This page last reviewed February 27, 2013

Compliance Instrument Tracking System Service

What's New? February 27: Agenda Posted for the User Registration & Account Application Webinar  Updated CITSS User Guides

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What is CITSS?

The CITSS is a market tracking system that supports the implementation of greenhouse gas (GHG) cap-and-trade programs for California and other jurisdictions. The CITSS provides accounts for market participants to hold and retire compliance instruments and to participate in transactions of compliance instruments with other account holders.

The CITSS is used to:

• register entities participating in the California cap-and-trade program;
• track the ownership of compliance instruments;
• enable and record compliance instrument transfers;
• facilitate emissions compliance; and
• support market oversight.

To obtain compliance instrument accounts in the CITSS, an individual must first complete user registration to receive a CITSS User ID (STEP 1). Following approval, the user may then apply for compliance instrument accounts (STEP 2) for themselves or on behalf of an entity which has authorized them to do so.

How Do I Register and Setup an Account?

To participate in California’s cap-and-trade program, an individual or entity must have a CITSS account to hold, transfer, and retire compliance instruments.To obtain CITSS account(s), an individual or entity must complete a two-step process (flow chart):

STEP 1: Apply for a CITSS User ID (User Registration)

The individuals who will be representatives on the individual or entity’s account(s) must apply for CITSS User IDs. An account must have at least two representatives: the Primary Account Representative (PAR) and an Alternate Account Representative (AAR). Individual account holders are allowed to act as both the PAR and AAR on ther account.  All account representatives must be registered users in the CITSS.

To register, individuals must complete electronic data entry in the CITSS and mail required hard copy documentation, by providing the information requested in the forms generated in the CITSS registration process, to the California Registrar who will review the registration package. Following approval, the user may then apply for compliance instrument accounts (STEP 2) on behalf of an entity or individual which has authorized them to do so.

Know-Your-Customer Documentation Options for Representatives and Agents of a Covered Entity or Opt-in Entity 

Covered entities or opt-in covered entities (covered entity), as defined in section 95802 of the Cap-and-Trade Regulation, have two (2) options for employees registering in the CITSS, to represent the covered entity, and submitting required KYC documentation. Guidance contained in the Know-Your-Customer Documentation Options for Individuals Registering in the CITSS describes the 2 options available. 

If Option 2 is selected, then the following forms will be required:

• Know-Your-Customer Compliance Documentation with Covered Entity Attestation Form
• Know-Your-Customer Compliance Documentation with Individual Attestation Form

STEP 2: Setup an Account (Account Application)

After an individual has been approved as a CITSS User and the User ID is active (i.e. completed STEP 1), that individual will be able to apply for accounts for themselves or on behalf of an entity or individual that has authorized them to do so. Creating an account to hold compliance instruments in the CITSS includes electronic data entry in the CITSS and mailing required hard copy forms and attestations to the California Registrar. After completing the electronic account application, your information will be electronically submitted to the California Registrar. The electronic submission must be supported by printed copies, signed by the PAR and AAR, and additional documents that are mailed to the Registrar for approval.

Account Consolidation Guidance:

• Guidance Document
• Consolidated Entity Account Form 

Corporate Associations Guidance:

• Guidance Document

When Do I Need to Register By?

Compliance instrument accounts must be established before an entity can hold compliance instruments or apply to participate in a GHG allowance auction or reserve sale.  For entities or individuals that intend to participate in the February 2013 auction that do not have approved CITSS accounts, ARB recommends that CITSS user registration for their account representatives; and the CITSS account application be completed as quickly as possible.

User Registration, Account Application and Transfers Guides

The CITSS guides have been developed to support individuals and entity representatives that are participating in California’s Cap-and-Trade Program as they complete activities in the CITSS.  This CITSS guides have been organized into three (3) separate "Volumes" specific to the types of activities that users may conduct in the CITSS.

