Texas is approaching a critical regulatory milestone as it seeks primacy from the EPA over Class VI injection wells—key infrastructure enabling carbon capture and storage (CCS).
Currently, the EPA manages Class VI permitting nationwide, and approvals are painfully slow, often exceeding two years per permit. These delays put billions of dollars in private investment and thousands of Texas jobs on hold, slowing essential CCS projects. More than 165 Class VI applications are pending EPA review, with roughly 56 from Texas alone, clearly highlighting the need for regulatory reform.
Granting primacy would shift oversight from federal hands to the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC). With experienced state regulators at the helm, permitting timelines would become faster, more predictable, and provide clearer regulatory guidance. That means more projects breaking ground sooner, greater investment in CCS technologies and services, and increased opportunities for skilled energy workers. Allowing the state of Texas to quickly permit Class VI wells will reduce regulatory bottlenecks and increase investment.
Beyond Texas, state primacy would set a crucial national precedent, demonstrating how streamlined permitting can accelerate CCS development while maintaining high environmental standards. As more states pursue primacy, an efficient federal process will be key to unlocking CCS infrastructure across the country.
EWTC submitted a letter of support for Texas’ application detailing how primacy will cut permitting delays, drive CCS deployment, and mobilize the workforce needed to get projects built.
To learn more or submit a public comment, visit the EPA’s public comment portal.
Jeff Emerick, Director of Government Affairs, writes about the Energy Workforce & Technology Council. Click here to subscribe to the Energy Workforce newsletter, which highlights sector-specific issues, best practices, activities and more.
