Emissions Experts

RGGI V25 : 27.96WA Carbon Allowance W25 : 73.50WA Offset : 66.15CA Carbon Allowance W25 : 29.57CA Carbon Offset 0 DEBS : 26.00CA Carbon Offset 0 : 16.35CA Carbon Offset 8 : 15.56CA LCFS : 51.75OR Clean Fuel Program : 154.00D3 RIN : 2.44D4 RIN : 1.08D5 RIN : 1.08D6 RIN : 1.08WREGIS REC CRS Wind V25 : 3.25CT REC Class 1 : 38.75CT REC Class 2 : 25.25CT REC Class 3 : 28.50WA Clean Fuel Standard : 31.00
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Emission Reduction Credits (ERCs)

Emissions Experts supports clients throughout the entire emissions compliance process, from planning and permitting to procurement and continuous portfolio management. We also help generate and monetize credits when facilities shut down or scale back operations. Our services span the full project lifecycle, optimizing value at each stage with a cost-efficient approach to environmental compliance that reduces risk.

What are ERCs?

ERCs are required in Federal nonattainment areas for New-Source Review (NSR) – a permitting process in which oversight agencies evaluate new sources of air pollution. Typically, these sources include refineries, power generation, and manufacturing. Nonattainment areas fail to meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for one or more criteria pollutants as defined in the Clean Air Act. In cases when a new source or a modified source will exceed a legally specified threshold, the local air agency will require them to retire ERCs in addition to meeting standards for pollution control. ERCs are generated when a permitted source shuts down or controls its emissions beyond what is legally required. Per Clean-Air-Act design, the local air agency shall issue ERCs upon the completion of the process of banking credits. Sometimes, ERCs are referred to as offsets because the new emissions are offset by those that permanently ceased when a banking application was approved. If the banking applicant is successful in its application, the agency will issue ERCs which the applicant may sell or use for future NSR needs.

Types of ERCs

ERCs are issued for 6 different pollutants:

  • Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx)
  • Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)
  • Oxides of Sulfur (SOx)
  • Particulate Matter (PM)
    • Smaller than 10 microns (PM10)
    • Smaller than 2.5 microns (PM2.5)
  • Carbon Monoxide (CO)

Emission Reduction Credit (ERC) Markets

Several other states include Federal nonattainment areas in which ERCs could be required but rarely. 

Transactions and Advisory

Emissions Experts engages with clients in three main capacities

  • Projects needing to purchase ERCs – we assist the client in finding the lowest cost ERCs available to meet their NSR offsetting requirements in a brokerage role
  • Projects able to generate ERCs – we assist clients in understanding if they are eligible, what the process involves, and leading the process from end-to-end ultimately monetizing the credits for the client
  • Projects in need of full advisory support – provide educational materials, meet with the client to cover requested topics, educate the project team, engage in Q&A sessions, evaluate specifics on the project in evaluating ERC requirements and options.

Our team has experience working in nearly every ERC market in the US as brokers and as advisors.  We strive to bring transparency to opaque markets and maximize value to clients whether the need to purchase, sell, generate, or understand how ERCs apply to their business plans. 

Nonattainment Areas with ERC Markets

Arizona

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

District of Columbia

Georgia

Illinois

Indiana

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Missouri

Nevada

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York

Ohio

Pennsylvania

Texas

Utah

Virginia

Wisconsin

Wyoming