; (C) conduct basic and applied research to assess and mitigate the environmental impact of hydrate degassing (including natural degassing and degassing associated with commercial development); or (D) expand education and training programs in methane hydrate resource research and resource development through fellowships or other means for graduate education and training. (2) Environmental monitoring and research The Secretary shall conduct a long-term environmental monitoring and research program to study the effects of production from methane hydrate reservoirs. (3) Competitive peer review Funds made available to carry out paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be made available based on a competitive process using external scientific peer review of proposed research. . (b) Conforming amendment Section 4(e) of such Act ( 30 U.S.C. 2003(e) ) is amended in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by striking subsection (b)(1) and inserting paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (b) . (c) Authorization of appropriations Section 7 of such Act ( 30 U.S.C. 2006 ) is amended to read as follows: 7. Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this Act $15,000,000, to remain available until expended, for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023. . 12. Carbon removal Subtitle F of title IX of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 ( 42 U.S.C. 16291 et seq.) is further amended by adding at the end the following: 969C. Carbon removal (a) Establishment The Secretary, in coordination with the appropriate Federal agencies, shall establish a research, development, and demonstration program to test, validate, or improve technologies and strategies to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere on a large scale. The program may include activities in— (1) direct air capture technologies; (2) bioenergy with carbon capture and sequestration; (3) enhanced geological weathering; (4) agricultural and grazing practices; (5) forest management and afforestation