Americas Energy Coast Leadership Forum Galveston, Texas May 26, 2010 Capturing Carbon with Nature Jeff Williams Director, Climate Consulting Entergy

What is an Offset? An offset represents a reduction, avoidance, or removal of one metric ton of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions resulting from a specific project activity that is used to compensate for an equivalent emission occurring elsewhere.

Offset Criteria Real – It can be accurately measured –Can be accomplished without “leakage” Permanent –Will retain stored carbon for the life of the project. Additional, –Occurs outside a regulatory requirement –Would not have occurred but for the incentive provided by a GHG market Verifiable –It can be independently verified Enforceable –Its ownership is undisputed –No double counting

How to Ensure Quality Establish a project baseline –How much carbon was stored before the improvement? Follow an established “Performance Standard protocol” that addresses your approach to achieving the offset criteria tests Conduct ongoing MMV –Periodic measurement and monitoring of carbon storage metrics. –Verification throughout the life of a project to ensure it meets its intended goals & commitments (Offset criteria tests) Employ Independent 3 rd party verification offset protocol Place verified offsets into a registry

Tensas Wildlife Refuge Reforestation & Carbon Sequestration Project With Trust for Public Land & ESI, Entergy restored 1,900 acres of marginal cropland to hardwoods using low income labor; With Trust for Public Land & ESI, Entergy restored 1,900 acres of marginal cropland to hardwoods using low income labor; Donating high priority land to US FWS to expand Tensas NWR; Donating high priority land to US FWS to expand Tensas NWR; Trees will remove 760,000 tons CO2 as they mature; Trees will remove 760,000 tons CO2 as they mature; Enhances habitat for Louisiana Black Bear & neotropical songbirds; Enhances habitat for Louisiana Black Bear & neotropical songbirds; Adds eco-tourism benefits for region Adds eco-tourism benefits for region

If done right…. Reduce Cost Spur innovation & facilitate early action Ensure environmental integrity Leverage other ecosystem benefits –Restored habitats –Improved water quality –Storm surge protection Will do no harm