To the Members of the Rapides Parish Police Jury:

The people of Rapides Parish are tired of the delays, the excuses, and the constant sidestepping when it comes to taking a stand on Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS). Surrounding parishes have passed straightforward resolutions saying NO to CCS and NO to Class VI injection wells — yet Rapides continues to drag its feet.

The latest justification for avoiding action — “wait until Representative Johnson introduces legislation next session to give each parish the right to vote” — is nothing more than political smoke. We don’t need to wait on a hypothetical bill to do what can be done right now. That idea is about as useful as having a “smoking” and “non-smoking” section on an airplane.

We all know how well that worked.

Here’s what the citizens actually want:
1. A simple, unambiguous resolution:
Rapides Parish opposes any and all forms of CCS and all Class VI injection wells, period.
2. A return to the will of the people:
Repeal any local support for CCS dating back to the flawed 2020 vote — a vote pushed through before the public understood the impacts, the risks, or the long-term consequences.
3. Leadership instead of avoidance:

Stop waiting on Baton Rouge. Stop waiting on D.C. Stop waiting for someone else to solve this for you. The authority to protect this parish is already in your hands.

CCS brings no meaningful public benefit, no real economic gain for our communities, and every bit of the risk. It only exists because of federal subsidies that enrich private corporations while leaving citizens with the consequences.

We are asking — clearly and respectfully — for the Rapides Parish Police Jury to take a firm stand:
Pass the resolution. Oppose CCS. Protect Rapides Parish.

No more waiting. No more excuses. No more pretending that delay is leadership.

The people are watching, and we expect our elected officials to stand with us, not against us.

— Concerned Citizens of Rapides Parish
Lane Cripps