The CDR Policy Scoop The Pioneer Pushing CDR in California - with Senator Josh Becker
In this episode of The CDR Policy Scoop, Sebastian Manhart and Eve Tamme are joined by Josh Becker, California State Senator representing Silicon Valley, to discuss the future of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) policy in California.
Recorded live on Presidents’ Day, the conversation explores how California quantified its carbon removal needs - 7 million tons by 2030 and 75 million tons by 2045 - and what it will actually take to deliver on those targets.
The episode dives into the legislative history of SB 308 (Carbon Dioxide Removal Market Development Act) and subsequent efforts to establish quality standards for removals, including durability and additionality requirements. Senator Becker explains the political challenges of designing compliance mechanisms, aligning with California’s Cap-and-Invest system, and navigating tensions between the legislature, regulatory agencies, and the Governor’s office.
Sebastian and Eve also explore the implications of recent bills - including funding through California’s climate innovation programs and new mandates for developing CDR protocols - and what they mean for integrating removals into compliance markets. The discussion touches on voluntary market demand, infrastructure enablers such as CO₂ pipelines, and how California can attract private investment amid federal headwinds.
The episode concludes with a forward-looking discussion on what policymakers globally can learn from California’s experience: focus on quality standards, clarify who pays, and build durable political coalitions to scale carbon removal alongside deep emissions reductions.
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