Louisiana
Louisiana ranked second in nation in 2023 for greenhouse gas emissions from major industries
Louisiana’s major industrial facilities emitted more greenhouse gases last year than almost every other state in the nation, new federal data shows, illustrating the challenges in addressing climate change locally.
Emissions for 2023 were actually a 2.21% reduction from 2022 totals, but still enough to rank second among U.S. states, according to data from the Environmental Protection Agency. The emissions from the plants in question amounted to just over 144 million tons of greenhouse gases.
The carbon-related emissions by Louisiana’s 403 major industrial facilities were less than Texas’s 381 million tons from 869 facilities, but above Florida’s 109 million tons from 179 facilities and Indiana’s 109 million tons from 197 facilities.
Facilities that emit 25,000 metric tons of greenhouse gases – including carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and fluorinated carbon compounds – have been required to report their emissions to EPA each year since 2011. The approximately 8,100 facilities nationwide represent about half the human-caused greenhouse gas emissions in the country. The numbers don’t include emissions from the transportation or agricultural sectors, as well as facilities whose emissions are below the 25,000-ton reporting threshold.
The 2023 national totals from large facilities were down about 4% from 2022, and about 22% from 2011, with that larger reduction credited to decreases in power plant emissions, and despite the tracking of additional emission sources after 2016.
Human-caused greenhouse gases trap energy attempting to leave the Earth, resulting in the atmosphere retaining more heat and holding more moisture. That also results in the world’s oceans holding more heat, increasing sea level rise rates and helping fuel tropical storms and hurricanes. Those processes are often referred to as global warming.
Increasing temperatures also have been linked to increases in drought conditions and wildfires, and the spread of some diseases and of invasive species.
In Louisiana, climate change is expected to have an increasing role in land loss resulting from sea level rise, in flooding because of more intense rainfall and in more frequent drought conditions.
On its current path, Louisiana would only see 89 million tons fewer emissions by 2050, or 62% of the goal of net zero emissions by that year set by former Gov. John Bel Edwards’ Carbon Initiatives Task Force in 2022.
The task force was allowed to expire by Gov. Jeff Landry when he took office in January, and its action plan is now dormant. Still, the state has moved forward with a variety of efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that it says fits Landry’s support for growth of oil and gas production, while also meeting demands of industry to support low- or no-carbon manufacturing projects.
“We recognize that diversifying energy sources, increasing energy resilience and providing options for carbon management present new and growing opportunities for job growth and economic development in our state. This is why Louisiana is embracing an all-of-the-above approach to encouraging energy production, from our traditional oil and gas sources to emerging industries such as offshore wind,” said Patrick Courreges, a spokesperson for the Louisiana Department of Energy and Natural Resources.
This map shows the location of major industrial facilities that reported more than 25,000 metric tons of carbon emissions in Louisiana in 2023, with the circle width indicating the amount of emissions. The data comes from EPA’s FLIGHT, Facility Level Information on Greenhouse gases Tool. (EPA)
Louisiana’s top emitting facility is CF Industries’ Donaldson nitrogen manufacturing plant, with 9.4 million tons. But both EPA and the company agree that the reported emission totals do not tell the whole story. That’s because CF Industries uses between 25% and 30% of its carbon emissions to manufacture urea each year, and that percentage is not emitted to the atmosphere.
Louisiana’s numbers also represent increases in greenhouse gases from three natural gas liquefaction facilities.
Sabine Pass LNG, the state’s second-largest emitter; Venture Global – Cameron Parish, the ninth largest emitter; and Cameron LNG Hackberry, represent 11.7 million tons of the state’s total. Another six LNG facilities for Louisiana have announced plans for construction or are in the permitting process.
This graphic shows Louisiana’s top 10 greenhouse gas emitters, and the industry sectors they fit in. (EPA)
The 2023 statistics also don’t recognize efforts to develop carbon capture, utilization, and storage, or CCUS, where carbon dioxide equivalent gases are permanently stored deep underground in injection wells.
Earlier this year, the state Department of Energy and Natural Resources received EPA permission to permit and regulate those facilities in the state. Louisiana was reviewing 26 applications that would include a total of 65 injection wells as of Oct. 2, with many of the facilities planning on permanent storage of 1 million tons or more carbon a year.
