Bill > SB73

This bill modifies Louisiana's regulations concerning carbon dioxide sequestration by making several key changes to the state's conservation laws. The bill lowers the threshold for unit operation consent from three-fourths to eighty-five percent of owners within a proposed storage unit, and requires the commissioner of conservation to give substantial consideration to local government comments during public hearings. The legislation also significantly expands the requirements for exercising eminent domain for carbon sequestration facilities and pipelines, mandating that owners or operators provide detailed written notice to landowners, engage in good faith negotiations (including at least five in-person meetings), submit comprehensive written offers, and allow landowners time to respond or counter-offer. Additionally, the bill modifies notification requirements for Class VI and Class V permit applications, requiring applicants to make reasonable efforts to notify mineral interest owners, lessees, operators, and surface owners via mail, and mandates that the department publish these permit applications on its website. These changes aim to provide more transparency, protection, and input for landowners in carbon sequestration projects while also streamlining the regulatory process for such environmental infrastructure developments.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?s=25rs&b=SB73&sbi=y