THE NETL CARBON

SEQUESTRATION NEWSLETTER: 

ANNUAL INDEX 

SEPTEMBER 2005 – AUGUST 2006 

This is a compilation of the past year’s monthly National Energy Technology Laboratory Carbon 

Sequestration Newsletter. The newsletter is produced by the NETL to provide information on 

activities and publications related to carbon sequestration. It covers domestic, international, 

public sector, and private sector news. This compilation covers newsletters issued between 

September 2005 and August 2006. It highlights the primary news and events that have taken 

place in the carbon sequestration arena over the past year. Information that has become 

outdated (e.g. conference dates, paper submittals, etc.) was removed. 

To navigate this document please use the Table of Contents below, the Bookmarks tab or the 

Acrobat search tool (Ctrl+F). 

To subscribe to this newsletter, please visit http://listserv.netl.doe.gov/mailman/listinfo/sequestration. 

To access the newsletter archive, see: http://www.netl.doe.gov/publications/carbon_seq/subscribe.html. 

HIGHLIGHTS ............................................................................................................................................ 2

SEQUESTRATION IN THE NEWS .............................................................................................................. 5

ANNOUNCEMENTS ................................................................................................................................ 29

SCIENCE................................................................................................................................................. 32

POLICY .................................................................................................................................................. 42

GEOLOGY .............................................................................................................................................. 55

TECHNOLOGY ....................................................................................................................................... 59

TERRESTRIAL ........................................................................................................................................ 72

OCEAN................................................................................................................................................... 76

TERRESTRIAL/OCEAN........................................................................................................................... 79

TRADING ............................................................................................................................................... 85

RECENT PUBLICATIONS ........................................................................................................................ 94

LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITY....................................................................................................................... 107
HIGHLIGHTS 

February 2006 

US State Department Press Release, “Climate Change Partnership Looks to Private Sector for 

Help,” The Asia-Pacific Partnership for Clean Development and Climate meeting was held in Sydney, 

Australia, January 11-12. The Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate meeting 

concluded with the establishment of eight public-private task forces serving to accelerate clean 

technology deployment and share best practices in key business sectors. The task forces are described 

in detail in the work plan and include: (1) cleaner fossil energy; (2) renewable energy and distributed 

generation; (3) power generation and transmission; (4) steel; (5) aluminum; (6) cement; (7) coal mining; 

and (8) buildings and appliances. Partner countries have agreed to work together with private companies 

to expand markets for investment and trade in cleaner, more efficient energy technologies, goods, and 

services. On the last day of the meeting, the ministers adopted three documents: a charter that provides 

a framework and a structure, a communiqué that highlights key outcomes, and a work plan that maps out 

an intensive agenda of near-term work for the task forces. Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer 

said that over the next year “we want to find out from the working groups what specific progress they’re 

making in those areas, not just to facilitate access to technology but to see that technology is evolving in 

ways that are going to contribute to alleviating the problems of climate change.” Downer said that 

Australia will contribute $100 million over five years to the partnership. (See: 

http://www.dfat.gov.au/environment/climate/ap6/ for links to the charter, communiqué, and work plan.) 

January 13, 2006, http://usinfo.state.gov/gi/Archive/2006/Jan/13-487324.html. 

March 2006

DOE Techline, and FutureGen Alliance Website, “FutureGen Industrial Alliance Announces Site 

Selection Process for World's First "Zero Emissions" Coal Plant,” The FutureGen Alliance (the 

Alliance) will build the FutureGen plant on a site selected through an open, competitive site-selection 

process. According to the FutureGen Alliance website, they accepted comments and clarifying questions 

on the draft Request for Proposals (RFP) through midnight (Eastern Standard Time) on February 28, 

2006, with a final RFP targeted for release on March 7, 2006. View the draft RFP at: 

http://www.futuregenalliance.org/news/draft_siting_rfp.pdf. The proposals for the host site are due in May 

2006. The Alliance will develop a list of candidate sites by the summer of 2006 based on an evaluation of 

the proposals received. Information about the process is provided on the FutureGen Alliance website: 

http://www.futuregenalliance.org/. Prospective site offerors, architecture and engineering firms, 

technology suppliers and other service providers are encouraged to monitor the Alliance website for 

participation opportunities. Draft RFPs, Request for Qualifications, and questions and answers to appear 

at: http://www.futuregenalliance.org/news.stm. Members of the Alliance include: American Electric 

Power; BHP Billiton; the China Huaneng Group; CONSOL Energy Inc.; Foundation Coal; Kennecott 

Energy, a member of the Rio Tinto Group; Peabody Energy; and Southern Company. February 8, 2006, 

http://www.netl.doe.gov/publications/press/2006/06007-FutureGen_Site_Selection_Process.html.

April 2006 

DOE Techline, “Industrial Alliance Searches for FutureGen Facility Host Site.” The FutureGen 

Industrial Alliance, Inc. (Alliance) invites proposals for sites upon which the Alliance will build and operate 

the world’s first coal-based, zero emissions power plant. The FutureGen power plant will produce 

electricity and hydrogen-rich synthetic gas from coal while capturing and permanently storing carbon 

dioxide (CO2) in a deep geologic formation. The Request for Proposals (RFP) describes the site 

requirements including site access, ownership, CO2 storage potential, and other related issues. Based on 

the responses to the RFP and using the selection process described in the RFP, the Alliance will identify 

candidate sites for the FutureGen facility. After the conclusion of the Department of Energy’s National 
Environmental Policy Act compliance process, the Alliance expects to select a preferred host site. For 

the host site, the Alliance will determine the final design for the power plant and the specifications for 

safe and permanent CO2 storage based on the specific characteristics of the selected site. Proposals 

submitted in response to the RFP must be received by the Alliance no later than 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time 

on May 4, 2006. Download the RFP at: 

http://www.fossil.energy.gov/programs/powersystems/futuregen/futuregen_siting_final_rfp_3-07-

2006.pdf. Also see http://www.futuregenalliance.org/news.stm for more information, including RFP 

amendments. March 8, 2006, http://www.fossil.energy.gov/news/techlines/2006/06016-

Alliance_Seeks_FutureGen_Host_Site.html. 

May 2006 

DOE Press Release, “US and India Sign Historic Agreement on FutureGen Project.” The US 

Department of Energy has announced that India is the first country to join the US on the government 

steering committee for the FutureGen Initiative. The agreement was signed by Department of Energy 

Assistant Secretary Jeffrey Jarrett on behalf of the United States, and on behalf of India, by Honorable R. 

V. Shahi, Secretary, India Ministry of Power. The signing followed President Bush’s March 2-4 trip to 

India, during which Indian Prime Minister Singh first announced the joint agreement on FutureGen. 

India’s participation in the $1 billion FutureGen project also builds upon the US-India Energy Dialogue 

that was launched in May 2005. Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman has invited government 

members of the international Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum (CSLF), a voluntary climate 

initiative that includes 20 developed and developing nations plus the European Commission, to become 

active participants in the FutureGen project. India is the first of the CSLF members to participate in 

FutureGen. April 3, 2006, http://www.energy.gov/news/3420.htm. 

June 2006 

DOE Techline, “Twelve Sites Proposed for FutureGen Plant.” Secretary Samuel Bodman announced 

the 12 candidate sites for the FutureGen project that were submitted in response to the Request for 

Proposals, issued by the FutureGen Alliance (the Alliance). The announcement was made at the Fifth 

Annual Conference on Carbon Capture and Storage held in Alexandria, Virginia. The proposals would 

host the project in or near: 1. Effingham, Illinois; 2. Marshall, Illinois; 3. Mattoon, Illinois; 4. Tuscola, 

Illinois; 5. Henderson County, Kentucky; 6. Bowman County, North Dakota; 7. Meigs County, Ohio; 8. 

Tuscarawas County, Ohio; 9. Odessa, Texas; 10. Jewett, Texas; 11. Point Pleasant, West Virginia; and 

12. Gillette, Wyoming. The Alliance, which is overseeing the site selection process, plans to deliver a list 

of finalist sites to the Department of Energy this summer, following a rigorous evaluation and review of 

the site in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act. Final site selection is scheduled for the 

fall of 2007, and plant start-up is planned for 2012. Secretary Bodman’s remarks and a video of his 

presentation can be accessed at: http://www.netl.doe.gov/publications/press/2006/bodman-remarks.html. 

May 9, 2006, http://www.fossil.energy.gov/news/techlines/2006/06024-FutureGen_Sites_Proposed.html. 

July 2006

Department of Energy Press Release, “US and South Korea Sign Agreement on FutureGen 

Project.” US Department of Energy Secretary Samuel W. Bodman and South Korean Minister of 

Commerce, Industry and Energy Chung Sye Kyun signed an agreement on June 26 making South Korea 

the second country, following India, to join the US in the FutureGen International Partnership. South 

Korea has pledged $10 million to help construct and operate FutureGen, the world’s first zero-emissions 

coal-fired power plant, and will sit on a government steering committee which will oversee the initiative. 

“This agreement signifies our collective commitment to global technological leadership on climate change 

and future energy needs,” said Secretary Bodman. He added, “This bold and revolutionary initiative 

known as FutureGen will ensure that clean coal continues to globally supply our energy needs in ways 
that are environmentally sustainable and responsible.” Secretary Bodman has also invited government 

members of the international Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum (CSLF) to become active 

participants in project. The CSLF is a voluntary climate initiative that includes 20 developed and 

developing nations (including India and Korea) and the European Commission. The FutureGen project 

will be led by the FutureGen Industrial Alliance, an industrial consortium representing the coal and power 

industries, with the project results being shared among all participants, and industry as a whole. June 26, 

2006, http://energy.gov/news/3778.htm. 

Associated Press, “States Vie For Next-Generation Power Plant.” Seven states, with 12 candidate 

sites overall, are vying to host the FutureGen project. All of the states are offering some incentives to 

support the project. “One of these sites ultimately will become known worldwide as the place where a 

new generation of zero-emission energy plants made its debut,” Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman said, 

highlighting the importance of the project when announcing the candidate sites. The FutureGen Industrial 

Alliance (FutureGen Alliance, or Alliance), a non-profit consortium of some of the largest coal producers 

and users, will partner with the US Department of Energy to site, develop and operate the coal-fueled, 

zero emissions FutureGen plant. The Alliance is committing $250 million and the US government $700 

million. “It's a big deal," said John Grasser, spokesman for the US Department of Energy’s Office of 

Fossil Energy. With two dozen states having inquired about the FutureGen Project, for the selected site 

"it's going to be an honor to have that science in that state,” said Grasser. Illinois is offering a $17 million 

grant towards project costs, an estimated $15 million in sales tax exemptions, $50 million for lower rate 

loans to the FutureGen Alliance, and other property and sales tax abatements. Kentucky is offering 215 

acres of free land and $2.5 million in incentives. North Dakota is offering a total of about $20 million, 

including various tax exemptions, $10 million in matching funds and $1.56 million in work force training. 

Ohio is offering a total of up to $164 million in grants, low-interest loans, and infrastructure support. 

Texas officials are offering $20 million to the FutureGen Alliance for use on infrastructure or 

development, and have recently passed a law indemnifying the FutureGen Alliance of any legal issues 

arising from the plant's carbon dioxide. West Virginia is offering 387 acres of state land. Wyoming is 

offering over $30 million in incentives including sales tax and use tax exemptions, and 640 acres of land 

worth $900,000. The Alliance will deliver list of finalist sites to the Department of Energy this summer, 

with final site selection scheduled for fall of 2007. June 18, 2006, 

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/06/18/ap/business/mainD8IASIGO1.shtml. 

August 2006 

DOE Fossil Energy Techline , “FutureGen Alliance Announces Final Candidate Host Sites.” The 

FutureGen Alliance announced its short list of candidate sites on July 25 for the FutureGen near-zero 

emissions coal-fueled power plant. Following an extensive technical review of the 12 competing site 

proposals from seven states, the final candidate sites chosen for consideration include: Mattoon, IL; 

Tuscola, IL; Heart of Brazos near Jewett, TX; and Odessa, TX. With input from the US Department of 

Energy (DOE), independent technical experts, Battelle, and other stakeholders, the FutureGen Alliance’s 

Site Selection Team developed approximately 100 criteria against which each potential site was 

evaluated. The criteria were peer-reviewed, publicly-vetted, and designed to reflect the scientific and 

technical goals of the project, as well as being consistent with the schedule and budget agreed to with 

the DOE. Three types of criteria were used in the evaluation: 1. qualifying criteria, which are minimum 

requirements each site had to meet to be considered further; (for example, a minimum of 200 acres of 

land was required along with adequate cooling water); 2. scoring criteria, which gauge desirable 

attributes of each site; (for example, sites in close proximity to transmission lines and suitable geology for 

CO

2 sequestration scored better than sites that were not); and 3. best value criteria, which capture 

additional factors that affect the sites suitability for the specific mission of the project; (for example: the 

ability to access hydrogen and power markets). The candidate sites will move to the next step which 

includes a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) evaluation by DOE and more detailed site 

characterization. Engineering for the power plant will also move forward. Final site selection will occur in 
late 2007, with the FutureGen plant going online 2012. For more information, the “Results of Site Offeror 

Proposal Evaluation” report is available at: 

http://www.fossil.energy.gov/programs/powersystems/futuregen/fg_proposal_evaluation_report.pdf. July, 

25, 2006, http://www.fossil.energy.gov/news/techlines/2006/06044-

FutureGen_Candidate_Sites_Narrowed.html. 

The Seattle Times, “Supreme Court To Rule on Regulating Carbon Dioxide,” and Energy and 

Environment Daily, “Supreme Court Mixes Up Global Warming Debate.” The Supreme Court 

agreed on June 26 to hear arguments on whether the US Government should regulate carbon dioxide 

(CO2) as a pollutant. The Supreme Court will hear the case Massachusetts v. Environmental Protection 

Agency, filed by 12 states, 13 environmental groups, two cities and American Samoa against the US 

Government. The case centers around whether the EPA violated the Clean Air Act in 2003 when it opted 

not to regulate motor vehicle emissions of greenhouse gases. (Click here to read the 2003 memo 

explaining the ruling: http://www.eenews.net/features/documents/2006/06/26/document_gw_01.pdf. 

Subscription may be required to access pdf file.) The plaintiffs’ argument is that the President has the 

legal authority to regulate CO2 under the Clean Air Act, since it is linked to climate change and poses a 

threat to the environment. The Clinton administration endorsed that legal reasoning, but did not issue 

rules regulating CO2. The Bush administration rejected the reasoning, and now must convince the 

Supreme Court that it has no legal obligation to regulate greenhouse gases, including CO2. The EPA 

successfully defended its position to the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit in 2005, and has issued 

a statement saying it was “confident in its decision” not to regulate carbon dioxide. The ruling on the case 

is likely to come next year. June 27, 2006, 

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2003087868_scotus27.html, and June 27, 2006, 

http://www.eenews.net/EEDaily/print/2006/06/27/1. 

Sequestration in the News 

September 2005

Fuel Processing Technology, Special Issue on CO2 capture and sequestration. The latest issue of 

Fuel Processing Technology reports on a symposium titled, “Carbon Dioxide Capture and 

Sequestration,” held at the 227th American Chemical Society National Meeting in Anaheim, California, in 

March 2004. A number of articles are cited in the respective sections of the newsletter (see Geology, 

Technology, and Ocean sections). The general link is: 

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/03783820. Volume 86, Issues 14-15, Pages 1421-1706, 

October 2005 (subscription required).

Wall Street Journal, “To Cut Pollution, Dutch Pay a Dump In Brazil to Clean Up; Kyoto Treaty 

Creates Market In Gas-Emission Credits.” This article profiles the Dutch government’s investment in a 

Brazilian landfill that will capture methane emissions and generate credits under the Kyoto Protocol’s 

Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). The article provides background on how the deal was reached, 

and it highlights some of the setbacks the project is experiencing; mainly, the landfill is not capturing as 

much methane as expected. August 11, 2005, http://www.wsj.com (subscription required).

SRiMedia, “Can the oil barons and big power companies use emission credits from carbon 

sequestration to finance clean projects?” Article discusses the proposed CO2 capture project at the 

Peterhead plant in Scotland and the storage of 1.3 million tonnes per year of CO2 in the Miller Field. An 

illustratative schematic of the proposed project is shown. According to a spokesman for one of the 

project partners, the project does not qualify for emission credits under U.K. Renewable Energy 

Incentives or for EU Allowances under the European Union Emission Credits Scheme. The project may 

be financially unviable without such incentives, says the spokesman. August 11, 2005, 

http://www.srimedia.com/artman/publish/article_904.shtml. Two other articles on the Peterhead project: 
“BP trumpets Peterhead as beacon for clean energy,” The Scotsman, August 10, 2005, 

http://www.scotsman.com/?id=1755572005 ; “Science rises to the challenge of global warming,” 

Financial Times, August 22, 2005, http://news.ft.com/cms/s/a67d43de-132f-11da-beee00000e2511c8.html. (subscription required). 

Cleveland Plain Dealer, “Coal becoming the hot fuel in our energy future.” Article discusses the 

history of coal gas and coal-derived liquid fuels. Highlights an NETL-funded project in Pottsville, 

Pennsylvania, that will produce about 5,000 gallons per day of diesel fuel from waste coal. Also mentions 

Syntroleum Corp.'s gas-to-liquids demonstration plant in Oklahoma (200,000 gallons per year of coalderived diesel fuel) and the Great Plains Synfuels plant (150 million cubic feet per year of coal-derived 

natural gas). July 31, 2005, 

http://www.cleveland.com/energy/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/isene/112281300730350.xml&coll=2. 

Business Wire, “Syntroleum and Linc Energy Plan to Integrate Air-Based Fischer-Tropsch 

Technology with Underground Coal Gasification.” A planned 17,000 bpd coal-to-liquids plant in 

Queensland, Australia will integrate Syntroleum's air-based Fischer-Tropsch technology with Linc 

Energy's underground coal gasification expertise. According to a press release announcing a partnering 

agreement between the two companies, underground sequestration of carbon dioxide is often an 

important component of commercial designs. August 15, 2005, 

http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=2005081500

5646&newsLang=en

MyWestTexas.com, “Upcoming carbon management workshop to focus on activity.” Article 

discusses the upcoming Carbon Management Workshop set for December 6-7 in Midland, Texas (see 

Events section for more information). Michael Moore, director of the workshop, said this year’s workshop 

will focus more on projects and project-oriented activity. “Economic recovery” is the buzzword. August 

28, 2005, 

http://www.mywesttexas.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=15112090&BRD=2288&PAG=461&dept_id=474107

&rfi=6

Cleveland Plain Dealer, “Coal's increasing importance guarantees a fight.” Article argues that coal 

will be the fuel of choice in the future, citing soaring natural gas prices and stagnant nuclear energy 

generation. “Coal’s bright future is all but inevitable, say major producers, because it’s the least 

expensive, even when cleaned up.” Article mentions peaking coal production rates in Ohio and the 

environmental challenges to coal mining and combustion. July 31, 2005, 

http://www.cleveland.com/energy/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1122809455280760.xml&coll=2

The Observer (UK), “Can coal clean up its act and keep the home fires burning?” High prices for 

natural gas and crude have caused an increase in the use of coal for power generation in Great Britain 

since 2000 (currently at 33 percent of total generation). The UK is looking to CO2 capture from coal-fired 

power plants to help it meet both energy supply and environmental goals. The author notes that China, 

India, and the U.S. plan more than 800 new coal-fired power stations between now and 2012. “The CO2

emitted by these is estimated to be five times the savings made by those adopting Kyoto. In that context, 

what happens in the UK is a mere puff of smoke.” August 21, 2005, 

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/business/story/0,6903,1553114,00.html

The Oxford Press (Ohio), “Search is on way to trap planet-heating carbon dioxide.” According to 

the article, the need to capture CO2 and store it in safe places is “becoming urgent – and increasingly 

feasible.” The article describes amine scrubbing and geologic sequestration and highlights analysis by 

Robert Socolow of Princeton University indicating that carbon dioxide capture and storage may add as 

little as 25 cents to the cost of a gallon of gasoline or $40 a month to a typical residential electric bill. 

August 19, 2005, 

http://www.oxfordpress.com/news/content/shared/news/nation/stories/08/21COAL_SEQUESTER.html
The Navhind Times (India), “Climate Change Project.” Highlight the efforts of the Virginia Centre for 

Coal and Energy Research at Virginia Tech to develop and test technology to store carbon dioxide in 

coal beds as part of the South-East Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnership (SECARB). August 2, 

2005, http://www.navhindtimes.com/stories.php?part=news&Story_ID=08021

The Australian, “Safe, cheap storage of CO2 'some way off'.” Article discusses the feasibility of 

geosequestration in Australia. “All the latest clean-coal technologies being pursued around the world 

depend on being able to show that the storage of carbon dioxide in the various receiving environments is 

safe, permanent and cost-effective,” says the CSIRO's John Wright. “I think we're still some way from 

that.” August 6, 2005, 

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,16168650%255E30417,00.html

The Forum (North Dakota), “Non-CO2 technologies would be the best option.” In this op-ed, Joe 

Richardson, a wind and renewable energy advocate, argues that the best solution to the global warming 

problem is to accelerate the commercialization of non-CO2 emitting energy technologies. On the topic of 

carbon sequestration Richardson says, “sequestering CO2 in order to increase production of another 

product that produces more CO2 may actually be net-negative with respect to the environment and global 

warming problem...However, if we are to use sequestration we should at least establish a trust fund for 

the future expenses associated with monitoring sequestration sites.” August 27, 2005, http://www.inforum.com/articles/index.cfm?id=101211§ion=Opinion (registration required) 

October 2005

The Australian, “Gorgon Project Reaches Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Stage.” A 2,500-

page EIS for the Gorgon Project off the West Australian coast has been released and is open for public 

comment until November 21, 2005. To download the document in PDF format visit 

http://www.gorgon.com.au/03moe_eis.htm. The Gorgon project proposes to capture CO2 from produced 

natural gas (14% CO2) and inject it into a geologic formation. CO2 capture and sequestration will reduce 

the projects GHG emissions from 6.7 million tons of CO2 equivalent per annum (MTPA) to 4.0 MTPA. 

The EIS addresses three main issues: quarantining Barrow Island from the introduction of plants and 

animals from outside; the impact of dredging a 70km pipeline from the Gorgon gas fields; and the 

challenge of disposing of carbon dioxide. Regarding the geologic sequestration component, the EIS 

states, “The probability of CO2 migrating to the surface has been determined to be remote, with potential 

environmental consequences limited to localized impacts on flora and possible detrimental impacts on 

subterranean fauna.” “Radical method may bury gas plant,” September 13, 2005, 

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,16583997%255E30417,00.html

PWR Newswire, “FutureGen Industrial Alliance Announced.” A coalition of the largest electric 

utilities and coal companies in the United States announced that they have created the FutureGen 

Industrial Alliance, a non-profit company that will partner with the U.S. Department of Energy to facilitate 

the design, construction and operation of a 275 MW coal-fired power plant with zero emissions. The 

seven founding members of the FutureGen Industrial Alliance are: American Electric Power, BHP Billiton, 

CONSOL Energy Inc., Foundation Coal Corporation, Kennecott Energy Company, Peabody Energy, and 

Southern Company. The Alliance is also in discussions with other companies, both domestic and 

international, and expects membership to grow. September 13, 2005, http://www.prnewswire.com/cgibin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/09-13-2005/0004105900&EDATE

Onpoint, “DOE Official Talks About FutureGen, explains blueprint for DOE's zero-emissions coal 

plant.” In an interview with Darren Samuelson, Victor Der, director of the Office of Power Systems at the 

Energy Department, talks about the road ahead for FutureGen, negotiations with Congress over clean 

coal funding, and DOE's efforts to involve other countries in carbon sequestration research. Der states 

that the Department of Energy is in the early stages of building FutureGen, with a recent commitment by 
electric utilities and coal companies to pick up one-quarter of the project's cost. E&ETV News, 

September 23, 2005. You can watch video of the interview at 

http://www.eande.tv/main/?date=092305&page=1

Business Wire, “GE Energy, Bechtel Get Approval from AEP to Proceed with Plans for IGCC 

Project; A Milestone for Cleaner Coal Technology in the United States.” GE Energy and Bechtel 

announced the signing of an agreement with AEP to proceed with the front-end engineering design 

(FEED) phase for a proposed commercial, 629-megawatt IGCC plant to be built at a site in Meigs 

County, Ohio. The FEED process is expected to take 10 to 12 months. Target for commercial startup of 

the new IGCC plant is 2010. The new AEP facility would be the first commercial-scale, IGCC plant built 

in the United States since Tampa Electric's Polk Power Station came online in 1996. Says John Krenicki, 

Jr., president and CEO of GE Energy, “Today's announcement is a clear sign that the energy industry is 

ready to enter a new era of cleaner coal power plants.” A press release notes that the IGCC process 

generates lower sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, mercury and particulate matter emissions, uses less 

water, and can be more economically retrofitted for carbon capture than a traditional pulverized coal 

plant. September 29, 2005, 

http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=2005092900

5350&newsLang=en

New York Times, “Steps to Limit Global-Warming Gas.” Capturing and storing the carbon dioxide 

generated by power plants and factories could play an important role in limiting global warming caused 

by humans, says the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). In the Special Report on 

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) the IPCC says doing so could cut the cost of stabilizing carbon 

dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere as much as 30 percent compared with other options, like 

switching to cleaner technologies. Altogether, the report says sequestering carbon dioxide could 

eventually account for slightly more than half of what is needed to prevent dangerous concentrations in 

the atmosphere. But the report cautions that while the method is cheaper than others, it would 

significantly raise the cost of electricity for many years. For that reason, several authors and United 

Nations officials said, it is unlikely that the technique will be adopted voluntarily by industries in wealthy 

countries. “First there has to be a policy in place to provide the incentive” to adopt such technologies, 

said Bert Metz, a Dutch environmental official who was the lead author of the report. September 28, 

2005, http://www.climateark.org/articles/reader.asp?linkid=46698. Also see, “Carbon dioxide storage 

holds limited promise: Approach could halve industrial emissions by 2050,” news@nature, September 

27, 2005, http://www.nature.com/news/2005/050926/full/050926-6.html (subscription required). A 

summary of the report, which was released on September 26, is available online at http://www.ipcc.ch 

East Bay Express, “Down with Greenhouse Gas.” Article highlights an upcoming geologic 

sequestration field test in Solano County, California’s Rio Vista gas fields. The pilot projects will be 

overseen by the West Coast Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnership (WESTCARB). In the next 

year, it is expected that two thousand to four thousand tons of carbon dioxide will be purchased, trucked 

to Solano County, and injected into a layer of sandstone five thousand feet beneath the Earth's surface. 

The total effort will cost $29.9 million over the next four years, with the government contributing $14.3 

million. “The Central Valley in general is a very attractive place to think about the storage of CO2 in the 

subsurface,” says Larry Myer, WESTCARB's technical director. Estimates show the area's rock 

formations could hold eighty billion to five hundred billion tons of carbon dioxide, the equivalent of 

hundreds of years of emissions from California's power plants and industrial sources. The Partnership 

will also work on terrestrial sequestration. September 14, 2005, 

http://www.eastbayexpress.com/Issues/2005-09-14/news/cityside.html

Nature, “Deadly lakes may explode again: Pipes to avert disaster are working, but not quickly 

enough.” This article highlights an ongoing project to remove dangerous levels of carbon dioxide from 

the bottom of two lakes sitting over volcanic sites in Cameroon. One of these, Lake Nyos, exploded in 

1986, suffocating more than 1,700 people in the surrounding area with a plume of carbon dioxide. 
Nearby Lake Monoun killed about 40 people when it exploded in 1984. September 26, 2005, 

http://www.nature.com/news/2005/050926/full/050926-4.html (subscription required) 

BBC News, “UK, China in cleaner power plan.” Article highlights a proposed British plan to transfer 

clean coal technology to China. Britain's Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is proposing 

joint research and development between UK, European and Chinese partners – involving academic, 

research institutions and industry partners – leading towards a demonstration project starting up between 

2010 and 2015. The article mentions the planned BP storage project in the North Sea and says a 

medium scale demonstration capture and storage plant is being developed by the EU in Germany and 

should be ready by 2008. According to the article, “the U.S. hopes to have a large-scale demo plant 

operating by around 2015 and EU officials hope the Chinese venture will also deliver by around the 

same date.” September 1, 2005, http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/uk_news/4204812.stm

November 2005

Reuters, “Coal challenging gas as power-plant fuel.” Worldwide demand for coal is growing faster 

than expected, rising 25 percent in the last three years, to 1.1 billion tonnes. “Coal has stepped up to fill 

the void left by the limitations on oil and gas,” said Gregory Boyce, president of Peabody Energy. “When 

it comes to coal, progress is being made on reducing the CCS cost and as soon as it gets down from 

$100 now to around $40, the coal business will be able to say they can deliver cheaper electricity and 

meet the CO2 requirements,” said Gerald Doucet of the World Energy Council. October 27, 2005, 

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20051027/sc_nm/coal_power_dc

Reuters, “Clean coal Isn't Climate-Friendly Yet.” Only a fraction of planned coal fired power plants in 

the United States will use “the Holy Grail of clean coal technology” – integrated gasification combined 

cycle (IGCC) – because of the high initial cost. Says John Stowell, environmental strategist at utility 

Cinergy Corp, “This is the way we need to go to preserve the coal option.” American Electric Power Co 

Inc. and Cinergy plan to build IGCC plants in the Midwest in the next decade. But they don't plan yet to 

add the capturing equipment on the IGCC plants they aim to build. “Until there is such a requirement 

we're not going to put that technology in place at this point,” said Melissa McHenry, a spokeswoman for 

AEP. October 7, 2005, http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/32896/newsDate/10-Oct2005/story.htm

Toledo Blade, “The battle is on to capture, store carbon dioxide.” Mainstream article discusses 

increasing evidence of climate change and the emergence of CO2 capture and sequestration as an 

option for reducing emissions. Highlights the Midwest Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnership and 

mentions geologic and terrestrial carbon sequestration projects throughout the world. October 17, 2005, 

http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051017/NEWS08/510170310/-1/NEWS

Seattle Post Intelligencer, “Washington State Proposes New Power Plant.” Article discusses how 

demand for electricity in the Pacific Northwest is gradually increasing and some argue that conservation 

and investment in renewable energy resources will meet rising demand. Energy Northwest supports and 

has participated in those efforts but does not believe they alone will meet demand, said Tom Krueger, 

the agency's project manager. In addition, he said, the region won't support hydropower expansion, a 

new nuclear plant in Washington simply isn't an option, and natural gas has become inordinately 

expensive. Instead, Energy Northwest is proposing to build an IGCC plant that would gasify coal or 

petcoke to generate power. The plant could also burn natural gas if the price declines, said Kruger. He 

added that the proposed plant would capture the carbon dioxide emissions for storage, and he said 

Energy Northwest is already taking part in a study to inject emissions into basalt deposits, which are 

common in the region. October 21, 2005, 

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/1310AP_Deja_WPPSS.html
Environmental Finance, “New industry group aims to promote carbon capture and storage.” A 

group of large UK-based companies, including some of the world's biggest oil producers, have formed a 

new organization to promote technology for storing greenhouse gases underground. The Carbon 

Capture and Storage (CCS) Association believes this technology can help the UK meet its emission 

reduction goals and may also extend the life of North Sea oil fields. The founding members of the 

association are: BP, E.ON UK, Progressive Energy, Air Products, Alstom Power UK, AMEC, 

ConocoPhillips, Mitsui Babcock, Schlumberger Oilfield UK, Scottish & Southern Energy, and Shell. “CCS 

is absolutely essential if the world is serious about limiting greenhouse gas emissions”, said Lord 

Oxburgh, president of the new association and former chairman of Shell Transport and Trading. October 

6, 2005, http://www.wbcsd.org/plugins/DocSearch/details.asp?type=DocDet&ObjectId=16733

Bozeman Daily Chronicle, “Coal-to-fuel proposal raises environmental concerns.” Article highlights 

a proposal by Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer to build 150,000 barrel-per-day coal liquid fuel plant in 

the state. The plan has been met with resistance from the Northern Plains Resource Council and others 

who cite the SASOL synfuel facility in South Africa that consumes five barrels of water per barrel of fuel 

produced and also emits large amounts of sulfur dioxide and nitrous oxides. Schweitzer proposes to 

build a plant based on IGCC technology which uses less water, emits less pollution, and produces a 

capture-ready exhaust of highly concentrated CO2. October 16, 2005, 

http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/articles/2005/10/16/news/01synfuels.txt

ElectricNet, “The China Huaneng Group Joins FutureGen Industrial Alliance.” The FutureGen 

Industrial Alliance announced that the China Huaneng Group – China's largest coal- fueled power 

generator – has joined a coalition of global electric utilities and coal companies that plan to design, 

construct and operate the world's first “zero-emission” coal-fueled power plant. The Huaneng Group is 

one of the top ten power companies in the world and is the largest coal-based power generator in China, 

representing about 9 percent of China's generating capacity. October 27, 2005, 

http://www.electricnet.com/content/news/article.asp?DocID=%7BAFA1D271-D2ED-4A59-81B1-

7ED8A341B4DE%7D&Bucket=Current+Headlines&VNETCOOKIE=NO

BBC News, “MP's clean coal energy solution.” According to a Member of Parliament (MP), unmined 

coal in Wales could be the answer to Britain's energy crisis, and “clean coal” technology could make the 

fuel eco-friendly. “Clean coal technology with zero emissions from these new generating plants is one of 

the ways forward and I'm optimistic the government will look at this quite favorably,” the MP said. He also 

said carbon sequestration under the North Sea could also be used. Said Huw Irranca-Davies MP, “It 

seems like absolutely amazing science fiction...but it's already being done in Algeria and elsewhere, and 

highly productively.” October 12, 2005, http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/uk_news/wales/4333534.stm

MSNBC, “Cleaner coal? Activists now say it’s possible.” Article claims that the notion of IGCC 

technology having a role in future electricity supply, once heresy in environmental activist circles, is now 

gaining some acceptance. That is, as long as the industry goes a step further by trapping carbon dioxide. 

“We believe it [IGCC] should be considered the requirement for a modern power plant, but until [carbon 

capture] happens, this is still just the shiny object that distracts us from the nearly 500 dirty coal plants 

that are polluting the air,” said Greenpeace energy policy specialist John Coequyt. October 10, 2005, 

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/9619627/. Also see, “How to Clean Coal,” onearth, Fall 2005, 

http://www.nrdc.org/onearth/05fal/coal1.asp

Forbes, “Statoil CEO Lund sees UK-Norway collaboration on carbon dioxide capture.” Speaking at 

a conference in London, Statoil chief executive Helge Lund said that he sees a potential for collaboration 

between the oil and gas industries in Norway and Britain in using carbon dioxide for improved oil 

recovery (IOR). Statoil has pioneered CO2 capture and injection through the Sleipner and Snohvit 

projects, and seeks to build on its capability. October 26, 2005, 

http://www.forbes.com/markets/feeds/afx/2005/10/26/afx2300586.html
Oil & Gas Journal, “Australia seeks CO2 sequestration program.” Australia wants to become a world 

leader in reducing greenhouse gas emissions through the capture and long-term geological storage of 

carbon dioxide, according to Ian Macfarlane, Australia's Minister for Industry, Tourism, and Resources. 

Speaking at the fourth multinational Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum in Berlin, he said, 

“Australia has the geology, the scientific expertise, the industry enthusiasm, and the political will to 

capitalize on the carbon capture opportunity.” October 4, 2005, http://ogj.pennnet.com (subscription 

required) 

December 2005

Associated Press, “Carbon Dioxide Storage a Success.” According to the Department of Energy, the 

Weyburn EOR project in Canada has proven to be a success, removing 5 million tons of CO2, while 

enhancing oil recovery. If the methodology could be applied worldwide, from one-third to one-half of the 

carbon dioxide emissions that go into the atmosphere could be eliminated over the next century and 

billions of barrels of additional oil could be recovered, the department said. “The success of the Weyburn 

Project could have incredible implications on reducing CO2 emissions and increasing America's oil 

production,” said Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman. In a statement released by his office, Bodman said 

that if the process were used in all the oil fields of western Canada, “we would see billions of additional 

barrels of oil and a reduction of CO2 emissions equivalent to pulling more than 200 million cars off the 

road for a year.” This AP article was picked up by news organizations throughout the world including: 

Yahoo News, Washington Post, USA Today, LA Times, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, and the Peoples Daily

(China). November 15, 2005, http://www.enn.com/today.html?id=9261

Oil & Gas Journal, “Weyburn project demonstrates CO2 sequestration, EOR.” Highlighting the 

success of the Weyburn project, this article says scientists project that knowledge gained from the 

project will keep the Weyburn oil field viable for an additional 20 years, produce an additional 130 million 

bbl of oil, and sequester as much as 30 million tons of CO2. The project now will move into a second 

phase, where researchers will compile a best practices manual to serve as a reference in the design and 

implementation of CO2 sequestration in conjunction with enhanced recovery projects. Researchers also 

will expand their efforts to the neighboring Midale Unit, develop more rigorous risk-assessment modeling 

techniques, improve injection efficiencies, and monitor CO2 flooding and storage with a variety of 

methods, including seismic wave technologies and geochemical surveys, DOE said. November 16, 2005, 

http://ogj.pennnet.com/articles/article_display.cfm?Section=ONART&C=GenIn&ARTICLE_ID=241606&p

=7 (subscription required) 

Star Tribune, “Cleaning up coal: Promising new, cleaner technologies.” Article chronicles the 

development of what some environmentalist and industry folks say could be a watershed case in 

determining the future role of coal-fired generation in several Upper Midwest states. Lines are being 

drawn in response to a proposal by Great River Energy and its partners to build the Big Stone II plant in 

South Dakota that would bring coal-fired power to the Twin Cities. The $1.2 billion Big Stone II plant will 

generate less mercury and other pollutants than the smaller Big Stone I plant in eastern South Dakota 

generates today, thanks to waste-heat usage, pretreatment of the coal and advance scrubbers that will 

be installed in both units. However, environmentalists argue that the proposed pulverized-coal plant will 

do little to mitigate carbon dioxide emissions. Environmental groups plan to fight the necessary 

construction and transmission permits before state regulators and they will insist that it's foolish to 

proceed with old, pulverized-coal technology and that the plant can wait until carbon-capturing 

technologies are in place. Great River CEO Dave Saggau has said he believes new technologies (IGCC 

with CCS) are too far off to be included in Big Stone II, which is scheduled to start construction in 2007. 

November 9, 2005, http://www.startribune.com/stories/1069/5715770.html

Greenwire, “In Florida, Residents Stop Proposed Power Plant.” A plan by Florida Power & Light, 

which sought to build two 850-megawatt coal units on a 3,000-acre tract in rural southwest St. Lucie 
County, was dealt a blow when the County Commission voted down the proposal with a 5-0 commission 

vote. The utility had tried to win public support for the plant with assurances that it would be equipped 

with state-of-the-art pollution controls allowing for minimal air and water emissions. It also said the plant 

would be an economic boon to the county by providing nearly 200 jobs and millions of dollars in tax 

revenue. But such arguments did not win favor with the commission, which ultimately decided that 

concerns about noise, light and air emissions were enough to derail the project. FPL planned to use 

supercritical pulverized coal combustion technology. Stephen Smith, executive director of the Southern 

Alliance for Clean Energy, which worked to stop the project, said that while his organization and others 

encouraged FPL to adopt coalbed gasification technology for the St. Lucie County plant, the company 

refused on grounds that IGCC was unproven and that the same environmental protections could be 

achieved with pulverized coal. The article points out that IGCC technology was selected for another 

Florida power plant being built by Southern Co. and the Orlando Utilities Commission. That project, 

known as the Stanton Energy Center, is expected to come online by 2012 and has faced minimal public 

opposition. November 8, 2005, http://www.nrdc.org/news/newsDetails.asp?nID=1910

Fox News, “FOX News Poll: Global Warming.” Most Americans believe global warming exists and a 

majority thinks it is a major problem – if not a crisis, according to a recent FOX News poll. However, less 

than half think they personally can do anything about the problem. The new national poll finds that 77 

percent of Americans believe global warming is happening and, of those, more than twice as many think 

it is caused by human behavior (46 percent) than by normal climate patterns (17 percent). All in all, 

Americans take the issue of global warming seriously. A 60 percent majority describes the situation as 

either a crisis (16 percent) or a major problem (44 percent), while about one in five say it is a minor 

problem (22 percent) and one in ten “not a problem at all” (12 percent). “Despite the skepticism that has 

been expressed by some business, scientific and political leaders, the existence and importance of 

global warming seems to be the consensus position of Americans,” comments Opinion Dynamics 

Chairman John Gorman. “This lopsided acceptance of the problem is something we don’t see for many 

other issues.” November 10, 2005, http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,175070,00.html

Science Daily, “Western states to host first test of carbon sequestration in lava rock.” Article 

highlights upcoming field tests by the Big Sky Carbon Sequestration Partnership, which the U.S. 

Department of Energy and private companies awarded $17.9 million in June. Researchers are making 

preparations to inject carbon dioxide into subterranean volcanic basalt rock and monitor whether the rock 

can hold it. At first, basalt seemed an unlikely candidate for sequestration; engineers regarded it as too 

dense. But basalt accumulates in layers, as successive lava outpourings spread out and cool, forming a 

stack like pancakes, each tens to hundreds of feet thick. The fast-cooled, rubbled tops are full of cracks 

and gas bubbles; the slow-cooled, dense interiors form impermeable barriers. Using computer models of 

the rocks' porosity and chemistry, the group reported in 2004 that layered basalts appeared to be well 

suited for secure, long-term storage. November 7, 2005, 

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/11/051107081311.htm

Houston Chronicle, “Spinning Tar into Oil.” Article focuses on Alberta oil sands and discusses how 

the recent run up of oil prices has made this unconventional resource profitable, adding more than 170 

billion barrels of oil to Canada's reserve base. Also highlighted is the effect of these operations on 

Canada’s commitments under the Kyoto Protocol. Carbon sequestration is mentioned as a solution that 

can keep the oil sands progressing while keeping Kyoto alive. The article says that Kinder Morgan is 

interested in carbon sequestration in Alberta. Alberta Energy Minister Greg Melchin likes the idea of 

sequestration but said that, as it stands, the economics are marginal at best. November 6, 2005, 

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/business/energy/3440367

South China Morning Post, “Despite its problems, coal is here to stay.” According to this article, 

which focuses mainly on coal mining in China and much needed safety and infrastructure improvements, 

the long run answers to China's energy and environmental problems may be found in cutting-edge 

technologies such as underground gasification and carbon sequestration. The article says these 
techniques will take decades to develop on a commercial scale, however. “Until then, China will have to 

continue mining and burning coal the bad old way, at a heavy cost to both the country's miners and its 

environment.” November 7, 2005, 

http://www.wbcsd.org/plugins/DocSearch/details.asp?type=DocDet&ObjectId=MTcxNjE

RigZone, “Statoil Says IOR Challenges Offer Potential for UK-Norwegian Cooperation.” Speaking 

at a conference in London, Statoil chief executive Helge Lund urged that the use of carbon dioxide for 

improved oil recovery (IOR) could address growing energy demand while simultaneously reducing 

greenhouse gas emissions which affect the global climate. “We've been a pioneer in carbon capture and 

storage,” said Lund. “Since 1996, we have separated carbon from the gas stream on our Sleipner fields 

and injected it into a permanent sub-surface store. The next step could be to establish a carbon dioxide 

value chain where, in addition to storage, an improved oil recovery (IOR) effect could be included.” 

October 26, 2005, http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=26316

January 2006

Department of Energy Press Release, “FutureGen Project Launched.” In a press release issued on 

December 6th, Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman announced the official “kick off” of the FutureGen 

project by the Department of Energy with the signing of the FutureGen Industrial Alliance agreement. 

The FutureGen Industrial Alliance consists of: American Electric Power (Columbus, OH); BHP Billiton 

(Melbourne, Australia); CONSOL Energy Inc. (Pittsburgh, PA.); Foundation Coal (Linthicum Heights, 

MD.); China Huaneng Group (Beijing, China); Kennecott Energy (Gillette, WY); Peabody Energy (St. 

Louis, MO); and Southern Company (Atlanta, GA). The Alliance members will contribute $250 million 

toward the project to build FutureGen, a prototype of the zero emissions fossil-fueled power plant. The 

Alliance will issue a site selection solicitation in early 2006, with final site selection in mid-to-late 2007, 

and the plant is planned to be operational around 2012. The project will integrate testing of emerging 

energy supply and utilization technologies as well as advanced carbon capture and sequestration 

systems. The initial goal for carbon sequestration for FutureGen is to capture 90 percent of the plant’s 

CO2, with 100 percent possible though implementation of advanced technologies. The FutureGen 

Initiative is funded though the Department’s Office of Fossil Energy and will be managed by the National 

Energy Technology Laboratory. December 6, 2005, 

http://www.energy.gov/engine/content.do?PUBLIC_ID=19301&BT_CODE=PR_PRESSRELEASES&TT_

CODE=PRESSRELEASE

St Louis Business Journal, “Illinois, Indiana join to attract FutureGen project,” Indiana Gov. Mitch 

Daniels and Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich agreed on December 14 to make a united bid to bring 

FutureGen to the Illinois Coal Basin. US Rep. Jerry Costello (D-Belleville) and US Rep. John Shimkus 

(R-Collinsville) have lead the effort to locate FutureGen in Southern Illinois, which has high-sulfur coal 

reserves, oil and gas reserves, well-suited geography and the Coal Center at the Southern Illinois 

University Carbondale. December 15, 2005,

http://stlouis.bizjournals.com/stlouis/stories/2005/12/12/daily50.html

The Daily Texan, “CO2 Use Found in Oil Project,” Texas plans to aggressively pursue the bid for 

FutureGen. The state Legislature has allotted $2 million to fund a team of researchers at the University of 

Texas (UT) who are working on a bid proposal. Scott Tinker, director of the UT’s FutureGen project, said 

Texas is the best candidate to house the prototype because of its geology, with large coal deposits, oil 

fields and places to store sequestered carbon dioxide. In addition, the state has a thriving oil industry 

with the necessary infrastructure, Tinker said. December 8, 2005, 

http://www.dailytexanonline.com/media/paper410/news/2005/12/08/University/Co2-

Use.Found.In.Oil.Project-1124534.shtml?norewrite&sourcedomain=www.dailytexanonline.com
The Engineer Online, “North Sea Rim Accord,” United Kingdom Energy Minister Macolm Wicks and 

Norwegian Energy Minister Odd Roger Enoksen pledged to undertake a bilateral effort to explore areas 

of cooperation to encourage injection and permanent storage of CO2 beneath the North Sea. Said Wicks, 

“It is estimated that we have the capacity under the UK continental shelf to store our total carbon 

emissions for decades to come.” Wicks added, “Norway has already taken a significant world lead in 

offshore geologic storage of CO2 with the Sleipner project, building up considerable knowledge and 

experience in the field. Here in the UK, I welcome BP/Scottish and Southern Energy Peterhead project in 

the North Sea which will demonstrate the full carbon capture and storage process.” The Carbon 

Abatement Technology Strategy, announced in June this year, recognized that incentives may be need 

to encourage this technology development. The Climate Change Programme Review will review and 

comment on the incentives, including details on the need and scope of the incentives. November 30, 

2005, http://www.e4engineering.com/Articles/292935/North+Sea+rim+accord+.htm

Science Daily and University of Michigan press release, “Crystal Sponges Excel At Sopping Up 

Carbon Dioxide,” A new class of materials called metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been shown 

to have great potential for storing hydrogen and methane. On the molecular level, MOFs (also known as 

crystal sponges) are scaffolds made up of metal hubs with struts of organic compounds, maximizing 

surface area. One particular “star performer” in the class of compounds, MOF-177, can store 140 percent 

of its weight in CO2 at room temperature and at 32 bar pressure. For comparison, in a tank filled with 

MOFs, one can store as much carbon dioxide as nine tanks that do not contain MOFs; whereas a tank 

filled with porous carbon—one of the current state of the art materials used for capturing CO2 in power 

plant flues—could hold only four tanks worth of CO2. 

December 1, 2005, http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/12/051201164914.htm 

See Technology section of this newsletter for reference to December 1, 2005 web release of American 

Chemical Society journal article. 

RGGI Press Release, “States Announce RGGI MOU Today,” On December 20, seven Northeast 

governors announced a historic regional agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from power 

plants, an important step to protect the environment and meet the significant challenge of climate 

change. Under the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) “ReGGIe,” seven Northeast states have 

agreed to implement a cap-and-trade program to lower carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. This is the first 

mandatory cap-and-trade program for CO2 emission in US history. The states signing the regional 

Memorandum of Understanding for RGGI are: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, New Hampshire, New 

Jersey, New York and Vermont. December 20, 2005. Copies of the MOU and related documents are 

available at: http://www.rggi.org/agreement.htm

Associated Press, “Connecticut Governor Says She’ll Sign Regional Emissions Deal,” Connecticut 

Gov. Jodi Reil said December 15 that she will sign the agreement. Her decision comes after officials from 

Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts decided after a conference call December 14 that they 

weren't prepared to sign the RGGI. Rell, in a written statement, called the pact a "historic milestone" that 

addresses climate change issues while moving the region down the path of energy independence. "The 

agreement creates incentives that will reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and help free our economy from 

the price volatility of world oil and gas markets," she said. Adding, "The agreement is also structured in a 

manner that protects consumers from sharp increases in energy costs." December 15, 2005, 

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2005/12/15/connecticut_governor_says_shell_

sign_regional_emissions_deal?mode=PF

Boston Globe, “No Agreement Reached on Regional Carbon Dioxide Emissions Pact,” The 

landmark Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) multi-state agreement to reduce carbon dioxide 

emissions in the Northeast was in jeopardy. After the December 14 conference call among the chiefs of 

staff of all states involved in the program, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island decided they 

are not prepared to sign the agreement. Jeff Neil, spokesman for Rhode Island’s Gov. Don Carcieri, said 

the Governor is concerned about the costs of the plan. “Ultimately, we don’t know how much this plan will 

raise energy prices,” said Neil. Their decision prompted cancellation of the December 15 news 
conference that had been planned to announce the pact. The draft proposal would freeze utility 

emissions at current levels through 2015, and then require a 10 percent reduction by 2020. Excess 

emission “credits” could be sold. Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, in an interview with the Boston 

Globe, confirmed that he could not endorse a plan that did not include a “safety valve,” one that would 

cap the amount power plants would have to pay if they exceed emission limits—since those costs could 

be passed onto businesses and consumers. Peter Constakes, a spokesman for New York Governor 

George Pataki, stated “We are greatly disappointed that after two-and-a-half years of productive work 

we’ve been unable to reach a final agreement with all the states that have participated in the process.” 

Seth Kaplan, with the Conservation Law Foundation in Boston disputed concerns that the program would 

cost consumers money. Matt Vogel, spokesman for Rep. Martin Meehan, D-Mass., said work needs to 

be continued to make the proposal a reality, stating “Massachusetts ought to be the leader on making the 

initiative work, but essentially we’ve become the leader of the opposition.” December 15, 2005,

http://www.boston.com/news/local/new_hampshire/articles/2005/12/15/no_agreement_reached_on_regio

nal_carbon_dioxide_emissions_pact/

Reuters, “US States Forge on With Slimmer Plan to Cut CO2,” Massachusetts and Rhode Island did 

not sign the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) agreement along with the remaining seven 

states. Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (Republican) refused to sign, saying that the agreement could 

boost prices for electricity in his state, which are among the Nation’s highest. Rhode Island said more 

studies are needed on how cutting carbon emissions would affect prices for electricity. Environmentalists 

and carbon emissions brokers are anxious to see RGGI operational because they hope it will link with 

similar plans being developed in western states and could be a model for a future federal plan. 

December 19, 2005, http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/34100/story.htm

The Boston Globe, “BP to Boost Renewable Energy Funds,” Europe’s largest oil company, BP PLC, 

plans to double spending on alternate and renewable energy, creating a business unit that may generate 

about $6 billion per year in revenue. BP will invest $1.8 billion over the next three years on solar, wind, 

hydrogen, and carbon sequestration, focusing on new technologies to replace oil-and-gas-based 

generation. Under sequestration, CO2 would be pumped into oil and gas fields, curbing output into the 

atmosphere. Chief Executive John Brown said, “We’re responding to climate change by making a 

business.” The $600 million investment next year equals 4 percent of BP’s total capital expenditure of 

about $15 billion in 2006. BP would like about 7 gigawatts of installed capacity around the world within 

10 years, enough to supply 10 percent of Britain’s power needs. BP Alternate Energy will be headed by 

Steve Westell. November 29, 2005, 

http://www.boston.com/business/technology/articles/2005/11/29/bp_to_boost_renewable_energ

y_funds/?rss_id=Boston+Globe+--+Business+News

Greenwire, “Tall buildings could pose threat to carbon sequestration,” As the world sees 

construction of increasingly tall structures, seismic activity has risen. Implications could affect plans for 

carbon sequestration and nuclear waste storage. Taipei has seen a rise in micro-earthquakes since the 

construction of the world’s tallest building, Taipei 101. Stresses in the earth's outer layer can push the 

sides of the fault together until rocks plummet and release energy in waves that cause the ground to 

shake. Geologist Lin Cheng-horng, from the Institute of Earth Sciences, said Taipei 101 weighed 

700,000 tons, estimating stress from vertical loading on its foundation at 4.7 bars, of which some would 

be transferred to the earth's upper crust due to extremely soft sedimentary rocks beneath the Taipei 

basin. "If a fault is about to crack,” says Lin, “then a little pressure can trigger an earthquake. It's like the 

last straw that breaks the camel's back.” In May 2001, the magnitude 5 earthquake in the North Sea is 

thought to have been caused by a release in pressure from oil and gas extraction. And in 1967, waste 

injected into the Rocky Mountains set off a magnitude 5.5 earthquake under Denver in Colorado. 

