H.R. 5597: BECCS Advancement Commission Act of 2025

This bill establishes a new body known as the Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage Advancement Commission (referred to as the "Commission") within the Department of Agriculture. The purpose of the Commission is to advance the development and implementation of systems that utilize bioenergy in combination with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) in the United States.

Key Provisions of the Bill

Commission Establishment

The bill establishes the Commission, which will be composed of various officials and representatives from relevant sectors, including:

• The Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development
• The Chief of the Forest Service
• The Director of the Bureau of Land Management
• The Director of the Bioenergy Technologies Office of the Department of Energy
• A representative from the National Association of State Foresters
• A representative from the commercial timber industry
• A representative of the National Association of State Energy Officials
• Four representatives from the BECCS industry
• One to two representatives from counties receiving federal funds under specific legislation

Appointment of Members

The Secretary of Agriculture will appoint the members of the Commission within 180 days of the bill's enactment. The Under Secretary will serve as the chair of the Commission. The membership is designed to include diverse perspectives and expertise related to bioenergy and carbon capture.

Commission Responsibilities

The Commission will have several duties, including:

• Making policy recommendations and establishing metrics to improve federal policies regarding BECCS.
• Assessing the benefits of the BECCS industry on local communities, forest health, and wildfire management.
• Reporting to Congress on policy recommendations that include analysis of job growth, energy costs, and energy reliability associated with BECCS systems.
• Collecting metrics related to forest health, wildfire mitigation, clean energy production, and economic development in the forestry sector.

Meetings and Quorum

The Commission is required to hold its first meeting within 30 days of all members being appointed and must meet at least once every 90 days thereafter. A majority of the members present will constitute a quorum for hearings.

Powers and Operations

The Commission will have the ability to hold hearings and obtain information from federal agencies to carry out its activities. Members will serve without compensation but will be reimbursed for travel expenses while performing duties for the Commission.

Termination and Regulations

The Commission will terminate 180 days after it submits its final report to Congress. The Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with other departments, will be able to create regulations necessary for implementing this Act.

Relevant Companies

None found.