Carbon Sequestration and the Existing Carbon Market

The development of a federally mandated Green House Gas cap and trade initiative which includes provisions for the use of terrestrial based carbon sequestration project s may provide an opportunity for reclamation projects to secure additional financial support. The presentation will provide an overview of the status of the existing voluntary carbon market in the U.S.  and the activities underway to establish a nationally recognized market for terrestrial based carbon offset projects.

The presentation will make the case for terrestrial offsets as a strategy for mitigation of greenhouse gases, and identify and the types of terrestrial offsets currently being traded on the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX) by aggregating members.  Current research and development activies by members of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Carbon Sequestration Partnerships for the measurement, monitoring and verification of carbon offset projects will be reviewed.

The presentation will conclude by reviewing the current policy discussions ongoing at the state, regional and federal level and the potential impact on future markets.