Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry (R) announced a moratorium Wednesday on the state’s review of new applications for carbon dioxide injection wells — a decision that comes as the U.S. Gulf Coast remains the epicenter for potential geologic storage of the greenhouse gas.
In an executive order, Landry pointed to the importance of carbon capture and storage to Louisiana’s economy and a desire to “safeguard public trust.” But he directed the Louisiana Department of Conservation and Energy to halt its review of new Class VI permit applications that are submitted after the order.
“The purpose of this Order is to provide a clear roadmap for citizens and local officials, ensuring that applications for proposed Class VI projects comply with existing Louisiana rules for carbon injection,” Landry said in the order.
EPA granted top regulatory authority over Class VI wells — which are used to send CO2 underground into rock formations for long-term storage — to Louisiana near the end of 2023, though the final rule didn’t appear in the Federal Register until January 2024. Louisiana is one of five states with the ability to issue Class VI permits themselves, not relying on EPA.
