ECMC: deep geothermal permit received and Class‑6 primacy application near EPA approval

Sabrina Trask and other ECMC staff described recent energy transition milestones: the Energy Transition team recently received the state’s first deep geothermal permit application under ECMC’s new 1300‑series geothermal rules, and staff said Colorado’s application for EPA primacy to regulate Class 6 CO2 injection wells is in the final federal review phase.

On geothermal, Sabrina said the project—if permitted and successful—would use deep earth heat to generate electricity with zero operational emissions and represents the first step in Colorado’s initiative to develop deep geothermal resources.

On Class 6 CO2 injection and primacy, Sabrina explained that federal EPA authorization (primacy) is required for the state to regulate Class 6 wells. She said the energy transition team submitted Colorado’s primacy application last October, the application was deemed complete earlier in the year, the public comment period closed on May 4, and staff reported the EPA administrator signed a proposed federal rule to approve Colorado’s application; ECMC is awaiting the final granting of primacy.

Next steps
Staff said they will brief the ECMC commission on both deep geothermal and the Class 6 program on July 1 and invited stakeholders to attend the virtual presentation, with materials to be posted on ECMC’s website.