The bill under consideration in Pennsylvania would direct the DEP to assume this authority from the EPA. This means that projects must be approved by the federal agency and meet its construction, monitoring, and operating standards. The agency would be tasked with assessing the terrain on which wells would be constructed, enforcing regulations on the quality of storage and transportation infrastructure, and monitoring public health impacts.Ĭurrently, the federal Environmental Protection Agency has the primary enforcement authority, also called primacy, when it comes to injection wells. Such wells can cause earthquakes and contaminate drinking water. These wells are used to store liquified carbon dioxide emissions as a way to prevent greenhouse gases from entering the atmosphere. The state Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee recently passed a bill along party lines that would create a legal and regulatory framework for DEP to control where companies can dig underground injection wells. Tom Wolf also approved $1 billion in tax incentives last year, aimed at attracting a hub to the state.īut environmental advocates and some lawmakers argue the state Department of Environmental Protection won’t be able to provide adequate oversight of carbon capture and storage, and that communities will be endangered if such projects are allowed without federal oversight. State lawmakers and former Democratic Gov. So far, the federal government has received three applications to build hydrogen hubs in Pennsylvania. As a part of the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Department of Energy will allocate $7 billion to up to 10 projects to create “hydrogen hubs.” HARRISBURG - The Pennsylvania Senate is weighing a measure that would give state regulators, rather than federal ones, the power to decide where to place large wells that are used to bury carbon dioxide produced by power plants deep underground.Ĭarbon capture is tied to the burgeoning hydrogen production industry, which is set to receive an enormous influx of cash over the next decade. Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan newsroom powered by The Philadelphia Inquirer in partnership with PennLive/The Patriot-News, TribLIVE/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, and WITF Public Media.
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