Needed: A Price on Carbon

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TR: What will it take to get sequestration projects built?

HH: Utilities are not going to build them unless the policy is in place or they are really sure that policy is imminent. It's easier to announce projects than build them.

TR: How about in the United States?

HH: In the next three years, the chances of anything happening are negligible. But within the next 10 years, I think the chances are greater than 50/50 that we'll have some kind of carbon policy. I think no matter who is elected in the 2008 election, there will be changes.

TR: You are organizing the next international conference, scheduled for November 2008 in Washington -- just after the presidential election. Is the timing and location a coincidence?

HH: It was more that hotels are easier to get in November than in September and October. But being at the time of a change in administration means it is going to be very visible. It will be important at the next meeting that this technology is ready to go. And hopefully policies will then be crafted so we can move ahead with deployment.