Opponents Raise Concerns Over Proposed Ascension Carbon Capture Facility

Environmental group Earthworks and local residents voice safety and environmental risks ahead of state permit hearing.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 2:50am

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A highly structured abstract painting in muted earth tones, featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise botanical spirals, conveying the intricate scientific forces and potential risks of carbon capture and storage technology.A conceptual illustration of the complex technical and environmental forces at play in the proposed Ascension carbon capture facility, raising concerns about the long-term viability and safety of underground carbon storage.Prairieville Today

Residents in Ascension Parish, Louisiana are raising concerns about a proposed carbon capture and storage facility from Air Products. The facility would capture carbon dioxide from industrial sites and store it underground, but opponents argue the project poses health and environmental risks, especially due to its proximity to homes and schools. An advocacy group called Earthworks held a town hall to inform the public ahead of a state permit hearing on the facility.

Why it matters

Carbon capture and storage technology is seen as a potential solution to reduce industrial emissions, but it remains controversial due to concerns about the long-term safety and viability of underground storage. This proposed facility in Ascension Parish has sparked debate within the local community about the tradeoffs between environmental protection and economic development.

The details

The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) is holding a public hearing on Thursday, April 16 for an air permit for the proposed Air Products carbon capture facility in Ascension Parish. Ahead of the hearing, the environmental advocacy group Earthworks and local residents held a town hall on April 13 to voice their concerns about the project. Residents worry about potential health and environmental risks if there is a leak in the underground carbon storage, and they argue the facility is too close to homes and schools in the area. Earthworks says carbon capture technology has not been proven to work at scale, and they believe the project poses a "great danger" to the surrounding neighborhoods.

  • The LDEQ public hearing on the Air Products facility air permit is scheduled for Thursday, April 16, 2026 at 6 p.m.
  • Earthworks and local residents held a town hall about the project on Monday, April 13, 2026.

The players

Earthworks

An environmental advocacy group that organized the town hall to inform the public about concerns with the proposed Air Products carbon capture facility.

Air Products

The company proposing to build the carbon capture and storage facility in Ascension Parish, Louisiana.

Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ)

The state agency holding the public hearing on the air permit for the Air Products carbon capture facility.

Edwin Soule

A Hammond, Louisiana resident who expressed concerns about the health and environmental risks of the proposed carbon capture project.

Kaitlyn Joshua

The Gulf Coast campaigner for Earthworks who argued that carbon capture technology has not been proven to work at scale and poses dangers to nearby neighborhoods.

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What they’re saying

“Carbon capture and storage does not work. It's never worked anywhere to scale anywhere in the world. And that it poses a great danger to neighborhoods.”

— Kaitlyn Joshua, Gulf Coast campaigner, Earthworks

“What happens if a leakage occurs? You know, but it's not a permanent solution. And we need to look at permanent solutions.”

— Edwin Soule, Resident, Hammond, Louisiana

What’s next

The LDEQ will hold the public hearing on the Air Products facility air permit on Thursday, April 16, 2026 at 6 p.m. at the Lamar Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales, Louisiana. This will be one of the last opportunities for the public to provide input on the proposed project.

The takeaway

The debate over the Air Products carbon capture facility highlights the ongoing challenges in balancing environmental protection and economic development, especially when it comes to emerging technologies like carbon capture and storage. The local community is seeking more transparency and assurances about the long-term safety and viability of the project, which could set a precedent for future carbon capture proposals in the region.