Carbon Management Community Concerns in Louisiana

Carbon management is supported by corporations and the state government in Louisiana for its potential to reduce emissions and support the industrial economy. Yet,despite the potential for Louisiana to utilize carbon management technology, there are drawbacks that require thorough consideration. 

Drawbacks of Carbon Management

Carbon capture, if not implemented alongside thorough emissions mitigation tactics and targets, has the potential to perpetuate fossil fuel use instead of facilitating the transition towards clean energy. The impacts of this could include allowing industry to continue polluting communities, dismissing the harms communities face and welcoming new industrial developments to already overburdened areas.

Furthermore, state primacy (when a state is given primary authority to implement a federal program) overClass VIcarbon sequestration wells is largely supported by fossil fuel interests as a means of speeding up the carbon sequestration permitting process. This furthers the view that energy companies value carbon management technology for its ability to extend fossil fuel dependenceunder the guise of sustainabilityrather than as a transitional technology.

Some advocacy organizationscritique the 45Q tax creditfor economically incentivizing fossil fuel perpetuation and misappropriating public funds that should be invested in renewable energy. Class VI well primacy is also a contentious subject given the existing regulatory andenvironmental justice concerns around carbon management in Louisiana. 

Carbon dioxide pipelines are also a source of discomfort when discussing carbon management in Louisiana. While pre-existing carbon pipelines are useful, there is concern that as the carbon management sector grows, pipelines would be expanded through fragile wetland ecosystems and communities.

Although existing pipeline regulations are stringent and adapting to regulatory incidents and CO₂ pipeline incidents are uncommon, pipeline safety is a major concern of residents. This fear has been bolstered by incidents that have drawn wide-spread public attention, such as the rupture in Satartia, MS. As such, establishing trust between residents and industry is a difficult task. 

Lacassine orphaned well. Credit: USFWS

Community Reactions

Carbon management in Louisiana has received varying public responses, with many local environmental groups coming out against CCUS in Louisiana and other groups supporting CCUS conditionally (often determined by location and impact). 

For example, residents near Lake Maurepas have taken a firm stand against carbon sequestration under Lake Maurepas, which is a heavily recreated area. During the public comment hearing on well permitting for this project, concerns were raised over drinking water contamination if sequestered carbon leaks and reacts with underground minerals, the safety of drilling near abandoned wells in Lake Maurepas and fault lines in Lake Pontchartrain, and the lack of regulations ensuring liability for long term problems.

Many of these concerns were echoed with a call for an Environmental Impact Statement, which would slow the project and increase community trust. While these comments are often addressed by industry representatives and in-state scientists, this continued opposition to the project reveals the extent to which communities distrust emerging carbon management technology and developments. 

In response to community concerns, legislation has been proposed in Louisiana and NWF has developed a "Carbon Management: Community Takeaways" toolkit to summarize common concerns Louisiana community members have and present methods for industry, government, and community stakeholders to create a holistic decision-making process.

Overall, Louisiana communities are hesitant about supporting carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technology in the state and desire strong regulatory safeguards, proven project efficacy from other CCUS success stories, and a role in carbon management decision making processes. 

Joyce WMA. Credit: Emily ClarkeFrontline community of Norco. Credit: Emily Clarke

Carbon Management Moving Forward

Carbon management is likely to be a part of Louisiana's future as the state adapts to climate stressors and strives to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Despite this, many of the proposed carbon management projects are not sustainable long-term since they extend fossil fuel use and without government support, such as energy transition timeline requirements, will likely hinder the transition to clean and renewable energy.

To remedy this, CCUS development plans need to account for phasing out abatable industries, such as gas power plants and oil refineries, and establishing clean energy alternatives. NWF focuses primarily on non-energy sector CCUS development, however, in Louisiana there are at least five projects focusing on utilizing CCUS to capture carbon from liquid natural gas (LNG) processing. Like with all conservation and climate programs, strong public education and engagement is critical to success.

NWF's role in Louisiana is to educate communities on carbon management and advocate for inclusive decision-making processes while recognizing that CCUS projects in Louisiana must be carefully reviewed to ensure their long-term sustainability and success in emissions reduction.

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