Retired General Warns of Carbon Capture Risks in Louisiana

Honore says carbon storage threatens state's water supply and public health

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Retired Lt. General Russel Honore, who leads the Green Army, is warning that the carbon capture and storage process promoted by lawmakers and the petrochemical industry in Louisiana poses significant risks to the state's water supply and public health. Honore explains that storing captured carbon underground could contaminate the vital Chicot Aquifer, which provides drinking water for over 700,000 people. He also raises concerns about the safety of local fire departments that lack proper equipment to respond to potential carbon-related fires and explosions.

Why it matters

Carbon capture and storage is being touted as a solution to reduce carbon emissions, but Honore argues it creates new environmental and public health threats, especially for communities near proposed storage sites and pipelines. As Louisiana considers expanding this technology, there are growing concerns about the impact on the state's critical water resources and the ability of first responders to handle emergencies.

The details

Honore explains that the carbon capture process involves storing the captured carbon deep underground, which he says threatens the Chicot Aquifer - the most important aquifer in Louisiana, providing 400 million gallons of water per day for irrigation and drinking. He also highlights the potential danger of storing highly combustible carbon near schools, hospitals, and in rural areas served by volunteer fire departments that lack proper personal protective equipment.

  • In February 2020, a CO2 pipeline explosion in Mississippi killed three people and left many others struggling to breathe.
  • The 2026 Regular Legislative Session in Louisiana is approaching, where lawmakers will consider carbon capture proposals.

The players

Russel Honore

A retired Lt. General who now leads the Green Army, an environmental advocacy group.

Chicot Aquifer

The most important aquifer in Louisiana, providing 400 million gallons of water per day for irrigation and drinking water for over 700,000 people.

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What they’re saying

“The theory is that once you store it underground, it could make its way into the Chico Aquifer, where over 700,000 people get their drinking water from.”

— Russel Honore, Retired Lt. General and Green Army leader (cenlanow.com)

“The Green Army, we are not against any industrial process. We believe you must have solutions for pollution. But this is a false solution, and most of the risks go to the people who will be living near these injection sites and the ones where the pipeline will run through their property.”

— Russel Honore, Retired Lt. General and Green Army leader (cenlanow.com)

What’s next

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The takeaway

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