Developers aim to store captured carbon off the Louisiana and Texas coasts, but local fishers fear environmental harm and economic fallout.
Pam Radtke reports for Floodlight.
In short:
- The GeoDura hub, backed by $26 million in federal funding, plans to store millions of tons of CO₂ beneath Gulf waters near Cameron Parish, La.
- Fishers say liquefied natural gas (LNG) development has already slashed their catch and fear carbon storage could further damage marine life.
- Opponents worry carbon storage supports the fossil fuel industry, while its effectiveness and safety remain uncertain.
Key quote:
“These people are book smart, but when it comes to common sense, they have nothing.”
— Travis Dardar, a Cameron-based fisher and founder of the group, Fishermen Involved in Sustaining our Heritage
Why this matters:
Offshore carbon storage could disrupt marine ecosystems and endanger livelihoods, while potentially delaying a shift away from fossil fuels. The long-term success and safety of this approach remain unproven.
Learn more: Texas offers more coastal waters for carbon dioxide storage
