By Richard Searles, Journal Contributor

State faces record 6,465 orphaned wells, a cleanup bill that could top $1 billion, and a broken oversight system

Louisiana’s oil patch is leaving behind a growing legacy of abandoned wells that leak, contaminate groundwater and cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars — and on a per capita basis, the state’s problem is more than four times worse than Texas, which has drawn national attention for the same issue.

As of March 2025, Louisiana has 6,465 orphaned oil and gas wells — unplugged, abandoned sites with no responsible operator — according to the state Department of Conservation and Energy. Texas has approximately 10,029 orphaned wells, according to its Railroad Commission. But Texas has nearly seven times Louisiana’s population. Louisiana has roughly one orphaned well for every 711 residents. Texas has one for every 3,130. Louisiana’s per capita burden is more than four times heavier.

The Numbers Are Accelerating

Between 2014 and 2023, the Louisiana Legislative Auditor found that an average of about 445 wells were added to the orphaned list each year. In 2025, more than 1,600 wells were added — more than three times the historical annual average. In just the first months of 2026, another 517 wells have already been added.

Behind those orphaned wells sits an even larger problem: inactive wells not yet orphaned but at risk. The Legislative Auditor found the inactive well count climbed 21.7 percent from 2019 to 2024, reaching 21,629 statewide.

What It Will Cost — and Why the Numbers Differ

The cleanup bill has been reported in different ways, and understanding why requires a distinction between two categories of problem wells.

The first is the orphaned well count itself — the 6,500 wells with no responsible operator. The Louisiana Legislative Auditor places the average plugging cost at $113,000 per well. Multiplied across the current orphaned well list, that produces the widely cited $730 million figure.

But that number covers only orphaned wells. A July 2025 white paper from the LSU Center for Energy Studies, commissioned by the state, calculated that plugging and abandoning both orphaned and idle wells in just the Monroe and Shreveport regulatory districts — two of Louisiana’s three oil and gas districts — would cost approximately $860 million. The Lafayette district, which holds roughly 41 percent of the state’s total orphaned and idle well inventory, was not included in that estimate. When all three districts and all idle wells are accounted for, the total cost to Louisiana taxpayers could well exceed $1 billion.

Since 2023, the state has plugged just 490 orphaned wells at a combined cost of nearly $90 million in state and federal funds — far behind the pace needed to make meaningful progress.

The Oversight System Failed

Louisiana’s attempt to manage the problem through a private industry-led entity collapsed. The Louisiana Oilfield Restoration Association, created in 2019 to collect operator fees and fund plugging activity, was dissolved after a state audit found it falling far behind — and after allegations of self-dealing that included a $780,000 loan to a state official. An audit also found the association’s administrative partner was charging a 36 percent fee on revenues, nearly double the agreed cap. During fiscal years 2020 through 2023, the state plugged 976 orphaned wells through the program. During that same period, nearly 1,700 new orphaned wells were reported — meaning the system was losing ground even while operating.

The Louisiana Legislature responded in 2024 by creating the Natural Resources Trust Authority under the Department of Conservation and Energy, tasked with rebuilding oversight and funding. Financial security requirements — the bonds operators must post to cover future plugging costs — remain a structural weakness. Though coverage rose from 25 percent of wells in 2014 to 74 percent by 2024, the Legislative Auditor found the amounts collected still fall well short of actual plugging costs.

The Bottom Line

Louisiana is producing new orphaned wells faster than it can plug old ones, carrying a per capita orphaned well burden more than four times that of Texas, and facing a total cleanup bill that state and university researchers suggest could exceed $1 billion when all idle and orphaned wells statewide are fully accounted for. The consequences — contaminated groundwater, leaking methane, degraded land — fall most heavily on the rural communities where these wells are concentrated.

Sources: Louisiana Department of Conservation and Energy; Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s Office; LSU Center for Energy Studies, “Orphan and Idle Wells in Louisiana,” July 2025; Texas Railroad Commission; Louisiana Illuminator.

I don’t care what sport you play, there comes a day when the Gods of that sport will humble you. So many times, as an athlete, we think we have everything figured out. We think we know more than anyone else and that we are invincible. We have the attitude “you can’t beat me!”

 That’s when we get a little too comfortable in our own skin and things start to unravel and go south. For bass tournament anglers, you never know when that day will be coming. But rest assured, it will happen!

My humbling moments have occurred more than once in my 30-year fishing career but there is one that stands out more than any other. It took place about five years ago on Lake Texoma on the Oklahoma/Texas border during one of those late February events with temperatures in the upper 20s and lower 30s.

Over the years, I’ve had several tournaments on Lake Texoma and have done well there in the past. It’s a lake that I feel very comfortable with. I have a lot of confidence each time I drop my boat in the water at this famed Oklahoma/ Texas fishery.

If you’re angler who likes to power fish with buzz baits, crankbaits and spinnerbaits, Texoma is the place for you. But there are times when you will question if there’s any bass in this lake as the fishing can get really tough.

On one of my recent trips to this impoundment, I found out firsthand just how tough Texoma can be. I was preparing for a three-day event while pre-fishing in some very frigid temperatures. To say that the bite was tough would be a huge understatement.

As Day 1 of practice began, I knew that the only way I was going to get a bite was by slowing down my presentation. Bass in cold water conditions are very lethargic and slow to react to a bait.

Well at the end of practice on Day 1, I had absolutely nothing figured out as I put my boat back on the trailer after a long 9-hour day with zero bites. That’s right, I had zero bites the entire day!

Day 2 brought the same cold temperatures but sunny skies as daytime temperatures rose into the upper 40s. I thought with temperatures warming as the day went on, that maybe there would be a good afternoon bite. My thinking was wrong as I once again as I loaded my boat after Day 2 of practice with zero bites.

That’s right, I had fished for a total of 18 hours and had yet to set the hook on a single fish! So, as I laid in bed that night, I thought that maybe I need to speed up my presentation and throw some type of reaction bait like a rattle-trap, which is very popular during cold weather tournaments. 

