Tier 4 REC Voluntary Sales
Following the Order Approving Tier 4 Implementation Plan [PDF], NYSERDA will sell Tier 4 renewable energy certificates (RECs) to voluntary purchasers using a hybrid approach for the voluntary sales program which includes long-term contracting, an annual Tier 4 REC Pre-Sale, and an annual Tier 4 REC Re-Sale.
Tier 4 RECs are the result of renewable energy, from eligible projects, being delivered into Zone J (NYC) of the New York Control Area as identified by the New York Independent System Operator. This renewable energy is imported via the Champlain Hudson Power Express (CHPE) transmission line.
Tier 4 RECs will be open to all. Organizations can leverage Tier 4 RECs to meet their respective needs, whether to support sustainability goals or comply with scope 2 emission requirements.
How It Works: Three Voluntary Sales Approaches
In accordance with the Tier 4 Implementation Plan [PDF] filed on June 13, 2025, NYSERDA has been authorized to engage in 3 three types of voluntary sales approaches for Tier 4 RECs.
1. Long-Term Contracting
NYSERDA may enter into long-term contracts with creditworthy entities for the purchase of Tier 4 RECs. The terms and conditions of the contracts will include, but will not be limited to contract length, Tier 4 REC quantity, Tier 4 REC price, and payment terms.
The terms and conditions will be memorialized within the individual contracts. Under any long-term contract, participants would be required to purchase Tier 4 RECs at the NYSERDA net-weighted average price, plus any administrative adder approved by the Commission for that compliance year.
Contact [email protected] for information on Long-Term Contracts..
2. Annual Tier 4 Pre-Sale
NYSERDA will hold an annual Pre-Sale in July/August prior to the start of the next Tier 4 Compliance year, with delivery of the Tier 4 RECs in February following the end of the calendar year. Through this Pre-Sale, NYSERDA will offer a percentage of the net expected Tier 4 REC inventory for the following compliance year for sale. For example, the first Tier 4 Pre-Sale will occur in August 2026 based on a projection of NYSERDA's Tier 4 RECs described below, and it will offer a percentage of the net expected Tier 4 REC inventory for 2027.
NYSERDA will announce the quantity of Tier 4 RECs available for sale, Pre-Sale price, and Pre-Sale process no later than July 15 each year, through the end of the existing Tier 4 program. The sale will conclude 14 days after its commencement. NYSERDA will deliver the Tier 4 RECs to purchasers in approximately February of the year following the vintage sold. For example, vintage 2027 Tier 4 RECs will be delivered February 2028.
NYSERDA will set a Tier 4 REC price each year which will be based upon the forecasted net-weighted average price of the projected Tier 4 REC inventory that NYSERDA will place for sale.
NYSERDA will allocate Tier 4 RECs equal to an organization’s REC order if the total demand ordered is less than the total inventory of RECs available. If total demand is greater than total inventory, a proportionate share of an organization’s order will be allocated.
Participation
The Annual Tier 4 Pre-Sale is open to all. To participate, a purchaser will be required to have a NYSERDA Customer Number as well as a New York Generation Attributes Tracking System (NYGATS) account. A purchaser must, one time, notify both NYSERDA and NYGATS to be a REC Sale Participant.
Get a NYSERDA Customer Number [PDF]
Contact NYSERDA to be a REC Sale Participant
Contact NYGATS admin to be a REC Sale Participant
3. Annual Tier 4 Re-Sale
NYSERDA has the ability to hold a Tier 4 REC Re-Sale at the end of each compliance year if there is sufficient demand for such and NYSERDA has a sufficient volume of Tier 4 RECs. NYSERDA may hold an annual Re-Sale in March following the end of the calendar year. At the end of the compliance year, NYSERDA will announce the Voluntary Re-Sale for Tier 4 RECs, which will conclude 14 days after its commencement.
NYSERDA will set a Tier 4 REC price each year which will be based upon the net-weighted average price of the total Tier 4 REC inventory that NYSERDA possesses at the time of the sale. Please note, NYSERDA may not have the full Tier 4 REC inventory at the time of the sale.
NYSERDA will allocate Tier 4 RECs equal to an organizations REC order if the total demand ordered is less than the total inventory of RECs available. If total demand is greater than total inventory, a proportionate share of an organization’s order will be distributed.
Participation
The Annual Tier 4 Re-Sale is open to all. If you have never registered to participate in Voluntary REC Sales before, you will be required to have a NYSERDA Customer Number as well as a New York Generation Attributes Tracking System (NYGATS) account. A purchaser must, one time, notify both NYSERDA and NYGATS to be a REC Sale Participant.
Get a NYSERDA Customer Number [PDF]