HB878 • 2026

ENERGY: Prohibits any carbon capture operations under a scenic river

Energy

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Robert Carter
Last action: 2026-03-09
Official status: Pending House Natural Resources - Considered 5/19/26
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide information on the consequences of violating the prohibition or how it will affect existing plans for carbon capture operations near scenic rivers.

Prohibits Carbon Capture Under Scenic Rivers

This bill stops the storage of carbon dioxide underground under scenic rivers.

What This Bill Does

Adds a new rule that says carbon capture operations are not allowed under scenic rivers.

Who It Names or Affects

People who want to store carbon dioxide underground near scenic rivers.
The state agency that issues permits for carbon storage operations.

Terms To Know

carbon capture: A process where carbon dioxide is captured and stored underground to reduce emissions.
scenic river system: A protected area of a river that has special natural, recreational, or cultural value.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify what happens if someone tries to store carbon dioxide under a scenic river after the law is passed.
It's unclear how this will affect existing plans for carbon capture operations near scenic rivers.

Bill History

2026-03-09 H
Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and Environment.
2026-02-27 H
First appeared in the Interim Calendar on 2/27/2026.
2026-02-27 H
Under the rules, provisionally referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and Environment.
2026-02-27 H
Prefiled.

Official Summary Text

ENERGY: Prohibits any carbon capture operations under a scenic river

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HLS 26RS-574 ORIGINAL
2026 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 878
BY REPRESENTATIVE ROBBY CARTER
ENERGY: Prohibits any carbon capture operations under a scenic river
1 AN ACT
2 To enact R.S. 30:1104(F), relative to geologic storage of carbon dioxide; to prohibit storage
3 of carbon dioxide beneath a scenic river system; and to provide for related matters.
4 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
5 Section 1. R.S. 30:1104(F) is hereby enacted to read as follows:
6 §1104. Duties and powers of the secretary; rules and regulations; permits
7 * * *
8 F. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the secretary
9 shall not permit the geologic storage of carbon dioxide beneath a natural and scenic
10 river system as designated by R.S. 56:1840 et al.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 878 Original 2026 Regular Session Robby Carter
Abstract: Prohibits the geologic storage of carbon dioxide beneath a scenic river system.
Present law provides for the duties and powers of the secretary with regard to carbon dioxide
pipelines and storage facilities.
Proposed law prohibits the secretary from permitting the operation of a carbon dioxide storage
facility beneath a natural and scenic river system as designated by present law (R.S. 56:1840
et al.).
(Adds R.S. 30:1104(F))
Page 1 of 1
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.