Local quantum physicists are reportedly baffled by a recurring temporal anomaly centered around departing vehicles and friendly neighborhood grandmothers. A recent incident at an undisclosed Natchitoches residence has once again demonstrated that a simple, “Well, I best be getting along” functions not as an exit strategy, but as a binding verbal contract for at least ninety additional minutes of conversation, standard (weather, health) and bonus (garden pests, Junior’s third divorce) topics mandatory. Experts warn that the standard “Southern Goodbye” is not a process, but a geological event, with exit times now measured in fiscal quarters rather than minutes. We’ll have more on this story, assuming our reporter can ever leave.

This is story from a book entitled “Moments for Mothers.” The Rogers family was a strong Christian unit. Mr. Rogers took seriously his role as spiritual leader. Often at supper the family would have a Bible quiz or discuss some spiritual truth. One evening the family was discussing what heaven will be like. 7-year-old Jimmy grabbed this subject and ran with it; he had a very creative imagination.

Jimmy said, “When we get to heaven, the big angel will call the roll. He will come to the Rogers family and say, ‘Daddy Rogers’ and Daddy will say ‘Here! ‘. Then the angel will call out, ‘Mommy Rogers,’ and Mommy will say, ‘Here! ” Then the same thing will happen for Susie and Mavis. Then the angel will call my name, “Jimmy Rogers,” and because I’m little and don’t want to be missed, I will jump up and shout real loud, ‘Here!’”

Just a few days later, there was a tragic accident. A car struck down Jimmy as he made his way to the school bus. He was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. The family gathered round his bed and kept a prayerful vigil through the night. The doctors told them that he had suffered severe brain damage and could not recover.

Just before dawn, Jimmy seemed to be stirring a bit. The family saw his lips move; just one word was all he uttered before he passed from this life. But oh what comfort and hope that word gave for this grieving family. In a voice clear enough for everybody in the room to hear, Jimmy said, “Here!!” and then he was gone, to another world, to a better world, where a big angel was calling the roll.

We Christians believe this is true. It is why we can live with hope in the midst of such a crazy world. We know that we are all pilgrims, simply passing through this life. Our home is in heaven.

Easter people believe that one day we will all answer, “Here!”

“At what point does daycare cost more than your job is worth?”

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April 22 is best known as Earth Day, a global event dedicated to environmental protection, but the date also holds a broader place in history with events that have shaped science, culture, and international awareness.

The first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970, marking the beginning of a modern environmental movement. Millions of Americans participated in rallies, teach-ins, and demonstrations focused on pollution, conservation, and sustainability. The momentum from that first observance led to the creation of key environmental protections, including the Environmental Protection Agency and landmark legislation addressing clean air and water.

Beyond environmental milestones, April 22 also marks the birth of Vladimir Lenin in 1870. As a revolutionary leader, Lenin played a central role in the Russian Revolution of 1917 and the formation of the Soviet Union. His influence reshaped global politics and contributed to the ideological conflicts that defined much of the 20th century.

In scientific history, April 22, 1994, saw the discovery of a new comet that would later be named Comet Hale-Bopp. The comet became one of the most widely observed celestial events of the late 20th century, visible to the naked eye for months and sparking widespread public interest in astronomy.

April 22 continues to be a day associated with awareness and reflection. Whether through environmental advocacy or recognition of historical figures and discoveries, the date underscores humanity’s ongoing relationship with both the planet and the forces that shape global change.

The Natchitoches Jazz/R&B Festival, which is going to be held on the downtown riverbank May 15-16 has released its schedule for its 29^th Festival, and as usual, it is chocked full with artists for just about every musical taste, including Jazz, R&B (of course), Country, Rock & Roll, Soul, Gospel, Folk, Blues, Zydeco and much more.  

This year’s headliner is multiplatinum Country superstar, Joe Nichols, who will appear on the main stage beginning at 9 p.m. on Saturday, May 16.  Preceding Nichols will be American Idol runner up and Louisiana native John Foster at 7 p.m., local and regional favorites and Louisiana Music Hall of Fame members Johnny Earthquake and the Moondogs at 5:25 p.m., hit making R&B/Soul singer, Tiffany Rachal at 3:40 p.m., Natchitoches’ own Country music legend and Curb Recording artist Trini Triggs at 2:35 p.m., with the music being kicked off on the Main Stage by Zydeco legend, Gerard Delafose.  

There will be over 15 bands on three stages with the schedule for the Fleur De Lis Stage and Roque House Stage listed below.  For the first time ever there will also be a Natchitoches Original Music Showcase Stage located at Beau Jardin.  That stage will feature mostly Natchitoches artists performing their original music.

The fun begins on Friday night with Tribute to Legends night which will begin with Led Zeppelin tribute band, The Zeppelin Project at 7 p.m. featuring a faithful recreation of the super group’s hits.

Prior to the Zeppelin, will be Waterloo, the nation’s premiere ABBA tribute act will faithfully create the 70’s Swedish super group’s concert, including dancers and a lights show.  Attendees are encouraged dress up and sing along.  

As always, there will be plenty of great food and kids’ activities at this family event.  For more information and to order tickets go to http://www.natchjazzfest.com

Fleur De Lis Stage

12:00 – 1:00 Snake Doctors.   Led by grizzled veteran, Ed Huey, this Natchitoches based Doctors prescription will be an eclectic blend of Blues, Jazz, Folk, with a little Rock & Roll and R&B thrown in.  You will hear things you’ve never heard before from this entertaining group.

1:10 – 2:10 The Luke Brouillette Jazz Trio (Traditional and Modern Jazz).  Led by guitarist Luke Brouillette, this trio which includes Sammy Nix on drums and Dion Pierre on bass will play through well-loved jazz standards featuring Swing, Latin, and Bebop.  Listen and watch while these virtuosos perform some righteous jazz.  

2:20 – 3:20 Deep Water Rehab – (Classic, Southern Rock, Country, Originals & Covers).  This Winnfield-based band covering Classic & Southern Rock, Country, and even some R&B tunes.  They’ll also be performing cuts from their album of original songs which recently dropped.

