Senators Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito announced that the EPA has taken the first step toward granting West Virginia authority. The state will gain the ability to issue its own Class VI well permits for carbon capture and storage (CCS).
This move will help speed up permitting for CCS projects in West Virginia. The state will still maintain high safety standards during the process.
A Major Milestone for Carbon Capture in West Virginia
The EPA’s decision will allow West Virginia to issue its own permits for carbon storage wells. This will bypass federal permits.
The state’s Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) will manage the permitting process. This change will speed up CCS projects. Companies can obtain permits more quickly, reducing regulatory delays and improving the efficiency of carbon storage projects.
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Senator Joe Manchin emphasized that West Virginia has always been at the forefront of deploying cutting-edge energy technologies. He stated that CCS would strengthen energy security, create high-paying jobs, and reduce emissions. He also highlighted the importance of having WVDEP experts, who are familiar with the state, approve the wells quickly and safely to achieve these goals.
Key Funding and Support for Carbon Storage Development
As part of this effort, West Virginia is expected to receive $44 million to develop a carbon storage hub. This funding is part of a larger $518 million program from the US Department of Energy (DOE). Advanced Resources International will lead the development of the carbon storage hub in two neighboring areas: Belmont County, Ohio, and Marshall County, West Virginia.
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This funding and the potential for state-level permitting would put West Virginia at the forefront of CCS technology development. If granted, the state would become the fourth in the US to issue its own Class VI permits, joining North Dakota, Wyoming, and Louisiana.
Strong Support for CCS Technology
Senator Shelley Moore Capito expressed support for the initiative, welcoming the EPA’s step toward granting West Virginia authority over carbon capture technology. She noted that states are better equipped than Washington to manage and implement such projects.
Capito also emphasized that carbon capture and storage (CCS) is vital for ensuring reliable power in West Virginia while reducing emissions from the power and manufacturing sectors.
Additionally, she stressed that quickly finalizing this authority would help the state better support carbon capture initiatives
What’s Next for West Virginia’s Carbon Capture Initiative?
While the decision is a significant step, more procedures are still before primacy is granted. If all goes as planned, West Virginia will join a select group of states leading carbon capture innovation. This move is expected to create jobs, reduce emissions, and strengthen West Virginia’s role in clean energy technology.