Emission Reduction Credits Program (ERC)

ERC Application and Certification Process

The process for obtaining ERCs begins when an applicant submits a complete application for ERCs, in accordance with section C of the List and Criteria, and pays an initial deposit of processing fees, based on ten hours of staff time at the current hourly rate (see section 315 of Rule 301 – Permit Fees - Stationary Source). Then staff:

• Reviews the application for completeness.
• Performs an engineering evaluation to determine the quantity of actual emission reductions and determine compliance with all applicable rules and regulations.
• Makes a preliminary written decision as to whether the emission reductions should be certified as emission reduction credits.
• Issues a 30-day preliminary notice to the public, EPA, and ARB for comments on the application and evaluation.
• Issues a notice of a final decision whether to approve the application.
• Issues a final invoice to the applicant for the balance of the processing fees and public notification fees (see sections 315 and 317 of Rule 301 – Permit Fees - Stationary Source

If the application is approved, staff issues an ERC certificate to the applicant after the balance of the fees has been paid.

ERC Applications Under Review

ERC applications currently under review are listed on the Public Notices page.

ERC Transactions

Transfers of ERCs are arranged directly between transferors (sellers) and transferees (buyers). The quantity of ERCs shown on a certificate can be transferred in full or in part. 

Note: Possession of an ERC certificate does not guarantee that the holder is the rightful owner or that the credits are valid.  Buyers should contact the AQMD prior to entering into any agreement to purchase ERCs.

To facilitate this process, the Sac Metro Air District maintains a current list of active (unused) ERC certificates and a contact list for the ERC certificate owners. (These documents are current as of April 8, 2022. In addition, the California Air Resources Board publishes an annual summary of ERC transactions in the state, showing the amount and price of credits for each transaction.

An owner of an ERC certificate can also request that the ERC amounts be split among two or more new certificates.

A request to transfer ownership or to split an ERC certificate must be submitted in writing to the Sac Metro Air District. The written request must include:

• A clear explanation of the action to be taken with each certificate. For example, if credits are being transferred from a seller to a buyer, specify the amount of credits to be transferred to the buyer and any remaining amount to be returned to the seller. If a certificate is being split into two or more new certificates, specify the amount of credits to be listed on each ERC certificate.
• A written document, signed by the transferor within the previous 30 days, authorizing the transfer of the ERCs (not required for splits).
• The original certificate, signed by the transferor (or owner for splits).
• Payment of a processing fee, based on one hour of staff time at the current hourly rate (see section 315 of Rule 301 – Permit Fees - Stationary Source).

Inter-District ERC Transfers

In specific cases, ERCs banked in the Sac Metro Air District may be transferred for use as emission offsets for a stationary source in another district. Such transfers are governed by the requirements of California Health and Safety Code section 40709.6 and must be approved by the governing boards of both districts. The governing board of the Sac Metro Air District has delegated authority to the Air Pollution Control Officer to approve inter-district transfers up to 25 tons per year per pollutant.

Please contact the Sac Metro Air District for further information on inter-district ERC transfers.