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Community Climate Investments

Climate Protection Programinspectors reviewing solar panals

The Climate Protection Program uses a declining limit, or cap, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels used throughout Oregon. This includes emissions from fossil fuels used in transportation, residential, commercial, and industrial settings. The program began in 2022 and each year the cap is lowered until greenhouse gas emissions are reduced 90% percent by 2050.

Each year DEQ distributes compliance instruments to the fuel suppliers regulated by the program. The number of compliance instruments distributed by DEQ is equal to that year's cap. A compliance instrument allows a fuel supplier to emit one ton of greenhouse gas pollution. As the cap declines, DEQ distributes less, and less compliance instruments each year.

Community Climate Investments

Fuel suppliers, regulated by the CPP, can also choose to use a limited number of Community Climate Investment credits. Fuel suppliers can choose to earn CCI credits by contributing funds to DEQ-approved CCI entities. The CCI entities then invest those funds in projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Oregon's environmental justice communities. 

The number of CCI credits a covered fuel supplier earns is based on the amount of CCI funds contributed to CCI entities. The CCI credit contribution amount is the dollar amount in effect to earn one CCI credit. The current contribution amount is $123 effective March 1, 2023, through Feb. 29, 2024. More information on how fuel suppliers can earn CCI credits and the CCI contribution amount available at Resources for Fuel Suppliers.

CCI entities

CCI entities must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits and must demonstrate appropriate administrative processes and financial controls to hold and spend CCI funds on approved projects. 

DEQ held a Request for Applications March 10 through May 16, 2023. DEQ, in partnership with the   Community Climate Investment Equity Advisory Committee, has selected the non-profit Seeding Justice for the next step in approving a Community Climate Investment Entity. DEQ and Seeding Justice will now work on negotiating a final contract. Following finalization of a contract, Seeding Justice would be an approved Community Climate Investment Entity and able to receive Community Climate Investment funds from fossil fuel suppliers.

Assuming contract approval, Seeding Justice will have 60 days to submit a workplan to DEQ that describes how they propose to invest the Community Climate Investment funds.  DEQ would then review the workplan and incorporate feedback from the Equity Advisory Committee. DEQ must approve any workplans before any funds can be invested in emissions reduction projects.


The RFA below, amendments and attachments have been provided by Oregon Department of Administrative Services

DEQ released a Request for Applications for CCI Entities on March 10, 2023, and accepted applications through May 16, 2023.

CCI Entity Request for Applications Attachments:

  • Attachment A - Disclosure Exemption Affidavit - PDF  |  Word
  • Attachment B - Applicant Information and Certification Sheet - PDF  |  Word  
  • Attachment C - Reference Check Form - PDF  |  Word
  • Attachment D - Responsibility Inquiry - PDF  |  Word
  • Attachment E - Checklist - PDF  |  Word
  • Attachment F - Financial Controls - PDF  |  Word

View the presentation slides from the March 16 and April 11 session. ​

​View upcoming activities related to selecting CCI entities and the Equity Advisory Committee (these are draft dates). DEQ aims to complete agreements with approved CCI entities by the end of 2023.​


Contact

For more information about Community Climate Investments, contact the Climate Protection Program  

Equity and environmental justice

 Environmental justice community engagement and representation is crucial for ensuring that Community Climate Investments are invested as intended and meeting program goals. CCI project priorities are:

  • Reducing greenhouse gas emissions on average at least one ton per CCI credit
  • Reducing emissions of other air contaminants, particularly in or near environmental justice communities
  • Promoting public health, environmental, and economic benefits for environmental justice communities
  • Accelerating the transition to clean energy particularly in or near environmental justice communities
Environmental justice communities are communities of color, communities experiencing lower incomes, tribal communities, rural communities, coastal communities, communities with limited infrastructure and other communities traditionally underrepresented in public processes and adversely harmed by environmental and health hazards, including seniors, youth, and persons with disabilities.