Bill Overview
Title: Biochar Research Network Act of 2022
Description: This bill directs the Department of Agriculture to establish a biochar research network of not more than 20 research stations or facilities to test the impact of biochar across various soil types, application methods, and climates to learn more about its potential to benefit farmers and the environment.
Sponsors: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
Target Audience
Population: People involved in or benefiting from biochar agricultural practices
Estimated Size: 1000000
- Biochar has potential environmental benefits, including carbon sequestration and soil enhancement, which can impact global agricultural practices.
- Farmers worldwide may benefit from improved soil quality from biochar application, potentially increasing agricultural productivity.
- Research facilities conducting biochar studies will employ researchers, technical staff, and support personnel.
- Biochar production and application could lead to the development of new industries or the expansion of existing industries in agriculture and environmental management.
Reasoning
- The policy targets various stakeholders, including farmers, researchers, and companies involved in biochar production and application, forming a diverse group affected on multiple levels.
- The policy's limited budget implies that the research network will only be a small part of the agriculture sector, indicating a low to medium-wide impact but concentrated in specific areas (locations near research stations).
- Farmers potentially using biochar might see improvements in soil health, potentially boosting productivity and economic benefits long term.
- Researchers and technical staff employed at the funded research stations will see immediate benefits in job availability.
- The distribution of these impacts will skew towards areas with active research facilities or significant agricultural activity where biochar applications are immediately relevant.
- Stakeholders not directly involved in agriculture or environmental research might not see any immediate benefit from the policy.
- The financial and economic perspective positions the policy to catalyze long-term agricultural and environmental benefits, though short-term effects may be limited to the direct target population and regions.
Simulated Interviews
Farmer (Fresno, CA)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've heard good things about biochar and its benefits for soil health.
- If the studies show real benefits, I would be interested in using it on my farm.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Agricultural Researcher (College Station, TX)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This initiative provides great opportunities for research and might open up new findings in how we enhance soil health.
- I see this as a stepping stone for potential collaborations and funding beyond initial setup.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Government Employee (Des Moines, IA)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Managing new research networks will be a challenge, but also a great opportunity to advance agricultural practices.
- It's exciting to oversee a program that could reshape farming techniques in the U.S.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Environmental Consultant (Raleigh, NC)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm excited to see this policy in action; anything that helps reduce carbon footprint in agriculture is a boon.
- Biochar could become a crucial part of sustainability strategies moving forward.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Agricultural Equipment Supplier (Kansas City, MO)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't expect much immediate impact on my business, but as biochar becomes more standard, there could be equipment needs.
- I'll keep an eye on the developments to see if there's a market for specialized equipment.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
University Student (St. Paul, MN)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy might open up more research opportunities, potentially for my postgraduate studies.
- I see this as a future area of employment and innovation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Cattle Rancher (Lexington, KY)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It’s intriguing to think about how soil improvements might affect pasture quality for my cattle.
- Biochar seems promising, but I need solid empirical results before considering its application.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Retired (Sacramento, CA)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As someone with experience in agricultural services, I can see the potential success as a tipping point for adopting new farming practices.
- I’m hopeful but also aware of budget constraints; research needs sustained support.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Environmental Activist (Miami, FL)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy seems like a step in the right direction but must be part of a broader strategy to address climate change.
- It could significantly aid in carbon sequestration efforts, which is crucial.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Tech Company Manager (Seattle, WA)
Age: 48 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Although this policy is not related to my industry, I’m curious to see any technological impacts that could influence environmental data analytics.
- Policies like these broaden understanding on how integrated solutions can drive industrial enhancement.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $20000000 (Low: $18000000, High: $22000000)
Year 2: $21000000 (Low: $19000000, High: $23000000)
Year 3: $22000000 (Low: $20000000, High: $24000000)
Year 5: $23000000 (Low: $21000000, High: $25000000)
Year 10: $25000000 (Low: $23000000, High: $27000000)
Year 100: $30000000 (Low: $28000000, High: $32000000)
Key Considerations
- The variability of climate and soil types may impact research outcomes and the scalability of findings.
- The economic impact of biochar usage will depend on adoption rates among farmers and industry development.
- Coordination between federal and state entities will be crucial for effective network establishment and ongoing operations.