That includes CCUS facilities proposed by ExxonMobil that would reduce its future carbon emissions, and may also be used to permanently store as much as 2 million tons a year of carbon from the CF facility.
These 10 major industrial facilities are the top 10 emitters of greenhouse gases in 2023, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. (EPA)
ExxonMobil also has announced plans to develop CCUS operations off the Texas coast that could store as much as 100 million tons of carbon a year, some of it from Louisiana.
Another potential future effort is the $1.2 billion Project Cypress to build direct air capture facilities in Calcasieu and Caddo parishes, with each eventually expected to remove as much as 1 million metric tons of carbon a year from the air and store it in injection wells. The project expects to receive as much as $550 million from the federal Department of Energy, with the remainder invested by private industry.
On Thursday, ClimeWorks, one of the private investors in the project, announced it had entered into a long-term agreement with Morgan Stanley to underwrite the cost of removing of 40,000 tons of carbon dioxide from the area through 2037.
In Louisiana, the largest percentage of greenhouse gas emissions comes from chemical manufacturing plants, followed by power plants, LNG export facilities and other petroleum and natural gas systems, and refineries. (EPA)
“Louisiana’s natural resources, such as the Mississippi River, gives it the ability to be an international hub for investment in carbon sequestration, with applications being reviewed for more than two dozen proposed CO2 sequestration projects around the state,” Courreges said.
Charles Sutcliffe, a senior adviser for resilience with the National Wildlife Federation who was previously Louisiana’s first state resilience officer, said key parts of Edwards’ climate action plan are still in play under Landry, in part thanks to millions of dollars in federal grants.
The state received a $3 million grant in 2023 for three years of climate pollution reduction planning and in April won a $156 million Solar for All grant to create solar-powered electricity hubs.
The French Exchange copy of the Convention between the Republic of France and the United States signed by Napoleon finalizing the sale of the Louisiana Territory will be on display at Louisiana’s Old State Capitol beginning April 14. the document is on loan by the National Archives in Washington.
Napoleon Bonaparte’s signature was scribbled diagonally on the treaty as if it were an afterthought. Make no mistake, it was far from a haphazard gesture. Bonaparte needed the money, and Thomas Jefferson was willing to pay.
When the First Consul of the Republic of France scribbled “Bonaparte” on that document finalizing the sale of France’s Louisiana Territory to the United States, the world changed.
History calls this moment the Louisiana Purchase. For the U.S., it meant doubling in size. For the world, it meant the eventual emergence of a new superpower.
The French Exchange copy of the Convention between the Republic of France and the United States signed by Napoleon finalizing the sale of the Louisiana Territory will be on display at Louisiana’s Old State Capitol beginning April 14. the document is on loan by the National Archives in Washington.
Amazing to think how a simple, last-name-only signature could hold so much power. It still wields a certain power today, enough to make people put away their phones just to see it.
Which will happen on April 14, when Louisiana’s Old State Capitol opens the exhibit, “Bought for a Song: A Young Nation Expands.” The exhibit’s only artifact will be the French exchange copy of the convention between the Republic of France — the document bearing Bonaparte’s signature that finalized the Louisiana Purchase.
The show runs through July 11, coinciding with America’s 250th anniversary celebration year. Though admission is free, visitors are asked to sign up for a viewing time for the opening week through the museum’s website, louisianaoldstatecapitol.org.
A National Archives loan
The document is on loan from the National Archives and Records Administration in Washington, D.C. Officials will transport and set it up days before the show’s opening in Baton Rouge.
Laurent Dabos’ circa 1803-1804 portrait of Napoleon Bonaparte as First Consul of France.
“This exhibit will display that original document, its cover page and a copy of the signature page,” museum curator Anne Mahoney said. “It also has small educational displays about the role of the Mississippi River in the transaction and who was involved. The exhibit will also be presented in both English and French.”
And though all of these original documents will be in the case, required precautions are being taken.
