Source: Wikimedia Commons
EPA approval positions the Railroad Commission, and Texas oil and gas, to accelerate CCS innovation, investment, and jobs.
The EPA’s approval granting the State of Texas primacy over Class VI injection wells marks a defining moment in the industry’s evolution toward large-scale carbon capture and storage (CCS). With this decision, Texas becomes the sixth state to secure primacy and now holds full authority over all Underground Injection Control (UIC) programs, Class I through VI, further cementing its role as a global energy leader.
The ruling gives the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) primary enforcement authority for Class VI wells, which are used to permanently store carbon dioxide deep underground. Industry leaders see this as a strong validation of the RRC’s technical expertise and long-standing commitment to responsible energy development.
RRC Executive Director Wei Wang highlighted that the EPA’s approval “recognizes RRC’s expertise to add Class VI wells to our UIC program, to continue our work of protecting Texans and our natural resources.” He noted that primacy will streamline permitting and deliver the regulatory certainty essential for one of the world’s most productive energy regions.
For the Texas oil and natural gas industry, the approval is nothing short of transformative. As TXOGA President Todd Staples stated, “Today’s approval is a watershed moment that launches the next chapter of Texas energy leadership. We appreciate the EPA’s thorough review and their confidence in the RRC’s world-class regulatory expertise. Texas is now poised to lead the world in CCS, which means more investment and more jobs for Texans.”
State-led oversight will unlock new investments, accelerate timelines, and foster innovation across the CCS landscape. The new framework, which is predictable, efficient, and grounded in Texas-specific knowledge, is expected to spur billions in private investment while creating a new wave of skilled jobs statewide.
The RRC has spent years preparing for this moment. Since 2021, agency staff have worked alongside EPA Region 6 to review Class VI permit applications, building a program that will “hit the ground running.” The Special Injection Permits Unit brings a combined 140 years of industry experience and more than 50 years of Texas regulatory experience to the task. With 18 applications already in hand and more projects planned, momentum is well under way.
Industry groups across the state echoed TXOGA’s confidence. The Houston CCS Alliance called the decision “a game changer for our state,” noting that it opens the door to large-scale CCS development both in Houston and across Texas.
Lawmakers also applauded the move. Rep. August Pfluger highlighted that Texas geologic expertise and efficient oversight will allow energy producers to “move forward with confidence” and help strengthen American energy security.
The EPA’s final approval is more than an administrative milestone. It is a strategic breakthrough. It accelerates Texas’ path to becoming the world’s premier location for safe, effective, and economically impactful carbon capture and storage, all while reinforcing the state’s long-standing role at the forefront of global energy innovation.
