SB 530 plan to increase net carbon sequestration

This bill establishes state policy to increase net carbon sequestration (increase the storage of carbon in plants, soils, geologic formation and the ocean) and storage in natural and working lands in the name of natural solutions and creates the Natural and Working Lands Fund. This bill directs the Oregon Global Warming Commission (ODOE) and other state agencies to jointly coordinate on the development and prepare a net carbon sequestration and storage baseline for natural and working lands. Requires agencies to monitor progress advancing state net carbon sequestration and storage inventory methods, possibly using cap and trade methods for assessing greenhouse gas fluxes related to land use and changes, and report findings to Oregon Global Warming Commission. A natural and working lands advisory committee will be created and will consist of 14 members.

Directs Oregon Global Warming Commission with related agencies to develop natural and working lands net carbon sequestration and storage

Institute for Natural Resources (may contract with third party) and the Commission with related agencies shall prepare net carbon sequestration and storage baseline and activity based metrics and community impact metrics for net carbon sequestration and storage strategies on jobs, local economies, environmental integrity and public health,

Everything you do and everyplace you go is measured and included. The “Climate-smart agriculture, forestry and conservation practices” covers native ecosystems, vegetation and soils in natural and working lands. Everything you do is covered in reducing carbon emissions and if reduction isn’t possible, then in increasing carbon storage.

Two years ago when a sequestration plan was introduced for planting trees along highways and roads to sequester vehicle carbon, it was rejected by the majority leaders. Now sequestration is their new buzz word.

The bill also provides for Institute for Natural Resources, in coordination with commission, to study workforce and economic development potential of strategies to increase net carbon sequestration and storage in natural and working lands and provide results to the legislature.