December 5, 2005, http://www.eenews.net/Greenwire/searcharchive/test_searchdisplay.cgi?q=tall+buildings&file=%2FGreenwire%2Fsearcharchive%2FNewsline%2F2005%2FDecembe

r5%2F12050516.htm (subscription may be required) 
Business Wire, “GreenShift Acquires Rights to Patented Carbon Dioxide Reduction Technology; 

New Strain of Thermophilic Cyanobacteria Converts Exhaust Carbon Dioxide Into Pure Oxygen 

and Clean Water,” GreenShift Corporation has announced the execution by its wholly-owned 

technology transfer and industrial design company, GreenShift Industrial Design Corporation ("GIDC"), of 

a license agreement with Ohio University ("Ohio") for its patented bioreactor process for reducing 

greenhouse gas emissions from fossil-fuelled combustion processes. The technology was developed by 

Dr. David Bayless, Director of Ohio’s Ohio Coal Research Center, who targeted a carbon-hungry 

thermophillic photosynthetic organism, which thrives in the mineral hotsprings of Yellowstone, for use in 

a bioreactor. The iron-loving cyanobacterium (blue-green algae), tentatively named Chroogloeocystis 

siderophilia, grows on membranes of woven fibers resembling window screens, that are layered with 

“glow plates”—a system of parabolic mirrors, fiber optic cables and slabs of acrylic plastic. The 

membranes allow for growth of the algae on a large surface area, using only 10 percent of “full strength” 

sunlight. The algae metabolize the carbon dioxide and water, giving off oxygen and water vapor. The 

organisms also absorb nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide, acid rain contributors. A prototype of the 

technology was built that can handle 140 cubic meters of flue gas per minute, equivalent to the exhaust 

of 50 cars or a 3 megawatt power plant. GIDC's license with Ohio provides for non-exclusive rights to the 

technology for the purpose of air pollution control of exhaust gas streams from electrical utility power 

generation facilities; exclusive rights to the technology for the air pollution control of exhaust gas streams 

from all other sources, including mobile applications; and to process carbon-containing compounds from 

any other source. December 12, 2005,

http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=2005121200

5469&newsLang=en

Nature Conservancy, “First Conservation Initiative Certified for Reducing Greenhouse Gas 

Emissions,” The Noel Kempff Mercado Climate Action Project, a Bolivian project protecting 3.8 million 

acres of tropical forest, is the first conservation-based initiative in the world to be fully certified for 

reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Société Générale de Surveillance (SGS), an internationally 

accredited society for the CO2 emission certification, evaluated the project’s results from 1997 to 2005. 

SGS fully certified the emission reductions at 989,622 metric tons, using the rigorous standards detailed 

in the Clean Development Mechanism initiative of the Kyoto Protocol. December 19, 2005, 

http://nature.org/initiatives/climatechange/press/press2192.html

February 2006 

CNN.com, “US to Attend Asia-Pacific Climate Talks,” Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman, Secretary 

of State Condolezza Rice (who cancelled due to the health condition of Ariel Sharon), and Presidential 

advisor James Connaughton are to meet in Sydney Australia on January 11-12 with representatives from 

five Asia and Pacific Nations: Australia, China, India, Japan and South Korea. Along with the US, these 

countries account for almost half of the world’s population, energy use, and economic output. The White 

House feels that these talks serve to enhance, rather than replace the Kyoto talks. The US and Australia 

were the only developed countries that rejected the 1997 Kyoto Protocol treaty. Connaughton said the 

“Asia-Pacific partnership” would drum up more private investment for common goals, including US and 

Chinese plans to improve energy efficiency in coal-burning power plants and cut acid rain-causing sulfur 

dioxide emissions. “This is harder than negotiating a diplomatic document, because this is creating real 

work plans,” said Connaughton. January 5, 2006, 

http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/science/01/05/us.asia.climate.change.ap/index.html?section=cnn_latest

 

Environmental News Service, “Bush to Request $52 Million for Asia-Pacific Energy Partnership,” 

President Bush will request that Congress budget $52 million in the upcoming FY 2007 budget to 

promote clean energy technologies in the Asia-Pacific region and international cooperation in other 

energy areas, said US Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman addressing the inaugural gathering for the 

Asia-Pacific Partnership for Clean Development and Climate (APP) on January 12. Secretary Bodman 

said that the funding request is designed to complement the $3 billion that the US currently spends per 
year on clean energy projects. As head of the US delegation to the meeting, Bodman stated, “In order to 

achieve meaningful results, we must engage growing and emerging economies from the outset and 

encourage the implementation of technologies that have demonstrated success.” Australian Industry 

Minister Ian Macfarlane stated that Australia has a responsibility to explore fully the potential of new and 

innovative emission reducing technology, such as geosequestration and clean coal technologies. He 

announced on January 9 that Australia’s first CO2 capture and storage demonstration project will start 

this year. About half of Australia’s CO2 emissions could potentially be sequestered because they are 

derived from stationary sources, Macfarlane stated. Secretary Bodman said that the success of the APP 

will be measured largely by the success of the investment and collaboration of private sector partners. 

(Read the full text of Secretary Bodman’s remarks at: http://www.energy.gov/news/2964.htm.) January 

13, 2006, http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/jan2006/2006-01-13-01.asp

Wall Street Journal, “Coal Gasification Begins to Emerge,” Integrated gasification combined cycle 

(IGCC) technology and implementation is discussed. In the US, there are two IGCC plants: one in 

Indiana and one in Florida, subsidized by the US Department of Energy. IGCC plants gasify coal and 

generate electricity with advanced turbines that use the gas and excess heat. American Electric Power’s 

(AEP’s) program manager for technology development, Mike Mudd, said that lowered capital costs and 

heavier penalties on emissions have brought the cost to within 20 percent of supercritical pulverized coal 

plants, “Primarily because IGCC is a new technology and it’s got to go through a cost maturation.” Since 

tax credits in the new energy bill bring the IGCC plant’s life cycle cost of electricity within 10 percent of 

the next cheapest alternative, but with key environmental advantages, Mr. Mudd feels that utility 

commissions will accept slightly higher initial costs. The most compelling advantage of an IGCC plant is 

the ability to control CO2 emissions. According to Ed Lowe, manager of GE’s Gasification business, the 

additional cost of electricity for stripping CO2 from a pulverized coal plant is 66 percent versus 25 percent 

for an IGCC plant. January 4, 2006, 

http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=955609771&Fmt=3&clientId=17454&RQT=309&VName=PQD

(To access Wall Street Journal online, a subscription may be required.) 

Bloomberg, “Australia's First Carbon Dioxide Storage Project Set to Start,” Western Australia’s 

Otway Basin will be the site of Australia’s first carbon sequestration research project. This $30 million 

($22.4 million USD) geosequestration project will be partly financed by companies including Chevron 

Corporation, Xstrata Plc and Rio Tinto. BHP Billiton, the world's biggest miner, BP Plc and Royal Dutch 

Shell Plc are also backing the research project. The Cooperative Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas 

Technologies hopes to start the operation by the end of this year. For this project, carbon dioxide will be 

extracted from a gas mixture, transported several kilometers by pipeline and injected about 1.2 miles 

underground into a depleted gas field. The project will involve the injection of about 100,000 metric tons 

a year of carbon dioxide, said Peter Cook, chief executive of the research project. The project 

announcement is timely since geosequestration is one of the technologies to be discussed January 11-

12 in Sydney at the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate meeting. January 9, 

2006, http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000081&sid=aRY5dPHOLyww

Nickle’s Daily Oil Bulletin, “Support Growing for CO2 Distribution Network,” Several pilot projects 

are underway in the Canadian province of Alberta using carbon dioxide for large-scale enhanced oil 

recovery (EOR), with a broad cross section of industries participating. In the September 2000 Journal of 

Canadian Petroleum Technology, Kelly Edwards (now an engineer for EnCana Corporation’s Weyburn 

business unit) proposed a network that includes industrial CO2 sources, distribution pipelines, and 

reservoirs for CO2 injection. The Petroleum Technology Alliance Canada (PTAC) has set up a CO2 

enhanced hydrocarbon recovery steering committee to share research and technology options, and 

identify opportunities, priorities, and obstacles. The Integrated CO2 Network (ICON) is a group of major 

emitters that has been doing studies on the scope, cost and potential timing of a CO2 network. In order to 

help comply with the first phase of the Kyoto Protocol starting in 2008, and with timetables of two to three 

years on design and construction of pipeline and capture facilities, action is needed. Enbridge, which 

operates the world’s largest crude oil pipeline, estimates the need for a 400 kilometer pipeline capable of 
carrying up to 4,000 metric tons (76 million cubic feet (mmcf)) per day of CO2 at a cost of $160 million—

not including the cost of compression—and another $40 million to boost capacity to 22,000 metric tons 

(418 mmcf) per day with pumping stations. The most cost-effective way to move CO2 over long distances 

is in a dense liquid-like phase, allowing for a smaller diameter pipe to be used. Though to justify costs, 

the pipeline would have to be sized for larger volumes that initially intended. Government support is 

needed for implementation due to high initial costs and extended time need for cost recovery. January 6, 

2006, http://www.dailyoilbulletin.com/ (Subscription required.) 

Nickle’s Daily Oil Bulletin, “CO2 Pilot Projects in Alberta, Others Planned,” In addition to a 

proposed CO2 pipeline network in Alberta (see this newsletter “Support Growing for CO2 Distribution 

Network”), high oil prices and incentives from the Alberta and Canadian governments have encouraged 

pilot projects in CO2 injection for enhanced oil recovery (EOR). Several companies have current projects 

in EOR which were described in detail in the article. Listed here are the companies, their current project 

site(s), location of the site(s), and short description of the project(s): 1. Anadarko Canada Corporation’s 

Enchanted Arcs project in southern Alberta. A CO2 injector and three CO2 producers in the Enchant Arcs 

A&B pool. The second pilot in Enchant Arcs F&G pool is planned. In the US, Anadarko Petroleum 

Company has a 16-inch, 125 mile pipeline across central Wyoming delivering to its Salt Creek EOR 

project. 2. Apache Canada Ltd.’s Zama field in northwestern Alberta. Acid gas is injected into pinnacle 

reefs where one-third of the gas is hydrogen sulfide, rather than pure CO2. 3. Apache Canada Ltd.’s 

Midale project in southern Saskatchewan. A pipeline was built to tap into the pipeline that delivers CO2 to 

Weyburn from North Dakota. The current supplier is Dakota Gasification Company, which will increase 

CO2 delivery when it installs additional compression. 4. Devon Canada Corporation’s Swan Hills pilot 

injection, northwest of Edmundton. The existing wellbores are used, with CO2 trucked from Fort 

Saskatchewan and Medicine Hat Air by Liquide Canada, Inc. 5. Penn West Energy Trust’s Joffre Viking 

plant, northeast of Red Deer. This is the longest running CO2 EOR in Canada. CO2 from a petrochemical 

plant that is 96 to 98 percent pure is combined with produced CO2 and hydrocarbon gases for 82 to 84 

percent concentration injected, which is then cut with water. 6. Penn West Energy Trust pilot at Canada’s 

biggest onshore oil pool Pembina Cardium. The company is currently trucking in the CO2, and is 

interested in a pipeline. 6. Glencoe Resources Ltd. in central Alberta. CO2 is piped in from nearby 

petrochemical plants. 7. EnCana Corporation’s Weyburn site in southeastern Saskatchewan. The 

company injects purchased CO2 into the Weyburn oilfield and some of the recycled CO2 is then 

reinjected. Dakota Gas is the supplier. Weyburn is to increase injection of CO2 when the Beulah North 

Dakota plant adds a third compressor, which will result in more CO2 as bi-product from the coal 

gasification plant. Projects are also planned for: Judy Creek by Pengrowth; Pembia/Redwater by ARC 

Energy Trust; and Mitsue by Canetic Energy Trust. January 6, 2006, http://www.dailyoilbulletin.com/

(Subscription required.) 

AP, “Underground Basalt Promising As a Repository For Excess CO2,” A Basalt formation in the 

Pacific Northwest that was created millions of years ago by lava flow and flooding, now covers an area of 

more than 60,000 square miles, thousands of feet thick. This porous rock can be used for storage of CO2

emissions from power plants. Peter McGrail, a researcher at Battelle Pacific Northwest Division, a US 

Department of Energy-supported science laboratory and partner in the Big Sky Carbon Sequestration 

Partnership, is participating with other researchers in an investigation of sites for a pilot test slated to 

begin in 2007. The Big Sky Carbon Sequestration Partnership is a regional study into carbon capture 

and sequestration technologies. For the pilot test, carbon dioxide would be injected into basalt at about 

3,000 feet, where the water is not suitable for drinking or irrigation. A traditional power plant can use up 

to one third of its power capturing CO2, which would double the costs to consumers, says Stuart Dalton 

director for generation for the Electric Power Research Institute. The impact is less significant for IGCC 

plants, which use coal or petcoke (the waste product from oil refineries), turn it into gas, and use it 

generate electric power. IGCC plants use about 6 percent of their power to separate the CO2, increasing 

the cost of power by about one third. The Big Sky project is one of seven regional partnerships backed 

by the US Department of Energy. January 17, 2006, http://www.sltrib.com/utah/ci_3426715
The Enquirer (Cincinnati), “State Stays Mum on FutureGen Site,” At a January 26 press briefing for 

Ohio’s efforts on the FutureGen project, state officials and consultants did not identify specific sites for 

the project, saying that doing so could aid land speculators, and undermine Ohio’s efforts to obtain the 

project. Jacqueline Bird, director of Ohio Coal Development Office, said there are 12 possible sites in 8 

counties for the project. She also said that the geology of the sites, access to roads and powerlines are 

key. 400 to 600 acres are needed for the site, as is proximity to unmined coal seams or depleted gas 

wells. State representative Jimmy Stewart, R-Athens, said that siting the plant near the Ohio River where 

coal could be transported into Ohio would also be helpful. Larry Wickstrom, geologist/supervisor with the 

Ohio Department of Natural Resources said the federal government would also be looking for sites 

located on sandstone. Wickstrom also said that recovery of oil and gas at the site helps to recuperate 

costs, and that the plant needs to be sited 10 miles from the CO2 storage site. January 27, 2006, 

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060127/NEWS01/601270420/1077/NEWS01

Business Wire, “The US Department of Energy Provides $310,000 Grant to ThermoEnergy to 

Begin Development of Zero-Air-Emission Industrial Power Plants,” ThermoEnergy Corporation 

announced the start of a $310,000 federally funded project to develop compact zero air emission power 

plants for medium to heavy industry. Combined Heat & Power (CHP) plants allow industries to switch 

from natural gas to lower priced alternative fuels, resulting in cost savings. The CHP plans are based on 

the company’s patented power plant design called ThermoEnergy Integrated Power System, or TIPS. 

TIPS systems eliminate emissions of NOx, SOx, mercury, and particulates, and captures and recovers 

CO2 in pressurized liquid form for sequestration or beneficial reuse. The Canadian energy laboratory 

CANMET, and Reaction Systems Engineering of Kent, UK will also participate in the project. This project 

is the second of three grants with a third grant, totaling $1.5 million, to focus on the development of TIPS 

as a cost-effective upgrade for existing coal-fired power plants designed to convert them to zero air 

emission facilities. January 17, 2006, 

http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=2006011700

5116&newsLang=en

March 2006 

DOE Techline, “DOE Launches Carbon Dioxide Sequestration Initiative,” The US Department of 

Energy (DOE) has launched a new research effort aimed at enhancing recovery of oil and natural gas 

while sequestering carbon dioxide (CO2). A solicitation has been issued to provide oil and gas producers 

grants to conduct field testing and validation of enhanced recovery/sequestration technologies. (See this 

newsletter’s Announcement inset box for Funding Opportunity Announcement for ‘Enhanced Oil and 

Natural Gas Production through Carbon Dioxide Injection,’ and link to the RFP at: 

http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=7838.) The projects will be managed by 

the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). Currently, the use of enhanced oil recovery (EOR) 

accounts for 4 percent of US oil production. Enhanced gas recovery (EGR), flooding natural gas 

reservoirs with carbon dioxide (CO2) to move previously bypassed natural gas to producing wells, is not 

widely used. Oil and gas fields’ capacity for CO2 sequestration was shown to equate to 125 years of 

current worldwide emissions from fossil-fuel-fired power plants in a study conducted for DOE. The growth 

potential of CO2 flooding was detailed in a series of reports on six regions of the US released in April 

2005 by the Office of Fossil Energy. The reports concluded that CO2 flooding in large, favorable 

reservoirs could yield more that 43 barrels of incremental oil, increasing US oil production by 2-3 million 

barrels per day by 2025. See reports at: http://www.fossil.energy.gov/programs/oilgas/eor/Six_BasinOriented_CO2-EOR_Assessments.html. A DOE sponsored workshop on Enhanced Oil Recovery was 

hosted by the Petroleum Technology Transfer Council in Houston, Texas on February 22. February 13, 

2006, http://www.netl.doe.gov/publications/press/2006/06008-EOR_Sequestration_Initiative.html. 

BP Press Release, “BP and Edison Mission Group Plan Major Hydrogen Power Project for 

California,” BP and Edison Mission Group, a subsidiary of Edison International, are planning a $1 billion 

hydrogen-fueled power plant and petroleum coke gasification project adjacent to a BP refinery in Carson, 
California. The 500 megawatt plant will combine a number of technologies to reduce carbon dioxide 

(CO2) emissions. Petroleum coke will be converted to hydrogen and CO2 gases, with 90 percent of the 

CO2 captured and separated. The hydrogen gas stream will fuel the gas turbine to generate electricity. 

The captured CO2 will be liquefied and piped to oil fields for enhanced oil recovery. BP is discussing 

options for sequestering the CO2 in Occidental Petroleum’s California oilfields. Occidental currently 

operates the Elk Hills field in California's southern San Joaquin Valley, the THUMS operation in Long 

Beach and other properties in the Sacramento Valley in northern California. A final decision on the plant 

is expected in 2008 with operations to begin in 2011. For more information on the Carson project visit: 

http://www.bp.com/hydrogenpower. February 10, 2006, 

http://www.bpalternativenergy.com/liveassets/bp_internet/alternativenergy/press_10_02_06.html. 

Also see article in The New York Times, “Power Plant Would Reuse Carbon Dioxide,” 

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/11/business/11power.html. (Subscription may be required), Natural Gas 

Week’s “Hydrogen Growth Spurring Gasification Projects,” http://www.energyintel.com

(Subscription may be required), and Occidental Oil’s Press Release “Occidental and BP to Evaluate 

CO2 Sequestration Options for California,” 

http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/news.html?d=93867. 

Press Release (Western Governors' Association), “WGA Advisory Committee to Consider Array 

of Options for Increasing Clean Energy, Efficiency in the West,” The Western Governors’ 

Association’s Clean and Diversified Energy Advisory Committee (CDEAC) is set to consider an array of 

options for bringing on-line 30,000 megawatts of clean energy by 2015, increasing energy efficiency 20 

percent by 2020 and providing adequate transmission for their region. The Western Governors’ 

Association (WGA) is an independent, nonprofit organization representing the governors of 18 states and 

three US-Flag islands in the Pacific. The WGA identifies and addresses key policy and governmental 

issues in natural resources, the environment, human services, economic development, international 

relations and public management. A policy resolution outlining their visions and goals was launched in 

2004 called the Clean and Diversified Energy Initiative. On January 10, the CDEAC released several 

task force reports that examine the feasibility of and options for reaching their goals, including reports in 

the area of advanced coal. The reports will be utilized by the CDEAC in developing recommendations for 

the WGA to consider at their 2006 annual meeting, June 11-13 in Sedona, Arizona. See: 

http://www.westgov.org/wga/initiatives/cdeac/index.htm for links to the reports and also the Reports 

section of this newsletter "Carbon Management Working Group Report for the Advanced Coal Task 

Force, Western Governors’ Association," for more information. January 10, 2006, 

http://www.westgov.org/wga/press/cdeac1-10-06.htm. 

Reuters, “US Power Providers Say They Expect Carbon Regime,” At the Cambridge Energy 

Research Associates’ CERA Week 2006 Energy Conference held in Houston, Texas, February 6-10, US 

power company executives said they expect a series of rules and taxes will be imposed on carbon 

pollution, possibly within five years. James Rogers, chairman and chief executive of Cinergy Corp, felt 

there is a 25 percent chance that carbon will be regulated by 2009. The executives said carbon 

sequestration will likely be a focus of future legislation with taxes and a pollution credit trading system. 

Walter Higgins, chairman, president and chief executive of Sierra Pacific Resources, said, “All of forms of 

power generation create carbon. Some sort of carbon sequestration is the most likely intermediate-term 

carbon solution.” February 10, 2006, 

http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=35019&newsdate=10-Feb-2006. 

Oil and Gas Journal, “Shell CEO Says Technology Needed to Meet Fuel Demand,” At the CERA 

Week 2006 Energy Conference in Houston, Jeroen van der Veer, chief executive of Royal Dutch Shell 

PLC, stated that the oil and gas industry needs to apply new technologies on an unprecedented scale 

and pace to meet the world’s demand for fossil fuels. Assuming continued economic growth, the world's 

energy needs may increase by 100 million barrels per day of crude over the next 25 years—"more than 

we added over the past quarter century," said Van der Veer. He stated that most of the increased 
demand will be in new markets where infrastructure and international trade must be developed. "And this 

has to go together with cutting carbon dioxide emissions from energy," he said. 

"I have a vision of green—or greener—fossil fuels with much of their carbon dioxide captured and 

sequestrated either underground or in inert materials," Van der Veer said. He stated that he feels 

sequestration for power plants should be a priority. February 10, 2006, 

http://ogj.pennnet.com/articles/article_display.cfm?Section=ONART&C=GenIn&ARTICLE_ID=247775&p

=7. 

BBC News, “Rocks Could Store All Europe’s CO2,” On BBC World’s Service’s One Planet program, 

Statoil’s Senior Vice President for the Environment, Tor Fraeren, stated that one million tons of carbon 

dioxide (CO2) are stored every year in the formations under the Sleipner platforms in the North Sea. He 

also said that there are calculations which say these same formations could handle all of Europe’s CO2 

emissions for several hundred years, illustrating the site’s potential capacity for CO2 storage. He then 

pointed out how in actuality countries other than Norway would incur large costs to pipe CO2 to the site. 

The Norwegian Energy Minister, Odd Roger Enoksen, explained Norway’s plan to link the Sleipner 

platforms to a gas power plant on Norway’s west coast, with CO2 capture starting in 2009. The One 

Planet Program toured the Sleipner platform to look at its CO2 capture and storage systems and discus 

carbon sequestration. February 16, 2006, 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4717578.stm. 

Chemistry World (UK), “Calls for UK Investment in Carbon Capture,” The Science and Technology 

Committee of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom (UK) has released a 

report “Meeting UK Energy and Climate Needs: The Role of Carbon Capture and Storage.” In the 

report, the parliamentary committee urged the UK government to invest in carbon capture and 

sequestration. The committee called on the government to invest in UK-based technology for storing 

carbon dioxide (CO2) in geologic formations. They also urged that new UK industrial plants should be 

obliged to incorporate carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology. The report also said that the 

government’s energy review, currently in progress, must ensure full scale CCS demonstration projects 

are in place by 2009. Annette Cutler, founder of the European Knowledge Transfer Network CO2NET, 

commented on the contents of the report saying, “For climate needs, emissions reductions by other 

heavy industry, such as fertilizer and chemical plants, aluminum smelters and iron and steel works are of 

significance and could utilize CCS technology as effectively as the power industry.” To access the report 

online in the pdf or html version see: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmsctech.htm, far left 

under the heading: “Report, February 9, 2006, First Report, Meeting UK Energy and Climate Needs.” 

February 9, 2006, http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/News/2006/February/09020601.asp. 

The Times-Reporter (OH), “State Commits Money for Plant Project,” Ohio has committed to 

securing $2 million in funding for test drilling for potential sites for the FutureGen facility. The test drilling 

will document geologic characteristics of proposed sites to help determine the best location for the plant. 

Tuscarawas County is proposing a 790-acre site between Port Washington and Gnadenhutten. 

Coshocton and Stark counties are actively supporting the Tuscarawas County site, while Carroll County 

is pushing two sites of its own, according to a community development representative. February 17, 

2006, http://www.timesreporter.com/left.php?ID=50801&r=3. 

Waco Tribune-Herald (TX), “Mexia Won’t Host Experimental Power Plant, But a Nearby Site 

Might,” Although the city of Mexia in Central Texas will not be considered for a FutureGen proposed 

site, another location—near the city of Jewett, located at the junction of the counties of Limestone, 

Freestone and Leon—will be considered by the state. Nine Texas groups have submitted proposals to 

the state, and a state task force will pick an appropriate site to propose for the plant in the next few 

months. The Mexia site was not chosen due to a number of uncapped wells in the old Mexia oil field. 

February 12, 2006, 

http://www.wacotrib.com/news/content/news/stories/2006/02/12/20060212wacmexiaplant.html. 
April 2006 

Environmental News Service, “Europe Tests Carbon Capture at Coal-Fired Power Plant.” The 

world’s largest pilot plant for carbon dioxide capture from a conventional power station was opened in 

Denmark on March 15, 2006. The Elsam plant near Esbjerg, Denmark is the site of the CASTOR project 

(CASTOR, which stands for “CO2 from CApture to STORage,” is a European initiative grouping 30 

partners from industry, research institutes, and 11 European countries.) The pilot CO2 capture unit, 

coordinated by the Institut Français du Pétrole, will be in demonstration phase for 2 years to ensure 

reliable industrial application. The pilot unit absorbs 90 percent of the CO2 in the flue gases emitted by 

the station. The pilot installation is designed to capture one metric ton of CO2 per hour. Comparing to 

CO2 capture costs of flue gases of large industrial facilities already operational in Japan, this project is 

expected to halve the cost per ton of CO2 avoided to between 20 and 30 Euros. The total cost of the 

project is 16 million euros, with half of the funding coming from the European Commission and half from 

private partners. The strategic objective of CASTOR is to enable the capture and geological storage of 

10 percent of the CO2 emissions of Europe, which corresponds to 30 percent of the CO2 emitted by 

European power and industrial plants. Seventy percent of the project budget is allocated to capture 

technology and 30 percent to storage. March 15, 2006, http://www.ensnewswire.com/ens/mar2006/2006-03-15-06.asp. 

Reuters, “Statoil, Shell Set World's Biggest CO2 Seabed Plan.” Norway’s Statoil and Anglo-Dutch 

Shell are planning a $1.2-$1.5 billion project off the coast of Norway—the world's first project to use 

carbon dioxide (CO2) to boost oil recovery offshore. Statoil will capture CO2 from a 860-megawatt gasfired power plant to be built at the company's Tjeldbergodden methanol complex in mid-Norway, and 

then pipe the CO2 to Shell's Draugen oilfield off of Norway to inject it into subsea reservoirs. Plans are 

for: (1) a final decision to invest by the end of 2008; (2) the power plant to be started in 2010-2011; and 

(3) the first CO2 delivered to Draugen in 2011-2012. Future plans are to also include injection into 

Statoil's Heidrun field. Estimates are that 2 to 2.5 million metric tons of carbon per year will be 

sequestered. Substantial governmental funding and support will be needed. March 8, 2006, 

http://today.reuters.com/news/articlebusiness.aspx?type=naturalResources&storyid=nL08362188&image

id=&cap=.

DOE News Release, “New CO2 Enhanced Oil Recovery Technology Could Greatly Boost US Oil 

Supplies.” The Department of Energy has determined that the use of state-of-the-art enhanced oil 

recovery with carbon dioxide (CO2) could add 89 billion barrels to the recoverable reserves of the US. 

The current level of proved reserves is 21.9 billion barrels. Longer term, multiple advances in technology 

and widespread sequestration of industrial carbon dioxide could eventually add as much as 430 billion 

additional barrels. Efforts to develop the additional reserves would depend on availability of large 

volumes of commercial CO2. Next-generation enhanced recovery with CO2 was judged to be a "gamechanger" in oil production, one capable of doubling recovery efficiency. Geologic sequestration of 

industrial CO2 in declining oil fields was endorsed last year as a potential method of reducing 

greenhouse gas accumulation in the atmosphere by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. 

The findings are consolidated in the February 2006 report “Undeveloped Domestic Oil Resources: The 

Foundation for Increasing Oil Production and a Viable Domestic Oil Industry.” (See Publications section 

of this newsletter for this and related reports.) March 3, 2006, 

http://www.fossil.energy.gov/news/techlines/2006/06015-Oil_Recovery_Assessments_Released.html. 

DOE Techline, “United States and India Reach Historic Agreement on FutureGen Project.” 

President Bush announced that India will become the first nation to participate on the government 

steering committee for FutureGen. The Indian government will contribute $10 million to the FutureGen 

Initiative and Indian companies will be invited to participate in the private sector segment of the project. 

Secretary Bodman has invited government leaders of the Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum 

(CSLF) to become active participants in the FutureGen project. The CSLF is a voluntary climate initiative 

that includes 20 nations and the European Commission, working cooperatively on technology 
development for the early reduction and steady elimination of carbon dioxide. India is the first CSLF 

member to participate in FutureGen, building on the US–India Energy Dialogue launched in May of 2005. 

The Dialogue aims to increase US–India trade and investment in the Indian energy sector by bringing 

together public agencies and private industries to develop secure, clean, reliable and affordable sources 

of energy. March 2, 2006, http://www.fossil.energy.gov/news/techlines/2006/06014-

US_and_India_FutureGen_Agreement.html. 

Reuters, “US Hopes to Reverse Oil Decline by Burying CO2.” In order to utilize carbon dioxide (CO2) 

for enhanced oil recovery, and increase oil reserves in the US (as reported in the February 2006 report 

“Undeveloped Domestic Oil Resources: The Foundation for Increasing Oil Production and a Viable 

Domestic Oil Industry”) the US would need to use 350 trillion cubic feet of carbon dioxide, more than 10 

times the amount in natural underground deposits of CO2. Vello Kuuskraa, president of Advanced 

Resources International, who authored the February 2006 study for the Department of Energy, stated 

that the greatest portion of the carbon dioxide is going to have to come from industrial sources. 

Commenting on costs, Kuuskraa said that the use of carbon sequestration technology makes sense so 

long as the oil price remains above $30 a barrel. The price of CO2 itself, now at $1 per thousand cubic 

feet, would have to fall to 75 to 80 cents per cubic feet to be cost effective. March 13, 2006, 

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060313/sc_nm/energy_crude_carbon_dc_1. 

Oil and Gas Journal Online, “Otway Basin CO2 Sequestration Trial Advances.” The Australian 

Cooperative Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas Technologies (CO2CRC) has been awarded two 

production licenses in the onshore Otway basin of western Victoria to conduct its first carbon dioxide 

geosequestration trial. The pilot gas injection, storage and monitoring demonstration project will begin by 

the end of 2006, subject to environmental approvals. The Otway project is thought to be the only project 

in the world where researchers own the petroleum leases, the CO2 source, and the depleted storage 

reserve. The Australian government has allocated $2.96 million to the trial with funding also coming from 

petroleum companies and overseas research groups. About 30 researchers will be involved in the 

project. February 27, 2006. 

http://ogj.pennnet.com/articles/article_display.cfm?Section=ONART&C=DriPr&ARTICLE_ID=249013&p=

7. (Subscription may be required.) 

Environmental Finance, “Companies Join Forces On Carbon Capture and Storage.” On March 13, 

thirteen companies formed the Carbon Capture & Storage Association (CCSA) with an aim to promote 

technology for geologic sequestration. The members will work with the government of the United 

Kingdom to resolve regulatory issues to avoid delay of technology deployment, and to develop fiscal and 

legislative support for demonstration projects. The members are Air Products, Alstom, AMEC, BP, 

ConocoPhillips, E.ON UK, Mitsui Babcock, Progressive Energy, Schlumberger, Scottish & Southern 

Energy, Shell, RWE and Chevron. March 16, 2006, http://www.environmentalfinance.com/onlinews/16marccs.htm. 

Bloomberg, “Xstrata and Other Coal Miners to Invest A$300 Million in Green Fund,” and Dow 

Jones Newswires, “DJ Australian Coal Miners Agree to a A$300M Greenhouse Levy.” Coal 

producers in Australia have agreed to set up a $222 million demonstration project fund, the Coal21 Fund, 

for demonstration and development of technologies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from 

coal-fired power stations. The fund will be the world’s first whole-industry approach to greenhouse gas 

abatement. Mining companies, including Xstrada, Plc; Rio Tinto Group, BHP Billion, Excel Coal Ltd., and 

Macarthur Coal, accounting for 90 percent of Australia’s coal production will contribute to the fund for five 

years. Projects being studied include capture and geological storage of CO2, coal gasification, oxy-fuel 

combustion technology, and post-combustion capture of CO2. March 16, 2006, 

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000102&sid=aQ6bAmnOkcD0&refer=uk# and 

http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2006/03/15/1461395.htm. 
Gasification News, “Shell: Coal Gasification to Boom in US: CO2 Sequestration Risks Will be 

Low.” In his keynote speech in Dubai at the Middle East Petro-Tech conference in January, Greg Lewin, 

president of Shell Global Solutions, predicted the strong growth of coal gasification and that carbon 

sequestration risk will be “low.” He stated that Shell has been a pioneer in both geological carbon storage 

and in “mineralization.” Lewin outlined what he felt were the four most important points regarding carbon 

sequestration: 1.) That there is significant CO2 storage capacity available, but without using that 

capacity, “stabilization” of CO2 levels in the atmosphere will be difficult to achieve; 2.) CO2 storage 

mechanisms are known, and storage can be safe if sites are properly selected and monitored; 3.) CO2 

can be stored for thousands of years or longer; and 4.) Much work has been performed to understand 

the hazards involved and the probability of failure, with results indicating that the risks involved will be 

low. He stated that although geologic sequestration can store more carbon, mineralization of CO2 using 

calcium or magnesium, for example, also plays a role. In addition to its projects in geologic 

sequestration, Shell is pursuing proprietary mineralization technology. To read the transcript of the 

speech, see: http://www.shell.com/static/globalsolutionsen/downloads/news_and_library/2006/press_petrotech_130206.pdf. February 2006, 

http://www.worldfuels.com/sample.php?GTLN#A9. 

Great Falls Tribune Online, “Farmers Poised to Harvest Profit from Carbon ‘Crop.’” 

One of the partners of the National Energy Technology Laboratory’s Big Sky Carbon Sequestration 

Partnership program, the National Carbon Offset Coalition, is working on a pilot project to link industries 

that produce carbon dioxide with landowners who store carbon in the ground through conservation 

practices. The National Carbon Offset Coalition is based in Butte, Montana, and is working with farmers 

and landowners to assist them in earning carbon credits which they could in turn sell to industries to 

offset their CO2 emissions. Dave Gettel is one of several farmers near Power, Montana who participate 

in the program. The research effort for the Big Sky Carbon Sequestration Partnership is led by Montana 

State University (MSU). As part of this project, a variety of farming techniques are being used on side-byside plots on land, including crop rotation and no-till farming. The MSU staff members conduct 

measurements on the soil carbon levels to determine how much carbon is kept in the soil in order to 

determine how many carbon offsets the farmer can sell. Currently, a metric ton, which trades for $1.50 to 

$3, is the amount of carbon saved in about 10 acres of no-till cropland. Carbon credits may not generate 

large amounts of income for the landowners but may serve as incentive for additional conservation 

practices. March 9, 2006, 

http://www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060309/BUSINESS/603090335/1046. 

May 2006 

FutureGen Alliance Press Release, “Widespread Interest Shown in Bid to Host FutureGen 

Project.” The FutureGen Industrial Alliance (Alliance) reported that offerors in nine states, offering a total 

of 22 sites, have expressed an interest in hosting the FutureGen Project. The Alliance extended the 

deadline from March 24 to April 7, 2006 for the submission of the Notice of Intent (NOI) to submit a 

proposal. The Request for Proposals states that the names of offerors submitting notices will not be 

publicly released. Given the complexity and rigors of the proposal process, the Alliance expects that a 

smaller number of sites may be offered than originally submitted via the NOI. The Alliance is seeking 

sites that are consistent with the requirements and objectives of the FutureGen project and have broad 

applicability domestically and internationally. FutureGen’s schedule is aggressive, with plant siting and 

construction to begin within three years. Proposals to host the site are due May 4, 2006. March 29, 2006, 

http://www.futuregenalliance.org/news/releases/pr_3-29-06.pdf. 

Government of India Press Release, “CSLF Meet Suggests Time Bound Action Plan for Cost 

Effective Technologies,” and New Karala.com, “India, 21 Others Adopt Plan for Carbon Capture, 

Storage.” The Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum (CSLF) met in New Delhi, India on April 3 - 5. 

The international CSLF is a voluntary climate initiative of developed and developing nations that account 

for 75 percent of all manmade carbon dioxide emissions. CSLF was formed to facilitate the development 
of improved cost-effective technologies for the separation and capture of carbon dioxide for its transport 

and long-term safe storage; to make these technologies broadly available internationally; and to identify 

and address wider issues relating to carbon capture and storage. During the meeting, a draft Strategic 

Plan and Action Plan were adopted, and the progress of 17 research projects was reviewed. All member 

countries will have to approve the plans for the projects to move forward. US Assistant Secretary, Office 

of Fossil Energy Jeffrey Jarrett served as Chairman of the CSLF Policy Group. See the CSLF website for 

meeting documents: http://www.cslforum.org/apr032006.htm. Also, the welcome remarks for the meeting 

by India’s Minister of Power Shri Sushil Kumar Shinde are found at: 

http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=16939. April 4, 2006, 

http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=16995, and April 5, 2006, 

http://www.newkerala.com/news2.php?action=fullnews&id=36946.

Expatica, “German Power Plant Will Store CO2 Underground.” Germany’s largest utility, RWE, plans 

to invest $1.2 billion in a coal-fired power plant that integrates carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration with 

electrical power generation. RWE is aiming to have the 400-450 megawatt plant operational by 2014. 

Planning for the plant has already begun, and testing will be done with hard coal and gasified lignite. A 

decision on the plant siting is expected by the latter half of 2007. RWE favors a location close to its 

opencast lignite mines in the west of Germany but will have to determine a geologically suitable 

depository for the CO2. March 30, 2006, 

http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/35847/story.htm. 

AP, “Iceland Set To Capture Carbon In Its Rocks.” Iceland is planning to test its basalt rock for carbon 

dioxide (CO2) storage. If this experiment is successful, it could also be useful in other countries which 

have basalt formations, such as the United States, India, Brazil and Russia. Wallace Broecker, a 

professor at Columbia University who is joining Iceland scientists in the project, said that CO2 capture 

and storage is going to be needed even with conservation efforts and the use of renewable energy 

sources. Scientists have known for more than 50 years that the natural chemical weathering of rocks 

consumes some atmospheric CO2. In countries such as Iceland, rain pulls a small amount of CO2 out of 

air, and when the rain hits rocks, chemical weathering initiates, dissolving solids such as calcium. The 

water reacting with rocks then absorbs even more CO2 from the atmosphere. Rivers capture this water 

and carry the dissolved CO2, and other chemical constituents from the weathering process, to the ocean. 

In the ocean, the calcium and dissolved CO2 combine to form solid calcium carbonate (similar to the 

material that makes up sea shells), which sinks to the bottom. The Earth Institute at Columbia University 

is raising the $4 to 5 million needed for the pilot project. Scientists, Iceland's government and local power 

companies hope to finalize the plan in June 2006, with a launch of the experiment planned for some time 

next year. April 12, 2006, http://msnbc.msn.com/id/12034963/. 

DOE Website, “Secretary Bodman Addresses the National Coal Council.” Secretary of Energy 

Samuel W. Bodman discussed the development of clean coal technologies in remarks to the National 

Coal Council in Washington, DC, on March 22, 2006. Comments included the FutureGen Initiative. Read 

his comments here: http://www.energy.gov/news/3390.htm. 

June 2006 

DOE Techline, “PPL Corporation Joins FutureGen Industrial Alliance.” PPL Corporation has 

become the tenth member of the FutureGen Industrial Alliance (the Alliance), the non-profit consortium of 

global electric utilities and coal companies working with the US Department of Energy to site and develop 

the FutureGen power plant. PPL Corporation, headquartered in Allentown, Pennsylvania, controls about 

12,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the US, sells energy in key US markets and delivers 

electricity to more than 5 million customers in Pennsylvania, the United Kingdom and Latin America. The 

Alliance represents some of the world's largest coal companies and electric utilities including: American 

Electric Power, Anglo American, BHP Billiton, the China Huaneng Group, CONSOL Energy Inc., 
Foundation Coal, Rio Tinto Energy America, Peabody Energy and Southern Company. May 23, 2006, 

http://www.fossil.energy.gov/news/techlines/2006/06028-PPL_Joins_FutureGen_Alliance.html. 

DOE Techline, “Coal Gasification Plant Returns $79 Million to DOE in Revenue-Sharing Gas 

Sales.” In 1998, the Dakota Gasification Company (DGC) purchased the Great Plains Synfuels Plant 

from the Department of Energy (DOE) and signed a revenue sharing agreement. DGC announced a 

payment of $79 million payment to the DOE as part of that agreement—the third such payment with 

revenue share to DOE from gas sales totaling more than $241 million to date. Carbon dioxide (CO2) from 

the plant is transported from the Great Plains Synfuels Plant to the Weyburn Oil field via a 200-mile 

pipeline for sequestration and/or enhanced oil recovery. The Weyburn project was started in July 2000 

by the Petroleum Technology Research Centre of Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, and cosponsored by 

the oil field operator, EnCana Resources of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The project is funded by at least 

15 sponsors from government and industry, including DOE, and 10 industrial sponsors in the United 

States, Canada, and Japan. The project has sequestered about five million tons of CO2 into the Weyburn 

oil field since its beginnings. While much of the injected CO2 is permanently sequestered, some of it is 

injected into the reservoir for enhanced oil recovery (EOR). The EOR has doubled the field’s oil recovery 

rate, increasing the field’s oil production by an additional 10,000 barrels per day. Phase II of the project is 

underway, a $27 million project including a $4 million share by DOE over a four year time frame. May 12, 

2006, http://www.fossil.energy.gov/news/techlines/2006/06025-

Dakota_Gasification_Revenue_Sharin.html. 

Albany Democrat-Herald, “Pulling CO2 Out Of Thin Air.” Research in carbon sequestration conducted 

at the National Energy Technology Laboratory in Albany, Oregon was highlighted in this article. Geologist 

Bill O’Connor was quoted, saying “Our research has focused on converting carbon dioxide from coalfired power plants into a solid or slurry solution and keeping it out of the atmosphere.” The Department of 

Energy’s goal is to develop cost-effective technology in the next 10 to 15 years. Various sequestration 

technologies are also described. May 3, 2006,

http://www.gazettetimes.com/articles/2006/04/30/news/community/local03.txt. 

Air Liquide Press Release, “Air Liquide Announces New Program to Promote the Use of Carbon 

Dioxide for Enhanced Oil Recovery.” Air Liquide Canada Inc., an industrial gas supplier to the oil and 

gas industry, has announced a program to promote carbon dioxide (CO2)-based enhanced oil recovery 

(EOR) projects in Western Canada. A pilot project will be launched to boost oil production rates from the 

Swan Hills reservoir, by injecting liquid CO2 into the reservoir to improve the fluidity of the oil, thereby 

making it easier to force the oil to the producing wells. This will be the first phase of a potentially largescale project, unique in Alberta, combining EOR and CO2 sequestration at extreme depths and 

temperatures. May 1, 2006, 

http://www.ccnmatthews.com/news/releases/show.jsp?action=showRelease&searchText=false&showTe

xt=all&actionFor=592105. 

AP, “UW Scientists Seek Ways to Store Excess Carbon.” University of Wyoming scientists are 

partnering with other scientists in the Northern Plains and northwestern states to study carbon 

sequestration. The Big Sky Carbon Sequestration Partnership—comprised of universities, government 

agencies and businesses from Idaho, Montana, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington and Wyoming, 

including the University of Wyoming—focuses on studying geological sequestration. Regarding 

geological sequestration, said Jim Steidtmann, director of the Enhanced Oil Recovery Institute, “(We 

want) to see how well carbon dioxide stayed put, and (whether) anything happened over the longterm 

that would give us clues as to how well carbon dioxide could be sequestered over time.” April 23, 2006, 

http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2006/04/23/breaker/doc444bad915f3c6228719164.prt. 

Greenwire, “E.ON US to Partner with University of Kentucky to Study Sequestration.” The utility 

company E.ON US is partnering with the University of Kentucky’s Center for Applied Energy Research. 

The three-year, $1.5 million grant and partnership will examine technology that separates and captures 
carbon dioxide emitted by coal-fired power plants for either geologic storage or a terrestrial sequestration 

application. April 29, 2006, http://www.eenews.net/Greenwire/print/2006/04/28/8. (Subscription may be 

required.) 

Zeenews.com, “Japan to Capture CO2 at Australian Power Plant.” A Japanese consortium is 

planning construction of a carbon dioxide (CO2) liquefying facility, slated to cost about $124 million, with 

construction to begin in 2007, and startup by 2009. Twenty percent of the CO2 from a power plant in 

Queensland, Australia would be captured, liquefied and geologically stored. The consortium would be led 

by J Power and Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries, alongside the Japanese industry ministry and 

Australian, US and European firms. May 4, 2006, 

http://www.zeenews.com/znnew/articles.asp?aid=292761&ssid=51&sid=BUS. 

July 2006

Powerspan Corp. Press Release, “Powerspan CO2 Pilot Combined with FirstEnergy Carbon 

Sequestration Project Offers Unique Testing Opportunity.” For the first time in the United States, 

combined carbon dioxide capture and sequestration from a conventional pulverized coal-fired power 

plant will be demonstrated. Powerspan and FirstEnergy previously announced their plans for a pilot test 

of a carbon dioxide capture technology at FirstEnergy’s R.E. Burger Plant (Burger plant) in Shadyside, 

Ohio. The Burger Plant was selected as a carbon sequestration test site by the Midwest Regional 

Carbon Sequestration Partnership (MRCSP), one of seven regional partnerships set up by the US 

Department of Energy (DOE) National Energy Technology Laboratory. The Burger plant will be the site of 

the pilot scale demonstration of CO2 capture with subsequent injection of the captured CO2 into a test 

well on the property. Geological site characterization will be conducted for the project to determine 

suitability for geosequestration in the area. If results are favorable, permits will be pursued and test wells 

drilled, followed by an injection of a small amount of CO2 into the well. Powerspan’s CO2 pilot unit will 

process a 1-megawatt (MW) slipstream from the company’s 50-MW Electro-Catalytic Oxidation (ECO) 

commercial demonstration unit, where the CO2 capture process will be integrated with the ECO multipollutant control process (which reduces sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, mercury, and fine particulate 

matter). The CO2 capture process uses an ammonia-based solution to capture the CO2 in the flue gas, 

with regeneration of the ammonia solution for additional CO2 capture. May 30, 2006, 

http://www.powerspancorp.com/news/release_27.shtml. 

NETL Press Release, “Sequestration Test to Demonstrate Carbon Dioxide Storage While 

Increasing Oil Production.” The US Department of Energy's Regional Carbon Sequestration 

Partnerships program will oversee its first geologic carbon sequestration project in Alberta, Canada. 

Funding for the project is provided by the National Energy Technology Laboratory. The project itself will 

be conducted by the Energy and Environmental Research Center at the University of North Dakota 

Plains CO2 Reduction Partnership, in collaboration with an industry partner Apache Canada Ltd., and the 

Alberta Department of Energy and Natural Resources Canada. The project will evaluate the potential for 

geological sequestration of carbon dioxide as part of an acid gas stream that also includes high 

concentrations of hydrogen sulfide. Apache Canada Ltd’s Zama gas-processing plant will provide the gas 

which will be injected into the Zama oil field at a rate of 100 tons per day over the next two years. This 

project has the potential to sequester 67,000 tons of carbon dioxide annually. June 26, 2006, 

http://www.netl.doe.gov/publications/press/2006/06037-Carbon_Storage_Test_Begins.html. 

Times-Colonist (Canada), “Prairie Project Captures Carbon.” The Weyburn project in Saskatchewan, 

Canada, is an enhanced oil recovery operations and globally visited carbon sequestration project. The 

project is financed largely by Natural Resources Canada and the US Department of Energy’s National 

Energy Technology Laboratory. Since 2000, more than seven million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) have 

been geologically sequestered, with plans to eventually sequester at least 30 million tons of CO2. The 

CO2 is transported from the Great Plains Synfuels Plant near Beulah, North Dakota via a 323-km long 

pipeline. The pipeline snakes through a lake and over the border into Canada, emerging from the ground 
onto the Weyburn site. The pipeline then leads into a large building where compressors liquefy the CO2 

for injection underground. From there the liquid CO2 is fed through the maze of piping buried at the 180-

square-kilometre operation. Injection wells which are housed in igloo-shaped fiberglass sheds transport 

the CO2 underground where it floods into horizontal channels bored into oil-rich rock. The CO2 seeps into 

the rocks' pores to liberate the oil. The oil migrates to collection wells and is pulled to the surface by 

hundreds of pump jacks operating on the farmers' fields. About 2,500 tons of CO2 per day returns with 

the emulsion of oil and water back up from the production wells, which is then recompressed and 

reinjected. This closed loop process cost about $1.5 billion to build and generates 30,000 barrels of oil 

per day. May 24, 2006, http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/story.html?id=04357c12-

5a28-4f5b-9a3d-b45b1328101a&p=2. 

LCG Consulting Online, “Construction Begins on Carbon-Free Coal Plant.” Groundbreaking 

occurred in eastern Germany for a 30-MW coal-fired power plant that will incorporate oxyfuel technology. 

The plant is being build by Vattenfall AB, an electric utility owned by the Swedish government. The 

project cost is $64 million with operations to begin in 2008. With oxyfuel technology, the coal is 

combusted in pure oxygen, resulting in a lower volume of flue gas which consists of mostly carbon 

dioxide and water. The water can be condensed and separated, and the carbon dioxide can be liquefied 

and stored. The plans for storing the CO2 have not been finalized but underground storage in aquifers or 

spent oil wells are being considered. There are also plans by Vatttenfall to develop a 330 MW plant by 

2015, and a 1000 MW plant by 2020. May 31, 2006, 

http://www.energyonline.com/Industry/News.aspx?NewsID=7050&Construction_Begins_on_CarbonFree_Coal_Plant.

The Japan Times, “Underground CO2 Storage Planned.” The Ministry of Economy, Trade and 

Industry of Japan announced on June 12 that in an effort to cut greenhouse gas emissions, Japan plans 

to capture and geologically store carbon dioxide (CO2) from its factories and power plants. Using carbon 

dioxide capture and storage (CCS) technology, Japan’s goal is to sequester one half of the 200 million 

tons annually of CO2 in Japan, and one half of the CO2 in sites overseas. The government will spearhead 

research, build facilities, and pursue the legislation necessary to implement CCS. An estimated 150 

billion tons of CO2 could potentially be stored underground nationwide. June 20, 2006, 

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nb20060620a2.html. (Subscription required.) 

The Engineer Online, “Carbon Capture Ready Clean Coal Power.” Mitsui Babcock has secured a 

contract with Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) for engineering design of a carbon “capture-ready” 

500 megawatt (MW) clean coal plant retrofit at SSE's Ferrybridge Power Station in Yorkshire, United 

Kingdom. This project would be the first application of “capture-ready” clean coal technology in the 

United Kingdom. The retrofit installation of the 500 MW supercritical boiler and turbine unit technology, at 

a cost of 250 million British pounds ($463 million), will result a reduction of 500,000 tons of carbon 

dioxide (CO2) per year from the current conventional subcritical power station plant. Subsequent 

deployment of post-combustion carbon dioxide capture equipment at a cost of 100 million British pounds 

($185 million) would result in a saving of 1.7 million tons of carbon dioxide per year. May 31, 2006, 

http://www.e4engineering.com/Articles/294699/Carbon%20captureready%20clean%20coal%20power.htm. (Subscription required.) 

August 2006

DOE Press Release, “Secretary Bodman Visits Alberta, Canada.” US Secretary of Energy Samuel 

W. Bodman visited Alberta, Canada to encourage the development of oil sands and other 

unconventional oil resources, supported increasing North America’s natural gas supply, and explored 

with government and industry the challenges to optimal and sustainable energy resource 

development. The Secretary met with many governmental and business leaders, including Canadian 

Natural Resources Minister Gary Lunn, with whom he discussed several issues including carbon 

sequestration initiatives. July 14, 2006, http://energy.gov/print/3842.htm. 
BP Press Release, “BP and GE to Develop Hydrogen Power Plants and Technologies.” BP and 

General Electric (GE) announced an effort to jointly develop and deploy hydrogen power projects which 

incorporate carbon capture and sequestration technologies. BP had previously announced plans for two 

hydrogen power projects with carbon capture and sequestration in Peterhead, Scotland and Carson, 

Southern California, where Scottish and Southern Energy and Edison Mission Energy are partners, 

respectively. Both projects will use GE technology. Over the next decade, 10 to 15 total projects are 

planned. The Peterhead, Scotland project will be a 475MW hydrogen fired power plant based on natural 

gas, which will sequester 1.8 million tons annually of carbon dioxide (CO2) about 13,000 feet below the 

seabed into the Miller oil field for enhanced oil recovery. A final investment decision is due in early 2007, 

with commercial operation in 2010. The second project is a 500MW hydrogen power plant at Carson, 

Southern California. Scheduled for completion in 2011, the plant would take petroleum coke, a refinery 

by-product and synthetic form of coal, to create the hydrogen, and will capture and store 4 million tons 

per year of CO2. July 18, 2006, http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=16888. 

Defra Press Release, “Landmark Carbon Capture and Storage Workshop in Beijing: July 4-5 

2006.” A workshop funded by the United Kingdom (UK) Department for the Environment Food and 

Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the Department for Trade and Industry, supported by the European 

Commission's (EC) research Framework Programme, organized by The Administrative Centre for 

China's Agenda 21, in collaboration with the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology, was held in 

Beijing China from July 4 to 5. The meeting considered the potential for carbon dioxide capture and 

storage in the Chinese power generation sector, and was part of the UK’s collaboration with China under 

the European Near Zero Emission Coal (NZEC) initiative. More than 70 European representatives and 

80 Chinese participants attended the workshop, making this the largest gathering on carbon dioxide 

capture and storage thus far in China. The European Union supports a large portfolio of research 

projects in the field of NZEC, with a total value of $94.62 million (75 million euros) with the participation of 

key research Chinese Institutes. The total European Commission funding toward Chinese Institutes is 

approximately $1.89 million (1.5 million euros). July 6, 2006, 

http://www.gnn.gov.uk/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=212415&NewsAreaID=2. 

Announcements 

September 2005

Edinburgh Center of Excellence. Edinburgh’s top two universities have been awarded a £1.5 million 

grant from the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council to create a center of excellence to monitor the 

long-term effects of dissolving carbon dioxide in deep sea reservoirs and in porous rock containing oil. 

