Christopher Coons (D-DE)
Carbon Dioxide Removal Leadership Act of 2026
A Democratic bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Carbon Dioxide Removal Leadership Act of 2026 requires the Secretary of Energy to remove carbon dioxide directly from the ambient air or seawater. The bill establishes specific removal targets that increase over time, beginning with 50,000 net metric tons in 2026 and reaching 10,000,000 metric tons by 2036. These removal requirements are subject to economic feasibility based on specific price-per-ton thresholds. The Secretary is authorized to enter into contracts with entities to achieve these goals, with a mandate to prioritize certain project types. Additionally, the act requires the establishment of standards for measurement, monitoring, reporting, and verification. Finally, the bill calls for a study to evaluate long-term management and financing options for scaling these efforts to a gigaton scale by 2050.
Yes· 3 of 16
- Scored +10
Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change?
The bill establishes a mandatory requirement for the Secretary to remove carbon dioxide from the air and sea.
- Scored +6
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
The bill includes a specific set-aside for small removal projects to ensure their participation.
- Scored +5
Is this likely to create jobs?
The bill prioritizes projects that provide for domestic job creation and partnerships with labor organizations.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Job Creation and Economic Development: The bill directs the Secretary to prioritize projects that provide for domestic job creation, specifically seeking partnerships with labor organizations, small businesses, minority-owned businesses, and women-owned businesses (Section 2(h)(4)). Furthermore, it aims for economic development or diversification in regions that have historically relied on the production, processing, or combustion of fossil fuels (Section 2(h)(6)).
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Community and Environmental Benefits: Priority is given to projects that quantify and mitigate risks to nearby communities, residents, the environment, agriculture, and public health (Section 2(h)(7)). This includes efforts to improve local air, water, and soil quality (Section 2(h)(7)(A)).
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Support for Small Businesses: The bill includes a "Small Removal Project Set-Aside," requiring that at least 20 percent of the required carbon dioxide removal be handled through small removal projects (Section 2(e)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Environmental and Health Risks: While the bill encourages mitigation, it acknowledges that carbon dioxide removal activities may carry risks to nearby communities, residents, the environment, agriculture, and public health (Section 2(h)(7)).
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Impacts from Technology Implementation: The Secretary must ensure that entities mitigate environmental impacts which can include impacts on biodiversity, land use, and air and water quality associated with the equipment or technology used (Section 2(a)(1)(C)(i)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill opens opportunities for small businesses and innovative technology companies. Would union members be better off under this? — The bill expresses a preference for establishing partnerships with labor organizations. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — The bill prioritizes partnerships with minority-owned businesses. Would farmers be better off under this? — The bill includes considerations for impacts on agriculture. Would women be better off under this? — The bill prioritizes partnerships with women-owned businesses.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill includes a specific set-aside for small removal projects to ensure their participation. Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill prioritizes projects that provide for domestic job creation and partnerships with labor organizations. Is this likely to grow the economy? — The bill aims to spur economic development and diversification in fossil-fuel dependent regions. Does this strengthen the rights of workers to organise? — The bill includes a preference for establishing partnerships with labor organizations.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change? — The bill establishes a mandatory requirement for the Secretary to remove carbon dioxide from the air and sea. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill requires mitigation of risks to the environment and emphasizes improving local air, water, and soil quality.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill mandates federal action and creates new responsibilities for the Secretary of Energy. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires regular reporting to Congress and making progress reports publicly available.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow the gap between how men and women are treated? — The bill prioritizes partnerships with women-owned businesses. Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill prioritizes partnerships with minority-owned businesses.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill mandates studies and focuses on the commercialization of innovative removal technologies.
- 7/29/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Sheldon WhitehouseDemocrat · Rhode Island