EPA Formally Establishes the Class VI UIC Program for Geologic Sequestration

On September 15, 2011, EPA published a Federal Register Notice (FR 56982) announcing the establishment of the Federal Underground Injection Control (UIC) Class VI Program for Carbon Dioxide Geologic Sequestration Wells.  Starting September 7th, the transitional period during which states were able to use existing UIC authorities (e.g., Class I or Class V) to permit geosequestration projects has now ended and direct Federal implementation and enforcement requirements are now in effect until UIC Class VI state primacy applications are approved by EPA.  As of September 6, 2011, EPA had not received or approved any complete primacy applications.  States and owners or operators of any existing (Class I or Class V) or new geosequestration wells must now submit all new permit applications by December 10, 2011 to the appropriate EPA Region in order for a permit to be issued under the Class VI rule.

For general information and to access information on the final Class VI rule, visit the Underground Injection Control Geologic Sequestration Web site at http://water.epa.gov/type/groundwater/uic/wells_sequestration.cfm.  For more information, please contact Lisa McWhirter of EPA at mcwhirter.lisa@epa.gov or 202-564-2317.