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Guest column: Research and regulation of carbon capture risk is robust

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Guest column: Research and regulation of carbon capture risk is robust


The Mississippi River has made south Louisiana a global center of industry and commerce. Taken collectively, the system of ports on the river is one of the largest in the world. Industrial facilities along the river provide fuels to power everything from lawnmowers to aircraft carriers. They produce fertilizers that allow the world’s population to be fed, and chemical feedstocks that allow for the production of everything from building materials to medicine.

This concentration of productivity also means that Louisiana, unlike most other states, gets a majority of its carbon dioxide emissions from the industrial rather than the transportation sector. It is the very concentration of these sources of CO2 emissions that makes south Louisiana an ideal place for large scale carbon capture and storage operations.

The idea of injecting the emissions and byproducts of industrial production underground is nothing new for Louisiana. It was decided decades ago that it was significantly safer and more effective to inject industrial wastewater into underground saline aquifers rather than handle them at the surface.

The wastewater from a typical fertilizer plant may include chemicals such as arsenic, lead and mercury. The Louisiana Department of Natural Resources currently regulates 3,459 injection wells including those that inject CO2 for enhanced oil recovery. DNR has a robust regulatory process that effectively evaluates the potential risks of the injection operations.

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There are some differences between industrial wastewater injection and the injection of CO2, and this is why academic research on CCS operations is so important. The LSU Center for Energy Studies and the Bureau of Economic Geology at UT Austin are at the forefront of CCS research for Louisiana. They have produced several significant studies and reports that provide overviews of the entire enterprise and detailed evaluations of all of the important geological parameters of CO2 injection and storage.

These evaluations include the storage capacity of saline aquifers, the integrity of the overlying confining zones and the potential for transmissivity by faults. They provide a database of critical parameters for CCS operators and regulators so that appropriate safety margins can be built into the design of CCS projects. Studies by CES and BEG provide a comprehensive picture of the subsurface geology essential to CO2 storage.

It is interesting that capacity for storage of CO2 underground in south Louisiana is also closely tied to the Mississippi River. The ancestral Mississippi has been draining the North American continent for more than fifty million years. Deposits in the river deltas and on the continental shelf have accumulated throughout this time span, and sedimentary layers extend down miles below the surface. They provide both permeable layers of sand and the impermeable layers of shale (lithified clay) necessary for underground storage.

BEG studies have shown that the saline aquifers formed by these sand layers have excellent capacity to store CO2, and the broadly extensive shale layers make excellent seals that keep it in the aquifers.

Opponents to CCS operations in Louisiana often speak about associated geological risks. Assertions have been made of the potential for the risk of leakage up abandoned oil and gas wells, vertical transmissivity by faults, and the potential for induced seismicity (earthquakes). Aside from the observation that all of these theoretical risks apply equally to wastewater injection wells — and there should have been some evidence of their occurrence over the last 50 years — these assertions are generally made with the implication that the risks are not being evaluated and quantified. This undermines the integrity of researchers at CES and BEG and regulators at EPA and DNR.

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Existing and ongoing research is providing a solid foundation of understanding for all aspects of CCS operations. The regulatory process for CCS is as robust as any other enterprise in this country. Scientists and engineers at EPA and DNR work diligently to ensure that all potential risks are properly evaluated and addressed, and the safety of all Louisiana residents and their drinking water will be protected. To suggest otherwise is irresponsible at best.

The Mississippi River has brought together the rich geological history and the modern economic prowess of south Louisiana in such a way that a concentration of CO2 emissions is underlain by a massive array of saline aquifers that are capable of storing those emissions. This coincidence offers the state the potential to become a global leader reducing carbon emissions.

It is an opportunity that we should not squander.

Chris McLindon is manager of McLindon Geosciences, LLC. He has worked for 40 years as a geologist in the energy industry.





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Louisiana

Why Losing Hits Harder In Louisiana: Insights & Reactions Revealed

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Why Losing Hits Harder In Louisiana: Insights & Reactions Revealed


You’ve heard the phrase “You can’t win ’em all.” Well, in Louisiana, when we don’t win, we are very likely to get upset. Now over the years, the New Orleans Saints before the mid-2000s were notorious for grabbing defeat out of the jaws of victory turning Saints fans into Aints fans, and employing the use of paper bags on their heads at games.