“City experts team up to fight global warming,” The Scotsman, August 2, 2005, 

http://www.scotsman.com/?id=1718252005

October 2005

DOE Announces Delay of Effective Date for the 1605b Program Revised Guidelines. On September 

19, 2005, the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Policy and International Affairs issued a Federal 

Register Notice announcing the delay in the effective date of the 1605b Program's Revised General and 

Technical Guidelines for reporting. The effective date has been changed to June 1, 2006. The Federal 

Register Notice is available in PDF format at http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/1605/FR-Notice09-19-05.pdf. 

For additional information, visit http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/1605/aboutcurrent.html

“Duke Energy Pledges $2.5 Million for Climate Change Policy Partnership.” Duke Energy has 

pledged $2.5 million to Duke University to support the Climate Change Policy Partnership – a new 

industry-university collaboration that will develop policies to address the problems of global climate 
change. Duke Energy's gift will come in two segments: $1.5 million to fund Phase I of the partnership, 

expected to be completed by January 2007; and an additional $1 million to fund Phase II, which depends 

on the successful completion of the first phase and the recruitment of other corporate partners. 

Researchers will assess the environmental and economic costs and benefits of federal policy options for 

addressing emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, including market-based cap-andtrade programs and a nationwide tax on the carbon content of fossil fuels. In addition, researchers will 

assess the potential for using carbon sequestration to store atmospheric carbon dioxide in forests, soils 

or underground reservoirs. Duke University Press Release, September 12, 2005, 

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050912/clm089.html?.v=9

November 2005

Proceedings of the Fifth Annual Workshop on GHG Emissions Trading now online. This joint event 

between the IEA, the International Emissions Trading Association and the Electric Power Research 

Institute took place September 27th and 28th, 2005 at the IEA offices in Paris. It provided an opportunity 

for government, industry, brokers, finance, and NGO delegates to discuss some of the key issues 

relating to market developments. The workshop combined presentation of papers on recent research, 

together with extended discussion sessions on the following subjects: Market news, Emissions trading 

and compatibility with future international architectures, Industry experience with emissions trading, 

Extending the coverage of domestic systems, and Progress on project mechanisms. A website with 

relevant information on the Workshop has been created and can be found at 

http://www.iea.org/textbase/work/workshopdetail.asp?WS_ID=213. 

December 2005

Presentations from the 2005 Gasification Technologies Conference. Numerous sequestrationrelated presentations from the 2005 Gasification Conference are available online. The conference had a 

session devoted to sequestration titled, “Carbon Sequestration Ready: What Does It Mean & Who Can 

Do It?” This site also provides an extensive library of papers addressing gasification-related issues as 

well as papers and presentations from previous Gasification Technologies Conferences, 

http://www.gasification.org/Presentations/2005.html. 

March 2006

UNFCCC Newsletter. On February 16, 2006, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate 

Change (UNFCCC) launched the inaugural edition of the UNFCCC newsletter. Distributed bimonthly, the 

UNFCCC Newsletter will provide a comprehensive overview of major news and announcements, along 

with practical information about upcoming events. To subscribe, visit: 

http://unfccc.int/essential_background/newsletter/items/3642.php. 

UNFCCC interactive map and reporting system for the CDM. To coincide with the one-year 

anniversary of the Kyoto Protocol coming into force (February 16, 2005), the United Nations Framework 

Convention on Climate Change has launched an interactive map and reports on its website showing 

Clean Development Mechanism project locations and status. See map at: 

http://cdm.unfccc.int/Projects/MapApp and reports at: http://cdm.unfccc.int/Statistics. 

May 2006 

“US Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman to Keynote the Fifth Annual Conference on Carbon 

Capture & Sequestration.” Additional featured Department of Energy speakers include: 

• Jeffrey Jarrett, Assistant Secretary, Office of Fossil Energy 
• Dr. Raymond Orbach, Director, Office of Science 

• Carl Bauer, Director, National Energy Technology Laboratory 

• Steve Eule, Director, Climate Change Technology Program. 

Click here for the latest agenda for the May 8-11 conference: 

http://www.carbonsq.com/pdf/2006/06ccs_agenda.pdf. 

“1605(b) Greenhouse Gas Registry Guidelines.” On April 17, 2006, the US Department of Energy 

(DOE) issued revised General and Technical Guidelines for the voluntary reporting of greenhouse gas 

emissions, sequestration and reductions, known as the 1605(b) Program. The Program will be 

implemented by DOE during 2007. The new guidelines establish an accurate and transparent national 

registry where businesses and institutions can submit comprehensive reports on their greenhouse gas 

emissions, sequestration and reductions. The revised guidelines include “state-of-the-science” guidance 

and tools for estimating emissions from agricultural, forestry, and conservation activities important for 

carbon sequestration efforts, as well as from other sources of greenhouse gases. Other provisions 

encourage participation in the program by small emitters of greenhouse gases, such as farmers and 

small businesses. A notice containing the General Guidelines, and DOE’s response to the latest round of 

public comments, is to be published in the Federal Register on April 21, 2006. DOE’s Energy Information 

Administration (EIA) has initiated the development of the forms and software necessary to implement the 

revised guidelines. Draft forms are expected to be made available for public review and comment during 

the summer of 2006. Final forms are expected to be issued before the end of 2006. EIA expects to 

complete the software necessary for electronic reporting by spring or summer 2007, in time to permit full 

implementation of the revised program during 2007. See: 

http://www.pi.energy.gov/enhancingGHGregistry/, and 

http://www.usda.gov/oce/global_change/gg_reporting.htm for more information. 

“DOE Appoints Stephen Eule As Director of the Climate Change Technology Program.” On March 

31, 2006, US Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman announced the appointment of Stephen D. Eule 

as the Director of the Climate Change Technology Program (CCTP) in the Office of Policy and 

International Affairs. As director of the CCTP, Mr. Eule will coordinate the federal government’s 

technology research and development (R&D) activities. Through a multi-agency structure, Mr. Eule will 

oversee a comprehensive, sound, multi-year R&D program plan for the development of climate change 

technology, specifically in regards to climate change goals and objectives. CCTP is organized under the 

auspices of the Cabinet-level Committee on Climate Change Science and Technology Integration 

(CCCSTI), established by President Bush on February 14, 2002. CCTP was authorized in the Energy 

Policy Act of 2005. March 31, 2006, http://www.energy.gov/news/3417.htm. 

June 2006 

Release of the Film “An Inconvenient Truth.” Coinciding with the May 24, 2006 release of Al Gore’s 

book on global warming, An Inconvenient Truth, is the showing of the film production by the same name. 

The film was released in Los Angeles and New York with expansion to other theaters to occur in June 

2006. To locate a theater or watch the film trailer, go to: http://www.climatecrisis.net. 

New for 2007—the International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control. The publisher Elsevier, in 

association with the IEA Greenhouse Gas R&D Programme, is launching a new journal in 2007 that will 

cover developments in greenhouse gas control in the power sectors, and major manufacturing and 

production industries. It will cover all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the range of abatement 

options available, and be comprised of both technical and non-technical related literature. The scope of 

the journal will include emissions, capture, transmission, and storage of CO2, as well as alternative 

mitigation options, non-CO2 GHGs, technology implementation, and economic considerations. The 

quarterly journal will be available in print and online, with online submissions and peer review, and an 
international board of editors. Online via ScienceDirect in 2007 at: www.sciencedirect.com. See: 

www.elsevier.com/locate/ijggc. 

 

July 2006 

“Brennan Takes Helm of US Climate Change Science Program.” The secretaries of commerce and 

energy have designated Dr. Bill Brennan (http://www.noaa.gov/brennan.html) as the acting director of the 

US Climate Change Science Program (CCSP) (http://www.climatescience.gov), the interagency program 

that coordinates and integrates scientific research on changes in climate and related systems. CCSP is 

composed of 13 federal scientific agencies and integrates the planning and budgeting of federal climate 

and global change activities. CCSP was launched in 2002 as a collaborative interagency program under 

a new cabinet-level organization designed to improve the government-wide management of climate 

science and climate-related technology development. The CCSP incorporates and integrates the U.S. 

Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) (http://www.usgcrp.gov/) with the Administration’s U.S. 

Climate Change Research Initiative (CCRI) (http://www.climatescience.gov/about/ccri.htm). National 

Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Press Release, June 19, 2006, 

http://www.climatescience.gov/Library/pressreleases/pressrelease19jun2006.htm. 

“Carbon Value Analysis Tool (CVAT) Released By World Resources Institute.” World Resources 

Institute has released their Carbon Value Analysis Tool (CVAT), a Microsoft Excel-based program that 

allows energy managers to compare the emissions and financial impacts for a full range of energyefficient and renewable energy projects. The analysis helps corporate energy managers to assess the 

value of emissions reductions and make decisions on financing new projects. The CVAT is designed to 

be especially useful for multinational corporations with greenhouse gas reduction targets as well as 

facilities that operate under carbon-limiting government mandates, such as those throughout Europe. 

Several Fortune 500 companies have tested CVAT and have released case study examples. CVAT is 

available at: http://pubs.wri.org/pubs_description.cfm?PubID=4199. 

The case studies are available at: http://www.climatenortheast.org/ClimateNortheastCaseStudies.php. 

June 6, 2006, http://newsroom.wri.org/newsrelease_text.cfm?NewsReleaseID=364.

Science 

September 2005

“Errors Cited in Assessing Climate Data.” Three papers published in the online edition of the journal 

Science address what has been a lingering source of uncertainty in tropospheric temperature estimates 

since 1979. That is, records of the atmosphere's lowest layer, the troposphere, had not warmed over the 

last two decades and had cooled in the tropics. Two independent studies have found errors in the 

complicated calculations used to generate the old temperature records, which involved stitching together 

data from thousands of weather balloons lofted around the world and a series of short-lived weather 

satellites. A third study shows that when the errors are taken into account, the troposphere actually got 

warmer. Moreover, that warming trend largely agrees with the warmer surface temperatures that have 

been recorded and conforms to predictions in recent computer models. New York Times, August 12, 

2005, http://www.forestrycenter.org/headlines.cfm?RefID=76286. For a more technical discussion on this 

topic see, “Some Convergence of Global Warming Estimates,” Tech Central Station, August 11, 2005, 

http://www.techcentralstation.com/081105RS.html

“Faster CO2 emissions will overwhelm earth's capacity to absorb carbon.” Rising fossil fuel 

emissions may decrease the Earth’s natural capacity to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, 

according to a study published August 1 in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal. 

New computational simulations by Dr. Inez Fung at the University of California at Berkeley and her 
colleagues at UC Berkeley, Woods Hole, and the National Center for Atmospheric Research found that 

the faster carbon dioxide is emitted, the less the land and oceans can absorb it. “Our finding implies that 

carbon storage by the oceans and land will lag farther and farther behind as climate change accelerates 

with growing carbon dioxide emissions, creating an amplifying loop between the carbon and climate 

systems,” says Dr. Fung. UC Berkeley News, August 5, 2005, 

http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2005/08/02_carbon.shtml

October 2005

“Heat Wave makes plants warm planet.” A new study shows that during the 2003 heat wave, 

European plants produced more carbon dioxide than they absorbed from the atmosphere. The study also 

found European lands were 20 percent less productive than during an average year. During an average 

year, plants in Europe absorb approximately 125 million tonnes of carbon (MtC). However, in 2003, they 

released 500 MtC to the atmosphere. By comparison, global emissions from burning fossil fuels amount 

to about 7,000 MtC. The study shows that ecosystems which currently absorb CO2 from the atmosphere 

may produce it in the future, adding to the greenhouse effect. BBC News, September 21, 2005, 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4269066.stm. Also see, “Heat Waves May Compound Global 

Warming,” NPR’s Morning Edition, September 22, 2005, 

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4858811 (audio) 

“Global Warming 'Past the Point of No Return'.” A record loss of sea ice in the Arctic this summer 

has convinced scientists that the northern hemisphere may have crossed a critical threshold beyond 

which the climate may never recover. Scientists fear that the Arctic has now entered an irreversible 

phase of warming which will accelerate the loss of the polar sea ice that has helped to keep the climate 

stable for thousands of years. Satellites monitoring the Arctic have found that the extent of the sea ice 

this August has reached its lowest monthly point on record, dipping an unprecedented 18.2 percent 

below the long-term average. The Independent (UK), September 16, 2005, 

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0916-09.htm. Also see, “In a Melting Trend, Less Arctic Ice 

to Go Around,” New York Times, September 29, 2005, 

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/29/science/29ice.html

November 2005

“World Temperatures Keep Rising With a Hot 2005.” New international climate data show that 2005 

is on track to be the hottest year on record, continuing a 25-year trend of rising global temperatures. 

Climatologists at NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies calculated the record-breaking global 

average temperature, which now surpasses 1998's record by a tenth of a degree Fahrenheit, from 

readings taken at 7,200 weather stations scattered around the world. “At this point, people shouldn't be 

surprised this is happening,” said Goddard atmospheric scientist David Rind, noting that 2002, 2003 and 

2004 were among the warmest years on record. Washington Post, October 13, 2005, 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/12/AR2005101202498.html

“The Truth About Global Warming.” The Seattle Times devoted 3+ pages, no ads to its lead story, 

The Truth About Global Warming. The author, Sandi Doughton, was prompted to research the story after 

attending a forum for science writers in 2004, where “several speakers involved with climate science 

complained that skeptics of global warming get equal treatment in news coverage, as if scientists are 

hopelessly divided on the question. The speakers insisted they are not.” Seattle Times, October 9, 2005, 

http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgibin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=globewarm11&date=20051009 (registration required) 

“Sun's changes play role in global warming.” Climate models of global warming should be corrected 

to better account for changes in solar activity, according to Nicola Scafetta and Bruce West of Duke 
University. The new study is based in part on Columbia University research from 2003 in which scientists 

found errors in how data on solar brightness is interpreted. The researchers found that increased output 

from the sun might be to blame for 10 to 30 percent of the global warming. The Duke analyses examined 

solar changes over 22 years versus 11 years used in previous studies – a time frame long enough to 

isolate the effect of volcanoes and cyclical shifts in ocean currents. LiveScience, September 30, 2005, 

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/9544093/

“Antarctic ice melts as sea warms but cause unknown.” Leading scientists attending a British Royal 

Society conference in London said Antarctica is melting, adding to the rise in global sea levels and 

putting millions of lives and whole economies at risk. Said Anthony Payne of the University of Bristol, 

“We know a lot more about the ice sheets than we did before. We know change is happening and that it 

is rapid. What we don't know is why or what is causing it – what proportion is anthropomorphic.” Reuters, 

October 18, 2005, http://www.enn.com/today.html?id=9047

“Global Warming Sparks Increased Plant Production in Arctic Lakes.” Biological activity in some 

Arctic lakes has ratcheted up dramatically over the past 150 years as a result of global warming, 

according to a new study. In six lakes, researchers dug deep into the sediment to measure the amount 

“chlorophyll-a,” the main pigment involved in photosynthesis. The amount of chlorophyll-a is two to five 

times higher in recent times compared to ancient sediment, said Neal Michelutti of the University of 

Alberta. “Lakes in the Arctic have extremely short growing seasons – typically they remain ice-covered 

for up to 10 months of the year,” Michelutti explained. “A difference of only a few weeks [in the growing 

season] can have a huge impact biologically.” LiveScience, October 24, 2005, 

http://www.livescience.com/environment/051024_arctic_lakes.html

December 2005

“Unabated fossil-fuel use will replace polar ice with forests, DOE lab warns.” Continued burning of 

fossil fuels at the current pace will raise sea levels nearly 23 feet and lead to polar forests instead of ice 

caps in 300 years, a new Department of Energy report says. Scientists at DOE's Lawrence Livermore 

National Laboratory in California called the findings “stunning results of climate and carbon cycle model 

simulations” in a statement accompanying the report's release. Their study found that the Earth would 

warm by 8 degrees Celsius (14.5 degrees Fahrenheit) if humans use the entire planet's available fossil 

fuels by the year 2300. The scientists used models that coupled climate with the carbon cycle in the 

atmosphere to measure changes in both global climate and the carbon cycle. The data used included 

actual carbon emissions and climate change from pre-industrial levels (1870) to what is projected 

through 2300. Greenwire, November 3, 2005, 

http://www.wbcsd.org/plugins/DocSearch/details.asp?type=DocDet&ObjectId=17142. Also see, 

“Modeling of long-term fossil fuel consumption shows 14.5-degree hike in Earth's temperature,” LLNL 

Press Release, November 1, 2005, http://www.llnl.gov/pao/news/news_releases/2005/NR-05-11-

01p.html

“Climate Study Warns of Warming and Losses of Arctic Tundra.” If emissions of heat-trapping 

gases continue to accumulate in the atmosphere at the current rate, there may be many centuries of 

warming and a near total loss of Arctic tundra, according to a new climate study. The researchers ran a 

computer model that simulates the climate system and the flow of heat-trapping carbon dioxide into the 

air, then back into soils and the ocean. In the simulation, the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide 

rises about 0.45 percent a year through 2300. That is slightly less than the current rate, about 0.5 

percent. But even at the lower rate, the concentration of carbon dioxide would double from preindustrial 

levels by 2070, triple by 2120 and quadruple by 2160. Consistent with many other studies, the model 

showed that the Arctic would see the most warming, with average annual temperatures in many parts of 

Arctic Russia and northern North America rising by more than 25 degrees by around 2100. In the 

simulation, the scrubby Arctic tundra largely vanishes as climate zones shift hundreds of miles north. 
Tundra would decline to 1.8 percent of the world's land area from about 8 percent. New York Times, 

November 2, 2005, http://www.mezomorf.com/science/news-9976.html

“Global Warming Supercharged by Water Vapor?” Water vapor, experts say, is the culprit behind 

Europe's rapidly rising temperatures. Evaporated H2O is a known greenhouse gas – a gas that absorbs 

and re-emits infrared radiation in Earth's atmosphere, thereby increasing temperatures. But only now has 

a study uncovered evidence that water vapor is a major public enemy in Europe. According to a team of 

Swiss scientists, heat from other greenhouse gases is causing more water to evaporate, releasing the 

vapor into the atmosphere above Europe. That vapor in turn, adds to the greenhouse effect, further 

warming the region. Temperatures throughout the Northern Hemisphere have been increasing in recent 

years. But Europe has been heating up especially quickly, leading to studies, theories, and debate as to 

why. The scientists calculated that 70 percent of the recent increase in temperatures in central Europe is 

due to water vapor, and 30 percent is due to other greenhouse gases. National Geographic, November 

10, 2005, http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/11/1110_051110_warming.html

“Climate Shift Tied To 150,000 Fatalities: Most Victims Are Poor, Study Says.” Earth's warming 

climate is estimated to contribute to more than 150,000 deaths and 5 million illnesses each year, 

according to the World Health Organization, a toll that could double by 2030. The data, published in the 

journal Nature, indicate that climate change is driving up rates of malaria, malnutrition and diarrhea 

throughout the world. Health and climate scientists at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, who 

conducted one of the most comprehensive efforts yet to measure the impact of global warming on health, 

said the WHO data also show that rising temperatures disproportionately affect poor countries that have 

done little to create the problem. Washington Post, November 17, 2005, 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/16/AR2005111602197.html. 

January 2006

“2005 Continues the Warming Trend,” Scientists in the US and Britain reported that 2005 was one of 

the hottest on record, putting 8 of the 10 past years at the top of the charts in terms of high temperatures. 

NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies has concluded 2005 was the warmest year in recorded 

history, while the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.K. Meteorological Office 

report it the second hottest, after 1998. All three reports agree that 2005 is the hottest year on record for 

the Northern Hemisphere, at roughly 1.3 degrees Fahrenheit above the historical average. James 

Hansen, who directs NASA's Goddard Institute, said this year's statistics were particularly significant 

because in 1998 the world experienced El Niño, which drove up temperatures dramatically, whereas this 

year the temperature reached record levels without such a dramatic climatic event. Washington Post, 

Friday December 16, 2005, 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/15/AR2005121501637.html

 “Most of Arctic’s Near-Surface Permafrost to Thaw by 2100,” New simulations from the National 

Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), show that over half of the area covered by the topmost layer 

of permafrost in the Northern Hemisphere could thaw by 2050 and as much as 90 percent by 2100. 

Scientists expect the thawing to increase runoff to the Arctic Ocean and release vast amounts of carbon 

into the atmosphere. The study used a fully interactive climate system model, the Community Climate 

System Model (CCSM), to examine the state of permafrost, including interactions among the 

atmosphere, ocean, land, sea ice and soil. The new study highlights concern about carbon dioxide and 

methane being released from thawing soils, since permafrost may hold 30 percent or more of all the 

carbon stored in soils worldwide. Results appear online in the December 17 issue of Geophysical 

Research Letters. Ascribe, December 19, 2005, http://newswire.ascribe.org/cgibin/behold.pl?ascribeid=20051219.091021&time=09%2028%20PST&year=2005&public=0.

February 2006 
Greenwire, “Experts Urge Caution in Application of New Methane Studies,” An article published in 

the January 12 journal Nature by German researchers suggests that plants in open-air conditions 

contribute between 10 to 30 percent of the annual global flow of methane. Scientists had long believed 

that plants only produced methane in the absence of oxygen. Experts caution that the policymakers 

should wait until scientists know more about how plants produce methane before implementing policy 

shifts. Additionally in the same issue of Nature, an editorial was written by David Lowe of New Zealand’s 

National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research. Lowe stated, “We now have the specter that new 

forests might increase greenhouse warming through methane emissions rather than decrease it by 

sequestering CO2,” referring to reforestation incentives agreed to by parties to the Kyoto Protocol. “This 

paper will undoubtedly unleash controversy, not the least of which will be political." Jay Gulledge, a 

senior research fellow with the Pew Center of Global Climate Change stated, "Relative to the amount of 

plant biomass, this is a very small amount of methane compared to the carbon dioxide plants take up to 

make that biomass," disagreeing with Lowe’s contention that the new knowledge of plants' greenhouse 

gas contributions exposes a major drawback to planting trees as carbon sinks. Other research by a 

different group of German scientists showed high concentrations of methane over tropical rainforests. 

Also the USDA Forest Service found high levels of methane at upland forest sites in the Brazilian 

Amazon. (See Terrestrial section of this newsletter for the Nature paper’s abstract “Methane Emissions 

from Terrestrial Plants under Aerobic Conditions.”), January 12, 2006, 

http://www.eenews.net/Greenwire/searcharchive/test_searchdisplay.cgi?q=methane&file=%2FGreenwire%2Fsearcharchive%2FNewsline%2F2006%2FJanuary12%2

F01120610.htm (Subscription may be required.) 

SciDev.Net, “Global Warming: Plants Are Not To Blame,” The authors of a recent study in the journal 

Nature released a statement that plants are not to blame for climate change. The researchers from the 

Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics in Heidelberg, Germany, Utrecht University in the Netherlands, 

and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for Northern Ireland, United Kingdom, 

reported that plants emit up to a third of the methane (a greenhouse gas) that is in the atmosphere. (See 

Terrestrial section of this newsletter for the Nature paper’s abstract “Methane Emissions from 

Terrestrial Plants under Aerobic Conditions.”) A wave of media attention followed as did emails from 

concerned scientists and citizens regarding the role of plants and implications for global warming. Frank 

Keppler at the Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics wants to make 3 points clear to the public. First, 

the findings do not mean that reforestation programs should be condemned. Trees absorb carbon 

dioxide, so planting them is still beneficial. Second, changes in the overall amount of methane emitted 

by plants are likely to be caused by human activities such as deforestation. Finally, much more research 

is needed to discover how methane emissions from plants vary according to species, temperature, 

humidity, sunlight and other factors, as well as how these emissions may change as the environment 

changes. (See: http://www.wbcsd.org/plugins/DocSearch/details.asp?type=DocDet&ObjectId=MTc5NDY

for the full statement released by the authors in response to the public’s questions “Global Warming - 

The Blame Is Not With the Plants,” and for an explanation of their calculations.) January 20, 2006. 

http://www.wbcsd.org/plugins/DocSearch/details.asp?type=DocDet&ObjectId=MTc5NDY 

BBC News website, “Experiment Probes Climate Riddle,” In one of the biggest climate experiments 

ever mounted, scientists will use radar, airplanes, weather balloons and a ship to study the life cycle of 

tropical clouds in order to gain a better understanding of how clouds form and carry heat high into the 

atmosphere. Approximately 200 scientists from 30 institutions in 10 countries will collaborate on the 

project over 23 days, with data analysis and modeling to extend that timeframe. Investigators and 

funding for the Tropical Warm Pool International Cloud Experiment (TWP-ICE) come from many 

countries including Australia, the US, Britain, Japan and Canada. Tropical clouds carry heat and 

moisture from the Earth's surface high in the atmosphere, which is a key process in moving heat around 

the globe. By better understanding what goes on inside clouds, how they form and how they behave, 

computer models can be developed to predict the extent of global climate warming more accurately. 

Existing computer models do not reflect the processes of convection and cloud formation accurately, said 
Tom Ackerman of the University of Washington in Seattle, because they typically treat them as separate 

processes. “But in order to do that you need to understand this total life cycle of air going into the clouds, 

condensation, vertical lifting and then cloud being dumped out at other levels,” he stated. January 18, 

2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4624520.stm

Reuters, “2005 Was Australia’s Hottest Yet,” Australia's Bureau of Meteorology said temperatures 

were on average 1.09 degrees Celsius (1.96 degrees Fahrenheit) higher than normal in 2005, making it 

the hottest year since the first records from 1910. Meteorologist Mike Coughlan said previous record hot 

years in 1988, 1998 and 2002 were caused by El Niño events, where warmer waters in the southwest 

Pacific led to lower rainfall and hotter weather in Australia. But there was no El Niño in 2005. “The strong 

culprit has to be global warming,” Coughlan told Reuters. “The 2005 record is yet another sign that our 

climate is changing,” he said. The Bureau of Meteorology report came ahead of the January 11-12 

inaugural gathering of the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate in Sydney.

Australia's Environment Minister Ian Campbell said the latest data on Australia's weather proved 

countries needed to work together on cleaner technology. “It is a huge and serious challenge. These 

figures add to the weight of evidence that climate change is real and it's a problem that the world needs 

to work together to seek to solve,” Campbell told Australian Broadcasting Corporation radio. January 4, 

2006, http://www.cnn.com/2006/WEATHER/01/04/waether.australia.reut/index.html

Reuters, “Gore to Publish Book on Global Warming,” Former Vice President Al Gore is to release his 

second book in April entitled “An Inconvenient Truth” published by Rosdale Books. The book is 

associated with a documentary of the same name that was shown at the Sundance Film festival. 

According to Rosdale “In the film, Mr. Gore guides audiences through indisputable evidence of the 

environmental impact of global warming. In the book, the former US Vice President writes about global 

warming and shares his personal story about how the issue became of urgent importance to him.” 

January 24, 2006, http://today.reuters.com/news/NewsArticle.aspx?type=scienceNews&storyID=2006-

01-24T174509Z_01_N24233070_RTRUKOC_0_US-ENVIRONMENT-GORE.xml. 

March 2006 

Palladium Item (Richmond, IN), “No-Till Historic Experiment Reaches Middle Age,” After 45 years, 

the no-till soil plots set up in 1962 by scientists Glover Triplett and Dave VanDoren may not have enough 

funding to be maintained. The Triplet-Van Doren plots were critical in supporting some of the earliest 

work on no-till carbon sequestration. On average, the Ohio soils can sequester about 500 pounds of 

carbon per acre. Supporters have mounted a campaign to fund the research and upkeep of the plots. 

February 12, 2006, http://www.palitem.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060212/NEWS01/602120322/1008. 

Reuters, “Greenland Glaciers Melting Faster, Study Finds,” The authors of the article “Changes in 

the Velocity Structure of the Greenland Ice Sheet,” from the February 17, 2006 Science magazine, find 

that the ice loss due to glacier flow in Greenland has increased from 12 cubic miles of ice loss per year in 

1996 to 36 cubic miles of ice per year in 2005. Rising temperatures are a factor, with the temperature in 

southeast Greenland rising by 5.4 degrees Fahrenheit over the last 20 years. The authors calculated that 

Greenland contributes 0.02 inch to the annual 0.1 inch rise in global sea levels. One author stated that 

the southern half of Greenland is reacting to climate warming with the northern half waiting, though it 

may not take long for the northern part to react. February 17, 2006, 

http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=scienceNews&storyID=2006-02-

16T193330Z_01_N16367561_RTRUKOC_0_US-ENVIRONMENT-GLACIERS.xml&archived=False

Defra Press Release, “How much climate change can we take?” A new book “Avoiding Dangerous 

Climate Change” was released with the forward written by Britain’s Prime Minister Tony Blair. The 

government-commissioned book collates evidence for global warming presented at the conference of the 

same name, which took place at Britain’s meteorological office (the Met) in February 2005 at the start of 
the UK's G8 Presidency. The book and an executive summary are available on the Department for 

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) website at:

www.defra.gov.uk/environment/climatechange/internat/dangerous-cc.htm. January 30, 2006, 

http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2006/060130c.htm. 

April 2006 

BBC News, “Huge Polar Initiative Announced.” Activities are underway for the planning and launch of 

International Polar Year (IPY) 2007-2008. This international polar science research initiative will conduct 

scientific research and observations focusing on the Earth’s polar regions. IPY will involve over 50,000 

participants from more than 60 countries, with a cost of $3 to 3.6 billion. IPY is sponsored by the 

International Council of Science and the World Meteorological Organization, and is to take place from 

March 2007 to March 2007. Dr. David Carlson, IPY’s program director, says understanding the polar 

region is essential in order to understand the global carbon cycle, the global water cycle, the global 

weather cycle, or global economics. Proposed activities include various ice coring projects and projects 

involving CO2 monitoring. See http://www.ipy.org/ for further information. March 15, 2006, 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4806146.stm. 

WMO Press Release, “First WMO Greenhouse Gas Bulletin: Greenhouse Gas Concentrations 

Reach New Highs in 2004,” The globally averaged concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane, 

and nitrous oxide in the planet’s atmosphere reached their highest recorded levels in 2004, according to 

the World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) first annual Greenhouse Gas Bulletin. CO2 was recorded 

at 377.1 parts per million (ppm). The level of CO2 supersedes the value from the late 1700’s by 35 

percent, largely due to emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels. In 2004, CO2 increased by 1.8 ppm 

or 0.47 percent when compared with the previous year. WMO secretary-general Michel Jarraud said the 

atmospheric CO2 levels continue to increase and show no sign of leveling off. Download the first annual 

Greenhouse Gas Bulletin at: http://www.wmo.int/web/arep/gaw/ghg/ghg-bulletin-en-03-06.pdf. See 

http://www.wmo.int/web/arep/gaw/gaw_home.html for more information. March 14, 2006, 

http://www.wmo.int/web/arep/gaw/ghg/press_release_744_en.doc. 

AP, “Carbon Dioxide Hit Record in 2005.” The Office of Atmospheric Research at the US National 

Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has said that the concentration of carbon dioxide in the 

atmosphere climbed to a record 381 parts per million last year, up 2.6 parts per million from the previous 

year. Final calculations from reporting stations around the world will not be available until later in the 

spring when a final report will be released. March 14, 2006, 

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/print?id=1725818. 

Ceres Press Release, “BP and DuPont Receive Top Scores in First-Ever Ranking of 100 Global 

Companies on Climate Change Strategies.” The business environmental stewardship group Ceres, 

Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Economies, has released a report to present an analysis of 

how 76 US companies and 24 non-US companies are addressing the business challenges of climate 

change. The study ranks the largest companies with operations in the US in 10 business sectors 

including: oil/gas, electric power, auto, chemical, industrial equipment, mining/metals, coal, food 

products, forest products, and air transportation. Five broad areas were evaluated using a “Climate 

Governance Checklist”: board oversight, management performance, public disclosure, greenhouse gas 

emissions accounting, and strategic planning. The report was requested by over two dozen institutional 

investors, and prepared by the Investor Responsibility Research Center, as part of an action plan 

announced at the Institutional Investor Summit on Climate Risk in May 2005 at the United Nations. Visit 

the Ceres website to see the rankings and details in the report named “2006 Corporate Governance and 

Climate Change: Making the Connection”: http://www.ceres.org/pub/. March 21, 2006, 

http://www.ceres.org/news/news_item.php?nid=154. 
Greenwire, “Princeton Professor Lays Out Broad Strategy on Greenhouse Emissions.” At World 

Bank Energy Week 2006 on March 3, 2006, Professor Robert Socolow explained a broad blueprint to 

deal with global warming—his "wedge technology" theory—and why he is so optimistic about the 

potential for carbon sequestration. The theory is from the paper “Stabilization Wedges: Solving the 

Climate Problem for the Next 50 Years with Current Technologies” which he wrote with Steve Pacala last 

year. (The paper can be found in the August 13, 2004 issue of Science, Volume 305, Number 5686, 

Pages 968-972, DOI: 10.1126/science.1100103, 

http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/305/5686/968?ijkey=K6cRPbiYRFwus&keytype=ref&siteid=sc

i or at http://www.s-e-i.org/polreports/pswedges.pdf.) For more information on the topic, also see: 

http://www.princeton.edu/~cmi/. View a video of Socolow’s talk on E&E TV online at: 

http://www.eande.tv/main/?date=030906. March 9, 2006, 

http://www.eenews.net/Greenwire/2006/03/09/#25. (Subscription may be required.) 

May 2006

CBC News, “Venus Express Probe Enters Into Orbit.” The European Space Agency’s robotic space 

craft, the Venus Express, will orbit Venus for 1 1⁄2 years to help increase our understanding of the 

greenhouse effect. Venus and the Earth are of similar size and composition, but Venus evolved 

differently and shows much stronger effects of global warming. Scientist hope that information and 

measurements gathered on Venus will allow for an increased understanding of how Earth might evolve in 

the future. The average temperature on Venus is 477 degrees Celsius (891 degrees Fahrenheit), and its 

toxic atmosphere is mainly composed of carbon dioxide, with clouds of sulfuric acid and 400 kilometers 

(249 miles) per hour winds. April 11, 2006, http://www.cbc.ca/story/science/national/2006/04/11/venusexpress060411.html.

Time Magazine, Special Report on Global Warming, Time Magazine has published a special report on 

Global Warming covering many aspects of the topic including: a cover story overview of the issues and 

action that can be taken; global warming’s effect on species and possible health effects on humans; and 

economic, policy, legislative, regulatory, and global aspects of the issue. See the index of April 3, 2006, 

Volume 167, Number 14, Time magazine at: 

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/0,9263,7601060403,00.html. (Subscription required.) 

NOAA Press Release, “NOAA/NSF Cruise Reveals Impacts of Ocean Acidification on Chemistry, 

Biology of North Pacific Ocean.” Preliminary data from a recent field study in the Pacific Ocean shows 

that the oceans are becoming more acidic. NOAA scientists measured a decrease in pH of 

approximately 0.025 units and increases in dissolved inorganic carbon of about 15 micromoles per 

kilogram (μmol/kg) in surface waters over a large section of the northeastern Pacific. The findings of an 

increase in acidity are consistent with data from previous field studies conducted in other oceans. 

Richard Feely, an oceanographer with the NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory and the chief 

scientist on the study said that the dramatic changes can be attributed, in most part, to the uptake of 

anthropogenic CO2 by the ocean over the past 15 years. This verifies earlier model projections that the 

oceans are becoming more acidic because of the uptake of carbon dioxide released as a result of fossil 

fuel burning. As levels of dissolved CO2 in the sea waters rise, the skeletal growth rates of calciumsecreting organisms will be reduced, and the combined effects of other climatic changes in salinity, 

temperature and upwelled nutrients, could substantially alter the biodiversity and productivity of the 

ocean. April 5, 2006, http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2006/s2606.htm. 

Reuters, “World’s Oldest Ice Could Hold Climate Clues,” and Outside Online, “Oldest Ice Sample 

Could Offer Clues to Climate Change.” Japanese scientists from the National Institute of Polar 

Research have obtained a one million year old ice core from the Antarctic. The sample is the oldest ice 

core sample to be retrieved, with the previously oldest core estimated at 750,000 years old. Researchers 

at the Dome Fuji base in eastern Antarctic spent more than two years drilling down and obtaining the 
sample from a depth of 9,936 feet under the ice. The core will be used to examine changes in 

temperature, levels of carbon dioxide and methane over time. Research published in the journal Nature 

in 2005 states that concentrations of CO2 and methane are far higher now than at any time in the last 

650,000 years. April 18, 2006, http://msnbc.msn.com/id/12371432/, and April 19, 2006, 

http://outside.away.com/outside/news/20060419_1.html. 

June 2006 

Reuters, “Greenhouse Gases Showed Steady Rise in 2005.” The US National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported on May 1, 2006 that carbon dioxide levels increased from 

2004 to 2005, according to the agency's Annual Greenhouse Gas Index, or AGGI. Nitrous oxide levels 

also rose, but methane and chlorofluorocarbon levels decreased. The AGGI showed a 1.25 percent rise 

in overall greenhouse gases in 2005. The AGGI stood at 1.215 in 2005 compared to the 1990 baseline 

value of 1.00, showing a steady rise in greenhouse gases over the past 15 years. The 1.25 percent rise 

in greenhouse gases was comparatively smaller than the increases of previous years, with the largest 

annual increase at 2.8 percent (1987 to 1988), and the smallest of .81 percent (1992 to 1993). Global 

levels of carbon dioxide increased from an average of 376.8 parts per million in 2004 to 378.9 parts per 

million in 2005. To access the NOAA AGGI website, go to: http://www.cmdl.noaa.gov/aggi/. May 3, 2006, 

http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/36210/story.htm. 

“Temperature Trends in the Lower Atmosphere: Steps for Understanding and Reconciling 

Differences.” The Climate Change Science Program and the Subcommittee on Global Change 

Research, Washington, DC, has released the first of a series of 21 reports aimed at providing current 

evaluations of climate change science to inform public debate, policy, and operational decisions. This 

first Synthesis and Assessment Product addresses previously identified discrepancies between 

observations and simulations of surface and atmospheric temperature trends. Previously reported 

discrepancies between the amount of warming near the surface and higher in the atmosphere have been 

used to challenge the reliability of climate models and the reality of human induced global warming. 

Specifically, surface data showed substantial global-average warming, while early versions of satellite 

and radiosonde data showed little or no warming above the surface. This significant discrepancy no 

longer exists because errors in the satellite and radiosonde data have been identified and corrected. 

New data sets have also been developed that do not show such discrepancies. This Synthesis and 

Assessment Product is an important revision to the conclusions of earlier reports from the US National 

Research Council and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. For recent decades, all current 

atmospheric data sets now show global-average warming that is similar to the surface warming. While 

these data are consistent with the results from climate models at the global scale, discrepancies in the 

tropics remain to be resolved. Nevertheless, the most recent observational and model evidence has 

increased confidence in the understanding of observed climatic changes and their causes. Further 

information on the process for preparing Synthesis and Assessment products and the CCSP itself can be 

found at: www.climatescience.gov. April 2006. Download the report or sections of the report at: 

http://www.climatescience.gov/Library/sap/sap1-1/finalreport/default.htm. 

Contra Costa Times, “Livermore Lab's 'Nanotube' Work Could Help Curb Global Warming.” 

Scientists from Lawrence Livermore and Lawrence Berkeley laboratories have created a filtration 

membrane comprised of carbon nanotubes, which could be useful for removing carbon dioxide directly 

from power plant emissions. The carbon nanotubes that comprise the membrane are 50,000 times 

thinner than a human hair and over a trillion microscopic pores per square inch, but have a greater than 

expected flow rate for gasses and liquids passing through it. The research team is not sure of why the 

rate is faster than one would expect, but postulated that it is because the carbon atoms that make up the 

tubes fit together perfectly, and the surface of the tubes is extremely slippery. The technical paper 

describing the nanotubes transport process is in the May 19, 2006 issue of Science. (“Fast Mass 

Transport Through Sub—2-Nanometer Carbon Nanotubes, Science, May 19, 2006, Vol. 312. no. 5776, 
pp. 1034 – 1037, doi:10.1126/science.1126298.) May 19, 2006, 

http://www.smalltimes.com/document_display.cfm?document_id=11557.

July 2006

Reuters, “Gore To Train 1,000 to Spread Word About Climate.” Former Vice President Gore will 

begin a bi-partisan national education campaign by the end of the summer to train 1,000 people to give a 

version of his slide show talk on global warming. The slide show is the basis for the book and film “An 

Inconvenient Truth.” June 12, 2006, 

http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2006-06-

13T025339Z_01_N12361864_RTRUKOC_0_US-ENVIRONMENT-GORE.xml&archived=False.

Greenwire, “National Academy of Science Finds ‘Hockey Stick’ Graph’s Conclusion ‘Plausible’ ” 

and The National Academies Press Release, “ ‘High Confidence’ That Planet Is Warmest in 400 

Years; Less Confidence in Temperature Reconstructions Prior to 1600.” The National Academy of 

Science released a report on June 22, with the conclusion that the controversial “hockey stick” climate 

graph is plausible. The graph, published in the journal Nature in 1998, draws on "proxy evidence," which 

includes data on tree rings, corals, ocean and lake sediments, cave deposits, ice cores, boreholes, and 

glaciers, to reconstruct global temperatures over the last 1000 years. The report concludes with a high 

level of confidence that global mean surface temperature was higher during the last few decades of the 

20th century than during any comparable period during the preceding four centuries, supporting the idea 

that the climate is warming due to human influence. The analysis was conducted in response to a 

request from Congress. (See this newsletter’s Recent Publications section for link to the NAS report: 

“Surface Temperature Reconstructions for the Last 2,000 Years (2006).” To view the Nature report 

and graph, refer to: “Global-scale temperature patterns and climate forcing over the past six centuries,” 

Michael E. Mann, Raymond S. Bradley and Malcolm K. Hughes, Nature, Volume 392, pages 779 – 787, 

April 23, 1998, doi:10.1038/33859, 

http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v392/n6678/full/392779a0_fs.html.) June 22, 2006, 

http://www.eenews.net/Greenwire/2006/06/22/#11, (Subscription may be required), and June 22, 2006, 

http://www8.nationalacademies.org/onpinews/newsitem.aspx?RecordID=11676. 

August 2006 

Energy and Environment Daily, “ ‘Hockey Stick’ Analysis Still Ruffling Feathers in Congress.” In 

the US House of Representatives, a pair of hearings were to be held regarding the viability of the 

“Hockey stick” climate change analysis by the US House of Representatives Committee on Energy and 

Commerce and the Committee on Government Reform. The committees are discussing the often cited 

upwardly curving “hockey stick” graph that was published in 1998 in the journal Nature, and prominently 

featured in the 2001 report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The Nature study 

reconstructed past global average temperatures using data from corals, tree rings, ice cores and bore 

holes deep within the Earth. On July 19, the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee will hold a 

hearing to review the Nature paper. (For the review, see: 

http://energycommerce.house.gov/108/home/07142006_Wegman_Report.pdf.) On July 20, the 

Committee on Government Reform held a hearing on Climate Change: Understanding the Degree of the 

Problem. (For Full Transcript, see: 

http://reform.house.gov/GovReform/Hearings/EventSingle.aspx?EventID=46863 .) A recent report by a 

scientific panel for the Committee on Energy and Commerce stated that the Nature paper’s authors 

relied on statistics in order to graph the hockey stick shape, and that the authors claim that 

unprecedented global warming occurred during the 20th century "cannot be supported by [the] analysis.” 

(To read a press release regarding the report, see: 

http://energycommerce.house.gov/108/News/07142006_1989.htm.) The panel’s view contradicted the 

view of the recent report by the National Academy of Sciences that found the Nature paper’s conclusions 
plausible. (Access a summary or the paper here: 

http://www8.nationalacademies.org/onpinews/newsitem.aspx?RecordID=11676.) July 17, 2006, 

http://www.eenews.net/EEDaily/sr_climate_change/2006/07/17/3/. (Subscription may be required.) 

The Washington Post, “Pollution in Overdrive, New Report Cites US Motorists For Production of 

Greenhouse Gases.” The non-profit group Environmental Defense has released a report entitled 

“Global Warming on the Road,” in which they point out the global emissions of US vehicles by 

manufacturer. The report states that the US, which represents 5 percent of the world population, 

contributes 45 percent of the world’s vehicular-based CO2 emissions. Americans own 30 percent of the 

world’s vehicles yet drive farther than the international average, burning more fuel per mile. The report 

outlines three factors which contribute to the amount of CO2 emissions from automobiles: amount of 

driving, fuel economy and the carbon content of the gas used. In 2004, the “Big Three” auto 

manufacturers accounted for 73 percent of the CO2 emissions of all US cars and trucks partly due to 

having the greatest number of vehicles on the road, with General Motors contributing 99 metric tons 

carbon equivalent (MMTc) (31 percent), Ford at 80 MMTc (25 percent), and Daimler Chrysler at 51 

MMTc (16 percent); 203 million total MMTc for the three auto makers. Environmental Defense said that 

auto companies should not be singled out for blame because consumer choices also play a role. To 

download the full report or fact sheet on “Global Warming on the Road, see: 

http://www.environmentaldefense.org/article.cfm?contentID=5300&campaign=. June 27, 2006, 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/27/AR2006062701757.html. 

Policy 

September 2005 

Energy Policy Act of 2005 authorizes suspension of royalty payments for CO2 EOR. The Energy 

Policy Act of 2005, recently signed into law by president Bush, authorizes suspension of royalties on up 

to 5 million bbl of oil equivalent/lease where CO2 injection is used for enhanced recovery. Royalty 

suspension could be limited based on market price. The provision, which also is designed to promote 

carbon sequestration, mandates that the energy secretary establish a CO2 injection demonstration 

program for up to $3 million. The program would involve up to 10 projects in the Williston basin and one 

project in Alaska's Cook Inlet.” Oil & Gas Journal, August 3, 2005, 

http://ogj.pennnet.com/ (subscription required) 

“9 States in Plan to Cut Emissions by Power Plants.” Officials in New York and eight other 

Northeastern states have come to a preliminary agreement to freeze power plant emissions at their 

current levels and then reduce them by 10 percent by 2020, according to a draft proposal. Once a final 

agreement is reached, the legislatures of the nine states will have to enact it, which is considered likely. 

Enforcement of emission controls could potentially result in higher energy prices in the nine states, which 

officials hope can be offset by subsidies and support for the development of new technology that would 

be paid for with the proceeds from the sale of emission allowances to the utility companies. New York 

Times, August 24, 2005, http://history.berkeley.edu/faculty/Frydl/emissions.html. For additional 

information visit the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative website at http://www.rggi.org/

“Governor Announces New Step to Curb Global Warming in Oregon.” Oregon looks set to become 

the tenth U.S. state to adopt California’s strict rules on vehicle emissions, as Governor Ted Kulongoski 

vetoed a legislative provision that prohibits the state Department of Environmental Quality from adopting 

the standards. The Governor also announced the formation of a workgroup, The Carbon Allocation 

Workgroup, charged with developing strategies to reduce carbon emissions in the electric utility sector. 

Press Release, August 29, 2005, http://governor.oregon.gov/Gov/press_082905.shtml
“Federal Judge OKs Global Warming Lawsuit.” Environmental groups and four U.S. cities can sue 

federal development agencies on allegations the overseas projects they back financially contribute to 

global warming, a judge has ruled. A coalition of environmental groups sued two government agencies 

that provide loans and insure billions of dollars of U.S. investors' money for development projects 

overseas. Many are power plants that emit greenhouses gases such as carbon dioxide. It is argued that 

the National Environmental Policy Act, the law requiring environmental assessments of proposed 

projects in the United States, should apply to the U.S.-backed projects overseas because they contribute 

to the degradation of the U.S. environment. Washington Post, August 24, 2005, 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/24/AR2005082402080.html

“Designing a Greenhouse Gas Offset System for Canada.” On August 11 the Canadian government 

released for public consultation the document, “Offset System for Greenhouse Gases: Overview Paper 

and Technical Background Document.” The goal of Canada’s planned offset system is to enable the 

country to meet its commitments under the Kyoto Protocol. Written comments are welcome until 

September 30, 2005 and should be submitted to Judith Hull; Project Manager, Offsets; Environment 

Canada at offsets-compensations@ec.gc.ca. Government of Canada, 

http://www.climatechange.gc.ca/english/offsets/

“Underground off the ground.” The August 2005 edition of Foundation JIN’s Joint Implementation 

Quarterly has an article that explores why public awareness and support for CO2 capture and 

underground storage has been negligible. The article says “It may be time to get the option ‘out of the 

shadow’.” The same edition also contains an article on the Asia-Pacific Partnership and its role in the 

post-Kyoto Debate. JI Quarterly, August 2005, http://jiq.wiwo.nl/ejiq405.pdf

 “Energy: using our brains and our resources.” Article sets forth the recent Asia-Pacific Greenhouse 

Agreement as an opportunity for Australia to develop GHG mitigation technologies and potentially reap 

economic benefits. Advanced coal utilization technology with the possibility of producing transportation 

fuels is highlighted as an important option for Australia. On Line Opinion (Australia), August 25, 2005, 

http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=207

“World Officials Want Global Warming Action.” From August 16-19, representatives of 23 nations, 

including the United States, Japan, China, India, Mexico, and the European Union, attended the 

Greenland Dialogue on Climate Change, hosted by the Danish government in Ilulissat, Greenland. The 

representatives toured the Sermeq Kujalleq glacier, which has retreated nearly seven miles since 1960. 

The conference took no decisions on how to fight global warming, but the article does mention the AsiaPacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate. According to British environment minister Elliot 

Morley, participants in the Greenland meeting said that the Kyoto Protocol and the U.S. initiative should 

be regarded as “complimentary, not in opposition.” Associated Press, August 19, 2005

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/Science/wireStory?id=1050498&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312

October 2005

“California approves world's toughest vehicle emissions rules.” The California Air Resources Board 

(CARB) announced that the state's greenhouse gas (GHG) regulations for vehicles were unanimously 

approved by the California Office of Administrative Law on September 16, and filed with the Secretary of 

the State. Beginning with Model Year 2009, the new rules set limits for the total GHG emissions that new 

vehicles can emit per mile. The limits tighten each year after that, and by 2016, GHG emissions from 

lighter vehicles will be cut by one-third, while GHG emissions from heavier vehicles will be cut by about 

one-quarter. USA Today, September 25, 2005, http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2004-09-25-califrule_x.htm
“Court dismisses global-warming case.” A U.S. federal district court dismissed a lawsuit filed by eight 

states that claimed emissions released by the coal-fired power plants of a handful of U.S. utilities 

contribute to global warming and create a “public nuisance.” Judge Loretta Preska of the U.S. District 

Court for the Southern District of New York said in her opinion that the case presented “political 

questions” that should be dealt with outside the judicial branch of government. CBS Marketwatch, 

September 15, 2005, 

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story.asp?dist=¶m=archive&siteid=mktw&guid=%7BAAE8BEEE

%2D9920%2D4F6C%2D88F9%2DAAFEC0DB8B95%7D&garden=&minisite (registration required) 

“Northeast Greenhouse Gas Control Plan Far From Sealed.” The Northeast Regional Greenhouse 

Gas Initiative (RGGI) is on the verge of issuing a preliminary proposal, but sources familiar with the 

nation's first broad-based, mandatory CO2-reduction cap caution that an agreement is far from sealed as 

a slew of questions remain on a number of critical details. The plan – which would cut CO2 emissions in 

the nine participating states by 10 percent in 2020 – will include an initial proposed regional CO2 cap of 

about 150 million tons along with suggested caps for individual states, according to a memo outlining the 

plan. However, the plan will not explicitly explain how those numbers were derived – a concern for some 

observers because it could limit the plan's value for other regional efforts, such as the one being 

undertaken by California, Oregon and Washington. Some observers are also disappointed that the 

proposal would allow offsets from activities other than emissions reductions, such as carbon 

sequestration, to account for up to 50 percent of the costs. In addition, there is concern that the plan 

does not require states to specifically correct for “leakage,” or the amount of CO2 created through 

purchase of electricity generated in states not subject to the cap. EnergyWashington, August 31, 2005, 

http://www6.lexisnexis.com/publisher/EndUser?Action=UserDisplayFullDocument&orgId=1925&topicId=

100002042&docId=l:306481874&start=3

 “Global Treaties Ineffective Against Warming, Experts Say.” According to a study by three 

California scientists, wide-ranging international treaties like the Kyoto Protocol may not be the best ways 

to battle global warming. Arguing that global treaties are only as effective as their least willing 

signatories, the team says that climate change is better fought from the bottom up. Countries, regional 

partnerships, U.S. states, and even individual private firms, the scientists believe, can establish various 

controls to limit climate-changing activities. National Geographic News, September 15, 2005, 

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/09/0915_050915_warming.html

For the original article, see “A Madisonian Approach to Climate Policy,” Science, September 16, 2005, 

http://www.sciencemag.org/content/vol309/issue5742/index.shtml (subscription required) 

“Blair falls into line with Bush view on global warming.” Sharing a platform with the U.S. Secretary 

of State, Condoleezza Rice, in New York this month, Tony Blair changed his views on combating global 

warming. Mr. Blair told this month's meeting at the Clinton Global Initiative that he was putting his faith in 

“developing science and technology.” His remarks reportedly outraged environmentalists. The 

Independent (UK), September 25, 2005, http://www.climateark.org/articles/reader.asp?linkid=46654

“Japan Government may buy Heavy CO2 Credit Volume from 2006.” Japan's government said it 

might begin to buy carbon dioxide credits on fears that voluntary efforts by industries may not achieve 

the country's target to cut greenhouse gases. Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) 

estimates the country will need 20 million tonnes worth of emission rights a year to meet its commitments 

by 2008-2012 under the UN Kyoto Protocol on climate change. “It is necessary to set up systems to 

acquire credits by the government from the fiscal year (starting April) 2006 so that our country can 

secure necessary credit volumes for sure and with cost efficiency,” an METI document said. Reuters, 

September 22, 2005, http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/32614/story.htm

 “Aircraft set to jet into EU emissions trading.” According to this article, the airline industry will join 

the European Union's emissions trading system under a proposal under consideration by the EU 

executive Commission. The European Commission has studied three ways to include the aviation sector 
in its efforts to cut greenhouse gases, either through a tax, a ticket charge, or inclusion in the emissions 

trading scheme. Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas has repeatedly stated his preference for the 

last option, and his Commission colleagues are expected to endorse that position, officials said. Reuters, 

September 23, 2005, http://uk.news.yahoo.com/23092005/325/aircraft-set-jet-eu-emissions-trading.html

“BA launches scheme to offset CO2 emissions.” British Airways has launched a government-backed 

scheme that allows its customers to offset the carbon dioxide emissions from their flight by making a 

contribution to an environmental trust. Climate Care will use the contributions to invest in sustainable 

energy projects that tackle global warming, the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 

said in a statement. Forbes, September 12, 2005, 

http://www.forbes.com/home/feeds/afx/2005/09/12/afx2218058.html

“Carbonfund & Ceres Launch Carbon Offset Program.” Carbonfund, a nonprofit organization 

dedicated to reducing the threat of climate change, and Ceres, a coalition of investors, environmental 

and public interest organizations, have launched a joint carbon offset program. Under the program, 

participants in the Ceres network will be encouraged to offset their personal and corporate carbon 

footprint by making a donation to Carbonfund. Carbonfund then supports a variety of carbon reducing 

projects, including renewable energy, energy efficiency and sequestration that remove the equivalent 

carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. CSR Wire, September 21, 2005, 

http://www.csrwire.com/article.cgi/4450.html

November 2005

“EPA Estimates CO2 Control Costs as Low as $1 Per Ton.” A new cost-benefit analysis by the US 

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) indicates that carbon dioxide emissions control costs could be 

as low as $1 per ton. The findings, announced on October 27, are part of an extensive comparison of 

several pending legislative proposals designed to cut emissions from power plants in the United States. 

