates an Interagency Working Group to coordinate federal efforts on coastal blue‑carbon ecosystems such as mangroves, tidal marshes, and seagrasses. It directs the development of a national map, a strategic plan, pilot restoration projects, and a public data clearinghouse, and provides funding to support these activities. The bill aims to improve carbon sequestration, protect coastal habitats, and inform climate‑related policy.

Key Provisions

  • Establishes an Interagency Working Group on Coastal Blue Carbon with senior representatives from 16 federal agencies and the Smithsonian, chaired by the NOAA Administrator.
  • Tasks the group with creating and updating a national map and inventory of coastal blue‑carbon habitats, assessing their carbon‑sequestration potential, and identifying restoration priorities.
  • Requires the group to submit an initial report to Congress within one year and a strategic plan for federal investments, with revisions every five years, both published for public comment.
  • Mandates integrated pilot programs to restore degraded coastal blue‑carbon ecosystems, setting criteria for best practices, geographic diversity, and benefits to vulnerable communities.
  • Creates a Coastal Carbon Data Clearinghouse, overseen by the Smithsonian, to collect, store, and share data from federal, state, tribal, and academic sources, and to develop digital tools for public use.
  • Directs the Administrator (NOAA) to work with the National Academy of Sciences on an assessment of deep‑seafloor carbon‑dioxide storage impacts.
  • Authorizes $15 million per fiscal year for NOAA to carry out the Act’s provisions from 2022 through 2026.

Legislative Activity

Stay on top of the latest movement without scrolling through every action

4 earlier actions
HouseCommittee Latest Action

Committee Hearings Held.

June 22, 2021

View full timeline
HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

April 22, 2021

HouseIntro Referral

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H2060)

April 22, 2021

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Science, Space, and Technology, and House Administration, 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.

April 22, 2021

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment.

April 22, 2021

HouseCommittee

Committee Hearings Held.

June 22, 2021

Floor Debate

24 members

What members said about H.R. 2750 on the floor

6 Republicans18 Democrats
Sheila Jackson Lee
Rep. Sheila Jackson LeeD-TX-18 · Jul 28, 2022

Sadly, though, this is called the CHIPS and Science Act, it left out the calculation of math for my colleagues on the other side of the aisle. America is applauding. For once they will not be stopped…

Frank D. Lucas
Rep. Frank D. LucasR-OK-3 · Jul 28, 2022

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, just 24 hours ago, I expected my remarks on the CHIPS and Science Act to be very different. I have worked on this bill for more…

Steny H. Hoyer
Rep. Steny H. HoyerD-MD-5 · Jul 28, 2022

Mr. Speaker, I regret that we find ourselves in this position of being divided on this bill. This, like every piece of legislation we pass, is not perfect. And very frankly, if we made a judgment on…

Nancy Pelosi
Rep. Nancy PelosiD-CA-12 · Jul 28, 2022

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in praise of this legislation as the House prepares to pass the CHIPS and Science Act, a bipartisan, bicameral bill that will well-equip our Nation to meet and beat the…

Eddie Bernice Johnson
Rep. Eddie Bernice JohnsonD-TX-30 · Jul 28, 2022

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 1289, I call up the bill (H.R. 4346) making appropriations for Legislative Branch for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022, and for other purposes, with…

Show 8 more
Darren Soto
Rep. Darren SotoD-FL-9 · Jul 28, 2022

Mr. Speaker, I want to commend the authors of the CHIPS Act of 2022 for including $52.7 billion to incentivize investments and continued American leadership in semiconductor manufacturing to help…

Mike Kelly
Rep. Mike KellyR-PA-16 · Jul 28, 2022

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from Oklahoma for yielding. Mr. Speaker, the distinguished leader was exactly right in his comments, but I would just like people to think about something. Every single…

Paul Tonko
Rep. Paul TonkoD-NY-20 · Jul 28, 2022

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 2 minutes. Mr. Speaker, I am excited to advance this legislation that will ensure our Nation's economic growth and security…

