EPA Letter to Governors Supports State Carbon Sequestration Program Development

On December 9, EPA Administrator Michael Regan sent a letter to Governors to support the development of state geologic (carbon) sequestration programs. Geologic sequestration is permitted through the Class VI underground injection control (UIC) well program under the Safe Drinking Water Act. The Agency is seeking to support state Class VI program approaches that balance the use of geologic sequestration with the mitigation of climate change impacts on environmental justice communities, while ensuring the protection of underground sources of drinking water.

EPA will provide up to $50 million in grant funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for qualifying states and tribes that are interested in developing a Class VI program. The Agency expects to issue a formal request in the next few weeks asking state and tribes to submit a Letter of Intent for this funding that is being provided as 100% grants with no state match.

For reference, EPA submitted a report to Congress on “recommendations to improve Class VI permitting procedures for commercial and research carbon sequestration projects” on October 31, 2022, as required by the 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act.

For more information, visit the EPA website, and read the Class VI Letter to Governors.