Houston Daily

Congressman Dan Crenshaw (TX-02) and Congressman August Pfluger have introduced the Primacy Certainty Act of 2025. The proposed legislation seeks to amend the Safe Drinking Water Act by requiring the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to decide on state applications for regulating Class VI injection wells within 180 days. If the EPA does not act within that timeframe, the application would automatically take effect after 210 days if a state already enforces a similar program.

The bill also calls for the EPA to appoint a liaison dedicated to state coordination, use Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funds for permit processing, and provide annual reports to Congress about staffing and resource needs.

Class VI wells are used in energy projects involving carbon capture. According to proponents, delays in permitting at the EPA have prevented states from deploying this technology, leading to stalled investments and regulatory uncertainty. The new measure aims to set firm deadlines and allow automatic approval when federal action is delayed.

“Giving states the authority to regulate Class VI wells will cut down on lengthy review times and redundant bureaucratic red tape," said Rep. Crenshaw. "Class VI wells, used to store captured carbon, are a net benefit to the economy and the environment – a win for everyone. I’m proud to lead this legislation with Congressman Pfluger to ensure energy companies have a timely approval process for building out these wells, and to help states act quickly to review these vital projects.”

“Far too often, bureaucratic red tape gets in the way of those who know the energy industry best, stifling production and disincentivizing innovation,” said Rep. Pfluger. “Texans lead the way in efficient energy production across the country. That’s why I am proud to join my fellow Texan, Congressman Crenshaw, in introducing this legislation to put an end to the Biden-era EPA’s painfully slow Class VI well permitting approval process. This bill puts power back into the hands of state regulators who know their geology, and how to support it, best.”

Dan Crenshaw has held his seat since first winning election in 2018 against Todd Litton with 52.8% of votes compared with Litton's 45.6%. He was re-elected in subsequent years: defeating Sima Ladjevardian in 2020 with 55.6% of votes; Robin Fulford in 2022 with 65.9%; and Peter Filler in 2024 with 65.7%.