(AGENPARL) – ven 28 aprile 2023 EPA Opens Public Comment on Proposal Granting Louisiana Primacy for Carbon Sequestration and Protection of Drinking Water Sources
DALLAS, TEXAS – (April 28, 2023) Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) opened public comment on a proposal to grant the State of Louisiana’s request for primary responsibility – or primacy – of Class VI wells under the Underground Injection Control (UIC) Program, which regulates the injection of carbon dioxide (CO2) into deep rock formation. Class VI injection wells—when used as a part of carbon capture and storage and carbon dioxide removal projects—are a critical tool for cutting carbon emissions and combatting the climate crisis.
“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. “As an agency that is advancing environmental justice, EPA listened to the community voices in the region and worked extensively with the state of Louisiana to ensure its primacy application reflected essential environmental justice and equity considerations. 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.”
After conducting a comprehensive technical and legal review, EPA determined that the State of Louisiana’s Class VI UIC program meets all requirements for approval and the state will implement and enforce a Class VI UIC program consistent with the Safe Drinking Water Act. EPA is requesting public comments on the Agency’s proposed decision within 60 days after date of publication in the Federal Register.
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