Louisiana Given Authority by Biden Administration to Approve Carbon Capture Wells

The Biden administration is granting Louisiana regulators new authority to attract and approve carbon capture projects as the state’s energy sector aims to position the Gulf Coast as a hub for this rapidly expanding industry.

Louisiana will have the ability to issue permits for wells that store carbon dioxide, a crucial component of carbon capture and removal technology. Unlike in most other states, the Environmental Protection Agency has been responsible for permitting, but proponents of the change believe it will expedite approvals for new projects essential for reducing climate-warming greenhouse gas emissions.

Environmental groups opposed the move, expressing doubt about the state’s capacity to properly oversee the industry and protect residents, particularly in areas known as “cancer alley” due to the concentration of oil, gas, and petrochemical plants. However, the EPA stated that the Louisiana agreement includes safeguards to protect poorer, often majority-Black communities near these facilities, setting a model for other states.

EPA Administrator Michael Regan emphasized the importance of building in environmental justice principles to allow for community participation in the process and ensure the safety of these communities.

The Biden administration has prioritized enhancing environmental justice and enforcing power in communities burdened by pollution. The EPA secured commitments from Louisiana to implement a robust public participation process and consider the potential harm new wells might pose to nearby communities and the possibility of reducing that harm.

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