The purpose of the California Air Resourses Board’s (CARB) Accounting and Permanence Requirements for Carbon Capture and Geologic Sequestration (CCS Protocol) is to establish a methodology by which to determine whether a Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS) project will result in permanent sequestration of carbon dioxide (CO2) and, if so, how to calculate the greenhouse gas (GHG) benefits from such a project under the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS). The CCS Protocol is guided by requirements in AB 32 that GHG emissions reductions achieved from voluntary action, such as CCS projects, must be real, permanent, additional, quantifiable, verifiable, and enforceable.
The Accounting Requirements covers emissions associated with CCS projects, including emissions from CCS operations, CO2 surface leakage, above ground fugitive emissions, and post-well closure emissions. Applicants must use the Accounting Requirements to calculate credits or carbon intensity reductions for CCS projects under LCFS.
The Permanence Requirements establishes provisions for the permanent geologic sequestration of CO2 for CCS projects to qualify for GHG reductions (or non-emissions) under CARB’s existing climate programs in compliance with Assembly Bill 32.1. The Permanence Requirements sets forth criteria and standards that geologic carbon sequestration (GCS) projects must implement in order to acquire Permanence Certification.
