This week, U.S. EPA announced its proposed approval of Texas’ request to administer permitting under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) for Class VI underground injection wells, which are used to inject carbon dioxide into deep rock formations for long-term underground storage. EPA announced that following a comprehensive technical and legal review, the agency “is proposing to determine that Texas’ UIC Class VI program meets all requirements for approval and that the state will implement and enforce the program consistent with the SDWA.” When finalized, Texas will administer the full scope of underground injection control (UIC) programs to protect underground sources of drinking water, including the UIC programs for Class I-V wells for which the state already has primacy.
Earlier this year, EPA approved Class VI primacy for West Virginia, the fourth state to receive primacy for Class VI wells.
EPA is requesting public comments on the agency’s proposed approval within 45 days after the date of publication in the Federal Register. EPA will hold a virtual public hearing on July 24 at 5-8 p.m. Central Time. Register here.
