Proposal Would Let Utah Issue Permits for Wells That Store Carbon Dioxide Underground
Comments on the proposal are due Dec. 7, and EPA will hold one online public hearing before then.
- By Danielle Naidu
- October 26, 2026
Owners and operators of wells that store carbon dioxide underground in Utah could get their permits from the state instead of EPA under a proposed rule. These are known as Class VI wells.
EPA published the proposal Oct. 22. It would approve Utah’s request to take the lead on permitting and enforcement for Class VI wells in the state. This authority is called primacy. EPA would keep primacy for wells on Indian lands.
With approval, the Utah Department of Natural Resources, Division of Oil, Gas and Mining would issue Class VI permits and make sure permit holders follow them. Class VI wells inject carbon dioxide into deep rock layers so it stays underground for the long term. EPA calls this geologic sequestration.
EPA found that Utah’s program meets federal primacy requirements under section 1422 of the Safe Drinking Water Act and related EPA regulations. Its review covered Utah’s laws and regulations, a description of the state’s program and a statement from Utah’s attorney general. The review also covered an update to Utah’s agreement with EPA Region 8.
If the rule is finalized, EPA would keep overseeing Utah’s program. Reports on permit holders who don’t comply would be due to EPA every three months. Utah would also send yearly performance reports.
Comments on docket ID EPA-HQ-OW-2026-0496 are due Dec. 7. EPA prefers comments through regulations.gov, but it also accepts mail and hand delivery. People who want to speak at the online hearing can sign up on EPA’s proposed rulemaking page. EPA will post the hearing date, time and other updates there.
Utah applied for Class VI primacy Dec. 23, 2025. The state already has primacy for Class I, II, III, IV and V wells.
