Louisiana’s economy is built on energy and manufacturing — from refining to chemicals and LNG to steel, fertilizer and rubber. Although Louisiana and the U.S. aspire to diversify industries, we must protect our current jobs, investment and economic growth created by energy as outlined in the Louisiana Economic Development 2025 Strategic Plan.
The Trump administration has recognized this reality as part of its push for American energy and manufacturing dominance. An April 2025 White House release declares that “supporting cutting-edge technologies like carbon capture and storage, nuclear energy, and next-generation geothermal,” will ensure that “America leads in both energy production and environmental innovation — producing the cleanest energy in the world.”
The administration and Congress reinforced this commitment by preserving the 45Q tax credit in the One Big Beautiful Bill. The 45Q credit incentivizes companies to capture, utilize and store carbon dioxide, a vital step to help current Louisiana’s multitude of industrial operations reduce carbon emissions. This critical incentive has spurred dozens of carbon capture projects and billions of dollars of investment in Louisiana.
The Trump administration’s backing of carbon capture and storage technology aligns with other business-friendly states, such as North Dakota, where U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum championed the technology.
As governor, Burgum chaired a state commission that approved North Dakota’s first injection well for geologic storage of carbon dioxide. After joining the Trump administration, Burgum commended the Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to grant West Virginia Class VI primacy, which allows the Mountaineer State to permit and regulate carbon capture and storage operations.
As noted above, Louisiana is an early adopter and a recognized leader in carbon capture, which is expected to help ensure U.S. energy dominance. The Pelican State is uniquely positioned to lead with natural geological conditions ideal for carbon capture storage.
Combined with expansive energy infrastructure and an abundant, accessible skilled energy workforce, Louisiana is ready to deliver the long-established and trusted technology and knowledge to deliver the promise of safe and reliable carbon capture.
U.S. policies that promote carbon capture and storage will position Louisiana manufacturing to compete globally with the full arsenal of technologies available, growing competitive family wage jobs here at home.
Meghan Thacker
Europe and Asia are increasingly demanding lower-carbon products; this technology allows local producers to meet that demand and preserve domestic production.
Louisiana’s competition for energy and manufacturing investment is not only global, but increasingly domestic.
Companies evaluating where to deploy billions of dollars in capital compare states just as they compare countries. Texas’ recent success in securing Class VI primacy for carbon capture and storage presents a clear competitive challenge. Texas now will attract carbon capture projects tied to the same industries that anchor Louisiana’s economy.
Not only is carbon capture an effective strategy, it’s also a safe one for our state’s workers and residents. The process has record levels of safety, with no fatalities, spanning more than a half century. Consumer Energy Alliance has applauded Louisiana’s efforts to be a pioneer in carbon capture projects. The state must continue to commit to being a leader to not risk losing out on massive investments to its western neighbor.
By embracing an “all-of-the-above” investment in energy technology, including long-proven carbon capture and storage processes, our state can lead in energy production, job creation and economic growth while fostering a business climate that attracts top-tier companies from across the globe. All-of-the-above will sustain Louisiana’s future as Gov. Jeff Landry envisions — connecting more Louisianans with high-wage jobs and providing a quality lifestyle right here at home.
Carbon capture is yet another tool to further American innovation, proving once again that we can achieve affordable, reliable and ever-cleaner energy and industrial growth.
