The Pennsylvania Senate is considering a measure that would grant state regulators, rather than the federal government, authority over injection wells used for carbon capture, according to Spotlight PA.

The need for carbon capture wells is tied to the emerging hydrogen production industry, which is expected to receive considerable investment over the next decade. As a part of the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Department of Energy will set aside $7 billion to fund up to 10 projects to create hydrogen hubs.

Three applications have been submitted to the federal government to build hydrogen hubs in Pennsylvania so far.

Pennsylvania’s Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee recently passed a bill that would create a legal and regulatory framework for its Department of Environmental Protection to control where companies can dig underground injection wells used to store liquified carbon dioxide emissions. 

However, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency currently has the primary authority over injection wells, including approval of projects and enforcement of meeting federal construction, monitoring and operating standards. 

If the measure under consideration passes, the EPA’s authority would shift to the state DEP, and Pennsylvania would join North Dakota and Wyoming as the only states to give state regulators this level of authority over injection wells.

Learn more: Spotlight PA > Safety, oversight concerns raised as Pa. lawmakers pursue billions for hydrogen hubs