Doris O. Matsui
Rep. Doris O. MatsuiD-CA-6 · Jul 28, 2022

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act. Just over 2 years ago, I joined Congressman McCaul to introduce the CHIPS for America Act to reassert American leadership…

Kevin Brady
Rep. Kevin BradyR-TX-8 · Jul 28, 2022

Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Lucas for his leadership on science, which is of so much importance to our country. It is official; we are in a recession. Joe Biden's economy is a cruel economy. Americans…

Frank Pallone, Jr.
Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr.D-NJ-6 · Jul 28, 2022

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Texas, the chairwoman, for all of her work on this bill. I rise in support of H.R. 4346, the CHIPS and Science Act, that will lower costs for consumers,…

Donald S. Beyer, Jr.
Rep. Donald S. Beyer, Jr.D-VA-8 · Jul 28, 2022

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the CHIPS and Science Act. As a member of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee and as chair of the Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee, I…

Suzanne Bonamici
Rep. Suzanne BonamiciD-OR-1 · Jul 28, 2022

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the CHIPS and Science Act, and I thank Chairwoman Johnson for her leadership in bringing this bill to the floor today. The pandemic has underscored how…

Show 11 more
Cathy McMorris Rodgers
Rep. Cathy McMorris RodgersR-WA-5 · Jul 28, 2022

Mr. Speaker, China is the biggest threat facing America today. The Chinese Communist Party uses its centrally controlled economy to pick winners and losers through massive government subsidies and…

Patrick Ryan
Rep. Patrick RyanD-NY-19 · Jul 28, 2022

September 19, 1977, Black Monday is when all the steel mills closed in Youngstown, Ohio, and we have been waiting since then for a transformational investment into the State of Ohio. This bill is…

Joyce Beatty
Rep. Joyce BeattyD-OH-3 · Jul 28, 2022

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairwoman Johnson for yielding. Let me just take point of personal privilege as a Member of this House and salute the gentlewoman for her leadership, her experience, and the…

John Katko
Rep. John KatkoR-NY-24 · Jul 28, 2022

Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Lucas for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the CHIPS Plus Act. This legislation has the potential to bring transformational investments to…

Carolyn B. Maloney
Rep. Carolyn B. MaloneyD-NY-12 · Jul 28, 2022

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the CHIPS and Science Act, a historic bill that should have strong bipartisan support because it will lower costs for American families and restore American…

Frank J. Mrvan
Rep. Frank J. MrvanD-IN-1 · Jul 28, 2022

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chair for the time. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support and appreciation that the House is considering the CHIPS and Science Act. Indiana's First Congressional…

Adrian Smith
Rep. Adrian SmithR-NE-3 · Jul 28, 2022

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to this legislation. When I recently visited with a manufacturer in my district whose products are highly dependent on access to chips, they told me that chips…

Melanie A. Stansbury
Rep. Melanie A. StansburyD-NM-1 · Jul 28, 2022

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the brilliant and boundless minds of our scientists, our innovators, and our young people in New Mexico and across the United States. There is a lot to say…

David N. Cicilline
Rep. David N. CicillineD-RI-1 · Jul 28, 2022

Mr. Speaker, the outsourcing of American manufacturing jobs has not only resulted in job losses and lower wages at home, it is threatening America's standing as an economic superpower on the global…

Debbie Dingell
Rep. Debbie DingellD-MI-12 · Jul 28, 2022

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the CHIPS and Science Act. Semiconductor chips help power nearly every sector of our economy, and I have witnessed firsthand how the global chip…

Conor Lamb
Rep. Conor LambD-PA-17 · Jul 28, 2022

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill not only for the important semiconductor provisions but for some of the provisions that are less noticed, including the text of the SUPER Act authored by…

Bill Text

Latest available legislative text

Reading Mode
Latest
Introduced in HouseIssued April 22, 2021

I

117th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 2750

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 22, 2021

Ms. Bonamici (for herself, Mr. Posey, Mr. Beyer, and Mr. Mast) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Science, Space, and Technology, and House Administration, 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

A BILL

To establish an Interagency Working Group on Coastal Blue Carbon, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Blue Carbon for Our Planet Act.

