EPA to issue CO2 sequestration rules

WASHINGTON, Oct. 11 (UPI) -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Thursday it plans to develop geologic carbon dioxide sequestration regulations.

Geologic sequestration is a process of injecting captured carbon dioxide into deep underground rock formations for long-term storage. The EPA said the rules will be designed to ensure there is a consistent and effective permit system under the Safe Drinking Water Act for commercial-scale geologic sequestration programs.

"Addressing global climate change will require fundamental changes in the way the world generates and uses energy," said EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson. "By harnessing the power of geologic sequestration technology, we are entering a new age of clean energy (in which) we can be both good stewards of the Earth, and good stewards of the American economy."

The EPA said it is working with the Department of Energy in evaluating potential impacts on health, safety and the environment.

The Safe Drinking Water Act established the Underground Injection Control Program to allow the safe injection of fluids into the subsurface in a manner that does not endanger current or future underground sources of drinking water.

EPA officials said they plan to issue the regulations next summer.