Louisiana Receives EPA Approval for Underground Carbon Storage Projects
The EPA has authorized the state to take this step in boosting its environmental approach.
- By Robert Yaniz Jr.
- Jan 06, 2024
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has authorized Louisiana to greenlight projects aimed at storing carbon dioxide underground, marking a step forward in the state's environmental strategy.
These initiatives involve capturing carbon dioxide emitted by energy production or industrial processes and injecting it into subterranean rock formations, mitigating its release into the atmosphere and thereby combating climate change. The EPA affirmed Louisiana's program adheres to the necessary criteria for approval.
Governor John Bel Edwards highlighted the state's geology and existing pipeline infrastructure, positioning Louisiana as a pivotal center for carbon capture and sequestration endeavors, according to The Hill. He stated, "While CO2 sequestration is not the only strategy available for carbon management, it is the most mature and market-ready tool available in the near term."
However, the EPA's decision has encountered opposition from left-leaning critics, who pinpoint the state’s erratic track record and its use of relatively new pollution control methods. The energy industry has reportedly been enthusiastic about the decision and its potential for future application.
About the Author
Robert Yaniz Jr. is the Content Editor for Environmental Protection.