(1) An ecology offset credit may be sold, traded, or transferred, unless:

(a) It has been retired, used for compliance, or used to meet any GHG mitigation requirements in any voluntary or regulatory program;

(b) It resides in the forest buffer account; or

(c) It has been invalidated pursuant to WAC 173-446-580.

(2) An ecology offset credit may only be used:

(a) To meet a compliance obligation under this chapter, except if used by a covered entity in a program approved for linkage; or

(b) By a general market participant for purposes of voluntary retirement.