The executive director of RGGI, Inc., the operator of the northeast US’ regional carbon market, is stepping down, the organisation has confirmed.

Nicole Singh will leave within the next few months to pursue new opportunities after seven years with RGGI, including four as executive director, said Katie Dykes, chair of the RGGI, Inc. board of directors and deputy commissioner for energy at the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

“Nicole’s work over the years has been invaluable to the program, and in the coming months she and the RGGI, Inc. board of directors will work together to ensure a smooth transition is accomplished,” Dykes told Carbon Pulse.

RGGI, Inc. formally advertised the position on Thursday, and expects to start reviewing candidates by the end of April.

“The new executive director is expected to start this summer, and the RGGI states look forward to working with the new executive director to maintain the excellence of the RGGI, Inc. organisation. The transition … won’t affect ongoing RGGI activities such as the RGGI quarterly allowance auctions and the 2016 program review,” Dykes said.

Prior to RGGI, Singh was an associate director at the Environmental Bankers Association.

By Mike Szabo – mike@carbon-pulse.com