N.D. gets power to regulate CO2 wells

BISMARCK, N.D. — President Donald Trump’s administration on Tuesday gave North Dakota the power to regulate underground wells used for long-term storage of waste carbon dioxide captured from industrial sources such as coalfired power plants.

North Dakota is the first state to be given such power, the Environmental Protection Agency said in announcing the move. The state has a large coal industry, with five lignite mines producing more than 29 million tons last year and seven coal-based power plants generating enough electricity to serve 2 million families, according to the Lignite Energy Council.

“By allowing North Dakota to protect its underground sources of drinking water, we are practicing cooperative federalism and increasing the state’s involvement in local environmental protection,” EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt said.

Sierra Club spokesman Wayde Schafer questioned whether North Dakota will have enough money to effectively manage the regulatory program. The state has experienced a sharp downturn in tax revenue due to prolonged slumps in oil and agriculture prices.

CO2 is a greenhouse gas said to contribute to global warming. The state’s rules for CO2 wells need to be as stringent as federal standards, and the federal government will still have oversight of the state program.