Texas has clinched top oversight of carbon dioxide injection wells in the state, a long-sought designation that supporters hope will be a boon to the carbon capture industry.
In an announcement Wednesday, EPA said granting so-called primacy to Texas for Class VI wells — which are used for the geologic sequestration of CO2 — is an example of states and the federal government working well together.
“The Trump Administration is proud to support Texas as it shows once again that you can protect natural resources and grows our nation’s energy economy at the same time,” EPA Region 6 Administrator Scott Mason said in a statement.
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin signed the final rule Friday, a prepublication notice said, which noted EPA “will continue to oversee Texas’ administration of its” underground injection control (UIC) program. Texas now has primacy over all six types of UIC wells, which include ones tied to enhanced oil recovery and used to inject nonhazardous fluids underground.
