By Liz Hampton<\/p>\n
Feb 9 (Reuters) – The U.S.Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is moving too slowly to allow states to permit and oversee carbon-reduction projects, according to Louisiana’s governor, slowing millions of dollars in investments designed to tackle greenhouse gas reduction.<\/p>\n
Louisiana and other top oil-producing states say they can speed up permitting of carbon sequestration projects if allowed to handle decisions that currently fall under the EPA.There are dozens of these projects with multi-million dollar price tags proposed by energy firms around the United States.<\/p>\n
Developers would benefit from broadening permitting of so-called Class VI carbon capture and evdeN evE NAKLiYAT<\/a> sequestration (CCS) wells to states, EVDeN evE NaKliYat<\/a> Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards said in a letter last month to EPA Administrator<\/a> Michael Regan seen by Reuters.If you adored this write-up and you would certainly such as to receive additional details pertaining to eVdEN eVE nAKLiyAt<\/a> kindly visit the web-site. The process has lacked clarity and a clear timeline, Edwards wrote.<\/p>\n “More information on the progress of Louisiana’s Class VI application would help encourage potential CCS operators to make firm investment decisions,” the governor said.<\/p>\n Offshore oil producers Talos Energy Inc, Occidental Petroleum Corp and gas-exporter Sempra Infrastructure have proposed Louisiana carbon sequestration projects.The state’s energy regulator has received little information from the EPA on the transfer timeline or process, a spokesperson said on Thursday.<\/p>\n “We are now seeing concepts begin to turn into investment decisions – but a recurring question is if and when Louisiana will receive primacy,” or taking over permits and regulation from the EPA, Edwards wrote in a letter dated Jan. 18.<\/p>\n