What's at Stake with a CCS Moratorium?

The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI), led by President and CEO Will Green, is sounding the alarm over a recent moratorium on carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) projects in Louisiana. Green likens the situation to having the best hotel during Mardi Gras but refusing reservations—an analogy for Louisiana’s prime position in CCS due to its geology, workforce, and regulatory framework. Louisiana is one of only five states with primacy for Class VI wells, making it uniquely positioned to lead in carbon capture technology and attract billions in investment and thousands of jobs.Green emphasizes that CCS is not just about environmental impact—it’s a major economic driver. Companies seeking carbon-neutral operations, like Hyundai Steel and Meta’s AI data center, are looking to Louisiana for its infrastructure and expertise. Pausing new projects, he warns, creates uncertainty, which undermines investor confidence and risks sending business to competing states like Texas.Despite the moratorium, some approved projects are still moving forward, which Green argues contradicts any perceived safety concerns. He stresses that Louisiana has decades of experience with pipeline infrastructure and robust regulations ensuring safety and public input. The key, he says, is balancing transparency and efficiency in regulation to maintain momentum.Ultimately, Green calls for swift action to educate the public on CCS’s safety and economic benefits. He believes that with the right messaging and continued regulatory clarity, Louisiana can remain a national leader in energy innovation. The longer the pause continues, the greater the risk of losing transformative investment and economic growth to other states.