A RGGI CO₂ offset allowance represents a project-based greenhouse gas emission reduction outside of the capped electric power generation sector. At this time, the RGGI states limit the award of offset allowances to five project categories, each of which is designed to reduce or sequester emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂) or methane (CH₄) within the region.

By recognizing CO₂-equivalent (CO₂e) emissions reductions and carbon sequestration outside the capped sector, offsets provide compliance flexibility and create opportunities for low-cost emissions reductions and other co-benefits across sectors.

The RGGI states cooperatively developed prescriptive regulatory requirements for each of the five offset categories. These requirements ensure that awarded CO₂ offset allowances represent CO₂e emissions reductions or carbon sequestration that is real, additional, verifiable, enforceable, and permanent. Offset projects must be located within one or more of the RGGI states that award CO₂ offset allowances.

CO₂ offset allowances may be used to satisfy a limited portion of a regulated power plant's compliance obligation. The use of CO₂ offset allowances is constrained to 3.3 percent of a power plant's CO₂ compliance obligation for each control period or interim control period. Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island do not award CO₂ offset allowances under their CO₂ Budget Trading Programs, but regulated power plants located within those states may use CO₂ offset allowances awarded by another RGGI state. 

Offset Categories

At this time, five project categories are eligible for the award of CO₂ offset allowances. Visit each category's dedicated page for more information about the category and its specific requirements.

Note that the sulfur hexafluoride, end-use efficiency, and afforestation categories are not included in the 2017 Model Rule, which resulted from the most recent program review process. States are moving forward to implement state-specific regulations based on the 2017 Model Rule according to state-specific timelines. Delaware, Maine, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Vermont have removed sulfur hexafluoride, end-use efficiency, and afforestation from the list of eligible offset project categories in their respective regulations. Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island do not accept applications for any offset project types.

• Landfill methane capture
• Sulfur hexafluoride
• Forestry or afforestation
• End-use efficiency
• Avoided agricultural methane

Offsets Project Tracking

The RGGI states have developed an offsets module in the RGGI CO₂ Allowance Tracking System (RGGI COATS). The RGGI COATS offsets module is used to register offsets projects, track offset project Consistency Application and Monitoring and Verification Report submittals to RGGI states, track project regulatory status and the award of CO₂ offset allowances, and provide public access to offset project documentation.

The offsets module in RGGI COATS enables offset project sponsors to register offset projects and electronically submit Consistency Applications and Monitoring and Verification Reports. Project sponsors must open a RGGI COATS general account in order to complete the application process; individual states may also require state-specific application submittal procedures.

Through COATS, the public may also access offset project applications and monitoring and verification reports submitted to the RGGI states. The Offsets Report includes the following information for each offset project: project ID code, project name, project type, reviewing state, application status, submission date, and CO₂ allowances awarded. Only offset projects that have a Consistency Application deemed complete by the applicable state regulatory agency are available for public view. To view the Offsets Report, please click here.

To open a RGGI COATS account, please visit the RGGI COATS platform. For more information, please consult the RGGI COATS User's Guide.

Offset Handbook

The Offset Handbook explains:

• RGGI Model Rule provisions for offset projects (Subpart XX-10) and the award of CO₂ offset allowances
• The documentation required in model templates for offset project Consistency Applications and Monitoring and Verification Reports. The model templates served as the basis for developing state-specific offset project application and submittal materials.

The Offset Handbook has been prepared for informational purposes only to explain the model documents listed above. The Offset Handbook does not constitute formal guidance or an official interpretation by any individual RGGI participating state regarding its CO₂ Budget Trading Program regulations.