U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) has placed holds on President Biden’s EPA nominees over his state’s frustrations with the agency on carbon capture projects, his office announced Feb. 16. Cassidy has decided to block all EPA nominees due to “unnecessary delays” by EPA on Louisiana’s application to permit carbon sequestration wells. “We have met the requirements and we have the workers, capacity and resources to begin this process. All that’s needed is the green light from the Biden administration,” Cassidy said. EPA has emphasized its desire to lower emissions and ensure a healthy environment, "yet hinders Louisiana’s ability to do just that.” The president has four pending EPA nominees - Amanda Howe, nominated to lead the agency’s mission support office; Chris Frey, picked for the head of its research office; David Uhlmann, in line to be the top enforcement official; and Carlton Waterhouse, selected for the head of EPA’s solid waste office. At issue is who has regulatory authority over carbon capture wells. Supporters of the technology say it takes EPA too long to permit projects. In turn, energy-producing states are vying for the power. The Biden administration has also been looking at states to take on that authority. Biden presses industry, a climate laggard, to decarbonize - E&E News (eenews.net) Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) also has holds on the four nominees, which stems from a dispute between the agency and Wyoming's regional haze plan for the Jim Bridger power plant. (Source: E&E News PM 02/16/22) Cassidy blocks EPA nominees over carbon capture delays - E&E News (eenews.net)
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