EPA Announces Proposed Approval for Texas for Class VI Permitting

On Monday, June 9, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its proposed approval for Texas’ request to administer permitting for Class VI underground injection wells in the state, under the Safe Drinking Water Act. After conducting a comprehensive technical and legal review, EPA is proposing to determine that Texas’ Underground Injection Control Class VI program meets all requirements for approval and that the state will implement and enforce the program consistent with the SDWA.

“In the Safe Drinking Water Act, Congress laid out a clear vision for delegating decision-making from EPA to states that have local expertise and understand their water resources, geology, communities, and opportunities for economic growth,” said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. “Today, EPA is taking a key step to support cooperative federalism by proposing to approve Texas to permit Class VI wells in the state.” Read more from Texas congressional delegates and EPA here.

When approved, Texas will join West Virginia and Arizona with the ability to permit for Class VI UIC wells in their state.