House Bill 6 would allow the parish to decide whether CO₂ pipelines and injection wells can operate locally.
A bill filed for Louisiana’s 2026 legislative session would give Rapides Parish officials the authority to decide whether carbon capture and sequestration projects can operate within the parish.
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House Bill 6, prefiled by Rep. Mike Johnson, R-Pineville, would allow the Rapides Parish Police Jury to determine whether Class VI carbon injection wells and carbon dioxide pipelines may be permitted locally. The measure was placed on the legislative interim calendar Jan. 23.
Johnson also filed two related measures. House Bill 5 would allow any parish governing authority — or local voters — to decide whether carbon capture projects may proceed in their jurisdiction. House Bill 7, called the Louisiana Landowners Protection Act, would repeal the state’s CCS unitization statute and remove the ability of private companies to use eminent domain for carbon capture pipelines and storage.
Rapides Parish is among the areas targeted for potential carbon storage. CapturePoint Solutions LLC has proposed the Central Louisiana Regional Carbon Storage Hub, which would span Rapides and Vernon parishes.
The legislation comes as opposition to carbon capture projects grows across Louisiana. Gov. Jeff Landry issued a moratorium in October 2025 on new carbon dioxide injection permit applications, though projects already permitted were not affected.
Two carbon capture sites currently operate in Louisiana — one tied to a CF Industries ammonia plant in Ascension Parish and another at a gas processing facility in Beauregard Parish.
Environmental researchers estimate at least 65 carbon capture projects have been proposed statewide, which could inject more than 135 million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually into underground formations.
Industry groups, including the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association, warn that parish-level bans or moratoriums could drive investment and jobs to other states.
The bill is currently pending before the House Natural Resources and Environment Committee.
The 2026 Louisiana legislative session opened Monday in Baton Rouge, with more than 1,300 bills filed.