3:30 – 4:30 Gumbo Delux  – (R&B/Soul). This is a high-energy Shreveport based Soul/R&B group serving up a spicy mix of covers of great songs of yesterday and today.  

4:45 – 5:45 Junior the Third – (Blues and Jazz).  This Shreveport based trio started out as raw, stripped-down Blues and has stretched into something deeper, shaped by soulful jams, old standards, and the kind of feel you can’t fake.  Pulling from the well of Delta and Hill Country blues, they built a sound that’s less about polish and more about pocket.  

6:00 – 7:00 Becky Birdwell and the Shuffle Kings (Classic Rock/R&B/Country/Gospel).  Becky and her family band has been a fixture at the festival for many years and play a crowd-pleasing mixture of classic rock, R&B, Country with some gospel thrown in.   

Roque House Stage

1:00 – 2:00 The Amazing! Rhythm Disciples (Gospel/R&B/Rock/Country/Inspirational).   This Natchitoches-based Gospel/Inspiration group will perform an eclectic blend of secular and traditional gospel music which will include some Rock & Roll, Country, Rhythm & Blues and Contemporary Christian songs.  Their set includes some unique “Mash Ups” of traditional hymns with more modern secular music.  All of it, music with a message!  

2:10 – 3:10 Jenny & Kelli (Harmonious Rock, Covers, & Originals).  These popular Natchitoches songbirds play a rousing blend of songs that you know and love along with a few of their very own originals.  Every song will feature their spectacular angelic harmonies.   

3:20 – 4:20 Broken Peaces –  (Classic Rock).  This kind of a “Super Group,” made up of members of various bands who have come together to make some great high-energy music, focusing mainly on the Rock & Roll of the 70’s through the 90’s.  

4:35 – 5:35 Badd Apple – (Classic Rock/ R&B).  Led by local legend, Billy O’Con, featuring some of the finest musicians in north Louisiana, this rocking group will have everyone on their feet and dancing from the first note.  

5:50 – 6:50 Jester – (Rock and Blues).  This 3-piece high-energy band, exploding out of Bossier City is fronted by 13 year old guitar protégé and vocalist, Odin Cobb, and is fueled by the thunderous drive of a 17 year old drummer and locked in tight by a veteran bassist.  Don’t miss this highly entertaining act.  

Advance tickets may be purchased at http://www.natchjazzfest.com

Local business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs will have an opportunity to learn about protecting their businesses during an upcoming workshop hosted by the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce.

The event, “Business Insurance 101,” is scheduled for Thursday, April 23, from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Northwestern State University Fort Polk Campus, located at 3329 University Parkway in Leesville.

The session will feature Reba Phelps of BOM Financial Services and will focus on key topics such as business protection and planning for unexpected events.

Organizers said the workshop is designed for both new and established business owners and aims to provide practical guidance on insurance fundamentals.

The event is free and open to the public, and a light lunch will be provided.

Participants can register online at eventbrite.com/e/business-insurance-101-nsu-leesville-campus-tickets-1986357902959?aff=oddtdtcreator

“What’s the best way to raise kids who understand the value of money? One parent discovered a simple allowance strategy that turned everyday spending into lifelong lessons in financial independence.”

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By Richard Searles, Special to the Journal

BATON ROUGE — A nearly two-decade-old Louisiana law designed to protect private property rights is now at the center of a widening legislative and legal battle over carbon capture and sequestration projects across the state — a conflict that has split Republicans, drawn rural landowners into court, and produced two consecutive years of contentious legislative activity.

Background: A Post-Kelo Property Rights Law

At issue is Louisiana Act 851 of the 2006 Regular Session, which significantly narrowed the state’s authority to take private property through eminent domain. The law was passed in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Kelo v. City of New London, which allowed local governments to take private property and transfer it to private developers for economic development purposes.

Louisiana lawmakers responded by tightening the definition of “public use” under state law. Key provisions prohibit taking property for the benefit of private individuals or companies, restrict takings to clearly defined public purposes such as roads, bridges, public buildings, levees, and flood control, and require that expropriated property not used for its intended public purpose within a specified timeframe be offered back to the original owner or heirs.

The intent was to ensure that eminent domain could not be used as a tool for private economic development projects.

A 2020 Law Changed the Equation

The current conflict traces more directly to a 2020 state law that granted carbon capture and pipeline companies the authority to use eminent domain to acquire private land for CO₂ infrastructure — authority similar to that long held by oil and gas pipeline operators. Several legislators who voted for that measure have since publicly expressed regret.

Rep. Mike Johnson, R-Pineville — the second-highest ranking member of the Louisiana House — acknowledged during the 2026 session that he voted for the 2020 law without asking sufficient questions. “I didn’t ask enough questions. I didn’t ask any questions,” he said. “Now that’s a contradiction against our U.S. and Louisiana constitutions we have to correct.”

The 2025 Session: Partial Reform

In June 2025, the Louisiana Legislature passed Senate Bill 244, which limited eminent domain for CO₂ pipelines to projects classified as “common carriers” — meaning they must transport carbon dioxide for multiple companies and demonstrate a reasonable probability of serving the broader public, not just a single private entity. Gov. Jeff Landry signed the bill into law on June 24, 2025.

The new law also raised the threshold for unitization — the process by which a swath of land can be consolidated into a CO₂ storage site — from 75 percent landowner consent to 85 percent.

Effective Oct. 1, 2025, the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources was restructured and renamed the Louisiana Department of Conservation and Energy, consolidating administrative authority over CCS development under Secretary Tyler Gray.

Despite those reforms, dozens of proposed projects continued advancing. As of November 2025, at least 65 carbon capture and storage projects had been proposed in Louisiana, including 30 projects proposing to capture at least 33 million metric tons of CO₂, 35 projects to inject CO₂ into underground reservoirs, and 12 proposed carbon pipelines.

