EPA Proposal Would Deliver Strategic Win for Energy Dominance, Economic Growth in Alaska
SEATTLE – On October 27, 2026, EPA announced a proposal to approve Alaska’s request to administer permitting under the Safe Drinking Water Act for Class VI underground injection wells in the state. This action recognizes that states are best positioned to protect their underground sources of drinking water while advancing economic growth, cooperative federalism, and energy dominance.
“At the Trump EPA, we believe that the people of Alaska know their energy needs and how to protect their air, land, and water better than anyone sitting in an office building in Washington, DC,” said EPA Region 10 Administrator Emma Pokon. “This proposal, if finalized, would uphold the agency’s commitment to cooperative federalism and advance American energy dominance by giving Alaska the ability to produce more energy while protecting underground sources of drinking water.”
With this action, EPA is proposing to grant Alaska primary enforcement responsibility, or “primacy,” for Class VI wells that are used to inject carbon dioxide (CO2) from sources such as industrial processes and energy production into deep underground rock formations. Based on EPA’s preliminary review of the state’s application for primacy, this action proposes that Alaska’s Underground Injection Control program meets all requirements for approval and that the state would implement and enforce the program consistent with the Act.
EPA is seeking comment on this proposed action for 45 days, and will host a virtual public hearing.
If finalized, EPA’s approval of Alaska’s UIC Class VI primacy application would allow the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (AOGCC) to issue and enforce compliance with UIC Class VI permits for injection wells used for geologic carbon sequestration.
"The AOGCC values its strong working relationship with the EPA and looks forward to continuing that collaboration,” said AOGCC Commissioner Jessie Chmielowski. "Together with other State of Alaska agencies, we believe that securing Class VI primacy will build on our existing Class II regulatory expertise and help ensure the safe, responsible, and compliant development of geologic carbon storage projects in Alaska."
Since 2025, EPA has approved Class VI primacy for West Virginia, Texas, Arizona, and Colorado while committing to expediting review of UIC primacy applications and review of permits issued by the agency. This primacy proposal would further fulfill this commitment. To date, seven states have received primacy for Class VI wells with more coming under President Trump’s leadership. This work was made possible in part by funding provided to EPA through an interagency agreement with the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council (Permitting Council).