ENERGY: Authorizes the governing authority of Vernon Parish to determine whether carbon dioxide sequestration and pipelines transporting carbon dioxide may be permitted within the parish

HB 497 gives Vernon Parish’s governing authority (the Police Jury) the power to prohibit carbon dioxide sequestration projects, carbon dioxide storage wells, and pipelines transporting carbon dioxide within the parish. It allows the parish to ban these projects through a local resolution, overriding any state permits or approvals that conflict with the parish’s decision. The bill requires the parish to notify the state Department of Conservation and Energy of its prohibition, which becomes effective immediately upon adoption. This directly affects residents and businesses in Vernon Parish, as well as companies seeking to build or operate CO2 infrastructure there.