Facing growing constituent pressure, Gov. Landry imposed a moratorium on new applications for carbon capture projects, though that hold did not block the 31 projects whose developers had already submitted applications.

The 2026 Session: Landowner Bills Hit a Wall

The property rights fight has intensified in the 2026 legislative session, with more than 20 bills filed addressing CCS development. The first major test came when Rep. Johnson sponsored House Bill 7, the Louisiana Landowners Protection Act, which sought to reverse the 2020 eminent domain authorization entirely.

The House Committee on Natural Resources and Energy rejected HB 7 on a 12-7 vote following nearly five hours of testimony from landowners, industry lobbyists, lawyers, and state officials.

Industry proponents warned that passing the bill would jeopardize Louisiana’s standing in the global economy, with the Louisiana Chemical Association noting that industrial projects in the state tied to carbon capture are valued at more than $100 billion. Defenders of the existing law argued that eminent domain is a necessary last resort to ensure project viability and that CO₂ infrastructure is inextricably linked to the future of oil and gas production

The failure of HB 7 is widely seen as signaling dim prospects for other property-rights-oriented CCS bills still pending, including measures that would grant local parishes the authority to approve or reject CCS projects within their boundaries.

Landowners Take the Fight to Court

The legislative setbacks have pushed some landowners into the courts. A group called Save My Louisiana filed suit in state court arguing that some of its members were threatened with eminent domain if they did not sign leases for CO₂ pipelines or storage with Denbury, a CO₂ transport and storage subsidiary of ExxonMobil, and that the state’s laws give private carbon capture companies unconstitutional authority to force property sales.

The lawsuit reflects a broader argument that has animated both legislative and legal challenges: that carbon capture infrastructure serves private commercial interests rather than the public, and therefore falls outside the bounds of constitutionally permissible eminent domain.

The Industry’s Position

Oil and gas industry representatives and state officials maintain that carbon capture serves a legitimate public purpose by preserving Louisiana’s industrial base in a low-carbon global economy and by reducing emissions from petrochemical facilities along the Gulf Coast corridor. They argue that CO₂ pipelines should be treated no differently than natural gas or crude oil pipelines, which have long carried eminent domain authority on the theory that moving energy products to market constitutes a public benefit.

Nationally, the federal Section 45Q tax credit for carbon capture and storage was preserved and in some cases strengthened under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed by President Trump on July 4, 2025, reaffirming federal support for CCS investment.

The Road Ahead

The intersection of Louisiana’s property rights framework and the rapid expansion of carbon capture infrastructure is now playing out simultaneously in the Legislature, in state court, and in communities across rural Louisiana. Possible outcomes include further court rulings clarifying whether CCS qualifies as a constitutionally permissible public use, additional legislative action in the current or future sessions, negotiated agreements between companies and landowners, or expanded local control measures giving individual parishes a vote on whether to allow projects within their boundaries.

Whether carbon capture infrastructure is ultimately classified as a public good or a private commercial enterprise will determine how — and whether — these projects can move forward across privately owned land.

Sources

Louisiana Secretary of State — Act 851 (2006 Regular Session); Louisiana Act No. 620 (2024); Louisiana Senate Bill 244, signed June 24, 2025; Louisiana Legislature — House Bill 7 (2026 Regular Session); U.S. One Big Beautiful Bill Act (2025); primary government sources and public records

Editor’s Notes:

Act 851 of 2006 did not eliminate “public use” as a basis for eminent domain. It did the opposite — it restricted eminent domain to genuine public use and prohibited takings for private commercial benefit. The law was a direct response to Kelo, which had expanded what could qualify as “public use.” Louisiana lawmakers were essentially saying: we’re going back to basics — eminent domain is only for true public purposes, not economic development schemes that primarily benefit private parties.

So the law left the core framework intact. What it changed was the definition of who qualifies.

Why oil and gas pipelines still pass muster under Act 851 is a separate body of law entirely. Louisiana has long recognized pipeline common carriers as quasi-public utilities. The legal theory is that pipelines moving energy products to market serve a sufficiently broad public interest — they don’t just benefit one company, they serve commerce statewide. That classification predates Act 851 and survived it.

Where the carbon capture conflict lives is precisely in whether CO₂ pipelines fit that same mold. The 2020 law extended eminent domain to CCS without requiring that common carrier standard. SB 244 in 2025 added that requirement — pipelines must now demonstrate they’ll transport CO₂ for multiple parties to qualify. HB 7’s defeat this week keeps that 2025 framework in place rather than rolling back eminent domain authority entirely.

The unresolved legal question — and what the Save My Louisiana lawsuit is really testing — is whether even the common carrier framework for CO₂ pipelines survives scrutiny under Act 851 and the Louisiana Constitution. If a court finds that permanently injecting CO₂ underground for private profit doesn’t constitute a genuine public use regardless of how the pipeline is classified, the entire statutory framework could be vulnerable.

The traditional public use rationale for pipeline eminent domain rests on movement and commerce. Natural gas or crude oil goes into a pipeline, travels to a refinery or distribution point, gets sold and consumed, and the public benefits from the energy supply and the economic activity. The product moves through private land to serve a broader market. The land is a corridor, not a destination.

Carbon dioxide injected underground is fundamentally different in every one of those respects:

• The CO₂ doesn’t move through the land — it stays there permanently
• There is no product being delivered to the public
• The land isn’t a corridor — it becomes the storage vessel itself
• The benefit flows primarily to the industrial emitter who needed to dispose of the CO₂, and to the company being paid to store it
• The pore space under a landowner’s property is being consumed as a commodity for someone else’s profit

The industry’s counterargument — that CO₂ pipelines are just like gas pipelines — only holds for the transport segment of the pipeline. Once the CO₂ reaches the injection point, the analogy completely breaks down. You’re no longer talking about a right-of-way. You’re talking about permanent industrial use of private subsurface property.

That’s precisely why the pore space ownership question is so explosive in Louisiana right now. The state claimed ownership of deep pore space, which is its own separate constitutional fight.

