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
Intent to Deny UIC Class VI Permits- CapturePoint Solutions, LLC
The Public Notice website below is the notice of intent to deny the UIC Class VI permit application for CapturePoint Solutions, LLC, in Osage County, Oklahoma, published January 10, 2025
https://www.epa.gov/ok/public-notice-intent-deny-uic-class-vi-permits-capturepoint-solutions-llc
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The Public Notice website link below for the Oxy Brown Pelican Class VI Permits has been unpublished due to the public comment period ending on November 6th, 2024.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: pham.lisa@epa.gov 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 pham.lisa@epa.gov. 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 pham.lisa@epa.gov or Ian Ussery at (214) 665-6639 or Ussery.ian@epa.gov 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 (pham.lisa@epa.gov) | 214-665-8326 |
| Aquifer Storage & Recovery |
Scott Ellinger (ellinger.scott@epa.gov) |
214-665-8408 |
| Class I Well Permitting/Land Ban Exemptions | Forrest Frederick (frederick.forrest@epa.gov) | 214-665-6656 |
| Class II Contact | Chris Tingey (tingey.christopher@epa.gov) | 214-665-8364 |
| Class III Contact | Lisa Pham (pham.lisa@epa.gov) | 214-665-8326 |
| Class VI Contact | Brandon Maples (maples.brandon@epa.gov) | 214-665-7252 |
| Compliance Assistance & Enforcement (all well classes) | David Aguinaga (aguinaga.david@epa.gov) | 214-665-6439 |
| Field Inspection Contact |
Matthew Allen (allen.matthew@epa.gov) Tamara R. Griffin (griffin.tamara01@epa.gov) |
214-665-7330 214-665-7129 |
| Financial Assurance for Injection Wells | Chris Tingey (tingey.christopher@epa.gov) | 214-665-8364 |
| Hydraulic Fracturing | Matthew Liu (liu.matthew@epa.gov) | 214-665-6626 |
| National UIC Technical Workgroup | Ken Johnson (johnson.ken-e@epa.gov) | 214-665-8473 |
| Public Noticing | Evelyn Rosborough (rosborough.evelyn@epa.gov) | 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 (hanson@adeq.state.ar.us) 501-682-0646 |
| II | Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission | Gary Looney (gary.looney@aogc.state.ar.us) 870-862-4965 |
| III | Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality | Linda Hanson (hanson@adeq.state.ar.us) 501-682-0646 |
| IV | Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality | Linda Hanson (hanson@adeq.state.ar.us) 501-682-0646 |
| V | Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality | Linda Hanson (hanson@adeq.state.ar.us) 501-682-0646 |
| VI | U.S. EPA R6 |
Brandon Maples (maples.brandon@epa.gov) 214-665-7252 |
|
US EPA R6 Oversight Contact |
Omar T. Martinez (martinez.omar@epa.gov) 214-665-8485 |
Arkansas Source Water Assessment and Protection Program
US EPA R6 Contact:
Omar T. Martinez (martinez.omar@epa.gov)
214-665-8485
UIC in Louisiana
| Class | Agency The following links exit the site | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| I | Louisiana Department of Natural Resources | Stephen Lee (stephen.lee@la.gov) 225-342-5569 |
| II | Louisiana Department of Natural Resources | Stephen Lee (stephen.lee@la.gov) 225-342-5569 |
| III | Louisiana Department of Natural Resources | Stephen Lee (stephen.lee@la.gov) 225-342-5569 |
| IV | Louisiana Department of Natural Resources | Stephen Lee (stephen.lee@la.gov) 225-342-5569 |
| V | Louisiana Department of Natural Resources | Stephen Lee (stephen.lee@la.gov) 225-342-5569 |
| VI | Louisiana Department of Natural Resources |
Stephen Lee (stephen.lee@la.gov) 225-342-5569 |
|
US EPA R6 Oversight Contact |
Sona Chaudhary (Chaudhary.Sona@epa.gov) 214-665-8327 |
Louisiana Source Water Protection Program
US EPA R6 Contact:
Sona Chaudhary (Chaudhary.Sona@epa.gov)
214-665-8327
UIC in New Mexico
| Class | Agency The following links exit the site | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| I | New Mexico Environment Department (Others) | Melanie Sandoval (melanie.sandoval2@state.nm.us) 505-827-2936 |
