EPA said Wednesday it is moving to grant Colorado top regulatory authority over carbon dioxide storage wells, putting the Centennial State in the running to be the seventh state with that designation.
In a proposed rule set to be published Thursday in the Federal Register, EPA said it’s planning to hand so-called “primacy” over Class VI wells to Colorado, a move that would authorize the state’s Energy and Carbon Management Commission (ECMC) to issue injection well permits for geologic CO2 storage.
Only two Class VI wells are currently planned for Colorado, according to an online tracker maintained by EPA. Colorado has said its Class VI program is designed to ensure the highest level of environmental protection, while also supporting the development of carbon capture technologies.
Colorado’s Class VI permitting provisions and technical criteria meet federal requirements, EPA said in its proposed rule. EPA will hold one virtual public hearing during the comment period.
