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Carbon Capture, Use, and Storage

Carbon Capture, Use, and Storage

As interest grows in carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) as a way to reduce carbon pollution in the atmosphere, Commission Shift is dubious about the possibility of the Railroad Commission, the state oil and gas agency, regulating carbon dioxide (CO2) pipelines or injection wells in Texas. The Railroad Commission has sought approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate Class VI CO2 injection wells, which are a key part of the CCUS process, and are supposed to ensure the greenhouse gas emissions remain permanently sequestered underground. Based on the commission’s poor track record of protecting air, water and land, we are opposing the Railroad Commission’s request for “primacy” to be the sole permitting and regulatory authority in Texas for Class VI wells.

Many Texas communities along the Gulf Coast, the Eagle Ford Shale, and the Permian Basin are predominantly people of color, low income, and/or are already overburdened by pollution from heavy industrial activity and poor state oversight. Environmental justice communities in Texas will continue to be disproportionately affected by CCUS approaches, and our communities’ concerns and proposals deserve serious consideration. Read more: Commission Shift statement on CCUS.

Texas CCUS Map (vApr2021)
Map Source: Baker Institute

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01.29.2024 Media Coverage

Everything is bigger in Texas, including the hydrogen Cipher News

12.22.2023 Media Coverage    Statement from Commission Shift   

Carbon capture lets Big Oil off the hook. We’re footing the bill. Houston Chronicle

11.06.2023 Media Coverage

Texas Sees ‘Bonanza’ in Carbon Storage Market Capital and Main

11.05.2023 Media Coverage

The Green Fuel That Even Red America Loves Wall Street Journal

10.06.2023 Media Coverage    The Workover Blog   

Orphan Wells Interview featuring Commission Shift’s Paige Powell KPFT Houston

09.29.2023 Media Coverage

CO2 storage project planned for West Texas Energy Wire

07.18.2023 Media Coverage

Texas Democrats split on state’s role in carbon capture Houston Chronicle

05.01.2023 Media Coverage

EPA proposal advances La. bid to oversee CO2 wells Energy Wire

04.17.2023 Media Coverage

Why injecting CO2 underground is a legal morass Energy Wire

04.10.2023 The Workover Blog

Carbon Capture Awareness Month

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