Covington County carbon capture project revises EPA permit after regulators ask for more information

Reliant Carbon Capture and Storage is revising its EPA Class 6 permit for the Pine Hills Storage Hub in Covington County, Alabama. The project would capture carbon waste from industrial plants in northern Alabama and inject it underground for permanent storage. The EPA asked for additional information, and Reliant says it is answering those questions and resubmitting the application. The company says it is confident in the project's geology and engineering, and that it will protect underground drinking water sources. Local residents have raised concerns about environmental risks if something goes wrong. The EPA permit process for Class 6 wells is known to be rigorous, and this revision is a normal step in that process. The outcome of this permit revision will affect whether the project moves forward and could set a precedent for other carbon storage projects in the region. It is worth watching for anyone tracking carbon capture deployment and regulatory hurdles in the US.