This bill amends existing Louisiana law regarding carbon dioxide sequestration by increasing civil penalties for violations and introducing new reporting requirements for operators of Class VI wells. Specifically, the civil penalty for non-compliance has been raised from five thousand dollars to two hundred thousand dollars per day for each violation. Additionally, the bill mandates that operators report any equipment malfunctions or releases of stored carbon dioxide within twenty-four hours, and these reports must include detailed information such as the incident's location, description, potential risks, and corrective actions taken.

Furthermore, the bill establishes new obligations for transparency, requiring operators to disclose incident reports to local emergency responders, law enforcement, and the public through official press releases. The Department of Environmental Quality is also tasked with publishing these reports on its website. The amendments aim to enhance public safety and environmental protection by ensuring timely communication and accountability in the management of carbon dioxide storage operations.

Statutes affected:
HB691 Original: 30:1106(D)(1), 30:1(C)
HB691 Engrossed: 30:1106(D)(1), 30:1(C)
HB691 Reengrossed: 30:1106(D)(1), 30:1(C)
HB691 Enrolled: 30:1106(D)(1), 30:1(C)
HB691 Act : 30:1106(D)(1), 30:1(C)