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USA - Massachusetts Limits On Emiss...

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Official name of scheme

USA - Massachusetts Limits on Emissions from Electricity Generators

Compare ETS

ETS Status

in force

Jurisdictions

Massachusetts

Start of operation (year)

2018

Sectoral coverage

Power

Allocation

Auctioning

Cap or total emissions limit

7.2 MtCO2 (2026)

GHGs covered

CO2 only

Average auction price (2025)

USD 10.35 (vintage 2025)

Total revenue since beginning

USD 264.3 million

Total revenue (2025)

USD 78.4 million

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General Information

The Massachusetts Limits on Emissions from Electricity Generators (regulation “310 CMR 7.74”) began operating in 2018. It covers around 9% of the state’s CO₂ emissions, all from the power sector. Under this regulation, covered entities must surrender allowances for all of their covered emissions.

Since 2021, 100% of allowances have been allocated in quarterly auctions. Since 2022, future vintage allowances have also been sold in the regular auctions. The revenues raised are used to further reduce GHG emissions, as well as to fund adaptation programs and projects targeting communities adversely impacted by air pollution. A third party monitors the market to identify indications of anti-competitive behavior.

The program complements RGGI: electricity generators in the state must comply (i.e., hold and surrender allowances) with both RGGI and the Massachusetts program. The program was implemented in response to a 2016 ruling from the state’s Supreme Court to ensure that Massachusetts achieves its mandatory mitigation targets.

The September 2025 auction saw prices clear at USD 15.03/tCO₂for 2025 vintages and USD 12.00/tCO₂for 2026 vintages. The difference in clearing price demonstrates that regulated entities had a preference for allowances that can be used for compliance in 2025.

Power

Climate mitigation

Emissions & Targets

68.8 MtCO₂e (2021)*

* This value was retrieved from the MassDEP Emissions Inventories.

By 2030: 50% GHG emissions reduction below the 1990 level (“An Act Creating a Next-Generation Roadmap for Massachusetts Climate Policy”)

By 2040: 75% GHG emissions reduction below the 1990 level (An Act Creating a Next-Generation Roadmap for Massachusetts Climate Policy)

By 2050: Net-zero GHG emissions. Positive emissions will be compensated with removals, and positive emissions in 2050 are not to be greater than 85% below the 1990 level. (An Act Creating a Next-Generation Roadmap for Massachusetts Climate Policy)

Weighted average auction price (vintage 2025): USD 10.35
Weighted average auction price (all vintages in 2025 auctions): USD 13.12

Size & Phases

6.40MtCO₂e

CO2 only

An absolute cap limits the total emissions allowed in the system and is fixed ex-ante.

The cap of the Massachusetts Limits on Emissions from Electricity Generators declines annually by 223,876 tCO₂ until it reaches 1.8 MtCO₂ by 2050.

ANNUAL CAPS:

2019: 8.7 MtCO₂

2020: 8.5 MtCO₂

2021: 8.3 MtCO₂

2022: 8.1 MtCO₂

2023: 7.8 MtCO₂

2024: 7.6 MtCO₂

2025: 7.4 MtCO₂

2026: 7.2 MtCO₂

Large electricity generators subject to RGGI, with an installed capacity of or greater than 25 MW.

Point source (power)

Installations (i.e. Electricity generating facilities)

24 installations (2023)

Allowance Allocation & Revenue

AUCTIONING: From 2019, allowances were partially auctioned, with 25% sold in 2019 and 50% in 2020. Full auctioning began in 2021. Currently, auctions take place on a quarterly basis. The results are included in market monitoring reports posted on the program’s web page. From 2022, MassDEP offers future vintage allowances at every auction.

FREE ALLOCATION: Before 2021, non-auctioned allowances were freely allocated through grandparenting based on historical (2013 to 2015) generation.

USD 264.3 million since the beginning of the program

USD 78.4 million in 2025

Flexibility & Linking

Banking is allowed, but restrictions apply to ensure that emissions in a given year do not exceed the previous year’s cap. To achieve this, the number of allowances auctioned is adjusted downward each year to compensate for banked allowances.

Borrowing is not allowed, but “emergency deferred compliance” is possible. This provision allows an electricity generating facility to defer, for one year, compliance for part or all of the emissions emitted during an emergency. Allowances for those emissions must be surrendered on a two-for-one basis in the following year. An emergency is defined as “a period during when the regional transmission organization has issued an alert that an abnormal condition affecting the reliability of the power system exists or is anticipated in Massachusetts”.

The use of offsets is not allowed.

The Massachusetts ETS is not linked with any other system.

ETS: RGGI

Compliance

Covered entities must surrender one compliance unit (allowance) per tCO₂e emitted for all their covered emissions.

One year.

FRAMEWORK: Legal basis for the MRV system is established by regulation 310 CMR 7.70 “CO₂Budget Trading Program” and 310 CMR 7.74 “Electricity Generator Emissions Limits”.

MONITORING: Covered entities must use continuous emissions monitoring systems (CEMS) consistent with 40 CFR Part 75 and 310 CMR 7.70(8), recording readings at least once every 15 minutes. The MRV threshold applies to electricity generators with an installed capacity of 25 MW or more.

REPORTING: Covered entities must report their CO2 emissions by the start of March of the year following the reporting year.

VERIFICATION: Emissions must match reports to RGGI and the US Environmental Protection Agency. Documents (i.e., emissions reports and compliance certification reports) must be certified by a designated representative identified by the facility, and MassDEP may choose to conduct audits.

If MassDEP finds that an entity is in violation of compliance, this will be presumed to constitute “a significant impact to public health, welfare, safety or the environment”. In addition to penalties, the covered entity must submit three allowances for each tonne of non-compliance.

Market Regulation

MARKET PARTICIPATION: Compliance entities only.

MARKET TYPES:

Primary: The allowance auctions are held every three months using a sealed bid, uniform price auction format. No bidder can purchase more than 45% of the allowances offered for sale in any one auction. Auctions are managed by Enel X.

Secondary: Compliance entities may transfer allowances to other compliance entities at any time except during the month of March. The Massachusetts Carbon Allowance Registry is used to track the ownership of allowances. Potomac Economics monitors the conduct of market participants in the auctions and in the secondary market to identify indications of anti-competitive conduct.

LEGAL STATUS OF ALLOWANCES: Allowances constitute a “limited authorization to emit one metric ton of CO₂” to comply with the regulation. They are not property rights.

MINIMUM AUCTION RESERVE PRICE

Instrument type: Price-based instrument

Functioning: Auctions have a reserve price of USD 5 for current vintage allowances and USD 0.50 for future vintage allowance sales.

Other Information

Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs: Cabinet-level office that oversees MassDEP.

Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP): Regulatory agency implementing the Massachusetts Limits on Emissions from Electricity Generators (regulation 310 CMR 7.74).

Potomac Economics: Current market monitor. Monitors the conduct of market participants in the auctions and in the secondary market to identify indications of anti-competitive conduct.

Enel X: Manages the auctions.

APX: Maintains allowance tracking software platform.