A recent survey from Captain Gambling including over 2,000 Americans determined how the average person from each state responds to a loss (since it’s a gambling site we are assuming they are only referring only to sports losses.)

via CaptainGambling

via CaptainGambling

According to the survey, 33 percent of Americans stay calm after a loss. Other reactions included:

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  • Laughing it off

  • Asking for a rematch

  • Walk away

  • Deny the loss

Not surprisingly, 15% of the survey respondents have actually gotten into fights with other players after losing. There is plenty of video evidence to support the finding if you do a quick search on YouTube. Even though he’s not originally from Missouri, Patrick Mahomes might have blown the curve on the calm nature of the state at 36%.

That being said, where does Louisiana rank in terms of handling a loss? At least we’re not at the top of the list. That honor goes to our neighbor to the north in Arkansas with 83% of respondents admitting they lose it when they lose. Louisiana follows on the list at number 2, with 80% of those surveyed admitting to being a sore loser. The primary reaction to losing in Louisiana is to deny the loss.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, if you’re looking for states that stay calm in the face of defeat, head to Utah and Iowa who are only 17% likely to get upset when they lose.

One interesting question on the survey asked if parents intentionally let children win games. While there was no official breakdown by state, 57% said they occasionally let their kids win, 30% said ‘Yes’ and 13% were not going to lighten up just because they were playing against a child.

As to why Louisianans react the way they do after a loss is up for debate, but I’d like to think it’s because of our fiery spirit and tenacity to never give up, even if it means denying we lost. Louisiana has plenty to celebrate, and here are a few things we’re proud of.

Fun Facts About Louisiana That May Surprise You

Gallery Credit: Townsquare Media

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Louisiana’s seasonally adjusted employment shows rise in unemployment, more job opportunities

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Louisiana’s seasonally adjusted employment shows rise in unemployment, more job opportunities


Data released today by the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics shows Louisiana’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment figure continues to add jobs as the number of unemployed individuals rise.

Nonfarm is a measure of the number of U.S. workers in the economy, excluding those in farms, private households, and non-profit organizations. The state’s seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment for January 2024 increased by 7,600 jobs from December 2023, for a total of 1,958,400 jobs, a news release said. Compared to January 2023, seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment increased by 6,200 jobs.

The Louisiana Workforce Commission uses seasonally adjusted data to provide a more valuable and telling picture of Louisiana’s jobs and employment situation.

The construction sector gained 2,400 jobs from December 2023, the release said. Other major industries showing the largest gains in the month include professional and business services, which gained 1,200 jobs, and government, which gained 1,200 jobs.

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The Department of Labor defines seasonal adjustment as a measurement that removes the influences of predictable seasonal patterns to reveal how employment and unemployment figures change from month to month. In the course of a year, the size of the labor force, the levels of employment and unemployment, and other measures of labor market activity undergo fluctuations due to seasonal events, including changes in weather, harvests, major holidays and school schedules. Seasonal adjustment reduces the impact of these changes, making it easier to understand trends.

The number of seasonally adjusted unemployed individuals for January 2024 is estimated to be 85,129.The number of unemployed rose by 2,502 individuals from the December 2023.

Compared to January 2023, the number of seasonally adjusted unemployed individuals increased by 9,231. The number of employed decreased by 680 individuals compared to December 2023. Ultimately, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for January 2024 is 4.1%, which is tied for the third-lowest rate in a series history for the month of January, according to the Bureau Labor of Statistics.

“With the help of our stakeholders, Louisiana added over 7,000 nonfarm jobs for January, with the seriesseeing 34 consecutive months with an over-the-year gain,” said Louisiana Workforce CommissionSecretary Susana Schowen. “We stand readily available and are committed to continuing to workalongside our partners to host hiring fairs and provide resources for job seekers.”

