PRAIRIEVILLE, La. (WAFB) – The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) will hold an air permit hearing Thursday, April 16, for a proposed facility that will store carbon dioxide into the ground to eliminate emissions.
Before the hearing, opponents of the facility raised concerns about possible health and environmental risks at a town hall on Monday, April 13.
Carbon capture and storage — often called CCS — is meant to cut emissions by capturing carbon dioxide from industrial sites, transporting it, and storing it deep underground. But some residents near the facility say the proposed project is too close to their communities and want more answers.
Residents seek answers on safety
“Silence is not an option,” said Edwin Soule, a Hammond resident.
Soule said environmental health is his top concern and wants answers about what could happen if there’s a problem with stored carbon dioxide.
“What happens if a leakage occurs? You know, but it’s not a permanent solution. And we need to look at permanent solutions,” Soule said.
Environmental advocacy group Earthworks and others held the town hall Monday night about the proposed Air Products plant in Ascension Parish.
Organizers said for years, residents have asked questions — not just of Air Products — but of their elected leaders. They said public engagement has been limited.
“Carbon capture and storage does not work. It’s never worked anywhere to scale anywhere in the world. And that it poses a great danger to neighborhoods,” said Kaitlyn Joshua, Gulf Coast campaigner for Earthworks.
Proximity to schools raises concerns
The town hall brought together people from five parishes ahead of Thursday’s public hearing with the state Department of Environmental Quality.
“Which we think will be one of the last opportunities for people to get a public say-so as to whether or not they do want the facility in their neighborhood,” Joshua said.
One concern is its proximity to homes and schools.
“Sorrento Primary School is a beloved community neighborhood school. And so for folks on the facility side, they think it’s just kind of drawing the line a little too close,” Joshua said.
Representatives from Air Products say their clean energy plan would capture carbon dioxide and store it underground in the Lake Maurepas area — instead of releasing it into the air.
Opponents say CCS can create safety risks if there’s a leak — pointing to a past incident in Mississippi as an example.
The goal for the town hall was to get more people informed and on the record.
“There’s no real reason to do that for something that does not work. And so that’s why we’re in full opposition of the project,” Joshua said.
The air permit is the next phase in the process.
Thursday’s public hearing with LDEQ is scheduled for April 17 at the Lamar Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales, starting at 6 p.m.
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