The EPA compared the Bush Administration’s Clear Skies proposal, which advocates a cap-and-trade 

approach for sulfur dioxides, nitrogen oxides and mercury, with alternative proposals by Senators James 

Jeffords (I-VT) and Thomas Carper (D-DE). Sen. Jeffords’ Clean Power Act and Sen. Carper’s Clean Air 

Planning Act both include mandatory emissions caps for CO2 in addition to sulfur dioxides, nitrogen 

oxides and mercury. The Jeffords proposal would cap CO2 emissions at 2.05 billion tons per year by 

2010 while the Carper proposal would cap emissions at 2.65 billion tons per year by 2009. In the EPA 

analysis, the controls for CO2 would cost as little as $1 per ton if the Carper proposal was adopted, while 

the Jeffords proposal would cost $16 per ton of CO2 emissions. EESI Climate Change News, October 28, 

2005, http://www.eesi.org/publications/Newsletters/CCNews/10.28.05%20CCNews.htm

 

“Get real on climate change.” The Kyoto protocol on climate change cannot work in its current form, 

Prime Minister Tony Blair has said. Writing in the Observer, Mr. Blair said cuts in greenhouse gas 

emissions can only be achieved by establishing an initiative that includes the US. His comments come 

ahead of a conference on climate change in London on November 1, chaired by Mr. Blair. Blair also 

argued that the problem of global warming cannot be dealt with unless any new agreement includes 

India and China. Blair added that there were “huge opportunities” in technology. “We need to see how 

the existing energy technologies we have such as wind, solar and - yes - nuclear, together with new 

technologies such as fuel cells and carbon capture and storage, can generate the low carbon power the 

world needs.” The Observer, October 30, 2005, 

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,6903,1604790,00.html

“N.J. classifies carbon dioxide as air contaminant.” New Jersey’s acting Governor Richard J. Codey 

took action to classify carbon dioxide as an air contaminant, paving the way for the state to participate in 

the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which seeks to stabilize and reduce emissions of carbon 

dioxide. The adopted regulations amend several air pollution control rules, reflecting current scientific 

consensus that carbon dioxide is an air contaminant. Waste News, October 20, 2005, 
http://www.wastenews.com/headlines2.html?id=1129853293. Also see, “Codey Takes Crucial Step to 

Combat Global Warming,” Press Release, October 18, 2005, http://www.state.nj.us/cgibin/governor/njnewsline/view_article.pl?id=2779. 

“Japan should introduce carbon tax in 2007-ministry.” The Japanese Environment Ministry released 

a revised version of its carbon tax plan, aimed at discouraging fossil fuel use so Japan can fulfill its 

obligation under the Kyoto Protocol. The ministry said in a statement that the tax should be 2,400 yen 

($20.85) per ton of carbon emitted. That means the tax on coal could be 1.58 yen per kilogram and that 

on gasoline 1.52 yen per liter (4.3 cents per gallon). The tax would generate income of 37 billion yen a 

year for the government and result in a payment of 2,100 yen per year for an average household. The 

ministry said the proposed environment tax would help Japan to cut carbon emissions by about 43 

million tonnes, or 3.5 percent of the greenhouse gas emitted in 1990. ($1=115.11 yen) AlertNet, October 

26, 2005, http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/33193/story.htm. 

December 2005

“US States say Power Bills Won't Soar on CO2 Plan.” Businesses who oppose a plan to cut 

greenhouse gas emissions in nine Northeastern U.S. states have overestimated how much the plan will 

raise electric bills, according to a study released by the states. The study sponsored by the Northeast 

states showed the plan by nine governors to cut greenhouse emissions would raise electricity rates only 

between 0.3 and 6.9 percent – not by 23 percent, as a business group had contended. By the end of the 

year, the states hope to pass the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative aimed at cutting greenhouse gas 

emissions 10 percent by 2010. Reuters, November 8, 2005, 

http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/33372/story.htm

“US to push at UN meeting for voluntary carbon cuts.” The Bush administration will use a United 

Nations climate change meeting in Canada to tout a voluntary plan to store heat-trapping gases 

underground, says an Energy Department official. Officials from some 150 countries will meet in 

Montreal on November 28 to discuss how to curb greenhouse gas emissions when the first phase of the 

Kyoto treaty ends. The White House prefers a voluntary, multi-national plan to sequester and store 

carbon dioxide. It would encourage nations to separate carbon dioxide from industrial emissions and pipe 

it into geologic formations or deep beneath the ocean floor for permanent storage, the Energy 

Department official said. The U.N. meeting is “an important moment for this technology – we are hopeful 

it would be endorsed in Montreal,” said Mark Maddox, the deputy assistant secretary of energy. Says 

John Grasser, an Energy Department spokesman, “There‘s got to be a better and cheaper way to do this 

[than mandatory cuts envisioned by Kyoto]...that‘s why sequestration is taking off – it might be our ace in 

the hole.” David Doniger, a climate change expert at the Natural Resources Defense Council, says he is 

“bullish” on sequestration technology, but it must be accompanied by specific carbon cuts. The federal 

government should give U.S. utilities incentives to capture carbon emissions from coal-fired power 

plants, and introduce a cap-and-trade system similar to one being used in the European Union, Doniger 

said. Leading the Charge, November 16, 2005, http://www.leadingthecharge.com/stories/news00100778.html

“International Climate Efforts – Beyond 2012.” The Pew Center on Global Climate Change released a 

new report outlining options and recommendations for advancing the international climate change effort 

post-2012. The report is from the Climate Dialogue at Pocantico, a group of 25 senior policymakers and 

stakeholders from 15 countries convened by the Pew Center. The report was formally released at an 

event in the hearing room of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee hosted by Senator Richard G. 

Lugar (R-Indiana) and Senator Joseph R. Biden Jr. (D-Delaware), the committee's Chairman and 

Ranking Minority Member. At the event, Senators Lugar and Biden also announced the introduction of a 

Sense of the Senate resolution calling for the United States to participate in negotiations under the 

Framework Convention on Climate Change to establish mitigation commitments by all major emitting 

countries (see Legislative Activity section of this newsletter). For information on the Pocantico dialogue 
and report, and on the Lugar-Biden Climate Change resolution, please visit 

http://www.pewclimate.org/global-warming-in-depth/international/reports/pocantico_release.cfm. Also 

see, “Panel Calls for Flexible Climate Treaty,” Wall Street Journal, November 16, 2005, 

http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB113211692367798698-

JVIk5nCdzW2CrRmY6BgM_Hts6Y8_20061116.html?mod=tff_main_tff_top

“New Technologies to Reduce Global Warming.” During a follow-up meeting to the climatic 

agreement established during the G-8 Summit in Gleneagles in July 2005, the Ministries of Energy and 

Environment of the G-8 member countries discussed how to reduce global warming with new 

technologies. Delegates from China, Brazil, Mexico and India took part in the summit, at which British PM 

Tony Blair said science and technology will permit the solution of climatic problems, not the agreements 

taken. He mentioned a technique to capture and store carbon dioxide through plants, which break it 

down in photosynthesis, liquefy it and store it in the subsoil. Prensa Latina, November 2, 2005, 

http://www.plenglish.com/article.asp?ID=%7BE92F4E2B-5F6D-4551-B889-

4510D4636C88%7D&language=EN

“G20 climate summit pushes technology not targets.” The industrialized and developing nations that 

emit the most greenhouse gases have pledged to work together to develop and deploy “clean 

technologies” to tackle climate change. Meeting in London, energy and environment ministers from the 

G20 group of nations also agreed to work with the World Bank to create incentives for large-scale private 

investment in such technologies. The meeting took place in the run-up to the UN conference in Montreal 

that is expected to focus on how to tackle climate change once the Kyoto Protocol expires in 2012. 

Regarding the development of renewable energy sources and technologies to capture and store carbon 

emissions from coal-fired power stations, UK Prime Minister Tony Blair said, “The blunt truth about the 

politics of climate change is that no country will want to sacrifice its economy in order to meet this 

challenge. The solutions will come in the end, in part at least, through the private sector developing the 

technology and science.” SciDev.net, November 3, 2005, 

http://www.wbcsd.org/plugins/DocSearch/details.asp?type=DocDet&ObjectId=17144

“Germany to Link Up with Mexico and Brazil on CO2.” Germany hopes to sign partnership deals for 

greenhouse gas emission cuts with Mexico and Brazil at the United Nations climate change conference 

in Montreal, a government official said. Germany is in talks with a raft of countries on memoranda of 

understanding (MOUs) aimed at helping German firms earn carbon dioxide reduction credits abroad, 

said Franzjosef Schafhausen, head of the Berlin government's climate working group. “There are about 

30 MOUs under negotiation and those with Mexico and Brazil are the furthest advanced so their 

realization by Montreal is highly likely,” Schafhausen said at an emissions trading conference in 

Frankfurt. The MOUs will create the legal foundation for Joint Implementation (JI) and Clean 

Development Mechanism (CDM) programs, two of the main emissions reduction tools promoted in the 

Kyoto Protocol on climate change. The other Kyoto mechanism is emissions trading. By agreeing JIs and 

CDMs, companies in industrialized countries can earn credits towards their mandatory greenhouse gas 

reduction targets by investing in green projects in poorer countries, where it can be cheaper and easier 

to curb pollution. Reuters, September 11, 2005, 

http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/33387/story.htm

 

“China Unlikely to Sign on to Kyoto Emissions Cuts.” China is unlikely to commit to cutting 

emissions in the next phase of the Kyoto Protocol, fearing it would retard economic growth, but analysts 

say the government is waking up to the threat of climate change. China, now the world's second largest 

emitter of greenhouse gases after the United States, recently unveiled a five-year economic plan that 

stresses sustainable rather than breakneck growth, an acknowledgment of the environmental and social 

costs of its economic success. “China might be willing to commit to a cap at some time if there is a 

package on the table, for instance a technology transfer from the EU,” says Yu Jie, a climate and energy 

campaigner at Greenpeace. “I think developing countries have made it pretty clear from the beginning 

that they weren't going to accept cuts because that would impede their capacity to grow,” said Alan 
Oxley, an environment and trade expert and head of the Australia APEC Study Centre. “That situation 

hasn't changed.” Reuters, November 14, 2005, 

http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/33446/story.htm

“Energy Bill Impacts R&D, Conservation, Nuclear, Wind, Solar, Coal, Oil, Oil Shale and Ethanol 

Endeavors.” Senate Energy & Natural Resources Chairman Pete V. Domenici outlined some of the 

tangible results already seen from the enactment of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. In a statement, 

Chairman Domenici said “Coal companies are seeking to partner with the federal government on clean 

coal projects while innovative strategies are already producing more oil from our own mature oil fields 

and sequestering carbon at the same time...The energy bill is making a difference. It’s already evident in 

the energy production sector. In the next year or two, I hope that difference will be evident at the gas 

pump and in our electric bills.” Press Release, November 18, 2005, 

http://energy.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressReleases.Detail&PressRelease_id=234792

&Month=11&Year=2005

Norway: “Efforts to realize capture, use and storage of carbon dioxide have commenced.” 

According to a press release issued by the Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy, “the 

Government has ambitious goals regarding capture, use and storage of carbon dioxide and our timetable 

is demanding.” NOK 20 million is allocated to this work, says Mr. Odd Roger Enoksen, Minister of 

Petroleum and Energy. The Government will also contribute substantially to the development of 

technology for capture of carbon dioxide through Gassnova – the Norwegian state centre for sustainable 

gas technologies – as well as on R&D through the Norwegian Research Council. The release also says 

the government will proceed with the planning of CO2 capture at the Kårstø gas fired power plant. Press 

release, November 10, 2005, http://www.odin.dep.no/oed/english/026001-070329/dok-bn.html

“Greenhouse gas to rise by 52%.” In a new report, the IEA warns that energy consumption must be 

reduced. Global greenhouse gas emissions will rise by 52% by 2030, unless the world takes action to 

reduce energy consumption, the study says. The prediction comes from the latest annual World Energy 

Outlook report from the International Energy Agency. It says that under current consumption trends, 

energy demand will also rise by more than 50% over the next 25 years. The IEA adds that oil prices will 

“substantially” rise unless there is extra investment in oil facilities. It says the world has seen “years of 

under-investment” in both oil production and the refinery sector. The organization estimates that the 

global oil industry now needs to invest $20.3 trillion in fresh facilities by 2030, or else the wider global 

economy could suffer. BBC News, November 7, 2005, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4414000.stm

“N.Y. adopts new emissions standards.” New York became the second of six Northeastern states 

considering similar rules to adopt emissions standards like those in California – the only state with stricter 

guidelines than the federal government. Vermont adopted the guidelines last week. Under the new 

carbon dioxide emissions guidelines all 2009 and later model cars sold in New York and Vermont will 

have to meet higher fuel efficiency standards. E&E Daily, November 10, 2005, 

http://www.wbcsd.org/plugins/DocSearch/details.asp?type=DocDet&ObjectId=MTcyMjg. Also see, “Vt. 

adopts new rules to cut car emissions,” Associated Press, November 3, 2005, 

http://www.enn.com/today.html?id=9166 

January 2006

UNCCC Website, “United Nations Climate Change Conference agrees on future critical steps to 

tackle climate change.” The UNCCC closed with the adoption of more than forty decisions that will 

strengthen climate change. The Conference President, Canadian Environment Minister Stéphane Dion 

felt that the conference was a success, that the Kyoto Protocol has been switched on, a dialogue about 

future action has begun, and parties are moving forward to adapt and advance the implementation of the 

regular work program of the Convention and the Protocol. During the first week of the conference, the 

rulebook of the 1997 Kyoto Protocol was adopted, the so-called “Marrakesh accords.” Developed 
countries committed to fund the operation of the clean development mechanism (CDM) with over 13 

million in US dollars in 2006-2007, and the process for methodologies under CDM was simplified and its 

governing body strengthened. The second Kyoto mechanism was launched and its governing body set 

up—Joint Implementation, which allows developed countries to invest in other developed countries and 

earn carbon allowances they can use to meet their emission reduction commitments. The compliance 

committee with its enforcement and facilitative branches was elected, a key to ensuring that the Parties 

to the Protocol have a clear accountability regime in meeting their emissions reductions targets. The 

conference also agreed on a one-year process to define how the Adaptation Fund will be managed and 

operated. This fund will draw on money generated by the CDM and will support concrete adaptation 

activities in developing countries. Technology was at the center of discussion on efforts to reduce 

emissions and adapt to climate impacts. Countries agreed on further steps to promote the development 

and transfer of technologies. Carbon capture and storage was estimated to have the potential to reduce 

the costs of mitigation by up to 30 percent, based on the recent report by the Intergovernmental Panel on 

Climate Change (IPCC). Parties agreed to move forward with deeper analysis of Carbon Capture and 

Storage technology. December 10, 2005. See: http://unfccc.int/meetings/cop_11/items/3394.php for the 

press release and for pdf files of the final decisions. 

Bloomberg, “US Delegates Refuse to Participate in Global Warming Talks,” US delegates to 

Montreal refused to participate in Kyoto Protocol talks after objecting to non-binding negotiations to limit 

carbon dioxide emissions. About 10,000 representatives from almost 200 countries gathered in Montreal 

to plan the next round of greenhouse gas cuts before Kyoto expires in 2012. In 2001 the Bush 

Administration rejected an agreement to cut carbon dioxide and other gases to 7 percent below 1997 

levels as too costly for the US, which emits 25 percent of the world’s greenhouse gases. The other Kyoto 

parties reached an informal agreement to continue talks on reducing emissions over the next few years 

without the US. December 9, 2005,

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000087&sid=aI_VP7vXpswU&refer=top_world_news. For 

the specifics on the UNCCC decisions, see this newsletter’s Policy section.

Business Standard, Economy Bureau, (New Delhi, India), “Draft Proposes 0.1 Percent Cess on 

Energy Firms,” India’s draft energy policy proposes a National energy fund to be set up through a cess 

(tax) of 0.1 percent on all petroleum, power, and coal companies. Technology missions will be used for 

research and development in areas such as carbon sequestration, efficiency improvement, in situ 

gasification, developing solar technologies for thermal and photovoltaics, bio-fuels such as producing of 

bio-diesel and ethanol, bio-mass plantation and wood gasification, and community-based bio-gas plants. 

A rebate of up to 80 percent of this tax is proposed to firms for in-house research and development. 

December 16, 2005, http://www.businessstandard.com/common/storypage.php?hpFlag=Y&chklogin=N&autono=208729&leftnm=lmnu2&lselect=0

&leftindx=2

February 2006 

IPPR Press Release, “Two Thirds of European Union Countries Set to Miss Kyoto Commitments,” 

Ten of 15 European Union countries that are part of the Kyoto Protocol will fall short of their targets, 

according to a report published December 27, 2005 by the United Kingdom’s think tank Institute for 

Public Policy Research (IPPR). The United Kingdom and Sweden are on course to meet their targets. 

Three countries, France, Greece and Germany, will only meet their targets if new policies are 

implemented. Ten countries will fail to meet their targets even with planned additional measures, 

including: Finland, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, and 

Denmark. December 27, 2005, http://www.ippr.org.uk/pressreleases/?id=1863

Oil & Gas Journal, “European Union, France Seek Integrated Energy Policy,” The European Union 

(EU) is pursuing an integrated, efficient energy policy. At a meeting of 25 EU finance ministers in 

Brussels on January 24, Austrian Minister Martin Bartenstein said he would focus on energy during his 
country’s 6-month presidency of the European Union. French Economic and Finance Minister Thierry 

Breton presented a memorandum which outlined many energy policy recommendations to the EU 

including encouraging continued development of hydrogen, fuel cell, and carbon dioxide sequestration 

technology. January 26, 2006, 

http://ogj.pennnet.com/articles/article_display.cfm?Section=ONART&C=GenIn&ARTICLE_ID=246636&p

=7

March 2006 

Greenwire, “Kyoto Goal Can Be Met, But Tougher Rules are Needed, UN Says,” The United Nations 

Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) said that the report filed by industrialized nations 

to the organization in the beginning of 2006 showed “significant progress,” but that stricter greenhouse 

gas emissions-curbing efforts are needed. Richard Kinley, acting head of the UNFCCC, said that as a 

whole the countries were progressing toward lowering emissions levels by at least 3.5 percent below 

1990 levels by the 2008-2012 target. With tougher reduction measures, the countries may reach target of 

at least 5 percent cut below 1990 levels. Download UNCCC Press Release at: 

http://unfccc.int/files/press/news_room/press_releases_and_advisories/application/pdf/20060215_annive

rsary_kp_entry_into_force.pdf. February 15, 2006, http://www.eenews.net/Greenwire/2006/02/15/#9. 

(Subscription maybe required.) 

BBC News, “Britain's Emissions Plan Rejected,” The European Commission rejected Britain’s 

revised carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions plans on procedural grounds. Britain made changes to its 

original plan, increasing it by nearly 3 percent (about 20 million metric tons) of CO2 for 2005-2007, which 

was then disputed by the Commission. The European Union (EU) Court of First Instance sided with 

Britain in the dispute, ruling in November that the country could make changes, even those which would 

mean easing pollution limits for industry. Now the commission has rejected Britain’s amended plan on 

the grounds of late submission, saying that Britain missed the September 30, 2004 deadline. February 

22, 2006, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4740878.stm. 

Reuters, “EU’s Dimas Says to Approve Italy CO2 Plan Shortly,” Italy’s allocation plan for carbon 

dioxide (CO2) emissions will receive final approval from the European Union’s executive arm in a few 

days, said EU’s Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas. February 16, 2006, 

http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=35140&newsdate=16-Feb-2006

BBC News, Carbon Map Shows Worst Offenders.” The Carbon Trust published a map detailing the 

amount of carbon emitted per square kilometer per year, and emissions per person for 33 urban areas in 

the UK. London leads the list with 9.46 million metric tons of carbon emitted annually (1.09 metric tons 

per person). To view the map see: http://www.carbonmap.co.uk/. February 21, 2006, 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4735872.stm

April 2006 

Bloomberg, “Canada, Head of UN Kyoto Group, May Not Meet Emission Targets.” Canada’s 

Environment Minister Rona Ambrose said in an interview that Canada is unlikely to meet its emissions 

reduction targets set under the Kyoto Protocol. In 2002, Canada set a target to decrease emissions by 6 

percent from 1990 levels by 2012. Canada serves as chair of the Conference of Parties to the United 

Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which created the Kyoto Protocol. Canada will have 

less credibility in talks to add conditions to the treaty or convince other nations to sign if that country does 

not meet its targets, said John Bennett, senior policy advisor at the environmental lobby group Sierra 

Club of Canada. March 9, 2006, 
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000082&sid=a02Zv4lWMw38&refer=canada#. 

(Subscription may be required.) 

Slovene Press Agency STA, “Slovenia Will Meet Kyoto Obligations, Minister Says.” Slovenian 

Environment minister Janez Podobnik said that Slovenia is on course to meet its targets for 2008-2012 

under the Kyoto Protocol, despite the findings published to the contrary in mid-February by the European 

Commission. Slovenia plans to implement additional reduction measures including carbon sequestration 

in forests. "Slovenia is currently in an unequal position as it is not part of the joint strategy for lowering 

emissions that was adopted...in 2002 by the EU-15," Podobnik pointed out. March 13, 2006, 

http://www.gzs.si/eng/news/sbw/head.asp?idc=20913. 

Newsroom Finland, “Statistics Finland says CO2 emissions near Kyoto level in 2005.” In 2005, 

Finnish carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions fell by 17 percent to about 54 million metrics tons, putting them 

close to their Kyoto target level, Statistics Finland said in a statement. The fall in CO2 emissions was 

attributed to decreased use of fossil fuels and peat. Also, a record 17 terawatthours of power, a fifth of 

total consumption, was imported in 2005, due to a good water reservoir situation in Norway and Sweden. 

Warm weather and a seven week dispute in the pulp and paper industries also contributed to the lower 

levels of emissions. February 24, 2006, 

http://newsroom.finland.fi/stt/showarticle.asp?intNWSAID=11868&group=Business. 

“Trade-offs in assessing different energy futures: a regional multi-criteria assessment of the role 

of carbon dioxide capture and storage.” The authors examine the responses of stakeholders from the 

public and private sectors to future energy scenarios for the year 2050 for the North West of England. 

The main focus of the paper is to examine the stakeholders’ reactions to the mitigation option of 

capturing CO2 from power stations and storing it in suitable off-shore geological reservoirs. Five energy 

scenarios were developed which involved a range of levels of CO2 capture and storage (CCS): 

Fossilwise, Nuclear Renaissance, Renewable Generation and Spreading the Load high and low 

scenarios. A multi-criteria assessment method (MCA) was used as a way of elucidating stakeholders’ 

views on the desirability or otherwise of each scenario against nine stakeholder-derived criteria. The 

authors found that stakeholders were either business-focused or environment/society-focused with 

respect to weighting of the criteria. Scoring of the scenarios did not follow such a straightforward pattern. 

Most respondents scored and weighted strategically and tended to express a clear preference for a form 

of energy generation. The results suggest that there is unlikely to be a wide-ranging consensus amongst 

energy stakeholders on the desirability of specific future forms of energy generation. On balance, the 

results support the inclusion of CCS within scenarios of a low-carbon energy system. Environmental 

Science and Policy, doi:10.1016/j.envsci.2006.01.006, Available online February 28, 2006. 

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6VP6-4JCCM8V2/2/0573827d9d24c007249b398df68461d9. (Subscription may be required.)

“Atmospheric and geological CO2 damage costs in energy scenarios.” Geological carbon dioxide 

(CO2) capture and storage (CCS) is currently seriously considered for addressing, in the near term, the 

problem of climate change. CCS technology is available today and is expected to become an 

increasingly affordable CO2 abatement alternative. Whereas the rapidly growing scientific literature on 

CCS as well as experimental and commercial practice demonstrate the technological and economic 

feasibility of implementing this clean fossil fuel option on a large scale, relatively little attention has been 

paid so far to the risks and environmental externalities of geological storage of CO2. This paper assesses 

the effects of including CCS damage costs in a long-term energy scenario analysis for Europe. An 

external cost sensitivity analysis is performed with a bottom-up energy technology model that accounts 

not only for CCS technologies but also for their external costs. The authors’ main conclusion is that in a 

business-as-usual scenario (i.e. without climate change intervention or externality internalization), CCS 

technologies are likely to be deployed at least to some extent, mainly in the power generation sector, 

given the economic benefits of opportunities such as enhanced coal bed methane, and oil and gas 
recovery. Under a strict climate (CO2 emissions) constraint, CCS technologies are deployed massively. 

With the simultaneous introduction of both CO2 and CCS taxation in the power sector, designed to 

internalize the external atmospheric and geological effects of CO2 emissions and storage, respectively, 

the authors find that CCS will only be developed if the climate change damage costs are at least of the 

order of 100 euros per ton of carbon dioxide (€/t CO2) (approximately $119) or the CO2 storage damage 

costs not more than a few €/t CO2 . (One Euro = approximately $1.1905 US dollars.) When the 

internalized climate change damage costs are as high as 67 €/t CO2 (approximately $80), the expensive 

application of CCS to biomass-fuelled power plants (with negative net CO2 emissions) proves the most 

effective CCS alternative to reduce CO2 emissions, rather than CCS applied to fossil-based power 

plants. Environmental Science and Policy, Available online March 6, 2006, 

doi:10.1016/j.envsci.2006.01.004, http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6VP6-4JDMR64-

1/2/9646bdbb9f0577166033edb961f4b205. (Subscription may be required.) 

May 2006 

Reuters, “EU Executive Gets Tough On Environmental Violations,” and European Commission 

Press Release, “EU Climate Change Policies: Commission Asks Member States to Fulfill Their 

Obligations.” The European Union’s (EU) European Commission is taking legal action against several 

EU member states for failing to comply with four climate change policies. The aim of these actions is to 

ensure that EU and its member states meet all of the reporting obligations under the UN Climate Change 

Convention and the Kyoto Protocol. Cyprus, Greece, Luxembourg, Malta and Poland were sent warning 

letters for failure to link national registries with the EU-wide registry system. Each member state was to 

establish a national registry in the form of a standardized database and communications link, which was 

to occur by December 31, 2004. Austria, Cyprus, Luxembourg, Malta, and Poland were sent second and 

final written warnings for not communicating their greenhouse gas emissions projections, nor their 

policies and measures to reduce their emissions level by March 15, 2006. Cyprus, Italy, Malta and Spain 

received warnings for failing to submit information on greenhouse gas emissions by January 15 each 

year. Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and Spain have failed to adequately prepare for international 

emissions trading under the Kyoto protocol, and have been send their first written warnings. April 6, 

2006, http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=scienceNews&storyid=2006-04-

06T102511Z_01_L06691570_RTRUKOC_0_US-EU-ENVIRONMENT-INFRINGEMENTS.xml and

http://www.europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/06/469&format=HTML&aged=0&la

nguage=EN&guiLanguage=en. 

Greenwire, “US to Host Asia-Pacific Partnership Talks This Week.” The United States will host talks 

starting April 18 in Berkeley, California. Representatives of the Asia-Pacific Partnership, including 

Australia, China, Japan, India, South Korea, and the US, will attend closed-door meetings lasting for four 

days. The US delegation will be led by Undersecretary of State Paula Dobriansky and White House 

Council on Environmental Quality Chairman Jim Connaughton. Approximately 250 attendees will draft 

agendas for eight industries with regard to developing and sharing technologies to curb greenhouse gas 

emissions. The industries include: fossil fuel energy; renewable energy; power generation and 

transmission; steel; aluminum; cement; coal mining; and buildings and appliances. April 17, 2006, 

http://www.eenews.net/Greenwire/2006/04/17/#1. (Subscription may be required.)

Reuters, “Spain's CO2 Emissions Rose 48 Percent From 1990 to 2004.” Spain’s carbon dioxide 

emissions rose 47.87 percent between 1990 and 2004, two percentage points higher than was 

previously calculated, said Spain’s Environment Ministry. The rise may be in part due to the impact of a 

2004/2005 (hydrogeologic year) drought which reduced power companies’ hydroelectric generating 

capacity and increased the use of fossil fuels for power generation. The number shows Spain as the 

worst performer among rich nations with regard to their greenhouse gas emissions. Spain’s Kyoto 

protocol target is such that it can increase emissions by only 15 percent between the base year 1990 and 

2008. The new data are contained in a report from Spain to the European Commission. April 17, 2006, 
http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=scienceNews&storyID=2006-04-

17T113410Z_01_L17632860_RTRIDST_0_SCIENCE-ENVIRONMENT-SPAIN-DC.XML.

June 2006 

Globe and Mail, “Ottawa Now Wants Kyoto Deal Scrapped.” According to private instruction for 

negotiators at a climate change conference in Bonn, Germany, Canada will not support stricter emissions 

for the second phase of the Kyoto Protocol, which begins after 2012. The Canadian Foreign Affairs 

Department sent the negotiation instructions to the Canada delegation at the talks in Bonn, which were 

then obtained by Globe and Mail. "Canada will not support ... agreement on language in the work 

program that commits developed countries to more stringent targets in the future," states a line contained 

in 22 pages of instructions. The document also shows that Canada is threatening to pull out of the United 

Nations climate-change process unless it includes the United States and all other major polluters. From 

May 15-26, two sets of talks are taking place in Bonn, Germany, the UN Framework Convention on 

Climate Change (UNFCCC) talks and the talks regarding the Kyoto Protocol. The UNFCC is a 1994 

international treaty supported by 189 countries involving voluntary commitments to address climate 

change. One hundred and sixty three countries are in the Kyoto protocol, but only Canada and 34 other 

countries took on targets for the first phase. May 20, 2006, 

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20060520.KYOTO20/TPStory. (Subscription or 

registration may be required.) 

Earth Negotiations Bulletin, “UNFCCC Sessions of the Subsidiary Bodies (SB-24), May 2006, 

Bonn, Germany.” The twenty-fourth sessions of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological 

Advice (SBSTA) and the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) of the United Nations Framework 

Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) were held from May 18-26, 2006. Also the first session of the 

Ad Hoc Working Group on Further Commitments for Annex I Parties under the Kyoto Protocol (AWG) 

took place from May 17-25. These sessions were preceded by the dialogue on long-term cooperative 

action to address climate change by enhancing implementation of the convention, held from May 15-16, 

2006. All of these meeting were held in the Hotel Maritim in Bonn, Germany. On May 20, a workshop on 

carbon capture and storage was held, with the objective of improving understanding of carbon capture 

and storage through an overview of the document “Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 

Special Report on Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage.” The workshop covered relevant provisions of 

the forthcoming 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories and discussed 

demonstration and pilot projects, and capacity-building for the development and use of the technology. 

See: http://unfccc.int/meetings/sb24/in-session/items/3623.php for an agenda of the CCS workshop, and 

the following link: http://www.iisd.ca/vol12/enb12301e.html to scroll down for a summary of the workshop 

as reported by Earth Negotiations Bulletin. On May 22, a workshop on carbon capture and storage as 

development mechanism (CDM) project activities was held to consider carbon dioxide capture and 

storage as clean development mechanism project activities while taking into account issues relating to 

the projects including boundaries and permanence. See: http://unfccc.int/meetings/sb24/insession/items/3716.php for the agenda of the workshop on CCS as CDM project activities, and the 

following link: http://www.iisd.ca/vol12/enb12302e.html to scroll down for the workshop’s coverage by 

Earth Negotiations Bulletin. http://www.iisd.ca/climate/sb24/. 

July 2006 

Environmental Finance Publications Online News, “US, EU Agree to High-Level Talks on Climate 

Change.” The annual EU-US Summit attended by US President George Bush and European Union (EU) 

President Manuel Barroso, was held on June 21 in Vienna, Austria. (For details on the summit, see the 

website: http://ec.europa.eu/comm/external_relations/us/sum06_06/index.htm.) As part of the joint 

declaration adopted by the EU and US, the parties agreed, among four main areas, to promote strategic 

cooperation on energy, energy security, climate change and sustainable development. The parties also 
agreed to “work more closely to address the serious and long-term challenge of climate change, 

biodiversity loss and air pollution and will act with resolve and urgency to reduce greenhouse gas 

emissions.” The joint declaration also states that the EU and the US will work to reinforce technological 

cooperation and partnerships, in areas including carbon sequestration. To read the joint declaration, see: 

http://ec.europa.eu/comm/external_relations/us/sum06_06/docs/decl_final_210606.pdf. While dialog will 

continue under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the parties have 

established an “EU-US High Level Dialogue on Climate Change, Clean Energy and Sustainable 

Development,” which will meet in the Fall of 2006 in Helsinki, Finland. This dialogue will be guided by the 

ultimate objective of the UNFCCC, with discussions to include experiences with different market-based 

mechanisms to promote cost-effective reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, and advancing the 

development and deployment of existing and transformational technologies that are cleaner and more 

efficient. On June 20, EU environment commissioner Stavros Dimas told the European Parliament's 

Environment Committee that "clear market signals" are needed to promote technological solutions to 

climate change. "Mandatory reductions, an international price on carbon and a global cap-and-trade 

scheme are necessary," he said. Dimas also said other aspects of the EU’s climate policy would be 

strengthened with “a legislative framework for carbon capture and storage that will provide clarity for 

future investments.” See: 

http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/06/393&format=HTML&aged=0&lan

guage=EN&guiLanguage=en to read the speech by Stavros Dimas as an html, pdf or doc file. June 22, 

2006, http://www.environmental-finance.com/onlinews/22junets.htm. 

Agence France-Presse, “EU Way Off Course For Meeting Kyoto Targets: Latest Figures.” A report 

published June 22 by the European Environment Agency, showed the European Union (EU) remains off 

course for meeting its greenhouse gas reduction pledges under the Kyoto Protocol, and that greenhouse 

gas emissions actually rose 0.3 percent (11.5 million tons) between 2003 and 2004, or 11.5 million tons. 

This marks the second annual year of increase. (To link to the report, see this newsletter’s Recent

Publications section for the report entitled: “Annual European Community Greenhouse Gas Inventory 

1990-2004 and Inventory Report 2006.”) June 22, 2006, 

http://www.wbcsd.org/plugins/DocSearch/details.asp?type=DocDet&ObjectId=MTk0ODM. 

August 2006 

Greenwire, “G8 Gives Nod to Post-Kyoto Talks, Voluntary Programs.” The Group of Eight (G8) 

leaders released a statement at the end of their annual summit which was held on July 15-17, 2006, in 

St. Petersburg, Russia. In the statement, the leaders reaffirmed their support for several existing global 

warming pacts and pledged to continue discussions on what is to happen once the Kyoto Protocol 

expires in 2012. During the summit, Energy Security and other issues took precedence over global 

warming topics. As part of the statement’s pledge to diversify the energy mix (in order to reduce global 

energy security risks) the G8 pledged to work to develop low-carbon and alternative energy, to make 

wider use of renewables and to develop and introduce innovative technologies throughout the entire 

energy sector. Part of that commitment also encourages the activities of the Carbon Sequestration 

Leadership Forum (CSLF) (which is aimed at preparing and implementing demonstration projects on 

CO2 capture and storage and on the development of zero emission power plants), and commends the 

participation of the G8 countries in the CSLF, and in other initiatives which address climate change. The 

G8 also pledged to work with the private sector to accelerate utilization of innovative technologies that 

advance more efficient hydrocarbon production and reduce the environmental impact of its production 

and use, including clean coal technologies with carbon capture and storage. To view the joint statement, 

go to: http://en.g8russia.ru/docs/11.html. July 17, 2006,

http://www.eenews.net/Greenwire/print/2006/07/17/3. (Subscription may be required.) 
Geology 

September 2005 

“IEA GHG Weyburn CO2 monitoring and storage project.” This paper presents an integrated 

overview of the results from over 50 individual technical research projects related to the IEA GHG 

Weyburn CO2 Monitoring and Storage Project. Research activities in the project were divided into four 

“themes” that applied leading-edge science and engineering in geophysics, geomechanics, 

geochemistry, geology, reservoir engineering, risk assessment, and economics. Fuel Processing 

Technology, Volume 86, Issues 14-15, October 2005, Pages 1547-1568, 

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/03783820 (subscription required) 

“Experimental investigation of CO2–brine–rock interactions at elevated temperature and 

pressure: Implications for CO2 sequestration in deep-saline aquifers.” This paper explores the 

reactivity of supercritical CO2 with host aquifer fluids and formation minerals through experiments 

reacting supercritical CO2 with natural and synthetic brines in the presence and absence of limestone 

and sandstone. Fuel Processing Technology, Volume 86, Issues 14-15, October 2005, Pages 1581-

1597, http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/03783820 (subscription required) 

“Modeling carbon dioxide sequestration in saline aquifers: Significance of elevated pressures 

and salinities.” This study attempts to predict the capacity of saline formations to sequester carbon 

dioxide by determining solubility and mineral trapping through simulating sequestration with geochemical 

models. Several models have been used to make estimates of carbon dioxide solubility and mineral 

formation as a function of pressure and fluid composition. Overall, the paper concludes it is difficult to 

confidently predict the ultimate sequestration capacity of deep saline aquifers using geochemical models. 

Fuel Processing Technology, Volume 86, Issues 14-15, October 2005, Pages 1569-1580, 

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/03783820 (subscription required) 

“Carbon sequestration using brine of adjusted pH to form mineral carbonates.” The effects of 

temperature, pressure, and pH on the formation of carbonates, such as calcite, during the reaction of 

CO2 with natural gas well brine were investigated. Results show that temperature has a greater control 

on changes in pH than pressure. However, initial brine pH is the main factor controlling the formation of 

carbonates. Fuel Processing Technology, Volume 86, Issues 14-15, October 2005, Pages 1599-1614, 

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/03783820 (subscription required) 

December 2005

“Field-Project Designs for Carbon Dioxide Sequestration and Enhanced Coalbed Methane 

Production.” In this study, reservoir-simulation computations are performed for a hypothetical pilot-scale 

project in coal seams. The authors vary operational parameters, such as injector length, injection well 

pressure, time to injection, and production well pressure, in order to evaluate different production 

schemes and determine an optimum for various coal types. Values of total CO2 sequestered and 

methane produced are presented for multiple coal types and different operational designs. Energy & 

Fuels, Volume 19 Issue 6 (November 16, 2005), http://pubs.acs.org/cgibin/abstract.cgi/enfuem/2005/19/i06/abs/ef049667n.html (subscription required) 

January 2006

“Convective stability analysis of the long-term storage of carbon dioxide in deep saline aquifers,” 

Deep saline aquifers are one of the most suitable geologic formations for carbon sequestration. The 

linear and global stability analysis of the time-dependent density-driven convection in deep saline 
aquifers is presented for long-term storage of carbon dioxide (CO2). The convective mixing that can 

greatly accelerate the CO2 dissolution into saline aquifers arises because the density of brine increases 

upon the dissolution of CO2 and such a density difference may induce instability. The effects of 

anisotropic permeability on the stability criteria, such as the critical time for the appearance of convective 

phenomena and the critical wavelength of the most unstable perturbation, are investigated with linear 

and global stability analysis. The linear stability analysis provides a sufficient condition for instability while 

the global stability analysis yields a sufficient condition for stability. The results obtained from these two 

approaches are not exactly the same but show a consistent trend, both indicating that the anisotropic 

system becomes more unstable when either the vertical or horizontal permeability increases. Advances 

in Water Resources, Volume 29, Issue 3, March 2006, Pages 397-407. 

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6VCF-4GNKS55-

2/2/3a236275433494d932f82a227670610a (subscription may be required) 

“TOUGHREACT—A simulation program for non-isothermal multiphase reactive geochemical 

transport in variably saturated geologic media: Applications to geothermal injectivity and CO2

geological sequestration,” TOUGHREACT is a numerical simulation program for chemically reactive 

non-isothermal flows of multiphase fluids in porous and fractured media. The program was written in 

Fortran 77 and developed by introducing reactive geochemistry into the multiphase fluid and heat flow 

simulator TOUGH2. A variety of subsurface thermo-physical-chemical processes are considered under a 

wide range of conditions of pressure, temperature, water saturation, ionic strength, and pH and Eh. 

Interactions between mineral assemblages and fluids can occur under local equilibrium or kinetic rates. 

The gas phase can be chemically active. Precipitation and dissolution reactions can change formation 

porosity and permeability. The program can be applied to many geologic systems and environmental 

problems, including geothermal systems, diagenetic, and weathering processes, subsurface waste 

disposal, acid mine drainage remediation, contaminant transport, and groundwater quality. This paper 

presents two examples to illustrate the applicability of the program. Computers & Geosciences, Volume 

32, Issue 2, March 2006, Pages 145-165. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6V7D4GY8752-1/2/dc69951e6d547a839471ae697370c72c (subscription may be required) 

February 2006 

“Japanese potential of CO2 sequestration in coal seams.” As a reduction strategy for global warming 

by greenhouse gases, underground storage or sequestration of CO2 into coal beds or seams has been 

studied by the Japanese government and some associated organizations. The principle of this study 

depends on the adsorption of CH4 or CO2 on the surface of coal molecules as well as nearly twice the 

amount of adsorption of CO2 compared with CH4. One of the authors had experimentally clarified the 

adsorption abilities of the coals in each Japanese coalfield. Based on these adsorption-abilities, the 

amount of the coal-bed methane resources was calculated, and also the sequestration-potential of 

carbon dioxide was estimated for each coalfield. In this paper, the CO2 sequestration-potential obtained 

from each coalfield is compared with the potentials from the other coalfields in Japan. Among the 

Japanese coalfields, the Ishikari coalfield in Hokkaido is the biggest and shows 50 percent of Japanese 

CO2 sequestration potential. And the other big coalfields are the solitary island area in the northwestern 

district of Kyushu and the Miike-Ariake Sea area. Their potential percentages are 14 percent and 13 

percent, respectively. Applied Energy, Available Online January 6, 2006, 

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6WHR-4J0PF96-

9/2/5f9feeabb2e97a1b595692261e4f8463

 (Subscription may be required.) 

March 2006 

“Seismic Imaging for Site Selection and Monitoring of Carbon Dioxide Sequestration Part 1—

Field Studies.” This is the first in a two part series from the GasTips, a publication of Gas Technology 
Institute, the US Department of Energy and Hart Energy Publishing which covers technology 

developments in natural gas exploration, production and processing. The Gas Technology Institute, with 

support from Illinois Clean Coal Institute and cooperation of the Illinois State Geological Survey, 

designed and implemented a comprehensive research project aimed at determining the viability of 

seismic techniques for site selection and monitoring of carbon dioxide sequestration in Illinois coals. 

Read details of the studies starting on page 3 of the pdf file of the Fall 2005 GasTips, which is available 

at: http://www.netl.doe.gov/technologies/oil-gas/publications/GasTIPS/GasTIPS-Fall2005.pdf

“The influence of temperature on adsorption capacity of Malaysian coal,” The paper highlights the 

study of carbon dioxide (CO2) adsorption profiles of local coal samples of varying mean size distributions 

(1000 and 2000 micrometers (μm)) obtained from Miri, Sarawak situated in the East of Malaysia, at 

different temperatures (24.6, 30, 40 and 55 degrees Celsius). Parameters such as the moisture content, 

ash content, carbon content and mineral content of the coal sample were investigated. Based on the 

physical analysis of the coal, it was classified as lignite, which exhibits a better adsorptive affinity for 

CO2. In addition, the coal sample having the smaller mean particle size distribution of 1000 μm shows a 

better rate of adsorption compared to the 2000 μm size distribution. The adsorption capacity of the coal 

sample shows an inverse relationship with temperature. These findings open a platform for CO2

sequestration to be implemented in Malaysia. Chemical Engineering and Processing, Volume 45, Issue 

5, May 2006, Pages 392-396. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6TFH-4HNSJC1-

1/2/f8508e07ca6ddd8f3b502605bcffc684.(Subscription may be required.)

April 2006

“Experimental identification of CO2–water–rock interactions caused by sequestration of CO2 in 

Westphalian and Buntsandstein sandstones of the Campine Basin (NE-Belgium).” Geological 

sequestration of carbon dioxide (CO2) is one of the options studied to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

Although the feasibility of this concept is proven, apart from literature data on modeling, still little is 

known about the CO2–water–rock interactions induced by CO2 injection. To evaluate the effect of CO2–

water–rock interactions on three sandstone aquifers in Northeastern Belgium, an experimental setup was 

built. Eighteen experiments were performed in which sandstones were exposed to supercritical CO2. 

CO2–water–rock interactions were deduced from the evolution of aqueous concentrations of 25 species 

and a thorough characterization of the sandstones before and after treatment. The results show that 

dissolution of ankerite/dolomite and aluminum silicates could enhance porosity/permeability. The 

observed precipitation of end-member carbonates could increase storage capacity if it exceeds 

carbonate dissolution. Precipitation of the latter and of potassium-rich clays as observed, however, can 

hamper the injection. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, Available online March 9, 2006, 

doi:10.1016/j.gexplo.2005.11.005, http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6VCP-4JF97BJ2/2/d1a57de4882cf5730bc850ebdf5bfff5. (Subscription may be required.)

May 2006 

“Gas–water–rock interactions in sedimentary basins: CO2 sequestration in the Frio Formation, 

Texas, USA.” To investigate the potential for the geologic storage of carbon dioxide (CO2) in saline 

sedimentary aquifers, 1600 tons of CO2 were injected at approximately 1500 meter (m) depth into a 24-m 

sandstone section of the Frio Formation — a regional reservoir in the US Gulf Coast. Fluid samples 

obtained from the injection and observation wells before, during and after CO2 injection show a Na–Ca–

Cl type brine with 93,000 milligrams per liter (mg/L) total dissolved solids (TDS) and near saturation of 

methane (CH4) at reservoir conditions. As injected CO2 gas reached the observation well, results showed 

sharp drops in pH (6.5 to 5.7), pronounced increases in alkalinity (100 to 3000 mg/L as hydrogen 

carbonate (HCO3) and iron (Fe) (30 to 1100 mg/L), and significant shifts in the isotopic compositions of 

water (H2O) and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC). Geochemical modeling indicates that brine pH would 

have dropped lower, but for buffering by dissolution of calcite and Fe oxyhydroxides. Post-injection 
results show the brine gradually returning to its pre-injection composition. Journal of Geochemical 

Exploration, Volume 89, Issues 1-3, GEOFLUIDS V: 5th International Conference on Fluid Evolution, 

Migration and Interaction in Sedimentary Basins and Orogenic Belts, April-June 2006, Pages 183-186, 

doi:10.1016/j.gexplo.2005.11.077, http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6VCP-4JGJJ2RJ/2/f0a78dca20716616646af66c2abab5cc. (Subscription may be required.) 

June 2006 

“In situ CO2–coal reactions in view of carbon dioxide storage in deep unminable coal seams.”

Injection of carbon dioxide (CO2) in coalbed is considered to be an attractive option for storage. Large 

amounts of carbon dioxide are generated during the burial history of coal. In commercially produced 

coalbed gas, however, only small amounts of CO2 are found. This has motivated the present 

investigation of the long-term stability of sequestered CO2 in coal seams. Thus, the purpose of this study 

is to examine whether reactions with carbon dioxide can occur in coal at reservoir temperatures. The 

question is whether a relatively small decomposition of CO2 to form carbon monoxide (CO) can become 

significant in periods of 10,000 years. High pressure high temperature static and dynamic experiments 

with CO2 and coal were performed, which led to the opinion that chemical reactions involving CO2 cannot 

be ruled out. All CO concentrations from CO2 dynamic pressure experiments appear elevated compared 

to the nitrogen dynamic pressure experiment. The experiments do strongly point towards the reactivity of 

CO2 to form CO but because of limited experimental data the chemical involvement cannot be articulated 

in detail. Fuel, Volume 85, Issues 12-13 , September 2006, Pages 1904-1912, available online April 18, 

2006. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6V3B-4JRV77S5/2/63e5f8cc6f3b7f9d4e073201bc08adfe. 

July 2006

“Mechanisms of aqueous wollastonite carbonation as a possible CO2 sequestration process.” The 

mechanisms of aqueous wollastonite carbonation as a possible carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration 

process were investigated experimentally by systematic variation of the reaction temperature, CO2

pressure, particle size, reaction time, liquid to solid ratio and agitation power. The carbonation reaction 

was observed to occur via the aqueous phase in two steps: (1) calcium (Ca) leaching from the 

wollastonite (CaSiO3) matrix and (2) calcium carbonate (CaCO3) nucleation and growth. Leaching is 

hindered by a Ca-depleted silicate rim resulting from incongruent Ca-dissolution. Two temperature 

regimes were identified in the overall carbonation process. At temperatures below an optimum reaction 

temperature, the overall reaction rate is probably limited by the leaching rate of Ca. At higher 

temperatures, nucleation and growth of calcium carbonate are probably limiting the conversion, due to a 

reduced (bi)carbonate activity. The mechanisms for the aqueous carbonation of wollastonite were shown 

to be similar to those reported previously for an industrial residue and a magnesium (Mg)–silicate. The 

carbonation of wollastonite proceeds rapidly relative to Mg–silicates, with a maximum conversion in 

15 minutes of 70 percent at 200 degrees Celsius, 20 bar CO2 partial pressure and particle size of less 

than 38 micrograms. The obtained insight in the reaction mechanisms enables the energetic and 

economic assessment of CO2 sequestration by wollastonite carbonation, which forms an essential next 

step in its further development. Wouter J.J. Huijgen, Geert-Jan Witkamp and Rob N.J. Comans,

Chemical Engineering Science, Volume 61, Issue 13, The John Bridgwater Symposium: "Shaping the 

Future of Chemical Engineering", July 2006, Pages 4242-4251, 

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6TFK-4JJ2BR9-

2/2/147529f686327ad635e1b8df274caf79. (Subscription may be required.) 

“In situ methane hydrate dissociation with carbon dioxide sequestration: Current knowledge and 

issues.” There are large resources of methane gas as hydrates in permafrost and deep-sea sediments 
around the world. On the other hand, the emissions of carbon dioxide into atmosphere have gone up in 

the last hundred years. The emitted carbon dioxide can be sequestered as hydrate while helping 

dissociate the in situ methane hydrates. Such approach can improve the economics of carbon dioxide 

sequestration and methane hydrate dissociation, and assist in global carbon emissions management and 

methane hydrate exploitation. This paper summarizes the current knowledge on producing methane gas 

from hydrates while simultaneously sequestering carbon dioxide gas as hydrates, and discusses the 

challenges and issues in its implementation. Naval Goel, Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 

Volume 51, Issues 3-4, May 16, 2006, Pages 169-184, 

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6VDW-4JCBKXW1/2/3a99a9da3cb51bf5f4a32cd0cd3953dc. (Subscription may be required.)

August 2006 

“A theoretical model for gas adsorption-induced coal swelling.” Swelling and shrinkage (volumetric 

change) of coal during adsorption and desorption of gas is a well-known phenomenon. For coalbed 

methane recovery and carbon sequestration in deep, unminable coal beds, adsorption-induced coal 

volumetric change may cause significant reservoir permeability change. In this work, a theoretical model 

is derived to describe adsorption-induced coal swelling at adsorption and strain equilibrium. This model 

applies an energy balance approach, which assumes that the surface energy change caused by 

adsorption is equal to the elastic energy change of the coal solid. The elastic modulus of the coal, gas 

adsorption isotherm, and other measurable parameters, including coal density and porosity, are required 

in this model. Results from the model agree well with experimental observations of swelling. It is shown 

that the model is able to describe the differences in swelling behavior with respect to gas species and at 

very high gas pressures, where the coal swelling ratio reaches a maximum then decreases. Furthermore, 

this model can be used to describe mixed-gas adsorption induced-coal swelling, and can thus be applied 

to CO2-enhanced coalbed methane recovery. Zhejun Pan and Luke D. Connell, International Journal of 

Coal Geology, Available online June 22, 2006, doi:10.1016/j.coal.2006.04.006, 

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6V8C-4K7NHDW1/2/73e862d796900964a5790f7c35daf0ce. (Subscription may be required.) 