2.

Interagency working group

(a)

Establishment

The National Science and Technology Council Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology shall establish an Interagency Working Group on Coastal Blue Carbon.

(b)

Purposes

The Interagency Working Group on Coastal Blue Carbon shall oversee the development of a national map of coastal blue carbon ecosystems, establish national coastal blue carbon ecosystem protection and restoration priorities, assess the biophysical, social, and economic impediments to coastal blue carbon ecosystem restoration, study the effects of climate change, environmental stressors, and human stressors on carbon sequestration rates, and preserve the continuity of coastal blue carbon data.

(c)

Membership

The Interagency Working Group on Coastal Blue Carbon shall be comprised of senior representatives from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Science Foundation, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the United States Geological Survey, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Park Service, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Smithsonian Institution, the Army Corps of Engineers, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Energy, the Department of Defense, the Department of Transportation, the Department of State, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the Council on Environmental Quality.

(d)

Chair

The Interagency Working Group shall be chaired by the Administrator.

(e)

Responsibilities

The Interagency Working Group shall—

(1)

oversee the development, update, and maintenance of a national map and inventory of coastal blue carbon ecosystems, including habitat types with a regional focus in analysis that is usable for local level protection planning and restoration;

(2)

develop a strategic assessment of the biophysical, chemical, social, statutory, regulatory, and economic impediments to protection and restoration of coastal blue carbon ecosystems;

(3)

develop a national strategy for foundational science necessary to study, synthesize, and evaluate the effects of climate change, environmental, and human stressors on sequestration rates and capabilities of coastal blue carbon ecosystems protection;

(4)

establish national coastal blue carbon ecosystem protection and restoration priorities, including an assessment of current Federal funding being used for restoration efforts;

(5)

ensure the continuity, use, and interoperability of data assets through the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center’s Coastal Carbon Data Clearinghouse; and

(6)

assess current legal authorities to protect and restore blue carbon ecosystems.

(f)

Reports to Congress

(1)

In general

Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Interagency Working Group shall provide to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report containing the following:

(A)

A summary of federally funded coastal blue carbon ecosystem research, monitoring, preservation, and restoration activities, including the budget for each of these activities and describe the progress in advancing the national priorities established in section 4(a)(4)(A).

(B)

An assessment of biophysical, social, and economic impediments to coastal blue carbon ecosystem restoration, including the vulnerability of coastal blue carbon ecosystems to climate impacts, such as sea-level rise, ocean and coastal acidification, and other environmental and human stressors.

(2)

Strategic plan

(A)

In general

The Interagency Working group shall create a strategic plan for Federal investments in basic research, development, demonstration, long-term monitoring and stewardship, and deployment of coastal blue carbon ecosystem projects for the 5-year period beginning at the start of the first fiscal year after the date on which the budget assessment is submitted under paragraph (1). The plan shall include an assessment of the use of existing Federal programs to protect and preserve coastal blue carbon ecosystems and identify the need for any additional authorities or programs.

(B)

Timing

The Interagency Working Group shall—

(i)

submit the strategic plan under paragraph (A) to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on a date that is not later than one year after the enactment of this Act and not earlier than the date on which the report under paragraph (1) is submitted to such committees of Congress; and

(ii)

submit a revised version of such plan not less than quinquennially thereafter.

(C)

Federal Register

Not later than 90 days before the strategic plan under this paragraph, or any revision thereof, is submitted under subparagraph (B), the Interagency Working Group shall publish such plan in the Federal Register and provide an opportunity for submission of public comments for a period of not less than 60 days.

3.

