Underground Injection Control in EPA Region 6 (AR, LA, NM, OK, and TX)
EPA Region 6 serves Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and 66 tribes.
- Public notices
- Contact information
- Regional guidance and guideline documents
- Primary enforcement authority information
- Tribal UIC permitting information
Public notices
Oxy Brown Pelican Class VI Permit
The Public Notice website link below for the Oxy Brown Pelican Class VI Permits has been unpublished due to the public comment period ending on November 6th, 2024.
https://www.epa.gov/tx/uic-class-vi-permit-intent-issue-oxy-low-carbon-ventures-llc
Class VI Public Engagement
Workshops in advance of public notice of draft permit. Slides from the Odessa Workshop are available at the link below.
Class VI Odessa Public Workshop Slides 07_16_2024 (pdf)
State of Louisiana Underground Injection Control Program; Class VI Program Revision Application; Notice of Availability of New Information
On August 10, 2023, the EPA’s Assistant Administrator for the Office of Water signed a Notice of Availability of New Information regarding the State of Louisiana’s request to have primacy for UIC Class VI wells within the state. The Notice, published on August 16, 2023, supplements the proposed “State of Louisiana UIC Program; Class VI Program Revision Application” rule of May 4, 2023, to approve a revision of the state’s SDWA section 1422 UIC program to include Class VI primacy. On June 30, 2023, the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources (LDNR) notified Region 6 requesting to supplement their primacy application with a copy of Act No. 378 (HB 571), which was signed into law on June 14, 2023, with an immediate effective date. This Notice provides the public the opportunity to comment on the new information provided during the supplemental 30-day response period. EPA is not reopening the overall comment period for the Agency’s proposed approval of Louisiana's Class VI primacy application.
The Federal Register Notice is posted below
Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2023-0073 (Federal Register Notice)
Louisiana Underground Injection Control Program Class VI Primacy Proposed Rule
Summary
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency) has received a complete Underground Injection Control (UIC) program revision package from the State of Louisiana (State), requesting approval of a revision to the State’s Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) section 1422 UIC program to include Class VI injection well primary enforcement responsibility (primacy). The proposed revision would allow the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources (LDNR) to issue UIC permits for geologic carbon sequestration facilities as Class VI wells and ensure compliance of Class VI wells under the UIC program. EPA proposes to issue a final rule approving Louisiana’s application to implement the UIC program for Class VI injection wells located within the State, except those on Indian lands. EPA proposes amendments to 40 CFR Part 147 to reflect this proposed approval of Louisiana’s Class VI primacy application.
Review a copy of Louisiana Class VI UIC Program Revision application and supplemental docket materials.
The previous Federal Register Notice is posted below as the Previous Federal Register Notice
Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2023-0073 (Previous Federal Register Notice)
For more information concerning primary enforcement authority please visit the Underground Injection Control program Primary Page.
Public comments
Comments must be received on or before July 3, 2023.
Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2023-0073, by any of the following methods:
- Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov/ (our preferred method). Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
- Mail: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 6, Lisa Pham, Groundwater/UIC Section, Mail code: WDDG, 1201 Elm Street, Suite 500, Dallas, TX 75270-2102.
- E-mail: [email protected] E-mail subject line: Louisiana Class VI Primacy Application - Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2023-0073
Once submitted, comments cannot be edited or removed from the docket. EPA may publish any comment received to its public docket.
Do not submit to EPA’s docket at https://www.regulations.gov any information you consider to be Confidential Business Information (CBI), Proprietary Business Information (PBI), or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Multimedia submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be accompanied by a written comment. Written comments are considered the official comment and should include discussion of all points you wish to make. EPA will generally not consider comments or comment contents located outside of the primary submission (i.e., on the web, cloud, or other file sharing system).
Please visit https://www.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets for additional submission methods; the full EPA public comment policy; information about CBI, PBI, or multimedia submissions; and general guidance on making effective comments.
Public hearing
A public hearing was held for three days: Wednesday, June 21, 2023, from 1 pm - 5 pm and 6 pm - 8 pm, Thursday, June 22, 2023, from 9 am - 12 pm, 1 pm - 5 pm, and 6 pm - 8 pm, and Friday, June 23, 2023, from 9 am - 12 pm, 1 pm - 5 pm, and 6 pm - 8 pm at the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, LaBelle Hearing Room, 1st Floor, LaSalle Building, 617 North 3rd Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802. Note that session times included set up and incorporated a 5 minute break every hour of each session. Due to the large number of speakers registered for the first day, registrations to provide testimony at the public hearing were accepted for June 22nd and 23rd only.
Public hearing was livestreamed all three days for observation only.
Wednesday, June 21 Live Stream (YouTube)
Thursday, June 22 Live Stream (YouTube)
Friday, June 23 Live Stream (YouTube)
The last day to register to speak at the hearing was June 8, 2023. The registration to speak at the hearing has been closed. EPA encourages commenters to provide a copy of their oral testimony electronically by emailing it to [email protected] . EPA also recommends submitting the text of your oral comments as written comments to the rulemaking docket.
