For Immediate Release

July 18, 2007

Carbon Offsets: Keeping Faith with Climate-conscious Consumers;

Select Committee to Examine Promise, Challenges of Offset Market

 

(Washington, DC) - Eager to be part of the solution to global warming, many consumers, businesses and government agencies have turned to carbon pollution offsets to help reduce or eliminate their "carbon footprint." While these offsets represent a promising way to engage consumers in global warming solutions, there are many unanswered questions as to the efficacy and accounting of these unregulated commodities.

On Wednesday, the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming will hold a hearing examining carbon offsets. Chairman Edward Markey (D-MA) will combine his extensive experience in consumer protection to explore the issues of transparency, effectiveness and other necessary questions to ensure carbon offsets can be a responsible way to address global warming on a consumer-based level.

WHAT:  Select Committee hearing: "Voluntary Carbon offsets—Getting What You Pay For"

WHERE:  2318 Rayburn House Office Building and on the web at globalwarming.house.gov  

WHEN:  Wednesday, July 18, 9:30 AM

WHO:

Derik Broekhoff, Senior Associate, World Resources Institute

Joseph Romm, Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress

Thomas Boucher, President and Chief Executive Officer, NativeEnergy LLC

Russ George, President and Chief Executive Officer, Planktos, Inc.

Erik Blachford, CEO, TerraPass Inc.

 
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The House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming was formed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) to increase the visibility and priority given to America’s oil dependence and global warming challenges. It is chaired by Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and will actively explore the solutions, science and progress on these pressing issues during the 110th Congress.

Contact: Eben Burnham-Snyder

Phone: (202) 225-4012