August 15, 2008

USCA Members Can Now Benefit from Carbon Market
Contact: Jess Peterson 202/870-3867 - Email: usca@uscattlemen.org
 
USCA (August 15, 2008) - The National Carbon Offset Coalition (NCOC) and the U.S. Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) are proud to announce a newly formed partnership. USCA members enrolling in the NCOC program will have the benefit of their carbon credits being placed into the market via NCOC and USCA on the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX).

The NCOC is an Aggregating Member of the CCX. A CCX Aggregator serves as the administrative representative on behalf of offset project owners, including rangeland, cropland and forestry.

CCX is North America’s only, and the world’s first, global marketplace for integrating voluntary legally binding emissions reductions with emissions trading and offsets for all six greenhouse gases (GHG).

Ted Dodge, NCOC Executive Director said, "Carbon offsets create the opportunity for a new revenue source for landowners while providing environmental benefits. NCOC looks forward to working with USCA to ensure that this opportunity is successful."

Bill Sauble, Past President of New Mexico Cattle Grower’s Association and USCA member stated, "Many farmers and ranchers already follow conservation and grazing plans. The carbon market provides financial incentives to these types of operations. USCA is pleased to partner with NCOC and reward farmers and ranchers for following a high level of environmental and land management practices."

CCX emitting members like Dow Corning, American Electric Company and others make a voluntary but legally binding commitment to meet their annual GHG emission reduction targets. Those who reduce below the targets have surplus allowances to sell or to bank. Those who emit above the targets comply by purchasing CCX Carbon Financial Instruments contracts from landowners.

As of August 15, 2008 the price of carbon is $3.95 per ton. USCA members can benefit from this market by selling their carbon offsets from market-approved practices like conservation tillage, grass plantings or rangeland stewardship.

For more information about approved practices or to apply, visit the NCOC website at www.ncoc.us or contact Ted Dodge at 406/491-4472 or Jess Peterson at 202/870-3867.
 

Established in March 2007, USCA is committed to concentrating its efforts in Washington, DC to enhance and expand the cattle industry’s voice on Capitol Hill. USCA has a full-time presence in Washington, giving cattle producers across the country a strong influence on policy development. For more information go to www.uscattlemen.org.