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Oil-friendly Louisiana now has the power to approve carbon capture projects

Summary

The article discusses the Environmental Protection Agency's decision to hand over permitting duties, known as "primacy," for carbon capture projects to Louisiana regulators. Both Republicans and Democrats in Louisiana, traditionally oil-friendly, see this move as a significant economic milestone. The state, the third-poorest in the U.S., holds the highest number of pending applications for carbon dioxide injection wells. While proponents view it as a boost for the economy, environmentalists and locals express concerns about the potential health risks, especially in already overburdened communities. Critics argue that Louisiana lacks the expertise to regulate carbon dioxide wells and point to the state's history of lax oversight of oil and gas companies. The article raises questions about the long-term sustainability of jobs created and highlights worries about potential health hazards for communities in proximity to carbon storage sites.

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