Investments of Proceeds

The RGGI states issue CO2 allowances that are distributed almost entirely through regional auctions, resulting in proceeds for reinvestment in strategic energy and consumer programs. Programs funded with RGGI investments have benefited local businesses, low-income communities, industrial facilities, and households throughout the region.

Verification Process

Consistency Applications and Monitoring and Verification Reports must include a signed verification statement and verification report from a state-accredited independent verifier.

Each independent verifier must be accredited by the RGGI state in which the offset project is located, although a RGGI state may acknowledge accreditation by another RGGI state.

Agricultural Methane

Avoided Methane Emissions from Agricultural Manure Management offset projects capture and destroy methane from animal manure and organic food waste using anaerobic digesters. Emissions reductions are determined by estimating the potential methane emissions in tons of CO2e that would have been emitted under a site-specific baseline scenario of uncontrolled anaerobic waste storage practices.

End-Use Efficiency

End-Use Energy Efficiency offset projects reduce building sector CO2 emissions by reducing on-site combustion of natural gas, oil, or propane for end-use in existing or new commercial or residential building. Eligible new buildings are limited to new buildings that are designed to replace an existing building on the offset project site, or new buildings designed to be zero-net-energy buildings.

Sulfur Hexafluoride

Sulfur Hexafluoride Emission Reduction projects prevent emissions of sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) to the atmosphere from equipment in the electricity transmission and distribution sector, through capture and storage, recycling, or destruction. Emissions reductions are determined in relation to baseline year emissions, using a mass-balance method that accounts for all SF6 used by the utility.

To qualify for the award CO2 offset allowances, Sulfur Hexafluoride offset projects must:

Landfill Methane

Landfill Methane Capture and Destruction projects capture and destroy methane (CH4) at solid waste landfills. Emissions reductions are determined based on avoided fugitive methane emissions that would have occurred at the landfill in the absence of the offset project, and are calculated based on metered methane collected from the landfill and destroyed through combustion by a flare, industrial combustion, or electric generation.