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Mar
17
Written by:
news editor
3/17/2010 1:00 AM
03/17/10 American Municipal Power, Inc. (AMP) and the ODNR Division of Forestry announced today a cooperative effort to reforest approximately 25 acres within Shawnee State Forest.
AMP and ODNR Announce Carbon Offset Project in Shawnee State Forest
COLUMBUS, OH - American Municipal Power, Inc. (AMP) and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Forestry announced today a cooperative effort to reforest approximately 25 acres within the Shawnee State Forest in southern Ohio.
“This project represents another step along the path toward a sustainable economy,” said ODNR Director Sean Logan. “Development and conservation can be done cooperatively, and in ways that benefit both. We thank AMP and look forward to working with them in the future.”
The growth and survival of 17,500 seedlings planted in designated plots within Shawnee State Forest will be tracked and verified in order for AMP to obtain carbon offsets for the project. This is the first activity in what is being described by officials as an ongoing joint effort to develop similar carbon offset projects.
“We are extremely pleased to be able to move forward on this ‘win-win’ opportunity for both AMP and the ODNR Division of Forestry,” said Marc. S. Gerken, president and CEO of AMP. “The development of cost-effective carbon offset projects such as this will be essential to keeping down the costs of mitigating the possible effects of climate change regulation.”
Carbon offsets are tradable commodities, which can be created when entities undertake actions that reduce or “offset” carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gas emissions. AMP will use scientifically based protocols, such as those established by the Chicago Climate Exchange, of which AMP is a member, to track, measure and verify the project’s performance.
“Working in partnership with AMP provides the necessary support to return those 25 acres of field back to forest,” said David Lytle, state forester and chief of the ODNR Division of Forestry. “Without their support we would not be able to do this project. This also makes for a great learning experience for members of the Ohio Woodlands Job Corps who will assist in planting these trees.”
Under the agreement, AMP will purchase the seedlings and work with Division of Forestry staff to prepare the site for planting. The trees will be planted in fields located along Forest Road 1 near Pond Lick Lake and Forest Road 14 near Odell Creek.
About AMP
American Municipal Power, Inc. is the nonprofit wholesale power supplier and services provider for 128 member municipal electric system communities in the states of Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Virginia, Kentucky and West Virginia. Combined these public utilities serve over 570,000 customers. AMP members receive their power supply from a diversified resource mix that includes wholesale power purchases through AMP and the open market and energy produced at AMP and member-owned generating facilities. AMP built and operates the 42 MW Belleville Hydroelectric Plant and the 7.2 MW American Municipal Power Wind Farm, Ohio’s only utility-scale commercial wind farm. For additional information, visit AMP’s Web site at www.amppartners.org.
About ODNR
Ohio grows more acres of trees than corn and soybeans combined. The ODNR Division of Forestry works to promote the wise use and sustainable management of Ohio’s public and private woodlands. To learn more about Ohio’s woodlands, visit the Division of Forestry’s Web site at www.ohiodnr.com/forestry.
The Department of Natural Resources ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR web site at www.ohiodnr.com.
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For more information, contact:
Kent Carson, AMP
614. 540. 0842
Andy Ware, Division of Forestry
614. 265. 1089
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