A new proposal in the U.S. Senate, called the CREST Act, could change how the country handles carbon emissions. It introduces a tax credit specifically aimed at biomass carbon removal and storage (BiCRS).
Backed by bipartisan support, the legislation supports the expansion of sustainable biomass projects that help pull carbon dioxide out of the air and store it safely. The bill hopes to boost much-needed investment in carbon removal just as demand grows sharply to address climate change.
How Will the CREST Act Support Carbon Removal?
The Carbon Removal Enhancement and Storage Tax (CREST) Act offers financial support for projects that remove and store carbon using biomass. This includes materials like wood, crop waste, and other organic matter. These materials naturally absorb carbon during growth, which can then be captured and stored through advanced processing methods like pyrolysis or gasification.
The main goal of the tax credit is to make these efforts more affordable and attractive to investors. Too often, biomass carbon removal projects struggle with financial uncertainty. Without strong incentives, many projects find it difficult to grow or even launch. The CREST Act aims to change this.
These tax credits would work much like similar credits for solar or wind power, helping companies offset costs and take on larger, long-term projects. This move could unlock more innovation and drive better carbon capture technology.
Why Biomass Could Be a Game-Changer for Carbon Removal
Biomass carbon removal uses organic materials—like trees or crops—to draw CO₂ from the air. Captured carbon can be stored underground or changed into products like biochar. Biochar is a solid carbon form that boosts soil health and traps carbon for hundreds of years.
This approach does more than lower emissions. It also helps rural communities. Many of these projects use forest or farm waste, creating jobs and boosting local economies. According to a USDA assessment, biomass can play a key role in sustainable agriculture and carbon management.
Still, scaling up biomass carbon removal faces challenges. It requires advanced infrastructure and clear policies to show that captured carbon will stay stored. The CREST Act would help by offering the financial support needed to build that infrastructure and refine these methods.
From CO₂ Cuts to Healthier Forests: CREST’s Broader Impact
Improving biomass carbon removal could reduce emissions while also benefiting the environment in other ways. Here’s how:
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Lower Greenhouse Gases. Biomass captures carbon from the atmosphere, which can then be stored long-term. This reduces the amount of CO₂ contributing to climate change.
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Healthier Forests and Farmland. Waste from agriculture and forestry is reused, helping prevent wildfires and supporting soil health.
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Rural Development. More projects mean more jobs and steady income for farming and forestry communities.
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Stable Carbon Storage. Technologies like biochar or carbon injection into geological formations keep carbon out of the atmosphere for long periods.
The success of these systems depends on strong rules. Experts warn that it’s important to track and verify every ton of carbon captured. With clear standards, this industry can provide real environmental value and win public trust.
Analysts See Growth in Biomass-Based Removal
Market analysts see strong growth potential for carbon removal, especially following this type of legislation. The global carbon market was worth $272 billion in 2020, and it keeps growing as countries adopt climate goals.
However, biomass has often been left behind due to a lack of support. Many government programs have favored industrial carbon capture, not biomass.
The CREST Act fills this gap. By targeting biomass carbon pathways with specialized tax credits, it offers the predictability investors want. Cutting dependence on unstable carbon credit prices helps attract private capital to sustainable biomass projects.
Industry leaders say this tax credit could drive innovation in methods like:
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Pyrolysis – converting plant material into carbon-rich biochar
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Combustion – managing heat energy for carbon storage
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Gasification – turning biomass into gas-based fuel and capturing carbon
These tools could help develop a larger, more flexible carbon management system. With stronger funding, companies can improve accuracy, model carbon removal better, and ensure permanence in storage.
What the Numbers Say: Biomass Carbon Removal Is Surging
The carbon dioxide removal (CDR) market is growing fast. This shows that companies and governments are more committed to climate goals.
By 2025, the global carbon dioxide removal market could be about $842 million. It could grow at around 14% to nearly $2.85 billion by 2034. This growth comes from more people knowing about and using natural and tech carbon removal methods, like biomass-based approaches.
Biomass carbon removal is gaining traction. This includes methods like pyrolysis to make biochar, gasification, and combustion with carbon capture.
Biochar projects made up 86% of carbon removal purchases by volume in 2024. This shows how dominant the sector is in the CDR market. BiCRS refers to biomass carbon removal & storage, which includes BECCS and BCR.
The market for durable carbon removal credits is growing fast. These credits ensure long-term carbon storage. Forecasts say this market could hit $14 billion by 2035, at a growth rate of 38% from 2025 to 2035.
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In the first quarter of 2025, about 780,000 carbon removal credits were contracted. This is a 122% increase from the same time in 2024.
The rising demand shows that companies want reliable, verified carbon credits to reach their net-zero goals.
The carbon removal market, which includes Direct Air Capture (DAC), Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS), and enhanced weathering, is valued at about $2 billion. It could grow to $40 billion by 2030 and may even surpass $250 billion by 2035.
Biomass carbon removal is key in this ecosystem. It offers scalable, nature-based solutions. Plus, it brings extra benefits like rural economic growth and reduced wildfire risks.
The World Resources Institute says biomass carbon removal and storage (BiCRS) could make up around 20% of total biomass use in the U.S. by 2050. This is if biomass is used wisely for both carbon removal and other purposes. This shows strong growth potential for biomass pathways. Policies like the CREST Act support this.
Biomass Tax Credit Could Reshape Global Carbon Trading
A stable, well-supported industry around biomass carbon removal could shift the balance in carbon markets. It would encourage more entrants into the market, giving buyers more reliable and verified carbon credits. That means companies trying to meet climate goals could support cleaner methods and reduce their overall footprint with confidence.
If passed, the CREST Act could unlock large-scale funding for sustainable biomass projects across the country. This would not only help meet climate goals but also offer reliable income to farmers and foresters willing to participate.
The tax credit shows how good policy and advanced technology can tackle big climate problems. Whether it gains final approval depends on political negotiations, but momentum is strong thanks to bipartisan support.
Passing this bill would be a big step for U.S. carbon policy. It brings a mix of environmental responsibility, economic opportunity, and technical innovation into play.
