The Jeff Davis Parish Police Jury unanimously passed a resolution on Wednesday supporting local governing bodies authority to make decisions regarding carbon capture and storage facilities within their jurisdictions.

Police Jury President Steve Eastman said the resolution will enable Rep. Troy Romero to present a bill in the upcoming state Legislature that would give Jeff Davis Parish local authority over carbon capture and storage facilities.

The action aligns with similar bills pre-filed by Rep. Dewith Carrier and Rep. Charles “Chuck” Owen, which would grant final say to parish governing authorities, or a vote of the people, to decide whether or not to permit CO2 project projects within individual parishes. This decision could be made by local governing authorities or through a parish wide election triggered by a voter petition.

Police Juror Bryon Buller said the measure would allow for a public vote if 15 percent of the people opposed a project.

The local option measure arises from concerns regarding potential contamination risks and the perceived infringement upon private property rights associated with CO2 projects.

Similar concerns have prompted the Allen Parish Police Jury to request a delay in issuing Class V or Class VI well permits within their parish until after the 2025 legislative session, allowing time for pending legislation regarding CO2 projects to be voted on and enacted.

Carrier has also proposed a bill that would classify the continued injection of carbon dioxide into wells as a felony offense if a leak is detected.