Underground Injection Control Grants
On this page:
- What grant funding is available under the UIC program?
- UIC program grants
- How UIC program grants are allocated
- How grant funds are allocated to non-primacy tribal UIC program
- Targeted UIC program grants for Class VI well
- Class VI Letter to Governors and Class VI Letter to Tribal Leaders
What grant funding is available under the UIC program?
- UIC program funding grants, referred to as UIC State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG)
- Competitive grant funding
- Training for improved protection of drinking water sources
- UIC Class VI grant program
EPA periodically solicits competitive grant applications for training aimed at protecting drinking water sources. Eligible applicants should submit applications that will enhance communication and coordination between the EPA, states, and tribes. The training provided by the grantee should develop and expand the capability of state and tribal UIC and source water programs in ways that improve their ability to protect drinking water sources. EPA expects that one award will be made under this Announcement totaling up to $900,000. The purpose of the competitive cooperative agreement is to:
- Provide leadership and support to states on emerging and/or high priority issues
- Sponsor (or cosponsor) annual meetings for UIC and source water protection programs
- Support and encourage state participation in the UIC Data Application
- Disseminate and share information with states, tribes, and other non-federal stakeholders
UIC program grants
- Primacy states - states that have received primary enforcement authority for the UIC program
- Territories - U.S. territories that have primary enforcement authority for the UIC program
- Tribes - federally recognized tribes that have primary enforcement authority for the UIC program
- EPA - Regions that directly implement the UIC program in a state, U.S. territory, or within the boundaries of a federally recognized tribe
How UIC program grants are allocated
Each year, grant money is allocated to help UIC primacy programs enforce the minimum federal UIC requirements. These funds are authorized by Congress under Section 1443 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). These state and tribal assistance grants are distributed by EPA's national UIC program. The total annual amount of the grant varies slightly, but is approximately $12 million per year.
Individual state and tribal grant allotments are determined from a formula based on criteria identified in the SDWA. The formula directs available resources toward the highest risk wells in order to achieve the maximum level of public health protection. The formula considers:
- Well status - the inventory of injection wells in classes I to VI that are active, temporarily abandoned, or under construction are included in the formula.
- Well type - the grant formula targets classes of wells that have the greatest potential to contaminate an underground source of drinking water (USDW) and threaten public health
- State population - the number of people to be protected from the risks posed by injection activities has an effect on the grant allocation.
- State size - this variable influences resources needed to maximize field activities such as inspections of permitted facilities to ensure compliance with safe operating requirements or to locate and address endangering injection wells.
Read more about injection well inventories.
How grant funds are allocated to non-primacy tribal UIC programs
Grant money is provided annually to EPA Regions to support UIC program efforts to protect drinking water sources on tribal lands. Seven percent of the overall UIC grant is set aside for tribes. These funds are distributed to the Regions using a formula similar to the grant formula used for primacy programs.
Targeted UIC program grants for Class VI wells
EPA has announced that it is developing a new $50 million grant program through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that will support states, Tribes and territories in developing and implementing UIC Class VI programs. These programs regulate the geologic sequestration of carbon dioxide (CO2) into UIC Class VI wells. Geologic sequestration is a key component of carbon capture and storage, which reduces CO2 emissions to the atmosphere and mitigates climate change.
In launching this program, the Office of Water is inviting states, Tribes and territories to submit letters of intent (LOI) to indicate their interest in the new grant program. The Office of Water has also developed a LOI template that state, Tribes, and territories may use. LOIs must be submitted no later than March 20, 2023. See the Class VI state and Tribal LOI Request Letters and the Class VI LOI Response Template below.
State LOI Request Letter (pdf)
Tribal LOI Request Letter (pdf)
Class VI LOI Response Template (pdf)
Responses to this request will help EPA understand where there is interest in applying for these funds and implementing a Class VI program. Upon receiving LOIs, EPA will determine state-by-state funding allocations and implementation recommendations. EPA intends to award the full $50 million in a one-time distribution through this process.
Class VI Letter to Governors and Class VI Letter to Tribal Leaders
On December 9, 2022, Administrator Michael Regan sent a letter to Governors calling for partnership to advance the twin goals combating climate change and supporting environmental justice (EJ) goals. A Class VI letter to Tribal Leaders was sent on January 11, 2023. These letters outline expectations for state and Tribal programs seeking authority to regulate the injection of CO2 into underground deep rock formations and the Agency’s aim to efficiently work together with state programs on climate and EJ. The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to taking action to address EJ, building more resilient communities, and reducing emissions of CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions that drive climate change. States, territories, and tribes are important partners to EPA in addressing environmental challenges. The Class VI Letter to Governors and Class VI Letter to Tribal Leaders can be viewed below.