Louisiana lawmakers have watered down a bill to bolster local control over carbon storage projects, citing concerns that the restrictions would chase away the nascent industry.
The Louisiana state House on Tuesday dropped from H.B. 516 several provisions that would have granted local government oversight and influence over Class VI underground injection wells, where companies plan to permanently sequester carbon emissions captured from power plants and industrial facilities. Many Republican lawmakers warned that allowing local governments to restrict projects could drive away investors from the whole state.
“It could unintentionally kill the entire industry,” Republican state Rep. Neil Riser said in an interview.
Riser’s amendment to weaken local control was adopted without debate by the House, which then voted 95-0 to approve the bill. H.B. 516 now awaits action in the state Senate. The GOP-controlled state Legislature must adjourn by June 3.
