Photo courtesy of WV News
CHARLESTON (WV News) — A coalition of environmental groups has filed a challenge to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to grant West Virginia Class VI primacy earlier this year.
The coalition — which includes the Sierra Club and the West Virginia Rivers Coalition — has petitioned the U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals, challenging the EPA giving the state the authority to oversee and administer the Class VI well program in the state.
Class VI primacy gives the state authority to oversee the permitting and regulation of Class VI wells, which are used to inject carbon dioxide deep underground for long-term storage — a component of carbon capture and storage technology.
The EPA announced it was granting West Virginia Class VI primacy in February, marking the fourth state granted the authority following North Dakota, Wyoming and Louisiana.
The petitioners said they fear the state will not properly oversee the program, which could have detrimental impacts on residents and the environment.