United States President Joe Biden's administration is giving Louisiana regulators the power to approve carbon capture projects.
The decision comes during a time when the state's influential energy sector is seeking to make the Gulf Coast a hub for the rapidly expanding industry. With the development, Louisiana will be able to issue permits for carbon capture wells that store carbon dioxide.
Carbon Capture Project Approval
These are considered critical components of carbon capture and removal technology. In all but two other states in the country, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for permitting such projects.
Proponents of the change argue that the decision would speed up approvals of new projects that are considered crucial for reducing climate-warming greenhouse gas emissions.
However, environmental groups have opposed the move, expressing skepticism that a state home to a concentrated stretch of oil, gas, and petrochemical plants is capable of proper industry oversight and protecting residents.
The EPA noted that the Louisiana agreement includes safeguards to protect poorer, often majority-Black communities that live near those facilities. The agency added that those standards will serve as a model for other states across the country, as per Yahoo Finance.
In a statement on Thursday, EPA Administrator Michael Regan said that it can be done in a way that builds in environmental justice principles. This would allow the community to participate in the process and ensure that they are safe.
The Biden administration had previously said that enhancing environmental justice is one of its priorities and that it would focus its enforcement power on communities that are burdened by too much pollution.
On the other hand, the EPA said that it has already secured commitments from Louisiana to have a robust public participation process. It would also consider how new wells might harm communities in the state that are near polluting sites and possibly reduce harm.
Reducing Carbon Emissions
Carbon capture technology is designed to reduce emissions from industrial sources such as ethanol plants and coal-fired power plants. The carbon that is captured can then be transported for injection in wells that are found deep underground, according to ABC News.
Previously, the Biden administration increased tax breaks for developers of carbon capture projects and provided large grants. These include resources for an ambitious plan in Louisiana to remove carbon directly from the air.
Developers have responded and flooded the EPA with permit applications for new wells but only a handful of carbon capture projects are currently in operation. Additionally, authorities have only approved a few wells so far.
In Louisiana, developers have proposed roughly 30 carbon capture projects, which is among the most of any state. Officials also welcomed the EPA's decision, arguing that it would help make the state a major carbon capture player and reduce industrial emissions.
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards and many other political leaders argued that the state's robust petrochemical industry and geology make it the perfect place for carbon capture development. However, environmental groups expressed doubt that the state will be able to properly regulate carbon capture wells, said US News.
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