PINEVILLE, La (7/1/2025) – Monday night’s Carbon Capture Forum at Pineville High School drew a packed audience and ran more than 30 minutes past schedule as tensions rose around proposed carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) projects in Central Louisiana.
State officials, scientists, an economist and energy developers fielded nearly two hours of public questions, many pointed and impassioned, on issues ranging from eminent domain, groundwater contamination, health risks, and property rights to federal tax incentives and legislative failures.
The forum, organized in part by Rep. Mike Johnson, was meant to offer transparency on CCS efforts but instead laid bare a deepening divide between Louisiana residents and policymakers.
“When there’s an absence of information…”
The questions and answers segment opened with remarks acknowledging the urgency of public input. “When there’s an absence of information, people begin to write their own story,” one person said. Residents, however, came prepared with specifics, demanding not just answers but accountability.
Among the most pointed moments was a resident’s allegation that Pineville Mayor Joe Bishop, formerly the police jury president, had purchased many acres of land adjacent to the proposed SunGas project site. The question raised concerns of insider benefit or financial gain.
Mayor Bishop responded directly during the meeting, stating that the property was publicly listed and purchased through a realtor with no prior knowledge of the CCS project. “I still own the property,” he said, denying any impropriety. “It was an open sale. I didn’t know about this project.” The resident pushed further, asking if the mayor profited from the sale or stood to gain. Bishop maintained that the transaction was unrelated to any insider advantage.
Health, Safety, and Ownership
Community members expressed fears about CO₂ leaks, referencing the 2020 Satartia, Mississippi pipeline rupture that hospitalized dozens. Officials insisted that Louisiana’s regulations now require up to $20 million in financial bonding per site, but residents challenged whether that was enough.
Others questioned property rights, demanding to know who owns the “pore space” under their land, the deep rock formations targeted for CO₂ injection. Officials acknowledged Louisiana law remains unclear on the issue, especially if eminent domain is invoked by private companies.
“We are not politicians. We are people.”
Speakers called out the failure of legislation that would have required a public vote or parish-level input on CCS projects. While lawmakers noted several such bills were introduced, all failed in committee. Residents made it clear they would remember those votes come election season.
One woman, a seventh-generation landowner, asked if anyone in the room could guarantee in writing that her land would not be seized or poisoned. No official could give that assurance.
Another attendee called the CCS effort “roses and fairy tales,” warning, “When this goes bad, who’s going to tell the family they’re sorry they killed their kids?”
Economic Promises, Public Distrust
Industry representatives touted job creation, investment, and federal tax credits like 45Q as drivers for CCS. But residents questioned whether those promises would hold up if federal support dries up or if companies later sell the projects and walk away.
One speaker framed the issue bluntly: “You’ve woken a sleeping giant.”
Closing Notes
Though the forum officially ended around 8:30 PM, many attendees lingered to continue conversations. Another meeting is scheduled for Tuesday. Despite reassurances, many left with their questions unanswered and with a growing resolve to keep pushing back.
UrbanCast will continue coverage as this story develops.
Editor’s Note
This article includes quotes and questions raised by members of the public during a recorded, open public forum. Allegations and statements are attributed to their sources and were addressed in real-time by the officials present, including Mayor Joe Bishop. UrbanCast is committed to accurate and fair reporting and welcomes clarifications from all parties involved.
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