Oklahoma House Bill HB1147

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/3/25
• Refer: 2/4/25

Caption

Environment and natural resources; prohibiting the capture or storage of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere; establishing penalties for violations; effective date.

Summary

HB1147 would prohibit any individual, corporation, organization, or government entity from constructing, operating, or maintaining facilities in Oklahoma that are designed to capture or store carbon dioxide collected from the atmosphere. In practical terms, the bill targets direct air capture and similar carbon-removal infrastructure, rather than emissions capture from industrial smokestacks. The measure also declares a violation to be an endangerment to the citizens of the state and ties enforcement to existing penalty provisions in Title 27A of the Oklahoma Statutes. The bill would create a new section of law in Title 27A, Section 2-5-119, and would take effect November 1, 2025. By doing so, it would place a categorical ban on atmospheric carbon dioxide capture or storage facilities statewide and subject violators to the penalties already provided under Section 2-3-504. The bill appears to be aimed at preventing deployment of carbon-removal and carbon-storage projects in Oklahoma, affecting private developers, public entities, and any other parties involved in such facilities.

Impact

HB1147 would add a new environmental restriction to Oklahoma law by expressly banning facilities that capture or store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. It would not regulate general emissions controls or all carbon capture technologies, but specifically facilities designed for atmospheric CO2 removal and storage. The bill would also incorporate existing statutory penalties for violations, thereby giving the prohibition enforcement consequences under the state’s environmental code.

Sentiment

Based on the available record, there is little documented debate, and no committee transcript or vote history is provided. The bill’s referral to the Energy committee suggests it was still in early consideration. The text itself reflects a strongly prohibitive approach, indicating clear opposition to atmospheric carbon capture facilities, but the broader legislative sentiment cannot be fully assessed from the available materials.

Contention

The main point of contention is likely the policy choice to ban carbon dioxide capture and storage from the atmosphere outright. Supporters would likely view the bill as a precautionary environmental and public-safety measure, while opponents would likely argue it blocks emerging climate technology, private investment, and potential carbon-removal projects. Because the bill applies to both private and government entities and treats violations as endangerment, the scope and severity of the prohibition may also be disputed.