National map of coastal blue carbon ecosystems

(a)

National map

The Interagency Working Group shall—

(1)

produce, update at least once every five years, and maintain a national level map and inventory of coastal blue carbon ecosystems, including—

(A)

the species and types of habitats and species in the ecosystem;

(B)

the condition of such habitats including whether a habitat is degraded, drained, eutrophic, or tidally restricted;

(C)

type of public or private ownership and any protected status;

(D)

the size of the ecosystem;

(E)

the salinity boundaries;

(F)

the tidal boundaries;

(G)

an assessment of carbon sequestration potential, methane production, and net greenhouse gas reductions including consideration of—

(i)

quantification;

(ii)

verifiability;

(iii)

comparison to a historical baseline, as available; and

(iv)

permanence of those benefits;

(H)

an assessment of cobenefits of ecosystem and carbon sequestration;

(I)

the potential for landward migration as a result of sea level rise;

(J)

any upstream restrictions detrimental to the watershed process and conditions such as dams, dikes, and levees;

(K)

the conversion of coastal blue carbon ecosystems to other land uses and the cause of such conversion; and

(L)

a depiction of the effects of climate change, including sea level rise, environmental stressors, and human stressors on the sequestration rate, carbon storage, and potential of coastal blue carbon ecosystems; and

(2)

in carrying out paragraph (1)—

(A)

incorporate, to the extent possible, existing data collected through federally funded research and by a Federal agency, State agency, local agency, Tribe, including data collected from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Coastal Change Analysis Program, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetlands Inventory, United States Geological Survey LandCarbon program, Federal Emergency Management Agency LiDAR information coordination and knowledge program, Department of Energy Biological and Environmental Research program, and Department of Agriculture National Coastal Blue Carbon Assessment; and

(B)

engage regional technical experts in order to accurately account for regional differences in coastal blue carbon ecosystems.

(b)

Use

The Interagency Working Group shall use the national map and inventory—

(1)

to assess the carbon sequestration potential of different coastal blue carbon habitats, and account for any regional differences;

(2)

to assess and quantify emissions from degraded and destroyed coastal blue carbon ecosystems;

(3)

to develop regional assessments and to provide technical assistance to regional, State, Tribal, and local government agencies, and regional information coordination entities as defined in section 123030(6) of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act (33 U.S.C. 3602);

(4)

to assess degraded coastal blue carbon ecosystems and their potential for restoration, including developing scenario modeling to identify vulnerable areas where management, protection, and restoration efforts should be focused;

(5)

produce future predictions of coastal blue carbon ecosystems and carbon sequestration rates in the context of climate change, environmental stressors, and human stressors; and

(6)

use such map to inform the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency’s creation of the annual Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks.

4.

Restoration and protections for existing coastal blue carbon ecosystems

(a)

In general

The Administrator shall—

(1)

lead the Interagency Working Group in implementing the strategic plan under section 2(e)(2);

(2)

coordinate monitoring and research efforts among Federal agencies in cooperation with State, local, and Tribal government and international partners and nongovernmental organizations;

(3)

establish a national goal for conserving ocean and coastal blue carbon ecosystems within the territory of the United States, and as appropriate setting targets for restoration of degraded coastal blue carbon ecosystems;

(4)

in coordination with the Interagency Working Group and as informed by the report under section 2(e) on current Federal expenditures on coastal blue carbon ecosystem restoration, identify—

(A)

national coastal blue carbon ecosystem protection and restoration priorities that would produce the highest rate of carbon sequestration and greatest ecosystem benefits such as flood protection, soil and beach retention, erosion reduction, biodiversity, water purification, and nutrient cycling in the context of other environmental stressors and climate change; and

(B)

ways to improve coordination and to prevent unnecessary duplication of effort among Federal agencies and departments with respect to research on coastal blue carbon ecosystems through existing and new coastal management networks; and

(5)

in coordination with State, local, and Tribal governments and coastal stakeholders, develop integrated pilot programs to restore degraded coastal blue carbon ecosystems in accordance with subsection (b).

