Carbon credits in Kentucky

KENTUCKY: Forest owners get go-ahead on selling carbon credits

No money has changed hands yet over the carbon credits program, mostly because the program is voluntary and the recession has lowered the amount of money that companies are willing to spend. But legislation is looming that could limit CO2 emissions and push up prices.

In Kentucky, nearly half the land is forested -- but 89% of the forests are owned by private landowners. Berea-based Mountain Association for Community Economic Development (MACED) is lining up people with forest land and walking them through the steps needed to sell carbon credits.

The process of getting landowners certified so their credits can be traded takes time. There has to be a plan to manage the forest, and an inventory of what is there. The plan can be done by the state Division of Forestry at no charge, but a consulting forester charges for the inventory.

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