Alaska Could Take Charge of Permits for Underground Carbon Storage
Published Date: 10/29/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The EPA is proposing to let Alaska take charge of special underground injection wells used to safely store carbon dioxide and protect drinking water. This means Alaska’s Oil and Gas Conservation Commission will handle permits and enforcement for these wells, except on tribal lands and federal areas. People can comment on this plan until December 14, 2026, and it could speed up carbon storage projects in Alaska without extra costs.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Alaska will issue Class VI CO2 permits
If you plan to build or operate a Class VI carbon dioxide injection (geologic carbon sequestration) well in Alaska, the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (AOGCC) would be the permitting and enforcement authority for those wells located in the State. This change follows Alaska's primacy application submitted May 22, 2026; Alaska's related regulations became effective April 18, 2026; and the EPA is accepting comments on the proposed approval through December 14, 2026.
Tribal and federal lands remain under EPA
The State-approved Class VI program would apply to wells in Alaska except for wells located within Indian country and wells located within areas of exclusive Federal jurisdiction. For wells on tribal lands or in exclusive Federal areas, the EPA would continue to administer the UIC Class VI program.
No new small-entity costs certified
The EPA certified under the Regulatory Flexibility Act that this approval will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities and stated the action will not impose any requirements on small entities because it transfers authority to a State program with substantially the same requirements. The EPA also stated this action will not create new information collection burdens under the Paperwork Reduction Act (OMB control number 2040-0042).
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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