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Bill

SB 61

CONSERVATION: Authorizes parish governing authorities and citizens to determine whether Class VI injection wells, carbon dioxide sequestration, or carbon dioxide pipelines may be permitted within a parish. (gov sig) (OR SEE FISC NOTE GF RV)

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Bill Wheat

SB 61 authorizes Louisiana parishes to locally determine whether to permit carbon dioxide injection wells, sequestration projects, and CO2 pipelines rather than state-level decision-making.

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Bill Summary · SB 61

Legislative bill overview

SB 61 grants Louisiana parishes (county-equivalent jurisdictions) the authority to decide locally whether to permit Class VI injection wells, carbon dioxide sequestration projects, or carbon dioxide pipelines within their boundaries. The bill essentially shifts regulatory decision-making power from the state level to individual parishes, allowing communities to accept or reject carbon dioxide-related infrastructure projects.

Why is this important

This bill affects Louisiana's role in national carbon capture and storage infrastructure, which is increasingly relevant as companies seek locations for CO2 sequestration projects tied to climate initiatives and industrial decarbonization. The outcome determines whether Louisiana parishes can block or welcome billion-dollar carbon management projects that could generate economic activity, tax revenue, and jobs—or conversely, allow communities to reject projects they view as environmental or safety risks.

Potential points of contention

  • State vs. local control: Shifts authority away from state regulators and toward parish governments, potentially fragmenting permitting decisions across Louisiana and complicating large-scale infrastructure projects that cross parish lines
  • Economic incentives vs. community concerns: Parishes with immediate financial needs may approve projects that others reject on environmental or safety grounds, creating inconsistent regional development and potential environmental justice issues
  • Federal regulatory conflict: Class VI wells are federally regulated under the EPA; local parish authority to block them may create legal tensions with federal authority and interstate pipeline projects

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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