Capito attends EPA signing event

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, joined U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum and Congressman Riley Moore (R-W.Va.), as U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin signed a final rule approving West Virginia’s request to regulate the injection of carbon dioxide into deep rock formations.

This action officially grants West Virginia the authority to oversee and administer the Class VI well program for deploying carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) projects. 

“I’m thrilled that Administrator Zeldin has affirmed his support for West Virginia’s approval to permit Class VI wells for carbon capture, and that we are officially bringing this important authority to those who know our state best. West Virginia has proven ourselves as a leader in this field, and with this announcement, has become the fourth state to receive Class VI well primacy. Today’s signing marks an important step in the continuation of West Virginia’s proud tradition of being an energy state and our efforts to contribute to American energy dominance,” Capito said. 

“To Power the Great American Comeback, we need to produce more energy right here in the United States, and that requires cooperative federalism and permitting reform. As one of my first acts as EPA Administrator, I am proud to sign this rule to allow West Virginia the independence it needs to permit and regulate itself, while also working to safeguard our environment and drinking water. Under President Trump’s leadership, we will continue to advance conservation and foster economic growth for families across the country,” Zeldin said. 

Capito has continuously advocated for West Virginia to be granted Class VI well primacy. In May 2023, Senator Capito introduced legislation to streamline state primacy applications for Class VI wells. In November 2023, Senator Capito urged the EPA to more quickly grant state primacy for Class VI storage wells and disburse funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which she fought to include for future CCUS projects in the state. 

Last November, Capito applauded EPA’s proposal to grant West Virginia this authority, and sent a letter in support of approval to the Agency in December. Senator Capito applauded West Virginia’s final approval to permit Class VI wells last month.