(b)

Integrated pilot programs To restore and protect degraded coastal blue carbon ecosystems

In carrying out subsection (a)(5), the Administrator shall—

(1)

establish integrated pilot programs that develop best management practices, including design criteria and performance functions for coastal blue carbon ecosystem restoration and protection, nature-based adaptation strategies, restoration areas that intersect with the built environments as green-gray infrastructure projects, management practices for landward progression or migration of coastal blue carbon ecosystems, and identify potential barriers to restoration efforts, and increase long-term carbon sequestration and storage;

(2)

ensure that the pilot programs cover geographically and ecologically diverse locations with significant ecological, economic, and social benefits, such as flood protection, soil and beach retention, erosion reduction, biodiversity, water purification, and nutrient cycling to reduce hypoxic conditions, and maximum potential for greenhouse gas emission reduction;

(3)

establish a procedure for reviewing applications for the pilot program, taking into account—

(A)

quantification;

(B)

verifiability;

(C)

additionality as compared to a historical baseline, when feasible; and

(D)

permanence of those benefits;

(4)

ensure, through consultation with the Interagency Working Group, that the goals and metrics for the pilot programs are communicated to the appropriate State, Tribe, and local governments, and to the general public;

(5)

coordinate with relevant Federal agencies on the Interagency Working Group to prevent unnecessary duplication of effort among Federal agencies and departments with respect to restoration and protection programs;

(6)

give priority to proposed eligible restoration activities that would—

(A)

result in long-term protection and sequestration of carbon stored in coastal and marine environments;

(B)

protect key habitats for fish, wildlife, and the maintenance of biodiversity;

(C)

provide coastal protection from development, storms, flooding, and land-based pollution;

(D)

protect coastal resources of national, historical, and cultural significance; and

(E)

benefit communities of color, low-income communities, Tribal or Indigenous communities, or rural communities; and

(7)

report to the Interagency Working Group, and Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on the total number of acres of land or water protected or restored through the program, the status of restoration projects, and the blue carbon sequestration potential of each restoration pilot project.

5.

Coastal Carbon Data Clearinghouse

(a)

In general

The Secretary of the Smithsonian, in coordination with the Administrator and members of the Interagency Working Group, shall provide for the long-term stewardship of, and access to, data relating to coastal blue carbon ecosystems and national mapping, by supporting the maintenance of the Coastal Carbon Data Clearinghouse.

(b)

Coastal Carbon Data Clearinghouse duties

Acting through the Coastal Carbon Data Clearinghouse, the Secretary of the Smithsonian in coordination with the Administrator and members of the Interagency Working Group shall process, store, archive, provide access to, and incorporate to the extent possible, all data collected through federally funded research by a Federal agency, State, local agency, Tribe, academic scientist, or any other relevant entity.

(c)

Global and national data assets

The Secretary of the Smithsonian in coordination with the Administrator and members of the Interagency Working Group shall ensure that existing global and national data assets are incorporated into the Coastal Carbon Data Clearinghouse to the greatest extent possible.

(d)

Establishment of standards, protocols, and procedures

The Secretary of the Smithsonian in coordination with the Administrator and members of the Interagency Working Group, shall establish standards, protocols, and procedures for the processing, storing, archiving, and providing access to data in the Coastal Carbon Data Clearinghouse and best practices for sharing such data with State, local, and Tribal governments, coastal stakeholders, non-Federal resource managers, and academia. The Administrator shall work to disseminate such data to the greatest extent practicable.

(e)

Digital tools and resources

The Secretary of the Smithsonian, in coordination with the Administrator and members of the Interagency Working Group, shall develop digital tools and resources to support the public use of the Coastal Carbon Data Clearinghouse.

6.

NAS assessment of containment of carbon dioxide in deep seafloor environment

Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall seek to enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a comprehensive assessment on the long-term effects of geologic stores of carbon dioxide in a deep seafloor environment, including impacts on marine species and ecosystems.

7.

Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to carry out this Act $15,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2022 through 2026.

8.

Definitions

In this Act:

(1)

Administrator

The term Administrator means the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere in the Under Secretary’s capacity as the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

(2)

Coastal blue carbon ecosystem

The term coastal blue carbon ecosystem refers to vegetated coastal habitats including mangroves, tidal marshes, seagrasses, kelp forests, and other tidal, freshwater, or salt-water wetlands, and their ability to sequester carbon from the atmosphere, accumulate it in biomass for years to decades, and store it in soils for centuries to millennia. Coastal blue carbon ecosystems include both autochthonous carbon and allochthonous carbon.

(3)

State

The term State means each State of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands of the United States, and any other territory or possession of the United States.