The OpenAir Collective

?? Calling on all my biochar superfans ?? ?? It’s no secret that I am on #TeamBiochar. And I want the world to know just what an amazing, circular climate solution biochar carbon removal (#BCR) is. ?? But I’m preaching to the choir here. The truth is we need to better understand what people actually think about biochar carbon removal in order to maximise its impact..? ?? That’s why Browning Environmental Communications is conducting a quick, 10-minute anonymous survey for biochar stakeholders. Whether you’re in sustainability at a corporation, in agriculture, government, finance, or simply interested in biochar, your perspective will be incredibly helpful. ?? Survey Link: https://lnkd.in/dU-Jr7WR ?? Big shout out to the International Biochar Initiative and A Healthier Earth for spearheading this effort. ?? Thanks for your time #carbonremoval #biochar

Yesterday Massachusetts raised the bar big time, making the boldest statement to date on what state-level support for carbon dioxide removal can and should look like in 2024. Together, two major pieces of climate legislation - an expansive omnibus climate bill and climatetech investment economic development bill! - were voted out of the legislature and are now headed to Governor Healey's desk, with all indications that the Governor will sign them both into law promptly. For the better part of two years, OpenAir advocates have worked hard and on multiple fronts to advance CDR in the Bay State through legislative action. Along the way, we faced many twists and turns, and our objectives evolved considerably. But the final product is more than we set out to achieve. Here's what the legislation means for CDR: 1. In-state CDR companies and projects will be eligible for funds from a new $200,000,000 multi-year authorization in the form of capital grants, and a new incentive program that will award up to $30 million in annual climatetech tax credits. 2. CDR will also be eligible for pre-existing MassCEC programs that provide grants, equity investments, loans, and other financial assistance for workforce development, deployment, R&D, supporting infrastructure, and research into environmental impacts. 3. MassCEC will be directed to study opportunities for CDR of any kind in Massachusetts and to produce a report by the end of next year, setting up avenues for additional programmatic support. There are so many people to thank for this unprecedented state policy victory. Chief among them is State Senator and Majority Leader Cynthia Stone Creem, the sponsor of the original legislation that informed the sections of the omnibus bills pertaining to CDR. Senator Creem grasped the significance of CDR earlier than almost any state legislator in the country, never wavered or faltered at any point in this long journey, and fought tirelessly in final innings of the process to ensure CDR's inclusion. Senator Creem's legislative director Garrett Casey is one of the most able and committed staffers we have ever had the privilege to collaborate with. He did heroic things to get us to this end point. Toby Bryce is among the smartest and most serious thinkers on this subject on the planet. His insights and research were critical to the development and evolution of the policies that will now be law. Evan Payne is the consummate grassroots CDR advocate, and for long stretches of our campaign he almost singlehandedly kept our local outreach going. While new to CDR, no moment or task was too daunting for him to take on, regardless of how far from his comfort zone it took him. Karl Danz and Jason Grillo, as always, you answered the call, rolled up your sleeves, and plugged in at every opportunity to have an impact. Could not have done this without you.

Yesterday Massachusetts raised the bar big time, making the boldest statement to date on what state-level support for carbon dioxide removal can and should look like in 2024. Together, two major pieces of climate legislation - an expansive omnibus climate bill and climatetech investment economic development bill! - were voted out of the legislature and are now headed to Governor Healey's desk, with all indications that the Governor will sign them both into law promptly. For the better part of two years, OpenAir advocates have worked hard and on multiple fronts to advance CDR in the Bay State through legislative action. Along the way, we faced many twists and turns, and our objectives evolved considerably. But the final product is more than we set out to achieve. Here's what the legislation means for CDR: 1. In-state CDR companies and projects will be eligible for funds from a new $200,000,000 multi-year authorization in the form of capital grants, and a new incentive program that will award up to $30 million in annual climatetech tax credits. 2. CDR will also be eligible for pre-existing MassCEC programs that provide grants, equity investments, loans, and other financial assistance for workforce development, deployment, R&D, supporting infrastructure, and research into environmental impacts. 3. MassCEC will be directed to study opportunities for CDR of any kind in Massachusetts and to produce a report by the end of next year, setting up avenues for additional programmatic support. There are so many people to thank for this unprecedented state policy victory. Chief among them is State Senator and Majority Leader Cynthia Stone Creem, the sponsor of the original legislation that informed the sections of the omnibus bills pertaining to CDR. Senator Creem grasped the significance of CDR earlier than almost any state legislator in the country, never wavered or faltered at any point in this long journey, and fought tirelessly in final innings of the process to ensure CDR's inclusion. Senator Creem's legislative director Garrett Casey is one of the most able and committed staffers we have ever had the privilege to collaborate with. He did heroic things to get us to this end point. Toby Bryce is among the smartest and most serious thinkers on this subject on the planet. His insights and research were critical to the development and evolution of the policies that will now be law. Evan Payne is the consummate grassroots CDR advocate, and for long stretches of our campaign he almost singlehandedly kept our local outreach going. While new to CDR, no moment or task was too daunting for him to take on, regardless of how far from his comfort zone it took him. Karl Danz and Jason Grillo, as always, you answered the call, rolled up your sleeves, and plugged in at every opportunity to have an impact. Could not have done this without you.

? BREAKING ? The Massachusetts Legislature just passed two major pieces of climate legislation: an expansive omnibus climate bill and climatetech investments in the Economic Development Bill! After a disappointing end to the legislative session in July, the House and Senate heard our call for climate action, found common ground, and moved us closer to reach our climate goals. The omnibus climate bill will expedite our Commonwealth’s clean energy transition through: ? Building a responsibly-sited grid ? Deploying renewable energy ? Expanding electric vehicle charging access ? Improving community engagement and; ? Increasing energy storage supply “This legislation unlocks enormous potential to rapidly and responsibly build the modern, reliable electric grid we need to meet our climate goals. We cannot meet our emissions reduction targets with a slow, unresponsive, and inequitable energy siting system. The omnibus climate bill provides our state, communities, and developers with tools to deploy new renewable resources, shift buildings and transportation to clean power, and plan for a net-zero future” – ELM’s Legislative Director, David Melly. The legislature also took major strides to integrate climate priorities into the state’s economic development strategy. The 2024 Economic Development Bill, also known as Office of Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey’s Mass Leads Act, includes transformative climatetech provisions over a ten-year period. This crucial funding will expand our workforce, drive Massachusetts’ competitive growth, and catalyze the development of green technology. ELM thanks the legislature for their continued commitment to climate action. With federal climate action unlikely in the coming years, the country and the world are looking to Massachusetts and other states for climate leadership. Together, we will ensure our Commonwealth continues to rise to this challenge. Read our full statement: https://lnkd.in/eJbWsTex - - - #MAClimateBill #MAPoli #ClimateBill #CleanEnergy #ClimateAction #ClimateTech