Q1 Alliance Spring Newsletter
Welcome to the latest issue of Alliance Connect, your go-to source for updates from the Houston CCS Alliance. In this issue, we’re focusing on the growing momentum behind Texas’s push for Class VI well primacy—a critical step toward accelerating CCS development across the state. From high-level letters of support from Texas lawmakers and business leaders to the upcoming EPA public comment period, the Alliance continues to advocate strongly for Class VI primacy in the Lone Star State and focus our efforts accordingly.
We’re also highlighting recent outreach, community meetings in the Gulf Coast region, and the launch of our new interview series featuring local leaders across the state. 2025 is shaping up to be a big year for CCS in Texas.
Texans Urge EPA to Approve Primacy for CCS
“Primacy” is a process that allows state agencies like the Texas Railroad Commission (TRRC) to assume control of permitting and oversight of CO2 injection wells. Today, about one-in-three applications for Class VI wells submitted to the EPA are for Texas projects. These permits are essential to advancing CCS in Texas and are key to positioning our state as a national leader in CCS development. The TRRC can help move these projects forward in a timely manner.
Community leaders and lawmakers are making their voices heard on this issue.
Texas business leaders call on EPA to grant Class VI Primacy
In a letter to new EPA Region 6 Administrator Scott W. Mason, 33 leading Texas business organizations urged their swift approval of Texas’ application for Class VI primacy, emphasizing the Texas Railroad Commission’s long history of regulating underground injection activities and opportunity to bring state resources to permit and oversee CCS development in Texas in a timely manner.
Congressional Lawmakers push EPA to grant CCS oversight to Texas
A bipartisan group of 16 congressional leaders, led by U.S. Representatives Dan Crenshaw and August Pfluger, signed a letter to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin urging the EPA to grant Texas primacy for Class VI wells, arguing that state-level oversight would streamline permitting and accelerate CCS development, putting Texas at the forefront of low carbon energy development at a pivotal moment.
Texans will have an opportunity to voice their support for primacy.
The recent agreement signed by the EPA and the Texas Railroad Commission marks a critical step toward Class VI primacy in Texas. Next, the EPA is expected to open a public comment period, giving community members the opportunity to express support for Texas gaining authority over carbon storage projects.
Interested in getting involved? Please email info@houstonccs.com or head over to our support page.
Member Companies ExxonMobil and Calpine Sign CO2 Transportation and Storage Agreement for Baytown CCS Project
Recently, Houston CCS Alliance member companies ExxonMobil and Calpine signed a CO2 transportation and storage agreement for Calpine’s Baytown CCS Project. ExxonMobil agreed to store up to 2 million metric tons per annum (MTA) of CO2 from Calpine’s Baytown Energy Center, which is expected to produce about 500 megawatts of low-carbon electricity—enough to power 500,000 homes.
Visit our Newsroom to learn more about the partnership.
Spring Events Recap
In the first months of 2025, the Houston CCS Alliance has been actively connecting with community leaders, policymakers, and industry partners to raise awareness about the benefits of CCS and advocate for policies that support its development. From local events to state and national advocacy efforts, the Alliance is working to ensure that CCS plays a central role in Texas’ energy future.
In the Community
The Houston CCS Alliance engaged with community leaders and organizations to highlight the benefits of CCS and advocate for Class VI well primacy.
Highlights include presentations at the Harris County Mayors’ and Councils’ Association with Mayor Whitmire and the Baytown Chamber of Commerce membership meeting, as well as a $5,000 donation to the Galena Park/Jacinto City Rotary Club to support student scholarships.
The Alliance was also honored to be invited to a CCS roundtable hosted by the Houston Consul General of Denmark, joining international and regional leaders to discuss CCS development across in the Gulf Coast region.
At The Capitol
The Houston CCS Alliance participated in several key advocacy events to advance support for CCS. At Golden Triangle Day at the Texas Capitol, the Alliance hosted a breakfast and panel with state legislators to discuss 2025 legislative priorities, including the importance of Class VI well primacy for enabling CCS projects in the region.