EPA may ask clarifying questions during the oral presentations but will not respond to the presentations at that time. Written statements and supporting information submitted during the comment period will be considered with the same weight as oral comments and supporting information presented at the public hearing.
On June 16, 2023, EPA will post on this website a general agenda for the hearing that will list registered speakers in approximate order. EPA will make every effort to follow the schedule as closely as possible on the day of the hearing; however, please plan for the hearings to run either ahead of schedule or behind schedule. Additionally, requests to speak will be accepted the day of the hearing at the hearing registration desk. EPA will make every effort to accommodate all speakers who arrive and register, although it may not be possible to fulfill preferences on speaking times.
While EPA expects the hearing to go forward as set forth above, please monitor our website or contact Lisa Pham at (214) 665-8326 or [email protected] or Ian Ussery at (214) 665-6639 or [email protected] to determine if there are any updates. EPA does not intend to publish a document in the Federal Register announcing updates.
Due to the large number of speakers registered to provide testimony at the public hearing, time constraints will not allow audiovisual equipment for public comments. Instead, testimony at the public hearing will only be oral. Registrants may submit written testimony in addition to their oral testimony. Oral and written comments are given the same weight. Commenters should notify on the Registration Form that they will need the services of an interpreter or any special accommodation by June 8, 2023. EPA may not be able to arrange accommodations without advance notice.
Below are pdf transcripts of all three days of the in-person public hearing
US EPA Hearing 06_21_2023 Transcript (pdf)
US EPA Hearing 06_22_2023 Transcript (pdf)
US EPA Hearing 06_23_2023 Transcript (pdf)
Virtual Public Hearing
Region 6 EPA held a virtual public hearing on Friday June 30th, 2023 from 4:00 pm CST until 8:00 pm CST to accommodate the number of registered speakers. Registration has been closed for this virtual public hearing event.
EPA opened the hearing by giving a brief statement summarizing the proposed action. Then, the EPA hearing officer explained the rules of engagement and announced the amount of time granted to each speaker (3 minutes). All participants were muted and unable to utilize the camera or share options. A court reporter captured a transcript of the hearing. No cross-examination or other exchanges took place. EPA did not respond to comments at the hearing but was there to hear testimony only. EPA will respond to comments in writing, and this response will accompany EPA’s final decision, published in the Federal Register
Below is the pdf transcript and video of the virtual public hearing
EPA Virtual Public Hearing Transcript 6_30_2023 (pdf)
EPA Virtual Public Hearing Video 06-30-2023
Contact information
Mailing Address
Ground Water/UIC Section (WDDG)
US EPA Region 6
1201 Elm Street, Suite 500
Dallas, TX 75270-2102
214-665-7150
| Contacts by Topic | Contact Name and Email | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
| Aquifer Exemptions | Lisa Pham ([email protected]) | 214-665-8326 |
| Aquifer Storage & Recovery | Arnold Bierschenk ([email protected]) | 214-665-7435 |
| Class I Well Permitting/Land Ban Exemptions | Forrest Frederick ([email protected]) | 214-665-6656 |
| Class II Contact | Chris Tingey ([email protected]) | 214-665-8364 |
| Class III Contact | Lisa Pham ([email protected]) | 214-665-8326 |
| Class VI Contact | Brandon Maples ([email protected]) | 214-665-7252 |
| Compliance Assistance & Enforcement (all well classes) | David Aguinaga ([email protected]) | 214-665-6439 |
| Field Inspection Contact |
214-665-7330 214-665-7129 |
|
| Financial Assurance for Injection Wells | Chris Tingey ([email protected]) | 214-665-8364 |
| Hydraulic Fracturing | Matthew Liu ([email protected]) | 214-665-6626 |
| National UIC Technical Workgroup | Ken Johnson ([email protected]) | 214-665-8473 |
| Public Noticing | Evelyn Rosborough ([email protected]) | 214-665-7515 |
Regional guidance and guideline documents
Guidelines for Completing Class I Injection Well No Migration Petitions
Primacy enforcement authority information
UIC in Arkansas
| Class | Agency The following links exit the site | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| I | Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality | Linda Hanson ([email protected]) 501-682-0646 |
| II | Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission | Gary Looney ([email protected]) 870-862-4965 |
| III |
Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality | Linda Hanson ([email protected]) 501-682-0646 |
| IV |
Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality | Linda Hanson ([email protected]) 501-682-0646 |
| V | Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality | Linda Hanson ([email protected]) 501-682-0646 |
| VI | U.S. EPA R6 |
Brandon Maples ([email protected]) 214-665-7252 |
|
US EPA R6 Oversight Contact |
Omar T. Martinez ([email protected]) 214-665-8485 |
Arkansas Source Water Assessment and Protection Program
US EPA R6 Contact:
Omar T. Martinez ([email protected])
214-665-8485
UIC in Louisiana
| Class | Agency The following links exit the site | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| I | Louisiana Department of Natural Resources | Stephen Lee ([email protected]) 225-342-5569 |
| II | Louisiana Department of Natural Resources | Stephen Lee ([email protected]) 225-342-5569 |
| III | Louisiana Department of Natural Resources | Stephen Lee ([email protected]) 225-342-5569 |
| IV | Louisiana Department of Natural Resources | Stephen Lee ([email protected]) 225-342-5569 |
| V | Louisiana Department of Natural Resources | Stephen Lee ([email protected]) 225-342-5569 |
| VI | Louisiana Department of Natural Resources |
Stephen Lee ([email protected]) 225-342-5569 |
|
US EPA R6 Oversight Contact |
Sona Chaudhary ([email protected]) 214-665-8327 |
Louisiana Source Water Protection Program
US EPA R6 Contact:
Sona Chaudhary ([email protected])
214-665-8327
UIC in New Mexico
Visit the State of New Mexico's Oil and Conservation Division (NMOCD) publications website to review New Mexico's brochure of Class II well facts, and UIC Manual The UIC Brochure provides general information on the UIC program and Class II injections wells in New Mexico. The UIC Manual provides detailed information for injection well operators, on NMOCD’s UIC regulatory requirements.