“It breaks my heart to think about children growing up with so much uncertainty because one parent isn’t paying what they should. When the support doesn’t come, it’s the kids and the custodial parent who carry the burden every single day — and no family should have to live that way.”

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A Pineville lawmaker’s effort to strip private companies of eminent domain authority over carbon capture projects is dead in the House following a contentious committee vote Tuesday, though two companion measures giving Rapides Parish and all Louisiana parishes a vote on carbon sequestration projects remain alive — and property rights advocates say the fight is moving to the Senate.

House Bill 7, the Louisiana Landowners Protection Act authored by House Speaker Pro Tempore Mike Johnson (R-Pineville), failed 12-7 in the House Committee on Natural Resources and Energy after a nearly five-hour standing-room-only hearing packed with landowners and lobbyists. Crowd outbursts prompted the committee chairman to call for order multiple times.

HB 7 would have repealed a 2020 state law allowing private companies to use eminent domain to acquire easements over private property for carbon capture and CO2 pipeline infrastructure. Johnson, who voted for the 2020 law, said he now regrets that vote. “I didn’t ask enough questions. I didn’t ask any questions,” Johnson said. “Now that’s a contradiction against our U.S. and Louisiana constitutions we have to correct.”

Industry groups testified against the bill, with Louisiana Chemical Association President and CEO David Cresson warning that industrial projects tied to carbon capture in the state are valued at over $100 billion. “Louisiana’s competing directly with Texas, Mississippi and others for that capital,” Cresson said.

HB 7 is the first of more than 20 carbon capture bills filed this session to receive a committee hearing. Two companion bills by Johnson remain pending without a hearing date — HB 6, which would give Rapides Parish governing authorities a vote on whether CCS projects may proceed in the parish, and HB 5, which would extend that same authority statewide.

The 2026 legislative session continues through June 1.

BATON ROUGE — A legislative effort to strip private companies of eminent domain authority over carbon capture projects in Louisiana was defeated Tuesday in a House committee hearing, though two companion measures co-sponsored by a Vernon Parish lawmaker that would give all Louisiana parishes a direct vote on carbon sequestration projects remain alive in the Legislature.

House Bill 7, the Louisiana Landowners Protection Act authored by House Speaker Pro Tempore Mike Johnson (R-Pineville), failed 12-7 Tuesday in the House Committee on Natural Resources and Energy following a four-hour hearing packed with landowners, lobbyists and members of the public. The hearing was described as extraordinarily tense, with sharp exchanges between lawmakers and outbursts from the crowd.

HB 7 would have repealed existing statutes allowing certain carbon capture and CO2 pipeline projects to be treated as serving a public purpose, which can permit the use of eminent domain to acquire easements over private property.

Officials with the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources and Louisiana Economic Development testified against the bill, citing concerns that limiting eminent domain authority could hinder carbon capture infrastructure development tied to industrial growth and emissions reduction efforts.

Two companion bills remain pending before the same committee. HB 5 would give the governing authority of each Louisiana parish the ability to determine whether carbon sequestration projects and CO2 pipelines may be permitted within their jurisdictions. HB 6 would extend the same local option authority specifically to Rapides Parish. Both bills are co-sponsored by Rep. Charles “Chuck” Owen (R-Hornbeck), who represents Vernon Parish and was the original author of similar legislation in prior legislative sessions.

Vernon Parish is among the parishes with active carbon capture interest. CapturePoint Solutions has proposed the Central Louisiana Regional Carbon Storage Hub spanning Rapides and Vernon parishes, one of more than 30 carbon sequestration projects currently under consideration across the state.

The 2026 legislative session continues through June 1.

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The City of Leesville will elect a new mayor on May 16 for the first time in 12 years, as incumbent Mayor Rick Allen announced he will not seek a fourth term, leaving an open seat and four candidates competing to lead Vernon Parish’s seat of government.

Allen, a Leesville native, was first elected mayor in 2014 and won re-election in 2018 and 2022. When he took office, he said the city was “flat broke.” He leaves it with $20 million in reserves and a series of infrastructure improvements underway, including a new sports complex and plans for a high-end hotel at its entrance.

“I promise the city of Leesville is more healthy now than it has ever been in its history because we have assembled the perfect team,” Allen said. He added that he is committed to ensuring a smooth handoff to his successor. Allen’s last day as mayor will be June 30.

In addition to his work in Leesville, Allen served as President of the Louisiana Municipal Association in 2024 and was a member of Gov. Jeff Landry’s gubernatorial transition team.

The Candidates

Four candidates are on the May 16 ballot:

James “Jim” Shapkoff previously served as Leesville’s 20th mayor from 1990 to 2006. During that tenure, he oversaw the acquisition of 100 acres for the city’s industrial park, establishment of the Office for Industrial Development, expansion of Leesville Municipal Airport, improvements to the water system, expansion of the sewer plant, and construction of a fire station in the Lee Hills area. Shapkoff, a Leesville resident since 1956, said he seeks to strengthen relationships with the military community at Fort Polk and expand the city’s industrial park.

Louis Hopkins is making his second bid for the office, having previously run against Allen in 2022 and lost. Hopkins said his top priority would be revitalizing the city’s community events and local centers, particularly the Martin Luther King Center. He said Leesville needs “socialized activities for the kids” and “more constructive things to do.”

LaFonda Stelly — a first-time candidate — said she would build on Allen’s infrastructure progress by implementing an “infill program” aimed at revitalizing vacant and abandoned properties across the city. She emphasized bringing together churches, civic groups and economic forums to bridge the gap between government and the community. “We need to come together as an entire unit in order to be able to see exactly who can assist in pushing forward,” she said.

Andrey Sandanski has also qualified for the May 16 race. The Vernon Parish Journal will provide additional information on Sandanski’s candidacy as it becomes available.

The May 16 primary election will determine Leesville’s next mayor. If no candidate receives a majority of votes, the top two candidates will advance to a runoff.

Sources: Louisiana Secretary of State candidate qualification records, February 2026; Leesville Leader, February 12, 2026; American Press, February 12, 2026; City of Leesville official website.