“Since this is such a historically significant document, and it pertains to treaties for the United States of America, it has special protections in terms of lighting, temperature and humidity,” Mahoney said. “Since light damage is cumulative and irreversible, we’ll keep the treaty closed so that the writing does not become faded by any contact with light. And then we’ll have an excerpt from it on display next to it that’s a reproduction.”
The exhibit, like Bonaparte’s signature, is small, consisting of the agreement displayed beneath thick glass in one of the Old Capitol’s octagonal rooms. Security guards will be stationed inside the room, and visitors will not be allowed to take photos.
The French Exchange copy of the Convention between the Republic of France and the United States signed by Napoleon finalizing the sale of the Louisiana Territory will be on display at Louisiana’s Old State Capitol beginning April 14. the document is on loan by the National Archives in Washington.
“Visitors can’t take their phones out when they enter the room,” Mahoney said. “We don’t want any accidental flashes. We have high security and high environmental controls, so you won’t be able to take pictures. But we do have a little handout you can take as a souvenir.”
Irony in Baton Rouge
The irony in this situation is that Baton Rouge was a part of Spanish West Florida when the Louisiana Territory was sold to the U.S.
“There was a neutral strip that wasn’t technically a part of the purchase,” Mahoney said. “That didn’t happen until after Philemon Thomas and the West Florida revolt.”
Thomas is buried in the Baton Rouge National Cemetery on 19th Street. He was a revolutionary war general who led the revolt that eventually annexed Baton Rouge into the U.S. in 1810, seven years after the flag of Spain was lowered at the Cabildo to make way for the French flag, which was immediately lowered and replaced by the American flag.
France ceded the Louisiana territory to Spain in 1762 to prevent the British from taking it during the Seven Years’ War. Spain agreed to return it to France when the time came.
Thure de Thulstrup’s 1903 painting, ‘Hoisting American Colors, Louisiana Cession, 1803,’ hangs in the Louisiana State Museum, Cabildo in New Orleans.
And that time came when Bonaparte decided to unload the territory to fund his imminent war with Great Britain. The Louisiana Purchase happened in three parts, beginning with the Treaty of Cession, followed by the two conventions defining the financial aspects of the sale.
Bonaparte signed the final bill of sale on April 30, 1803. The flag ceremony followed on Dec. 20, 1803.
What did the country gain?
The U.S. gained approximately 828,000 square miles of land for $15 million from that diagonal scribble of a signature. That’s roughly 4 cents per acre, which accounts for the sale’s historical description as “bought for a song,” along with the exhibit’s title.
The price of a song bought a chunk of real estate that stretched from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains. It also secured control of the port of New Orleans, which reshaped trade, migration, culture and political power across the continent.
“This will actually be the second time this document has come to the Old State Capitol,” Mahoney said. “The first time was at our inaugural opening in 1994.”
Jacques-Louis David’s 1801 painting, “Napoleon Crossing the Alps.” This version hangs in Versailles. David painted five versions of this painting, one of which hangs in the Cabildo in New Orleans.
Secretary of State Nancy Landry says she’s proud to partner with the National Archives for this exhibit.
“With the stroke of a pen, this agreement more than doubled the size of our nation and stands as one of the most significant real estate transactions in American history,” Landry said. “We invite everyone to join us as we welcome this remarkable piece of history back to the land it helped create.”
“Bought for a Song: A Young Nation Expands” will show April 14-July 11 at Louisiana’s Old State Capitol, 100 North Blvd., Baton Rouge. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. To accommodate anticipated demand during the exhibition’s opening week, April 14-18, the museum will operate on timed entry slots of 10 a.m. to noon, noon to 2 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. For tickets, visit louisianaoldstatecapitol.org.
NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – Louisiana’s return to closed-party primaries is prompting some voters to change their registration ahead of the state’s high-profile U.S. Senate race.
Cheron Brylski, a longtime Democratic political strategist and consultant, said she changed her registration from Democrat to No Party so she could choose which primary to vote in on May 16.
“I felt that this whole exercise is meant to disenfranchise urban voters who are largely Democrats,” Brylski told FOX 8.
