Bill > HB691

This bill establishes new regulations and accountability procedures for carbon dioxide sequestration, specifically focusing on Class VI wells (deep injection wells used for long-term carbon dioxide storage). The legislation increases civil penalties from $5,000 to $200,000 per day for violations and introduces new mandatory reporting requirements for well owners and operators. Operators must now report within 24 hours any equipment malfunctions or carbon dioxide releases, with detailed reports including incident location, description, potential risks, mitigation steps, and corrective action timelines. The bill mandates that these reports be disclosed to emergency response teams, local officials, and the general public within 48 hours, and requires the department to publish all reports on its website. Additionally, the bill introduces criminal penalties for willful failure to report, with potential fines up to $25,000 per day and possible imprisonment for up to one year. These new provisions aim to enhance public safety, environmental protection, and transparency in carbon dioxide sequestration operations by ensuring prompt reporting and accountability for potential risks or incidents.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?s=25rs&b=HB691&sbi=y