The U.S. Department of Energy has committed $36 million to 11 projects in 8 states to foster the development of marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) technologies, as part of the SEA-CO2 program. These initiatives are aimed at enhancing measurement, reporting, and validation of mCDR, seeking cost-effective and energy-efficient solutions to reduce greenhouse gas pollution, in line with the Biden-Harris Administration's goal of a net-zero emissions economy by 2050.

Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm emphasizes the necessity of diverse climate solutions, including the ocean's natural carbon sequestration capabilities, to meet President Biden’s decarbonization ambitions. The DOE-funded projects will innovate technologies to decrease emissions, ensuring American leadership in clean energy.

Managed by ARPA-E, the selected teams from businesses, national labs, and universities are tasked with developing advanced sensors and models to accurately measure the effectiveness of mCDR techniques. The projects range from improving ocean modeling systems to developing biogeochemical models and advanced sensor networks for evaluating carbon storage in various marine environments.

This announcement aligns with broader governmental efforts, including the formation of the Fast-Track Action Committee on Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal by the OSTP, and a $24.3M funding round by the NOAA Ocean Acidification Program, which underscores the interagency push to research and potentially regulate mCDR. These steps, while not guaranteeing funding, mark significant progress toward negotiating project awards that could help shape the future of marine carbon sequestration.