Louisiana
Louisiana lawmakers kill a bill to provide for a local vote on carbon capture projects
A state House panel Tuesday rejected a bill to let parish officials or voters decide whether controversial “carbon capture” projects can be built in their communities.
But the panel did give the feelings of local officials extra weight in the permitting process through the state Department of Energy and Natural Resources. That bill was seen by some legislators as a compromise to meet demands to let residents weigh in on the rush to bring the technology to Louisiana.
Carbon capture and sequestration technology permanently stores carbon dioxide from industrial processes deep underground to cut greenhouse emissions but has sparked environmental and property rights concerns.
Both bills faced objections from trade associations for the oil and gas industry, the chemical industry and other business and economic development groups fearful that more regulatory uncertainty could steer the billions of dollars in industrial projects counting on carbon capture away from Louisiana.
They argue the technology could make Louisiana an economic leader — and the two bills and others considered Tuesday by the House Committee on Natural Resources and the Environment risked killing that opportunity.
“These proposals are decidedly anti-industry and would cripple Louisiana’s ability to deliver on these historic projects or compete for future ones,” said David Cresson, the new president and CEO of the Louisiana Chemical Association.
The bill that passed, Senate Bill 73 by Sen. Mike Reese, R-Leesville, would require the state conservation commissioner to give “substantial consideration to local government comments” on carbon injection well permits. The language is borrowed from the state’s coastal use permitting process.
Reese said that if the state office denied a carbon-capture permit based at least in part on objections by local officials, the decision would be on stronger footing to withstand a legal challenge.
“That is defensible action that agency has taken, so I think it is an important tool. That tool has worked in the coastal permitting process. There have been multiple permits just in the last couple years that have been denied in the coastal permitting process under this provision,” Reese told the committee.
While the bill, already passed by the Senate, would require state regulators to consider input from local officials, they could reject it when making their permitting decisions.
Reese’s bill passed without committee opposition. It was a prelude to a lengthy discussion on the local-option bill, House Bill 4 by Rep. Chuck Owen, R-Rosepine, that went on for roughly five hours. That bill would have mandated one of two local-option procedures — police juries could either decide themselves whether to approve carbon capture in their parish or put the issue before voters in an election.
The marathon discussion drew commenters from southwest Louisiana, including members of the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana, people who live in the industrial corridor between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, business and industry groups and state officials.
Proponents of the local-option bill were a cross-section of groups who generally opposed carbon capture, both traditional environmental and community activists but also residents and officials from southwestern Louisiana who said they normally favored the oil and gas industry but didn’t see carbon capture as part of it.
Many argued that the people should have the final say on the technology, which some cast as a threat to their property rights and others saw as a continuation of Louisiana’s traditionally poor treatment of the environment when big dollars are at stake.
“This allows for the people, who are most important in this country and in this state, to have a say,” said James Hiatt, a Lake Charles-area environmental activist who formerly worked for an oil refinery.
Owen’s bill failed in a 6-10 vote.
Opponents on the committee had questions about how the bill would be applied to projects that have injection wells in one parish but would send underground carbon dioxide plumes into multiple parishes.
Blake Canfield, executive counsel for the state natural resources department, said that as written, the bill would have only blocked projects if police jurors or voters voted against a project in the parish where a carbon injection well is drilled.
Owen pointed out that his bill wouldn’t have blocked carbon capture — it would simply give local officials and residents a say in their community and chance for industry proponents of carbon capture to make their case directly to them.
After the bill’s defeat, Owen said he hoped to win over the oil and gas industry by promising to help them with the impact of coastal lawsuits that have forced them “to prostitute” themselves for the dollars behind carbon capture.
LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) – The Venture Global CP2 construction site in Cameron has been cleared after a bomb threat was made Sunday, according to a spokesperson from Venture Global.
The bomb threat came in around noon on Sunday, according to officials. Louisiana State Police hazmat and bomb squads were called to investigate.
No shelter in place was deemed necessary and no roads were closed, according to the Cameron Parish Sheriff’s Office.
A Venture Global spokesperson released the following statement:
“Venture Global was made aware of a bomb threat at our CP2 site and immediately activated our established emergency response protocols. We are coordinating closely with state and local authorities as they investigate. The safety and security of our employees and the surrounding community remain our highest priority.”
Copyright 2026 KPLC. All rights reserved.
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — For the fifth consecutive year, the Louisiana Children’s Museum hosted its annual environmental festival, Mud Fest, on Saturday, March 28.
From 10 a.m.-4 p.m., parents and their little ones had the opportunity to have fun in the sun and enjoy the “highlight” of the museum’s spring season.
This event was inspired by the iconic New Orleans festival culture which includes good food, live music and a nice, high-energy atmosphere. Mud Fest is tailored for the “youngest environmental stewards” to have fun and make all the mess they want with mud.
Due to the Crescent City being surrounded by wetland habitats, we interact with water daily in both our rural and urban communities.
