Below is information on the complete application and review process for offset project sponsors.
Application Process
Applying to a RGGI participating state for the award of CO2 offset allowances involves a four-step process:
- First, the project sponsor must open a general account in RGGI COATS and obtain an offsets project ID. For information about establishing a RGGI COATS general account, consult the RGGI COATS User's Guide.
- Second, the project sponsor must register the proposed offset project in RGGI COATS and obtain an offset project ID code. For information about registering an offset project in RGGI COATS, consult the RGGI COATS User's Guide.
- Third, the project sponsor must submit a Consistency Application to the applicable state regulatory agency where the offset project is located to allow the state to evaluate whether the project is eligible in accordance with State regulations. Consistency Applications must include a signed verification statement and verification report from a state-accredited independent verifier.
- Fourth, if the offset project has received a consistency determination from the reviewing state regulatory agency, a periodic Monitoring and Verification Report must be submitted to the State regulatory agency demonstrating the CO2-equivalent emissions reductions or carbon sequestration achieved by the project during the reporting period.
To download offset project application materials, please follow this link to Application Materials.
Key Requirements
- Offset project Consistency Applications and Monitoring and Verification Reports must be submitted to the appropriate regulatory agency in the RGGI participating state where the offset project is located.
- For an offset project located in more than one participating state, the Consistency Application and Monitoring and Verification Reports must be submitted to the RGGI State where the majority of the CO2-equivalent emissions reduction or carbon sequestration due to the offset project is expected to occur.
- The Project Sponsor identified in the Consistency Application must be the same as the Authorized Account Representative for the RGGI COATS general account identified in the Consistency Application.
- Both Consistency Application and Monitoring and Verification Report submittals must include a signed verification statement and verification report from an accredited independent verifier accredited by the recipient state regulatory agency.
Key Deadlines
Key application date requirements for offset projects are as follows:
- For offset projects commenced between December 20, 2005, and December 31, 2008, a Consistency Application must be submitted by June 30, 2009.
- For offset projects commenced on or after January 1, 2009, a Consistency Application must be submitted within six months after the project is commenced.
- For offset projects commenced prior to January 1, 2009, a Monitoring and Verification Report covering the pre-2009 reporting period must be submitted by June 30, 2009.
- For offset projects commenced on or after January 1, 2009, a Monitoring and Verification Report must be submitted within six (6) months following the completion of the last calendar year during which the offset project achieved CO2-equivalent emissions reductions or sequestration of carbon for which the project sponsor seeks the award of CO2 offset allowances.
Project sponsors should consult state regulations for detailed requirements.
State Review Process
Each state's review process for Consistency Applications and Monitoring and Verification Reports will follow these steps:
- First, the recipient State regulatory agency will review the Consistency Application and make a completeness determination within the timeframe specified in state regulations.
- Once a completeness determination has been made, the State regulatory agency will make a consistency determination within the timeframe specified in state regulations.
- Third, for an offset project that has received a consistency determination, the state regulatory agency will approve or deny a submitted Monitoring and Verification Report within the timeframe specified in state regulations.
- Finally, following approval of a Monitoring and Verification Report, the state regulatory agency will award one CO2 offset allowance for every short ton of demonstrated CO2-equivalent emissions reduction or CO2 sequestered. Awarded CO2 offset allowances will be transferred to and recorded in the project sponsor's general account in RGGI COATS.
Project sponsors should consult state regulations for more information about the Consistency Application and Monitoring and Verification Report review process.
State Program Contacts
Project sponsors should contact state offset program staff with specific program questions.
