Open for Comment

EPA is soliciting public comment on the following proposed rules and draft documents, which are listed in order by the date on which comments are due. You may submit comments on proposed rules by e-mail to OW-Docket@epa.gov or follow the instructions in the Federal Register notice. Also, EPA Dockets (EDOCKET) is an online public docket and comment system designed to expand access to documents in EPAs major dockets. Dockets contain Federal Register notices, support documents, and public comments for regulations the Agency publishes and various non-regulatory activities. EDOCKET allows you to search, download and print the documents in a docket, as well as submit comments online.

Please submit comments on other draft documents to the person listed on that web page.

Federal Requirements Under the Underground Injection Control (UIC) Program for Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) Geologic Sequestration (GS) Wells; Proposed Rule

EPA is proposing Federal requirements under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) for underground injection of carbon dioxide (CO₂) for the purpose of geologic sequestration (GS). GS is one of a portfolio of options that could be deployed to reduce CO₂ emissions to the atmosphere and help to mitigate climate change. This proposal applies to owners or operators of wells that will be used to inject CO₂ into the subsurface for the purpose of long-term storage. It proposes a new class of well and minimum technical criteria for the geologic site characterization, fluid movement, area of review (AoR) and corrective action, well construction, operation, mechanical integrity testing, monitoring, well plugging, post-injection site care, and site closure for the purposes of protecting underground sources of drinking water (USDWs). The elements of this proposal are based on the existing Underground Injection Control (UIC) regulatory framework, with modifications to address the unique nature of CO₂ injection for GS. If finalized, this proposal would help ensure consistency in permitting underground injection of CO₂ at GS operations across the U.S. and provide requirements to prevent endangerment of USDWs in anticipation of the eventual use of GS to reduce CO2 emissions.

• Geologic Sequestration of Carbon Dioxide

Dates: Comments must be received on or before November 24, 2008.

Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW- 2008-0390, by one of the following methods:

• www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments.
• Mail:
  Water Docket,
  Environmental Protection Agency, Mailcode: 2822T,
  1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW.,
  Washington, DC 20460.
• Hand Delivery:
  Water Docket,
  EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC)
  EPA West, Room 3334,
  1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC.
  
  Such deliveries are only accepted during the Docket's normal hours of operation, and special arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information.
• For more inforation contact:
  Lee Whitehurst,
  Underground Injection Control Program,
  Drinking Water Protection Division,
  Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water (MC-4606M),
  Environmental Protection Agency,
  1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW.,
  Washington, DC 20460
  Telephone number: (202) 564-3896
  Fax number: (202) 564-3756
  e-mail address: whitehurst.lee@epa.gov.

EPA is also seeking comment on the Draft Technical Guidance Manual for the Proposed Aircraft Drinking Water Rule.

The comment period for the Guidance is open until August 31, 2008. Comments may be submitted by email (aircraftdrinkingwater@epa.gov).

(Note: any comments on the proposed rule itself must be submitted to EPA in the manner prescribed in the April 9, 2008 Federal Register notice for the Proposed Rule by July 8, 2008.)

• Draft Technical Guidance Manual for the Proposed Aircraft Drinking Water Rule PDF (62pp, 396K) (ALL ABOUT PDF FILES)
  

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