Wash. Admin. Code § 194-40-420 - Safeguards to prevent double counting of unbundled RECs

(1) A utility may use an unbundled REC as an alternative compliance option, as provided in RCW 19.405.040(1)(b), only if the utility demonstrates that there is no double counting of any nonpower attribute associated with that REC by complying with the requirements of this section.

(2) Except as provided in subsection (4) of this section, a utility may use an unbundled REC for alternative compliance only if the utility demonstrates:

(a) The associated electricity was sold, delivered, or transferred without specifying fuel sources or nonpower attributes and under a contract expressly stating the fuel source or nonpower attributes are not included; and

(b) The associated electricity was not delivered, reported, or claimed as a zero-emission specified source or assigned the emissions rate of the renewable generating facility under a GHG program.

(3) A utility's demonstration under this section may be met by documentation that the entity providing the unbundled REC:

(a) Provides contract, confirmation, or other transaction terms that comply with the requirements of subsection (2) of this section;

(b) Was a party to or otherwise has knowledge of the transaction in which the associated electricity was sold or transferred and attests to complying with the requirements of subsection (2) of this section; or

(c) Obtained the unbundled REC from an entity that attests that it and all previous owners of the REC transferred the REC using transaction terms complying with the requirements of (a) or (b) of this subsection.

(4) To claim and retire an unbundled REC for alternative compliance where the Washington-eligible RECs were created by renewable electricity marketed by BPA, a utility must demonstrate the REC was not associated with electricity from a system sale from BPA directly into a state with a GHG program and to an entity regulated by the state GHG program. The RECs are calculated based on the same vintage year as the year in which the electricity was imported to the state with the GHG program.

(5) For the purposes of this section, "GHG program" includes any governmental program outside of Washington that caps or limits greenhouse gas emissions or requires the purchase, surrender, or retirement of greenhouse gas allowances, if the scope of the greenhouse gas program includes electricity imported from outside the governmental jurisdiction and does not require the retirement of RECs for such imported electricity.

(6) This section sets only the minimum requirements necessary to demonstrate that no double counting has occurred. The auditor may request that the utility produce other evidence or recommend specific actions for the utility to consider to demonstrate that there is no double counting of nonpower attributes.

Notes

Wash. Admin. Code § 194-40-420

Adopted by WSR 22-13-128, Filed 6/17/2022, effective 7/18/2022