THE PRICE OF CARBON

How much is carbon worth?
Kristyn Ecochard, March 30, 2007 (UPI)

WHO
Advocates of carbon dioxide emission measures, electricity producers and consumers

WHAT
Cap-and-trade measures and carbon tax measures, both proposed in current legislation, will inevitably raise electricity rates. Carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) technology for coal-fired plants, if it works, will also increase costs but will, perhaps, more significantly reduce CO2 emissions. Some propose to outlaw coal-fired power plants. Utility suppliers say it is essentially impossible to do so and keep the lights on.

WHEN
Whenever current debates are resolved and legislation is approved and enacted.

WHERE
All coal-consuming utilities.

WHY
The primary source of electricity is currently coal-fired power plants and is likely to remain so, at least through 2030. CCS is the only way to effectively manage CO2 emissions in this scenario.

QUOTES
"The best way to make sure both the industry, as well as the government and Wall Street, is on board with clean-coal technologies is to make it clear that we are going to continue to rely on coal-fired electric generation," said [Dan Riedinger, spokesman for Edison Electric Institute].