Technology 

September 2005

“Improved immobilized carbon dioxide capture sorbents.” In this experiment, the capture of carbon 

dioxide from simulated flue gas streams has been achieved by using immobilized and aminated-SBA-15 

solid sorbents. The solid sorbents prepared in this study exhibit similar or improved capacities relative to 

those already used to control CO2 concentrations in submarine and spacecraft applications. The results 

suggest that immobilized secondary amines have a stronger affinity for the capture of carbon dioxide 

from simulated flue gas streams than primary amines. Fuel Processing Technology, Volume 86, Issues 

14-15, October 2005, Pages 1449-1455, http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/03783820

(subscription required) 

“Aminopropyl-functionalized mesoporous silicas as CO2 adsorbents.” A range of mesoporous silica 

substrates were functionalized with 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane to form hybrid products suitable for 

carbon dioxide adsorption. Substantial reversible CO2 adsorption capacities were observed under 

anhydrous conditions (at 20 °C). In the presence of water, CO2 capacity was enhanced, but the rate of 

desorption was diminished. Fuel Processing Technology, Volume 86, Issues 14-15, October 2005, 

Pages 1435-1448, http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/03783820 (subscription required) 

“Review of novel methods for carbon dioxide separation from flue and fuel gases.” This paper 

reviews some of the more novel methods for carbon dioxide separation from flue and fuel gas streams. 
These methods include electrochemical pumps, membranes, and chemical looping approaches to CO2

separation. The fundamental mechanisms behind these techniques are explained, and recent advances 

in these methods are emphasized. Future research directions are suggested and an extensive list of 

references is provided. Fuel Processing Technology, Volume 86, Issues 14-15, October 2005, Pages 

1423-1434, http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/03783820 (subscription required) 

November 2005

“Influence of membrane wetting on CO2 capture in microporous hollow fiber membrane 

contactors.” Experimental studies on CO2 absorption using an aqueous DEA solution as the absorbent 

in a polypropylene hollow fiber membrane contactor show that the CO2 absorption rate in a non-wetted 

mode is six times higher than those of the wetted mode of operation. Separation and Purification 

Technology, Volume 46, Issues 1-2, November 2005, Pages 33-40, 

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/13835866 (subscription required) 

December 2005 

“DOE Advances Oxycombustion for Carbon Management.” The Department of Energy has selected 

two projects to demonstrate “oxycombustion” – a promising carbon capture technology – in existing coalfired power plants. The projects, valued at nearly $10 million, are expected to help expedite the timeline 

for commercialization of oxycombustion technology through slip stream or pilot plant testing. In an 

oxycombustion-based power plant, oxygen rather than air is used to combust a fuel resulting in a highly 

pure carbon dioxide exhaust that can be captured at relatively low-cost and sequestered. No commercial 

oxygen combustion power plants are operating today, due mainly to the high cost of producing oxygen. 

Significant reduction in the cost of oxygen compared to today’s best cryogenic technology is a key 

requirement to making the oxycombustion power plant a viable future option. The two projects selected 

by DOE show promise for reducing those costs when compared to existing CO2 capture systems. 

Babcock and Wilcox and BOC Group, Inc. will head the two projects. DOE/FE TechLine, November 17, 

2005, http://www.fossil.energy.gov/news/techlines/2005/tl_oxycombustion_award.html

“Oxy-fuel combustion technology for coal-fired power generation.” This paper provides a 

comprehensive review of research on oxy-fuel combustion, gives the status of the technology 

development and assessments providing comparisons with other power generation options, and 

suggests research needs. Progress in Energy and Combustion Science, Volume 31, Issue 4, Pages 283-

370 (2005), http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/03601285 (subscription required) 

“CO2 capture using some fly ash-derived carbon materials.” In this work, low cost carbon materials 

derived from fly ash are presented as effective CO2 sorbents. The results show that for samples derived 

from a fly ash carbon concentrate, the CO2 adsorption capacities were relatively high, especially at high 

temperatures where commercial active carbons relying on physi-sorption have low capacities. Fuel, 

Volume 84, Issue 17 (December 2005), http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00162361

(subscription required) 

“Economical CO2, SOx, and NOx capture from fossil-fuel utilization with combined renewable 

hydrogen production and large-scale carbon sequestration.” The objective of this project was to 

investigate and demonstrate production methods at a continuous, bench-scale level and generate 

sufficient material for an initial evaluation of a potentially profitable method of producing bioenergy and 

sequestering carbon. The novel process uses agricultural, forestry, and waste biomass to produce 

hydrogen using pyrolysis and reforming technologies conducted in a 50 kg/h pilot demonstration. A 

pyrolysis temperature profile was discovered that results in a carbon char with an affinity for capturing 

CO2 through gas phase reaction with mixed nitrogen-carrying nutrient compounds within the pore 

structures of the carbon char. The total amount of CO2 sequestration was managed by controlling particle 
discharge rates based on density. The patent-pending process is particularly applicable to fossil-fuel 

power plants as it also removes SOx and NOx, does not require energy-intensive carbon dioxide 

separation and operates at ambient temperature and pressure. The complete process produces three 

times as much hydrogen as it consumes, making it a net energy producer for the affiliated power plant. 

Energy, Volume 30, Issue 14, (November 2005), http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/03605442

(subscription required) 

“Engineering economic analysis of biomass IGCC with carbon capture and storage.” This study 

surveys the methods of integrating biomass technologies with carbon dioxide capture, and models an 

IGCC electric power system in detail. Biomass and Bioenergy, Volume 29, Issue 6, Pages 399-466 

(December 2005), http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/09619534 (subscription required) 

January 2006 

 “Metal-Organic Frameworks with Exceptionally High Capacity for Storage of Carbon Dioxide at 

Room Temperature.” Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) show high CO2 storage capacity at room 

temperature. Gravimetric CO2 isotherms for MOF-2, MOF-505, Cu3(BTC)2, MOF-74, IRMOFs-11, -3, -6, 

and -1, and MOF-177 are reported up to 42 bar. Type I isotherms are found in all cases except for MOFs 

based on Zn4O(O2C)6 clusters, which reveal a sigmoidal isotherm (having a step). The various pressures 

of the isotherm steps correlate with increasing pore size, which indicates potential for gas separations. 

The amine functionality of the IRMOF-3 pore shows evidence of relatively increased affinity for CO2. 

Capacities qualitatively scale with surface area and range from 3.2 mmol/g for MOF-2 to 33.5 mmol/g 

(320 cm3

 (STP)/cm3, 147 wt percent) for MOF-177, the highest CO2 capacity of any porous material 

reported. Journal of the American Chemical Society, ASAP Article 10.1021/ja0570032 S0002-

7863(05)07003-4, Web release December 1, 2005, http://pubs.acs.org/cgibin/sample.cgi/jacsat/asap/abs/ja0570032.html (subscription may be required) 

“Membrane processes for post-combustion carbon dioxide capture: A parametric study.” Much of 

the research in the area of carbon dioxide recovery and storage focuses on minimizing the energy 

required for CO2 capture, as this step corresponds to the major cost contribution of the overall process 

(capture, transportation, injection). Out of the three traditional methods of CO2 capture (absorption, 

adsorption and membrane processes), absorption is considered to be the best available technology for 

post-combustion application. However, amine absorption requires 4-6 GJ/tonne of recovered CO2, in a 

large part due to significant energy consumption associated with the regeneration step. In this paper, [the 

authors] perform a systematic analysis of the separation performances and associated energy cost of a 

single-stage membrane module. First, the operational limits are identified in terms of permeate 

composition and CO2 recovery ratio via a systematic parametric study for CO2 /N2 mixtures. The energy 

consumption of the capture step is then evaluated and compared with the performance of amine 

absorption. Next, the search for an optimal strategy in terms of compression energy for a combination of 

membrane capture and CO2 injection has been addressed. The results allow the identification of an 

optimal membrane pressure ratio for a given set of conditions. Energy, Available online December 5, 

2005, 

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6V2S-4HR72B4-

1/2/9de6a0d31c833d7d6e9d57005d18c71b

(subscription may be required) 

“Optimization of pipeline transport for CO2 sequestration.” Capture and disposal of CO2 has 

received increased R&D attention in the last decade as the technology promises to be the most cost 

effective for large scale reductions in CO2 emissions. This paper addresses CO2 transport via pipeline 

from capture site to disposal site, in terms of system optimization, energy efficiency and overall 

economics. Technically, CO2 can be transported through pipelines in the form of a gas, a supercritical 

fluid or in the subcooled liquid state. Operationally, most CO2 pipelines used for enhanced oil recovery 

transport CO2 as a supercritical fluid. In this paper, supercritical fluid and subcooled liquid transport are 
examined and compared, including their impacts on energy efficiency and cost. Using a commercially 

available process simulator, ASPEN PLUS 10.1, the results show that subcooled liquid transport 

maximizes the energy efficiency and minimizes the cost of CO2 transport over long distances under both 

isothermal and adiabatic conditions. Pipeline transport of subcooled liquid CO2 can be ideally used in 

areas of cold climate or by burying and insulating the pipeline. In very warm climates, periodic 

refrigeration to cool the CO2 below its critical point of 31.1°C, may prove economical. Simulations have 

been used to determine the maximum safe pipeline distances to subsequent booster stations as a 

function of inlet pressure, environmental temperature and ground level heat flux conditions. Energy 

Conversion and Management, Volume 47, Issue 6, April 2006, Pages 702-715.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6V2P-4GPW9MR2/2/6c358e0483b096f20b3a5b8d5668db76 (subscription may be required) 

February 2006 

“Pressure dependence of the contact angle in a CO2–H2O–coal system,” Carbon dioxide injection 

into coal layers serves the dual purpose of enhancing coal bed methane production (ECBM) and to 

storing CO2. The efficiency of this process is expected to be much higher if water is the non-wetting 

phase in the coal–water–gas system. Therefore, contact angles in the coal–water–CO2 system have 

been measured using the captive bubble technique in the pressure range between atmospheric pressure 

and 141 bar at a temperature of 45 degrees Celsius. At atmospheric pressure the contact angle of a 

shrinking CO2 droplet increases with time, but stays below 90 degrees. At higher pressures (>2.6 bar) 

the contact angle increases beyond 90 degrees. The pressure dependence of the contact can be 

represented by the equation: θ=(111°±10.5°)+(0.17±0.14)P [bar]. The exceptional behavior at 

atmospheric pressure is possibly related to the stability of water patches on the coal surface. It is 

concluded that water is the non-wetting phase in this coal–water–CO2 system. Journal of Colloid and 

Interface Science, Available online January 9, 2006, doi:10.1016/j.jcis.2005.11.047, 

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6WHR-4J0PF96-

9/2/5f9feeabb2e97a1b595692261e4f8463. (Subscription may be required.) 

March 2006

“Using steam reforming to produce hydrogen with carbon dioxide capture by chemical-looping 

combustion,” In this paper, a novel process for hydrogen production by steam reforming of natural gas 

with inherent capture of carbon dioxide by chemical-looping combustion is proposed. The process 

resembles a conventional circulating fluidized bed combustor with reforming taking place in reactor tubes 

located inside a bubbling fluidized bed. Energy for the endothermic reforming reactions is provided by 

indirect combustion that takes place in two separate reactors: one for air and one for fuel. Oxygen is 

transferred between the reactors by a metal oxide. There is no mixing of fuel and air so carbon dioxide 

for sequestration is easily obtained. Process layout and expected performance are evaluated and a 

preliminary reactor design is proposed. It is found that the process should be feasible. It is also found 

that it has potential to achieve better selectivity towards hydrogen than conventional steam reforming 

plants due to low reactor temperatures and favorable heat-transfer conditions. International Journal of 

Hydrogen Energy, available online January 26, 2006, 

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6V3F-4J4B93Y1/2/6be7f6e05f3ba37380b2e01b81135079. (Subscription may be required.) 

“A comparison of electricity and hydrogen production systems with CO2 capture and storage—

Part A: Review and selection of promising conversion and capture technologies,” The authors 

performed a consistent comparison of state-of-the-art and advanced electricity and hydrogen production 

technologies with carbon dioxide (CO2) capture using coal and natural gas, inspired by the large number 

of studies, of which the results can in fact not be compared due to specific assumptions made. After 

literature review, a standardization and selection exercise was performed to get figures on conversion 
efficiency, energy production costs and CO2 avoidance costs of different technologies, the main 

parameters for comparison. On the short term, electricity can be produced with 85–90 percent CO2

capture by means of natural gas combined cycle (NGCC) and pulverized coal-fired (PC) with chemical 

absorption and integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) with physical absorption at 4.7–6.9 

European union cents per kilowatt hour (€ct/kWh) (which is equivalent to a range of 5.3-7.8 US cents, at 

the 2003 average exchange rate assumed in the paper of 0.885 €/US$), assuming a coal and natural 

gas price of 1.7 and 4.7 Euros per gigajoule (€/GJ) (equivalent to 1.9 and 5.3 $/GJ). CO2 avoidance 

costs are between 15 and 50 Euros per ton of CO2 (€/t CO2), (or approximately 17 and 57 $/t CO2) for 

IGCC and NGCC, respectively. On the longer term, both improvements in existing conversion and 

capture technologies are foreseen as well as new power cycles integrating advanced turbines, fuel cells 

and novel (high-temperature) separation technologies. Electricity production costs might be reduced to 

4.5–5.3 (€ct/kWh), (or approximately 5.1-6.0 US cents/kWh) with advanced technologies. However, no 

clear ranking can be made due to large uncertainties pertaining to investment and O&M costs. Hydrogen 

production is more attractive for low-cost CO2 capture than electricity production. Costs of large-scale 

hydrogen production by means of steam methane reforming and coal gasification with CO2 capture from 

the shifted syngas are estimated at 9.5 and 7 €/GJ (or 10.7 and 8 $/GJ), respectively. Advanced 

autothermal reforming and coal gasification deploying ion transport membranes might further reduce 

production costs to 8.1 and 6.4 €/GJ (9.2 and 7.2 $/GJ). Membrane reformers enable small-scale 

hydrogen production at nearly 17 €/GJ (19 $/GJ) with relatively low-cost CO2 capture. Progress in 

Energy and Combustion Science, available online January 20, 2006, doi:10.1016/j.pecs.2005.11.005, 

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6V3W-4J32JB0-

1/2/882ac9be2cee316554fddcab68b009f4. (Subscription may be required.) 

“Polymeric CO2/N2 gas separation membranes for the capture of carbon dioxide from power plant 

flue gases,” One mitigation option for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions involves the capture of 

carbon dioxide from flue gases followed by underground sequestration. For this technology to become 

widespread, new methods of capturing carbon dioxide must be devised. While capture of carbon dioxide 

with amine solvents is the most mature technology, another possible contender is gas separation 

membranes. This review paper focuses on novel materials for gas separation. In particular, polymeric 

gas separation membranes are examined. Possible design strategies, synthesis, fabrication and role of 

novel materials are discussed. Journal of Membrane Science, available online February 17, 2006, 

doi:10.1016/j.memsci.2005.12.062, http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6TGK-4J90W1G1/2/294ee603a3982c9caf1fc40edbe752b0. (Subscription may be required.) 

“A 300 W laboratory reactor system for chemical-looping combustion with particle circulation,”

Chemical-looping combustion (CLC) is a method to burn gaseous fuels with inherent separation of 

carbon dioxide. A continuously operated laboratory reactor system for chemical-looping combustion with 

two interconnected fluidized beds was designed and built. This chemical-looping combustor was 

designed to operate with a fuel flow corresponding to 100–300 watts (W). The CLC system was operated 

successfully using a highly reactive nickel-based oxygen-carrier. Furthermore, tests were carried out to 

determine the degree of gas leakage between the reactors. Although there was some leakage between 

the fuel and air reactors, it is low enough to enable evaluation of the combustion results. The combustion 

tests showed a high conversion of the natural gas to carbon dioxide, indicating that the particles are 

suitable for chemical-looping combustion. No methane was detected in the gas from the fuel reactor, and 

the fraction of carbon monoxide was in the range 0.5–3 percent. Fuel, available online February 17, 

2006. doi:10.1016/j.ijhydene.2005.12.003, http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6V3F4J4B93Y-1/2/6be7f6e05f3ba37380b2e01b81135079.(Subscription may be required.) 

“Techno-economic prospects of small-scale membrane reactors in a future hydrogen-fuelled 

transportation sector,” A membrane reactor is a novel technology for the production of hydrogen from 

natural gas. It promises economic small-scale hydrogen production, e.g. at refueling stations, and has 
the potential of inexpensive carbon dioxide separation. Four configurations of a membrane reactor have 

been modeled with Aspenplus to determine its thermodynamic and economic prospects. Overall energy 

efficiency is 84%HHV (higher heating value) without H2 compression (78 percent with compression up to 

482 bar). The modeling results also indicate that by using a sweep gas, the membrane reactor can 

produce a reformer exit stream consisting mainly of carbon dioxide (CO2) and H2O (>90%mol) suited for 

CO2 sequestration after water removal with an efficiency loss of only 1% pt (pt , percentage points). 

Reforming with a 2 megawatt (MW) membrane reactor (250 unit production volume) costs 14 dollars per 

gigajoule of H2 ($/GJH2) including compression, which is more expensive than conventional steam 

reforming and compression (12 $/GJ). It does, however, promise a cheap method of CO2 separation, 14 

dollars per ton ($/t) CO2 captured, due to the high purity of the exit stream. The well-to-wheel chain of the 

membrane reactor has been compared to centralized steam reforming to assess the trade-off between 

production scale and the construction of a hydrogen and a CO2 distribution infrastructure. If the scale of 

centralized hydrogen production is below 40 MW, the trade-off could be favorable for the membrane 

reactor with small-scale CO2 capture -18 $/GJ including H2 storage, dispensing and CO2 sequestration 

for 40 MW steam methane reforming (SMR) versus 19 $/GJ for the membrane reactor. The membrane 

reactor might become competitive with conventional steam reforming provided that thin membranes can 

be combined with high stability and a cheap manufacturing method for the membrane tubes. Thin 

membranes, industrial utility prices and larger production volumes (i.e. technological learning) might 

reduce the levelized hydrogen cost of the membrane reactor at the refueling station to less than 14 $/GJ 

including CO2 sequestration cost, below that of large-scale H2 production with CO2 sequestration (~15 

$/GJ). Energy, available online February 2, 2006, doi:10.1016/j.energy.2005.12.004, 

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6V2S-4J5T5RM2/2/18f7d8576e051f4aabf48010d40593f7. (Subscription may be required.) 

“The development of nanoporous membranes for separation of carbon dioxide at high 

temperatures,” The development of nanoporous membranes for separation of carbon dioxide at high 

temperatures Initial observations from permeation experiments are reported for a class of novel 

membranes which display potential in the area of high temperature (~900 K) gas separations. The 

existence of these membranes was first postulated from theoretical studies on transport of gases through 

ultra-thin (~5–25 nm), nanoporous silica. The experimental results presented here confirm these 

observations, as demonstrated by membranes produced with kinetic selectivities for carbon 

dioxide/nitrogen greater than 75:1 at 873 K. Journal of Membrane Science, available online, January 24, 

2006, doi:10.1016/j.memsci.2005.12.021, http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6TGK4J3WS9C-3/2/bcaaaae21f726e7cc797a3c0bbbd4577. (Subscription may be required.) 

April 2006

“A Novel Adsorption Cycle for CO2 Recovery: Experimental and Theoretical Investigations of a 

Temperature Swing Compression Process.” A novel adsorption cycle is examined experimentally and 

theoretically for recovering carbon dioxide (CO2) from a 50 mole percent (mol%) mixture with carbon 

monoxide. Several adsorbents are considered, and zeolite sodium-yttrium (NaY) is chosen for the 

process due to its high capacity and selectivity for CO2 in the presence of carbon monoxide. The process 

consists of three steps. The bed is fed the gas mixture at 273 degrees Kelvin (°K) until CO2 breakthrough 

occurs. The bed then undergoes countercurrent blowdown of CO2 while heating at 391 °K and is finally 

cooled to the initial feed temperature once the bed has been depleted of CO2. Results are presented 

from laboratory scale experiments and are described using numerical simulations. This novel cycle 

provides a method for capturing and producing CO2 without the need for a purge gas and has low energy 

requirements if waste heat is available. Separation Science and Technology, Volume 41, Number 3, 

Number 3/2006, pages 485-500 (16), doi:10.1080/01496390500524834, 

http://journalsonline.tandf.co.uk/openurl.asp?genre=article&issn=0149-

6395&volume=41&issue=3&spage=485. (Subscription or purchase may be required.) 
“A simulation study for the hybrid reaction of methane steam reforming and in situ CO2 removal 

in a moving bed reactor of a catalyst admixed with a CaO-based CO2 acceptor for H2 production.”

A hybrid reaction system of catalytic methane steam reforming (MSR) and in situ non-catalytic removal of 

CO2 by the carbonation of calcium oxide (CaO) to calcium carbonate (CaCO3) in a moving bed reactor 

where reforming catalyst and CaO-based CO2 acceptor in pellets move co-currently with gaseous 

reactants has been simulated through a mathematical model. The model has been developed at nonisothermal, non-adiabatic, and non-isobaric operating conditions assuming that the rate of the CaO 

carbonation in a local zone of the reactor bed is governed by kinetic limitation or by the CO2 limitation in 

bulk gas phase. The effects of major operating parameters such as the feed rates of CaO and methane 

(CH4), and the reactor bed temperature on steady-state behavior of the hybrid reaction in a moving bed 

reactor have been determined. It was revealed that the feed rate of CaO for a given feed rate of CH4

should be optimized in order to maximize the utilization degree of CaO carbonated through the reactor 

while producing the reformed gas in the possible lowest concentration of CO2 at a given temperature of 

reaction. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, Volume 31, Issue 5, Pages 649-657. April 2006, 

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6V3F-4GHSGF7-

3/2/0dc1340b939f0ccd47d4a9de5572a72e. (Subscription may be required.) 

“Separation of CH4/CO2/N2 mixtures by layered pressure swing adsorption for upgrade of natural 

gas.” A novel compact adsorption-based process for removal of carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen (N2) 

from low and medium natural gas flowrates is discussed. The layered pressure swing adsorption (LPSA) 

process studied is composed of a zeolite 13X to selectively remove carbon dioxide followed by a layer of 

carbon molecular sieve 3K to make the separation of nitrogen from methane (CH4). The advantage of the 

process is the removal of two different contaminants in the feed step, delivering methane at high 

pressure without recompression requirements. A four-step cycle was studied comprising countercurrent 

pressurization, feed, countercurrent blowdown and countercurrent purge with product. The blowdown 

step was performed in vacuum to remove carbon dioxide from zeolite 13X. Experiments were performed 

in a single-column LPSA unit at different temperatures and using different ratios of adsorbent layers to 

study the effects of these parameters in overall performance of the unit. Feeding a mixture of 60 percent 

CH4/20 percent CO2/20 percent N2, methane purity of 86.0 percent with 52.6 percent recovery was 

obtained at ambient temperature while 88.8 percent purity with 66.2 percent recovery was obtained at 

323 0

K. At both temperatures there was a ratio of adsorbent layers where purity reaches a maximum, 

while product recovery always decreases for larger zeolite 13X layers. Chemical Engineering Science,

Available online March 9, 2006, http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6TFK-4JF97PV3/2/f6277e4641a80424b44a393748b59724. (Subscription may be required.) 

May 2006 

“Internalization of external cost in the power generation sector: Analysis with Global Multiregional MARKAL model.” The Global MARKAL-Model (GMM), a multi-regional "bottom-up" partial 

equilibrium model of the global energy system with endogenous technological learning, is used to 

address impacts of internalization of external costs from power production. This modeling approach 

imposes additional charges on electricity generation, which reflect the costs of environmental and health 

damages from local pollutants (SO2, NOx) and climate change, wastes, occupational health, risk of 

accidents, noise and other burdens. Technologies allowing abatement of pollutants emitted from power 

plants are rapidly introduced into the energy system, for example, desulphurization, NOx removal, and 

CO2 scrubbers. The modeling results indicate substantial changes in the electricity production system in 

favor of natural gas combined cycle, nuclear power and renewables induced by internalization of external 

costs and also efficiency loss due to the use of scrubbers. Structural changes and fuel switching in the 

electricity sector result in significant reduction of emissions of both local pollution and CO2 over the 

modeled time period. Strong decarbonization impact of internalizing local externalities suggests that 

ancillary benefits can be expected from policies directly addressing other issues than CO2 mitigation. 

Finally, the detailed analysis of the total generation cost of different technologies points out that inclusion 

of external cost in the price of electricity increases competitiveness of non-fossil generation sources and 
fossil power plants with emission control. Energy Policy, Available online April 17, 2006. 

doi:10.1016/j.enpol.2006.03.003,http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6V2W-4JRM0JS2/2/94617fc5ec770200db1a981fa94b3511. (Subscription may be required.) 

“Hydrogen production from methane hydrate with sequestering of carbon dioxide.” Methane 

hydrate exists in large amounts in certain locations, in sea sediments and the geological structures below 

them and below artic regions’ permafrost, at low temperature and high pressure. It has recently been 

shown that there are suitable methods for producing methane, perhaps on a floating platform. There it 

could be reformed via an endothermic process to produce hydrogen and carbon dioxide. Some of the 

methane could be used to provide heat energy for a power plant on the platform to produce all needed 

power and support for the methane and CO2 reforming process. After separation, hydrogen is the 

valuable and transportable product. All carbon dioxide produced on the platform could be separated from 

other gases and then sequestered, in one of several possible forms. In this way, hydrogen could be 

made available without the release of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere and the hydrogen could be an 

enabling step toward a world hydrogen economy, free of particles and carbon dioxide pollution. 

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, Available online April 4, 2006, 

doi:10.1016/j.ijhydene.2006.01.017, http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6V3F-4JMVHKC1/2/fffcae5d815b1b21fa182743a0e22a6e. (Subscription may be required.) 

June 2006 

“Global challenges and strategies for control, conversion and utilization of CO2 for sustainable 

development involving energy, catalysis, adsorption and chemical processing.” Utilization of 

carbon dioxide (CO2) has become an important global issue due to the significant and continuous rise in 

atmospheric CO2 concentrations, accelerated growth in the consumption of carbon-based energy 

worldwide, depletion of carbon-based energy resources, and low efficiency in current energy systems. 

The barriers for CO2 utilization include: (1) costs of CO2 capture, separation, purification, and 

transportation to user site; (2) energy requirements of CO2 chemical conversion (plus source and cost of 

co-reactants); (3) market size limitations, little investment-incentives and lack of industrial commitments 

for enhancing CO2-based chemicals; and (4) the lack of socio-economical driving forces. The strategic 

objectives may include: (1) use CO2 for environmentally-benign physical and chemical processing that 

adds value to the process; (2) use CO2 to produce industrially useful chemicals and materials that adds 

value to the products; (3) use CO2 as a beneficial fluid for processing or as a medium for energy 

recovery and emission reduction; and (4) use CO2 recycling involving renewable sources of energy to 

conserve carbon resources for sustainable development. The approaches for enhancing CO2 utilization 

may include one or more of the following: (1) for applications that do not require pure CO2, develop 

effective processes for using the CO2-concentrated flue gas from industrial plants or CO2-rich resources 

without CO2 separation; (2) for applications that need pure CO2, develop more efficient and less-energy 

intensive processes for separation of CO2 selectively without the negative impacts of co-existing gases 

such as water (H2O), oxygen (O2), and nitrogen (N2); (3) replace a hazardous or less-effective substance 

in existing processes with CO2 as an alternate medium or solvent or co-reactant or a combination of 

them; (4) make use of CO2 based on the unique physical properties as supercritical fluid or as either 

solvent or anti-solvent; (5) use CO2 based on the unique chemical properties for CO2 to be incorporated 

with high ‘atom efficiency’ such as carboxylation and carbonate synthesis; (6) produce useful chemicals 

and materials using CO2 as a reactant or feedstock; (7) use CO2 for energy recovery while reducing its 

emissions to the atmosphere by sequestration; (8) recycle CO2 as carbon-source for chemicals and fuels 

using renewable sources of energy; and (9) convert CO2 under either bio-chemical or geologic-formation 

conditions into “new fossil” energies. Several cases are discussed in more detail. The first example is trireforming of methane versus the well-known CO2 reforming over transition metal catalysts such as 

supported nickel catalysts. Using CO2 along with H2O and O2 in flue gases of power plants without 

separation, tri-reforming is a synergetic combination of CO2 reforming, steam reforming and partial 

oxidation and it can eliminate carbon deposition problem and produces syngas with desired 

hydrogen/carbon monoxide (H2/CO) ratios for industrial applications. The second example is a CO2
“molecular basket” as CO2-selective high-capacity adsorbent which was developed using mesoporous 

molecular sieve MCM-41 and polyethylenimine (PEI). The MCM41-PEI adsorbent has higher adsorption 

capacity than either PEI or MCM-41 alone and can be used as highly CO2-selective adsorbent for gas 

mixtures without the pre-removal of moisture because it even enhances CO2 adsorption capacity. The 

third example is synthesis of dimethyl carbonate using CO2 and methanol, which demonstrates the 

environmental benefit of avoiding toxic phosgene and a processing advantage. The fourth example is the 

application of supercritical CO2 for extraction and for chemical processing where CO2 is either a solvent 

or a co-reactant, or both. The CO2 utilization contributes to enhancing sustainability, since various 

chemicals, materials, and fuels can be synthesized using CO2, which should be a sustainable way in the 

long term when renewable sources of energy are used as energy input. Catalysis Today, available online 

May 16, 2006. doi:10.1016/j.cattod.2006.02.029, http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6TFG4JYKP82-1/2/15643dd129e6f04a5aa0ab9d56107077. 

“Oxygen efficiency with regard to carbon capture.” Carbon capture is often discussed in the 

literature with the sole focus on power processes, despite the fact that carbon dioxide emissions from 

other sources are just as relevant for the impact on the atmosphere. Furthermore, some carbon capture 

methods are relatively inefficient when applied to power production processes. Carbon capture should 

preferably be performed where the cost is as low as possible, i.e. not necessarily from power production 

processes. As an example, carbon capture using combustion with pure oxygen is far more energy 

efficient if it is used together with lime kilns or cement kilns than together with power production 

processes. A new concept termed “oxygen efficiency” is introduced in this paper. It describes the amount 

of carbon dioxide that can potentially be captured per unit of oxygen. As such, the oxygen efficiency 

quantifies the value of a certain unit of oxygen for carbon capture reasons. The base concept is that the 

energy penalty for the production of one part of oxygen is the same no matter where it is produced; 

hence, if this unit of oxygen can be used to capture more carbon dioxide, it is more efficient. Typically, 

the oxygen efficiency would be five times greater for carbon capture when utilizing pure oxygen together 

with cement kilns rather than together with methane-fired power plants. Furthermore, the concept of 

oxygen efficiency illustrates the importance of considering how carbon capture methods can be utilized in 

the most efficient way, in addition to evaluating which carbon capture method is the most suitable for a 

particular technology. Energy, available online April 8, 2006, 

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6V2S-4JRVFS9-

2/2/a26c96289e400e62be0b0cba3a18c02c. 

“A quantitative comparison of gas turbine cycles with CO2 capture.” Nine different concepts for 

natural gas fired power plants with carbon dioxide (CO2) capture have been investigated, and a 

comparison is made based on net plant efficiency and emission of CO2. The cycles are one postcombustion, six oxy-fuel and two pre-combustion capture concepts. A 400 megawatt (MW) combined 

cycle plant is applied as a reference case. A common basis for the comparison of all concepts is defined 

and employed in heat- and mass-balance simulations of the various concepts. As gas turbine cooling 

impacts the net plant efficiency at high turbine inlet temperatures, a simplified turbine cooling model has 

been applied in the simulations. It is found that the concepts, in which novel technology (the methane 

steam reformer with hydrogen separation (MSR-H2), the advanced zero emission process power plant-- 

(AZEP), the solid oxide fuel cell combined with a gas turbine—SOFC+GT and the chemical looping 

combustion—CLC concepts) is employed, exhibit the best performance with respect to both efficiency 

and in most cases also CO2 capture (capture rates close to 100 percent). Post-combustion capture and 

pre-combustion capture with auto-thermal reforming, which are based on more mature technology, show 

a lower efficiency and a capture rate of typically 90 percent. The SOFC+GT concept exhibits the best 

cycle performance and even better than a standard combined cycle plant, however, any realization of a 

SOFC-GT 400 MW plant has a very distant future perspective. In order to conduct a complete 

assessment of these diverse concepts, other criteria for comparison such as e.g. technology level and 

costs should also be considered. This is not, however, included in the present work. Energy, available 

online, April 17, 2006, http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6V2S-4JRKCTS1/2/12016c77a4c8106910ef9d002d70d791. 
“Technoeconomic evaluation of IGCC power plants for CO2 avoidance.” This paper is a technical 

and economic comparison of the performance of five plant designs in the 500 megawatt (MW) output 

range: IGCC without CO2 capture, IGCC with 80 percent capture, IGCC with CO2 emissions equal to 

those of a NGCC, IGCC with CO2 and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) co-capture, and NGCC without capture. 

ASPEN PlusTM models of the above plants were developed and the following plant performance results 

are discussed: net power output, efficiency, plant ancillary energy requirements and overall CO2

emissions. Economic evaluations for all cases are presented, including the cost methodology and 

economic basis. The capital investment, cost of electricity and carbon dioxide mitigation costs for all 

plants are detailed and compared. The simulation results show that the economics favor higher capture 

levels in new IGCC plants. The CO2 mitigation costs corresponding to IGCC plants with 80 percent 

capture are slightly lower than those corresponding to IGCC plants with equal emissions to those of 

NGCC plants (28 vs. 30 $/tonne CO2 avoided). The capital cost difference (per kilowatt (kW) of net 

installed capacity) between the above plants is 7 percent, while the CO2 emissions of the former are 

almost half those of the latter. IGCC plants with CO2 and H2S co-capture have substantial 

technoeconomic advantages over IGCC plants that capture CO2 and H2S separately. Based on a 577 

MW IGCC, the power output decreases only to 552 MW for the co-capture case, whereas it drops to 488 

MW when CO2 and H2S are captured separately. The incremental capital cost of co-capture plants is 6 

percent, and their electricity production cost increase is less than half a cent, with respect to an IGCC 

without capture. The CO2 mitigation cost of co-capture plants is at least four times lower than their 

separate CO2 and H2S capture counterparts. Energy Conversion and Management, Volume 47, Issues 

15-16 , September 2006, Pages 2250-2259, available online February 9, 2006, 

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6V2P-4J7B0PF1/2/3a67a6636f5dd0ec347122e9383b2714. 

“Chemical fixation of CO2 in carbonates: Routes to valuable products and long-term storage.” 

Carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere can be reduced by chemical fixation in organic or inorganic 

carbonates. Many compounds can be commercially produced on an industrial scale using carbon dioxide 

(CO2), allowing for turning a (nowadays problematic) waste gas into economic profit. Besides this, the 

carbonation of magnesium silicates and calcium silicates is an option for long-term storage of CO2 at a 

capacity that exceeds that of other options for CO2 storage by several orders of magnitude, with the 

inherent benefit that post-storage monitoring of the stored CO2 is not necessary. The first part of this 

paper gives an overview of commercial carbonate chemical production routes that do (or in a near future 

can) make use of the CO2 that is produced at a large scale from human activities. The second part 

addresses the process technology, market potential and other aspects of mineral carbonation for longterm CO2 storage as an alternative for, for example, storage in underground aquifers. Catalysis Today,

available online March 22, 2006. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6TFG-4JJ2BNR2/2/ef069deabba02b1e84721ac45544dd13. 

July 2006

“Exergy regeneration in an O2/CO2 gas turbine cycle with chemical recuperation by CO2 reforming 

of methane.” This paper proposes a novel power cycle system composed of a chemical recuperative 

cycle with CO2-NG (carbon dioxide-natural gas) reforming and an ammonia absorption refrigeration cycle 

in which the heat is recovered from the turbine exhaust to drive the carbon dioxide-natural gas (CO2-NG) 

reformer firstly, and then, lower temperature heat from the turbine exhaust is provided for the ammonia 

absorption refrigeration system to generate chilled media, which is used to cool the turbine inlet gas 

except for the exported part. Based on 1 kilograms per second (kg s−1

) of methane feedstock, the turbine 

inlet temperature of 1573 kelvin (K) and the CO2 compressor outlet pressure of 1.01 Megapascals 

(MPa), the simulation results show that the new cycle system reached the net electric power production 

of 24.444 megawatts (MW), the power generation efficiency of 48.9 percent based on the low heating 

value, the export chilled load of 1.070 MW and the exergy efficiency of 47.3 percent. On the other hand, 

2.743 kg s−1

 of liquid CO2 was captured, which achieved the goal of zero CO2 emission. Especially, the 
authors investigate the exergy regeneration performances of the chemical recuperation with CO2-NG 

reforming, the lower temperature heat from the turbine exhaust generated chilled load and inlet cooling 

by the aid of the energy utilization diagram to expose the thermodynamic principle of energy integration 

for high efficiency power conversion in the system. Wen Cao and Danxing Zheng, Energy Conversion 

and Management, available online April 18, 2006, doi:10.1016/j.enconman.2006.03.010, 

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6V2P-4JRVFK8-4/2/fda16d637f6a0f410177f65e6ff14678. 

(Subscription may be required.) 

“Environmental assessment and extended exergy analysis of a "zero CO2 emission", highefficiency steam power plant.” Aim of this paper is to analyze the performance of an innovative highefficiency steam power plant by means of two “life cycle approach” methodologies, the life cycle 

assessment (LCA) and the “extended exergy analysis” (EEA). The plant object of the analysis is a 

hydrogen-fed steam power plant in which the H2 is produced by a “zero carbon dioxide (CO2) emission” 

coal gasification process (the ZECOTECH© cycle). The CO2 capture system is a standard humid-calcium 

oxide (CaO) absorbing process and produces calcium carbonate (CaCO3) as a by-product, which is then 

regenerated to CaO releasing the CO2 for a downstream mineral sequestration process. The steam 

power plant is based on an innovative combined-cycle process: the hydrogen is used as a fuel to 

produce high-temperature, medium-pressure steam that powers the steam turbine in the topping section, 

whose exhaust is used in a heat recovery boiler to feed a traditional steam power plant. The 

environmental performance of the ZECOTECH© cycle is assessed by comparison with four different 

processes: power plant fed by hydrogen (H2) from natural gas steam reforming, two conventional coaland natural gas power plants and a wind power plant. A. Corrado, P. Fiorini and E. Sciubba, Energy,

available online May 19, 2006, doi:10.1016/j.energy.2006.03.025, 

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6V2S-4K0FFS5-2/2/cd480dd6670641c6afaa0ffd96c72fdc. 

(Subscription may be required.)

“Process design and energy requirements for the capture of carbon dioxide from air,” A process 

to capture carbon dioxide from air to reduce its atmospheric concentration and to mitigate climate change 

is studied. It is based on the absorption of carbon dioxide in a sodium hydroxide solution, its precipitation 

as calcium carbonate, and its release as pure gas stream through oxy-fuel calcination. The process 

utilizes existing commercial technologies wherever possible, particularly in the case of the absorber, 

whose design is carried out in detail. The analysis allows deriving material and energy balances for the 

whole process and determining energy demands that can be used for a technical, economical, and 

environmental feasibility evaluation of the technology. In particular, it indicates that the real specific 

energy demand is larger than the heat released to emit the same amount of CO2 by the combustion of 

coal, and smaller than that of methane. Renato Baciocchi, Giuseppe Storti and Marco Mazzotti,

Chemical Engineering and Processing, available online April 25, 2006, doi:10.1016/j.cep.2006.03.015 , 

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6TFH-4JT836P-1/2/40fac7c57c5eeafc1bd68ce25fbf50cd. 

(Subscription may be required.)

“Spectroscopic analysis of carbon dioxide and nitrogen mixed gas hydrates in silica gel for CO2

separation.” In this study solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was used to 

identify structure and guest distribution of the mixed nitrogen (N2) + carbon dioxide (CO2) hydrates. 

These results show that it is possible to recover CO2 from flue gas by forming a mixed hydrate that 

removes CO2 preferentially from CO2/N2 gas mixture. Hydrate phase equilibria for the ternary CO2–N2–

water system in silica gel pores were measured, which show that the three-phase hydrate (H)–water-rich 

liquid (Lw)–vapor (V) equilibrium curves were shifted to higher pressures at a specific temperature when 

the concentration of CO2 in the vapor phase decreased. Carbon 13 (13C) cross-polarization (CP) NMR 

spectra of the mixed hydrates at gas compositions of more than 10 mol percent CO2 with the balance N2

identified that the crystal structure of mixed hydrates as structure I, and that the CO2 molecules occupy 

mainly the abundant tetrakaidecahedra (51262

) cages. This makes it possible to achieve concentrations 

of more than 96 mol percent CO2 gas in the product after three cycles of hydrate formation and 

dissociation. Jeasung Park, Yu-Taek Seo, Jong-won Lee and Huen Lee, Catalysis Today, Volume 
115, Issues 1-4, Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Carbon Dioxide Utilization - 

Dedicated to Professor Michele Aresta, June 30, 2006, Pages 279-282, 

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6TFG-4JP9FXT-5/2/cd994f28fb43ff03e380ec054c4f3b0e. 

(Subscription may be required.) 

August 2006 

“Hybrid Membranes for Selective Carbon Dioxide Separation from Fuel Gas.” The potential of 

hybrid membranes as a carbon dioxide (CO2) capture technology for integrated gasification combined 

cycle applications was evaluated. Commercial gamma-alumnia ( -alumina) supports were modified with 

a variety of trichlorosilanes intended to enhance the surface adsorption of CO2. The resulting hybrids 

were characterized using X-ray photoelectric spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy 

and tested for performance in the separation of helium (He) and CO2. The silanization temperature was 

determined to be important because membranes fabricated at 273 degrees Kelvin had substantially 

different performance properties than those fabricated at room temperature. Specifically, the permeances 

of membranes modified with alkyltrichlorosilanes at reduced temperatures were 1-2 orders of magnitude 

higher than those of membranes fabricated at room temperature, and the selectivities of these lowtemperature silanized membranes were relatively similar to those expected from Knudsen diffusion. 

Supports modified with silanes containing one of a variety of functionalities were tested for CO2/He 

selectivity. Membranes modified with 2-acetoxyethyl, 2-carbomethoxyethyl, and 3-aminopropyl groups 

exhibited CO2 selectivity, with the highest values approaching 7 for 2-carbomethoxyethyl-silated 

membranes at 50 degrees C. Temperature dependences resulted in selectivity maxima for the 2-

acetoxyethyl and 2-carbomethoxyethyl membranes. Mixed-gas selectivities were slightly higher than 

pure-gas selectivities because of a decrease in He permeance with a relatively minor reduction in CO2

permeance. Transport in the selective membranes is believed to occur by a combination of activated and 

solution diffusion for He and a combination of activated and surface diffusion for CO2. David Luebke,

Christina Myers, and Henry Pennline, Energy Fuels, Web release date: July 15, 2006, doi: 

10.1021/ef060060b. http://pubs.acs.org/cgi-bin/abstract.cgi/enfuem/asap/abs/ef060060b.html. 

(Subscription required.) (Subscription may be required.)

“Dense inorganic membranes for production of hydrogen from methane and coal with carbon 

dioxide sequestration.” Principles and strategies for design and operation of catalysts associated with 

both dense oxygen transport membranes and dense hydrogen transport membranes are discussed. 

Dense ceramic oxygen transport membranes function through the diffusion of oxygen anions, O2−

. A key 

catalytic step is the adsorption and dissociation of molecular oxygen, and the associated transfer of four 

electrons. In dense hydrogen transport membranes, whether ceramic or metallic, molecular hydrogen 

must be catalytically dissociated on the retentate-side membrane surface to allow transport of hydrogen 

through the bulk membrane in a dissociated form. Dissociated hydrogen must be re-combined and 

desorbed from the permeate side membrane surface. Strategies are discussed for increasing resistance 

of catalysts to poisons. By separating oxygen from the other components of air, oxygen transport 

membranes allow a potential efficient means for production of synthesis gas (H2 + CO) from natural gas 

or coal, without diluting the product with nitrogen. Further reaction of CO with steam over water-gas shift 

catalysts produces additional hydrogen plus CO2. Extraction of hydrogen from water-gas shift reactors 

through dense hydrogen transport membranes, while retaining CO2 at operating pressures of coal 

gasifiers (e.g. 1000 pounds per square inch (psi) or 69 bar) produces essentially pure hydrogen in the 

permeate and CO2 at high pressure and high concentration, which is ideal for efficient sequestration of 

CO2. Process flow scenarios for integration of both oxygen transport membranes and hydrogen transport 

membranes with coal gasifiers, natural gas syngas reactors, water-gas shift reactors and systems for 

sequestration of CO2 are discussed. M.V. Mundschau, X. Xie, C.R. Evenson IV and A.F. Sammells,

Catalysis Today, Available online July 3, 2006, doi:10.1016/j.cattod.2006.01.042, 

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6TFG-4KB115X3/2/f1eb96088604b218a3d88314233b17ba. (Subscription may be required.) 
“An advanced zero emission power cycle with integrated low temperature thermal energy.”An 

innovative zero emission hybrid cycle named HICES (hybrid and improved CES cycle) is presented in 

this paper. This Cycle can utilize fossil fuel and low quality thermal energy such as waste heat from 

industrial processes and solar thermal energy for highly efficient electric power generation. In the HICES 

cycle, natural gas is internally combusted with pure oxygen. External low quality thermal energy is used 

to produce saturated steam between 70 and 250 degrees Celsius (°C) as part of the working fluid. The 

thermodynamic characteristics at design conditions of the HICES cycle are analyzed using the advanced 

process simulator Aspen Plus. The influences of some key parameters are investigated. The results 

demonstrate that the thermodynamic performances of the HICES cycle are quite promising. For 

example, when the external heat produced saturated steam is at 70 °C, the net fuel-to-electricity 

efficiency is 54.18 percent even when taking into account both the energy penalties to produce pure 

oxygen and to liquefy the captured CO2. The incremental low temperature heat to electric efficiency is as 

high as 14.08 percent at the same time. When the external heat produced saturated steam is at 250 °C, 

the net fuel-to-electricity efficiency reaches 62.66 percent. The incremental low temperature heat to 

electric efficiency achieves 48.92 percent. Chenhua Gou, Ruixian Cai and Guoqiang Zhang, Applied 

Thermal Engineering, Volume 26, Issues 17-18, Pages 2228-2235, Available online May 12, 2006, 

doi:10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2006.03.012, http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6V1Y4JXY7DS-3/2/5037b18bdb00b259aa59544013e90afa. (Subscription may be required.) 

“Evaluation of reaction variables in the dissolution of serpentine for mineral carbonation.” The 

sequestration of CO2 through the employment of magnesium silicates, olivine and serpentine, is beyond 

the proof of concept stage. Serpentine has been chosen as the feedstock mineral due to its abundance 

and availability. Although the reactivity of olivine is greater than that of serpentine, physical and chemical 

treatments have been shown to greatly increase the reactivity of serpentine. A sulfuric acid leaching 

stage has been shown to alleviate the rate limiting step of magnesium removal, thereby accelerating the 

overall carbonation process. Varying reaction conditions can significantly influence the results for the 

dissolution process with an extreme reaction environment providing desirable results. However, a more 

careful assessment of the reaction variables under milder conditions is needed for a better understanding 

of the reaction processes and potential pathways for high extraction yields under more modest 

conditions. Accordingly in this work, a statistical design of experiments was conducted to ascertain the 

effect of acid concentration, particle size and reaction time and temperature on the leaching of 

magnesium from serpentine using sulfuric acid. Results demonstrated that acid concentration provided 

primary control on the dissolution via the removal of water, which is closely correlated with the extraction 

of magnesium from serpentine. Particle comminution to a median size less than 163 micrometers 

remained an important consideration in increasing reactivity and liberating magnetite. Single variable 

experimentation demonstrated dissolution enhancements with increased reaction time and temperature. 

An increase in magnesium dissolution of 46 percent and 70 percent, over a baseline test, occurred for 

increased reaction time and temperature, respectively. George Alexander, M. Mercedes Maroto-Valer 

and Parvana Gafarova-Aksoy, Fuel, June 30, 2006, doi:10.1016/j.fuel.2006.04.034, 

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6V3B-4K9C3BS1/2/33bccd17edc2bd1ec3f5c04d4454f852. (Subscription may be required.) 

“Biomass-fired cogeneration systems with CO2 capture and storage.” In this study, the authors 

estimate and analyze the carbon dioxide (CO2) mitigation costs of large-scale biomass-fired 

cogeneration technologies with CO2 capture and storage. The CO2 mitigation cost indicates the minimum 

economic incentive required (e.g. in the form of a carbon tax) to make the cost of a less carbon intensive 

system equal to the cost of a reference system. If carbon (as CO2) is captured from biomass-fired energy 

systems, the systems could in principle be negative CO2 emitting energy systems. CO2 capture and 

storage from energy systems however, leads to reduced energy efficiency, higher investment costs, and 

increased costs of end products compared with energy systems in which CO2 is vented. Here, we have 

analyzed biomass-fired cogeneration plants based on steam turbine technology (CHP-BST) and 

integrated gasification combined cycle technology (CHP-BIGCC). Three different scales were considered 
to analyze the scale effects. Logging residues was assumed as biomass feedstock. Two methods were 

used to estimate and compare the CO2 mitigation cost. In the first method, the cogenerated power was 

credited based on avoided power production in stand-alone plants and in the second method the same 

reference output was produced from all systems. Biomass-fired CHP-BIGCC with CO2 capture and 

storage was found very energy and emission efficient and cost competitive compared with other 

conversion systems. Sk Noim Uddin and Leonardo Barreto, Renewable Energy, Available online June 

8, 2006, doi:10.1016/j.renene.2006.04.009, http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6V4S4K4PSKR-1/2/89bfff4c65cda3a64e2ad7244b8cd461. (Subscription may be required.)

Terrestrial 

September 2005

“Weyerhaeuser Joins Carbon-Market Alliance.” Weyerhaeuser has joined the Climate, Community 

and Biodiversity Alliance (CCBA) “as another way to help promote responsible forest management.” The 

primary goal of the CCBA is to create a set of standards for evaluating projects that will help mitigate 

climate change, while benefiting local communities and protecting or restoring biodiversity. In addition to 

Weyerhaeuser, the members of the CCBA are Conservation International, The Nature Conservancy, 

Pelangi, the Hamburg Institute of International Economics, British Petroleum, GFA Terra, Intel and SC 

Johnson. GreenBiz.com, August 18, 2005, 

http://www.wbcsd.org/plugins/DocSearch/details.asp?type=DocDet&ObjectId=16208

“Trees don't suck up carbon dioxide as hoped.” Swiss scientists have found that a large patch of 

deciduous forest near Basel in Switzerland, which has been artificially sprayed with excess carbon 

dioxide for years, has shown no increase in growth rate compared to other similar stands. Nature, August 

25, 2005, http://www.bioedonline.org/news/news.cfm?art=1985

October 2005

“Forests 'may absorb less CO2 than thought'.” Due to rising carbon dioxide levels, forests may not be 

able to slow down global warming as effectively as previously thought, according to a study by a team of 

UK based scientists from the Lancaster Environment Centre. Says Dr. James Heath of Lancaster 

University, “This is the first study using a wide range of tree species to show that, while trees may take 

up more CO2 as CO2 levels in the atmosphere rise, less may end up being stored in the soil.” It was 

assumed that under higher CO2 conditions the trees would grow faster and release more carbon into the 

soil via the roots and that therefore, more carbon would be retained in the soil. The experiment showed 

that this may not be the case, because at increased CO2 concentrations more of the extra carbon 

transferred to the soil by the tree roots was simply released back into the atmosphere through the 

respiration of soil micro-organisms. Press Association, September 9, 2005, 

http://www.wbcsd.org/plugins/DocSearch/details.asp?type=DocDet&ObjectId=16392. For the original 

article, see “Rising Atmospheric CO2 Reduces Sequestration of Root-Derived Soil Carbon,” Science, 

September 9, 2005, http://www.sciencemag.org/content/vol309/issue5741/index.shtml (subscription 

required) 

“Vicious Circle Of CO2 Emissions Is Speeding Up Climate Change.” A new study finds that, since 

1978, the soil of Britain has released an extra 13 million tons of carbon dioxide a year, which is more 

than the 12.7 million tons a year saved by cleaning up industrial pollution during that period. Scientists 

previously thought the soil could be a major sink for about a quarter of the industrial CO2 emissions, but 

the latest findings suggest that in a warmer world the soil will actually become a new source of the 

greenhouse gas. “Our findings suggest that the soil part of the equation is scarier than we thought. It 

means we've got 25 percent more carbon to think about,” said Guy Kirk of the National Soil Resources 

Institute at Cranfield University, who led the study. The Independent (London), September 8, 2005, 
http://www.wbcsd.org/plugins/DocSearch/details.asp?type=DocDet&ObjectId=16394. Also see, “Loss of 

soil carbon will speed global warming,” Guardian (UK), September 8, 2005, 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,1565041,00.html

“CO2 not certain to counter climate change.” The world cannot count on the “fertilizing” effects of 

carbon dioxide to counteract the adverse impact of global warming on crop yields, according to a paper 

presented at the British Association Science Festival. Scientists have simulated in open fields the effects 

of the atmospheric changes expected to take place over the next 50 years - and discovered the benefits 

predicted from previous greenhouse experiments do not materialize. Steve Long, a crop scientist at the 

University of Illinois, told the festival in Dublin: “Current projections of global food supply under climatic 

and atmospheric change are likely to be very optimistic.” Financial Times, September 6, 2005, 

http://www.climateark.org/articles/reader.asp?linkid=45888

“Tahoe National Forest Hosts Groundbreaking Climate Change Research.” Article highlights 

research to find accurate and cost-effective ways to measure and monitor forest carbon storage (carbon 

sequestration). Currently underway on public lands in the North Yuba River area, the research project is 

a collaboration of eight private and public organizations, including the U.S. Department of Energy who is 

funding 80 percent of the research. The project began in July 2005 and data collection should be finished 

by December 2005. According to the article, forests around the globe may be able to provide carbon 

credits to nations and industries seeking to offset carbon dioxide emissions through forest conservation. 

