Gulf Coast

Gulf Coast

Plan to stash planet-heating carbon dioxide under U.S. national forests alarms critics

Around 140 groups have called for an extension of public comment period over U.S. Forest Service proposal amid questions about safety and impact.

Gulf Coast

LSU’s new energy institute faces global challenges, local skepticism

In Louisiana, the energy transition away from high-intensity carbon fuels is focused on things such as creating lower-carbon hydrogen and capturing climate-warming carbon from industry and directly from the air.

Gulf Coast

Advocates fear billions in Inflation Reduction Act money won’t reach targeted communities

Community-led organizations and grassroots environmental advocacy groups in Louisiana could finally get money to help reduce electricity bills, fortify homes against natural disasters and reduce pollution in underserved communities.

Gulf Coast

In communities of color, most oil and gas jobs still go to white workers

There’s an unspoken promise when an industry moves into any community: We will disrupt your lives, but in exchange we will provide good-paying jobs.

Gulf Coast

A known risk: How carbon stored underground could find its way back into the atmosphere

Generous federal tax credits are driving the onrush of carbon capture and storage projects being proposed in the U.S. But like a game of whack-a-mole, there’s a chance the planet-warming emissions could seep back up into the atmosphere after they are injected underground.

Gulf Coast

St. John grain export facility opponents score win in court

Advocates working to block the development of a more than $200 million grain export terminal in St. John the Baptist Parish got another legal win recently when a state judge blocked the property rezoning needed to move the project forward.

Gulf Coast

Carbon-capture gold rush an ‘insult’ to locals in emissions-hit Louisiana

Millions of dollars of investments in new carbon capture projects in Louisiana – with more announced this week, are unwelcome developments to some environmental activists in the state.

Gulf Coast

Property insurance disappears for Louisianans – but not for gas facilities

Oil and gas facilities along the Gulf coast have long been a major market for speciality insurance carriers.

Gulf Coast

Environmental group applauds proposed rule updates for flaring, idle wells

Proposed rules are being described by environmental advocates as a “critical step” toward reducing routine gas flaring of active oil and gas wells.

Gulf Coast

Residents in ‘Cancer Alley’ push for stricter emissions standards

Local activists want action after EPA drops civil rights investigation.

Gulf Coast

Carbon capture portrayed as a linchpin to Louisiana’s success, failure

More than 100 people testified this week on whether the state should have the responsibility for carbon capture wells.

Gulf Coast

Lawmakers passed a bill to stop insurers from considering ESG criteria in setting rates

So-called environmental, social and governance policies are often adopted by companies to reduce their carbon footprints. The new Texas bill aims to stop insurers doing business in Texas from using ESG criteria, but it doesn’t include penalties for violations.

Gulf Coast

Texas has gone big with renewable energy. Why can’t it go all the way?

The biggest barriers to making Texas’ power grid 100% renewable have little to do with politics.

Gulf Coast

In ‘Cancer Alley’, US chemical giants mount campaign against grassroots organizers

Chevron and ExxonMobil are among the companies in a ‘sustainability council’ countering grassroots activists.

Gulf Coast

Offshore wind workforce a weak link in plan to build out renewables

A national push toward offshore wind energy could create thousands of well-paying domestic jobs in Louisiana and elsewhere.

Gulf Coast

Global banks pledged to cut emissions – but still invest billions on US gas exports

Many banks promised to work toward net-zero emissions – but their targets explicitly exempt liquefied natural gas projects.