The oil and gas industry has targeted Louisiana as an emerging hub for carbon capture, mainly because of the large concentration of industrial facilities that emit carbon dioxide in the stretch of land between New Orleans and Baton Rouge, aptly titled “Cancer Alley.” Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards and state regulators openly support carbon capture as a way to meet the state’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by 2050. While Louisiana must move quickly and aggressively in pursuit of climate change solutions, such expansive deployment of carbon capture includes unknown risks.
This report reviews peer-reviewed literature pointing to the risks and uncertainties associated with this
technology. We conclude that further research on the feasibility, safety, and reliability of carbon capture systems at industrial facilities and plants, carbon dioxide (CO2) pipelines, and storage options in Louisiana is needed. The report is for advocates, decision-makers, and community leaders facing proposed carbon capture and storage (CCS) and carbon capture and utilization (CCU) projects in their area.
