Congressmen August Pfluger and Dan Crenshaw are urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to expedite its review of the Texas Railroad Commission’s (RRC) application for primary enforcement authority over carbon capture permits in the state.
Class VI underground injection control wells are essential for advancing carbon capture technology in Texas.
The EPA currently faces a backlog of over 160 Class VI well applications, with only eight final permit decisions issued and an average approval time of three to six years.
Granting the RRC authority over the permitting process would allow developers to apply directly to a state agency with extensive expertise in managing Texas’ complex geology, rather than relying on the slow federal process.
In their letter to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, the lawmakers emphasized that prioritizing the RRC’s application would set an important precedent for review timelines.
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“This will help streamline the approval process for future applications from other states, facilitate the launch of new CCUS projects, and ensure the implementation of appropriate environmental protections,” the letter reads.
The lawmakers argue that timely approval would improve oversight, accelerate permitting, and encourage innovation in carbon capture.
Additionally, it would give local stakeholders—such as energy producers, environmental organizations, and the public—greater involvement in well regulation. This is vital to maintaining public confidence in the process, the letter states.
The RRC’s application meets all statutory requirements under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) and highlights Texas’ strong regulatory framework for subsurface injection.
Approval could serve as a model for other states seeking to accelerate carbon capture projects.
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