Texas Sees ‘Bonanza’ in Carbon Storage Market Capital and Main
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
Orphan Wells Interview featuring Commission Shift’s Paige Powell KPFT Houston
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Zombie Wells, Part 3: Sinkholes near old Texas oil wells may signal issues in climate change fight Houston Chronicle
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Texas Aims To Take Charge Of Carbon Capture Projects Law 360
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Railroad Commission of Texas Should Not Be in Charge of Overseeing Carbon Sequestration
We need you to speak out for reform at the Railroad Commission!