New Mexico Source Water Protection Program
US EPA R6 Contact:
Lisa Pham ([email protected])
214-665-8326
UIC in Oklahoma
| Class | Agency The following links exit the site | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| I | Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality | Hillary Young ([email protected]) 405-702-5188 |
| II | Oklahoma Corporation Commission | Patricia Downey ([email protected]) 405-522-2745 |
| III | Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality | Hillary Young ([email protected]) 405-702-5188 |
| IV | Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality | Hillary Young ([email protected]) 405-702-5188 |
| V | Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality | Hillary Young ([email protected]) 405-702-5188 |
| VI | US EPA R6 | |
|
US EPA R6 Oversight Contacts |
Ian Ussery ([email protected]) OCC 214-665-6639 Brandon Maples ([email protected]) ODEQ 214-665-7252 |
Oklahoma Source Water Protection Program
US EPA R6 Contact:
Class II Wells
Ian Ussery ([email protected])
214-665-2294
US EPA R6 Contact:
Class I, III, IV, V Wells
Brandon Maples ([email protected]) ODEQ 214-665-7252
UIC in Texas
| Class | Agency | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| I | Texas Commission on Environmental Quality |
Bryan Smith ([email protected]) 512-239-6075 |
| II | Railroad Commission of Texas | Sean Avitt ([email protected]) 512-463-3011 |
| III | Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (Others) | Bryan Smith ([email protected]) 512-239-6075 |
| III | Railroad Commission of Texas (Solution Brine mining) | Sean Avitt (sean.avitt@rrc.texas.gov) 512-463-3011 |
| IV | Texas Commission on Environmental Quality | Bryan Smith ([email protected]) 512-239-6075 |
| V | Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (Others) | Bryan Smith ([email protected]) 512-239-6075 |
| V | Railroad Commission of Texas (Geothermal and in situ coal combustion) | Sean Avitt (sean.avitt@rrc.texas.gov) 512-463-3011 |
| VI | US EPA R6 |
Brandon Maples ([email protected]) 214-665-7252 |
|
US EPA R6 Oversight Contacts |
Arnold Bierschenk Class II ([email protected]) 214-665-7435 Noel Bonilla Class I, III, IV, V ([email protected]) 214-665-8092 |
US EPA R6 Contacts:
Class II Wells
Arnold Bierschenk ([email protected])
214-665-7435
US EPA R6 Contact:
Class I, III, IV, V Wells
Noel Bonilla ([email protected])
214-665-8092
Texas Source Water Protection Program
Tribal UIC permitting information
Regional UIC Direct Implementation (DI) Program Contact
Chris Tingey (t[email protected]), UIC DI Coordinator, Ground Water/UIC Section (6WDDG) Safe Drinking Water Branch, Water Division, Environmental Protection Agency - Region 6, 1201 Elm Street, Suite 500, Dallas, Texas 75270. Ph: 214-665-8364.
EPA implements the UIC program on tribal lands in EPA Region 6 except for the Five Civilized Tribes in Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Corporation Commission implements the UIC program for the Five Civilized Tribes.
EPA issues and maintains active tribal UIC permits in Oklahoma and New Mexico. Tribes with UIC permitting activity include:
- Osage Nation (Oklahoma)
- Jicarilla Apache (New Mexico)
Currently there is no tribal UIC permitting activity in Texas, Louisiana, or Arkansas.
Class II injection well owners and operators planning injection activities on tribal lands in EPA Region 6 must submit an injection well application package.
Owners or operators planning to operate a Class II injection well on tribal lands in EPA Region 6, except on Osage Nation land, should contact Chris Tingey ([email protected]) for an application package.
For wells to be located on Osage Nation land, owners and operators should access the permit application directly from the Osage Nation.
Osage Nation underground injection control well application package