The Environmental Protection Agency is seeking public comments on a proposal to give the state of Louisiana primary responsibility for regulating carbon dioxide sequestration wells in the state, an EPA press release says.
The so-called "Class VI" wells are deep wells into which carbon dioxide is injected from coal- and natural-gas-fired power plants and other industrial sources that create significant carbon dioxide emissions, an EPA web page says. One of the key goals of regulating Class VI deep-well injection under the EPA's Underground Injection Control (UIC) Program is to protect groundwater, which is typically found in much shallower levels underground.
The EPA says the deep wells are critical for reducing carbon emissions.
“EPA is moving with urgency to combat the climate crisis, and this proposal would help leverage critical technologies to cut harmful climate pollution that jeopardizes people’s health and safety,” said EPA Region 6 Administrator Earthea Nance.
"EPA’s proposal also follows guidance from the Council on Environmental Quality to ensure that the advancement of carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration technologies are done in a responsible manner that incorporates the input of communities and reflects the best available science," the EPA release said.
The news release says, "As part of this effort, EPA worked with the State of Louisiana to strengthen practices that protect the state’s vulnerable communities. Louisiana Department of Natural Resources’ application for primacy of the Class VI UIC program reflects these critical considerations, integrating environmental justice and equity considerations into their permitting process."
“As we work to finalize this proposal, EPA will seek and consider public feedback and continue to prioritize protections for our most vulnerable communities while ensuring they have a meaningful seat at the table,” said Nance.
The public comment period runs through July 3. Comments should be sent to Federal Register docket number EPA-HQ-OW-2023-0073. EPA has scheduled an in-person public hearing for June 15 in Baton Rouge. The last day to register to speak at the hearing will be June 8, 2023. EPA encourages speakers to provide a copy of their oral testimony electronically by emailing it to pham.lisa@epa.gov. EPA also recommends submitting the text of oral comments as written comments to the rulemaking docket.
