Representatives Blake Moore (R-UT) and Jim Costa (D-CA) have introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at advancing Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) technology in the United States. The BECCS Advancement Commission Act of 2025 would establish a commission made up of industry leaders and policymakers from the Departments of Agriculture, Energy, and the Interior to provide recommendations on deploying BECCS projects.
Rep. Moore stated, “I’m thrilled to introduce the first-ever bill exclusively promoting Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS). BECCS is a novel technology uniquely positioned to promote wildfire mitigation, bolster economic development in rural America, and deliver much-needed baseload power as energy demand for data centers and artificial intelligence continues to grow.”
Rep. Costa commented, “From our farms to our forests, the San Joaquin Valley is on the frontlines of both climate challenges and clean energy solutions. This legislation will help us harness new technology to reduce wildfire risks, create good-paying jobs, and keep rural economies like ours growing.”
The proposal has received support from various organizations involved in forestry management, energy production, and rural economic development. Darren McAvoy of Utah Biomass Resources Group said, “The Utah Biomass Resources Group (UBRG) strongly supports forest management initiatives that promote healthy ecosystems, mitigate wildfire risk, and enhance carbon sequestration. In addition, UBRG endorses the establishment of a commission dedicated to advancing biomass energy and carbon storage solutions derived from forestlands across the United States. Forest managers are in urgent need of reliable offtake options for hazardous fuels. The Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) Advancement Commission Act represents a positive step toward addressing this need by facilitating the development of sustainable pathways for biomass utilization and carbon removal.”
Sutton Guldner from Arbor Energy added that BECCS could contribute significantly to power generation: “At Arbor, we believe BECCS has a potential to add over 200GW of baseload power to the electric grid, all while improving forestry health and agricultural waste management… This commission brings together thinking required to make sure this can be achieved quickly and efficiently.”
Will Gardiner of Elimini said: “We commend Congressman Blake Moore and Congressman Jim Costa for introducing bipartisan legislation to promote American leadership on BECCS and provide baseload power to help meet America’s energy demands. This legislation will be critical in enabling efficient federal coordination for accelerated action to support the deployment of BECCS projects across the United States. BECCS will play an integral role in advancing American energy dominance, wildfire mitigation, and economic opportunities in rural communities.”
Carrie Annand from American Biomass Energy Association noted: “Bioenergy with carbon capture is an incredibly underutilized resource that, when fully realized, will reduce atmospheric carbon. Making BECCS more accessible to new and existing biomass power facilities will also incentivize biomass utilization… We are grateful to Rep. Moore and Rep. Costa for introducing this bill…”
Will Layden at American Wood Council emphasized manufacturing benefits: “We thank Representatives Moore and Costa for their commitment to supporting bioenergy technology… As a sector, we look forward to working with the commission…”
Ben Rubin from Carbon Business Council said: “Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage can provide multiple benefits across the United States… Creating a commission of leaders from the public and private sector is an important step…”
Heather Reams at Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions stated: “CRES applauds this common sense and practical approach as part of an all-of-the-above energy strategy… Rep. Moore’s legislation ensures Congress receives the expert guidance needed…”
Jason Hartman at National Association of State Foresters highlighted forest management needs: “Substantially increasing active forest management … remains a national challenge… State Foresters applaud the bipartisan efforts…”
Dave Tenny at National Alliance of Forest Owners added: “We applaud the bipartisan leadership … As private working forest owners … We stand with all those working…”
Geri Byrne at Rural County Representatives of California remarked on infrastructure challenges: “RCRC members have been profoundly impacted by wildfire … The biggest hurdle … continues to be lack of infrastructure…”
Michael Kobseff at Golden State Natural Resources said: “The lack of infrastructure … is continually a barrier … The BECCS Advancement Commission Act … is an important step…”
BECCS technology converts biomass into heat or electricity while capturing emissions produced during conversion; these emissions can then be stored underground or embedded into products.
Blake Moore currently serves as U.S. Representative for Utah’s 1st district since 2021 after replacing Rob Bishop. He was born in Ogden in 1980, lives in Salt Lake City now, graduated from University of Utah in 2005 with a BA.
