Environmental Justice Tracker

EJ Tracker Update

EPA Granted Louisiana Authority to Permit Carbon Dioxide Wells

Last updated:

December 29, 2023

Statute

SDWA

Agencies

EPA

Actions

Final Rule

EPA granted Louisiana authority under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) to permit carbon dioxide wells for carbon capture and storage. The authority was given to the state notwithstanding the concerns from environmental justice advocates who have battled the plan. Environmental justice advocates argue that carbon capture and storage is not effective or safe for communities. EPA Administrator Michael Regan has tried to assure concerned parties with the robust provisions that EPA implemented in a Memorandum of Agreement with Louisiana that requires that state to consider environmental justice impacts and take certain actions to protect communities from environmental hazards related to well injections.