“Column: Texas Railroad Commission should control carbon capture permitting”

“Column: Texas Railroad Commission should control carbon capture permitting

By: Zack Abnet, Texas State Director for the American Conservation Coalition

When it comes to energy, you can always count on Texas’ innovative spirit and get-it-done attitude to lead the way. Our vast natural resources and ability to provide affordable, reliable energy has made Texas a global energy leader and an economic powerhouse. In the past decade alone, our state expanded its status as an energy hub by taking a technology-neutral approach that welcomes investments in all forms of low-carbon technologies, including safe, proven solutions like carbon capture and storage that complement our existing natural gas resources. As one of the fastest growing states, we’ll need energy from every available source if we want to keep up with demand and continue to lower our carbon emissions.

Despite our willingness to bet on growing technologies like carbon capture and storage technology, federal bureaucracy is holding back investments that could create new jobs and strengthen our energy sector in Texas. Since establishing the Class VI program for carbon storage in 2010, the US Environmental Protection Agency has only approved six permits. The Houston Chronicle has reported that as demand for carbon capture and storage has grown, accelerated by Congress’ investments through the Inflation Reduction Act, requests for permits have stretched the capacity for the EPA to issue decisions in a timely manner. It can take as long as five years for the EPA to issue a permit. Hundreds of applications, including many from Texas, are currently languishing, waiting for federal approval.

To circumvent this logjam, federal law allows states to apply to assume regulation themselves by demonstrating they have the resources and expertise to safely administer permitting, in a process known as “primacy.” At the end of last year, our neighbor Louisiana was granted primacy to permit Class VI carbon injection wells, meaning Louisiana can regulate its permitting process at the state level, avoiding long federal permitting wait times. With the primacy designation, projects in Louisiana are moving forward again, which will produce thousands of new jobs, improve the state’s environmental record, and bolster its energy stability. It’s time for Texas to join its neighbor.”

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