Cramer: EPA Approves North Dakota Primacy of Class VI Injection Well Activities

Statement

Congressman Kevin Cramer issued the following statement after Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt approved an application by the State of North Dakota for state primacy over Class VI well activities for geologic storage of carbon dioxide.

This request was first made by North Dakota in 2013 and failed to receive action by the Obama Administration. The purpose of the application is to allow the state to serve as the primary regulator for geologic storage of carbon dioxide within their state boundaries.

"I appreciate the action taken by Administrator Pruitt today and celebrate this victory for North Dakota; Cooperative federalism is alive once again," said Cramer. "I am confident our state's expert staff will responsibly exercise its role and continue to be a leader in the energy industry."

While Cramer served as a North Dakota Public Service Commissioner he managed environmental programs such as the Surface Mine Coal Reclamation Act. North Dakota has been at the forefront of many environmental programs due to its unique natural resources.

Cramer introduced H.R. 4857, the CO2 Regulatory Certainty Act, in both the 114th and 115th Sessions of Congress. This legislation allows North Dakota energy producers to utilize the Section 45Q carbon sequestration tax credit for enhanced oil and gas recovery by aligning Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidelines with EPA rules, which gives the industry certainty and incentive to utilize carbon dioxide as a resource for energy development and economic growth rather than strictly a waste.

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