Senators Joe Manchin III, I-W.Va., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, and Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., ranking member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, announced Friday that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed granting West Virginia the authority to oversee and administer the Class VI well program in the state, which is more commonly known as Class VI “primacy”.
These wells are designed to inject carbon dioxide (CO2) into deep rock formations and serve as critical infrastructure for deploying carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects.
Once finalized, primacy will allow a CCS project developer in West Virginia to apply directly for permits from the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP), accelerating the process, which currently requires a permit from EPA, while still upholding strict safety standards.
“West Virginia has always been at the forefront of deploying cutting-edge energy technologies,” Manchin said. “CCS will strengthen our energy security, create high-paying jobs, and reduce emissions. Ensuring these wells can be approved quickly and safely by WVDEP experts who know our state best is key to realizing this goal.”
“After too long of a delay, it is welcome news that EPA has taken this step toward granting West Virginia the authority we need to properly implement carbon capture technology," Capito said. "I have frequently said that the states are better suited than Washington to carry out this authority and get these projects up and running. Carbon capture, use, and storage is essential to protecting our ability to provide reliable, baseload power in West Virginia through coal and natural gas, while reducing our power and manufacturing sector emissions.”