Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)
RGGI is a cooperative effort among the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Virginia (RGGI states) to cap and reduce power sector CO2 emissions. RGGI is the nation’s first mandatory, market-based CO2 emissions reduction program. Within the RGGI states, fossil-fuel-fired electric power generators with a capacity of 25 megawatts or greater must hold allowances equal to their CO2 emissions over each three-year control period. Generators must also hold allowances equal to 50% of their emissions during each interim control period (the first two calendar years of each three-year control period). The current three-year control period is January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2023.RGGI is composed of individual CO2 budget trading programs in each participating state. Through independent regulations, based on the RGGI Model Rule, each state's CO2 budget trading program limits CO2 emissions from generators, issues CO2 allowances, and establishes participation in the quarterly RGGI auctions. The RGGI states invest the majority of auction proceeds toward energy efficiency initiatives, renewable energy deployment, direct greenhouse gas emissions reductions strategies, and direct bill assistance for low-income ratepayers. As of December 2021, Connecticut has received nearly $285.8 million in auction proceeds since the program's inception in September 2008. Nearly 70% of Connecticut's auction proceeds are invested in energy efficiency programs administered by the electric distribution companies and municipal electric utilities. 23% of auction proceeds are invested by the Connecticut Green Bank to finance the deployment of Class I renewable resources.
Amendment of Section 22a-174-31 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies (RCSA)
On November 8, 2018, Connecticut proposed an amendment of Section 22a-174-31 of the RCSA to reflect the conclusions of a thorough program review process conducted by the RGGI states and stakeholders in accordance with a RGGI Memorandum of Understanding, and completed in December of 2017. The program review sought to continue the goal of effectively reducing CO2 emissions while providing benefits to consumers and the region, and to address the issue of overcapacity of allowances relative to actual emission levels in the region.
The proposed amendment of Section 221-174-31 of the RCSA and related documents were posted on the Connecticut eRegulations System under Tracking Number PR2018-020.
On September 24, 2019, the General Assembly's Legislative Regulation Review Committee approved the amendment, which makes a number of improvements including an additional 30% regional CO2 emissions cap between 2020 and 2030.
The current rules for administering Connecticut's CO2 budget trading program and greenhouse gas emissions offset projects are:
- RCSA Section 22a-174-31 - Control of Carbon Dioxide Emissions/Carbon Dioxide Trading Program
- RCSA Section 22a-174-31a - Greenhouse Gas Emission Offset Projects
- RGGI Offset Application Forms and Instructions
Connecticut's Adjusted Base Budgets for 2014-2025
Section 22a-174-31(f)(2)(F) of the RCSA requires the Commissioner of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) to publish Connecticut’s Adjusted Base Budgets for 2014-2025 on the DEEP's website. The Adjusted Base Budget for each year represents the maximum amount of allowances Connecticut may offer for auction each year. Accordingly, Connecticut’s Adjusted Base Budgets for 2014-2025 are:
| Year | Adjusted Base Budget |
| 2014 | 5,359,926 |
| 2015 | 4,325,735 |
| 2016 | 4,182,120 |
| 2017 | 4,042,095 |
| 2018 | 3,905,571 |
| 2019 | 3,772,461 |
| 2020 | 3,642,677 |
| 2021 | 4,086,026 |
| 2022 | 3,938,729 |
| 2023 | 3,791,431 |
| 2024 | 3,644,134 |
| 2025 | 3,496,837 |
The Adjusted Based Budgets were calculated in accordance with Section 22a-174-31(f)(2)(B-E) of the RCSA. Calculations for 2014-2020 rely upon the first control period interim adjustment for banked allowances and the second control period interim adjustment for banked allowances, as determined with the assistance of RGGI Inc. Calculations for 2021-2025 rely upon the third adjustment for banked allowances, as determined with the assistance of RGGI Inc.
Links to DEEP's RGGI Archive webpage, the RGGI, Inc. website and state-specific RGGI webpages
- DEEP's RGGI Archive
- RGGI, Inc.
- Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DE DNREC)
- Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MA DEP)
- Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (MA DOER)
- Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE)
- Maine Department of Environmental Protection (ME DEP)
- New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NH DES)
- New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJ DEP)
- New York Department of Environmental Conservation (NY DEC)
- New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)
- Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RI DEM)
- Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (VT ANR)
- Vermont Public Utility Commission (VT PUC)
- Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VA DEQ)
Content last updated February 2022