Public Overwhelmingly Supports Carbon Capture and Storage at EPA Hearing in Louisiana

Vast Majority of Public Commenters Told EPA that Louisiana is Ready to Self-Regulate Carbon Capture and Storage

BATON ROUGE – Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA), the leading energy and environmental advocate for families and businesses, issued the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency’s public hearing on Louisiana’s application for authority to regulate carbon capture permitting under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act.

“CEA strongly supports the proposed application that would allow Louisiana’s Department of Natural Resources to regulate carbon capture activities, including the ability to permit its own carbon injection wells,” CEA Deputy Director of Gulf Coast Affairs Shawn Waldron said. “Following EPA’s three day public comment session, it is clear Louisianans strongly agree. It is heartening to see so many ordinary citizens, from workers to grandmothers, coming out in person to support a brighter future for Louisiana.”

“Those expressing opposition during the comment session were, strangely, against an easy, proven solution to the climate change fight that will improve the environment for everyone, especially our underprivileged communities,” Waldron said. “Louisiana’s industrial facilities are an economic engine for the state’s economy, and have provided thousands of jobs for generations. Without a solution that lowers our environmental footprint to meet public and government demands for cleaner air, these facilities run the risk of closure. Carbon capture is the key to maintaining America’s vital industries and will move the state and the country toward our environmental goals faster than we ever thought possible. It will also create new jobs and a cleaner environment in Louisiana, without sacrificing people’s livelihoods.”

“Louisiana has a proven history of capably regulating industry and of supervising the Safe Drinking Water Act provisions the EPA has already delegated to it. Self-regulating carbon capture will empower Louisiana to quickly and efficiently permit carbon capture projects in a state with the ideal geology for it, and demonstrate at scale a solution our nation and world need right now.”

About Consumer Energy Alliance
Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) is the leading voice for sensible energy and environmental policies for consumers, bringing together families, farmers, small businesses, distributors, producers, and manufacturers to support America’s environmentally sustainable energy future. With more than 550,000 members nationwide, we are committed to leading the nation’s dialogue around energy, its critical role in the economy, and how it supports the vital supply chains for the families and businesses that depend on them. CEA works daily to encourage communities across the nation to seek sensible, realistic, and environmentally responsible solutions to meet our nation’s energy needs.