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Among Louisiana’s MSAs in January 2024, seasonally adjusted data shows:

  • Baton Rouge (421,200 jobs) added 1,500 jobs from December 2023 and gained 4,400 jobs fromJanuary 2023.
  • Alexandria (61,200 jobs) lost 200 jobs from December 2023 and lost 200 jobs from January 2023.
  • Hammond (49,900 jobs) added 200 jobs from December 2023 and gained 1,100 jobs from January2023.
  • Houma (85,800 jobs) showed no change from December 2023, but gained 1,300 jobs from January2023.
  • Lafayette (205,500 jobs) added 900 jobs from December 2023 and gained 1,000 jobs from January2023.
  • Lake Charles (96,200 jobs) added 300 jobs from December 2023 and gained 300 jobs from January2023.
  • Monroe (77,300 jobs) lost 200 jobs from December 2023 and lost 900 jobs from January 2023.
  • New Orleans (559,200 jobs) lost 1,400 jobs from December 2023 and lost 7,700 jobs from January2023.
  • Shreveport (177,400 jobs) added 600 jobs from December 2023, but lost 1,100 jobs from January 2023



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Wanted sex offender, 51, who was caught with child porn is found sleeping in Louisiana swamp living off rats he hunted with makeshift spear

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Wanted sex offender, 51, who was caught with child porn is found sleeping in Louisiana swamp living off rats he hunted with makeshift spear


  • US Marshals found Brian Schaller, 51, living in the shelter on March 14
  • He was convicted in 2016 for distribution of child porn and had active warrants for sexual battery and violating the terms of the sex offenders’ registry

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A wanted sex offender was found living in a stick and tarpaulin shelter deep in a Louisiana swamp and eating rats that he hunted with a makeshift spear.  

Brian Schaller, 51, was convicted in 2016 for distribution of child porn and had active warrants for sexual battery and violating the terms of the sex offenders’ registry. 

Earlier this month, US Marshals received a tip-off that he was living in the Atchafalaya Basin, East of Lafayette, and tracked him down to his encampment, deep in the swamp. 

He surrendered himself and told officers he had been living there since January, catching small animals and rodents in traps and killing them with a makeshift spear for food. 

Schaller had made a dilapidated hut out of stacked branches, covered with a tarp and held together with parachute cords and even created an alarm system with string and old cans. 

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Marshals received a tip-off that wanted sex offender Brian Schaller was living in a shelter in the Louisiana swamp 

Schaller had an active warrant from the East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office for allegedly violating the terms of his sex offender registry and from the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's for felony sexual battery and felony oral sexual battery

Schaller had an active warrant from the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office for allegedly violating the terms of his sex offender registry and from the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s for felony sexual battery and felony oral sexual battery

The shelter was made of branches stacked together and covered in trash bags and tarp

The shelter was made of branches stacked together and covered in trash bags and tarp 

According to a release from the Marshals Service, Schaller was initially indicted in 2015 for distribution of child pornography. 

They said he also had an active warrant from the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office for violating the terms of his sex offender registry and from the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office for felony sexual battery and felony oral sexual battery. 

On March 12, officers received a tip-off that Schaller was living deep in the swamp. 

They put together a team of uniformed officers, boats and even canine teams to track him. 

Then on March 14, the team started searching the swamp and found Schaller’s shelter a mile-in. 

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They surrounded it and ordered him to come out, they said: ‘Schaller complied with the verbal commands and was taken into custody without incident.’

Photos of the camp show a rudimentary shelter made from sawn off branches stacked on top of each other and covered over with trash bags and a tarpaulin. 

To the side of the shelter he had strung a washing line which was still covered in clothes. 

Schaller said he had been living there since January, surviving off small animals and rats that he killed with traps and a makeshift spear

Schaller said he had been living there since January, surviving off small animals and rats that he killed with traps and a makeshift spear

He had fashioned a basked out of small branches and had even created an early-warning system using string and old cans

He had fashioned a basked out of small branches and had even created an early-warning system using string and old cans

Officers also found a make shift spear, with a kitchen knife blade fastened to a stick with twine. 

Schaller had also made a basket out of small branches. 

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The Marshals said: ‘Schaller had several small game traps along the trails around his encampment, made from paracord and small limbs he had gathered. 

‘Schaller had also deployed an early warning system made from string and aluminum cans. 

‘Schaller told investigators he had been living off the land since approximately January and that he had been living off small game and rodents.’

Schaller was first arrested in December 2014 on 500 counts of child pornography possession and his bond was set at $51 million. 

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