Committee hears carbon‑sequestration cleanup bill; vote deferred pending amendment on funding and permitting

Senate Bill 457 (referred to in the hearing as a carbon‑sequestration cleanup and permitting bill) received extended testimony but no final vote; the sponsor and committee agreed to hold the measure for an amended vote next week so funding and clarity issues can be resolved.

Sponsor remarks and scope: Sponsor Senator Glick (introduced by Chairman Soliday on behalf of the absent senator) and Rep. Soliday described the bill as a cleanup of prior carbon sequestration statutes, focusing on administrative and financial responsibilities rather than revisiting the policy decision to allow sequestration. Rep. Soliday said the central question for the bill and its amendment is whether post‑closure costs should fall to taxpayers or the sequestration companies; the sponsor and amendment text aim to keep financial responsibility with the companies and create a trust fund to protect the state when long‑term stewardship is required.

DNR testimony and requested amendment: Maddie Comer, chief of staff for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR), told the committee DNR is pursuing primacy for Class VI injection well permitting from the EPA and…