The head of EPA’s South Central region signaled Tuesday that the agency is planning to grant Texas primary oversight of carbon injection wells in the state.
The state Railroad Commission — which regulates Texas’ oil and gas industry — is pursuing top enforcement authority over Class VI wells used to send carbon dioxide underground into rock formations for long-term storage.
Scott Mason, EPA’s Region 6 administrator, was in Austin, Texas, to sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the three elected members of the Railroad Commission. The agreement outlines the state agency’s responsibilities and plans for implementation of the Class VI program, including around permitting, enforcement and EPA oversight.
The ability for states to issue Class VI permits themselves is known as “primacy.” EPA has granted that authority to only four states so far: North Dakota, Wyoming, Louisiana and West Virginia. Texas is looking to join the club, and EPA’s Mason indicated that’s likely in the cards.