House measure directs state agency to prioritize recruitment, retention and expansion of facilities that generate hundreds of millions in annual exports

BATON ROUGE — A bill moving through the Louisiana Legislature would formally direct the state’s primary economic development agency to prioritize the wood pellet manufacturing industry — a sector that has grown from near obscurity into one of the state’s most significant rural export industries in less than a decade.

House Bill 670, authored by state Rep. Charles Owen, R-Rosepine, passed the House Commerce Committee 13-0 on March 17 and was recommitted to the House Appropriations Committee on March 18 after being amended and ordered engrossed. The legislation would add two new sections to Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 51, directing Louisiana Economic Development to support the recruitment, retention and expansion of wood pellet manufacturing facilities across the state.

What the Bill Does

The measure instructs Louisiana Economic Development — the cabinet-level agency responsible for attracting and retaining businesses in the state — to treat wood pellet manufacturing as a priority sector within its existing statutory authority and subject to available funding.

Under the bill, LED would be directed to prioritize and enhance job creation incentives for wood pellet facilities, establish workforce development and training initiatives, coordinate with Louisiana ports regarding infrastructure needs tied to wood pellet cargo, develop site readiness criteria for new facilities, and provide clear regulatory pathways for facility development statewide.¹

The legislation defines “wood pellet manufacturing” within state law and establishes findings and legislative intent, giving the industry a formal policy footing it previously lacked. Importantly, the bill does not create new spending programs or mandate rulemaking. Committee amendments adopted in Commerce softened the original language, changing directives from mandates to permissions and replacing requirements to promulgate rules with authority to develop policies, guidance or program criteria consistent with existing economic development programs.

Why Wood Pellets Matter to Louisiana

Wood pellets are compressed cylinders of dried wood fiber — manufactured from sawmill residues, logging byproducts, wood chips and low-grade roundwood — that are used as fuel in industrial power plants as a substitute for coal. The value of Louisiana’s wood pellet exports grew from nearly nothing in 2018 to over $800 million in 2023, according to data from the LSU Agricultural Center, driven by European Union mandates requiring member nations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Louisiana’s wood biomass facilities are capable of producing 1.26 million tons of biomass wood pellets per year, representing approximately 9.4% of total U.S. pellet production.² The state’s multiple deepwater ports serve as gateways for those exports, with the Port of Greater Baton Rouge functioning as the primary shipping hub, where Drax Biomass operates a dedicated storage and loading facility.

The industry is deeply rooted in rural North and Central Louisiana. Drax Biomass, headquartered in Monroe, operates three compressed wood pellet plants — including Morehouse Bioenergy in Bastrop and LaSalle Bioenergy in Urania — and employs more than 125 workers in Northeast Louisiana and approximately 190 statewide.³

The economic ripple effect extends well beyond plant employment. In LaSalle Parish alone, Drax’s total annual economic impact — direct, indirect and induced — was estimated at $197.4 million in 2023, contributing $69.4 million to parish GDP and generating $5.6 million in state and local tax revenue per year.⁴

The industry also provides a vital market for Louisiana’s timber landowners. The state’s timber industry provides a reliable supply of wood feedstocks such as logging residues, sawdust and wood chips, and the biomass sector provides a market incentive to clear brush and dead trees that otherwise have little or no value.²

Statewide Significance

Biomass wood pellets sourced from Louisiana forests are creating economic opportunities in rural communities and investment opportunities for energy innovation, with the state’s multiple ports offering a gateway to international commerce hubs.² “Forestry is the historic cornerstone for Central Louisiana’s economy,” said Jim Clinton, president and CEO of the Central Louisiana Economic Development Alliance. “During the past few years, we have experienced significant growth in wood-based manufacturing.”⁵

Louisiana’s broader forestry sector carries considerable weight. LED Secretary Don Pierson has noted the sector’s $12 billion annual impact in Louisiana, with economic development efforts touching everything from paper, pulp and sawmills to port, rail and road infrastructure, as well as international commerce.⁵

Global demand for wood pellets continues to grow. Since 2012, U.S. wood pellet exports have grown from $258 million to $1.5 billion — an increase of nearly 500% — with Louisiana, Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia and Florida among the leading producing states, according to USDA data.⁶ Total U.S. exports reached a record 10 million metric tons in 2024, according to the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service.⁷

The availability of wood fibers, along with proximity to ports that facilitate access to European markets, have been major factors in the concentration of industrial wood pellet manufacturing along the southeastern U.S. coast.⁸ Louisiana sits at the heart of that competitive advantage.

Industry Footprint and Momentum

Beyond Drax, other energy companies are moving into Louisiana’s wood-based fuel sector. Louisiana Green Fuels has announced plans to open a refinery in Caldwell Parish producing up to 32 million gallons of diesel and naphtha annually from forestry byproducts, while Beaver Lake Renewables is set to convert a former International Paper mill in Rapides Parish into a green methanol plant using wood waste as feedstock.²

Wood pellet producers have been offered incentives under the state’s Industrial Tax Exemption and Quality Jobs programs, with LED working to attract prospects who value Louisiana’s wood basket for international commerce.⁹ After initially targeting 47 jobs in Morehouse Parish, Drax exceeded state employment goals and grew to 159 workers across Morehouse and LaSalle parishes, while also relocating its corporate headquarters from Atlanta to Monroe, adding 59 additional positions.⁵

Status

HB 670 remains pending before the House Appropriations Committee as of March 20, 2026. The bill carries a fiscal note indicating a potential general fund expenditure, which prompted the referral to Appropriations following its unanimous Commerce Committee approval. No companion Senate legislation has been introduced.

