Could burying carbon underground become Alaska’s next big climate and energy move? The state is moving closer to launching a groundbreaking program that would let companies store carbon dioxide deep beneath the Earth’s surface — a high-stakes process known as carbon sequestration. But here’s where it gets interesting: while designed to cut emissions from heavy industry, the initiative could also dramatically reshape Alaska’s natural gas pipeline project.
Large amounts of natural gas found on the North Slope come mixed with carbon dioxide. Before shipment, that carbon must be stripped out. If simply released into the atmosphere, it would significantly boost greenhouse gas levels, making climate change worse. That’s where this new plan comes in.
On November 25, the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (AOGCC) revealed it has finished a draft set of rules for the state’s upcoming “carbon storage and underground injection” program. Under these proposed regulations, Alaska would take over the management of carbon injection wells — called “class VI wells” — from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The framework reflects a broader national trend: several other energy-producing states, including Louisiana, North Dakota, West Virginia, and Wyoming, already oversee these wells themselves. State-level control often speeds up approvals for sequestration projects, though it also raises questions about oversight and environmental safety.
This move was made possible after the Alaska Legislature passed — and Governor Mike Dunleavy signed — a 2023 law granting the state authority to run such a program. The Biden administration supported the early stages with federal grants, while the state expects the program’s annual costs to total roughly $386,000 in coming years. For Alaska, that’s a relatively small investment with potentially massive economic and environmental implications.
The draft package spans an exhaustive 105 pages of detailed regulatory text. Among the most critical provisions: carbon wells cannot be drilled through drinking water aquifers — a crucial safeguard against contamination. However, there are exceptions for other well types, some of which could later be converted into carbon injection sites. The rules also require companies to maintain insurance or bonds to cover potential accidents and to properly seal wells once operations end, ensuring long-term stability and accountability.
Public engagement will play a key role in the process. AOGCC will hold a public hearing on January 13 at its Anchorage office, starting at 10 a.m. Those wishing to attend in person or via teleconference need to email samantha.coldiron@alaska.gov at least two days before the hearing. Written feedback can also be sent to that address — a crucial opportunity for citizens, scientists, and environmental advocates to weigh in.
Even after the state finalizes these rules, more bureaucratic steps remain. Alaska will still need to draft and formally submit its takeover application to the EPA, which will trigger another public review period. According to the official timeline, the state hopes to send the application “as soon as possible” after public feedback is reviewed. Gaining full regulatory authority would likely take an additional 12 to 18 months.
But here’s what could spark debate: Is Alaska’s carbon sequestration push primarily about fighting climate change — or about making the long-delayed natural gas pipeline more feasible? Critics might argue the effort risks becoming a lifeline for fossil fuel projects, while supporters frame it as a pragmatic step toward emission reduction and energy development.
So where do you stand? Should Alaska focus on carbon storage as a clean-energy innovation — or be wary of it becoming a backdoor boost to the oil and gas industry? Share your view in the comments and join the conversation on this pivotal moment in Alaska’s energy future.
