Support the "WECHAR" Bill
On Thursday, September 24th, 2009, Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, and four co-sponsors (Senators Max Baucus and John Tester of Montana, Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah and Senator Tom Udall of New Mexico),introduced the "Water Efficiency via Carbon Harvesting and Restoration (WECHAR) Act of 2009. The bill establishes a loan guarantee program to develop biochar technology, initiates a program of biochar landscape restoration projects on public land and authorizes a competitive grant program to fund research on biochar characteristics, impacts and economics. To learn more or to send a letter of support, please click here.
Clean Energy Partnerships Act
The Clean Energy Partnerships Act of 2009 is a bill designed to ensure that any US domestic cap-and-trade bill provides maximum incentives and opportunities for the US agricultural and forestry sectors to provide high-quality offsets and GHG emissions reductions for credit of financial incentives. Carbon offsets play a critical role in keeping the costs os a cap-and-trade program low for society as well as for capped sectors and entities, while providing valuable emissions reductions and income generation opportunitiesfor the agricultural sector. The bill specifically identifies biochar production and use as eligible for offset credits, and identifies biochar as a high priority for USADA R&D, with funding authorized by the bill. To learn more visit Biochar International or click here.
The Huntsville Project
A worldside team of dedicated biochar enthusiasts including Lloyd Helferty (Canadian Biochar Initiative) and Victoria Kamsler (Worldstoves) have launched a new campaign called the Huntsville Project. The purpose of this campaign is to inform the global public about Biochar, one of the most promising developments in our fight against climate change. At their new website, www.newcarboneconomy.info, you can find out about biochar and sign their petition.
They are asking global leaders to support this important new clean technology. On June 25, 2010 the G8 will meet in Huntsville, Ontario. On June 26 and 27 the G20 will then meet in Toronto. Their goal is to publicize and gain support for Biochar and Biochar offsets. They want to help implement and scale up the global Biochar industry by creating public awareness and new markets for Biochar.
They are asking G8 and G20 delegations to make a committment to recognizing Biochar carbon sequestration and offsetting with Biochar. Their website features a public petition. You are encouraged to sign their "Huntsville Petition" and help put Biochar on the global agenda.