Public Notice: UIC Class VI Permit Intent to Issue - Orchard Storage Company LLC

How to Comment

Comments Due

October 16, 2025

PUBLIC COMMENTS

The comment period will run from the date of publication of this Notice until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on Thursday, October 16, 2025. (Note that the permits are located in Texas in the Central Standard Time (CST) zone, and the virtual public hearing will be conducted from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. CST, but the online docket at www.regulations.gov is based on Eastern Standard Time (EST) and closes at 11:59 p.m. EST.) Under the requirements of 40 CFR 124.10, the public is invited to comment on these draft Class VI permits by:

1)Submitting written comments online at https://www.regulations.gov/docket/EPA-R06-OW-2025-0882 under Docket #EPA-R06-OW-2025-0882.

2)Providing comments at a virtual public hearing scheduled to occur on Tuesday, October 14, 2025. The virtual public hearing will start at 6:00 p.m. (CST) and will last until 9:00 p.m. (CST) at the latest.

The Public Hearing may close before 9:00 p.m. (CST) if there are no further interested parties wishing to provide comments. Speakers will be invited to comment on a first-come, first-served basis, depending on pre-registration and the number of virtual attendees. Speaking times will be limited and will be determined by the hearing officer on the day of the hearing. Pre-registration for the public hearing is not required, but is requested by close of business on Thursday, October 9, 2025, solely to ensure adequate resources are available. Please note that pre-registration does not guarantee a speaking opportunity or a specific speaking order; the order and number of pre-registered and virtual attendees will determine this. For pre-registration, visit https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_gVGILaa6Qfe5GsvdUNXUag. Additionally, please visit the EPA Region 6 public notice webpage at https://www.epa.gov/tx/uic-class-vi-permit-intent-issue-orchard-storage-company-llc for pre-registration and information on the virtual public hearing, as well as updates related to the date and time of the virtual public hearing.

EPA Region 6 encourages the electronic submittal of comments online at https://www.regulations.gov/docket/EPA-R06-OW-2025-0882. If you are unable to submit comments electronically or have any questions or require assistance with submitting comments, please contact Mr. Noel Bonilla at Bonilla.Noel@epa.gov or 214-665-7271.

All comments received before the end of the comment period and at the public hearing will be considered by the EPA in the formulation of any final permit determinations. Comments are given equal consideration regardless of how they are received. Note that comments MUST be submitted to EPA Region 6 using one of the methods above to be considered as part of the permitting decision by EPA Region 6. Comments submitted to any other entity besides EPA Region 6, including to the Texas Railroad Commission under any permit notice issued by the state of Texas, will NOT be considered by EPA Region 6.

All comments must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on Thursday, October 16, 2025.

Publish Date

September 11, 2025

Summary

Purpose of Public Notice

This notice serves to state the intention of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6, to issue seven (7) Underground Injection Control Class VI injection well permits under the authority of the Safe Drinking Water Act, Part C, and UIC Program regulations [40 CFR Parts 124, 144-146] and to notify the public of the opening of a 35-day comment period, including a public hearing, during which the public may submit comments on the EPA’s proposed action.

Permit Information

The proposed Class VI permits are for seven (7) Class VI injection wells (Orchard No. 01, Orchard No. 02, Orchard No. 03, Orchard No. 4, Orchard No. 5, Orchard No. 6, and Orchard No. 7) that will be used to inject carbon dioxide for geologic sequestration near Loop, Gaines County, Texas. The proposed permits require, among other things, that the permittee monitor the injection project and submit periodic reports to EPA Region 6. Ongoing monitoring requirements are designed to ensure protection of underground sources of drinking water.

Injection Well	Latitude/Longitude	Permit Number
Orchard No. 1	Bottomhole Location: 32.885291, -102.407902 Surface Hole Location: 32.887603, -102.406944	R6-TX-165-C6-0001
Orchard No. 2	32.885292, -102.390464	R6-TX-165-C6-0002
Orchard No. 3	32.886921, -102.373513	R6-TX-165-C6-0003
Orchard No. 4	32.88713, -102.3542	R6-TX-165-C6-0004
Orchard No. 5	32.872312, -102.339107	R6-TX-165-C6-0005
Orchard No. 6	32.849412, -102.31215	R6-TX-165-C6-0006
Orchard No. 7	32.86432, -102.41587	R6-TX-165-C6-0007

Reasonable Accommodations and Interpretation Services

We value inclusion and access for all participants and are pleased to provide reasonable accommodations and interpretation services for the public hearing. Please contact Noel Bonilla at Bonilla.Noel@epa.gov or 214-665-7271 to request a reasonable accommodation or interpretation. Requests must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. CST on October 2, 2025. Note that Spanish interpretation services will be provided and do not need to be requested.

For Further Information

Additional information, including in-person access to the administrative record, may be obtained upon request by contacting Noel Bonilla at Bonilla.Noel@epa.gov or 214-665-7271. All data submitted by the applicant is available as part of the administrative record. Application materials and other documents related to this action, including this public notice and a fact sheet providing additional information about the draft permits, are available online at https://www.regulations.gov/docket/EPA-R06-OW-2025-0882 under Docket #EPA-R06-OW-2025-0882. Further information may also be found on the EPA Region 6 webpage at https://www.epa.gov/tx/uic-class-vi-permit-intent-issue-orchard-storage-company-llc.

Applicants or Respondents

Orchard Storage Company LLC

4200 Westheimer, Suite 975
Houston, TX 77027
United States

Docket Numbers

EPA-R06-OW-2025-0882