What do a cold beer, a crawfish boil, and the fertilizer that keeps Louisiana’s rice and soybeans thriving all have in common? They all rely on carbon dioxide.
While CO2 is essential for many industries, excess emissions have posed economic challenges. Fortunately, Louisiana has the opportunity to turn this challenge into an advantage — by capturing and repurposing CO2 to fuel new industries, strengthening our essential oil and gas industry and keeping our state at the forefront of the energy economy.
Carbon capture, utilization and storage isn’t a new idea — it’s a proven technology with decades of success in the U.S. and around the world. It involves capturing CO2 from industrial facilities, power plants, and refineries, then either storing it permanently underground or repurposing it for other industries.
Louisiana is uniquely positioned to lead in both. With our vast geological storage potential and a strong industrial base, we can use CO2 not just for environmental benefits, but as a valuable commodity that attracts investment and jobs.
By building a CO2 supply chain, Louisiana can create new economic opportunities. Industries such as food and beverage production, chemical manufacturing, and medical and pharmaceutical development all depend on CO2.
Meanwhile, innovations in low-carbon fuels and synthetic materials are opening the door for even more applications. Instead of letting this resource go to waste, we should be leveraging it to support existing businesses and attract new industries to our state.
The economic impact could be massive. CCUS technology can reduce emissions from industrial facilities by up to 90 percent, helping secure the future of Louisiana’s energy sector and heavy industry.
Companies looking for ways to lower their carbon footprint will see Louisiana as an attractive destination, ensuring that we remain a hub for advanced manufacturing, petrochemicals, and energy production.
We’re already seeing momentum in this direction. Major players like ExxonMobil, Shell, Oxy, Air Products, CF Industries and Nucor Corporation have announced CCUS projects in Louisiana, investing in infrastructure that will capture millions of metric tons of CO2 each year.
These projects aren’t just about emissions reduction — they’re creating jobs in engineering, construction, and operations while reinforcing the long-term strength of our manufacturing base.
With Louisiana’s ports serving as a critical hub for energy exports and industrial activity, CCUS can help keep these facilities competitive while driving demand for skilled workers.
For a state facing population loss and a talent drain, expanding CCUS investments means not only keeping jobs here but also attracting new opportunities that encourage workers to stay and build their futures in Louisiana.
We have a chance to build on these early investments by encouraging further development of CCUS infrastructure and fostering partnerships between industry, policymakers, and our local communities.
With the right approach, we can transform Louisiana into a national leader in CO2 utilization — powering everything from agriculture to advanced manufacturing, while securing good-paying jobs for our workers. Louisiana’s Oil & Gas service sector stands ready to put its people and equipment back to work on these future projects.
The message is clear: Carbon capture isn’t just about emissions reduction — it’s about economic growth. Louisiana has the resources, workforce, and industrial expertise to lead the way. Now, we need to seize the moment and make CO2 a catalyst for our future success.
Mike Moncla is the President of the Louisiana Oil & Gas Association. Tommy Faucheaux is the President of the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil & Gas Association. Will Green is the President of the Louisiana Association of Business & Industry.
This article was originally published at www.thecentersquare.com
