LIVINGSTON, La. — Local residents filled a town hall meeting hosted by Councilman Dean Coates to voice concerns about a proposed carbon dioxide pipeline that could run through their properties, with many questioning safety protocols and the potential impact on property values.
The meeting comes after area landowners began receiving certified letters requesting permission for survey activities related to the Pelican Sequestration Hub, a joint venture between 1PointFive (an Occidental subsidiary) and Enbridge Inc., which was announced in September. The project would transport captured CO2 from industrial facilities to an underground storage site in Livingston Parish.
The project is anchored by a 25-year agreement to handle approximately 2.3 million metric tons of CO2 annually from CF Industries' planned low-carbon ammonia facility in Ascension Parish.
Safety dominated public comments, with residents pressing officials about notification systems in case of pipeline emergencies. The proposed route runs north of Holden, though final maps have not been determined.
"There is little we can do as long as the federal tax credit exists," said Bobette Larkey, referring to the 45Q tax credit that incentivizes carbon capture projects. "Why are we still operating under Biden policies?"
Chris Anderson, the director of Livingston Parish Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, stated that his office is already conducting preliminary work to evaluate the risks and develop the necessary emergency response plans if the proposed pipeline is constructed.
Real estate impacts emerged as another key issue. Local broker and appraiser Carla De Young provided clarity on disclosure requirements, confirming that property owners and appraisers would be legally required to reveal pipeline easements when selling properties.
This disclosure requirement adds to resident concerns about how the pipeline might affect property values in the area.
State Senator Valarie Hodges took a strong stance against the project, stating: "I support the rights of property owners under the US Constitution and the state constitution." She emphasized there would be "no benefit to Livingston Parish" from the pipeline.
Hodges noted that 25 bills aimed at stopping carbon sequestration projects were introduced in the last legislative session, with only two passing. She encouraged residents to voice their concerns to federal officials, including President Trump.
State Representative Kim Landry Coates, a champion in the fight against carbon capture and sequestration projects who represents southern Tangipahoa Parish, also attended the meeting. She emphasized the importance of the voice of the people in this process and echoed calls for residents to contact elected officials at the highest levels of government.
Senator Hodges, in response to some safety questions, explained that CCS companies are required to monitor any well drilled for at least 10 years after the sequestration has stopped - and are responsible for any damage up to 50 years after sequestration has stopped.
A source of frustration for local officials was the lack of advance notice about the survey letters being sent to residents. Parish council members and other elected officials learned about the outreach efforts after residents began receiving the certified letters requesting property access for preliminary surveys.
The meeting drew several Parish Council members, including Joe Erdey, Erin Sandefur, and Ricky Goff.
Parish Council members Erdey and Sandefur spoke during public comment. They voiced their concerns about the lack of transparency and the need for the Parish to get more specific answers about the project.
The companies are currently seeking permission from landowners to conduct civil, environmental, and cultural surveys to evaluate potential pipeline routes.
Final route determinations and regulatory approvals are still pending as the project moves through the development process.
