Subpart RR – Geologic Sequestration of Carbon Dioxide

This rule requires reporting of greenhouse gases (GHGs) from facilities that inject carbon dioxide underground for geologic sequestration. Geologic sequestration (GS) is the long-term containment of carbon dioxide in subsurface geologic formations. Subpart RR requires facilities meeting the source category definition (40 CFR 98.440) for any well or group of wells to develop and implement an EPA-approved monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) plan; report data such as the mass of CO₂ received for injection and the mass of CO₂ injected, produced, or leaked to the surface; report the mass of CO₂ sequestered using a mass balance approach; and report annual monitoring activities.

This rule is complementary to and builds on EPA's Federal Requirements under the Underground Injection Control (UIC) Program for Carbon Dioxide Geologic Sequestration Wells.

Visit the Supply, Underground Injection, and Geologic Sequestration of Carbon Dioxide page for more information about this sector.

• Frequently Asked Questions
• Implementation Information
• Subpart RR Submission Deadlines
• Subpart RR Final Decisions
• Promulgated Rules

Frequently Asked Questions

What are MRV plans under subpart RR? Facilities covered by subpart RR must develop and submit to the Administrator a proposed monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) plan for geologic sequestration at their facility. Under subpart RR, facilities must receive approval from EPA for all MRV plans, requests for a R&D project exemption, and requests to discontinue reporting. Any subpart RR decision is applicable only to the MRV plan, project exemption, or request to discontinue reporting for a given facility and does not constitute an EPA endorsement of the project, technologies, or parties involved. As described in the General Technical Support Document for Injection and Geologic Sequestration of Carbon Dioxide: Subparts RR and UU (pdf) (1 MB), MRV plans generally must include the following five major components:

• Delineation of the maximum monitoring area (MMA), and active monitoring areas (AMAs);
• Identification of the potential surface leakage pathways and an assessment of the likelihood, magnitude, and timing of surface leakage through CO₂ through these pathways;
• Strategy for detection and quantification of surface leakage;
• Approach for establishing the expected baselines; and
• Considerations made to calculate site-specific variables for the mass balance equation.

The full list of MRV plan requirements is listed at 40 CFR 98.448.

Are MRV plans required to include specific monitoring strategies or technologies? The required contents of an MRV plan are listed at 40 CFR 98.448, and do not currently require specific monitoring technologies. Facilities can submit a draft MRV plan based on site-specific conditions and examples of possible monitoring technologies are provided in the General Technical Support Document for Injection and Geologic Sequestration of Carbon Dioxide: Subparts RR and UU (pdf) (1 MB).

How does EPA verify that the subpart RR data are accurate? The GHGRP has a multifaceted approach to ensuring the accuracy of data reported under the program, including: 1) clear and consistent monitoring and reporting requirements for each industry sector; 2) electronic reporting coupled with real-time user support and validations checks; and 3) a data verification system that includes electronic data checks as well as EPA correspondence with reporters to identify and correct potential errors.

How does subpart RR relate to the IRS 45Q Tax Credit? While both subpart RR and the 45Q tax credit program relate to carbon sequestration, they were developed and are implemented independently by separate federal agencies. The EPA does not implement the Section 45Q tax credit program and is not privy to taxpayer data. Any questions or concerns about this tax credit program should be directed to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Where can I find data reported under subpart RR? The sequestration data reported under subpart RR are publicly available on the EPA's Facility-Level Information on Greenhouse gases Tool (FLIGHT). On the FLIGHT page, users can select the "Geologic Sequestration of CO₂ (RR)" option from the Facility Type dropdown and click "Apply Search" to see facility-level data. View annual monitoring reports submitted by facilities who report data under subpart RR.

Visit the Supply, Underground Injection, and Geologic Sequestration of Carbon Dioxide page for more information about this sector. Note that facilities that supply or capture and maintain custody of a carbon dioxide stream in order to sequester or otherwise inject it underground may also be required to report data under subpart PP (Suppliers of Carbon Dioxide).

Implementation Information

• Subpart RR Information Sheet
• Subpart RR Reporting Instructions and Help
• Subpart RR Regulations

Subpart RR Submission Deadlines

If you are subject to subpart RR and were issued a final Underground Injection Control (UIC) permit (any class) on or after January 1, 2011:

• Certificate of Representation is due 60 days prior to submission of a proposed monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) plan (or extension request) or Research and Development (R&D) project exemption request
• Proposed MRV plan (or extension request) or R&D project exemption request is due within 180 days of receiving your final UIC permit

Subpart RR Submissions and Final Decisions

Under subpart RR, facilities must receive approval from EPA for all MRV plans, requests for a R&D project exemption, and requests to discontinue reporting. Any interested person can formally appeal any of these decisions.* More Information. Note that any subpart RR decision pertains only to subpart RR, and does not in any way replace, remove, or affect Underground Injection Control (UIC) permitting obligations. Furthermore, any subpart RR decision is applicable only to the MRV plan for a given facility and does not constitute an EPA endorsement of the project, technologies, or parties involved. To view annual monitoring reports submitted by subpart RR facilities, please see the Subpart RR Annual Monitoring Reports page.

Posted below are final decisions under 40 CFR Part 98, subpart RR.

MRV Plan Decisions

R&D Project Exemption Requests

MRV Plan Submissions (Submitted to EPA, In Review)

* See 40 CFR Part 78 for appeals procedures, including the requirement that appeals must be made within 30 days after EPA's decision.

Promulgated Rules

This information is provided by EPA solely for informational purposes. It does not provide legal advice, have legally binding effect, or expressly or implicitly create, expand, or limit any legal rights, obligations, responsibilities, expectations, or benefits in regard to any person.