The festival generates positive associations with our region and also builds critical thinking skills for future educators, engineers, fishermen and farmers. According to LCM, engaging with nature, water and plants “builds a child’s confidence and fosters a lifelong connection to the Earth.”
“As the Louisiana Children’s Museum celebrates its 40th anniversary, events like Mud Fest reflect our long-standing commitment to hands-on learning that sparks curiosity and connects children to the world around them,” LCM CEO Tifferney White said.
This year, Mud Fest had performances from young musicians of the School of Rock, the Louisiana Sunspots and more. There were also a storytelling stage and various family-friendly activities for visitors to engage in.
Mud Fest partnered with Pontchartrain Conservancy, STEM NOL, Whimscapes and Sugar Roots to put on the event.
Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter.
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Lana Del Rey has enjoyed a low-key life with her gator tour guide husband Jeremy Dufrene in Louisiana and the talented singer recently gave an intimate peek into their relationship.
The 40-year-old Young And Beautiful hitmaker (born Elizabeth Grant) took to her Instagram to post a gallery celebrating the swamp guide’s 51st birthday.
The couple looked just as in love as ever following their wedding in September 2024.
Del Rey shared several recent videos from their modest life together including a cute selfie of the couple by the ocean while she let her natural beauty show by going make-up free.
She also posted a cute video of Dufrene loading up the truck with plants they had just purchased from Home Depot and when he realizes he is being filmed, the Louisiana native flashed a big smile and proudly posed with a Jack-o’-lantern pot.
Del Rey also shared a snap of her hand gripping his wrist as her massive engagement ring could be seen in full view.
Lana Del Rey has enjoyed a low-key life with her gator tour guide husband Jeremy Dufrene in Louisiana and the talented singer recently gave an intimate peek into their relationship as she shared a tribute to him on his 51st birthday
Another snap showed Del Rey wearing one of Dufrene’s tour guide shirts featuring his name embroidered above the pocket.
Weeks ago the musical artist gave what appeared to be a glimpse into her married life in her new video.
Del Rey’s Insta Stories video opened with footage from the 1933 Betty Boop cartoon Snow-White, though it focused on a section starring the character Koko the Clown as he’s turned into a ghost.
Then the video abruptly cut to shaky handheld footage of Del Rey dancing with an ecstatic smile plastered on her face.
The two have kept a relatively low profile since their wedding day but did make a notable appearance last month at the pre-New York Fashion Week Ralph Lauren show on February 10.
The happy couple even stopped for a romantic kiss as they walked the red carpet for the iconic designer.
The couple first met in 2019 during one of Dufrene’s swamp excursions and reconnected years later, before tying the knot in September 2024.
In August, Del Rey revealed how she fell for her husband, a Louisiana bayou tour guide who spends his days surrounded by alligators.
Join the debate
What do you think Lana Del Rey’s choice to marry a swamp guide says about fame and real love?
She posted a cute video of Dufrene loading up the truck with plants they had just purchased from Home Depot and when he realizes he is being filmed, the Louisiana native flashed a big smile and proudly posed with a Jack-o’-lantern pot
Del Rey also shared a snap of her hand gripping his wrist as her massive engagement ring could be seen in full view
Another snap showed Del Rey wearing one of Dufrene’s tour guide shirts featuring his name embroidered above the pocket
Del Rey also posted a video of the cover of their wedding album
‘Like many people who work with large, dangerous beasts, Jeremy has a calm, strong presence,’ Del Rey told W magazine.
‘When we met, I realized pretty immediately that I loved him, but that it might get difficult because of what I was bringing to the table,’ she continued.
Del Rey added that Dufrene reassured her from the start: ‘I work with alligators — I have tough skin.’
And true to his word, he listened through all the drama: ‘All the things that made me upset — and there were so many! — he would just listen and say, “You be you — and I’ll just love you more.”’
Weeks ago the musical artist gave what appeared to be a glimpse into her married life and her new video
The two have kept a relatively low profile since their wedding day but did make a notable appearance last month at the pre-New York Fashion Week Ralph Lauren show on February 10
The happy couple stopped for a romantic kiss as they walked the red carpet for the iconic designer
The couple first met in 2019 during one of Dufrene’s swamp excursions and reconnected years later, before tying the knot in September 2024
Tying the knot in 2024 didn’t make the spotlight any gentler.
Del Rey recalled the intense scrutiny they faced, with drones reportedly hovering over their home to snap photos of their wedding and early days as newlyweds.
‘If I was him, I would have been nervous — my emotions were more overwhelming than usual, and my usual emotions can be quite overwhelming!’ she said with a laugh. ‘But Jeremy was fine. He told me, “Don’t worry about me.”’
And when it comes to music inspired by love, fans have already heard a peek. ‘Stars Fell on Alabama. I open my show with that song — that’s it, so far,’ she revealed.
‘Jeremy is the most impactful person in my life. He’s quiet in public, but around me he talks all the time.’
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