Senators Sheldon Whitehouse and Adam Schiff have introduced the Wildfire Reduction and Carbon Removal Act of 2025. Known as S.1842, the bill offers tax credits to support biomass carbon removal—a method that reduces wildfire risk and cuts carbon emissions at the same time.
Lawmakers hope it will encourage private investment and improve forest management. This is especially important as wildfire seasons become more destructive.
What Does the Wildfire Reduction and Carbon Removal Act Aim to Do?
The act encourages the use of forest biomass, like dead trees, fallen branches, and overgrown underbrush, to remove carbon and reduce wildfire risks. Normally, this material decays or burns, releasing carbon dioxide (CO₂) into the atmosphere. But by converting it into long-lasting products such as biochar or storing it underground, carbon is kept out of the air.
This method, known as Biomass Carbon Removal and Storage (BiCRS), helps create healthier forests. It also reduces fire risk in states like California, Oregon, and Colorado.
According to the National Interagency Fire Center, wildfires destroyed almost 9 million acres in the U.S. in 2024. This number could further rise due to hotter, drier conditions driven by climate change.
Senator Whitehouse described the initiative as a response to a “twin crisis of climate change and catastrophic wildfires,” calling for stronger land management and climate action. He specifically noted:
“Climate change is making wildfires more intense and more destructive, increasingly putting lives, communities, and our entire economy at risk. Carbon removal is a key tool in our arsenal to mitigate these disasters, protect families’ health, and address the economy-wide harms from the climate crisis.”
The bill also aligns with the U.S. goal to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 50–52% below 2005 levels by 2030.
How Do Tax Credits Work in This Plan?
The act offers tax credits to companies and landowners, helping make biomass projects cheaper. The credits apply to those who use verified carbon removal practices. These incentives help cover the cost of converting biomass into useful products or storing it safely.
By doing this, the bill encourages new investment while also creating jobs in forestry, carbon capture, and clean technology. Senator Schiff stated the bill will be the ‘carrot’ to incentivize responsible management of the forests.
This approach also shifts spending from emergency response to prevention. In 2023, the U.S. Forest Service spent more than $3 billion on wildfire suppression. With this bill, money would be used earlier to improve forest conditions and prevent major fire outbreaks.
The act provides grants and funding for small and rural communities. These areas often face the worst impacts from wildfires and economic struggles. These areas could receive support for job training and project development under the new law.
How Does the Bill Affect the Environment and Emissions?
The BiCRS strategy removes carbon from the atmosphere and stores it in a stable form. For example, turning extra plant material into biochar captures carbon. It also boosts soil health and helps retain water.
Wildfire smoke contains large amounts of CO₂, methane, and black carbon—all greenhouse gases that worsen climate change. Cutting fuel loads in forests makes wildfires less intense. It also helps them spread slowly, which reduces emissions a lot.
As seen in the chart below, wildfires released almost 160 million tonnes of CO₂ last year. Globally, it’s over 6 billion tonnes of carbon emissions. Governments are looking for ways to effectively manage wildfires and cut their polluting emissions.
Studies from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) show that biochar can lock away carbon for hundreds to thousands of years. When applied to soil, it also boosts crop yields and reduces the need for fertilizers, lowering emissions even further.
The bill encourages actions that help reduce emissions now and protect the environment in the long run. It helps keep biodiversity by protecting forest ecosystems. These forests act as carbon sinks and homes for wildlife.
What Is the Carbon and Financial Blueprint Behind the Bill?
The Wildfire Reduction and Carbon Removal Act fits into the fast-growing carbon credit and green finance market. High-quality, verifiable carbon removal is in high demand as businesses seek to meet net-zero goals.
The global carbon market was valued at $851 billion in 2022 and could reach $2 trillion by 2030, according to a market report.
The bill helps carbon trading by creating more certified offsets through biomass removal. This also ensures real environmental benefits. This positions the U.S. as a leader in setting standards for durable carbon removal.
Moreover, landowners and tribal governments can benefit from carbon offset programs. They receive compensation for taking care of forests.
What Market Shifts Could This Bill Trigger?
The bill may accelerate several market trends, such as:
- Growth in biochar production. The global biochar market is projected to reach $1.5 billion by 2030, growing at nearly 12% per year.
- Expansion of carbon removal start-ups. Venture capital in the carbon removal space reached over $1 billion globally in 2023 alone.
- Increased demand for monitoring and verification tech. Satellite imaging, AI-driven forestry tools, and soil carbon sensors will be vital in tracking carbon outcomes.
The law could also shift capital from traditional fossil fuel industries to sustainable practices. It supports “climate resilience” jobs. These jobs range from fire risk mapping to running biomass conversion facilities.
Communities in the western U.S. stand to benefit the most. States like Arizona, Montana, California, and Washington face high wildfire risk and need more economic diversity. They could use this act to start new local industries.
Can the Plan Deliver on Its Goals?
The act depends on careful design and monitoring. For example, it requires clear guidelines on how much biomass can be removed without harming ecosystems. It also sets strict rules for verifying tax credits. This ensures that only real and measurable carbon reductions are rewarded.
Researchers and environmental groups want a science-first approach. They aim to ensure carbon stays stored for the long term. With this fact, the bill supports partnerships with universities and research labs. This will help improve carbon modeling and land management tools.
If passed and done right, this law could cut emissions by millions of tonnes each year. It could also lower costs linked to wildfires and help start new climate-friendly businesses.
Instead of treating forest waste as a problem, the Wildfire Reduction and Carbon Removal Act treats it as a resource. The tools and lessons from this act could guide future policies, especially as the U.S. works to meet its 2030 and 2050 climate targets.
