---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 17272"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "17272"
heading: "Assessment of carbon sequestration and methane and nitrous oxide emissions from ecosystems"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/17272"
units:
  - "Chapter 152 — Energy Independence and Security"
  - "Subchapter VI — Carbon Capture and Sequestration"
  - "Part B — Carbon Capture and Sequestration Assessment and Framework"
---

# §17272. Assessment of carbon sequestration and methane and nitrous oxide emissions from ecosystems

- (a) **Definitions—** In this section:
  - (1) **Adaptation strategy—** The term “adaptation strategy” means a land use and management strategy that can be used—
    - (A) to increase the sequestration capabilities of covered greenhouse gases of any ecosystem; or
    - (B) to reduce the emissions of covered greenhouse gases from any ecosystem.
  - (2) **Assessment—** The term “assessment” means the national assessment authorized under [subsection (b)](#b).
  - (3) **Covered greenhouse gas—** The term “covered greenhouse gas” means carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane gas.
  - (4) **Ecosystem—** The term “ecosystem” means any terrestrial, freshwater aquatic, or coastal ecosystem, including an estuary.
  - (5) **Native plant species—** The term “native plant species” means any noninvasive, naturally occurring plant species within an ecosystem.
  - (6) **Secretary—** The term “[Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3)” means the [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) of the Interior.
- (b) **Authorization of assessment—** Not later than 2 years after the date on which the final methodology is published under [subsection (f)(3)(D)](#f-3-D), the [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) shall complete a national assessment of—
  - (1) the quantity of carbon stored in and released from ecosystems, including from man-caused and natural fires; and
  - (2) the annual flux of covered greenhouse gases in and out of ecosystems.
- (c) **Components—** In conducting the assessment under [subsection (b)](#b), the [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) shall—
  - (1) determine the processes that control the flux of covered greenhouse gases in and out of each ecosystem;
  - (2) estimate the potential for increasing carbon sequestration in natural and managed ecosystems through management activities or restoration activities in each ecosystem;
  - (3) develop near-term and long-term adaptation strategies or mitigation strategies that can be employed—
    - (A) to enhance the sequestration of carbon in each ecosystem;
    - (B) to reduce emissions of covered greenhouse gases from ecosystems; and
    - (C) to adapt to climate change; and
  - (4) estimate the annual carbon sequestration capacity of ecosystems under a range of policies in support of management activities to optimize sequestration.
- (d) **Use of native plant species—** In developing restoration activities under [subsection (c)(2)](#c-2) and management strategies and adaptation strategies under [subsection (c)(3)](#c-3), the [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) shall emphasize the use of native plant species (including mixtures of many native plant species) for sequestering covered greenhouse gas in each ecosystem.
- (e) **Consultation—**
  - (1) **In general—** In conducting the assessment under [subsection (b)](#b) and developing the methodology under [subsection (f)](#f), the [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) shall consult with—
    - (A) the [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) of Energy;
    - (B) the [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) of Agriculture;
    - (C) the [Administrator](/usc/42/4005.md?p=1) of the Environmental Protection [Agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1);
    - (D) the [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) of Commerce, acting through the Under [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) for Oceans and Atmosphere; and
    - (E) the heads of other relevant [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1).
  - (2) **Ocean and coastal ecosystems—** In carrying out this section with respect to ocean and coastal ecosystems (including estuaries), the [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) shall work jointly with the [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) of Commerce, acting through the Under [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) for Oceans and Atmosphere.
- (f) **Methodology—**
  - (1) **In general—** Not later than 1 year after December 19, 2007, the [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) shall develop a methodology for conducting the assessment.
  - (2) **Requirements—** The methodology developed under [paragraph (1)](#f-1)—
    - (A) shall—
      - (i) determine the method for measuring, monitoring, and quantifying covered greenhouse gas emissions and reductions;
      - (ii) estimate the total capacity of each ecosystem to sequester carbon; and
      - (iii) estimate the ability of each ecosystem to reduce emissions of covered greenhouse gases through management [practices](/usc/42/17061.md?p=19); and
    - (B) may employ economic and other systems models, analyses, and estimates, to be developed in consultation with each of the individuals described in [subsection (e)](#e).
  - (3) **External review and publication—** On completion of a proposed methodology, the [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) shall—
    - (A) publish the proposed methodology;
    - (B) at least 60 days before the date on which the final methodology is published, solicit comments from—
      - (i) the public; and
      - (ii) heads of affected Federal and [State agencies](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=12);
    - (C) establish a panel to review the proposed methodology published under [subparagraph (A)](#f-3-A) and any comments received under [subparagraph (B)](#f-3-B), to be composed of members—
      - (i) with expertise in the matters described in subsections [(c)](#c) and [(d)](#d); and
      - (ii) that are, as appropriate, representatives of Federal [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1), institutions of higher education, nongovernmental organizations, [State](/usc/42/17151.md?p=6) organizations, industry, and international organizations; and
    - (D) on completion of the review under [subparagraph (C)](#f-3-C), publish in the Federal Register the revised final methodology.
- (g) **Estimate; review—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) shall—
  - (1) based on the assessment, prescribe the data, information, and analysis needed to establish a scientifically sound estimate of the carbon sequestration capacity of relevant ecosystems; and
  - (2) not later than 180 days after the date on which the assessment is completed, submit to the heads of applicable Federal [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) and the appropriate committees of Congress a report that describes the results of the assessment.
- (h) **Data and report availability—** On completion of the assessment, the [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) shall incorporate the results of the assessment into a web-accessible database for public use.
- (i) **Authorization—** There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $20,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2008 through 2012.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 110–140, title VII, § 712, Dec. 19, 2007, 121 Stat. 1713.)

## Notes

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Section effective on the date that is 1 day after Dec. 19, 2007, see section 1601 of Pub. L. 110–140, set out as a note under section 1824 of Title 2, The Congress.