Louisiana voters will cast ballots May 16 in closed-party primaries for the U.S. Senate, U.S. House, Louisiana Supreme Court, Public Service Commission and Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Under the system approved by lawmakers in 2024 for the 2026 elections, registered Democrats can vote only in Democratic primaries and registered Republicans can vote only in Republican primaries.
Voters registered as No Party can choose either the Democratic or Republican ballot at the polls.
“So, when you get ready to vote in the May election, when you go to the polls, you will be given a form asking if you’re, if you’re “No Party”, asking if you want to vote in the Republican or the Democratic closed primary or not vote in any of them. And so, you have that choice. And so, you will select them. You will go into the voting booth and vote on that ballot,” said Trey Williams, Deputy Secretary of State for Communications and Policy.
If a runoff is needed in June, No Party voters must stick with the same party primary they selected in May. In the November general election, they can vote for any candidate on the ballot.
“When the runoff occurs in June, you would still need to vote in that party primary that you selected. Then when we get to the general election in November you can vote for anybody you would like, Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, Green party, whoever is on the ballot there.” Williams said.
Brylski her decision was about making sure her voice is really heard during the primary election.
“I wanted to have a say in who I could choose between in November, whether it was the Republican or the Democrat, that the only way to vote against the MAGA-endorsed candidate was to change to No Party. And that way, by participating in the primaries, the Republican primary, as a no party voter, then I could vote basically against the MAGA-endorsed candidate,” she said.
Still, she said the move was difficult.
“And it was a very hard decision for me to make. I’ve been a lifelong Democrat. I still consider myself a Democrat. But I do think this whole process is disenfranchising voters. It’s limiting actually, I think it’s a move to destroy the Democratic Party in Louisiana, because it’s taken our votes completely out of who will be on that November ballot,” Brylski said.
Williams said voters who want to change their registration in person or by mail have until April 15. Those making the change online through GeauxVote have until April 25.
The Secretary of State’s Office said it is already seeing movement in voter registration.
“Well, we’ve actually seen a trend over the past year. So, we have seen the number of no party voters in the state increase by about 8,200 voters. We’ve also seen the Republican, numbers increase as well by about 6,500, uh, voters,” Williams said.
Some political observers think the state returned to the closed party system to hurt Sen. Bill Cassidy’s re-election bid after he voted to convict President Donald Trump during one of his impeachment trials.
“I definitely think that the purpose was to empower MAGA-endorsed candidates, and he has not,” Brylski said.
There are three Democrats running for the Senate seat.
“And so Democratic voters in the primary won’t be able to say they support [Sen. Bill] Cassidy if they like him. They’ll just choose between three candidates or they will choose between Democratic candidates who haven’t even gotten support from the National Democratic Party.
Brylski said she plans to switch back.
“I will be voting as a Democrat in November, but not right now. I’ll be voting as a No-Party person in the Republican primaries,” Brylski said.
Williams said voters can change their party registration whenever they choose, as long as they meet the deadline before an election.
Third-party voters, such as Libertarians and Greens, cannot vote in either party’s May primary, though they can still vote on other items on the ballot and in the fall general election.
“If you register Green Party you cannot participate. So yes, so if you were in a third-party, like Libertarian Party, Green Party then you cannot participate in the Republican or Democratic closed-primaries, but there are other items on the ballot that you can participate in,” Williams said.
Early voting for the May 16th primary is May 2-May 9.
See a spelling or grammar error in our story? Click Here to report it. Please include the headline.
Subscribe to the Fox 8 YouTube channel.
Copyright 2026 WVUE. All rights reserved.
Leading ice cream franchise targets New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Lafayette for continued expansion
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., April 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Cold Stone Creamery®, one of the nation’s premier ice cream creameries, revealed today its strategic plans to expand its presence in Southern Louisiana, specifically targeting New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Lafayette. The expansion into these markets presents a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs to grow alongside a proven and fast-growing brand with nationwide experience and brand recognition. Cold Stone Creamery plans to open two to three stores in the next five years.
Southern Louisiana continues to emerge as a key growth market for families and businesses statewide. According to Louisiana Economic Development, in 2025, Louisiana experienced record-breaking results, marking the largest year of investment and job creation in state history. New Cold Stone locations in these markets provide an opportunity to contribute to the state’s economic growth for the communities.
