U.S. Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX) joined his Texas Republican colleagues on Aug. 5 to propose legislation that would expedite state approval of carbon storage wells, which are a critical component for reliable energy projects that use carbon capture.
Rep. Pfluger cosponsored the Primacy Certainty Act of 2025, H.R. 4880, with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) to require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to rule on state applications to regulate Class VI injection wells within 180 days — otherwise the application would automatically take effect after 210 days if a state already enforces a similar program.
“Far too often, bureaucratic red tape gets in the way of those who know the energy industry best, stifling production and disincentivizing innovation,” said Rep. Pfluger, adding that the bill would “put an end to the Biden-era EPA’s painfully slow Class VI well permitting approval process.”
“This bill puts power back into the hands of state regulators who know their geology, and how to support it, best,” he added.
The measure also would direct the EPA to appoint a dedicated liaison for state coordination, tap Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funds for permit processing, and report annually to Congress on staffing and resource needs, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Pfluger’s staff.
H.R. 4880 has been referred for consideration to the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee.