2023-0151
INTRODUCED BY: MATTHEW JEWELL, PARISH PRESIDENT
BETH A. BILLINGS, COUNCILWOMAN-AT-LARGE, DIVISION A
HOLLY FONSECA, COUNCILWOMAN-AT-LARGE, DIVISION B
LA SANDRA DARENSBOURG GORDON, COUNCILWOMAN, DISTRICT I
MARY K. CLULEE, COUNCILWOMAN, DISTRICT II
DICK GIBBS, COUNCILMAN, DISTRICT III
MARILYN B. BELLOCK, COUNCILWOMAN, DISTRICT V
BOB FISHER, COUNCILMAN, DISTRICT VI
JULIA FISHER-CORMIER, COUNCILWOMAN, DISTRICT VII
RESOLUTION NO. __________
Title
A resolution to support Louisiana's request to take primary enforcement responsibility (primacy) for the permitting of geologic carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) facilities.
Body
WHEREAS, Companies seeking to develop CCS projects must receive approval for Class VI wells from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) unless the EPA grants primacy to the host state; and,
WHEREAS, EPA review of Class VI well applications is a multi-year process and is a key source of delay for CCS projects; and,
WHEREAS, New Class VI wells will need to be permitted at an increased rate to support the buildout of CCS technology, which is a critical tool for Louisiana's energy and chemical industries to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and continue to employ approximately 350,000 Louisiana residents; and,
WHEREAS, Louisiana first submitted its request for primacy to the EPA in 2021 and later submitted a revised application request earlier this year; and,
WHEREAS, Louisiana's state agencies have the extensive knowledge and the proven expertise to safely administer a Class VI well program while recognizing the needs facing local communities; and,
WHEREAS, it is critical that the people of Louisiana have the ability to make timely decisions about its future without the delay of federal bureaucracy in Washington, D.C.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, THAT WE, THE MEMBERS OF THE ST. CHARLES PARISH COUNCIL AND THE PARISH PRESIDENT do hereby urge the EPA to formally approve Louisiana's request for primacy f...
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