SOURCES

¹ Louisiana Legislature, HB 670 Engrossed Digest, 2026 Regular Session. legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?i=250532
² Louisiana Economic Development, Bio Energy — Energy Diversity. opportunitylouisiana.gov/key-industry/energy/energy-diversity/bio-energy
³ Grow NELA, Our Economy. grownela.com/economy/
⁴ Drax US, LaSalle — Louisiana. drax.com/us/about-us/lasalle-louisiana/
⁵ Louisiana Forestry Association, “Economic Developers Undergird Top Crop,” Dec. 18, 2020. laforestry.com/single-post/economic-developers-undergird-top-crop
⁶ Andrew Muhammad, “U.S. Wood Pellet Exports Continue to Reach Record Levels,” Southern Ag Today, March 9, 2023. southernagtoday.org/2023/03/09/u-s-wood-pellets-exports-continue-to-reach-record-levels/
⁷ Biomass Magazine, “USDA: US Wood Pellet Exports Top 10 Million Metric Tons in 2024.” biomassmagazine.com
⁸ Dwivedi et al., “Ecological and Economic Implications of the US Wood Pellet Industry,” Resources for the Future. resources.org/common-resources/ecological-and-economic-implications-us-wood-pellet-industry/
⁹ HuffPost / Louisiana Economic Development, “Louisiana Wood Pellet Plants Will Cater to Europe’s Energy Needs.” huffpost.com/entry/louisiana-wood-pellet-pla_b_6245666

“Are you a homeowner who feels stuck because you don’t have enough equity to sell, but still need to bring your monthly housing costs down?”

 See what Ida says 

If your current security team’s primary strategy is to “observe and report,” you are essentially paying for a professional witness.

By the time an unarmed guard observes a threat, dials 911, and waits for local law enforcement to arrive, the damage to your property, your people, and your corporate reputation is already done. In the high-stakes worlds of energy infrastructure, commercial real estate, and industrial logistics, minutes of downtime cost millions of dollars.

Waiting for an incident to escalate is no longer just an outdated strategy; it is a massive corporate liability.

The End of Reactive Security

Across Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, and Tennessee, enterprise-level businesses are waking up to a harsh reality: standard security is failing them. The new mandate is proactive deterrence.

Fidelis Protective Services, an elite risk management firm headquartered in Louisiana with a massive four-state operational footprint, is actively replacing the outdated “observe and report” model with specialized, high-impact capabilities designed to neutralize threats before they paralyze your operations.

The Ultimate Deterrent: Specialized K-9 Teams

You can argue with a standard security guard. You cannot argue with a highly trained K-9 detection team.

Fidelis achieves a higher standard of safety by deploying specialized K-9 units alongside highly disciplined security personnel. These elite teams provide mission-critical advantages that standard guards simply cannot match:

• Unmatched Visual Deterrence: The physical presence of an FPS K-9 and a disciplined handler provides an undeniable, non-verbal statement of capability. It forces bad actors to immediately de-escalate or abandon their target.
• Rapid Post-Incident Stabilization: Whether responding to a bomb threat at a corporate campus, an arson risk at a petrochemical plant, or targeted violence at a distribution hub, a FPS K-9’s advanced detection skills allow for the rapid, precise clearing of an environment.

[ WATCH: The Fidelis Standard in Action ] See exactly how the FPS K-9 Division executes proactive threat deterrence and rapid environmental stabilization.

K-9 Tactical Breakdown  “A stabilized environment, when it matters most, requires specialized capabilities,” says Fidelis Protective Services CEO, Lee J. Taylor. “We aren’t just placing a uniform at a desk. By deploying proactive teams across the region, we are actively assessing threats and stabilizing high-risk scenarios so our clients can keep their businesses running.”

Protecting the Infrastructure of the South

From the relentless operational tempo of Oil and Gas facilities in Texas to the complex access control required at major shipping ports in Tennessee and the Gulf Coast, your security strategy must match your operational footprint.

Stop paying for a reactive presence. Invest in a partner that brings elite deterrence, specialized capabilities, and a multi-state standard of excellence to the facilities that power the South.

ABOUT FIDELIS PROTECTIVE SERVICES

Fidelis Protective Services is an elite, multi-state security firm specializing in high-level asset protection, tactical K-9 deployments, and comprehensive risk management solutions. Operating across Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, and Tennessee, Fidelis sets the standard for proactive security operations in the commercial, healthcare, and energy sectors.

Connect with an FPS Operational Specialist for a custom risk assessment:

• Phone: 833-257-3888
• Web: fidelisprotectiveservice.com
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• Connect on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/fidelis-protective-services-la
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• Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@FidelisProtectiveServices

“Are you finding it harder to set and enforce rules around your children’s screen time and social media use? How do you balance keeping them safe while giving them enough freedom to learn responsibility?”

 See what Ida says 

April 17, 1946 – March 6, 2026

In loving memory of Vroni Lynn Thornock

With heavy hearts and deep love, we remember Vroni Lynn Thornock (Gautsche), who passed peacefully March 6, 2026, in Leesville, Louisiana, at the age of 79. Surrounded by the family she loved so deeply, she entered eternal rest after a courageous battle with declining health.

Vroni was born April 17, 1946, in the small town of Beetzendorf, Germany, to Hermann Gautsche and Anna Lieselotte Krause. She was the second of four children and grew up during a time that required strength and resilience from a very young age. When she was about six years old, her family fled East Germany and settled in Pirmasens in West Germany, seeking a safer future. Those early hardships helped shape the strong, determined, and compassionate woman she would become.

As a young woman working in a shoe factory to help support her family, Vroni met the love of her life, Richard Lamor Thornock. Their meeting began a lifelong journey of love, partnership, and devotion. Together they built a family that became the center of her world.

Vroni was a woman whose greatest joy came from caring for the people she loved. She was a devoted wife, a loving and dedicated mother, and a proud and adoring grandmother and great-grandmother. Her home was a place of warmth, laughter, and comfort, and her presence brought a quiet strength and kindness to everyone around her.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Richard Lamor Thornock, whose memory she carried in her heart.

She leaves behind a family who will forever cherish her love and guidance: her son, Richard Peter Thornock and his wife Lisa; daughter, Cindy McCartney (Thornock) and husband, Ronnie; and her treasured grandchildren, Heather Winter, Stephanie Thornock, Jennifer Thornock, Thomas McCartney, and Eric McCartney, along with many great-grandchildren who brought immense joy to her life.

