Indiana is moving to take over federal permitting for carbon storage wells, a step that would give the state more control over the growing carbon capture and storage industry. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management is drafting regulations and preparing a formal application to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for what is known as primacy. Carbon storage wells are controversial because they inject carbon dioxide deep underground, and critics worry about leaks, property rights, and long-term liability. Supporters argue that carbon capture is necessary for hard-to-decarbonize industries like cement and steel. The state's application will likely face scrutiny from environmental groups and landowners. If Indiana gains primacy, it would join a small number of states that oversee their own carbon storage programs. The outcome could set a precedent for how other states approach carbon sequestration regulation.
