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Growing Algae for Carbon Removal in California: Barriers and Recommendations


Growing Algae for Carbon Removal in California: Barriers and Recommendations

by Korey Silverman-Roati
|June 29, 2022

Growing interest in using the ocean to enhance the removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere has in turn spurred more interest in seaweed cultivation.recent Report The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine concluded that “the ocean has great potential for the absorption and long-term sequestration of” CO2. The report analyzed a number of ocean-based technologies and concluded that seaweed cultivation could be a “compelling” ocean CO2 removal strategy.

Recently, Columbia University Sabine Center Climate Change Law Center posted a white paper Explore the barriers to allowing carbon sequestration in algae in California.One previous papers International, U.S. federal, and state laws applicable to seaweed cultivation are discussed.The paper is part of a series of white papers exploring legal issues related to a number of ocean-based CO2 removal strategies, including Increased ocean alkalinity and Artificial upwelling and downwelling.

Seaweed farming refers to the growth of kelp and other macroalgae that absorb carbon dioxide as they grow. The algae mainly grow near the coast and store the carbon dioxide they absorb mainly in their biomass, and some carbon dioxide is also stored in the sediments below where they grow.To offset emissions, farmed seaweed can be used for replace More GHG-intensive products such as animal-based foods or bioenergy systems. Seaweed can also sink into the deep ocean for carbon sequestration purposes.

Seaweed cultivation on the California coast is still in its infancy, and at the time of writing, there are only two commercial open-water seaweed farms in California waters, but farmers are increasingly interested in expanding the practice.

One obstacle to expanding seaweed cultivation in California is the complex, expensive and time-consuming leasing and permitting process. Other states in the US, namely Maine and Alaska, have licensing systems designed to be more supportive of seaweed cultivation. This article explores possible reforms to simplify the licensing process in California while maintaining appropriate environmental and other safeguards.

Permitting seaweed cultivation in California requires approval from a considerable number of state and federal agencies under state and federal land use and environmental laws. The process can be effectively divided into three parts: (1) obtaining a national underwater lease; (2) completing an environmental review; and (3) completing a multi-agency permitting process to allow seaweed mariculture within the leased area. Because of the multiple steps involved, the licensing process for seaweed farming operations can be costly and can take years to complete.

Policymakers in California may be able to learn lessons from the cheaper and faster permitting systems in Maine and Alaska. Alaska provides licensees with joint agency aquaculture applications that can be used to obtain required state approvals, including site leases, farm operating licenses, and special area licenses. Alaska’s comprehensive joint agency approach is partly due to faster processing times than California. Maine offers three forms of licensing for seaweed farmers, each with varying degrees of complexity in the licensing process. These include experimental leases and limited-use licenses that provide flexibility for farmers to experiment in both location and method.

The new document concludes with five proposed changes to California’s leasing and permitting procedures. Ideally, these can be used to reduce or remove unnecessary licensing barriers, while still maintaining significant environmental and other scrutiny of potential projects. The recommendations discussed in more detail in this article are:

  • Simplified permit application process;
  • develop public interest standards that balance climate goals and environmental stewardship;
  • Prioritize state subsea leases for seaweed farms in designated areas and prepare project environmental impact reports;
  • Create new classification exemptions to the California Environmental Quality Act; and
  • Create an experimental license.

Read the full article here.

Related work: The Sabin Centre is preparing a series of white papers examining legal issues related to carbon dioxide removal and storage.Previous papers have discussed the legal framework for carbon removal by seaweed cultivation (more broadly), Artificial upwelling and downwelling, Increased ocean alkalinity, enhanced weatheringand carbon storage on the seafloor East and The west US coast and west coast canada. For more information on this work and other related work visit Sabine Center website.

this article is originally published Courtesy of the Sabin Centre for Climate Change Law.




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