The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released proposals July 15 for a category of injection wells for long-term underground carbon dioxide storage as Congress contemplates carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology.
The proposed rules, which outline storage siting, testing, and monitoring requirements, fall under EPA’s existing Underground Injection Control (UIC) program. They would update the 1974 Safe Drinking Water Act.
EPA hopes to ensure that stored CO2 does not move or leach heavy metals or other contaminants out of surrounding rock into underground water.
Benjamin Grumbles, EPA assistant administrator for water, said a final rule is expected in late 2010-early 2011.
Rules already exist for CO2 injected for enhanced oil recovery projects. Grumbles said the new rules represent the first federal regulations for long-term CO2 storage.
EPA will accept public comment on the Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for 120 days following its publication.
CCS, not yet available on a large-scale commercial basis, would contain greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from power plants and other industrial sources.
EPA working with DOE
EPA worked with the US departments of Energy, Agriculture, and Transportation to develop regulations to cut GHG emissions from motor vehicles and their fuels.
EPA and DOE jointly fund the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) to study potential impacts of CO2 injection on aquifers and drinking water sources. LBNL also assesses potential changes in regional groundwater flow, including displacement of pre-existing saline water or hydrocarbons.
Grumbles said EPA tracks the progress of national and international sequestration projects, including DOE’s Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnerships.
Under the UIC program, experimental technology permits have been issued for CO2 injection wells drilled by the partnerships, Grumbles said.
Types of injection wells
EPA proposes a new class of injection wells for carbon sequestration. UIC regulations outline five classes of injection wells. The proposed rules would establish a sixth class specifically for long-term CO2 storage.
Grumbles said the proposed rules would apply to CO2 injection wells onshore and in state territorial waters within 3 miles of the US coast. CO2 wells drilled beyond the 3-mile limit would fall under the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act.
Many states already have proposed CO2 storage regulations. Grumbles said the proposed rules would provide a minimum level of safeguards.
