Texas can now approve carbon storage wells without US environmental regulators

The US environmental regulators propose to let Texas approve underground injection wells for storing carbon dioxide. This means Texas, through its Railroad Commission, will decide where and how companies can bury carbon emissions within the state.

For decades, the US environmental regulators have been the only authority to approve these types of wells. Shifting this power to Texas means the state can set its own pace and standards for carbon capture projects. This could accelerate the deployment of carbon storage in Texas, a major energy-producing state, by streamlining the permitting process.