This resolution urges Louisiana electric utilities to evaluate their power grids for vulnerabilities to ground induced currents, which are electrical surges caused by solar storms or nuclear electromagnetic pulses. It specifically requests that the state use updated international standards to model these risks and identify hardware solutions that can block these currents from damaging transformers. The bill also asks state officials to explore federal funding and financial incentives to pay for the necessary grid hardening measures.
This bill designates Wednesday, April 29, 2026, as Gulf States Renewable Energy Industries Association Day at the Louisiana State Capitol. It directly honors the Gulf States Renewable Energy Industries Association and its partner, Project Vanguard, by recognizing their work in creating jobs and supporting renewable energy projects in the state. The resolution does not change any laws or policies but serves as a formal commendation to highlight the contributions of these organizations to Louisiana's energy sector.
This bill establishes new safety regulations in Louisiana for the transport and underground storage of carbon dioxide. It directly affects companies that build pipelines to move carbon dioxide or inject it into deep geological formations for sequestration. The law sets specific rules for how these facilities must be designed, constructed, operated, and monitored to prevent leaks and protect groundwater. Key requirements include detailed site planning, regular reporting, financial security to cover cleanup costs, and strict procedures for closing and maintaining sites after use. Additionally, the bill mandates public awareness efforts and emergency preparedness plans for facilities located near populated areas or waterways.
HCR 80 is a non-binding resolution that expresses the Louisiana Legislature's support for private property rights, specifically regarding carbon dioxide sequestration projects. The bill directly affects landowners and companies involved in carbon capture by reemphasizing existing protections found in Act 414, known as the "Landowner Bill of Rights." These provisions require companies to provide written notice, allow landowners to participate in property inspections, conduct at least five in-person negotiations, and submit detailed written offers before taking any property. Because this is a concurrent resolution rather than a new law, it serves only to highlight and reaffirm these current legal requirements without creating new policy changes.
This bill asks the state's Public Service Commission to examine distributed energy generation and storage options for residents of this state. It directs the commission to study how these technologies can benefit local communities and includes a requirement to send a copy of the resolution to the commission's chairman. The text was amended to replace specific references to "Louisiana" with "this state" and to change mandatory language to a request. Ultimately, the measure serves as a formal request for the commission to conduct a study rather than a law that immediately changes regulations.
This resolution formally recognizes geothermal energy as a strategic opportunity for Louisiana, leveraging the state's existing oil and gas expertise to develop this resource. It highlights how the state's workforce, deep well inventory, and infrastructure can support geothermal projects for electricity, industrial heat, and cooling while enhancing energy security. The bill urges state agencies to address current legal and regulatory barriers to make geothermal projects easier to permit, finance, and replicate. While it does not change specific laws immediately, it establishes a policy commitment to create the enabling framework needed for future geothermal development.
This resolution asks the Louisiana Department of Conservation and Energy to examine its rules on hiding proposed well site locations from the public. It specifically targets Class VI permits, which are used for carbon dioxide storage, noting that applicants sometimes claim these locations are trade secrets. The bill highlights that keeping sites secret prevents neighbors and interested groups from participating in required public hearings and comments. As a result, the department is urged to review current laws and applicant practices to ensure well locations are made public before permits are issued. The agency must submit a written report with findings and recommendations to the House Committee by March 1, 2027.
This resolution asks local governments in Louisiana to consider creating rules that require unlicensed residential facilities for seniors and people with disabilities to have backup power sources like generators. The bill aims to protect vulnerable residents from life-threatening conditions during natural disasters, such as hurricanes or winter storms, when power grids fail and essential equipment like heating or medical devices might stop working. Unlike state-regulated nursing homes, these unlicensed facilities currently operate without mandatory power requirements, creating a safety gap that this measure seeks to address. By urging local authorities to act, the resolution hopes to ensure consistent safety standards across all housing types for at-risk populations without imposing new state laws.
This bill is a non-binding resolution that asks the American Sugarcane League, LSU AgCenter, and Southern University Agricultural Center to keep researching new equipment that reduces the need to burn sugarcane fields after harvest. The request specifically targets these organizations and agricultural manufacturers to develop technology that addresses air quality and soil health concerns while maintaining efficient farming practices. As a procedural measure, the resolution does not create new laws or regulations but instead formally encourages ongoing collaborative work on this specific agricultural issue.
SB 490 amends existing laws to allow for the creation and use of private electrical networks, though the provided text only lists minor clerical edits rather than detailed policy changes. The bill removes the specific reference to 'Louisiana' from the title and adds the word 'agreement' to a section regarding leases. As a result of these amendments, the legislation focuses on refining the legal framework for private energy infrastructure without introducing new operational rules in this version.
