The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative

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.

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.

Applying to a RGGI participating state for the award of CO₂ offset allowances is a four-step process:

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 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.

U.S. Forest Projects

U.S. forest offset projects sequester carbon through three project types that increase and/or conserve forest carbon stocks, increasing the removal of CO₂ from the atmosphere, or reducing or preventing the emissions of CO₂ to the atmosphere. The eligible project types include Reforestation, Improved Forest Management, and Avoided Conversion.

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: