West Virginia Legislature Promotes Green Technology

West Virginia Passes Bill Granting State Authority to Regulate Carbon Sequestration

The West Virginia Senate has passed House Bill 5045, which gives the state the power to enforce Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules in relation to carbon sequestration. The bill is part of an attempt to gain approval from the EPA for West Virginia to regulate the new green technology known as carbon capture. Proponents of the bill argue that it will allow the state to bypass lengthy EPA permit wait times and get the technology up and running quickly. However, concerns have been raised about the risks of underground carbon storage leaking and potentially contaminating drinkable groundwater supplies.