The agreement provides funding under the infrastructure investment and jobs act (IIJA) to nebraska oil and gas conservation commission

This federal Project Grant award of $1,930,000 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 provides funding to the Nebraska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (NOGCC) under the Underground Injection Control (UIC) Program Grants: Class VI Carbon Sequestration Wells (CFDA 66.486) program. The funding will enable NOGCC to establish a comprehensive permitting and enforcement program for Class VI underground injection control wells in Nebraska. Key activities include developing new Class VI regulations, creating a robust data management system, hiring and training technical staff, and implementing environmental justice protocols. The grant aims to position NOGCC to achieve full permitting and enforcement authority over UIC Class VI wells, which will benefit residents and visitors within the state of Nebraska. The grant performance period runs from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2027.

The recipient will establish their underground injection control class VI injection wells permit program. Activities:the activities include establishing comprehensive regulations, processes, technical capabilities, oversight and environmental justice protocols.subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:the anticipated deliverables include developing a full set of new class VI regulations detailing program procedures, guidance documents, and permit application templates aligned with federal standards. Nebraska oil and gas conservation commission will hire and train professional staff with expertise in class VI permitting, technical analysis and community engagement. Additionally, a robust data management system will be created to track permits, and compliance data as well as developing protocols for environmental justice screening. The expected outcomes includes submittal, and approval, for full permitting and enforcement authority over UIC class VI wells in nebraska. The intended beneficiaries include residents and visitor within the state of nebraska.