YubaNet.com , September 14, 2005, http://www.yubanet.com/artman/publish/article_25085.shtml

“Rhizotron sets MTU apart.” The U.S. Forest Service is building a 75-foot underground research tunnel 

at Michigan Tech University. Known as the Rhizotron, the tunnel will be used for research on roots and 

carbon sequestration. The tunnel will feature 24 removable windows so that testing may be done at the 

root level. The main goal of the tunnel and its overall purpose is to research more about carbon 

sequestration and how to implement it in such a way as to slow the process of global warming. The 

objective is to discover which plant species favor sequestration. Michigan Tech University Online Lode, 

September 7, 2005, http://www.mtulode.com/index.php?issuedate=2005-09-07§ion=12&artid=4519

November 2005

“Growers Can Profit From Parking Carbon on Farm.” Article highlights “carbon parking” on 

agricultural lands in the Western U.S. Karl Kupers, a Washington farmer, is already selling carbon credits 

from his conservation-tillage (CT) wheat field. Kupers and a group of partners formed the Pacific 

Northwest Direct Seed Association and entered a 10-year contract with Louisiana-based Entergy 

Corporation. Entergy gets credit for carbon-dioxide-emissions reductions achieved by the farmers to 

offset the carbon dioxide emissions from the company's power plants in the United States. The project 

reduces carbon dioxide emissions 30,000 tons over a 10-year period, according to the contract. In 

addition to carbon parking potential, CT presents a spectrum of benefits to farmers - including savings in 

expenditures for weed control, labor and irrigation, says University of California Cooperative Extension 

cropping systems specialist Jeff Mitchell. AScribe, October 3, 2005, http://newswire.ascribe.org/cgibin/behold.pl?ascribeid=20051003.085116&time=10%2013%20PDT&year=2005&public=0

December 2005

“Carbon sequestration potential estimates with changes in land use and tillage practice in Ohio, 

USA.” This study estimates the carbon sequestration potential of soil in Ohio for two scenarios: (1) with 

reforestation of both current cropland and grassland where soil organic carbon (SOC) pools are less than 

the baseline SOC pool under current forest; and (2) with the adoption of no-till (NT) on all current 

cropland. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, Volume 111, Issues 1-4 (December 1, 2005), 

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/01678809 (subscription required) 
“Carbon Sequestration in Arable Soils is Likely to Increase Nitrous Oxide Emissions, Offsetting 

Reductions in Climate Radiative Forcing.” The authors conducted simulations with a biogeochemical 

model to evaluate the impact of different cropland management strategies on the coupled cycles of C 

and N, with special emphasis on C-sequestration and emission of the greenhouse gases methane (CH4) 

and nitrous oxide (N2O). Reduced tillage, enhanced crop residue incorporation, and farmyard manure 

application each increased soil C-sequestration, increased N2O emissions, and had little effect on CH4

uptake. Over 20 years, increases in N2O emissions, which were converted into CO2-equivalent emissions 

with 100-year global warming potential multipliers, offset 75–310% of the carbon sequestered, 

depending on the scenario. Climatic Change (October 2005) 72, Number 3, 

http://www.springerlink.com/openurl.asp?genre=article&id=doi:10.1007/s10584-005-6791-5 (subscription 

required) 

“Forest soils and carbon sequestration.” This study investigates soil carbon sequestration in boreal 

and temperate forests and the potential to ameliorate changes in atmospheric chemistry. Forest Ecology 

and Management, Volume 220, Issues 1-3 (December 10, 2005), 

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/03781127 (subscription required) 

January 2006

“Trading Water for Carbon with Biological Carbon Sequestration,” Carbon sequestration strategies 

highlight tree plantations without considering their full environmental consequences. [The Authors] 

combined field research, synthesis of more than 600 observations, and climate and economic modeling 

to document substantial losses in stream flow, and increased soil salinization and acidification, with 

afforestation. Plantations decreased stream flow by 227 millimeters per year globally (52 percent), with 

13 percent of streams drying completely for at least 1 year. Regional modeling of US plantation 

scenarios suggests that climate feedbacks are unlikely to offset such water losses and could exacerbate 

them. Plantations can help control groundwater recharge and upwelling but reduce stream flow and 

salinize and acidify some soils. Science, December 23, 2005. Vol. 310. no. 5756, pp. 1944 – 1947. DOI: 

10.1126/science.1119282. http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/310/5756/1944

“Climate change impacts on agriculture and soil carbon sequestration potential in the Huang-Hai 

Plain of China.” For thousands of years, the Huang-Hai Plain in northeast China has been one of the 

most productive agricultural regions of the country. The future of this region will be determined in large 

part by how global climatic changes impact regional conditions and by actions taken to mitigate or adapt 

to climate change impacts. One potential mitigation strategy is to promote management practices that 

have the potential to sequester carbon in the soils. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 

(IPCC) estimates that 40 Pg (petagrams) of carbon could be sequestered in cropland soils worldwide 

over the next several decades; however, changes in global climate may impact this potential. [The 

authors] assess the potential for soil carbon sequestration with conversion of a conventional till (CT) 

continuous wheat system to a wheat–corn double cropping system and by implementing no till (NT) 

management for both continuous wheat and wheat–corn systems. To assess the influence of these 

management practices under a changing climate, [the authors] use two climate change scenarios (A2 

and B2) at two time periods in the EPIC agro-ecosystem simulation model. The applied climate change 

scenarios are from the HadCM3 global climate model for the periods 2015–2045 and 2070–2099 which 

projects consistent increases in temperature and precipitation of greater than 5 °C and up to 300 mm by 

2099. An increase in the variability of temperature is also projected and is, accordingly, applied in the 

simulations. The EPIC model indicates that winter wheat yields would increase on average by 0.2 Mg 

ha−1 in the earlier period and by 0.8 Mg ha−1 in the later period due to warmer nighttime temperatures 

and higher precipitation. Simulated yields were not significantly affected by imposed changes in crop 

management. Simulated soil organic carbon content was higher under both NT management and double 

cropping than under CT continuous wheat. The simulated changes in management were a more 

important factor in SOC changes than the scenario of climate change. Soil carbon sequestration rates for 
continuous wheat systems were increased by an average of 0.4 Mg ha−1 year−1 by NT in the earlier 

period and by 0.2 Mg ha−1 year−1 in the later period. With wheat–corn double cropping, NT increased 

sequestration rates by 0.8 and 0.4 Mg ha−1 year−1 for the earlier and later periods, respectively. The 

total carbon offset due to a shift from CT to NT under continuous wheat over 16 million hectares in the 

Huang-Hai Plain is projected to reach 240 Tg carbon in the earlier period and 180 Tg carbon in the later 

period. Corresponding carbon offsets for wheat–corn cropping are 675–495 Tg carbon. Agriculture, 

Ecosystems & Environment, Available online December 15, 2005, 

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6T3Y-4HTCT7T1/2/c4c308e79e3b7a5200b5bf9c7e21249d (subscription may be required)

“Slow growth rates of Amazonian trees: Consequences for carbon cycling.” Quantifying age 

structure and tree growth rate of Amazonian forests is essential for understanding their role in the carbon 

cycle. Here, [the authors] use radiocarbon dating and direct measurement of diameter increment to 

document unexpectedly slow growth rates for trees from three locations spanning the Brazilian Amazon 

basin. Central Amazon trees, averaging only 1 mm/year diameter increment, grow half as fast as those 

from areas with more seasonal rainfall to the east and west. Slow growth rates mean that trees can attain 

great ages; across our sites [the authors] estimate 17-50 percent of trees with diameter >10 cm have 

ages exceeding 300 years. Whereas a few emergent trees that make up a large portion of the biomass 

grow faster, small trees that are more abundant grow slowly and attain ages of hundreds of years. The 

mean age of carbon in living trees (60-110 years) is within the range of or slightly longer than the mean 

residence time calculated from carbon inventory divided by annual carbon allocation to wood growth (40-

100 years). Faster carbon turnover is observed in stands with overall higher rates of diameter increment 

and a larger fraction of the biomass in large, fast-growing trees. As a consequence, forests can recover 

biomass relatively quickly after disturbance, whereas recovering species composition may take many 

centuries. Carbon cycle models that apply a single turnover time for carbon in forest biomass do not 

account for variations in life strategy and therefore may overestimate the carbon sequestration potential 

of Amazon forests. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Published online before print 

December 9, 2005, 10.1073/pnas.0505966102. 

http://www.pnas.org/cgi/content/abstract/0505966102v1?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFOR

MAT=&fulltext=%22Carbon+Sequestration%22&searchid=1134161639062_7353&stored_search=&FIRS

TINDEX=0&sortspec=date&journalcode=pnas

February 2006 

“Methane emissions from terrestrial plants under aerobic conditions.” This paper demonstrates by 

using stable carbon isotopes that methane is readily formed in situ in terrestrial plants under oxic 

(meaning, in the presence of oxygen) conditions by a process that was previously unrecognized. 

Significant methane emissions from both intact plants and detached leaves were observed during 

incubation experiments in the laboratory and in the field. If our measurements are typical for short-lived 

biomass and scaled on a global basis, we estimate a methane source strength of 62–236 teragrams (Tg) 

per year for living plants and 1–7 Tg per year for plant litter (1 Tg = 1012 g). The authors suggest that this 

newly identified source may have important implications for the global methane budget and may call for a 

reconsideration of the role of natural methane sources in past climate change. (See Science section of 

this newsletter for related news articles “Experts Urge Caution in Application of New Methane 

Studies” and “Global Warming: Plants Are Not To Blame,”), Nature 439, Pages 187-191, January 12, 

2006, doi:10.1038/nature04420. http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v439/n7073/abs/nature04420.html

(Subscription may be required.) 

“Biomass equations and carbon content of aboveground leafless biomass of hybrid poplar in 

Coastal British Columbia,” Hybrid poplar plantations offer opportunities for enhancing carbon sinks, but 

accurate assignment of carbon credits requires accurate estimation of the amount of carbon stored in 

poplar biomass. The authors present individual-tree bole and branch biomass equations derived for 
Populus trichocarpa Torr. and Gray × P. deltoides Marsh. hybrids from plantations in coastal British 

Columbia, Canada. Trees ranged in age from 4 to 13 years and were planted at a density of 1111 stems 

per hectare (ha−1 ). Equations were applied to similar short-rotation intensive-culture plantations near or 

at rotation age to derive estimates of aboveground leafless biomass production and amount of carbon 

sequestered. After 12 years, predicted aboveground leafless biomass accumulation ranged from 9.2 to 

13.6 megagrams per hectare per year (Mg ha−1

 year−1); predicted bole biomass accumulation ranged 

from 7.5 to 11.3 Mg ha−1

 year−1. Total carbon in aboveground leafless biomass at age 12 ranged from 

51.2 to 75.7 Mg ha−1

. Three of the stands reached 14 years of age prior to harvest. Predicted carbon 

content of aboveground leafless biomass at 14 years of age ranged from 73.7 to 88.7 Mg ha−1. Forest 

Ecology and Management, Available online January 4, 2006, doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2005.11.009, 

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6T6X-4HYMW3C2/2/d6d9adb89f29e38474675a41a31c51a6 (Subscription may be required.) 

Ocean 

September 2005

“Process design of a new injection method of liquid CO2 at the intermediate depths in the ocean 

using a static mixer.” A static mixer invention for CO2 injection into ocean water is proposed. By 

controlling CO2 drop size and harnessing the forces of buoyancy, the mixer enables complete CO2

dissolution before any evaporation occurs. The mixer uses very little energy. Fuel Processing 

Technology, Volume 86, Issues 14-15, October 2005, Pages 1667-1678, 

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/03783820 (subscription required) 

October 2005

“Climate change will affect carbon sequestration in oceans, model shows.” An Earth System 

model developed by researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign indicates that the best 

location to store carbon dioxide in the deep ocean will change with climate change. “Through a number 

of physical and chemical interactive mechanisms, the ocean circulation could change and affect the 

retention time of carbon dioxide injected into the deep ocean, thereby indirectly altering oceanic carbon 

storage and atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration,” said Atul Jain, a professor of atmospheric 

sciences. “Where the carbon dioxide is injected turns out to be a very important issue.” EurekAlert, 

September 7, 2005, http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2005-09/uoia-ccw090705.php

November 2005

“Global warming could threaten ocean life.” The findings of a new study reveal that coral and 

plankton in the waters around the southern polar region are far more at risk to carbon dioxide emissions 

than previously thought. The international project measured the chemical changes in the Southern 

Ocean caused by the absorption of CO2. Research scientist Gian-Kasper Plattner found the resulting 

increased acidity in these waters dissolves calcium carbonates that corals and plankton use to make 

protective external skeletons. Similar experiments carried out in warmer seas projected that corals and 

plankton would not be seriously affected for centuries. But as colder waters contain less calcium 

carbonates than warmer areas, the new Ocean Carbonate Cycle Inter-Comparison Project (OCMIP) 

results indicate that there could be severe consequences for these organisms within 50-100 years. 

swissinfo, September 29, 2005, http://www.swissinfo.org/sen/swissinfo.html?siteSect=105&sid=6126393

“Scientists Investigate Ocean’s Role in Carbon Cycle, Global Warming.” Article highlights research 

by a team of scientists trying to improve the current understanding of the ocean’s role in transferring 

carbon dioxide from the surface to the deep sea. Led by University of Rhode Island Professor of 
Oceanography S. Bradley Moran, the scientists have completed their second research cruise of 2005 to 

study the carbon cycle. “How much is sinking? What are the controlling mechanisms? Those are our 

most basic questions, and there’s an ongoing debate in the scientific community about it,” said Moran. 

Using particle-collecting sediment traps and measurements of the naturally occurring radioactive isotope 

thorium-234, the researchers have collected data from the Arctic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, and North 

Atlantic Ocean to compare the magnitude of sinking carbon in different locations and at different times of 

the year. According to Moran, the data so far suggests that there are interesting differences from season 

to season and from place to place. The next step in the researchers’ project is to determine what 

mechanisms control the sinking carbon. They will study how fast and how far the carbon sinks, and the 

extent to which it eventually returns to the surface or remains in the bottom waters and sediments. 

Newswise, October 3, 2005, http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/515047/

“North Sea Efficient Sink For Carbon Dioxide.” Dutch-sponsored researcher Yann Bozec calculated 

that coastal seas such as the North Sea remove about three times as much carbon dioxide from the 

atmosphere than would be expected on the basis of their small surface area. This article highlights 

results from four expeditions, each of one-month duration, with the oceanographic research vessel 

'Pelagia' from the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ). The goal of the research was to 

produce a data set that could shed light on the concentrations and transport cycle of CO2 in the North 

Sea. Science Daily, October 12, 2005, 

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/10/051011065902.htm

Planktos to conduct commercial scale ocean sequestration pilot project. According to a press 

release, Planktos Inc. is planning to conduct a series of commercial scale pilot projects designed to 

sequester atmospheric CO2 via plankton. This will be done by mimicking nature via the addition and 

replenishment of natural iron nutrients to stimulate phytoplankton productivity and sequestration of CO2

from the atmosphere. Diatom Corporation will market ocean biomass carbon credits derived from the 

restoration of plankton productivity produced by Planktos. These carbon credits will help satisfy 

international agreements (such as the Kyoto Accord), domestic U.S. programs (such as Department of 

Energy's Voluntary Reporting Guidelines), and various state policies (such as California's climate change 

laws) that encourage mitigation for CO2 emissions, says the press release. “Solar Subsidiary Planktos 

Commences Operations,” BusinessWire, October 6, 2005, 

http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=2005100600

5939&newsLang=en

December 2005 

“Asleep in the deep: Model helps assess ocean-injection strategy for combating greenhouse 

effect.” Highlights a theoretical model developed by University of Michigan researcher Youxue Zhang 

that can be used to explore the fate of CO2 injected into oceans under various temperature and pressure 

conditions. Zhang's model shows that liquid CO2 would have to be injected to a depth of at least 800 

meters (about a half mile) and possibly as much as 3,000 meters (nearly two miles) to keep it from 

escaping. “Droplets injected to a depth of 800 meters will rise, but if they are small enough they should 

dissolve completely before reaching the liquid-gas transition depth – assuming everything works 

perfectly,” said Zhang, a professor of geological sciences. However, at a high injection rate, seawater full 

of CO2 droplets would have an average density smaller than that of surrounding seawater, creating 

conditions that could lead to a rapidly-rising plume. University of Michigan News Service, November 3, 

2005, http://www.umich.edu/news/index.html?Releases/2005/Nov05/r110305 

“Dissolution mechanisms of CO2 hydrate droplets in deep seawaters.” Carbon dioxide dissolution 

at intermediate ocean depths was studied using physical and mass transfer models. Energy Conversion 

and Management, Volume 47, Issue 5 (March 2006), 

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/01968904 (subscription required) 
“Effects of Mixing Functions of Static Mixers on the Formation of CO2 Hydrate from the TwoPhase Flow of Liquid CO2 and Water.” Formation experiments of CO2 hydrate from the two-phase flow 

of liquid CO2 and water were carried out using static mixers with different types of mixing elements to 

elucidate the effects of mixing functions of the static mixer on CO2 hydrate formation. The observed 

behaviors of CO2 hydrate formation were classified into six patterns and the formation mechanisms are 

discussed. Energy Fuels, 19 (6), 2364 -2370 (November 16, 2005), http://pubs.acs.org/cgibin/abstract.cgi/enfuem/2005/19/i06/abs/ef0500843.html (subscription required) 

January 2006

“Monitoring the underground migration of sequestered carbon dioxide using Earth tides,” 

Reliable and cost effective monitoring techniques are required to ensure safe and effective geological 

sequestration of carbon dioxide (CO2), one of the promising strategies for mitigating CO2 emissions. This 

study proposes and examines a practical technique for monitoring the underground migration of CO2

using Earth tides. The gravitational attraction of the bodies in the solar system causes tidal deformation 

of the Earth, and the pore pressure of the geological reservoirs changes in response to such tidal 

phenomena. With the pressure analysis algorithm adopted in this study, pressure fluctuations can be 

retrieved from the continuous pressure data obtained at the monitoring well. The diurnal and semi-diurnal 

features of the pressure fluctuations can be explained by the Earth tides, and it is possible to estimate 

the poroelastic parameter [chi], a function of the CO2 saturation in the pore space. By analyzing the [chi] 

profile, CO2 migration can be monitored with a reasonable degree of accuracy. Energy Conversion and 

Management, In Press, Corrected Proof, Available online 27 December 2005, 

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6V2P-4HWXNVH5/2/54d698703c7f2f9c52bc533f63a27290 (subscription may be required) 

February 2006 

“Determination of gas bubble fractionation rates in the deep ocean by laser Raman 

spectroscopy,” A new deep-sea laser Raman spectrometer (DORISS—Deep Ocean Raman In Situ 

Spectrometer) is used to observe the preferential dissolution of CO2 into seawater from a 50:50 CO2–N2

gas mixture in a set of experiments that test a proposed method of CO2 sequestration in the deep ocean. 

In a first set of experiments performed at 300 meters (m) depth, an open-bottomed 1000 cubic 

centimeters (cm3

) cube was used to contain the gas mixture; and in a second set of experiments a 2.5 

cm3

 funnel was used to hold a bubble of the gas mixture in front of the sampling optic. By observing the 

changing ratios of the CO2 and N2 Raman bands we were able to determine the gas flux and the mass 

transfer coefficient at 300 meters depth and compare them to theoretical calculations for air–sea gas 

exchange. Although each experiment had a different configuration, comparable results were obtained. 

As expected, the ratio of CO2 to N2 drops off at an exponential rate as CO2 is preferentially dissolved in 

seawater. In fitting the data with theoretical gas flux calculations, the boundary layer thickness was 

determined to be ~ 42 micrometers (μm) for the gas cube, and ~165 μm for the gas funnel reflecting 

different boundary layer turbulence. The mass transfer coefficients for CO2 are kL = 2.82 × 10− 5 m/s for 

the gas cube experiment, and kL = 7.98 × 10− 6 m/s for the gas funnel experiment. Marine Chemistry,

Available online January 18, 2006, doi:10.1016/j.marchem.2004.10.006, 

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6VC2-4J2M0N6-

3/2/e74e856a11f958bb87cf9a0081543084 (Subscription may be required.) 

“An improved model for the calculation of CO2 solubility in aqueous solutions containing Na+

, K+, 

Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl−

, and SO4

2- .” An improved model is presented for the calculation of the solubility of 

carbon dioxide (CO2) in aqueous solutions containing Na+

, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl−, and SO4

2−

 in a wide 

temperature–pressure–ionic strength range (from 273 to 533 K, from 0 to 2000 bar, and from 0 to 4.5 

molality of salts) with experimental accuracy. The improvements over the previously published model 

include: (1) By developing a non-iterative equation to replace the original equation of state in the 
calculation of CO2 fugacity coefficients, the new model is at least twenty times computationally faster and 

can be easily adapted to numerical reaction-flow simulator for such applications as CO2 sequestration 

and (2) By fitting to the new solubility data, the new model improved the accuracy below 288 K from 6 

percent to about 3 percent of uncertainty but still retains the high accuracy of the original model above 

288 K. The authors comprehensively evaluate all experimental CO2 solubility data. Compared with these 

data, this model not only reproduces all the reliable data used for the parameterization but also predicts 

the data that were not used in the parameterization. In order to facilitate the application to CO2

sequestration, we also predicted CO2 solubility in seawater at two-phase coexistence (vapor–liquid or 

liquid–liquid) and at three-phase coexistence (CO2 hydrate–liquid water–vapor CO2 [or liquid CO2]). The 

improved model is programmed and can be downloaded from the website http://www.geochemmodel.org/programs.htm. Marine Chemistry, Volume 98, Issues 2-4, February 1, 2006, Pages 131-139. 

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6VC2-4H8MP5G1/2/4faddd1f41afa32ef980e0b2192ea406 (Subscription may be required.) 

Terrestrial/Ocean 

March 2006 

“An Overview of Terrestrial Sequestration of Carbon Dioxide: the United States Department of 

Energy's Fossil Energy R&D Program.” The US Department of Energy (DOE) is sponsoring the 

development of new technologies that can provide energy and promote economic prosperity while 

reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. One option that can contribute to achieving this goal is the 

capture and sequestration of carbon dioxide in geologic formations. An alternative approach is carbon 

sequestration in terrestrial ecosystems through natural processes. Enhancing such natural pools (known 

as natural sequestration) can make a significant contribution to CO2 management strategies with the 

potential to sequester about 290 teragrams of carbon per year (Tg C/y) in US soils. In addition to soils, 

there is also a large potential for carbon sequestration in above and belowground biomass in forest 

ecosystems. A major area of interest to DOE's Fossil Energy Program is reclaimed mined lands, of which 

there may be 0.63x106

 hectares in the US. These areas are essentially devoid of soil carbon; therefore, 

they provide an excellent opportunity to sequester carbon in both soils and vegetation. Measurement of 

carbon in these ecosystems requires the development of new technology and protocols that are accurate 

and economically viable. Field demonstrations are needed to accurately determine carbon sequestration 

potential and to demonstrate the ecological and aesthetic benefits in improved soil and water quality, 

increased biodiversity, and restored ecosystems. The DOE's research program in natural sequestration 

highlights fundamental and applied studies, such as the development of measurement, monitoring, and 

verification technologies and protocols and field tests aimed at developing techniques for maximizing the 

productivity of hitherto infertile soils and degraded ecosystems. Authors are John T. Litynski, Scott M. 

Klara, Howard G. McIlvried, and Rameshwar D. Srivastava. Climactic Change, published online January 

5, 2006, doi:10.1007/s10584-005-6960-6, 

http://springerlink.metapress.com/(rlg5uz45m0dwo5vfavqcvg45)/app/home/contribution.asp?referrer=par

ent&backto=issue,5,11;journal,1,215;linkingpublicationresults,1:100247,1. (Subscription may be 

required.) 

“Universal scaling of respiratory metabolism, size and nitrogen in plants,” The scaling of 

respiratory metabolism to body size in animals is considered to be a fundamental law of nature, and 

there is substantial evidence for an approximate three quarter-power relation. Studies suggest that plant 

respiratory metabolism also scales as the three quarter-power of mass, and that higher plant and animal 

scaling follow similar rules owing to the predominance of fractal-like transport networks and associated 

allometric scaling. In this article, using data obtained from about 500 laboratory and field-grown plants 

from 43 species and four experiments, the authors show that whole-plant respiration rate scales 

approximately isometrically (scaling exponent approximately 1) with total plant mass in individual 

experiments and has no common relation across all data. Moreover, consistent with theories about 
biochemically based physiological scaling, isometric scaling of whole-plant respiration rate to total 

nitrogen content is observed within and across all data sets, with a single relation common to all data. 

This isometric scaling is unaffected by growth conditions including variation in light, nitrogen availability, 

temperature and atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration, and is similar within or among species or 

functional groups. These findings suggest that plants and animals follow different metabolic scaling 

relations, driven by distinct mechanisms. January 26, 2006, Nature, 439, 457-461, 

doi:10.1038/nature04282, http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v439/n7075/full/nature04282.html. 

(Subscription may be required.) 

“Carbon sequestration potential by afforestation of marginal agricultural land in the Midwestern 

US,” Carbon sequestration has been well recognized as a viable option to slow the rise in atmospheric 

greenhouse gas concentration. The main goals of this study were to assess the carbon sequestration 

potential (CSP) by afforestation of marginal agricultural land (MagLand) and to identify hotspots for 

potential afforestation activities in the US Midwest region (Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, West 

Virginia, Pennsylvania and Maryland). The 1992 USGS National Land Cover Dataset and the State Soil 

Geographic (STATSGO) database were used to determine MagLand. Two forest types (coniferous and 

deciduous) and two management practices (short-rotation versus permanent forest) were combined to 

form four afforestation scenarios. Simulation models were employed to predict changes in four carbon 

pools: aboveground biomass, roots, forest floor, and soil organic carbon (SOC). A scenario-generating 

tool was developed to detect the hotspots. The authors estimated that there was a total of 6.5 million 

hectares (Mha) MagLand available in the US Midwest region, which accounts for approximately 24 

percent of the regional total agricultural land. The CSP capacity was predicted to be 508–540 teragrams 

of carbon (Tg C) over 20 years and 1018–1080 Tg C over 50 years. The results indicate that 

afforestation of MagLand could offset 6–8 percent of current carbon dioxide emissions by combustion of 

fossil fuel in the region. This analysis showed only slight differences in carbon sequestration between 

forest types or between short-rotation and permanent forest scenarios. Note that this calculation 

assumed that all suitable MagLand in the US Midwest region was converted to forest and that “best 

carbon management” was adopted. The actual CSP could be less if the economical and social factors 

are taken into account. The most preferred locations for implementing the afforestation strategy were 

found to be concentrated along a west-east axis across the southern parts of Indiana, Ohio, and 

Pennsylvania, as well as in an area covering southern Michigan and northern parts of Indiana and Ohio. 

Overall, we conclude that afforestation of MagLand in the Midwest US region offers great potential for 

carbon sequestration. Future studies are needed to evaluate its economic feasibility, social acceptability, 

and operation capability. Forest Ecology and Management, Volume 223, Issues 1-3, March 1, 2006, 

Pages 415-427, Available online January 25, 2006. doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2005.12.044, 

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6T6X-4J4404J-4/2/fe7fd2f79cd804a18cb6b9bf21618618

(Subscription may be required.) 

“Carbon sequestration in semi-arid rangelands: Comparison of Pinus ponderosa plantations and 

grazing exclusion in NW Patagonia,” The large global extension of arid and semi-arid regions together 

with their widespread degradation give these areas a high potential to sequester carbon. The authors 

explored the possibilities of semi-arid ecosystems to sequester carbon by means of rangeland exclusion 

and afforestation with Pinus ponderosa in northwestern Patagonia (Argentina). The authors sampled all 

pools where organic carbon accumulates in a network of five trios of adjacent grazed, non-grazed and 

afforested stands (age: 12–25 years, density: 605–1052 trees per hectare). After 15 years since trees 

were planted, afforestation added approximately 50 percent more carbon to the initial ecosystem carbon 

pool, with annual sequestration rate ranging 0.5–3.3 megagrams of carbon per hectare per year 

(Mg C ha−1 year−1). Carbon gains in afforested stands were higher above than below-ground (150 

percent vs. 32 percent). Root biomass differences (374 percent more in afforested vs. grazed stands, 

probability (p) =0.0011) explained below-ground carbon contrasts whereas soil organic carbon showed 

no differences with afforestation. By contrast, grazing exclosures did not result in significant changes in 

the total carbon storage in comparison with the adjacent grazed stands (p=0.42) suggesting a slow 

ecosystem recovery in the time frame of this study (approximately15 years of exclusion). Nevertheless, 
higher litter amount was found in the former (+53 percent, p=0.07). Neither, soil organic carbon nor root 

carbon showed significant differences between grazed and non-grazed conditions. Considering that 

more than 1.1 millions of hectares of the studied ecosystems are highly degraded and suitable for tree 

planting, afforesting this area could result in a carbon sequestration rate of 1.7 teragrams of carbon per 

year (Tg C year−1), almost 6 percent of the current fossil fuel emissions of Argentina; however 

environmental consequences which could emerge from this deep land use shift must be taken into 

account when afforestation program are being designed. Journal of Arid Environments, January 26, 

2006. doi:10.1016/j.jaridenv.2005.12.008, http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6WH9-

4J4B9BJ-1/2/49f030bd625b10e468f691344865bdd6. (Subscription may be required.)

April 2006

“Global potential for carbon sequestration: Geographical distribution, country risk and policy 

implications.” The authors have provided a framework for identifying least-cost sites for afforestation 

and reforestation and deriving carbon sequestration cost curves at a global level in a scenario of limited 

information. Special attention is given to country risk in developing countries and the sensitivity to spatial 

datasets. The authors’ model results suggest that within 20 years and considering a carbon price of $50 

per ton of carbon, tree-planting activities could offset 1 year of global carbon emissions in the energy 

sector. However, if the authors account for country risk considerations–associated with political, 

economic and financial risks–carbon sequestration is reduced by approximately 60 percent. With respect 

to the geography of supply, illustrated by grid-scale maps, the authors find that most least-cost sites are 

located in regions of developing countries such as the Sub-Sahara, Southeast Brazil and Southeast 

Asia. Ecological Economics, Available online March 9, 2006, doi:10.1016/j.ecolecon.2005.12.015, 

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6VDY-4JF97MF2/2/6cb451553cd7200978374c6990addd65. (Subscription may be required.) 

“Temperature sensitivity of soil carbon decomposition and feedbacks to climate change.”

Significantly more carbon is stored in the world's soils—including peatlands, wetlands and permafrost—

than is present in the atmosphere. Disagreement exists, however, regarding the effects of climate 

change on global soil carbon stocks. If carbon stored belowground is transferred to the atmosphere by a 

warming-induced acceleration of its decomposition, a positive feedback to climate change would occur. 

Conversely, if increases of plant-derived carbon inputs to soils exceed increases in decomposition, the 

feedback would be negative. Despite much research, a consensus has not yet emerged on the 

temperature sensitivity of soil carbon decomposition. Unraveling the feedback effect is particularly 

difficult, because the diverse soil organic compounds exhibit a wide range of kinetic properties, which 

determine the intrinsic temperature sensitivity of their decomposition. Moreover, several environmental 

constraints obscure the intrinsic temperature sensitivity of substrate decomposition, causing lower 

observed 'apparent' temperature sensitivity, and these constraints may, themselves, be sensitive to 

climate. Nature, Vol. 440, Pages 165-173, March 9, 2006, doi:10.1038/nature04514, 

http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v440/n7081/abs/nature04514.html. (Subscription may be required.) 

May 2006

“Nitrogen limitation constrains sustainability of ecosystem response to CO2.” Enhanced plant 

biomass accumulation in response to elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration could dampen the future 

rate of increase in CO2 levels and associated climate warming. However, it is unknown whether CO2-

induced stimulation of plant growth and biomass accumulation will be sustained or whether limited 

nitrogen (N) availability constrains greater plant growth in a CO2-enriched world. Here the authors show, 

after a six-year field study of perennial grassland species grown under ambient and elevated levels of 

CO2 and N, that low availability of N progressively suppresses the positive response of plant biomass to 

elevated CO2. Initially, the stimulation of total plant biomass by elevated CO2 was no greater at enriched 

than at ambient N supply. After four to six years, however, elevated CO2 stimulated plant biomass much 
less under ambient than enriched N supply. This response was consistent with the temporally divergent 

effects of elevated CO2 on soil and plant N dynamics at differing levels of N supply. The authors results 

indicate that variability in availability of soil N and deposition of atmospheric N are both likely to influence 

the response of plant biomass accumulation to elevated atmospheric CO2. Given that limitations to 

productivity resulting from the insufficient availability of N are widespread in both unmanaged and 

managed vegetation, soil N supply is probably an important constraint on global terrestrial responses to 

elevated CO2. doi:10.1038/nature04486. Nature, Volume 440, April 13, 2006, 

http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v440/n7086/full/nature04486.html. (Subscription may be required.) 

“Effect of sugarcane residue management (mulching versus burning) on organic matter in a 

clayey Oxisol from southern Brazil.” Changes in residue management may help sustain land 

productivity, and may have noticeable consequences in the global carbon budget when large areas are 

involved. The effects of sugarcane residue management on topsoil carbon were assessed in a clayey 

Oxisol of Brazil, largest world's producer of sugarcane. The carbon concentration of the whole soil and 

particle-size fractions were determined in a long-duration sugarcane plantation (50 years), with either a 

pre-harvest residue burning (BUR) or a 6-year green trash management (MUL, residue mulching). Soil 

carbon concentrations were greater in MUL than in BUR. The difference was significant at a 0–

5 centimeters (cm) depth (25.2 versus 21.0 grams of carbon per kilogram (g C kg−1

)) but not at 5–10 cm 

(22.3 versus 20.5 g C kg−1

); nevertheless it was significant at 0–10 cm (23.7 versus 20.7 g C kg−1). This 

difference resulted in carbon sequestration in MUL, which amounted to 0.65 megagrams of carbon per 

hectare per year (Mg C ha−1

 year−1) at 0–10 cm depth and corresponded to 14 percent of aboveground 

residue carbon returned to the soil. Differences in soil carbon between MUL and BUR mainly affected the 

fraction <2 micrometers (μm). It was hypothesized that the preferential enrichment in fine fractions 

resulted in a long-term carbon storage. Ecosystems & Environment, Volume 115, Issues 1-4, July 2006, 

Pages 285-289, doi:10.1016/j.agee.2005.12.014, http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6T3Y4J8D8SX-2/2/9d55b66f54da3eacdff4a96c0e259cc9. (Subscription may be required.) 

“Maximizing the profitability of forestry projects under the Clean Development Mechanism using 

a forest management optimization model.” Forestry projects under the Clean Development 

Mechanism (CDM) may provide several benefits for developing countries. Under the current rules, these 

projects can participate in both timber and carbon markets. Thus, project developers need to know what 

the optimal forest management design would be to maximize their revenues according to timber and 

carbon market expectations while at the same time complying with international rules adopted for carbon 

sequestration projects under the CDM. The authors developed Carbomáx, a management optimization 

model that simulates forest growth under different forest management regimes (intensity and frequency 

of thinnings and rotation lengths). A genetic algorithm was used to find the management regime that 

maximizes the Annual Equivalent Value (AEV) of projects under different market scenarios. The authors 

tested their model under a wide variety of possible scenarios for forestry projects. Five tropical plantation 

species (Alnus jorullensis, Cordia alliodora, Pinus patula, Cupressus lusitanica and Eucalyptus grandis) 

were evaluated, at discount rates of 4, 7 and 10 percent, and certified emissions reduction (CER) prices 

of $3, 7, 10 and 13. Temporary CERs (tCERs) and long-term CERs (lCERs) prices were considered in 

the evaluation and were calculated as a variable proportion of CER price. Results showed that optimal 

forest management is sensible to carbon and timber market conditions. Under each discount rate, as 

CER price increased, frequency and intensity of thinnings tended to decrease and optimal thinnings and 

rotation lengths tended to be reached at older ages. The largest AEV were obtained with discount rates 

of 10 percent, CER prices of 13 and rotation lengths of 40 years for all species. For those species with 

higher timber prices, thinnings tended to be more frequent and at early ages of the plantation. For all 

species optimal thinnings were found at 35 years of plantation age. tCERs was selected by the model as 

the best choice to maximize the profitability of the projects. Forest Ecology and Management, Volume 

226, Issues 1-3, May 1, 2006, Pages 341-350. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6T6X4JKRTP3-1/2/f43ae5203c557c774a943c6329dfa9d1. (Subscription may be required.) 

June 2006 
"Do Recent Scientific Findings Undermine the Climate Benefits of Carbon Sequestration in 

Forests?: An Expert Review of Recent Studies on Methane Emissions and Water Tradeoffs." Two 

recent papers in the scientific literature have generated speculation regarding the benefits of terrestrial 

carbon sinks. One study, led by Frank Keppler from the Max Planck Institute found that plants emit 

significant amounts of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Another study, led by Robert Jackson of Duke 

University found that forest plantations can reduce stream flow and increase salinization of soils more 

than previously thought. Some media and interested parties have speculated that this research calls into 

question the value of carbon sequestration from trees and plants as a climate change mitigation strategy. 

Others viewed this speculation as far overblown. What did the research say? What do scientific experts 

think about its significance? And should current policy be altered as a result? To answer these questions 

a group of experts gathered at Duke University. They assessed the science and its implications and 

came to the consensus discussed in this document. Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions, 

Consensus from an Expert Roundtable held February 9, 2006 at Duke University, April 2006, 

http://www.env.duke.edu/institute/methanewater.pdf. 

“Cost efficient rotation and tillage options to sequester carbon and mitigate GHG emissions from 

agriculture in Eastern Canada.” The economic efficiency of cropping options to mitigate net 

greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from agriculture in Eastern Canada was analyzed. Data on yield 

response to tillage (moldboard plow and chisel plow) and six-corn (Zea mays L.)-based rotations were 

obtained from a 20-year field experiment in Ontario. Budgets were constructed for each cropping system 

while GHG emissions were accounted for by soil carbon measurements and estimates of nitrous oxide 

according to Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change methodology. Complex crop rotations with 

legumes, such as corn–corn–soybeans (Glycine max. L.)–wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) with red clover 

(Trifolium pratense L.) underseeded, have higher net returns and substantially lower GHG emissions 

than continuous corn. Conservation tillage reduces GHG emissions due to lower input use but 

sequestration levels did not vary significantly between tillage systems. Rotation had a much bigger effect 

on the mitigation potential of GHG emissions than tillage. However, opportunity costs of more than $200 

per megagram of carbon dioxide equivalent per hectare per year (Mg CO2 eq ha−1

 year−1) indicate the 

limits to increase the mitigation potential beyond the level of the most profitable cropping system. 

 Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, available online May 2, 2006. doi:10.1016/j.agee.2006.03.023, 

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6T3Y-4JVTBHS2/2/c2ce339e0b664deb68ea1ada7fbb2027. 

July 2006

“Ecological restoration, carbon sequestration and biodiversity conservation: The experience of 

the Society for Wildlife Research and Environmental Education (SPVS) in the Atlantic Rain Forest 

of Southern Brazil, Journal for Nature Conservation.” Since 1999, SPVS has been involved in three 

projects that combine two fundamental goals over the course of 40 years: the conservation of one of 

Brazil's most important remnants of Atlantic Forest and the implementation of projects for carbon 

sequestration. In addition, there is an interest in replicating these projects in order to restore other 

degraded areas, protect the Brazilian biomes, and help to diminish deforestation and forest fire, therefore 

reducing carbon emissions. The acquisition of 19,000 hectares of degraded areas of high biological 

importance in southern Brazil was the first step towards the implementation of the projects. These areas 

are owned by SPVS, a Brazilian non-governmental organization (NGO), and are being restored, 

conserved and transformed into Private Natural Reserves, in partnership with the NGO – The Nature 

Conservancy, and financed by the companies – American Electric Power, General Motors and Chevron 

Texaco. The process of forest restoration involves several stages: soil studies, surveying the region's 

native plants, planning for restoration by means of a Geographical Information System, production of 

seedlings, application of different techniques for planting (such as manual or mechanized planting with 

seedlings and stakes), and biomass and biodiversity monitoring. To guarantee the survival of the 

seedlings on the planted areas, during the first three years, there is a continuous and systematic 
maintenance program including weeding of undergrowth, crowing and organic fertilization. The three 

projects already planted around 500,000 seedlings of native species until September 2004, and aim to 

plant a further 300,000 until 2008. André Rocha Ferretti and Ricardo Miranda de Britez, Journal for 

Nature Conservation, Available online June 5, 2006, 

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B7GJ6-4K421HP1/2/7411afcc69e72b14741bb076018ae883. (Subscription may be required.) 

“Innovative gap-filling strategy for annual sums of CO2 net ecosystem exchange.” 

The determination of carbon dioxide net ecosystem exchange (NEE) using the eddy-covariance (EC) 

method has become a fundamental tool for the investigation of the carbon balance of terrestrial 

ecosystems. This study presents a strategy for the processing, subsequent quality control and gap-filling 

of carbon dioxide eddy-covariance flux measurements for the derivation of annual sums of NEE. A set of 

criteria is used for quality assessment and to identify periods with instrumental or methodological failures. 

The complete evaluation scheme was applied to data recorded above a spruce forest at the FLUXNETStation Waldstein-Weidenbrunnen (DE-Wei) in 2003. Comparison of this new evaluation scheme to the 

use of a friction velocity (u*) threshold criterion of 0.3 meter per second (m s−1

) indicates less systematic 

distribution of data gaps. The number of available high quality night-time measurements increased. This 

effect was most pronounced during summer, when data is essential for a robust parameterization of 

respiratory fluxes. Non-linear regression analysis showed that air temperature and global radiation 

explain most of the variability of NEE and further seasonal segregation of the data based on an objective 

method did not significantly improve predictions at this evergreen forest site. J. Ruppert, M. Mauder, C. 

Thomas and J. Lüers, Agricultural and Forest Meteorology, Available online May 9, 2006, 

doi:10.1016/j.agrformet.2006.03.003, http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6V8W-4JX9V3Y1/2/b3070be9ceb198a260ec46c21cf0c133. (Subscription may be required.) 

August 2006 

“Food for Thought: Lower-Than-Expected Crop Yield Stimulation with Rising CO2

Concentrations.” Model projections suggest that although increased temperature and decreased soil 

moisture will act to reduce global crop yields by 2050, the direct fertilization effect of rising carbon dioxide

concentration ([CO2]) will offset these losses. The carbon dioxide fertilization factors used in models to 

project future yields were derived from enclosure studies conducted approximately 20 years ago. Free-air 

concentration enrichment (FACE) technology has now facilitated large-scale trials of the major grain 

crops at elevated [CO2] under fully open-air field conditions. In those trials, elevated [CO2] enhanced yield 

by approximately 50 percent less than in enclosure studies. This casts serious doubt on projections that 

rising [CO2] will fully offset losses due to climate change. Stephen P. Long, Elizabeth A. Ainsworth, 

Andrew D. B. Leakey, Josef Nösberger, Donald R. Ort, Science, Science, June 30, 2006, Volume 

312, Number 5782, Pages 1918 – 1921, doi:10.1126/science.1114722.

http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/312/5782/1918. (Subscription required.) 

“Nutrient additions to a tropical rain forest drive substantial soil carbon dioxide losses to the 

atmosphere.” Terrestrial biosphere-atmosphere carbon dioxide (CO2) exchange is dominated by tropical 

forests, where photosynthetic carbon (C) uptake is thought to be phosphorus (P)-limited. In P-poor 

tropical forests, P may also limit organic matter decomposition and soil C losses. We conducted a fieldfertilization experiment to show that P fertilization stimulates soil respiration in a lowland tropical rain 

forest in Costa Rica. In the early wet season, when soluble organic matter inputs to soil are high, P 

fertilization drove large increases in soil respiration. Although the P-stimulated increase in soil respiration 

was largely confined to the dry-to-wet season transition, the seasonal increase was sufficient to drive an 

18 percent annual increase in carbon dioxide (CO2) efflux from the P-fertilized plots. Nitrogen (N) 

fertilization caused similar responses, and the net increases in soil respiration in response to the 

additions of N and P approached annual soil C fluxes in mid-latitude forests. Human activities are altering 

natural patterns of tropical soil N and P availability by land conversion and enhanced atmospheric
deposition. Although our data suggest that the mechanisms driving the observed respiratory responses 

to increased N and P may be different, the large CO2 losses stimulated by N and P fertilization suggest 

that knowledge of such patterns and their effects on soil CO2 efflux is critical for understanding the role of 

tropical forests in a rapidly changing global C cycle. Cory C. Cleveland and Alan R. Townsend, 

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, Published online 

before print June 22, 2006, doi:10.1073/pnas.0600989103, 

http://www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.0600989103. (Subscription required.) 

“Monitoring and verifying agricultural practices related to soil carbon sequestration with satellite 

imagery.” The Kyoto Protocol entering into force on February 16, 2005 continues to spur interest in 

development of carbon trading mechanisms internationally and domestically. Critical to the development 

of a carbon trading effort is verification that carbon has been sequestered, and field level measurement 

of carbon (C) change is likely cost prohibitive. Estimating C change based on agricultural management 

practices related to carbon sequestration seems more realistic, and analysis of satellite imagery could be 

used to monitor and verify these practices over large areas. The authors examined using Landsat 

imagery to verify crop rotations and quantify crop residue biomass in north central Montana. Field data 

were collected using a survey of farms. Standard classification tree analysis (CTA) and boosted 

classification and regression tree analysis (BCTA) were used to classify crop types. Linear regression 

(LM), regression tree analysis (RTA), and stochastic gradient boosting (SGB) were used to estimate crop 

residue. Six crop types were classified with 97 percent accuracy (BCTA) with class accuracies of 88–99 

percent. Paired t-tests were used to compare the difference between known and predicted mean crop 

residue biomass. The difference between known and predicted mean residues using SGB was not 

different than 0 (p-value = 0.99); however root mean square error (RMSE) was large (1981 kilograms per 

hectare), implying that SGB accurately predicted regional crop residue biomass but not local predictions 

(i.e., field or farm level). The results of this study, and previous research classifying tillage practices and 

estimating soil disturbance, supports using satellite imagery as an effective tool for monitoring and 

verifying agricultural management practices related to carbon sequestration over large areas. Ross S. 

Bricklemyer, Rick L. Lawrence, Perry R. Miller and Norov Battogtokh, Agriculture, Ecosystems & 

Environment, Available online June 27, 2006. doi:10.1016/j.agee.2006.05.017, 

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6T3Y-4K8S5DT-4/2/c87e3ea0faffaa9a358807ec6bbff126. 

(Subscription may be required.)

Trading 

 

September 2005

“AEP Expands CO2 Reduction Commitment Through 2010.” American Electric Power announced the 

company will continue its membership in the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX). As a founding member 

of CCX, AEP committed in 2003 to reduce or offset its greenhouse gas emissions by 1 percent in 2003, 2 

percent in 2004, 3 percent in 2005, and 4 percent in 2006 below a baseline average of 1998 to 2001 

emission levels. Phase II of CCX extends AEP's greenhouse gas reduction commitment ultimately to 6 

percent below the same baseline by 2010 (4.25 percent in 2007, 4.5 percent in 2008, 5 percent in 2009 

and 6 percent in 2010). With this new commitment, AEP expects to reduce or offset approximately 46 

million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions between 2003 and the end of the decade. 

AEP Press Release, August 10, 2005, http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050810/clw512.html?.v=7

October 2005 

“Brazil opens carbon credit market.” The Brazilian Development Ministry has launched the region’s 

first carbon credit market in cooperation with the Brazilian Stock Exchange in Rio de Janeiro. This move 

paves the way for industry in developed countries to offset high levels of greenhouse gas emissions by 

purchasing carbon credits in Brazil. Brazilian Ministry of Science and Technology Chief Coordinator of 
Research in Global Change, José Miguel, expects some 30 projects to be approved. Meanwhile, the 

World Bank reports that carbon sequestration projects submitted by Asian countries reached 51 percent 

of total projects in 2003, up from 21 percent in 2002. ISN Security Watch, September 15, 2005, 

http://www.ieta.org/ieta/www/pages/index.php?IdSitePage=954

“Evolution Markets Brokers First Option Trade for European Emissions Market.” Evolution Markets 

announced it arranged the first ever brokered option trade under the European Union’s Emissions 

Trading Scheme (EU ETS). The option for 160,000 European Union Allowances (EUAs) was sold by 

EDF Trading, the wholesale trading arm of French power company Electricite de France, to Statkraft’s 

Amsterdam-based carbon trading desk. Option trading structures provide market participants tools to 

manage risk associated with the movement in the price of carbon allowances. An option buyer has the 

ability but not the obligation to buy or sell emissions allowances at a set price and will often exercise this 

right should the price move in a particular direction. As such, options provide protection against price risk 

in the carbon market. Evolution Markets Press Release, September 27, 2005, 

http://www.evomarkets.com/scripts/pr_full.php?pr=49

“Indian Firms Seek $5 Billion From Carbon Credit Sales in 7 Years.” Industries in India, exempt from 

emissions cuts imposed on industry in Europe and elsewhere, plan to reduce their greenhouse gas 

output and sell the resulting credits for up to $5 billion over the next seven years. Analysts say countries 

such as India and Brazil are already leading suppliers of certified carbon emission reduction credits 

(CERs). “Indian companies currently supply more than 30 percent of the (traded) CERs. They could 

improve that share,” said Ajay Mathur, president of carbon credit trader Senergy Global Pvt. Ltd. 

Brisbane’s News 1, September 15, 2005, http://www.leadingthecharge.com/stories/news-0072754.html

“Swiss Re Joins Chicago Climate Exchange.” Swiss Re, the world's largest life and health reinsurer, 

has announced it will join the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX). CCX is North America's only multisector 

marketplace for reducing and trading greenhouse gas emissions. “Insurance companies have a critical 

role to play in developing sound strategies to address the challenge of climate change. We commend 

Swiss Re for again taking a proactive stance and joining CCX,” said Dr. Richard Sandor, chairman and 

CEO of CCX. GreenBiz, September 20,2005, 

http://www.greenbiz.com/news/news_third.cfm?NewsID=28794

November 2005 

“Japan Launches Voluntary Emissions Trading Scheme.” The Japanese Ministry of the Environment 

has selected 34 companies and corporate groups as participants in the nation's new Voluntary 

Emissions Trading Scheme. Under the scheme, the ministry subsidizes the installation cost of CO2 

emissions reduction equipment to help businesses that are actively attempting to reduce greenhouse gas 

emissions. In exchange for the subsidy, the participants are required to commit to a certain reduction in 

their CO2 emissions. The scheme also allows them to trade CO2 emission quotas to meet their reduction 

targets. The total of emissions reductions promised by the individual companies for fiscal 2006 is 

276,380 tons, or 21 percent of their average annual CO2 emissions in the base years, fiscal 2002 to 

2004. The reduction in CO2 emissions over the officially-recognized service life of the subsidized 

equipment is calculated at about 3.7 million tons. GreenBiz News, September 28, 2005, 

http://www.greenbiz.com/news/news_third.cfm?NewsID=28866

“Natsource Closes Greenhouse Gas Credit Pool with $550 Million.” Natsource announced that it 

has closed the Greenhouse Gas Credit Aggregation Pool (GG-CAP), with total commitments of US$550 

million from 26 participants. The GG-CAP is the first private-sector initiative to provide a cost-effective 

means for companies to meet requirements to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions under the 

European Union Emissions Trading Scheme and the Kyoto Protocol. The GG-CAP is a “buyers pool” that 

will combine the purchasing power of the 26 participants to acquire and manage the delivery of a large 
volume of compliance instruments created by the project-based mechanisms included in the Kyoto 

Protocol. SustainableBusiness.com, October 19, 2005, 

http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/news/sbnews.cfm?id=7532

“CDM generates first carbon credits - up to a point.” The first carbon credits created by the Kyoto 

Protocol's Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) were issued on October 20. The Executive Board - the 

CDM's supervisory body - authorized the issuance of 7,304 and 2,210 Certified Emission Reductions 

(CERs) to the developers of two hydroelectric projects at Rio Blanco and La Esperanza in Honduras, 

respectively. “The CDM is for real. It is delivering sustainable development to communities and at the 

same time real emissions reductions,” said Sushma Gera, chair of the CDM Executive Board. 

Environmental Finance, October 20, 2005, 

http://www.wbcsd.org/plugins/DocSearch/details.asp?type=DocDet&ObjectId=16964

“Most rubber estates may not get carbon credit.” Article discusses how most of the existing rubber 

plantations in India are unlikely to qualify for trading in certified emission reduction (CER). This is 

because the United Nations Framework Convention of Climate Change (UNFCCC) stipulates that to 

qualify as a clean development mechanism (CDM) project, an afforestation or re-forestation activity 

should take place on those lands that did not have a forest as on December 31, 1989. This rule will 

automatically disqualify a large chunk of the existing rubber plantations since they would have been in 

existence much before the cut-off date set for CDM projects. According to this article, rubber trees have 

very high carbon sequestration capabilities. One hectare of rubber plantation can sequestrate about 165 

tonnes of carbon over their 21-year growth period, thereby earning as much as 605 CER (605 tonnes 

CO2) a hectare. The Hindu Business Line, October 21, 2005, 

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/10/22/stories/2005102201771200.htm

December 2005 

“European firms trade emission credits.” Volumes in the European Union's carbon dioxide emission 

trading scheme have soared with over 200 million tonnes of credits expected to change hands this year, 

says a report from consultants Prospex. Trade is expected to increase further next year as more 

companies, especially in southern and eastern Europe, enter the market. “The pioneering days are over. 

In the first three quarters of 2005 alone, we estimate trading volumes reached 177 million tonnes, or 

eleven times global volumes in all of 2004,” said Amsterdam-based Prospex. September was the busiest 

month so far with trade reaching 43 million tonnes. The EU launched the emissions trading scheme in 

January as part of its drive to curb heat-trapping greenhouse gas pollution which is blamed for causing 

climate change. Reuters, October 28, 2005, http://www.climateark.org/articles/reader.asp?linkid=47737

“Red tape slows Kyoto pollution credit scheme.” According to this article, the Clean Development 

Mechanism (CDM) – potentially a big source of cheap carbon dioxide reduction credits – is struggling to 

deliver as hundreds of climate-friendly projects in India, China and other developing countries wait in a 

queue for official approval to go ahead. Market sources say that calls to streamline the CDM, which 

allows rich nations to claim credits from projects in poor countries, will reach a crescendo at the United 

Nations climate change conference in Montreal later this month. “There will be major pressure in 

Montreal to increase funding for the CDM's executive board, and to strengthen the procedures, to speed 

up the process,” said Pedro Moura Costa, managing director of UK-based carbon trader EcoSecurities. 

“CDM will be a major issue because now the private sector has real (climate change) liabilities, it's not a 

joke anymore, it's a reality,” he said. Reuters, November 15, 2005, 

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20051115/sc_nm/energy_kyoto_pollution_dc_1;_ylt=AkcWQwOQfKqxybnOj

S4QBd5rAlMA;_ylu=X3oDMTBiMW04NW9mBHNlYwMlJVRPUCUl

January 2006 
PR Newswire, “New environmental market created: Montreal Climate Exchange,” The Montreal 

Exchange (MX), Canada's financial derivatives exchange, and Chicago Climate Exchange(R) (CCX(R)), 

the world's first and North America's only voluntary, legally binding rules-based greenhouse gas 

emissions allowance trading system, announced the signing of a Letter of Intent to develop a new joint 

venture, creating the Montreal Climate Exchange, a Canadian environmental products market. CCX and 

MX will develop trading, clearing, and registry services for Canadian environmental products. The 

announcement was made in Montreal during the 11th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations 

Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). December 7, 2005. 

