(1) EFSEC shall develop and maintain a list of independent qualified organizations as required by RCW 80.70.050.

(2) To develop or update the independent qualified organization list EFSEC shall issue a request for qualifications through use of a mailing list maintained by EFSEC and publication in a regional newspaper in both eastern and western Washington, and other appropriate forums.

(3) Proposals from independent qualified organizations shall, at a minimum, contain the following information:

(a) A demonstration of how the company or organization has successfully developed and managed programs to implement:

• Energy efficiency;

• Renewable energy projects;

• Clean and efficient transportation measures;

• Demand side management of electricity consumption; and

• Carbon sequestration programs.

(b) A complete description of the company or organization's specific expertise in the science and economics of greenhouse gas emissions mitigation, including proven ability to:

• Specify preferred offset types;

• Develop and issue requests for proposals;

• Evaluate and recommend projects;

• Assemble diverse portfolios;

• Negotiate offset contracts;

• Design monitoring and verification protocols, manage the implementation of offset contracts; and

• Maintain an offset registry and retired tons.

(c) Proven experience and demonstrated ability should include staff or organization experience. A new organization made up of experienced employees, or an existing organization with demonstrated accomplishments, should both be able to qualify. However, proven experience and demonstrated ability should be in the specific areas listed in this subsection.

(4) Using best professional judgment, EFSEC staff shall review each proposal and make recommendations to EFSEC whether a company or organization should be placed on the independent qualified organization list.

(5) After reviewing the EFSEC staff recommendations, and prior to making a decision to add a company or an organization to its list of independent qualified organizations, EFSEC may request the organization to testify at a public meeting or hearing to gain additional information and knowledge regarding the organization's experience and qualifications.

(6) Based on the EFSEC staff recommendation and information from public meeting(s) or hearing(s) (if held) EFSEC shall approve or deny companies' or organizations' placement on the list of independent qualified organizations.

(7) EFSEC may remove a company or organization from the independent qualified organization list at the request of the organization, or if EFSEC determines the organization is no longer capable or qualified to carry out CO2 mitigation programs or activities.

(8) EFSEC shall update its list as it deems appropriate using the process described in this section.