HOUSTON – Consumer Energy Alliance, the leading energy and environmental advocate for families and businesses, issued the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) granted Texas’s request to assume primary permitting and enforcement authority for UIC Class VI injection wells under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
“This is a win for Texas families, businesses and the environment,” CEA President David Holt said. “By granting Texas the authority to manage Class VI well permitting, the EPA has recognized what we’ve known for years: Texas has the expertise, infrastructure and commitment to lead on carbon capture technology while maintaining rigorous safety standards.”
“Texas is already the nation’s energy leader, and now the Lone Star State can accelerate carbon capture projects that reduce emissions while supporting the industries that deliver affordable, reliable energy to American consumers. CEA has championed Texas’s primacy application because we know that state-level oversight will streamline the permitting process without compromising environmental protection.”
“With this approval, Texas becomes the sixth state granted authority to permit Class VI wells—joining North Dakota, Wyoming, Louisiana, West Virginia and Arizona. This is exactly the kind of practical, results-oriented approach we need: using innovation and existing infrastructure to reduce emissions while keeping energy affordable and jobs secure.”
CEA has been working to educate stakeholders in Texas and Louisiana about the benefits of primacy to advance carbon capture.
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About Consumer Energy Alliance
Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) is the trusted voice advocating for affordable, reliable, and cleaner energy solutions that benefit all Americans. Representing families, farmers, small businesses, distributors, producers, and manufacturers, CEA champions sensible, balanced policies that support economic growth and environmental resiliency; and ensures families and businesses are a vocal part of the nation’s energy dialogue. Every day, we work to inspire practical, responsible solutions that meet America’s energy needs while protecting the environment for generations to come.
Contact:
Bryson Hull
(202) 657-2855
bhull@consumerenergyalliance.org