Oregon Administrative Rules
Chapter 345 - DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, ENERGY FACILITY SITING COUNCIL
Division 24 - SPECIFIC STANDARDS FOR SITING FACILITIES
Section 345-024-0630 - Means of Compliance for Nongenerating Energy Facilities

(1) Implementing offset projects directly or through a third party, pursuant to OAR 345-024-0680. The Council may adopt site certificate conditions ensuring that the proposed offset projects are implemented by the date specified in the site certificate, but shall not require that predicted levels of avoidance, displacement or sequestration of greenhouse gas emissions be achieved.

(2) Providing offset funds, directly or through a third party, in an amount deemed sufficient to produce the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions necessary to meet the applicable carbon dioxide emissions standard according to the schedule set forth pursuant to OAR 345-024-0620(5). The applicant or third party shall use the funds as specified in OAR 345-024-0710. The Council shall deem the payment of the monetary offset rate, pursuant to OAR 345-024-0580, to result in a reduction of one ton of carbon dioxide emissions. The Council shall determine the offset funds using the monetary offset rate and the level of emissions reduction required to meet the applicable standard. If the Council issues a site certificate based on this section, the Council may not adjust the amount of the offset funds based on the actual performance of offsets.

(3) Any other means that the Council adopts by rule for demonstrating compliance with the carbon dioxide emissions standard.

(4) Each year after beginning commercial operation, the certificate holder shall report to the Department of Energy data showing the amount and type of fossil fuels used by the facility and its horsepower-hours of operation. The Council shall specify in the site certificate how the Department shall use those data to calculate the gross carbon dioxide emissions from the facility during the report year and the net emissions in excess of the carbon dioxide emissions standard. The Department shall then subtract excess emissions from the offset credit account. The Council shall specify in the site certificate the minimum amount of offset credits that a certificate holder shall provide to establish the offset credit account. The Council may specify an amount of offset credits equal to the total offsets required for the facility. The Council shall specify the minimum amount of offset credits that a certificate holder must maintain in the account and the minimum amount of offset credits the certificate holder shall provide to replenish the account. The Department shall notify the certificate holder when it must replenish its offset credit account according to the conditions in the site certificate. The certificate holder shall maintain a positive balance in the offset credit account for 30 years, unless the Council specifies a different period in the site certificate.

(5) If the certificate holder is replenishing its offset credit account by meeting the monetary path payment requirement described in OAR 345-024-710, the certificate holder may replenish its offset credit account without amending the site certificate by using the calculation methodology detailed in conditions that the Council adopts in the site certificate.

(6) If the certificate holder proposes to replenish the offset credit account under OAR 345-024-0630(1), the Council may amend the site certificate conditions to ensure that the proposed offset projects are implemented.

(7) If the Council or a court on judicial review concludes that the applicant has not demonstrated compliance with the applicable carbon dioxide emissions standard under sections (1), (3) or (6) of this rule, or any combination thereof, and the applicant agrees to meet the requirements of section (2) for any deficiency, the Council or a court shall find compliance based on such agreement.