“Cold Stone Creamery has been a part of communities across the country for more than 35 years, delivering premium products and personalized experiences that keep guests coming back,” said Blake Borwick, brand leader at Cold Stone Creamery. “Louisiana presents a strong opportunity for growth, with its vibrant communities, steady economic momentum, and deep appreciation for food and hospitality. As we expand in the state, we’re excited to partner with entrepreneurial talent looking for a proven brand, strong support system, and the opportunity to build a business that creates jobs, brings people together, and becomes a meaningful part of their local community.”
Cold Stone Creamery is thriving in Louisiana, with five locations currently serving the Bossier City, Baton Rouge, Elmwood, Metairie and Harvey communities. The brand is also preparing to open a new location in New Orleans, coming soon. The brand’s continued momentum reflects strong demand across the state and the opportunity for prospective owners to join a trusted, nationally recognized brand.
Cold Stone Creamery offers a flexible, scalable model rooted in premium ice cream, memorable guest experiences and comprehensive operational support. Franchise owners benefit from proven systems, advanced tools and resources, and leadership guidance that empowers franchisees to grow efficiently and achieve business goals.
Cold Stone Creamery is actively seeking qualified candidates to support its expansion in Louisiana, offering flexible opportunities for both first-time franchisees and experienced multi-unit operators. To join a fast-growing brand with more than three decades of experience and a proven team, the initial franchise fee to start a new traditional Cold Stone Creamery franchise is $27,000*.
To learn more about franchising with Cold Stone Creamery, visit the franchise website here.
*This information is based on the 2026 Cold Stone Creamery Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). See the current FDD Item 7 here and the current FDD for full details. This is not an offer. See more information here.
About Cold Stone Creamery
Cold Stone Creamery® delivers the Ultimate Ice Cream Experience® through a community of franchisees who are passionate about ice cream. The secret recipe for smooth and creamy ice cream is handcrafted fresh in-store, and then customized by combining a variety of mix-ins on a frozen granite stone. Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, Cold Stone Creamery is owned by parent company Kahala BrandsTM, one of the fastest-growing franchising companies in the world. With a portfolio of nearly 30 fast-casual and quick-service restaurant brands operated by Kahala Brands or its affiliates, across approximately 3,000 locations in 35 countries. The Cold Stone Creamery brand operates nearly 1,500 locations globally in approximately 30 countries worldwide.
For more information about Cold Stone Creamery, visit www.ColdStoneCreamery.com.
SOURCE Cold Stone Creamery
DOJ asks judge to allow search of Washington Post reporter’s phone, laptops
Wisconsin sheriff suing local woman, Cook County commissioner over detention claims
West Virginia man sets new state record for tiger trout
1 dies in Albany County rollover wreck
US Treasury to offer free cybersecurity intelligence to crypto firms
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Indiana Members Credit Union announced as new anchor tenant at Bottleworks District
Swalwell’s former female staffer drops bombshell allegations of sexual assault, exposing himself: report
NASA’s Artemis II prepares for splashdown on Earth
Trump proposes painting executive office building white
Rep Randy Fine joins House Freedom Caucus: ‘Strongest group of conservative patriots in Congress’
Trump issues NATO ultimatum to reopen Strait of Hormuz ‘within days’
-
Atlanta, GA6 days ago1 teenage girl killed, another injured in shooting at Piedmont Park, police say
-
Education1 week agoVideo: YouTube’s C.E.O. on the Rise of Video and the Decline of Reading
-
Movie Reviews1 week agoVaazha 2 first half review: Hashir anchors a lively, chaos-filled teen tale
-
Georgia3 days agoGeorgia House Special Runoff Election 2026 Live Results
-
Education1 week agoVideo: Toy Testing with a Discerning Bodega Cat
-
Pennsylvania4 days agoParents charged after toddler injured by wolf at Pennsylvania zoo
-
Milwaukee, WI4 days agoPotawatomi Casino Hotel evacuated after fire breaks out in rooftop HVAC system
-
Entertainment1 week agoInside Ye’s first comeback show at SoFi Stadium