By JIM BUTLER 

The Legislature convenes in two weeks and carbon capture is front and center. 

Websites tracking such things report bills on the subject are in the top ten monitored or viewed among more than 300 already filed for the general session. 

As the clock ticks toward the opening at noon March 9 lobbying through various media forms is intensifying on both sides. 

Three House bills co-sponsored by some Rapides legislators (Reps. Rhonda Butler, Jason DeWitt and Mike Johnson, with Tioga High graduate Gabe Firment of Grant on board) are at the heart of the matter. 

HB5 authorizes parish governing authorities and citizens to determine if injection wells, CO2 sequestration and pipelines may be permitted within a parish. 

HB6 is Rapides specific, authorizing the Police Jury to determine if the pipelines will be permitted. 

HB7 is the proposed Louisiana Landowners Protection Act barring expropriation of private land for CO2 pipelines and projects. 

At this point, according to one environmental organization, there are 65 proposed projects in Louisiana. 

A moratorium declared by Governor Jeff Landry back in October put the brakes on permitting, pending further assessment of the subject. 

A suit in November by Save My Louisiana on the eminent domain issue also complicated matters. 

Legislators will have until 6 p.m. June 1 to resolve the issue, unless the session is extended for special circumstances.