The Alliance also sponsored the Greater Houston Partnership’s Washington DC Fly-In, engaging Congressional leaders and community representatives on CCS policy.
Additionally, as a Platinum Sponsor of the Pasadena Chamber’s Capitol Engagement Day, the Alliance highlighted the critical role of CCS in supporting the Ship Channel region’s energy future.
#AskTheExperts, Reimagined
The Alliance recently unveiled a new video interview series spotlighting the voices of influential leaders across Texas and their views on the important role CCS will play in boosting Texas’ economy and improving air quality.
Stakeholders like Dr. Brenda Hellyer, Chancellor of San Jacinto College; Chad Burke, CEO of the Economic Alliance Houston Port Region; AJ Turner, Beaumont Ciy Council Member At-Large; and Glen Hamer, CEO of the Texas Association of Business; all speak to the importance of CCS development in the Lone Star State. Their interviews emphasize the need for Class VI primacy, highlight the environmental benefits, and underscore the workforce development opportunities tied to these projects.
Read more about the new series here and be sure to subscribe to the Alliance’s YouTube page to be notified when the next installment in the series is live.
CCS Alliance Adds New Supporters
We’re proud to add four more influential local voices to our growing list of Houston CCS Alliance supporters: Christian Manuel, Texas State Representative (D-22); Ric Campo, Chairman of the Port Commission of the Port of Houston; Joaquin Martinez, Houston City Council member; and Dennis Paul, Texas State Representative (R-129).
Read all three supporters’ statements below and visit our Who We Are page to learn more about all of the Texas leaders who support the CCS Alliance’s mission to advance CCS technology across the Lone Star State.
In the News
Have you heard the news? CCS activity among our Houston CCS Alliance member companies is quickly gaining momentum. In case you missed it, find some of the latest news headlines below.
- EPA and Texas Railroad Commission sign memorandum of agreement on geologic storage of carbon dioxide – United States Environmental Protection Agency
- The MOA signing is a significant step forward in the Texas Railroad Commission’s (TRRC) application for Class VI primacy.
- Texan’s property rights should clearly include what’s beneath us – Port Arthur News
- Texas landowners assume they full control, but state law around pore space underneath the ground is surprisingly vague. HB 2762 sought to fix this.
- Texas bills aim to clarify pore space ownership for carbon capture projects – Midland Reporter-Telegram
- Efforts to advance carbon capture in Texas have been stymied by questions over ownership of the pore space that would hold carbon dioxide.
- Legislators, businesses urge EPA to give Texas primacy on CO2 wells – Midland Reporter-Telegram
- A recent push by Texas organization and legislators has renewed calls for the EPA to grant Texas Class VI primacy.
- Texas could be a leader in carbon capture and storage – Dallas Morning News
- Texas is positioned to be a leader in low-carbon energy innovation, but there must be regulatory framework in place that allows the state to execute on these projects.
- Why oil and gas companies want state oversight over carbon dioxide injection – Texas Tribune
- Delays in CCS project permitting have prompted calls from the oil and gas industry to grant Texas primacy.
- Cutting red tape at federal level will help Texas lead nation in energy innovation – Texas Association of Business
- The Texas Association of Business (TAB) joined other top Texas business organizations in sending a letter to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin urging the EPA to approve Texas’ application for Class VI primacy.
Interested in reading more news from the Houston CCS Alliance? Click here to visit our Newsroom.
The Houston CCS Alliance is a coordinated effort among some of the world’s most innovative energy, petrochemical, and power generation companies to advance the development of carbon capture and storage in the greater Houston industrial area. Members include: Calpine, Channelview Cogeneration, Chevron, DOW, ExxonMobil, and INEOS. Interested in staying up-to-date with the Houston CCS Alliance? Share this email with your contacts and sign up here.
