Initiative designed to grow Oklahoma’s carbon sequestration

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State and local representatives gathered Thursday afternoon and evening for a Legislative Bird Hunt hosted by area conservation organizations and Enid businessman John Groendyke to discuss carbon initiatives in the state.

Clay Pope, Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts executive director, addressed state and area leaders about the Oklahoma Carbon Initiative, a plan to grow Oklahoma’s carbon sequestration, the process of capturing and storing carbon in the land. He spoke at Groendyke Lodge north of Enid.

Land ecosystems remove atmospheric carbon through photosynthesis, which results in plant growth. When plants die, the organic material decays and remains as carbon-rich matter in the soil.

Pope told the group of about 30 people that Oklahoma was the only state in the union to have official regulation of carbon credits through a state office. In 2001, legislation gave authority to Okla-homa Conservation Commission to place Oklahoma’s seal on carbon credits.

Pope said the Oklahoma Carbon Initiative is a project of Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts that works with Oklahoma landowners and encourages practices to actively sequester carbon and improve the environment.

He said the goal of the program was to reward landowners who are good stewards for their practices and encourage further environmentally friendly practices.

“If someone is practicing good stewardship … we need to make sure they get the most money for their initiative,” Pope said.

Each project undergoes a verification process at the beginning to certify practices that are eligible at the end of each year and at the end of the contract. A reserve of credits will be held on each contract as an insurance measure for land-owners and purchasers.

Once a credit has been sold, it becomes a buyer’s credit and will be placed on a registry maintained by OCC to ensure the credit is not being sold more than once.

Pope said sometime over the next two years federal legislation would be introduced that would cap carbon dioxide emissions for companies. However, he said all of the legislation concerning carbon caps includes allowances and extensions of caps for companies involved in the purchase of carbon credits.

“It helps improve conservation and good stewardship,” Pope said of the Oklahoma Carbon Initiative.

Pope said the program was beneficial for landowners, businesses and Oklahomans.

“Everyone can become a winner with our program,” he said.

Lt. Governor Jari Askins, Rep. John Enns, Rep. Mike Jackson, Rep. Dale Dewitt, Sen. Patrick Anderson and County Commissioner Mike Postier were among those who attended the event.

The event was organized by Garfield County Conservation District, Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and Groendyke.

By Cass Rains