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/12-07-

2005/0004229649&EDATE= 

“Shell, TFS, ECX scoop top places in new EU carbon trading scheme: Top brokers, dealers, 

service providers in fast-growing environmental markets,” The readers of Environmental Finance

magazine have voted Shell’s environmental products team and inter-dealer broker TFS the top trading 

company and broker, respectively, in Europe’s carbon emissions trading scheme (ETS). The European 

Climate Exchange (ECX), which trades carbon contracts via London’s International Petroleum Exchange, 

won Best Exchange in the EU market. Allowances for more than 230 million tonnes of carbon dioxide – 

worth some €4.2 billion – have changed hands this year in the EU market. Mark Nicholls, editor of 

Environmental Finance stated, “This year has seen environmental markets enter the mainstream, as 

evidenced by the major investment banks – including Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley, and Barclays 

Capital – which won categories in the survey. The launch of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme this year 

has brought the reality of reducing carbon emissions to more than 4,000 companies across Europe and, 

more importantly, has put a financial value on emissions reductions,” he added. The results are 

published in the December 2005-January 2006 issue of Environmental Finance magazine. To read about 

the background and context about the various markets, see: www.environmentalfinance.com/envfin/05survey.pdf December 19, 2005, 

http://www.europeanclimateexchange.com/pages/page332.php

February 2006 

Bloomberg, “EU Carbon-Emission Trading on ECX Surges to Record,” On January 19, the 

European Climate Exchange (Exchange) surged to a record high and more than doubled the previous 

daily all-time high. A total of 5.2 million metric tons of CO2 allowances were traded on the Exchange on 

January 19. The figure also included a 3.3 million-ton trade, where ABN Amro Futures Ltd. was one of 

the two parties involved in the trade. (ABN Amro Holding NV is the largest Dutch bank.) Taking into 

account the most recent price of 25.85 euros per ton ($31.47 per ton), the trading value for January 19 

was valued at 134 million euros ($162 million). January 19, 2006, 

http://www.europeanclimateexchange.com/pages/page344.php

Reuters, “European Union Urges States to Simplify Emissions Trading Plans,” The European 

Commission (Commission) told European Union (EU) member states on January 9 to keep it simple 

when they formulate their emissions trading plans for 2008-2012 for environmental commitments under 

the Kyoto Protocol. The twenty-five EU states must submit National Allocation Plans (NAPs) to the EU 

executive by June 30 stating how much CO2 their industrial factories will emit. The NAPs are part of the 

EU emissions trading scheme, which began last year. Drawing from experience with the first trading 

period from 2005-2007, the Commission feels that these plans need to be “more transparent and easier 

to implement.” The Commission said it will “look very closely at the overall policy mix” that member states 

will use to implement their pollution reduction goals, including their planned use of the emissions trading 

system. January 10, 2006, http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/34402/story.htm 

The Age (Australia), “Carbon Tax Too Costly, Says New Zealand,” New Zealand will not introduce a 

carbon tax since it would not cut emissions enough to justify the cost of its introduction. New Zealand’s 

carbon tax was to be set at a relatively low level of $14 Australian dollars ($10.4) per metric ton of carbon 
emissions, adding 6 percent to electricity prices. Comparatively the European emissions market trades at 

$34 Australian dollars ($25) per metric ton. A carbon tax is more punitive than credits since it is paid by 

all emitters and cannot be traded. New Zealand must hold its emissions at their 1990 levels, but it is 

currently running 37 percent above. Also despite the country’s extensive use of hydropower and 

geothermal power, it will be 30 percent above targets for 2012. December 30, 2005, 

http://www.theage.com.au/news/business/carbon-tax-too-costly-saysnz/2005/12/29/1135732693442.html

USA Today, “Drivers Atone for Exhaust with Carbon Offsets,” DriveNeutral, a non-profit launched in 

October by students at the Presidio School of Management in San Francisco sells “carbon offsets” to 

drivers to offset their vehicle emissions. DriveNeutral compensates for vehicle emissions by participating 

in the voluntary emissions market Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX) as an associate member, where it 

can buy blocks of emissions credits and divide them into increments tailored to fit the ecological footprint 

of an individual automobile. Though individual buyers cannot participate in CCX, there are 130 

corporations, non-profits, and governments on the exchange that are legally bound to achieve annual 

reductions in carbon dioxide emissions, either by reducing them internally or by buying “emissions 

credits” from companies that have exceeded reductions targets. After purchasing the credits, 

DriveNeutral takes them off the market, thereby reducing the overall pool of allowable credits. As a result 

CO2 emissions go down and market demand for credits increases. A California resident who drives 1,000 

miles per month in the Bay Area of California spent $25 to offset her Infiniti sedan, earning a 

DriveNeutral decal to display on her car, and compensating for about 5 tons of carbon emissions for the 

year. Over the past two months, DriveNeutral has sold 125 car certifications, compensating for 600 

metric tons of CO2. A for-profit competitor of DriveNeutral, called TerraPass and launched by Wharton 

School of Business students last year, has sold 2,500 certifications, or the equivalent of 19,000 tons in 

CO2 reductions. CarbonFund, a non-profit that offsets home, office, and transportation emissions, has 

sold the equivalents of 37,000 tons in reductions. Since its launch in 2003, CCX has traded 4 million tons 

of CO2 with a value of $8 million. January 4, 2006, 

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/techinnovations/2006-01-04-carbon-offsets_x.htm

Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal, “PG&E Proposes Program to Make Customers 

‘Climate Neutral,’” Pacific Gas and Electric Co. wants to offer “offsets” to its customers and has asked 

for approval of the program from the California Public Utilities Commission. Through the Climate 

Protection Program, customers could opt to pay a premium on their monthly bills, based on their energy 

usage, to help offset their environmental impact associated with their energy consumption, making the 

net impact of their consumption “climate neutral.” A fund will be set up and projects will be funded in 

forest restoration and other conservation aimed at removing CO2 from the atmosphere. The projects will 

all be based in California, and selected through competitive bids with stringent criteria under protocols 

developed by the California Climate Action Registry, an independent non-profit. The projects will be 

overseen by an external advisory group comprised of community groups, businesses, and nonprofit 

conservation agencies. An estimated $20 million may be received by the end of the three year 

demonstration, with a goal of removing at least two million tons of carbon dioxide from the air. January 

26, 2006, http://sanjose.bizjournals.com/sanjose/stories/2006/01/23/daily45.html. 

March 2006

Reuters, “Third Kyoto Pollution Scheme Close to Launch,” Joint Implementation (JI)—which allows 

industrialized countries with a greenhouse gas reduction commitment to invest in emission reducing 

projects in another industrialized country as an alternative to emission reductions in their own countries—

is expected to pave the way for hundreds of projects in Russia and Eastern Europe. JI Projects are most 

likely to take place in central and eastern European transitional economies and the Russian Federation 

since there is more scope for cutting emissions at lower cost than in other industrialized nations. The first 

meeting of Kyoto Protocol’s Joint Implementation Supervisory Committee (JISC 01) occurred on 

February 2-3 on Bonn, Germany. JISC reached a quick agreement on the draft regulations. The vice 
chair of the supervisory board set up to steer the JI mechanism hopes to have JI running by May, or at 

least by July since there are many projects waiting to file for registration. The vice chair also stated that 

the funding for the JI mechanism was not a problem thus far, and that some counties which have 

committed funds have already provided the funding. For the webcast, report and resulting documents of 

the First Meeting of the Joint Implementation Supervisory Committee see: 

http://ji.unfccc.int/Sup_Committee/Meetings/. February 9, 2006, 

http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=scienceNews&storyID=2006-02-

09T164418Z_01_L0988057_RTRUKOC_0_US-ENIVRONMENT-KYOTO.xml .

Reuters, “UK Seen Split on Key Climate Change Proposal,” and BBC News “Smaller Firms Could 

Trade Carbon” and “Whitehall in Greenhouse Gases Row” The British government is split on 

whether to adopt a proposal to curb carbon emissions from 14,000 British companies. A proposal was 

published in December by the government-funded initiative, The Carbon Trust, detailing a trading 

scheme for carbon dioxide permits for small and medium sized businesses. Heavy industry and the 

power sector are already under the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme. Britain has selfimposed domestic goals for cutting carbon emissions by 20 percent of 1990 levels by 2010. Existing 

policy is on track for 10 percent reduction, with this proposal closing the gap between the 10 and 20 

percent by about one quarter. Britain states that it is on track to meet the treaty-imposed Kyoto Protocol 

carbon emission targets for 2008 to 2012. See proposal online at: 

http://www.thecarbontrust.co.uk/carbontrust/about/about5_3.html. February 9, 2006, 

http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=scienceNews&storyID=2006-02-

09T163142Z_01_L08302465_RTRUKOC_0_US-ENVIRONMENT-BRITAIN-CO2.xml and February 2, 

2006, http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4669868.stm. 

April 2006

 

Greenwire, “New Mexico Formally Becomes First State to Make Binding Commitment to Reduce 

Emissions.” New Mexico became the first state in the US to join the Chicago Climate Exchange, the 

US-based carbon emissions trading credit market. Several cities have joined the exchange, including 

Chicago, Oakland and Boulder, but New Mexico is the first state to do so. Credits are traded over the 

internet daily at a cost of about $2 per metric ton, (as reported in the Trading section of this newsletter 

monthly). February 23, 2006, http://www.eenews.net/Greenwire/2006/02/23/#15. (Subscription may be 

required.) 

Reuters, “UK Wants Transport Included in EU CO2 Trade Scheme.” The United Kingdom wants to 

expand the European Union’s emissions trading scheme to cover surface transportation emissions, one 

of the greater sources of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The trading scheme imposes limited on carbon 

dioxide emissions on approximately 12,000 factories and power plants, but does not cover air or surface 

transportation. The European Commission, the trading scheme’s official administrator, is in the process 

of reviewing the scheme and may consider other sectors and even other greenhouse gases. A 

Commission official said that substantial changes, such as the inclusion of more industries would not be 

possible until 2010. Changing to an auctioning format for the scheme, which currently distributes 

emissions credits for free, may also be explored by the Commission for phase two (2008-2012) of the 

scheme. March 1, 2006, http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=35367&newsdate=01-

Mar-2006. 

Reuters, “China's Waste Could Be Treasure for Kyoto Scheme.” Development of landfill projects in 

China could help counties meet their quotas under the Kyoto protocol’s Clean Development Mechanism 

trading scheme. Lu Guoqiang, an official at China's State Environmental Protection Administration, 

announced at an emissions trading conference in Denmark—Point Carbon’s Carbon Market Insights 

2006—that there are 700 registered landfill sites in China but only 10 of them have gas recovery and 

utilization systems installed. Foreign investors could earn Certified Emission Reduction credits under 

CDM by investing in projects to stream-off greenhouse gases from degrading landfills for conversion into 
an energy source. March 2, 2006, 

http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=35391&newsdate=02-Mar-2006. 

CCX Press Release, “Chicago Climate Exchange, Inc. (CCX) announces formation of the New 

York Climate Exchange (NYCX) and the Northeast Climate Exchange (NECX).” CCX announced the 

formation the NYCX and NECX to develop financial instruments for the Regional Greenhouse Gas 

Initiative (RGGI). Product development for the exchanges will begin shortly and the exchanges will be 

ready for operation in accordance with the evolution and needs of RGGI. The current schedules for 

RGGI call for a first compliance period from 2009 through 2012. March 14, 2006, 

http://www.chicagoclimatex.com/news/press/release_20060314_NYCX.html

May 2006

Reuters, “Chicago Climate Mart To Try CO2 Link With EU.” The Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX) 

has announced that it is opening its voluntary carbon dioxide (CO2) market to European Union (EU) 

traders that have Emissions Trading Scheme allowances. The CCX will allow EU CO2 emission 

allowances to be used in compliance with CCX commitments for calendar year 2005, creating a linkage 

between North America’s only reduction and trading system and the European Union Emissions Trading 

Scheme. CCX has set up “demonstration transfers,” through which trade can be carried out between 

markets. “Batches of 100 tons of EU allowances would be transferred by a CCX member from its EU 

allowance account into an account CCX has established in an EU registry," CCX said in a statement. 

"The EU allowances would then be retired, and CCX would issue 100 metric tons of CO2 into that 

member's CCX registry account.” April 5, 2006, 

http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=scienceNews&storyID=2006-04-

05T004141Z_01_N04191089_RTRIDST_0_SCIENCE-ENERGY-EMISSIONS-CHICAGOCLIMATEDC.XML. 

Reuters, “EU CO2 Emission Prices Hit New Record High.” European carbon dioxide emissions prices 

jumped to a new record high of 31 euros ($38.28) per tonne (December 2007 carbon quotas) on April 12, 

although they closed at 30.25 euros ($37.35) per tonne. The boost was caused by surging oil prices and 

strong German power markets. CO2 prices have risen five fold since the launch of the European Union 

trading scheme last year. Dry weather in Europe is prompting generators, especially in Spain, to burn 

fossil fuel due to lack of hydropower. Deutsche Bank is forecasting that CO2 emission prices could rise 

toward 40 euros ($49.39) over the coming year. April 12, 2006, 

http://today.reuters.com/business/newsarticle.aspx?type=tnBusinessNews&storyID=nL12586863. 

Reuters, “CO2 Market on Brink as Price Continues to Slide,” Carbon credits for December 2006 

delivery fell as low as 14 euros ($17) in early Thursday trading on the European Climate Exchange. The 

price recovered to around 17 euros ($21) by 10:00 Greenwich Mean Time. Carbon credits had hit a high 

of 31 euros ($39) on April 12. "From a market perspective it's terrible news," said James Emanuel, Head 

of Carbon Trading at brokers CO2e.com. "If there's a (net carbon credit) surplus there's no incentive to 

reduce emissions and the (carbon) price collapses. It won't go to 0, it would effectively go down to the 

administrative cost of the scheme... it could be 1 euro, who knows?" Power prices in Europe have 

declined due to the falling CO2 prices. British Energy was down 1.8 percent, International Power 1.2 

percent, RWE 2 percent, EON 2.1 percent and EDF 3.1 percent. April 26, 2006, 

http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/36175/story.htm. 

Globe and Mail, “Legal Teams Clean Up On Emissions Trading.” Emissions trading can require legal 

expertise in securities, the environment and tax law. Large law firms are being drawn into corporate legal 

work to assist business in preparing for compliance as each country sets emissions targets for their 

industries. Law firms working in this area include: Chicago-based Baker & McKenzie, London-based 

Clifford Chance LLP, Amsterdam-based De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek, Canadian Based Fasken 
Martineau DuMoulin LLP, McCarthy Tétrault LLP, and Calgary-based Bennett Jones, Macleod Dixon LLP 

and Thackray Burgess. Boston-based Brown Rudnick Berlack Israels LLP announced on March 20 the 

formation of a Climate & Energy Group to work on renewable energy project development, emissions 

reduction schemes and alternative energy sources for clients. March 29, 2006, 

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20060329.RLAWYERS29/TPStory/Business. 

June 2006 

The New York Times, “Data Leaks Shake Up Carbon Trade.” On May 12, an online database 

accidentally listed a complete set of the carbon emissions data from the European Commission, three 

days before it was to be officially released. As a result, the carbon trading prices for the European Union 

Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) sank to 8.60 euros ($11) per metric ton, down from a high of 31 

euros ($40) in mid-April. (EU ETS market values are listed monthly in the Trading section’s Carbon 

Market Update in this newsletter.) Critics question whether governments and industry overestimated 

their carbon emissions when originally allocating the credits, causing companies to sell large amounts of 

their extra credits, resulting in the drop in trading value. The EU ETS is now facing criticism from both 

traders and environmentalists; those trading on the ETS are now asking the commission to release ETS 

data quarterly instead of annually, and environmentalists are asking for tougher limits for phase two of 

the scheme (2008-2012). Traders are also asking to have the same oversight that any securities or bond 

market would, along with the same warnings and fines for leaking information. The EU ETS is thinly 

traded with only about 30 or 40 companies trading on the market on a given day, resulting in a more 

volatile market. Despite the upheaval, many are still optimistic about the carbon market. Said Louis 

Redshaw, head of environmental products at Barclays Capital, “Trading is the only way to reduce 

emissions economically and efficiently. I am confident this market will be around in 5 or 10 years.” May 

16, 2006, http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/16/business/16place.html. (Subscription required.) 

AP, “EU Carbon Dioxide Emissions Below Limit”, and EU Press Release, “EU Emissions Trading 

Scheme Delivers First Verified Emissions Data for Installations.” The carbon emissions data which 

appeared on the European Commission website was intended to be posted on May 15, but was 

accidentally posted on May 12. The emissions quotas are part of the European Union Emissions Trading 

Scheme, and covers more than 9,400 installations. Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in 21 European 

Union countries were 44.1 million metric tons (2.4 percent) below the limit allocated to the region during 

the first year of trading. Germany had the largest surplus of credits, after emitting 21.4 million tons (4.3 

percent) below its allowable limit. The 21 countries have a maximum of 1.83 billion tons of emissions 

(2005-2007), with approximately 9,400 industries permitted to sell any of their excess allowances. 

France, the Czech Republic, and Finland also did not exceed their limits after emitting 19.3 million tons, 

14.5 million tons, and 11.5 million tons, respectively. For a summary table of the emission and 

allocations, see: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/climat/pdf/citl_pr.pdf. Member State reports can be 

downloaded from the Commission's Climate Change website at: 

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/climat/emission/citl_en.htm. The searchable database on verified 

emissions and surrendered allowances (the Community Independent Transaction Log) can be found at: 

http://ec.europa.eu/comm/environment/ets/. [To view the data, click 

http://www.ec.europa.eu/comm/environment/ets/welcome.do to access the EU's community transaction 

log Web site. Click on the allocation/compliance search icon on the left-hand menu. Choose a nation in 

the “registry”' box. Click the search box and, then, click the “export” box and choose a format for the 

download.] For information on the Commission's infringement action against Member States without an 

active registry see: 

http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/06/469&format=HTML&aged=0&language=

EN&guiLanguage=en. For general information of the EU emission trading scheme see: 

http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/climat/emission.htm. May 15, 2006, 

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/12800327/from/RL.3/, and May 15, 2006, 

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/climat/pdf/citl_pr.pdf. 
CCX Press Release, “Chicago Climate Exchange Announces Fourth Consecutive Record Trading 

Month.” Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX) had its highest trading volume for the CCX Carbon Financial 

Instrument contracts for the first half of May (1-15) at 2,435,400 metric tons carbon dioxide (CO2), double 

the volume of April 2006. The total volume of trades in April 2006 was 1,069,400 metric tons of CO2. May 

15, 2006, http://www.chicagoclimateexchange.com/news/press/release_20060515_MayRecord.pdf. 

July 2006

Voice of America, “Carbon Trading: How the Chicago Climate Exchange Works.” Voice of America 

Broadcasting service covered the basic concepts of the Chicago Climate Exchange in their Special 

English Agriculture Report. To read the report or download the audio files to listen to the May 30, 2006 

broadcast, see: http://www.voanews.com/specialenglish/2006-05-30-voa2.cfm. 

Greenwire, “Farmers Find New Cash Crop in Emissions Trading.” Some US farmers engaged in notill farming practices have signed up with Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX) to receive compensation for 

the carbon sequestration value of their soils. CCX allows no-till farming to be listed among the available 

credits for members that cannot meet their emission targets. According to a 1997 inventory by United 

States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resource and Conservation Service (NRCS), sixteen percent 

of 382 million total US farmland acres were in continuous no-till operations. Rataan Lal, a soil scientist at 

The Ohio State University, said the number of no-till farms has not risen much since that study. He said 

that the conversion of all US farmland to continuous and permanent no-till, along with other improved 

farming practices, would offset about 300 million metric tons of carbon per year, or more than 4 percent 

of the nation's annual emissions. Lal said global carbon storage potential for all soils through no-till and 

other land practices is between 600 million and 1.2 billion tons of carbon per year would be enough to 

offset between 5 and 15 percent, respectively, of global greenhouse emissions. No till will not work in 

every type of soil or with any crop. Keith Paustian, a professor at Colorado State University, said soils 

with the highest potential for carbon sequestration stretch from southern Minnesota across the 

Midwestern Corn Belt -- Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, southern Michigan and western Ohio. June 22, 2006, 

http://www.eenews.net/Greenwire/2006/06/22/#1/. (Subscription may be required.) 

International Herald Tribune (from The New York Times), “ ‘Carbon Leaders’ and ‘Carbon Dogs’ 

Join Gauges for Climate Investment.” Investment research firms such as Sanford C. Bernstein and 

Innovest Strategic Value Advisers are setting up carbon-tilted rating scales for companies on that are 

traded on the stock exchange. Innovest, in partnership with UBS, has created a "carbon beta" basket—a 

fund that will consist of 50 stocks in five industries. The fund managers will monitor global warming 

regulations, and buy and sell stocks based on how the companies would be affected by the regulations. 

Each grouping of industry stocks would include an equal number of ‘carbon leaders’ and ‘carbon dogs,’ ” 

as an Innovest analyst Doug Morrow calls the ratings. Innovest and Sanford Bernstein are anticipating 

that the US Government will eventually set up a system for trading carbon credits. Once companies 

under the carbon credit system would start buying and selling carbon credits, the buyers would be 

“carbon dogs” and the sellers “carbon leaders.” May 24, 2006, 

http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/05/24/business/green.php. 

August 2006 

Environmental Finance, Single EU-wide Emissions Cap Proposed for Post-2012.” At 

Environmental Finance Publication's European Emissions Trading 2006 conference in Brussels, 

Belgium, Peter Zapfel, European Union (EU) European Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) coordinator at 

the European Commission said the Commission's policy paper on the trading scheme beyond 2013 will 

be published in the next few weeks. One idea he discussed regarding Phase Three of the ETS, which 

begins in 2013, is that a single cap on carbon dioxide emissions could be set for all of the EU instead of 
setting country-by-country targets. "Harmonized allocation” has been discussed in the debate, and the 

current “burden sharing agreement” by which the EU accepted a single Kyoto Protocol target, to which 

member states made differing contributions, only lasts up to 2012. July 13, 2006, 

http://www.wbcsd.org/plugins/DocSearch/details.asp?type=DocDet&ObjectId=MTk2NzU. 

The New York Times, “New German Rule Could Increase Greenhouse Gas Emissions.” The 

German cabinet has decided to exclude the German coal industry from the European Trading System 

scheme. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has set the reduction target for 2008 to 2012, to 3.4 percent. 

Critics feel that this reduction is ineffectual if the German coal industry is excluded, and that it may 

encourage other European Union member states to loosen their emissions targets. The European 

Commission stated June 30 that it needed to study Germany's plan before commenting on it. 

June 28, 2006, http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/29/business/worldbusiness/29green.html. (Subscription 

required.) 

Reuters, “EU's Dimas Says CO2 Cap Tighter for Second Phase.” Environment Commissioner 

Stavros Dimas said that the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions cap will be tighter in the second phase 

(2008-2012) of the European Union's (EU’s) emissions trading scheme (ETS). The ETS has been trying 

to reestablish its credibility as an effective way to fight climate change since it was shown in May 2006 

that the May 2005 data showed a surplus of carbon dioxide (CO2) credits. The ETS was further 

undermined when nearly all of the EU states missed the June 30 deadline to set caps for the second 

trading period. The EU's 15 “old” member states are required under the Kyoto Protocol to reduce their 

carbon emissions by 8 percent compared to 1990 levels by the end of the 2008-2012 phase. Dimas is 

determined for the reduction to be met, and feels that the ETS is the most economic and cost efficient 

instrument through which to meet the targets. Dimas expects to have all of the EU’s National Allocation 

Plans within July 2006. July 17, 2006, 

http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=37283&newsdate=17-Jul-2006. (Subscription may 

be required.) 

Chicago Climate Exchange Press Release, “The Montréal Climate Exchange is Established.” The 

Montréal Exchange (MX) and the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX) announced on July 12 the 

establishment of the Montréal Climate Exchange (MCeX), the first environmental products market in 

Canada. The Montréal Climate Exchange will allow for companies to trade CO2 emissions credits. Other 

environmentally related products will be developed in the future. The two exchanges have finalized the 

preliminary agreement that was announced in Montréal on December 7, 2005, during meeting of the 

Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC, MOP-1). July 12, 

2006, http://www.chicagoclimateexchange.com/news/press/release_20060712_Montreal_establish.html. 

Recent Publications 

September 2005

“Norway study finds CO2 EOR too expensive, risky.” Article highlights an April 2005 Norwegian 

Petroleum Directorate (NPD) study concluding that carbon dioxide injection currently is not a commercial 

alternative for enhancing oil recovery off Norway. The study – reported in the May 2005 Carbon 

Sequestration Newsletter – found several impediments for injecting CO2, even though it determined that 

the technology was feasible and could substantially increase oil recovery. The main impediments were 

the expense for building a network for delivering CO2 to the fields and the high estimated $30-33/bbl cost 

for oil recovery. Oil & Gas Journal, August 8, 2005, http://ogj.pennnet.com/ (subscription required) 

“A New Global Warming Strategy.” According to a report issued by environmental group EarthSave 

International, cars and power plants will not be a major cause of global warming in our lifetime. Rather, 

the most significant source of climate change over the next half-century is likely animal agriculture. The 
report's data analysis, based on the work of leading climate scientists, shows that methane sources - not 

carbon dioxide sources - are the biggest cause of global warming today, and will continue to be for the 

next 50 years. “This reveals an untapped opportunity to make serious and rapid progress in reducing 

dangerous global warming trends,” said Noam Mohr, author of the report. World-Wire, August 29, 2005, 

http://www.world-wire.com/news/0829050001.html

For an online copy of the report visit http://www.earthsave.org/globalwarming.htm. 

“CO2 will probably not help to save Venice from the sea.” This paper explores the use of CO2

injection into an aquifer to raise the city of Venice. The paper finds that because of the prevailing ambient 

conditions in the aquifer phase change of CO2 cannot be avoided. The ensuing change of specific 

volume and compressibility will inhibit a uniform uplift pattern which is needed to avoid cracks in historical 

buildings. This prevents the use of CO2 in the proposed conditions. Mechanics Research 

Communications, Volume 32, Issue 6, November-December 2005, Pages 617-627, 

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00936413 (subscription required) 

“The impact of carbon sequestration on the production cost of electricity and hydrogen from coal 

and natural-gas technologies in Europe in the medium term.” The economic assessment provided in 

this study shows that the introduction of carbon sequestration technologies in Europe in 2020, will result 

in an increase in the production cost of electricity by coal and natural gas technologies of 30–55 percent 

depending on the electricity-generation technology used; gas turbines will remain the most competitive 

option for generating electricity; and integrated gasification combined cycle technology will become 

competitive. When carbon sequestration is coupled with natural-gas steam reforming or coal gasification 

for hydrogen production, the production cost of hydrogen will increase by 14–16 percent. Furthermore, 

natural-gas steam reforming with carbon sequestration is far more economically competitive than coal 

gasification. Energy, Volume 30, Issue 14, November 2005, Pages 2672-2689, 

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/03605442 (subscription required) 

October 2005

“Spending on environment yields big returns-report.” A U.N.-backed report on the social returns of 

investing in the environment suggests that forests may be more valuable when left standing rather than 

being cleared for crops because trees can absorb the heat-trapping gases widely blamed for global 

warming. “The carbon storage or 'sequestration' potential of forests ranges between $360 and $2,200 

per hectare which makes them worth far more than if they are converted to grazing or cropland,” UNEP 

said. And the study said that it becomes far more cost effective to conserve forests than to clear them 

once carbon prices exceed $30 a tonne. Reuters, September 14, 2005, 

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L14643761.htm

 “Integrated climate-change strategies of industrialized countries.” This paper provides an overview 

of the evolving climate-change strategies put in place by industrialized countries to combat climate 

change and to comply with their quantitative commitments under the Kyoto Protocol. It presents the 

emerging new and integrated method of climate-policy formulation and implementation based on a 

portfolio approach, where a mix of policies and measures are selected to help achieve the required 

emissions reduction. Energy, Volume 30, Issue 14, Pages 2523-2758 (November 2005), 

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/03605442 (subscription required) 

 “Carbon Capture and Storage – Market Opportunities 2005.” This report, produced for Scottish 

Enterprise and the DTI, says Scottish businesses in particular can capitalize on the opportunities 

presented by the growing need to tackle rising CO2 emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels. It was 

commissioned to assess the market opportunities arising from carbon capture and storage in depleted oil 

and gas fields in the North Sea. Scottish Enterprise, September 2005, http://www.scottishenterprise.com/sedotcom_home/sig/sig-energy/energy-oilandgas/energy-oilandgas-help/energyoilandgas-research.htm#carbon_capture
November 2005

“CO2 Price Dynamics: The Implications of EU Emissions Trading for the Price of Electricity.” This 

study concludes that free allocation of emission allowances is a highly questionable policy option for a 

variety of reasons and suggests that auctioning is better. Energy research Centre of the Netherlands

(ECN), September 2005, http://www.ecn.nl/docs/library/report/2005/c05081.pdf

Verification of Tracking System Design for the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. The 

Environmental Resources Trust released a report on “Verification System Design for RGGR and RGGI.” 

The Northeast States and several Mid-Atlantic States are currently developing a Regional Greenhouse 

Gas Registry (RGGR), a policy and accounting framework capable of quantifying and registering 

greenhouse gas emissions and project-related emission reductions or “offsets.” The goal of the 

verification system recommended and outlined in this white paper is to provide a high level of data quality 

assurance to all mandatory, voluntary, and RGGI programs-that will be useful to current and future 

regulatory efforts-while minimizing both public and private costs. For the full report, visit 

http://www.ert.net/pubs.html

“Multi-gas emission pathways to meet climate targets.” A new study on multi-gas emissions 

pathways has been accepted by the Journal Climatic Change for publication. A free software tool to 

generate emissions pathways that meet specific climate targets (like 2°C, 400ppm CO2 equivalence etc.) 

accompanies this study. To download the paper, visit 

http://www.up.umnw.ethz.ch/~mmalte/simcap/publications/Meinshausen_etal_Multigas_pathways_rf.pdf. 

The manual and software tool are available at http://www.simcap.org (click on “Models”) 

“Transaction and abatement costs of carbon-sink projects in developing countries.” Concerns 

have been expressed that participation in carbon-sink projects may be constrained by high costs; 

particularly for projects involving smallholders in developing countries. This paper addresses these 

issues by reviewing the implications of transaction and abatement costs in carbon-sequestration projects. 

An approach to estimating abatement costs is demonstrated through four case studies of agroforestry 

systems located in Sumatra, Indonesia. The paper concludes with recommendations to reduce the 

disadvantages that smallholders may face in capturing the opportunities offered by carbon markets. 

Environment and Development Economics 10: 597–614, October 2005, 

http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayIssue?jid=EDE&volumeId=10&issueId=05 (subscription 

required) 

“Degassing Lakes Nyos and Monoun: Defusing certain disaster.” Based on 12 years of limnological 

measurements the authors developed a model of future removal rates and CO2 inventory, which predicts 

that in Monoun the current pipe will remove approximately 30 percent of the CO2 remaining before the 

natural gas recharge balances the removal rate. In Nyos the single pipe will remove approximately 25 

percent of the gas remaining by 2015; this slow removal extends the present risk to local populations. 

More pipes and continued vigilance are required to reduce the risk of repeat disasters. The model 

indicates that 75-99 percent of the gas remaining would be removed by 2010 with two pipes in Monoun 

and five pipes in Nyos, substantially reducing the risks. PNAS, October 4, 2005, vol. 102, no. 40, 14185-

14190, http://www.pnas.org/cgi/content/abstract/102/40/14185 (subscription required) 

“Secondary forests as temporary carbon sinks? The economic impact of accounting methods on 

reforestation projects in the tropics.” The authors found that secondary forest becomes economically 

attractive, if the price of permanent credits is above $4.5/tCO2, whereas forest plantations require 

permanent CER prices of $7.0/tCO2. Ecological Economics, Volume 55, Issue 3, November 15, 2005, 

Pages 380-394, http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/09218009 (subscription required) 
“Tillage impacts on soil aggregation and carbon and nitrogen sequestration under wheat 

cropping sequences.” An experiment conducted in south-central Texas showed that the use of no till 

farming significantly improved soil aggregation and the sequestration of soil organic carbon and soil 

organic nitrogen in surface soil, but not subsurface soils. Soil and Tillage Research, Volume 84, Issue 1, 

November 2005, Pages 67-75, http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/01671987

(subscription required) 

December 2005

Special Edition of Environmental Science & Policy. The December 2005 issue of the journal 

Environmental Science & Policy focuses on Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Climate Change. 

Articles of interest include: Misdefining “climate change”: consequences for science and action, Defining 

response capacity to enhance climate change policy, Integrating mitigation and adaptation into climate 

and development policy, and others. Volume 8, Issue 6, Pages 537-654 (December 2005), 

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/14629011 (subscription required) 

“Target 2020: Policies and measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the EU.” According 

to a new report by the Wuppertal Institute in Germany, the European Union can cut a third of its 

greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 through energy efficiency and renewable energies, as well as 

through a strong emissions trading system. The report highlights the concrete steps that the EU should 

take to cut CO2 emissions by 33 percent by 2020, even with a moratorium on nuclear energy. The full 

report and the summary can be downloaded from 

http://www.panda.org/news_facts/publications/index.cfm?uNewsID=24155

“Key GHG Data.” In this publication the United Nations Climate Change secretariat confirms that 

developed countries, taken as a group, have achieved sizable emission reductions. Compared to the 

1990 levels, overall greenhouse gas emissions of these countries were down 5.9% in 2003. But the 

secretariat warns that further efforts are required to sustain these reductions and to cut the emissions 

further. However, Richard Kinley, acting head of the secretariat of the UNFCCC, emphasizes that a large 

part of these reductions was achieved in the early 1990s in countries of Eastern and Central Europe 

undergoing transition to a market economy. The report is the first UNFCCC publication covering all GHG 

data officially submitted by developed and developing countries under the Climate Change Convention. 

The publication includes data on greenhouse gas emissions from 40 developed and 121 developing 

countries. For additional information and a link to the full report visit 

http://unfccc.int/essential_background/background_publications_htmlpdf/items/3604.php

“Evidence and Implications of Recent Climate Change in Northern Alaska and Other Arctic 

Regions.” This study reviews a broad array of evidence that illustrates the Arctic is undergoing a 

system-wide response to an altered climatic state. According to the study, new extreme and seasonal 

surface climatic conditions are being experienced, a range of biophysical states and processes 

influenced by the threshold and phase change of freezing point are being altered, hydrological and 

biogeochemical cycles are shifting, and more regularly human sub-systems are being affected. Climatic 

Change (October 2005) Volume 72, Number 3, 

http://www.springerlink.com/openurl.asp?genre=article&id=doi:10.1007/s10584-005-5352-2 (subscription 

required) 

January 2006 

“The United States Department of Energy's Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnerships 

program: A collaborative approach to carbon management” This paper reviews the Regional 

Carbon Sequestration Partnerships (RCSPs) concept, which is a first attempt to bring the US 

Department of Energy's (DOE) carbon sequestration program activities into the “real world” by using a 
geographically-disposed-system type approach for the US Each regional partnership is unique and 

covers a unique section of the US and is tasked with determining how the research and development 

activities of DOE's carbon sequestration program can best be implemented in their region of the country. 

Cost effective capture and separation technology must be developed, tested, and demonstrated; a 

database of potential sequestration sites must be established; and techniques must be developed to 

measure, monitor, and verify the sequestered CO2. Geographical differences in fossil fuel use, the 

industries present, and potential sequestration sinks across the US dictate the use of a regional 

approach to address the sequestration of CO2. To accommodate these differences, the DOE has created 

a nationwide network of seven RCSPs to help determine and implement the carbon sequestration 

technologies, infrastructure, and regulations most appropriate to promote CO2 sequestration in different 

regions of the Nation. These partnerships currently represent 40 states, three Indian Nations, four 

Canadian Provinces, and over 200 organizations, including academic institutions, research institutions, 

coal companies, utilities, equipment manufacturers, forestry and agricultural representatives, state and 

local governments, non-governmental organizations, and national laboratories. These partnerships are 

dedicated to developing the necessary infrastructure and validating the carbon sequestration 

technologies that have emerged from DOE's core R&D and other programs to mitigate emissions of CO2. 

The partnerships provide a critical link to DOE's plans for FutureGen, a highly efficient and 

technologically sophisticated coal-fired power plant that will produce both hydrogen and electricity with 

near-zero emissions. Though limited to the situation in the US, the paper describes for the international 

scientific community the approach being taken by the US to prepare for carbon sequestration, should 

that become necessary. Environment International, Volume 32, Issue 1, January 2006, 

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6V7X-4GRH73K1/2/484284ed4d6288ebc68ebc05f327f1ab (subscription may be required)

Energy Information Administration’s “Annual Energy Outlook 2006 (Early Release)” 

The Annual Energy Outlook 2006 (AEO 2006) presents a midterm forecast and analysis of US energy 

supply, demand, and prices through 2030. The projections are based on results from the Energy 

Information Administration's National Energy Modeling System. The AEO 2006 Early Release includes 

the reference case. The full publication, to be released in early 2006, will include complete 

documentation and additional cases examining energy markets. December 2005. View this document at: 

http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/aeo/carbon.html 

February 2006 

“Technological Development and Economic Growth,” In conjunction with the Inaugural Ministerial 

Meeting of the Asia Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate between Australia, China, 

India, Japan, the Republic of Korea and the United States held January 11-12, the independent 

government economic research agency the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics 

(ABARE), published the above-named report. The purpose of the report is to assess the potential 

economic, environmental and energy consumption effects of possible action on the development and 

deployment of clean technologies under the Asia Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and 

Climate. In this report, medium and long-term drivers and projections of energy demand and emissions in 

the six partnership economies are discussed. The environmental and economic impacts of three 

alternative scenarios, reflecting enhanced technological development and transfer under the partnership 

agreement, are considered using ABARE’s global trade and environment model (GTEM). The results of 

the study indicate that potential use of such technologies in the electricity, transport and industry sectors 

could provide substantial opportunities to curb greenhouse gas emissions in the medium to long term, 

without hindering the development aspirations of developing countries. ABARE research report (06.1),

January 2006, http://www.abare.gov.au/publications/2006/RR06_1_ClimateAsiaPacific.pdf. 

March 2006 
"Carbon Management Working Group Report for the Advanced Coal Task Force, Western 

Governors’ Association," In light of concerns about the potential impacts of anthropogenic greenhouse 

gas emissions on climate change, the Carbon Management Working Group was established to provide 

guidance to the Western Governors’ Association (WGA). Numerous carbon management opportunities 

are available to the states included in the WGA. This report discusses methods to store – or “sequester” 

– carbon captured from power plant emissions, options for advancing the management of captured 

carbon, and options to offset these emissions. Carbon sequestration has emerged as a key technology 

pathway to achieve substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions at relatively low cost while 

continuing use of fossil fuel energy supplies. The analysis focuses on the physical, economic and policy 

requirements necessary to enable carbon sequestration as a carbon management option in the western 

states. The report looks at the 2005-2020 timeframe and recommends implementation of specific 

projects along a timeline that would significantly advance carbon sequestration in WGA states. Western 

states have enormous potential to sequester carbon dioxide; a variety of policy options can better 

position the West to achieve this potential in the future. Included in the list of contributors are three 

National Energy Technology Laboratory contributors including: Scott Klara, Sean Plasynski, and 

Rameshwar Srivastava. January 10, 2006. http://www.westgov.org/wga/initiatives/cdeac/index.htm. To 

view the complete report see: http://www.westgov.org/wga/initiatives/cdeac/Coal-carbon.pdf. For Policy 

recommendations of the Task Force see: http://www.westgov.org/wga/initiatives/cdeac/Coal-policy.pdf. 

For technology options presented by the task force see: 

http://www.westgov.org/wga/initiatives/cdeac/Coal-technology.pdf. 

To download reference documents see: http://www.westgov.org/wga/initiatives/cdeac/Coal-technology2015.xls, http://www.westgov.org/wga/initiatives/cdeac/Coal-technology-2025.xls, and 

http://www.westgov.org/wga/initiatives/cdeac/Coal-technology-cost.xls. 

“Annual Energy Outlook 2006 (AEO 2006), Full Report,” The Energy Information Administration (EIA) 

released the Annual Energy Outlook 2006 (AEO2006) full report on its website on February 14, 2006. In 

preparing projections for the AEO2006, EIA evaluated a wide range of trends and issues that could have 

major implications for US energy markets between now and 2030. View the report at: 

http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/aeo/index.html. The AEO Supplemental tables were generated for the 

reference case of the AEO2006 using the National Energy Modeling System, a computer-based model 

which produces annual projections of energy markets for 2003 to 2030. Link to the one hundred 

seventeen Supplemental Tables through: http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/aeo/supplement/index.html. 

“Agenda for Climate Action.” The Pew Center for Global Climate Change has issued a report that 

takes a comprehensive look at a suite of climate, energy, and technology policies that could provide 

reductions in greenhouse gases in the US. The report identifies both broad and specific policies, 

combining recommendations on economy-wide mandatory emissions cuts, technology development, 

scientific research, energy supply, and adaptation with critical steps that can be taken in key sectors. 

Fifteen specific recommendations are given in 6 areas: (1) science and technology, (2) market-based 

programs, (3) sectoral emissions, (4) energy production and use, (5) adaptation, and (6) international 

engagement. Geologic carbon sequestration, separation and capture technologies, emissions trading, 

agricultural sequestration, and other areas are specifically mentioned. February 2006. 

Download a brochure listing the recommendations at: 

http://www.pewclimate.org/docUploads/Agenda%5FBrochure%5F2%2E08%2Epdf. 

For the full report see: 

http://www.pewclimate.org/global-warming-in-depth/all_reports/agenda_for_climate_action/index.cfm. 

“Draft Inventory of US Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2004 (February 2006),” The 

US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the draft report of US greenhouse gas emissions, 

summarizing and presenting annual emissions by source category and sector. In 2004, greenhouse gas 

emissions in the US increased by 1.7 percent from the previous year. Total emissions were equivalent to 

7,075 million metric tons for carbon dioxide. The largest source of emissions was fossil fuel combustion, 

accounting for 80 percent of the total. The report also includes estimates of carbon sequestration in U.S. 
forests. See announcements section of this newsletter for information on Public Comments Being 

Accepted. February 23, 2006. See pdf and html of the draft report at: 

http://yosemite.epa.gov/oar/globalwarming.nsf/content/ResourceCenterPublicationsGHGEmissionsUSE

missionsInventory2006.html. 

“The GHG Protocol for Project Accounting,” World Resources Institute and the World Business 

Council for Sustainable Development released this protocol in December 2005. The protocol is a tool for 

determining the greenhouse gas emission reduction benefits of climate mitigation projects. It aims at 

developing accounting and reporting standards and/or general guidance for both emission reduction and 

land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF) projects. Download at: 

http://www.ghgprotocol.org/plugins/GHGDOC/details.asp?type=DocDet&ObjectId=MTc0MTg. Also see 

the Corporate GHG Accounting and Reporting Standard at: 

http://www.ghgprotocol.org/templates/GHG5/layout.asp?type=p&MenuId=ODQ5. 

Greenwire, “New Zealand, Sweden, Finland Atop Performance Index,” The pilot 2006 Environmental 

Performance Index (EPI) was released January 26, 2006. The EPI is a study developed by Yale 

University and Columbia University in collaboration with the World Economic Forum and the Joint 

Research Centre of the European Commission. The study ranks 133 countries on 16 indicators tracked 

in six established policy categories. Within the Sustainable Energy policy category, annual carbon 

dioxide emissions, measured as metric tons per $1 million of gross domestic product, average around 

363 tons. North Korea, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Mongolia rank at the bottom of the scale, 

with North Korea at 4,859 tons. Nations with rapid economic expansion, such as China (731 tons) and 

India (621 tons), emit more than double the world average. The US ranks at 171 tons: behind other major 

industrial powers such as France (56 tons), Japan (57 tons), Germany (80 tons), Britain (118 tons); 

closely matching Canada (168 tons); and ahead of Australia (209 tons) and Russia (914 tons). See the 

full API study and supporting data and documents at http://www.yale.edu/epi/. January 30, 2006, 

http://www.eenews.net/Greenwire/searcharchive/test_searchdisplay.cgi?q=%22Carbon%22&file=%2FGreenwire%2Fsearcharchive%2FNewsline%2F2006%2FJanua

ry23%2F01230603.htm. 

April 2006 

“Undeveloped Domestic Oil Resources Provide Foundation For Increasing US Oil Supply.” This 

Department of Energy, Office of Fossil Energy report provides an estimate of total undeveloped and 

future technically recoverable domestic oil resources in the US. Undeveloped domestic oil resources still 

in the ground total more than one trillion barrels. The resource includes undiscovered oil, "stranded" light 

oil amenable to carbon dioxide enhanced oil recovery (CO2-EOR) technologies, unconventional oil and 

new petroleum concepts. This assessment originally examined the resource potential for applying stateof-the-art CO2-EOR technologies in only six basins/areas of the United States. It did not include the 

additional resource potential outlined in the ten basin-oriented assessments, or the recoverable 

resources from residual oil zones, as discussed in related reports issued by the Department of Energy in 

February 2006. February 2006, 

http://www.fossil.energy.gov/programs/oilgas/eor/Undeveloped_Domestic_Oil_Resources_Provi.html. 

“Stranded Oil in the Residual Oil Zone.” Five reports on Stranded Oil in the Residual Oil Zone 

introduce one of the most exciting new, unconventional oil resources that can be added to the US 

domestic oil resource base. This is "stranded (or residual) oil" in the transition zone below the traditional 

oil-water contact that exists in many domestic oil reservoirs. This resource has not previously been 

included in any official domestic oil resource databases. Work was undertaken in three U.S. oil basins— 

the Permian, Williston and Big Horn—to more rigorously define the size and potential of this new 

resource, and how much may be recoverable using carbon dioxide enhanced oil recovery techniques. 
February 2006, 

http://www.fossil.energy.gov/programs/oilgas/eor/Stranded_Oil_in_the_Residual_Oil_Zone.html. 

“Game Changer Improvements Could Dramatically Increase Domestic Oil Resource Recovery.” 

This report illustrates that the wide-scale implementation of "next generation" carbon dioxide enhanced 

oil recovery (CO2-EOR) technology advances have the potential to increase domestic oil recovery 

efficiency from about one-third to over 60 percent, doubling the technically recoverable resources in six 

domestic oil basins/areas studied to date. Application of next generation CO2-EOR technologies 

extrapolated to other U.S. oil basins and regions could bring about truly "game changing" advances in oil 

recovery efficiency and domestic oil production. February 2006, 

http://www.fossil.energy.gov/programs/oilgas/eor/Game_Changer_Oil_Recovery_Efficiency.html. 

“Voluntary Reporting of Greenhouse Gases 2003 – Summary.” The Energy Information 

Administration has released the report for the 2003 reporting year under the Voluntary Reporting of 

Greenhouse Gases Program, required by Section 1605(b) of the Energy Policy Act of 1992. Two 

hundred thirty-four U.S. companies and other organizations reported 2,188 projects to reduce or 

sequester greenhouse gases with reductions of: 268 million metric tons carbon dioxide equivalent of 

direct reductions, 81 million metric tons of indirect reductions, 7 million metric tons of reductions from 

carbon sequestration, and 16 million metric tons of unspecified reductions. Total US greenhouse gas 

emissions in 2003 are estimated at 6,936 million metric tons carbon dioxide equivalent. March 2006. 

Download pdf or html files at: http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/1605/vrrpt/summary/index.html. 

“Energy Market Impacts of Alternative Greenhouse Gas Intensity Reduction Goals.” The Energy 

Information Administration (EIA) released this report in response a request from Senator Ken Salazar 

that the EIA analyze the impacts of implementing alternative variants of an emissions cap-and-trade 

program for greenhouse gases. March 8, 2006, 

http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/servicerpt/agg/pdf/sroiaf(2006)01.pdf. 

 

May 2006 

“Coal: America's Energy Future, Volume I, The National Coal Council, March 2006.” US Secretary 

of Energy Samuel W. Bodman requested the National Coal Council to conduct a study and assemble a 

report identifying the challenges and opportunities of more fully exploring US coal resources to meet the 

national’s future energy needs. Included in the report are information and overviews of near-zero 

emissions power generation technology, FutureGen, carbon capture and storage, enhanced oil and gas 

recovery, carbon dioxide pipelines, the Carbon Sequestration Regional Partnerships, and global carbon 

sequestration programs. March 2006, http://nationalcoalcouncil.org/report/NCCReportVol1.pdf. 

“Voluntary Reporting of Greenhouse Gases 2004.” The Voluntary Reporting of Greenhouse Gases 

Program, required by Section 1605(b) of the Energy Policy Act of 1992, records the results of voluntary 

measures to reduce, avoid, or sequester greenhouse gas emissions. For the 2004 reporting year, 226 

US companies and other organizations reported to the Energy Information Administration (EIA) that they 

had undertaken 2,154 projects to reduce or sequester greenhouse gases in 2004. The reported 

greenhouse gas emission reductions for the projects reported included 277 million metric tons carbon 

dioxide equivalent (million MTCO2e) of direct reductions, 92 million MTCO2e of indirect reductions, 7 

million MTCO2e of reductions from carbon sequestration, and 14 million MTCO2e of unspecified 

reductions. Total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in 2004 are estimated at 7,122 million MTCO2e. 

http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/1605/vrrpt/pdf/0608(04).pdf. 

“Seismic Imaging for Site Selection and Monitoring of Carbon Dioxide Sequestration Part 2—

Laboratory Studies.” This is the second in a two part series from GasTips, a publication of Gas 

Technology Institute, the US Department of Energy and Hart Energy Publishing which covers technology 

developments in natural gas exploration, production and processing. The Gas Technology Institute, with 
support from the Illinois Clean Coal Institute and cooperation of the Illinois State Geological Survey, 

designed and implemented a comprehensive research project aimed at determining the viability of 

seismic techniques for site selection and monitoring of carbon dioxide sequestration in Illinois coal 

seams. Read details of the studies starting on page 2 of the pdf file of the Winter 2006 GasTips, which is 

available at: http://www.netl.doe.gov/technologies/oil-gas/publications/GasTIPS/GasTIPSWinter2006.pdf. 

"Inventory of US Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2004. April 2006." After gathering 

comments from a broad range of stakeholders around the country, the US Environmental Protection 

Agency has published the "Inventory of US Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2004." The 

report analyzes the sources of greenhouse gas emissions. It shows that both methane and nitrous oxide 

emissions have decreased from 1990 levels by 10 percent and two percent, respectively. Overall, 

greenhouse gas emissions during 2004 increased by 1.7 percent from the previous year. This increase, 

which occurred during a period of economic expansion, was due primarily to an increase in carbon 

dioxide emissions associated with fuel and electricity consumption. Fossil fuel combustion was the 

largest source of emissions, accounting for 80 percent of the total. While the US economy expanded by 

51 percent from 1990 to 2004, emissions have grown by only 15.8 percent over the same period. This 

report is the latest in an annual set of reports that the US submits to the Secretariat of the United Nations 

Framework Convention on Climate Change, which sets an overall framework for intergovernmental 

efforts to tackle the challenge posed by climate change. Read a press release at: 

http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/68b5f2d54f3eefd28525701500517fbf/7510b703526bc37b852

57153006e5add!OpenDocument. April 2006. Download a pdf file of the complete report, or sections of 

the report at: 

http://yosemite.epa.gov/oar/globalwarming.nsf/content/ResourceCenterPublicationsGHGEmissionsUSE

missionsInventory2006.html. 

“The Climate Action Team Report to Governor Schwarzenegger and the Legislature.” The 

California Climate Action Team (CAT) has released a report that recommends a wide range of measures 

to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in California by approximately 30% by 2020. The final report was 

released on April 3. The CAT Report recommends 46 specific strategies to reduce greenhouse gas 

emissions in California, including implementation of the California Solar Initiative, development of 

alternative fuels, forest conservation measures, and intelligent transportation systems. Combined with 

emission reduction efforts already underway, these new strategies would help the state meet the 

Governor’s targets in 2010 (approximately 60 million tons CO2 equivalent in emission reductions) and 

2020 (approximately 175 million tons CO2 equivalent in emission reductions). To view the final 2006 

Climate Action Team Report to Governor Schwarzenegger and the Legislature, and other supporting 

documents, see: http://www.climatechange.ca.gov/climate_action_team/reports/index.html. 

Greenwire, “Draft World Bank Report Emphasizes Technology to Curb Emissions.” 

The World Bank has released their draft report “Clean Energy and Development: Towards an Investment 

Framework,” intended to assist developing nations in accessing sustainable energy sources to fuel 

economic growth and reduce poverty. The report, which was requested by G8 leaders at their meeting in 

Scotland in 2005, will be discussed at the development committee forum of the World Bank and 

International Monetary Fund meeting on April 23 in Washington, DC. The report says that the 

development and use of new energy technologies are key to mitigating global warming. The draft 

recommends integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) with carbon capture and storage (CCS), 

afforestation, and a decrease in deforestation, among other measures. The draft also states that 

research, development and demonstration are needed to further improve technologies in certain areas 

including IGCC with CCS. The draft also calls for detailed financing plans on clean energy projects and 

climate mitigation, and to be prepared quickly for the World Bank’s September 2006 annual meeting. 

Some experts say that the draft does not go far enough in recommending new ways to address climate 

change, and that the report recommends technologies that are too expensive for developing nations. The 

World Bank spokesperson declined to comment on the draft, saying only that the final version will be 
available the week of April 17. Download the draft April 5, 2006 report as a pdf file here: 

http://siteresources.worldbank.org/DEVCOMMINT/Documentation/20890696/DC2006-0002(E)-

CleanEnergy.pdf. 

April 14, 2006, http://www.eenews.net/Greenwire/2006/04/14/#10. (Subscription may be required to 

access news story.) 

