An open house is being held at the Vernal Department of Natural Resources regional office this month put on by the Utah Division of Oil, Gas, and Mining’s Oil and Gas Program staff. The event aims to educate the public on the program’s efforts to obtain primacy from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for administering class VI carbon sequestration wells in Utah. Carbon sequestration wells are engineered structures that inject carbon dioxide (CO2) underground for long-term storage. “The public is invited to attend to learn more about carbon sequestration wells, the concept of primacy, and the division’s proposed rules and regulations,” shares the announcement. “In 2022, the Utah Legislature passed House Bill 244, creating a framework for the Utah Division of Oil, Gas, and Mining (OGM) to begin obtaining primacy, or primary enforcement responsibilities, from the EPA to establish an Underground Injection Control (UIC) program. Primacy would give OGM regulatory oversight of the permitting, construction, operation, compliance and closure of class VI carbon sequestration wells on all lands except tribal, which the EPA currently regulates.” This time-intensive process is anticipated to take several years before approval is given. The open house is scheduled for September 19th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Vernal Department of Natural Resources regional office at 318 North Vernal Ave. For additional information, call 435-790-6145 or email richardpowell@utah.gov.
