LPDD Model Instruction Memorandum: Geologic Carbon Sequestration on Federal Lands

This model document proposes an update to the Bureau of Land Management’s Instruction Memorandum (IM) for geologic carbon sequestration (GS) on federal lands, which had been limited to information gathering and expired in 2013. The proposed language would expand the scope IM to include both CO2 GS characterization (by permit) and CO2 GS implementation (by lease), and revise the IM to incorporate more recent policy direction. This model IM language could allow BLM to immediately begin efforts to prioritize geologic carbon sequestration on some federal lands.

The attached memorandum further notes that this submission complements our previously published model law, State Legislation for the Geologic Storage of Carbon Dioxide, which offers suggestions for state legislation on carbon capture and storage to be applied to both public and private lands.

These documents were drafted by Mary Capdeville, and are based on recommendations found in Chapter 28 of the LPDD text_,_ which was co-authored by Professor Michael Craig of the University of Michigan, who contributed peer reviewing of the proposal.  Peer reviewing was also provided by Dr. Esmeralda Colombo, Fulbright-Schuman Postdoctoral Fellow (UC Berkeley).