She is also lovingly remembered by her siblings: sister, Heidelore Winkmann and brothers, Hans Gautsche and Peter Gautsche.

Vroni’s life was defined by quiet strength, unwavering devotion to family, and a generous heart. The love she gave so freely will live on through the generations she helped shape and through the many lives she touched. Though our hearts are heavy with loss, we find comfort in knowing that her love remains with us always. Her memory will forever be a blessing. She will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever held in our hearts.

A memorial service for Vroni will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, April 17, 2026, at the Central Louisiana Veterans Cemetery under the direction of Jeane’s Funeral Service. Her family requests that you wear her favorite color – purple. A visitation will be held at Jeane’s in Leesville from 12:30 p.m. to 1:15 p.m.

Why rural communities deserve facts and honest debate about carbon capture and storage

I am a small-business owner in Vernon Parish trying to keep my doors open and raise a family in the community I love.

Few issues facing rural Louisiana right now carry bigger consequences for communities like ours than carbon capture and storage.

Some see it as a dangerous experiment being forced on rural parishes. Others see it as an opportunity to bring jobs, stabilize struggling industries, and reverse the population decline many rural communities have experienced for decades.

Representative Charles Owen recently wrote that there are a “litany of unanswered questions” surrounding carbon capture and storage.

On that point, he is right.

There are important questions. But the reason many remain unanswered is not because answers do not exist. It is because the geologists, engineers, and industry professionals who understand the science are often shouted down before the conversation can even begin.

Major decisions that affect the future of our communities deserve more than headlines, rumors, or social media posts. They deserve careful review of the facts and the willingness to listen to people who actually understand the science and economics involved.

And when fear becomes the loudest voice in a discussion, something unfortunate happens.

The very voices we need to hear from become silent.

Representative Owen compared carbon dioxide to weed killer and suggested it should be viewed as a poisonous or carcinogenic substance.

That comparison deserves clarification.

Carbon dioxide is not classified as a poison, and it is not classified as a carcinogen.

It is also already woven into daily life. CO₂ is used in medical manufacturing, fire suppression, agriculture, refrigeration, welding, food preservation, beverage carbonation, and water treatment. It is part of the air in every breath we take; it helps preserve many of the foods we eat, and for many people it is literally in the soda they drink.

The United States has transported carbon dioxide by pipeline for more than 50 years. Today there are over 5,000 miles of CO₂ pipelines, and during those decades there have been no recorded deaths from CO₂ pipeline transportation or injection.

Even the well-known pipeline rupture in Satartia, Mississippi — while serious and deserving investigation — resulted in no fatalities.

Two concerns often raised are that a leak would contaminate soil or drinking water.

Drinking water protection is central to the regulatory process. Class VI wells inject CO₂ thousands of feet below drinking water sources into deep rock formations sealed by thick layers of impermeable caprock — essentially a natural underground lid that fluids cannot pass through.

These same formations have naturally trapped oil and gas underground for millions of years.

CO₂ also does not contaminate soil the way chemicals do. It is part of the natural carbon cycle that plants use to grow, and soil itself releases carbon dioxide as organic material breaks down.

Representative Owen has suggested enhanced oil recovery is acceptable, but sequestration is not. But enhanced oil recovery already works by injecting CO₂ underground — and after the oil is produced, much of that carbon dioxide remains trapped in those formations permanently.

If carbon capture were truly a scam, environmental groups would not oppose it so strongly. Many oppose it precisely because it allows industries like oil, gas, and LNG to continue operating while reducing emissions.

And Louisiana sits at the center of that debate. As one of the nation’s largest energy-producing states, what happens here matters. If carbon capture works in Louisiana, it strengthens the future of American energy.

I know these things not because I read a headline, but because I set aside what I thought I knew and started asking questions of the people who work with this science every day.

Growth rarely comes from a place of comfort. But discomfort forces us to learn and search for better answers.

I am a small-business owner in Vernon Parish trying to keep my doors open. I am also a parent with children in our local schools — one of which could face closure if population trends continue.

That is the math our parish is already living with.

Without the economic impact of Ft. Polk, nearly 58% of Vernon Parish households fall into the ALICE category — families who work hard yet still come up about $5,000 short of the cost of living here.

They earn too much to qualify for assistance, but not enough to make ends meet.

Those families are not statistics. They are our neighbors.

Programs like the federal 45Q tax credit are often criticized as government spending, but they work differently. Companies only receive those credits if they are operating, employing people, and safely storing carbon dioxide.

If Louisiana chooses not to pursue these opportunities, the credit does not disappear. Our tax dollars will still fund the program — the difference is that the jobs and investment will go to states like Texas instead of communities like ours.

At the same time, our forestry economy is under tremendous pressure. When markets disappear, forests go unmanaged, disease spreads, and wildfire risk increases as timber grows overcrowded.

The proposed Class VI well would allow projects like Highland Pellet and Beaver Lake Renewables to locate in our region, supporting more than 1,000 jobs while purchasing roughly 500 additional truckloads of timber each day from Central Louisiana’s timber basket.

Without healthy markets, landowners may eventually clear forests for other development or solar projects. But when timber markets exist, forests are thinned, land remains productive, and rural jobs stay local.

The real question for rural Louisiana is simple: which future makes more sense for our communities?

When jobs disappear, families leave.

When families leave, schools lose students — and the difficult conversations about consolidation begin.

We invest years educating our children, but when opportunity disappears, those same young people often must leave to build their careers somewhere else.

Louisiana helps educate them — and other states benefit from the talent we lose.

Representative Owen and I both care deeply about the future of our communities. We may not be as far apart as it sometimes feels.

But the stakes for rural Louisiana are too high to allow fear, rumors, or division to guide the outcome.

The future of our parish — and rural Louisiana — deserves to be decided by facts, careful consideration, and the shared desire to do what is right for the people who call this place home.

Robert Haymon is a small-business owner in Vernon Parish.

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