1. (a) To be approved by the Board, a Compliance Offset Protocol must:

   1. (1) Accurately determine the extent to which GHG emission reductions and GHG removal enhancements are achieved by the offset project type;
   2. (2) Establish data collection and monitoring procedures relevant to the type of GHG emissions sources, GHG sinks, and GHG reservoirs for that offset project type;
   3. (3) Establish a project baseline that reflects a conservative estimate of business-as-usual performance or practices for the offset project type;
   4. (4) Account for activity-shifting leakage and market-shifting leakage for the offset project type, unless the Compliance Offset Protocol stipulates eligibility conditions for use of the Compliance Offset Protocol that eliminate the risk of activity-shifting and/or market-shifting leakage;
   5. (5) Account for any uncertainty in quantification factors for the offset project type;
   6. (6) Ensure GHG emission reductions and GHG removal enhancements are permanent;
   7. (7) Include a mechanism to ensure permanence of GHG removal enhancements for sequestration offset project types;
   8. (8) Establish the length of the crediting period pursuant to section 95972(b) for the relevant offset project type; and
   9. (9) Establish the eligibility and additionality of projects using standard criteria, and quantify GHG reductions and GHG removal enhancements using standardized baseline assumptions, emission factors, and monitoring methods.
2. (b) Crediting Periods. The crediting period for a non-sequestration offset project must be no less than 7 years and no greater than 10 years, unless specified otherwise in a Compliance Offset Protocol. The crediting period for a sequestration offset project must be no less than 10 years and no greater than 30 years.
3. (c) Geographic Applicability. A Compliance Offset Protocol must specify where the protocol is applicable. The geographic boundary must be within the United States or United States Territories.

Note: Authority cited: Sections 38510, 38560, 38562, 38570, 38571, 38580, 39600 and 39601, Health and Safety Code. Reference: Sections 38530, 38560.5, 38564, 38565, 38570 and 39600, Health and Safety Code.

History

1. New section filed 12-13-2011; operative 1-1-2012 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4 (Register 2011, No. 50).

2. Amendment of subsection (c) filed 6-26-2014; operative 7-1-2014 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(3) (Register 2014, No. 26).

3. Amendment of subsection (c) filed 9-18-2017; operative 10-1-2017 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(3) (Register 2017, No. 38).