States on the U.S. West Coast have taken significant steps to regulate and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to tackle climate change. California, Washington, and Oregon—often recognized as leaders in environmental policy—have implemented mandatory GHG reporting and verification regulations for certain entities. These regulations are designed to ensure that reporting entities accurately measure, track, and report their emissions, thereby promoting transparency, accountability, and effective climate action.
State-by-State GHG Verification Regulations
Under California’s Regulation for the Mandatory Reporting of Greenhouse Gas Emissions¹ (MRR), facilities and entities emitting 25,000 metric tons or more of CO2e annually must report their emissions to the California Air Resources Board (CARB). The MRR is applicable to electricity generators, industrial facilities, fuel suppliers, and electricity importers. These annual reports must be independently verified by an accredited third-party verifier. The rigorous verification process ensures the accuracy of emissions data, which is crucial for the state’s Cap-and-Trade Program², one of the key mechanisms for achieving California’s climate goals.
Washington Administrative Code 173-446, otherwise known as the Climate Commitment Act (CCA) Program³, became law in 2021. Washington’s CCA, which established a Cap-and-Invest program similar to California’s Cap-and-Trade, caps and reduces greenhouse gas emissions from the state’s largest emitting sources. Verified emissions reports are essential for setting emission limits, allocating allowances, and monitoring compliance with the program’s requirements. CCA includes mandatory verification any year emissions (including biogenic) exceed 25,000 MT CO2e beginning with the 2023 emissions year.
Oregon’s Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) oversees the mandatory reporting and verification of GHG emissions for large emitters and fuel suppliers. Oregon’s GHG reporting program⁴ (OAR-215) require entities that emit 25,000 metric tons or more of CO2e annually to report their emissions, with third-party verification ensuring the data’s accuracy. This verified data feeds into the state’s GHG Inventory, which tracks progress toward Oregon’s climate goals, including reducing emissions to at least 80% below 1990 levels by 2050.
Lincus Accreditation and 100% Audit Success
Third-Party GHG Verification
Lincus, Inc. is currently accredited by all three State regulatory agencies to provide third party GHG verifications in California, Washington, and Oregon. In fact, Lincus is one of the oldest companies to have accreditation in California, accredited by CARB since program inception in 2009.
In 2024 (for the reporting year 2023 data), Lincus completed GHG verifications for 38 reporting entities, including Calpine Corporation, Los Angeles County Sanitation District, The Morning Star, Pasadena Water & Power, Glendale Water & Power, Western Area Power Authority, City of Roseville, Valvoline Global Operations, US ARMY JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, and several others.
Over the more than a decade Lincus has spent completing third party GHG verifications, the company has successfully completed verification for hundreds of electricity transactions, electricity generation, cogeneration, and stationary combustion facilities.
Over the course of these hundreds of GHG verifications, Lincus has maintained a 100% track record of successfully completing verification services before the regulatory deadline and passing regulatory audits for all selected projects, with no or minimal comments.
California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standards
In California, in addition to the GHG verification, Lincus is also accredited to provide verification services for California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standards (LCFS) program. The LCFS verification program, under CARB oversight, provides confidence and reliability in reported data for stakeholders, market participants, and the public.
To learn more about how Lincus can support your LCFS verification needs, reach out to us through our Contact page.
Lincus’ highly skilled CARB accredited verifiers review feedstock and fuel production units, material and energy flows, co-products, production output, transportation modes, CA-GREET 3.0 calculations, and any other factors contributing to the CI. The Lincus team will determine whether there is reasonable assurance that the application or report does not contain a material misstatement and is in conformance with the LCFS regulation.
A Trusted External Validation Partner
As organizations strive to meet ambitious sustainability targets, GHG verification expertise has become a cornerstone for building trust, ensuring transparency, and driving real climate action.
🎯 Why GHG Verification Matters:
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- Credibility & Accountability: Verified GHG data provides confidence to stakeholders, investors, and regulators that sustainability claims are credible and compliant with global standards.
- Strategic Decision-Making: Accurate GHG verification informs better decision-making, enabling organizations to identify key areas for improvement and to implement targeted reduction strategies.
- Regulatory Compliance: With tightening regulations, verified emissions data is essential for compliance and avoiding penalties.
- Enhanced Reputation: Demonstrating a commitment to verified sustainability practices enhances brand reputation and strengthens relationships with environmentally conscious consumers and partners.
🔍 Lincus’ Key Expertise in GHG Verification Includes:
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- Experienced verifiers with engineering backgrounds who understand plant operations, complex processes, data acquisition equipment & software, and regulatory policies.
- Highly knowledgeable about the electricity and fuel transactions regulations
- Deep understanding of GHG protocols and standards (e.g., ISO 14064, GHG Protocol) and third-party verification processes.
- Proficiency in data collection, management, and reporting tools.
- Knowledge of industry-specific emissions factors and mitigation strategies.
- Dedicated project managers and accredited verifiers at every step of the process.
- 100% track record of timely completions and flexible schedule.
- Offices in Northern California, Southern California, and Arizona to minimize travel cost.
By ensuring that emissions data is accurate and reliable, we can all contribute to a more sustainable and resilient future.
If your organization is looking for a GHG verification partner, read more about Lincus’ service here or request more information through our Contact page.
¹ https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/our-work/programs/mandatory-greenhouse-gas-emissions-reporting/about
² https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/our-work/programs/cap-and-trade-program/about
³ https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/laws-rules-rulemaking/closed-rulemaking/wac-173-446
⁴ https://secure.sos.state.or.us/oard/displayDivisionRules.action?selectedDivision=1538