Authorizes the governing authority of Vernon Parish to determine whether Class VI carbon dioxide injection wells may be permitted within the parish (OR SEE FISC NOTE GF RV)
Summary
HB 250 would create a local option for Vernon Parish over the siting of Class VI carbon dioxide injection wells. Under current law, the Louisiana Department of Energy and Natural Resources has authority to permit these wells statewide. The bill adds a new provision allowing the Vernon Parish governing authority, by ordinance or resolution, to decide whether such wells may be permitted within the parish.
The bill also amends existing law to make clear that Class VI injection wells cannot be permitted in any parish that has prohibited them through the local option procedure created in the bill. If Vernon Parish acts, it must send a copy of its ordinance or resolution to the department, which would then have to account for that local decision in the permitting process. The measure takes effect upon gubernatorial approval or other standard enactment procedures.
Impact
HB 250 would narrow the Department of Energy and Natural Resources’ permitting authority for Class VI carbon dioxide injection wells by adding a parish-level veto mechanism for Vernon Parish. It would amend R.S. 30:1104 to create a new local option section and an exception to state permitting where a parish has prohibited these wells. The practical effect is to give Vernon Parish’s governing authority direct control over whether carbon dioxide sequestration injection wells may be located in the parish, while requiring notice to the department so state records and permitting decisions reflect the local action.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee debate or votes in the provided materials, the overall sentiment appears procedural and locally focused rather than broadly contentious in the available record. The measure is framed as a parish-specific authorization and does not include any expressed opposition or support from committee discussion. Because no vote history or transcript is provided, there is no documented legislative sentiment beyond the bill’s straightforward local-option approach.
Contention
The main point of potential contention is the balance between state-level energy and environmental permitting authority and local control in Vernon Parish. Supporters would likely view the bill as giving parish residents and local officials a say over carbon dioxide sequestration infrastructure, while opponents could argue that allowing a parish to block Class VI wells may interfere with statewide carbon capture and storage policy, energy development, or regulatory uniformity. No specific individuals or groups are identified in the provided record, but the issue inherently pits local governance interests against state permitting and energy policy interests.