Overview
The Carbon Dioxide Removal Leadership Act (CDRLA) is state carbon dioxide removal demand support legislation which was originally conceived, researched and drafted by OpenAir members in Spring-Summer 2021. As law the CDRLA would create a state-administered carbon dioxide removal procurement program whereby the state would annually deploy funds to directly and competitively procure carbon dioxide removal services from a range of CDR sources each year based on a set of clearly defined standards-based on efficacy, cost, permanence, and co-beneficial impacts.
Mission Links
-
New York State Draft Updated (Spring 2022) on Github [OpenAir Supported]
-
New York State Introduced Version (November 2021) - State Senate (S8171 - Hinchey)
-
Brief: New York Carbon Dioxide Removal Leadership Act (CDRLA)
Current Status
OpenAir members are mobilizing cosponsorship support for both the NY and MA CDRLA Legislation for the 2023 Legislative sessions in both states. The mission is recruiting volunteer district mobilizers and advocates in both states on an ongoing basis to plan and participate in citizen lobbying activities throughout the session.
Mission History
The CDRLA’s policy development was led by Brooklyn-based member Toby Bryce with research and drafting support from members Jamie Rogers and Chris Neidl between January - June 2023.
The CDRLA was the second piece of legislation generated by OpenAir members, following the Low Embodied Carbon Concrete Leadership Act (LECCLA). The development process not only produced novel first-of-kind legislation, but also greatly contributed to the evolution of OpenAir’s legislation development method. The 5-month research phase included interviews with dozens of subject experts, advocates and CDR practitioners.
The bill was first introduced in the New York State Assembly in December 2021 by Assemblymember Patricia Fahey (D-109), with a public announcement released during the COP 27 conference in Glasgow, Scotland in November 2021.
The bill was then introduced in the New York State Senate in January 2022 by State Senator Michelle Hinchey. The bill did not advance to committee during the 2022 legislative session, and remains introduced during the 2023 session.
An alternate version of the CDRLA will be introduced in the Massachusetts State Senate in January 2023 by State Senate Majority Leader Cynthia Stone Creem. Senator Creem announced her intention to introduce the bill during the COP 28 climate conference in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt in November 2022.
