45 days for public comment on Alaska CO2 well control

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is asking for public input for 45 days on a plan to give Alaska direct control over carbon dioxide injection wells.

On October 27, 2026, the EPA announced a proposal to approve Alaska's request for primacy under the Safe Drinking Water Act. This would allow the state to administer permits for Class VI underground injection wells. These specific wells are used to pump carbon dioxide from industrial processes and energy production into deep rock formations.

EPA Region 10 Administrator Emma Pokon stated that the agency believes Alaskans know their energy needs and how to protect local air, land, and water better than federal officials in Washington, DC. She described the move as a step toward cooperative federalism that allows the state to produce more energy while safeguarding underground drinking water sources.

If the proposal is finalized, the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission will gain the authority to issue and enforce compliance for these permits. AOGCC Commissioner Jessie Chmielowski said the commission values its working relationship with the EPA and looks forward to continuing that collaboration. Chmielowski added that securing this primacy will build on the state's existing Class II regulatory expertise and help ensure the safe development of geologic carbon storage projects.

The EPA's preliminary review of Alaska's application found that the state's Underground Injection Control program meets all requirements for approval. The agency proposed that Alaska would implement and enforce the program consistent with federal law.

Since 2025, the EPA has approved similar primacy requests for West Virginia, Texas, Arizona, and Colorado. Seven states have now received primacy for Class VI wells. The EPA noted that this work was supported in part by funding from an interagency agreement with the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council.

The agency plans to host a virtual public hearing as part of the comment period. The 45-day window for public comment runs from the date of the announcement.