Verra has released updated versions of its coal plant retirement methodology and two associated modules in the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Program. The release includes VM0052 Accelerated Retirement of Coal-fired Power Plants Using a Just Transition, v1.1, VMD0060 Combined Baseline and Additionality Assessment for Accelerated Retirement of Coal-fired Power Plants, v1.1, and VMD0061 Just Transition Requirements for Accelerated Retirement of Coal-fired Power Plants, v1.1.

The minor revisions to VM0052, v1.0 and VMD0060, v1.0 incorporate feedback received during a public consultation that ran from March 27 to April 26, 2026.

VM0052 determines net greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions resulting from the accelerated retirement of grid-connected coal-fired power plants (CFPPs) paired with the addition of renewable electricity to partially or fully replace the lost electricity capacity. VMD0060 establishes criteria and procedures to determine the baseline scenario and baseline retirement date, and to demonstrate the additionality of project activities that accelerate the retirement of a CFPP, while VMD0061 establishes criteria and procedures related to a just transition for stakeholders directly or indirectly impacted by the accelerated retirement of a CFPP.

VM0052, v1.1 strengthens the framework for early coal plant retirement by including more rigorous planning and monitoring safeguards to prevent negative impacts on the grid and ratepayers. The updates also provide clarity around renewable electricity pairing requirements, as well as project timelines and emissions accounting.

VMD0060, v1.1 streamlines and strengthens the analysis for establishing a conservative baseline retirement date and demonstrating additionality, with clearer treatment of costs, incentives, and sensitivity testing of financial assumptions.

VMD0061, v1.1 strengthens safeguards for affected stakeholders and clarifies how just transition support must be assessed and funded.

Implications for VCS Projects

  • VM0052, v1.0 will be inactivated on December 1, 2027.
  • Projects that use VM0052, v1.0 may submit the following types of requests until November 30, 2027:
    • Registration
    • Crediting period renewal
    • Verification approval, where the verification includes a methodology change through a project description deviation
    • Requantification
  • Projects that meet the above submission deadlines may continue to apply VM0052, v1.0 for the remainder of their crediting period. These projects must update to an active version of VM0052 at their next crediting period renewal.
  • Registered projects using VM0052, v1.0 may update to VM0052, v1.1 during their crediting period using one of the following:
    • Procedure to Change Project Methodology through a Project Description Deviation for future monitoring periods
    • Methodology Change and Requantification Procedure for past and future monitoring periods, and to requantify emission reductions from past verifications
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