Section 173-446-560 - Process for issuance of ecology offset credits(1) Ecology will issue ecology offset credits for GHG emission reductions and GHG removal enhancements achieved in a reporting period by an offset project that meets the requirements of WAC 173-446-555(1) and (2) to the ecology issuance account, no later than 15 calendar days after ecology makes a determination pursuant to WAC 173-446-555(3) provided that all required attestations set forth in WAC 173-446-555(4) have been received by ecology prior to its determination.(2) Change of listing status at ecology. When ecology issues an ecology offset credit for GHG emission reductions and GHG removal enhancements achieved by an offset project, the listing status for that offset project will be changed from "active registry project" to "active ecology project," or from "active registry renewal" to "active ecology renewal," at the offset project registry and ecology.(3) Notice of issuance of ecology offset credits. Not later than five calendar days after ecology issues an ecology offset credit, ecology will notify the offset project operator or authorized project designee of the issuance of ecology offset credits.(4) Requests for additional information. Ecology may request additional information about offset projects that are listed by an offset project registry and seeking issuance of ecology offset credits.(a) If ecology determines the information submitted by the offset project operator or authorized project designee is incomplete, ecology will notify the offset project operator or authorized project designee within 15 calendar days of its determination of incompleteness and specify the additional information needed.(b) Ecology may request any of the required additional information as specified under (a) of this subsection from the offset project operator, authorized project designee, offset project registry, or verification body before issuing ecology offset credits. The offset project operator, authorized project designee, offset project registry, or verification body, as applicable, must submit the requested information to ecology within 10 calendar days of ecology's request.(c) If ecology determines the information submitted by the offset project operator or authorized project designee does not meet the requirements for issuance of ecology offset credits, then ecology may deny issuance of ecology offset credits. The offset project operator or authorized project designee may petition ecology within 10 calendar days of such denial for a review of additional information. Such a petition may also respond to any issues that would prevent the issuance of ecology offset credits.(d) Ecology must make a final determination within 30 calendar days of receiving a request under (c) of this subsection and may request additional information from the offset project operator, authorized project designee, verification body, or offset project registry in support of its review.(5) A registry offset credit issued by an offset project registry must be removed or canceled by the offset project registry within one year after ecology issues an ecology offset credit for that offset project pursuant to this section, such that the registry offset credit is no longer available for use in transactions on the offset project registry system.(a) Within five business days of the removal or cancellation of such registry offset credits, the offset project registry must provide proof to ecology that the registry offset credits have been permanently removed or canceled from the offset project registry system.(b) If registry offset credits are not canceled within one year, ecology will cancel the ecology offset credits. Ecology offset credits that are canceled pursuant to this subsection may not be reissued.(c) Ecology will transfer ecology offset credits into the holding account(s) of the offset project operator, authorized project designee, or any other third party designated by the offset project operator or authorized project designee to receive such ecology offset credits, within 15 business days of the offset project registry providing proof to ecology that the registry offset credits have been permanently removed or canceled from the offset project registry system.Wash. Admin. Code § 173-446-560
Adopted by WSR 22-20-056, Filed 9/29/2022, effective 10/30/2022