340-273-0910 Application to DEQ for Approval as a Community Climate Investment Entity (1) To be eligible for DEQ approval as a community climate investment entity, an entity must demonstrate that it: (a) Is authorized to do business in Oregon, and that it is exempt from federal taxation according to Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(3); (b) Has the capacity to administer and spend CCI funds to carry out eligible projects as specified in OAR 340-273-0900(2); (c) Has or will have staff capable of conducting work associated with being a CCI entity according to this division; (d) Has or will have staff or subcontractors capable of implementing eligible projects throughout Oregon; and (e) Is not a covered entity or a related entity of a covered entity. (2) An eligible entity described in section (1) may apply to be approved as a CCI entity to implement eligible projects directly or by agreement with one or more subcontractors, or both. Subcontractors are not CCI entities, and do not need to meet the eligibility requirements of section (1). However, a CCI entity may not use CCI funds to pay a subcontractor that is a covered entity or a related entity of a covered entity. (3) An entity that seeks approval as a CCI entity must submit an application to DEQ, in a format approved by DEQ that includes the following: (a) Information about the entity, including: (A) Name, full mailing address, and website address; (B) Contact person’s information including name, title or position, phone number, and email address; (C) Information to describe how the entity meets the eligibility criteria in section (1); (D) A copy of the entity’s current articles of incorporation and bylaws, and a description of the mission of the entity and how being a CCI entity supports the mission; (E) A description of the experience and expertise of key individuals, who would be working to implement eligible projects with CCI funds or assigned work associated with the requirements of a CCI entity described in OAR 340-273-0930; (F) A description of experience implementing or supporting implementation of eligible projects or project types, including projects or project types that reduce anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation, residential, industrial and commercial sectors particularly in environmental justice communities in Oregon. This may include the experience of the key individuals described in paragraph (E) whether or not that prior experience occurred while working with the entity; (G) Information regarding any violation by the entity related to federal or state laws, including labor laws, within the preceding five years; (H) The entity’s IRS Form 990 for each of the three most recent years, if available; and (I) Proof that the IRS has certified the entity as qualifying as an exempt organization according to Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(3); (b) Information about each known or planned subcontractors, as available, including: (A) Name, full mailing address, and website address; (B) Contact person’s contact information including name, title or position, phone number, and email address; (C) Confirmation that the subcontractor is not a covered entity or any of its related entities; (D) If applicable, a description of the mission of the subcontractor and how being a subcontractor of a CCI entity supports the mission; (E) A description of the experience and expertise of key individuals who would be working to implement eligible projects with CCI funds; (F) A description of the subcontractor’s prior experience implementing or supporting implementation of eligible projects, including projects or project types that reduce anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation, residential, industrial, and commercial sectors, and a description of prior experience serving communities in Oregon. This may include the experience of the key individuals described in paragraph (E), whether or not that prior experience occurred while working with the subcontractor; and (G) Information regarding any violation by the proposed subcontractor related to federal or state laws, including labor laws, within the preceding five years; (c) Information about how any subcontractor(s) may be selected during project implementation if there are none listed in the application or if the entity expects to select one or more additional subcontractors during project implementation; (d) If known, a general description of either or both of the following: (A) Anticipated eligible project(s) or project type(s) that support the purposes of CCIs described in OAR 340-273-0900(1) and that are eligible projects as defined in OAR 340-273-0900(2) that the entity plans to implement if approved as a CCI entity; and (B) The communities in Oregon that are anticipated to benefit if the entity is approved as a CCI entity; (e) Description of the administrative processes and financial controls the entity will use to ensure all CCI funds are held separately from the entity’s other funds. This must detail how the entity will manage and invest funds in a manner consistent with ORS 128.318(2), (3), and (5)(a) through (f); and (f) The following attestation, signed by the entity’s contact person: I certify under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Oregon that to the best of my knowledge and belief the information in this application is true, accurate, and complete. [Entity] seeks to become a community climate investment entity and, if approved, will comply with the applicable requirements in Oregon Administrative Rules chapter 340, division 273. Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 468.020, 468A.025 & 468A.040 Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 468.020, 468A.025, 468A.040, 468.035, 468A.010, 468A.015 & 468A.045 History: DEQ 18-2024, adopt filed 11/22/2024, effective 11/22/2024