“Benchmarking Air Emissions of the 100 Largest Electric Power Producers in the United States – 

2004. April 2006.” The 2006 Benchmarking report is the fifth collaborative effort among Ceres, the 

Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) highlighting 

environmental performance and progress in the nation’s electric power sector. The Benchmarking series 

began in 1997 and uses publicly reported data to compare the emissions performance of the 100 largest 

power producers (producers) in the United States. The current report is based on 2004 generation and 

emissions data. These producers include public and private entities that own nearly 2,000 power plants 

and account for 88 percent of reported electric generation and 89 percent of the industry’s reported 

emissions. The report focuses on four power plant pollutants for which public emissions data are 

available: sulfur dioxide (SO2), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), mercury (Hg), and carbon dioxide (CO2). Since 

1990, power plant emissions of SO2 and NOx have decreased and CO2 emissions have increased. CO2

emissions are not regulated at the federal level. In 2004, power plant CO2 emissions were 27 percent 

higher than they were in 1990. The report predicts a bigger increase in the years ahead due to an 

unprecedented surge of new US coal-plant proposals that would emit substantially more CO2 than other 

sources generating the same amount of power. There are currently more than 130 new coal plants 

proposed across the US, and the Energy Information Administration (EIA) projects a 66 percent increase 

in coal-based power production and a 43 percent increase in CO2 emissions by 2030. The EIA projection 

assumes no controls on CO2 emissions at the power plants. To download the report, see: 

http://www.ceres.org/pub/docs/Ceres_bnchmrkng_electric_2004_0406_full.pdf. Also see 

http://www.nrdc.org/air/pollution/benchmarking/default.asp to download supporting data tables. 

“Carbon Capture and Storage: A Consultation on Barriers to Commercial Deployment.” The 

United Kingdom HM Treasury has released a consultation report on carbon capture and storage (CCS) 

that invites answers to questions that aim to establish the extent to which there are barriers to 

commercial deployment and whether and how these could be addressed. Specifically, the consultation 

aims to build understanding on: the current state and future development of CCS technologies and the 

likely costs attached to deploying them commercially; the potential carbon savings available from CCS; 

the barriers which currently exist to further development and commercial deployment; and whether there 

is a case for government intervention and, if called for, the forms this might take. Responses to the 

document are accepted until May 11, 2006. March 2006, 

http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/budget/budget_06/other_documents/bud_bud06_odcarbob.cfm. 

June 2006

“Carbon Sequestration Project Portfolio 2006.” The Carbon Sequestration Project Portfolio 2006 is a 

comprehensive document, designed to serve as a key resource of the National Energy Technology 

Laboratory’s Carbon Sequestration Program. The portfolio includes maps of project distribution; a copy 

of the new “Carbon Sequestration Technology Roadmap and Program Plan 2006”; budget information; 

details about each individual research project; programmatic papers; and an index of project participants. 

The Portfolio is designed to be printed for use in a three-ring binder, or to be viewed online. Frequent 

updates will be posted to ensure that any new information is incorporated. To view and/or download the 

various sections of this document, go to the pdf table of contents: 

http://www.netl.doe.gov/publications/carbon_seq/project%20portfolio/project_portfolio3/table_contents.pd

f. 

“Canada’s CO2 Capture & Storage Technology Roadmap (CCSTRM).” Natural Resources Canada 

has released Canada’s Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Capture & Storage Technology Roadmap. The CCSTRM 
seeks to establish a robust architecture for addressing the technical risks and economic costs, with 

scientific understanding of geological, geotechnical, reservoir management, and engineering aspects of 

CO2 capture and storage. The CCSTRM (March 2006) is available for download at: 

http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/es/etb/cetc/combustion/co2trm/htmldocs/co2trm_e.html. 

“Carbon Dioxide Capture and Geologic Storage: A Core Element of a Global Energy Technology 

Strategy to Address Climate Change.” The findings presented in this report stem from more than ten 

years of research at Battelle’s Joint Global Change Research Institute (JGCRI) to better understand the 

significant potential of carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) technologies in addressing climate 

change. A significant portion of the research was supported by the National Energy Technology 

Laboratory. A central focus of this report is on actions that will allow CCS technologies to transition from 

their current status as potential solutions to climate change to the point where these systems are 

deployed widely and have become safe, effective, and trusted cornerstones of the global energy system. 

This report was presented by the lead author of the report and Senior Scientist at JGCRI, James J. 

Dooley, at the Fifth Annual Conference on Carbon Capture and Sequestration in Alexandria, Virginia, 

held May 8-11, 2006. To read the full report, see: 

http://www.battelle.org/news/06/CCS_Climate_Change06.pdf. To obtain a hard copy of the report, 

contact Jim Dooley via email at: dooleyj@battell.org. To read the May 10, 2006 press release regarding 

key points of the report see: http://www.battelle.org/news/06/05-10-06ClimateChange.stm. 

“Los Alamos Energy Security, Los Alamos National Laboratory, The Carbon Sequestration Issue, 

Winter, 2006, Vol. 2. No. 1.” Los Alamos Energy Security, produced by Los Alamos National 

Laboratory’s Office of Energy and Environmental Initiatives, presents energy issues of critical national 

and global importance and highlights the Laboratory’s energy security research and development. The 

Winter 2006 issue covered various Carbon Sequestration projects, technologies, publications, events, 

and websites. To download a pdf of the publication see: 

http://www.lanl.gov/energy/energysecurity/LANL_energysecurity2_1_hi.pdf. 

July 2006

“Annual European Community Greenhouse Gas Inventory 1990-2004 and Inventory Report 2006.”

This report is the annual submission of the greenhouse gas inventory of the European Community to the 

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. It presents greenhouse gas emissions 

between 1990 and 2004 by individual Member State and by economic sector. The report shows that, 

between 2003 and 2004, emissions in the 15 pre-2004 Member States increased by 11.5 million tons, or 

0.3% and total EU emissions increased by 0.4%. (Technical Report number 6/2006.) To view the 

abstract, or link to the tab with the content of the report and all annexes, see: 

http://reports.eea.europa.eu/technical_report_2006_6/en. 

“International Energy Outlook 2006.” The International Energy Outlook 2006 (IEO2006) presents an 

assessment by the US’s Energy Information Administration (EIA) of the outlook for international energy 

markets through 2030. US projections appearing in IEO2006 are consistent with those published in EIA’s 

Annual Energy Outlook 2006 (AEO2006), which was prepared using the National Energy Modeling 

System (NEMS). The report also provides projections of energy-related carbon dioxide emissions by 

country, region, and fuel type. World carbon dioxide emissions continue to increase steadily in the 

IEO2006 reference case, from 25.0 billion metric tons in 2003 to 33.7 billion metric tons in 2015, and 

43.7 billion metric tons in 2030. June 20, 2006. To view the webpage where the report or chapters of the 

report, including chapter 7: “Energy-Related Carbon Dioxide Emissions,” can be downloaded, see: 

http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/ieo/index.html. 

“Advice on a Long-term Strategy on Energy and Climate Change.” Canada’s National Round Table 

on the Environment and the Economy has released a report of key findings derived from an examination 

of a 2050 scenario developed by energy consultants ICF International. The June 2006 document 
addresses opportunities and challenges facing Canada in relation to its long-term energy and climate 

change future. Specifically, it deals with how to, by 2050: 1.) meet the energy needs of a growing 

economy, 2.) achieve substantial reductions in carbon emissions, and 3.) improve the quality of 

Canada’s air. Carbon capture and sequestration in the oil and gas sector is one of the strategic priorities 

named in the report. To read the report in html format, see: http://www.nrteetrnee.ca/eng/programs/Current_Programs/Energy-Climate-Change/EEC-Wedge-Advisory-Note/ECCWedge-advisory-note_Section-1_e.htm. To download the pdf format of the report, click: http://www.nrteetrnee.ca/eng/programs/Current_Programs/Energy-Climate-Change/EEC-Wedge-AdvisoryNote/final_advisory%20note%20energy%20and%20climate%20change%20strategy-15-June2006_e.pdf. 

“The Carbon Boom: National and State Trends in Carbon Dioxide Emissions Since 1960.” Twentyeight states more than doubled their carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions between 1960 and 2001, according 

to a new analysis of government data released by the watchdog group US Public Interest Research 

Group (US PIRG). They state that increased combustion of oil to fuel cars and light trucks, and coal for 

electricity drove the steep rise in emissions. Using data compiled by the US Department of Energy’s Oak 

Ridge National Laboratory, their report examines trends in carbon dioxide emissions and fossil fuel 

combustion nationally, regionally, and by state between 1960 and 2001, the most recent year for which 

state-by-state data are available. To download the pdf file of the June 2006 report, or view the news 

release or report summary, see: http://uspirg.org/uspirgnewsroom.asp?id2=24976. 

“Clean Energy, a Strong Economy and a Healthy Environment.” In this report, the Western 

Governors’ Association’s Clean and Diversified Energy Advisory Committee reported its 

recommendations to the Governors (June 21, 2006). The Governors adopted a policy resolution that 

incorporated many of the recommendations aimed at bringing on-line 30,000 Megawatts of clean energy 

by 2015, increasing energy efficiency 20 percent by 2020 and providing adequate transmission for the 

region. (See this newsletter’s Legislative Activity section for the related article: Western Governor’s 

Association Press Release, “Western Governors Adopt Policies on Clean, Diversified Energy, 

Global Climate Change and Transportation Fuels.”) To download the report, go to: 

http://www.westgov.org/wga/initiatives/cdeac/CDEAC06.pdf. 

“Surface Temperature Reconstructions for the Last 2,000 Years (2006).” In response to a request from 

Congress, this National Academy of Science (NAS) report assesses the state of scientific efforts to 

reconstruct surface temperature records for the Earth over approximately the last 2,000 years and the 

implications of these efforts for our understanding of global climate change. Because widespread, 

reliable temperature records are only available for the last 150 years or so, scientists estimate 

temperatures in the more distant past by analyzing "proxy evidence," which includes tree rings, corals, 

ocean and lake sediments, cave deposits, ice cores, boreholes, and glaciers. Starting in the late 1990s, 

scientists began using sophisticated methods to combine proxy evidence from many different locations in 

an effort to estimate surface temperature changes during the last few hundred to few thousand years. 

This report concludes that large-scale surface temperature reconstructions are important tools in our 

understanding of global climate change that allows the NAS to state, with a high level of confidence, that 

global mean surface temperature was higher during the last few decades of the 20th century than during 

any comparable period during the preceding four centuries. The report says less confidence can be 

placed in large-scale surface temperature reconstructions for the period from A.D. 900 to 1600, although 

available proxy evidence indicates that temperatures at many, but not all, individual locations were higher 

during the past 25 years than during any period of comparable length since A.D. 900. It also concludes 

that very little confidence can be assigned to statements concerning the hemispheric mean or global 

mean surface temperature prior to about A.D. 900, primarily because of the scarcity of precisely dated 

proxy evidence. To view this report or sections of it online, go to: 

http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11676.html.To download a shorter briefing, go to: 

http://dels.nas.edu/dels/rpt_briefs/Surface_Temps_final.pdf. (Also see this newsletter’s Science section 

for a related item: Greenwire, “National Academy of Science Finds ‘Hockey Stick’ Graph’s Conclusion 
‘Plausible’ ” and The National Academies Press Release, “ ‘High Confidence’ That Planet Is Warmest in 

400 Years; Less Confidence in Temperature Reconstructions Prior to 1600.”) 

August 2006 

Senator Jeffords Press Release, “Jeffords Introduces Landmark Legislation to Reduce 

Greenhouse Gas Pollution” and the text of Bill S 3698. On July 20, US Senator Jim Jeffords 

(Independent-VT) and ranking member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, 

introduced the Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act (Bill S 3698). Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) is 

the bill’s lead co-sponsor. The Act would require a reduction of CO2 emissions levels in the US to 1990 

levels, between 2010 and 2020. By 2030, the US must reduce its emissions by one-third of 80 percent 

below 1990 levels, by 2040 by two-thirds of 80 percent below 1990 levels, and by 2050, to 80 percent 

below 1990 levels. The reductions are required by power plants, automobiles and carbon intensive 

businesses. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will be the administrator of the Act. Additional 

reductions may be required if global atmospheric concentrations exceed 450 parts per million or the 

average global temperatures increase above 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit above the pre-industrial average. 

Section 707 of the act outlines vehicle-specific heightened emissions standards beginning in model year 

2016. Section 709 of the Act requires establishment of a low-carbon generation trading project for 

electric energy owner and operators. Section 710 outlines aspects of a geological carbon dioxide 

sequestration project competitive grant program. Section 711 would allow for the EPA to conduct 

research and development in conjunction with other agencies (NOAA, NASA and DOE) on global climate 

change standards to: help develop measurements, standards, and procedures for reducing CO2, to 

monitor CO2, to establish baseline measurement, and to assist in developing improved industrial 

processes to reduce global warming pollution. The National Academy of Sciences would report to EPA 

and the Congress to determine whether the goals of the Act have been met. Section 714 of the Act also 

states that the Secretary of Agriculture is to set up provisions for above-ground and below ground 

biological carbon sequestration. To view a copy of the bill, and more of its provisions, see: 

http://jeffords.senate.gov/climate_bill_final.pdf. To view Senator Jeffords' Congressional Record 

statement on the bill, see: http://jeffords.senate.gov/climaterecordsstatement.pdf. For a brief description 

of some of the bill's provisions, see: http://jeffords.senate.gov/climate_bill_summary.pdf. For a summary 

of the bill, see: http://jeffords.senate.gov/climate_bill_provisions.pdf. July 20, 2006, 

http://jeffords.senate.gov/~jeffords/press/06/07/072006climatebill.html. 

“Ohio Climate Roadmap-Part 2. June 2006.” The Ohio Environmental Council, an Ohio environmental 

conservation group, issued a 65-point action plan for how Ohio can combat global warming, yet 

strengthen its industries of agriculture, coal, and manufacturing. The report emphasizes that Ohio 

industry is well positioned to be a major supplier of the technology necessary to reduce greenhouse gas 

emissions. Carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction efforts recommended include: converting crop farms from 

conventional to conservation tillage (no till) and maintaining Ohio’s existing forest coverage (estimated 

reduction of CO2: 39 million tons per year, through 2030); and phasing in the replacement of Ohio’s 

conventional coal-burning power plants with coal-gasification power plants that capture and store carbon 

emissions (estimated reduction of CO2 from year 2000 emission levels: up to 104 million tons per year). 

To read more, see: http://www.theoec.org/hottopics_pressroom.html or download the report in full at: 

http://www.theoec.org/pdfs/pressrelease/hottopics_pr_roadmap2.pdf. 

“US Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Energy Sources 2005 Flash Estimate.” US carbon dioxide 

emissions from burning fossil fuels increased by 0.1 percent in 2005, from 5,903 million metric tons of 

carbon dioxide (MMTCO2) in 2004 to 5,909 MMTCO2 in 2005, according to preliminary estimates 

released by the Energy Information Administration (EIA). The 2005 emissions increase was the third 

smallest during the 1990 to 2005 period, exceeding only the emissions declines recorded in 1991 and 

2001. Total US energy-related carbon dioxide emissions have grown by 18.4 percent between 1990 and 

2005. Energy-related carbon dioxide emissions account for over 80 percent of US greenhouse gas 

emissions. This flash estimate data is based on data published in the Energy Information 
Administration's Monthly Energy Review (May 2006). These estimates are considered to be preliminary. 

More detailed estimates of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from all sources, energy and non-energy, will 

appear in the report Emissions of Greenhouse Gases in the United States, 2005, which is scheduled to 

be released in November 2006. To read the press release, see: 

http://www.eia.doe.gov/neic/press/press272.html. June 28, 2006, 

http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/1605/flash/flash.html. 

Legislative Activity 

September 2005

Bush Signs Energy Bill. At a bill-signing ceremony at the Energy Department's Sandia National 

Laboratories on August 8th, President Bush signed the energy bill into law. Bush said the new energy 

policy will go a long way toward weaning Americans off imported oil by encouraging the domestic 

production of oil and natural gas and greater use of cleaner-burning, domestic energy sources, including 

cleaner burning coal. “Bush Signs Energy Bill, Cheers Steps Toward Self-Sufficiency,” Washington Post, 

August 9, 2005, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wpdyn/content/article/2005/08/08/AR2005080800124.html

“New Rules Could Allow Power Plants to Pollute More.” The Bush administration has drafted 

regulations that would fundamentally alter the limits placed on air emissions from older, less efficient 

coal-fired power plants. The draft rules, obtained by the Washington Post, take the position that 

decisions on whether a plant complies with the regulations after modernization should be based on how 

much pollution it could potentially emit per hour, rather than the current standard of how much it pollutes 

annually. Washington Post, August 31, 2005, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wpdyn/content/article/2005/08/30/AR2005083001949.html

October 2005

U.S. Senate Energy Committee Holds Climate Hearing. On September 20, the Senate Committee on 

Energy and Natural Resources held a full committee hearing titled “Climate Change Science and 

Economics.” Chairman Pete Domenici (R-NM) said, “I am pleased that the committee is continuing its 

discussion on climate change. It is clear that something is happening with the Earth’s climate. I am aware 

that many in the scientific community are warning us that something needs to be done. I am also aware 

that there are equally qualified members of the scientific community who do not share those views. 

Nevertheless, I believe that it is prudent to heed the warnings we are hearing and begin to find ways of 

alleviating the human contribution to climate change. With this hearing, we will continue the search for 

meaningful, economically feasible answers that will produce real reductions in greenhouse gas 

emissions.” To read the witness testimonies, visit the U.S. Senate Energy Committee website at 

http://energy.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Hearings.Hearing&Hearing_ID=1496

November 2005

“House Climate Stewardship Act of 2005 Cosponsorship Now at 106.” As of October 20, the 

number of cosponsors of the House Climate Stewardship Act of 2005 (HR 759), introduced by Rep. 

Wayne Gilchrest (R-MD) on February 10, 2005, has risen from the original 25 to 106. The eight 

cosponsors signing on after the August Congressional recess are Representatives Brady (D-PA), Payne 

(D-NJ), Capuano (D-MA), Velazquez (D-NY), Meehan (D-MA), Cleaver (D-MO), Sherman (D-CA), and 

Schwartz (D-PA), with Rep. Schwartz being the most recent cosponsor. The purpose of the bill is to 

provide for a program of scientific research on abrupt climate change, to accelerate the reduction of 

greenhouse gas emissions in the United States by establishing a market-driven system of GHG tradable, 
reduce dependence upon foreign oil, and ensure benefits to consumers from the trading in such 

allowances. EESI – Climate Change News, October 21, 2005, 

http://www.eesi.org/publications/Newsletters/CCNews/10.21.05%20CCNews.htm

Kucinich Demands White House Documents On Climate Change. In the wake of a devastating 

hurricane season, Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH) introduced a Resolution of Inquiry (H. Res. 

515) demanding that the White House submit to Congress all documents in their possession relating to 

the anticipated effects of climate change on the coastal regions of the United States. The Kucinich 

Resolution is co-sponsored by 150 Members of Congress. A Resolution of Inquiry is a rare House 

procedure used to obtain documents from the Executive Branch. Under House rules, Kucinich’s 

resolution is referred to committee, and action must be taken in committee within 14 legislative days. 

October 27, 2005, Rep. Kucinich, 

http://kucinich.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=36282

December 2005

“Lugar-Biden Initiative Calls For American Leadership on Climate Change.” On November 11th

U.S. Senator Joe Biden (D-DE) joined with Dick Lugar (R-IN) to introduce a Senate Resolution calling for 

the United States to return to international negotiations on climate change. The Lugar-Biden Climate 

Change Resolution also proposes an official Senate Observer Group to ensure bipartisan Senate 

support for any new agreements. If adopted, this resolution will replace the last major statement of the 

Senate’s position on international climate change which was made back in 1997, prior to the Kyoto 

Protocol. Press Release, November 15, 2005, 

http://biden.senate.gov/newsroom/details.cfm?id=248835&&

“Committee Defeats Resolution of Inquiry.” On November 9, the House Science Committee defeated 

a resolution of inquiry that would have required the Administration to provide to Congress, within 14 day 

of enactment, all documents related to “the effects of climate change on the coastal regions of the United 

States” produced by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, National Weather Service, 

National Science Foundation, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Assessment 

Synthesis Team, and the U.S. Geological Survey. The resolution, which was introduced by 

Representative Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), was defeated 11 to 16 and, by voice vote, was reported from 

Committee adversely. It will not be brought before the full House. House Committee on Science, 

November 9, 2005, http://www.house.gov/science/press/109/109-159.htm

January 2006 

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Press Release, “Romney Announces Strict New Clean Air 

Regulations to Take Effect January 1,” Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney announced that strict 

state limitations on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions will take effect on January 1, 2006. Massachusetts is 

the first and only state to set CO2 emissions limits on power plants, doing so in 2001. The limits, which 

target the six largest and oldest power plants in the state, are designed to lower emissions of nitrogen 

oxides, sulfur dioxide and mercury from power plant smokestacks. The draft regulations were announced 

December 7, and reaffirm the existing CO2 limits. The press release states that the limits contain 

protections against excessive price increases for businesses and consumers. Power generation 

companies can implement CO2 reductions at their own facilities, or fund other reduction project off-site 

through a greenhouse gas offset and credits program. The new regulations propose a two-tiered system 

of “triggers and safety valves.” Plants will be able to do offset project in the Northeast region, to keep 

technology development and environmental benefits closer to home. If the price of available offsets 

reaches $6.50/ton of emissions for 12 months, firms would then be able to shop for offsets anywhere in 

the world. If offsets rise to $10.00/ton, firms are allowed to meet their emissions obligations by paying 

into the state’s Greenhouse Gas Expendable Trust, used by the state to purchase new offsets or invest 
in GHG reduction technology. December 7, 2005,

http://www.mass.gov/portal/site/massgovportal/menuitem.b6302844a78a31c14db4a11030468a0c/?page

ID=pressreleases&agId=Agov2&prModName=gov2pressrelease&prFile=gov_pr_051207_7_29_regs.xml

February 2006 

Washington Post, “States Adopt California’s Greenhouse Gas Limits,” On December 30th, 

Massachusetts joined Oregon, Connecticut and five other states that adopted California’s tough 

greenhouse gas rules, limiting the amount of carbon dioxide and other gases that can be emitted from 

vehicle tailpipes. The new rules supplement federal exhaust standards already in place. States which 

have adopted the rules are: Vermont (Nov. 7), Maine (Dec. 1), Connecticut (Dec. 20), New Jersey (Dec. 

20), Rhode Island (Dec. 22), New York (Dec. 22), Oregon (Dec. 22, temporarily adopted with 180 days 

for Oregon Environmental Quality Commission to approve permanently), and Massachusetts (Dec. 30). 

Every major automaker is suing to have the rules overturned. Automakers feel that the carbon dioxide 

regulations are so strict that they would cause extensive design changes in new vehicles that will 

increase prices, affecting new car sales. The California rule, which was approved by a state 

environmental board in 2004, and with approval by the federal government, would take affect for model 

year 2009. It requires a 30 percent reduction in greenhouse gases by 2016. Automakers are countering 

with a proposed 10 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emitted in vehicle production by 2012, and are 

not supporting restrictions on emissions from vehicle tailpipes. Some state regulators also fear that the 

forthcoming study by the National Resource Council, due out this month, may be used by Congress to 

limit states’ ability to join the California program. In a statement the EPA said it favors other methods of 

lower carbon dioxide besides regulating tailpipe emissions. It stated, “The only way to cut [carbon 

dioxide] emissions is through drastic increase in fuel economy—which in the past has led to smaller, 

lighter, and less-safe vehicles.” EPA must issue a wavier before any of California’s greenhouse gas 

regulations can go into effect. If California is permitted to impose new regulations, the Clean Air Act 

allows other states with poor air quality to adopt California’s rules after Agency approval. January 3, 

2006, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/02/AR2006010201467.html

Boston Globe, “Big Gaps in State’s Plans for Emissions,” Governor Mitt Romney is advocating for 

changes to Massachusetts’ plan to limit greenhouse gas emissions from power plants in the state, which 

went into effect January 1, 2006. The governor’s proposed changes would allow for offsets to be 

purchased by power plants from anywhere worldwide, compensating for excess emissions from their 

facilities. State officials do not have a blueprint for administration of the complex program, including 

penalties. Environmental critics say that language Romney is advocating for creates a loophole. Instead 

of requiring projects to be ''enforceable" and “permanent”, Romney wants them to be ''enforceable as a 

practical matter,” and “permanent to the maximum extent enforceable.” The governor announced his 

proposed changes in December 2005, just days before the state pulled out of the Regional Greenhouse 

Gas Initiative (RGGI). State officials will accept public comments until early March 2006. The state’s plan 

applies to the state’s six oldest power plants, which account for 70 percent of the greenhouse gases 

emitted by all 32 plants in the state. According to the plan, limits are being phased in, with the caps that 

began in January 2006. Tighter restrictions begin in 2008, though plants could exceed limits if they 

purchase offsets. Robert W. Golledge Jr., the state Department of Environmental Protection 

commissioner said that the plan will cost over $750,000 each year to run, and require two full time 

employees, with verifying and monitoring off-sets to be contracted out to private companies. Under 

Romney's proposal, plants would have to keep offset projects in the northeastern United States until the 

price to offset a ton of carbon dioxide emissions reached $6.50 for more than 12 months. If the price of 

offsets continued to rise to $10 a ton for 12 months, companies could opt out of buying offsets and 

instead pay the amount into a fund that would also go toward efforts to reduce CO2. Romney said this 

''safety valve" is needed to keep energy costs from rising too high. January 17, 2006, 

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2006/01/17/big_gaps_in_states_plans_for_emi

ssions/
Greenwire, State-led Coalition Urges Appellate Court to Overturn GHG 'Nuisance' Opinion, A 

coalition of eight states, New York City and environmental groups are in the process of reviving litigation 

aimed at forcing five of the largest electric power companies to adopt greenhouse gas limits. The group, 

consisting of California, Connecticut, Iowa, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, Wisconsin, 

New York City and the Open Spaces Coalition, lost a lawsuit this past summer in federal district court. 

The group argues that CO2 emissions create a public nuisance covered under common law, and are 

bringing a case against power plants owned and operated by American Electric Power Co., Southern 

Co., Tennessee Valley Authority, Xcel Energy Inc. and Cinergy Corp. US District Court Judge Loretta 

Preska dismissed the case in August of 2005, on the grounds that the claims raised broad “political 

questions” that can only be addressed by Congress or the executive branch. The group filed a brief on 

December 15, 2005 with the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals (2nd Circuit) in New York City, citing 

precedents set by both the Supreme Court and 2nd Circuit that do not set such restrictive limits on a 

lawsuit when politics also surround an issue. Environmentalists, led by the Natural Resources Defense 

Council, also filed a separate eighty-page petition. In both briefs, the coalition maintains that they have 

standing to bring the case, and that the court can order the utilities to lower their emissions of 

greenhouse gases. Lawyers for the electric utility have until January 30, 2006 to respond to the group’s 

arguments, and a panel of three judges will be named to hear the case. (To see the states’ brief go to: 

http://www.eenews.net/Greenwire/Backissues/images/010406gwr1.pdf For US District Court Judge 

Loretta Preska's opinion go to: http://www.eenews.net/Greenwire/Backissues/images/091505gwr2.pdf

For the environmentalist’s brief go to: 

http://www.eenews.net/Greenwire/Backissues/images/010406gwr5.pdf.) January 4, 2006, 

http://www.eenews.net/Greenwire/searcharchive/test_searchdisplay.cgi?q=carbon&file=%2FGreenwire%2Fsearcharchive%2FNewsline%2F2006%2FJanuary4%2F0

1040606.htm (subscription may be required) 

March 2006 

White House Press Release, “State of the Union: The Advanced Energy Initiative,” In his State of 

the Union Address, President Bush outlined the Advanced Energy Initiative, which provides for a 22% 

increase in clean-energy research at the Department of Energy (DOE). The President stated that the 

best way to break the addiction to foreign oil is through new technologies, including advanced energy 

technologies. The Initiative will accelerate technology in two vital areas: how the US powers homes and 

businesses, and how it powers its automobiles. Within the Advanced Energy Initiative is the Coal 

Research Initiative. As part of the National Energy Policy, the President committed $2 billion over 10 

years to increase the pace of research in the use of clean coal technologies to generate electricity while 

meeting environmental regulations at low cost. The 2007 Budget includes $281 million for development 

of clean coal technologies. Also included in the budget is $54 Million for the FutureGen Initiative. January 

31, 2006, http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/01/20060131-6.html. 

Department of Energy Press Release, “Department of Energy Requests $23.6 Billion for FY 2007,”

US Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman announced the Fiscal Year (FY) 2007 proposed budget for the 

US Department of Energy, requesting $23.6 billion, a $124 million increase over the FY 2006 request. 

These funds are to directly advance the goals of the American Competitiveness Initiative and the 

Advanced Energy Initiative. Within the budget, $648.9 million is requested for the Office of Fossil Energy, 

a $192.8 million (23 percent) reduction from FY 2006 appropriation. Within the Office of Fossil Energy 

budget, $54 million would support the FutureGen initiative in FY 2007, a $36.2 million increase from FY 

2006 with $203 million planned for FY 2008; and the Carbon Sequestration initiative is requesting $73.9 

million, a $7.6 million increase from FY 2006. See detailed budget documents at: 

http://www.energy.gov/news/3150.htm. February 6, 2006, http://www.energy.gov/news/3150.htm. 

Greenwire, “Domenici, Bingaman Pinpoint Obstacles to Global Warming Bill,” The Senate Energy 

and Natural Resources Committee's top Republican Pete Domenici (R-NM), and top Democrat Jeff 

Bingaman (D-NM) have released a white paper outlining their view on the issues that need to be 
considered in formulating a greenhouse gas bill for consideration in Congress. The paper “Design 

Elements of a Mandatory Market-Based Greenhouse Gas Regulatory System” outlines the key questions 

and design elements of a national greenhouse gas program assuming a “mandatory market-based 

system.” Domenici feels that there will be a greenhouse gas regime in effect in the US at some time in 

the future. Bingham’s goal is to present a bill by 2007. Public comments are to be received and a 

conference to be held in March to bring together two dozen experts on the issue. 

Download the white paper at: http://energy.senate.gov/public/_files/ClimateChangeWhitePaper.doc

February 3, 2006, http://www.eenews.net/EEDaily/include/print.php?single=02030601. . (Subscription 

may be required.) 

Greenwire, “California Task Force Unlikely to Recommend Emissions Cap,” The Climate Action 

Team set up by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-CA) is unlikely to recommend a strict 

cap on carbon emissions when it reports to the legislature this month. It is also unlikely to propose a 

specifically defined market-based cap-and-trade program; rather it is expected to allow the state 

lawmakers and governor to initiate proposals. Governor Schwarzenegger singed Executive Order # S-3-

05 on June 1, 2005, establishing greenhouse gas reduction targets, the first of which is for the state to 

reduce to 2000 emission levels by 2010. To meet the targets, the Governor directed the state 

environmental agency to set up the action team to recommend how to implement the policy. The task 

force is more likely to focus on intermediate steps in its upcoming report to legislature including 

proposals which would require legislative action: mandatory emissions reporting got the climate registry, 

“the foundation for a cap-and-trade program,” establishing a “public goods” transportation fee to lower 

dependence on petroleum, and early-action credits towards a future carbon market. February 2, 2006, 

http://www.eenews.net/Greenwire/searcharchive/test_searchdisplay.cgi?q=sequestration&file=%2FGreenwire%2Fsearcharchive%2FNewsline%2F2006%2FFebruary

2%2F02020613.htm. (Subscription may be required.) 

Contra Costa Times (CA), “Tackling Utilities' Emissions,” California regulators voted on February 16 

to cap power plant emissions of carbon dioxide despite objections from utilities. The Public Utilities 

Commission president Mike Peevey said that the commission acted in order to do their part in meeting 

the greenhouse gas (GHG) goals articulated last year by California Governor Schwarzenegger. Analysts 

from the California Air Resources Board recently estimated that the costs to meet the GHG reductions of 

1990 levels by 2020 is $8 billion, but that the costs would be offset by savings resulting from more 

energy efficient use and economic growth. February 17, 2006, 

http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/news/local/states/california/13895486.htm

Greenwire, “California GHG Plan Won't Harm Economy, Think Tank Says,” The Center For Clean 

Air Policy, an independent think tank, reports in its study released January 19, 2006, that California can 

reach the governor's greenhouse gas emissions targets with a zero net cost to the consumer. The 

targets are 2000 levels by 2010 (59 million tons reduction), and 1990 levels by 2020 (145 million tons 

reduction), with a further reduction to 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. The analysis was funded by 

private foundations and the California Energy Commission. The cost-effectiveness and reduction 

potential for greenhouse gas mitigation options were analyzed in the transportation, agriculture, forestry, 

cement and high tech sectors, thus the inclusion of refining and power generation could potentially lead 

to more cuts. Read the report entitled “Cost Effective GHG Measures for California” at: 

http://www.ccap.org/domestic/Summary%20Report-Final%20_1-19-06_.pdf. January 19, 2006, 

http://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2006/01/19/archive/4/?terms=GHG. (Subscription may be required.) 

April 2006

Environment News Service, “States Ask Supreme Court Review of Global Warming Car 

Emissions Case.” A coalition of 12 US states, three cities, an island government, and several 

environmental groups has appealed to the US Supreme Court a case to force the US government to 

regulate carbon dioxide emissions from cars and trucks. A lower court had ruled in July 2005 to uphold 
the ruling that the Environmental Protection Agency did not have to regulate carbon dioxide and some 

other greenhouse gasses. March 6, 2006, http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/mar2006/2006-03-06-

05.asp. 

Greenwire, “Senate Global Warming Summit Set for April 4.” The Senate Energy and Natural 

Resources Committee is holding a public summit on April 4, 2006 to address the responses received 

from the broad call for proposals made in March regarding creating a market-based greenhouse gas 

regulatory system. Participants to the meeting will be selected from the responses that were received 

from the various stakeholders, though the meeting itself will be open to the public and the media. The 

submittals to be discussed at the meeting are posted at: 

http://energy.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Conferences.Detail&Event_id=4&Month=4&Year=

2006. To view some comments covered by Greenwire, go to the subscriber website at: 

http://www.eenews.net/Greenwire/2006/03/15/#11. February 23, 2006, 

http://www.eenews.net/EEDaily/2006/02/23/#4. (Subscription may be required.)

Greenwire, “Senator Feinstein Unveils Mandatory Cap-And-Trade Bill.” Senator Diane Feinstein (DCalifornia) has outlined a draft bill outlining a mandatory cap-and-trade system that would reduce 

company greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 7.25 percent from this year’s levels. Caps would be 

implemented for GHG emissions at current levels from 2006 to 2010. In 2011, each company would have 

to reduce emission by 0.5 percent until 2015, and by just under 1 percent from 2015 to 2020. Reductions 

could be made by installing controls at the plants, implementing new practices, or purchasing credits. 

The Feinstein bill differs from the McCain-Lieberman bill in not placing limits on domestic agricultural 

sequestration, where McCain-Lieberman place a 15 percent cap on the number of credits that can be 

purchased from farmers domestically. This bill would also allow up to 25 percent of the credits to be 

purchased from international sources, with McCain-Lieberman’s limit at 15 percent. Feinstein is releasing 

her bill ahead of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee April 4 climate conference 

(mentioned in the previous article in this newsletter, “Senate Global Warming Summit Set for April 

4”). For additional information see: http://www.yubanet.com/artman/publish/article_33120.shtml. March 

20, 2006, http://www.eenews.net/Greenwire/print/2006/03/20/10. (Subscription may be required.)

Greenwire, “New Power Plants, Industrial Boilers See Stricter Controls with Final EPA Rule.” The 

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued its final “new source performance standard” (NSPS) 

rule: “Standards of Performance for Electric Utility Steam Generating Units, Industrial– Commercial–

Institutional Steam Generating Units, and Small Industrial–Commercial–Institutional Steam Generating 

Units; Final Rule,” Federal Register, Volume 71, Number 38, Pages 9866-9886, February 27, 2006. This 

new rule sets limits for emissions of nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter (from certain 

coal, oil and natural gas utilities, and certain large scale boilers), but does not regulate carbon dioxide. 

Though it was urged to consider new limits on greenhouse gas emissions from power plants, the EPA 

has concluded that it does not presently have the authority to set NSPS to regulate CO2 or other 

greenhouse gases that contribute to global climate change. The EPA’s statement agrees with previous 

Bush administration directives that CO2 is not legally considered an air pollutant under the Clean Air Act. 

See comments and response on greenhouse gases on page 9869 of the rule: 

http://www.smartpdf.com/register/2006/Feb/27/9866A.pdf. February 27, 2006, 

http://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2006/02/27/#1. (Subscription may be required.) 

May 2006 

Reuters, “California Aims to Limit Emissions of Gases.” April 3, 2006, California state assembly 

members drafted a bill that could make California the first state to set a limit on emissions of greenhouse 

gases. The bill was drafted by Democrat Speaker Fabian Núñez and Democrat Assemblywoman Fran 

Pavley, and would cut emission levels by 25% or 145 million tons, to 1990 levels by 2020. Also, on April 

3, a report was released by California’s “Climate Action Team” that presented emissions cutting 
strategies to the Governor and the legislature. (See Recent Publications section of this newsletter for a 

link to the final 2006 “Climate Action Team Report to Governor Schwarzenegger and the 

Legislature.”) The report recommends that the emissions reduction target for 2020 (approximately 175 

million tons CO2 equivalent in emission reductions) be the basis for an emissions cap that was 

recommended to be extended beyond California’s borders to other Western states. Mandatory reporting 

of emission levels by oil and gas exploration and production, oil refining, electric power, cement 

manufacturing, and solid waste landfills were also recommended. The environmental advisors who 

contributed to the report also said that a market-based program should be developed for California to 

include trading, emissions credits, auction and offsets, and that such a program should be presented to 

the governor by January 1, 2008. April 3, 2006, 

http://go.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=scienceNews&storyID=11737539. 

Greenwire, “Governor Schwarzenegger Vows 'Sensible and Deliberate' Effort On Emissions.” At 

the first “Climate Action Summit” held by California, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger stated that 

California should establish a carbon emissions inventory and then proceed in a "sensible and deliberate 

way" to meet goals established a year ago to reduce total carbon output to 1990 levels by 2020, and 80 

percent below that by 2050. His comments were in response to the Climate Action Team Report issued 

by the Climate Action Team on April 3. (See Recent Publications section of this newsletter for a link to 

the final 2006 “Climate Action Team Report to Governor Schwarzenegger and the Legislature.”) 

The Governor also stated that California should work toward the goals without caps, since caps could 

impact the business community. A debate followed with comments made by the invited panelists 

regarding aspects of the Climate Action Team Report. Much of the discussion centered on California's 

historic leadership in pioneering regulations that are eventually accepted by other states or the federal 

government; for example, its early efforts to reduce vehicle pollution led to development of the catalytic 

converter technology. April 12, 2006, http://www.eenews.net/Greenwire/2006/04/12/#1. (Subscription 

may be required.)

Yahoo News, “Maryland joins states breaking with Bush on CO2.” On April 6, 2006, Governor 

Robert Ehrlich, a Republican, signed an act requiring Maryland to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas 

Initiative (RGGI) agreement. Maryland joins seven states in the RGGI agreement, New York, 

Connecticut, New Jersey, Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire, and Delaware, whose aim is to cap carbon 

dioxide (CO2) emissions from power plants at 1990 levels starting in 2009, and cut emissions by 10 

percent below 2018 levels. Of the eight states, Maryland’s “CO2 emissions per person” in 2000 ranked 

second, as did their CO2 emissions, according to Environment Northeast. April 7, 2005, 

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060407/pl_nm/energy_rggi_maryland_dc_1.

Energy and Environment Daily, “Bipartisan House Plan Aims to Cap GHG Emissions.” 

Representatives Tom Udall (D-NM), and Tom Petri (R-WI) have sponsored the “Keep America 

Completive Global Warming Policy Act of 2006” aimed at capping emissions through a market-based 

trading system. The legislation does not include emissions limits but requires the US EPA to set up a 

pollution cap three years after the bill becomes law. The bill would establish a system of allowances for 

the cap-and-trade program, and allocate 25 percent of those allowances to a new Department of Energy 

research program, 10 percent to the State Department for investment in developing countries’ lowcarbon and no-carbon projects/polices, and 35 percent to the US EPA for those who may be adversely 

impacted due to the legislation. An unlimited number of “safety value” allowances will be available at $25 

per metric ton of carbon. This bill would regulate emissions from “upstream” sources, including oil 

importers; natural gas processors and pipelines; oil refineries; and coal producers and importers. 

To view the bill go to: http://www.govtrack.us/data/us/bills.text/109/h5049.pdf, or 

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c109:h5049:. March 29, 2006, 

http://www.eenews.net/EEDaily/sr_climate_change/2006/03/29/6/. (Subscription may be required.) 

Forbes, “US Industries Plead for Cleaner Air.” The Senate Committee on Energy & Natural 

Resources Climate Conference was held April 4 at which business, government and non-profit groups 
and “think-tank” organizations responded to the questions raised in the white paper entitled “Design 

Elements of a Mandatory Market-Based Greenhouse Gas Regulatory System” released in February 

2006 by Senator Pete V. Domenici, (R-NM) and Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM). The white paper 

outlines the key questions and design elements of a national greenhouse gas program assuming a 

“mandatory market-based system,” and serves to help formulate a bill to be presented to Congress by 

Senator Bingaman. A consensus is growing in business to set up a cap-and-trade emissions system 

modeled after Europe’s system. Businesses long opposed to mandatory emissions caps are seeing the 

laws that are being created in the US to cap emissions on a statewide or regional basis, and are giving 

input towards a nationwide system, which many companies see as inevitable. To read the responses by 

the various participants in the conference see: 

http://energy.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Conferences.Detail&Event_id=4&Month=4&Year=

2006. April 5, 2006, http://www.forbes.com/business/2006/04/04/greenhouse-emissions-environmentcx_jh_0405green.html. 

June 2006 

Burlington Free Press (Vermont), “Governor Signs Bill to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions.”

Governor Jim Douglas signed a bill on May 2, 2006 that formally commits Vermont to the Regional 

Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) agreement, joining New Hampshire, Maine, Connecticut, New York, 

New Jersey and Delaware. RGGI will develop a cap on carbon dioxide emissions from power plants for 

member states, and create a trading market within the region. Vermont is scheduled to receive its 

allowances in 2009. May 5, 2006. 

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060502/NEWS/60502015. 

Reuters, “Ten States, DC Sue EPA Over Power Plant Emissions.” Ten states (New York, California, 

Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wisconsin) plus 

New York City and Washington, DC filed a lawsuit against the US Environmental Protection Agency 

(EPA) on April 27, claiming that newly adopted emissions standards do not do enough to regulate carbon 

dioxide emissions from power plants. The states said that the EPA is refusing to regulate carbon dioxide 

emissions under the Clean Air Act, despite what they feel is clear evidence that the emissions contribute 

to global warming, thereby harming “public health and welfare.” The suit was filed in the federal appellate 

court for Washington, DC, and is being handled by the office of New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer. 

EPA officials defended their emissions policy saying in a statement that they “will review all options and 

make an informed decision on how to proceed.” “EPA's climate protection programs continue to exceed 

the agency's greenhouse gas emissions goals and are on target to meet the President's 18 percent goal 

to reduce greenhouse gas intensity by 2012,” a spokeswoman stated. 

To view the states and cities petition for review see: 

http://www.eenews.net/features/documents/2006/04/27/document_gw_01.pdf, and for the environmental 

group’s petition for review see: 

http://www.eenews.net/features/documents/2006/04/27/document_gw_02.pdf

(Subscription may be required to view petitions.) 

April 28, 2006, http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/36170/story.htm. 

Greenwire, “Senator Carper Picks Up Fresh Support for GHG Emissions Bill.” Senator Tom 

Carper’s bill (D-DE), the Clean Air Planning Act, is to be co-sponsored by Senator Dianne Feinstein (DCA), Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Lincoln Chafee (R-RI) and Judd Gregg (R-NH). The bill would require a 

cap on greenhouse gases emitted from power plants, including carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Senator 

John McCain, who has introduced a bill regarding greenhouse gas limits across the US economy as 

opposed to just focusing on power plants, said he was inclined to support the Carper bill while 

maintaining leadership on his own bill. Senator Feinstein felt the Carper bill would “dovetail” with her 

upcoming legislation for control of greenhouse gas emissions across the US economy. Senator Jim 

Jeffords (I-VT), the ranking member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, said he 
supported Carper's bill but is still going to unveil his own plan to more aggressively limit CO2 emissions. 

May 3, 2006, http://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/print/2006/05/03/2. (Subscription may be required.) 

July 2006

Greenwire, “Representative Waxman Unveils Emission-Reduction Bill.” On June 20, 

Representative Henry Waxman (Democrat-CA), and other house members introduced the "Safe Climate 

Act," a bill aimed to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases at more stringent levels than any previous 

Capitol Hill proposal. The bill would require the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2010 to 

freeze total US greenhouse gas emissions at the 2009 level. In 2011, emissions would be cut by 

approximately 2 percent per year (to reflect 1990 emissions levels by 2020). Then in 2021, emissions 

levels would be cut by 5 percent per year, to a level reflecting 1990 emissions levels by 2050. The EPA 

would also be tasked to set up a cap and trade system with allowances auctioned/allocated by the 

President of the US. The EPA would also set motor vehicle emissions standards as least as stringent as 

California’s standards and tighten the standards in 2014. The National Academy of Sciences and the 

National Research Council would review the process every five years and recommend adjustments 

needed nationally and internationally. To view an overall and section by section summary of the bill, 

and/or download a pdf of the bill, see: http://www.waxman.house.gov/waxman/safeclimate/index.htm. 

June 20, 2006, http://www.eenews.net/Greenwire/2006/06/20/#11. (Subscription may be required.) 

Western Governor’s Association Press Release, “Western Governors Adopt Policies on Clean, 

Diversified Energy, Global Climate Change and Transportation Fuels.” On June 11, the first day of 

the Western Governors' Association (WGA) Annual Meeting, the governors (representing 19 states and 3 

US Flag Pacific Islands) backed a broad set of proposals for meeting future electricity needs. The policy 

resolution they adopted was based on the recommendations developed over the past 18 months by 

more than 250 stakeholders, outlined in the WGA report entitled, “Clean Energy, a Strong Economy and 

a Healthy Environment.” (See Recent Publications section of this Newsletter for the link to the report: 

“Clean Energy, a Strong Economy and a Healthy Environment.” To read the policy resolution see: 

http://www.westgov.org/wga/policy/06/clean-energy.pdf.) The goals outlined in the report are to develop 

an additional 30,000 megawatts of clean energy by 2015; increase energy efficiency 20 percent by 2020; 

and ensure secure, reliable transmission for the next 25 years. Governor Mike Rounds of South Dakota 

said that the governors will consider measures most appropriate for their states by encouraging 

regulators, policymakers, utilities, transmission operators and other stakeholders to eliminate barriers to 

greater utilization of clean energy resources. Several federal level policies and legislation were identified 

by the governors as being needed to work toward their efforts including extending the federal tax credit 

for Integrated Gas Combined Cycle facilities for five years and providing a tax credit program for carbon 

capture and sequestration for at least five years. June 11, 2006, 

http://www.westgov.org/wga/press/plenary1-pr.htm. 

August 2006 

Senator Jeffords Press Release, “Jeffords Introduces Landmark Legislation to Reduce Greenhouse Gas 

Pollution” and the text of Bill S 3698. On July 20, US Senator Jim Jeffords (Independent-VT) and ranking 

member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, introduced the Global Warming 

Pollution Reduction Act (Bill S 3698). Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) is the bill’s lead co-sponsor. The 

Act would require a reduction of CO2 emissions levels in the US to 1990 levels, between 2010 and 2020. 

By 2030, the US must reduce its emissions by one-third of 80 percent below 1990 levels, by 2040 by 

two-thirds of 80 percent below 1990 levels, and by 2050, to 80 percent below 1990 levels. The 

reductions are required by power plants, automobiles and carbon intensive businesses. The 

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will be the administrator of the Act. Additional reductions may be 

required if global atmospheric concentrations exceed 450 parts per million or the average global 

temperatures increase above 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit above the pre-industrial average. Section 707 of 
the act outlines vehicle-specific heightened emissions standards beginning in model year 2016. Section 

709 of the Act requires establishment of a low-carbon generation trading project for electric energy owner 

and operators. Section 710 outlines aspects of a geological carbon dioxide sequestration project 

competitive grant program. Section 711 would allow for the EPA to conduct research and development in 

conjunction with other agencies (NOAA, NASA and DOE) on global climate change standards to: help 

develop measurements, standards, and procedures for reducing CO2, to monitor CO2, to establish 

baseline measurement, and to assist in developing improved industrial processes to reduce global 

warming pollution. The National Academy of Sciences would report to EPA and the Congress to 

determine whether the goals of the Act have been met. Section 714 of the Act also states that the 

Secretary of Agriculture is to set up provisions for above-ground and below ground biological carbon 

sequestration. To view a copy of the bill, and more of its provisions, see: 

http://jeffords.senate.gov/climate_bill_final.pdf. To view Senator Jeffords' Congressional Record 

statement on the bill, see: http://jeffords.senate.gov/climaterecordsstatement.pdf. For a brief description 

of some of the bill's provisions, see: http://jeffords.senate.gov/climate_bill_summary.pdf. For a summary 

of the bill, see: http://jeffords.senate.gov/climate_bill_provisions.pdf. July 20, 2006, 

http://jeffords.senate.gov/~jeffords/press/06/07/072006climatebill.html. 

Energy and Environment Daily, “House Science Panel Clears $3.7B Energy Package” and 

Chemical and Engineering News, “House Panel Approves Alternative Energy R&D.” The House 

Science Committee approved legislation on June 27 to boost research in alternate energy technologies 

including the FutureGen initiative, but did not endorse a proposal to create to establish an Advanced 

Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) within the Department of Energy. The "Energy Research, 

Development, Demonstration and Commercial Application Act of 2006,” H.R. 5656, is a compendium of 

smaller bills introduced by committee members over the last few months which authorizes $3.7 billion 

over six years for various research initiatives. The provisions for FutureGen are contained in Section 3 of 

the bill which specifies the emissions reduction criteria for the project, and the appropriations by the year. 

According to the bill, FutureGen is required to be designed to ensure that sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide 

and particulates be near zero emissions, and carbon dioxide and mercury be reduced by at least 90 

percent. Also specified is that “the project demonstrates the feasibility of electricity generation from coal 

using advanced clean coal technology with carbon capture and geological sequestration at a cost not 

greater than 10 percent higher than the average of all commercial integrated coal gasification combined 

cycle electric generating plants operating in the United States as of the date of enactment of this Act.” 

Commercially available advanced clean coal technology is also to be utilized to the extent practicable. 

The bill specifies that the plant be operating by 2012. The appropriations for FutureGen are $54,000,000 

for fiscal year (FY) 2007; $112,000,000 for FY 2008; $130,000,000 for FY 2009; $95,000,000 for FY 

2010; $75,000,000 for FY 2011; and $71,000,000 for FY 2012. The National Academy of Sciences 

(NAS) recommended the creation of ARPA-E in their report to Congress last October. ARPA-E is 

modeled after the Department of Defense’s Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The bill 

does contain language directing the NAS to further study its proposal for ARPA-E which would support 

high-risk, high pay-off research to accelerate traditional and alternative energy sources and energy 

efficiency. (To link to the bill itself, see: http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgibin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=109_cong_bills&docid=f:h5656ih.txt.pdf.) June 28, 2006, 

http://www.eenews.net/EEDaily/print/2006/06/28/4, (Subscription may be required), and June 28, 2006, 

http://pubs.acs.org/cen/news/84/i27/8427energy.htm. 

Greenwire, “Senate Panel Funds Asia-Pacific Partnership.” The Senate Appropriations Committee has 

appropriated funding for the Asia-Pacific Partnership, and has also endorsed other US climate change 

work with Australia, China, India, Japan and South Korea. The appropriations are contained in three 

separate Fiscal year 2007 appropriations bills. The State Department received $26 million for the efforts, 

while the US Environmental Protection Agency was given $1 million of the $5 million requested. The bill 

provides no new funding for the US Department of Energy request, but it specifically permits DOE to get 

the $15 million that was requested from existing accounts. There is also a $6 million?? request for 
potential funding for the APP, to be marked up by an Appropriations Subcommittee on July 13. June 29, 

2006, http://www.eenews.net/Greenwire/print/2006/06/29/5. (Subscription may be required.)

Greenwire, “California Rebuffed in Bid to Postpone GHG Trial.” On July 19, US Magistrate Judge 

Lawrence O'Neill rejected California’s request to wait for the Supreme Court’s ruling on Massachusetts v. 

EPA before hearing the auto industry’s lawsuit to overturn the state's greenhouse gas limits for new cars, 

light-duty trucks and sports utility vehicles. (For new on Massachusetts v. EPA, see this newsletter The 

Seattle Times, “Supreme Court To Rule on Regulating Carbon Dioxide,” and Energy and 

Environment Daily, “Supreme Court Mixes Up Global Warming Debate.”) Judge O'Neill stated that 

the “defendants have not argued that they will be prejudiced from proceeding in this case while 

Massachusetts v. EPA is pending." O'Neill also explained that it did not make sense to wait when the 

Supreme Court may only resolve one or two of the automakers' five overall claims against the California 

regulations. The plantiffs include 13 new motor vehicle dealers in the Southern San Joaquin Valley, the 

Association of Automobile Manufacturers, DaimlerChrysler Corp., General Motors Corp. and the Tulare 

County Farm Bureau. The trial will begin January 30th , 2007. The case is Central Valley Chrysler-Jeep 

Inc. v. Catherine Witherspoon, No. 04-6663. Click here for Judge O'Neill's order: 

http://www.eenews.net/features/documents/2006/07/19/document_gw_01.pdf July 19, 2006, 

http://www.eenews.net/Greenwire/print/2006/07/19/11. (Subscription may be required.) 
Contact Information: 

National Energy Technology Laboratory 

626 Cochrans Mill Road 

P.O. Box 10940 

Pittsburgh, PA 15236-0940 

3610 Collins Ferry Road 

P.O. Box 880 

Morgantown, WV 26507-0880 

Contacts: 

Sean Plasynski 

U.S. Department of Energy 

National Energy Technology Laboratory 

626 Cochrans Mill Road 

P.O. Box 10940 

Pittsburgh, PA 15236 

Phone: (412) 386-4867 

Fax: (412) 386-4822 

sean.plasynski@netl.doe.gov 

Dawn Deel 

U.S. Department of Energy 

National Energy Technology Laboratory 

3610 Collins Ferry Road 

P.O. Box 880 

Morgantown, WV 26507 

Phone: (304) 285-4133 

Fax: (304) 285-4403 

dawn.deel@netl.doe.gov. 

For more information on the Carbon Sequestration Program 

please visit our web site: 

NETL Carbon Sequestration Page at: 

http://www.netl.doe.gov/technologies/carbon_seq/index.html. 

July 2006