EPA Virtual Public Hearing on Alaska Underground Injection Control Class VI Injection Well Primacy

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a proposal to grant the state of Alaska primary enforcement responsibility (primacy) for Class VI Underground Injection Control (UIC) wells. This authority, requested under section 1422 of the Safe Drinking Water Act, would empower the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission to issue and enforce permits for wells dedicated to geologic carbon sequestration. The proposed approval covers Class VI injection wells throughout Alaska, with specific exclusions for wells located within Indian country and areas of exclusive federal jurisdiction. The EPA has opened a public comment period regarding this proposal, which is tracked under Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2026-4588. To facilitate public input, the EPA has scheduled a virtual public hearing for December 10, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Alaska Standard Time. Interested parties must register to speak by December 9, 2026. Written comments are due by December 14, 2026.