Role of Emissions Offsets Explored in EPRI Paper
Emissions Offsets: The Key Role of GHG Emissions Offsets in a U.S. Greenhouse Gas Cap-and-Trade Program (EPRI Product 1019910).  This EPRI Technical Update discusses the specific greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction requirements that various sectors—including the electricity sector—may face under different proposed U.S. cap-and-trade legislation.  The paper describes emissions offsets, their associated risks and benefits, and the critical role emissions offsets can play in reducing the expected future price of emission allowances and the costs to covered entities and society at large to meet future GHG emission reduction goals.  Important issues covered in the paper include the role of offsets in recent federal legislative proposals, domestic versus international offsets, impacts on the electricity sector if offset supply is limited, and prospects for development of future large-scale sectoral offsets, as well as offsets from reduced emissions from deforestation and degradation.  For more information, contact Adam Diamant, (510) 260-9105, adiamant@epri.com.