OAR 340-273-0920: DEQ Review and Approval of Community Climate Investment Entities and Agreements for Approved CCI Entities

(1) DEQ will review and may approve applications from entities proposing to be approved as CCI entities according to subsections (a) through (d). (a) DEQ will review an application submitted according to OAR 340-273-0910 to ensure that it meets the requirements of that rule. DEQ will inform the entity either that the submitted application is complete or that additional specific information is required to make the application complete. If the application is incomplete, DEQ will not consider the application further until the entity provides the additional information requested by DEQ. (b) When evaluating complete applications submitted according to OAR 340-273-0910, DEQ will consult with the equity advisory committee described in OAR 340-273-0960 and may consult with any other relevant experts selected by DEQ. (c) DEQ will consider the following when evaluating a complete application: (A) The content of the application; (B) Whether the entity meets the eligibility criteria in OAR 340-273- 0910(1); (C) Whether each proposed subcontractor, if applicable, complies with the eligibility criteria in OAR 340-273-0910(1)(e); (D) The overall ability of the entity and, if applicable, its subcontractor(s) to use CCI funds to complete eligible projects, including projects or project types that reduce anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation, residential, industrial, and commercial sectors, that advance the purposes set forth in OAR 340-273- 0900(1) and that collectively reduce anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions in Oregon by an average of at least one MT CO2e per CCI credit distributed by DEQ based on CCI contributions to the entity; (E) The overall ability of the entity and/or its subcontractor(s) to use CCI funds as described in paragraph (D) relative to the overall ability of other applicants and approved CCI entities; and (F) Whether the applicant or any proposed subcontractors have violated any federal or state laws, including labor laws, in the preceding five years. (d) DEQ will notify the applicant in writing whether provisional approval as a CCI entity is granted or denied. (2) If provisional approval as a CCI entity is granted, DEQ will then work with the CCI entity to complete a written agreement. The written agreement must be approved before an entity receives final approval as a CCI entity and is authorized to receive CCI funds. The written agreement will include, but is not limited to: (a) Agreement to use CCI funds only for the uses specified in OAR 340-273- 0900(2); (b) The initial term of the agreement and approval, which may not exceed ten years; (c) Requirements for monitoring and reporting of project outcomes sufficient to document emissions reductions; (d) Provisions for, and limitations on, the payment of administrative expenses; (e) Provisions for extensions, amendments, or renewal of the agreement; (f) Other conditions that DEQ determines are necessary to include in the agreement in order to meet the requirements of this division, such as a limit on the amount of CCI funds that a CCI entity may accept. (3) If DEQ finds that any of the events in subsections (a) through (c) occur, DEQ may suspend or revoke approval of a CCI entity completely or in part. (a) The CCI entity fraudulently obtained DEQ approval; (b) The CCI entity is in violation of any applicable provisions of this division or any written agreement between the CCI entity and DEQ; or (c) DEQ determines that the CCI entity is not in compliance with one or more of the eligibility criteria for approval in OAR 340-273-0910(1). (4) DEQ will maintain a current list of approved CCI entities on DEQ’s website.