| I | New Mexico Oil Conservation Division (Non-exempt oilfield refinery waste) | Phillip Goetze (phillip.goetze@state.nm.us) 505-660-8274 |
| II | New Mexico Oil Conservation Division | Phillip Goetze (phillip.goetze@state.nm.us) 505-660-8274 |
| III | New Mexico Environment Department (Others) | Melanie Sandoval (melanie.sandoval2@state.nm.us) 505-827-2936 |
| III | New Mexico Oil Conservation Division (Brine solution mining) | Phillip Goetze (phillip.goetze@state.nm.us) 505-660-8274 |
| IV | New Mexico Environment Department (Others) | Melanie Sandoval (melanie.sandoval2@state.nm.us) 505-827-2936 |
| V | New Mexico Environment Department (Others) | Melanie Sandoval (melanie.sandoval2@state.nm.us) 505-827-2936 |
| V | New Mexico Oil Conservation Division (Wells associated with geothermal, oil and gas production, brine mining and oil field service related facilities) | Phillip Goetze (phillip.goetze@state.nm.us) 505-660-8274 |
| VI | US EPA R6 |
Brandon Maples (maples.brandon@epa.gov) 214-665-7252 |
|
US EPA R6 Oversight Contact |
Lisa Pham (pham.lisa@epa.gov) 214-665-8326 |
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 (pham.lisa@epa.gov)
214-665-8326
UIC in Oklahoma
| Class | Agency The following links exit the site | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| I | Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality | Hillary Young (hillary.young@deq.ok.gov) 405-702-5188 |
| II | Oklahoma Corporation Commission | Patricia Downey (p.downey@occemail.com) 405-522-2745 |
| III | Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality | Hillary Young (hillary.young@deq.ok.gov) 405-702-5188 |
| IV | Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality | Hillary Young (hillary.young@deq.ok.gov) 405-702-5188 |
| V | Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality | Hillary Young (hillary.young@deq.ok.gov) 405-702-5188 |
| VI | US EPA R6 |
Brandon Maples (maples.brandon@epa.gov) |
|
US EPA R6 Oversight Contacts |
Ian Ussery (ussery.ian@epa.gov) OCC 214-665-6639 Brandon Maples (maples.brandon@epa.gov) ODEQ 214-665-7252 |
Oklahoma Source Water Protection Program
US EPA R6 Contact:
Class II Wells
Ian Ussery (ussery.ian@epa.gov)
214-665-2294
US EPA R6 Contact:
Class I, III, IV, V Wells
Brandon Maples (maples.brandon@epa.gov) ODEQ 214-665-7252
UIC in Texas
| Class | Agency | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| I | Texas Commission on Environmental Quality |
Bryan Smith (bryan.smith@tceq.texas.gov) 512-239-6075 |
| II | Railroad Commission of Texas | Sean Avitt (sean.avitt@rrc.texas.gov) 512-463-3011 |
| III | Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (Others) | Bryan Smith (bryan.smith@tceq.texas.gov) 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 (bryan.smith@tceq.texas.gov) 512-239-6075 |
| V | Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (Others) | Bryan Smith (bryan.smith@tceq.texas.gov) 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 (maples.brandon@epa.gov) 214-665-7252 |
|
US EPA R6 Oversight Contacts |
Brody Friesenhahn Class II (friesenhahn.brody@epa.gov) 214-665-7259 Noel Bonilla Class I, III, IV, V (bonilla.noel@epa.gov) 214-665-8092 |
US EPA R6 Contacts:
Class II Wells
Brody Friesenhahn (friesenhahn.brody@epa.gov)
214-665-7259
US EPA R6 Contact:
Class I, III, IV, V Wells
Noel Bonilla (bonilla.noel@epa.gov)
214-665-8092
Texas Source Water Protection Program
Sole Source Aquifer (SSA) Program Contact:
Omar Martinez (Lead), Sona Chaudhary, and Noel Bonilla (SoleSourceAquifers.Region6@epa.gov)
214-665-8485
Tribal UIC permitting information
Regional UIC Direct Implementation (DI) Program Contact
Chris Tingey (tingey.christopher@epa.gov), 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 (tingey.christopher@epa.gov) 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