Louisiana's big step in carbon capture

Republicans and Democrats in fossil fuel-friendly Louisiana, swayed by the promise of state permitting authority and generous tax incentives appear to have come together on carbon capture and storage.

Lylla Younes reports for Grist.

In short:

Louisiana now has the authority to approve carbon capture projects, a change met with mixed reactions.
Environmental concerns include potential health risks and the impact on overburdened, predominantly Black and low-income communities.
The state aims to use this industry to create jobs and promote economic growth, despite skepticism about its long-term benefits and safety.

Key quote:

“We’re building in monitoring and oversight measures to ensure that the state — regardless of who is in the governor’s office — complies” with federal law.

— Michael Regan, EPA Administrator

Visit EHN's energy section for more top news about energy, climate and health.

www.ehn.org

Louisiana's big step in carbon capture

Judge allows Trump to cut more than $1bn in National Science Foundation grants

Wright and Burgum urge Europe to rethink methane curbs

Carbon capture – the get-out-of-jail-free card that does not actually work

In the Pacific, unkept U.S. promises on climate cut deep

Vanishing Bayous: On a boat at ground zero for sea level rise

Department of Energy allocates $134 million for fusion funding

Study finds Indigenous territories of Amazon rainforest can protect humans from disease

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.