The Ontario Ministry of Environment and Climate change announced a proposed regulation October 4 that would enable the creation of offset credits for use in Ontario’s cap and trade program.
The proposed Ontario Offset Credits regulation incorporates the protocols by reference through a document titled Offset Initiative Protocols for Ontario’s Cap and Trade Program. The proposed regulation outlines the overall process, criteria and administrative requirements involved in the creation of an offset credit that can be used to meet a compliance obligation in Ontario’s cap and trade program, while the incorporated protocols outline the rules specific to each initiative type or class.
With the announced proposal, The EBR Registry Number 013-1460, the Ministry now seeking input on the proposed Ontario Offset Credits regulation and incorporated protocol. The protocol to be incorporated is a revised draft of the Landfill Gas protocol. As future protocols are adapted, they will be posted for public comment, and upon approval by the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, incorporated into the regulation by rolling reference by adding them to the document entitled Offset Initiative Protocols for Ontario’s Cap and Trade Program.
The Ministry noted that offset sponsors, as well as other interested parties, need to consult both the final regulation and incorporated protocols to understand all the requirements associated with undertaking offset initiatives.
Comments were accepted from October 4, 2017 until November 18. The filing is at the Environmental Registry, www.ebr.gov.on.ca, Registry number 013-1460