Question 1

Is there a statewide ERC exchange or marketplace in California?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The California ERC Exchange (calercexchange.com) is the statewide marketplace for California Emission Reduction Credits. No air district operates a public trading venue — districts issue and track ERCs in their own registries, but apart from the Bay Area’s ‘available for sale’ flags their registers don’t say who will sell, and no district connects buyers with sellers. The Exchange does: it mirrors the public ERC registry of every district that publishes one (4,920 banked certificates, with all 35 California air districts covered), lists credits for sale with volumes by pollutant, publishes recorded transaction prices, and routes buyer inquiries to sellers and their representatives.

Question 2

What are Emission Reduction Credits (ERCs)?

Accepted Answer

ERCs are banked, air-district-certified reductions in emissions of NOx, ROG/VOC, PM10, SOx, or CO — created when a facility permanently reduces or eliminates a source of pollution, verified and certificated by its local air district. Businesses building or expanding in California nonattainment areas are required under New Source Review to buy ERCs to offset new emissions before an air permit can issue. Credits are generally usable only in the district where they were generated (Health & Safety Code §40709.6).

Question 3

How much do California ERCs cost?

Accepted Answer

Recorded prices span an enormous range by district and pollutant. CARB's 2023 statewide report (160 transactions) shows medians from $485 per ton (Imperial County PM10) to $460,000 per ton (South Coast PM10); Imperial County NOx cleared $2,000–$3,100 while South Coast NOx cleared $380,000–$420,000, and South Coast's own 2024 report puts its priced NOx trades at $416,000–$486,000. Yolo-Solano's published history (1998–2024) shows credits clearing $500 to $75,000 per ton, apart from four nominal $1 CO transfers in 2006–07. Because ERCs are district-bound, local scarcity sets the price. The Exchange's Market Data page compiles these public records in one place.

Question 4

How do I buy or sell ERCs in California?

Accepted Answer

Buyers: search the Exchange's statewide registry by district and pollutant, then send an inquiry — the Exchange confirms availability with the holder and can act as buyer's broker at no fee to inquire. Sellers: listing is free; certificates are verified against the district registry before posting, and inquiries route directly to you or your broker. Every completed sale is documented in a purchase agreement and recorded by the issuing air district, which verifies the reductions and reissues or annotates the certificate.