The CITSS guides are listed here:

1. Volume I: User Registration and Profile Management 
2. Volume II: Account Application and Account Management 
3. Volume III: Conducting Transfers in the CITSS 

Help Desk

WCI, Inc. has established a Help Desk to support the CITSS. The Help Desk is staffed Monday through Friday 6:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 6:00 p.m. Pacific Time and is accessible for messages 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you have any questions about using the CITSS, please contact the CITSS Help Desk at:

Email: help@wci-citss.org
Phone Number: 1-866-682-7561

Security of Confidential and Personal Information

ARB has developed a policy statement, "Protecting the Security of Confidential and Personal Information (Policy Document)", to respond to questions regarding the protection of personal information submitted in the course of CITSS User Registration and CITSS Account Application.  In addition, all ARB programs including the cap-and-trade program adhere to the California Air Resources Board Information System (CARBIS) Privacy Policy established for ARB.

• Email sent to PARs regarding Cap-and-Trade Information Security

Forms for Review

You do not need to complete the forms provided below.  

Following the online data entry completed for both CITSS User Registration and Account Application, the CITSS will generate three forms that will need to be completed, signed, notarized where applicable, and mailed to the California Registrar.  ARB has provided the following blank and sample copies of these forms for your reference and to help you prepare for the documentation requirements that will be completed during CITSS User Registration and Account Application.

User Registration Forms:

1. User Registration Checklist
2. User Registration Form  
3. Proof of Identity Form 

Covered and Opt-in Entity Representatives Optional Know Your Customer Documentation (Option 2):

1. Know-Your-Customer Compliance Documentation with Covered Entity Attestation Form 
2. Know-Your-Customer Compliance Documentation with Individual Attestation Form 

Account Application Forms:

1. Account Application Checklist 
2. Account Application with Attestation Form 
3. Corporate Associations and Structure Form  (Sample Form and Corporate Associations Guidance )

Account Management Forms:

1. Request to Change Account Representatives/Account Viewing Agents 

Account Consolidation Guidance:

• Guidance Document
• Consolidated Entity Account Form 

Webinars

CITSS User Registration and Account Application Webinar: 

To support stakeholder use of CITSS and participation in California’s Cap-and-Trade Program, Air Resources Board (ARB) staff are holding a webinar for new CITSS users and those stakeholders that have not yet completed user registration or account application.  The webinar, which will include a demonstration of the CITSS and a question and answer period for stakeholders, will be conducted on February 27th from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 PM PT.  Future training will be offered to provide a review of how to transfer allowances.

Compliance Instrument Tracking System Service User Registration and Account Application Training:

• Date: Wednesday, February 27, 2013
• Time: 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM PST

• Register at:  https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/427410249

• Agenda 
  

Note: After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar on February 27th.

Archived Webinar Information:

CITSS Stakeholder Design Webinar:

To ensure the succesful implementation of the CITSS and California's Cap-and-Trade Program, ARB staff held design webinars to discuss stakeholder proposals that would enhance or modify the CITSS functionality.  ARB staff conducted the first design webinar on January 16th, 2013.  The second webinar was conducted on January 30th, 2013.  Interested stakeholders are encouraged to review the ARB presentations and the summary of submitted proposals. 

• January 16, 2013 Stakeholder Design Webinar #1 - 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM:

• Presentation

• Agenda

• Sample Design Proposal Document

• January 30, 2013 Stakeholder Design Webinar #2 - 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM:

• Presentation

• Agenda

• Summary of Stakeholder Proposals 

Comments on the design webinar materials must be submitted to rlanguel@arb.ca.gov by February 8th, 2013.

CITSS Release 2 Webinar:

To support "Release 2: Account Management & Transfer Functionality" of the CITSS, ARB hosted CITSS Training Webinars.  Both webinars covered the same topics.

• October 16 and 23, 2012 Webinar Training Sessions:

• Agenda - Oct 23

• Agenda - Oct 16  

• Introduction Presentation  

• Overview of Accounts Presentation

CITSS Initial Release Webinar:

To support the initial release of the CITSS for open "User Registration and Account Application", ARB hosted CITSS Training Webinars.  Both webinars covered the same topics.

• July 16 and 19, 2012 Webinar Training Sessions:
  • Agenda