Indiana requires permits and hearings for underground carbon storage projects

Storage operators must get a state permit to run a carbon storage project and a Class VI well permit to inject carbon dioxide. This covers Indiana projects that inject carbon dioxide into underground space for long-term storage. Before issuing a permit, the state must review drinking water safety and the operator’s good-faith effort to get every storage space owner’s consent. It must also review whether owners of space beneath at least 70% of the land above the proposed site have agreed and whether owners who do not agree will be paid fairly. These permit provisions took effect when the law passed.

The state must hold a public hearing before issuing a carbon storage permit and allow public comments. The hearing concerns a proposed carbon storage project in Indiana. The state must send hearing notices by mail or third-party courier to mineral lessees, mineral owners, owners of underground storage space, and surface landowners in the project and within half a mile of the storage area’s boundary. Interested people may submit written comments. The state must give notice at least 30 days before the hearing. These hearing rules took effect when the law passed.

Storage operators must monitor the site after they stop injecting carbon dioxide. This applies to operators of Indiana carbon storage projects after injection stops. The state may approve less frequent monitoring or earlier closure if evidence shows the project no longer threatens underground drinking water. Monitoring must continue until the state approves that showing. If it cannot approve the showing at the end of the set period, the operator must submit a plan to keep monitoring. The usual monitoring period is at least 50 years after injection stops. These provisions took effect when the law passed.

A person who knowingly and intentionally breaks the carbon storage rules commits a Class A misdemeanor and faces a daily penalty. This applies to people who knowingly and intentionally violate Indiana’s carbon storage rules. Each violation carries a penalty of at least $5,000 per day. The amount depends on the violation’s seriousness, its risk to people, property, and the environment, and steps taken to fix it. These penalty provisions took effect July 1, 2026.

Utilities must accept electronic payments from the state natural resources agency and combine a property’s bills when asked. This covers retail electricity, natural gas, water, and wastewater service for properties owned by Indiana’s natural resources agency. Utilities must accept card payments up to $10,000 and allow at least five payment transactions for one bill. If a utility cannot issue one bill for a property, it must issue as few bills as it can. These utility payment rules took effect July 1, 2026.