Louisiana has authorized its first ever carbon capture and storage well, according to a state order, opening the way to a new industry that could reduce greenhouse gas emissions from industrial plants, but which has drawn serious concerns from residents who question its long-term impacts.

The order from the state Department of Energy and Natural Resources comes more than a year and a half after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency granted it authority in the permitting of wells for carbon storage technology.

The new Class VI permit in Hackberry would allow an arm of Sempra Infrastructure to pump up to 2 million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually for 20 years under Black Lake southwest of Lake Charles.

It is among a list of such projects being proposed statewide. While it is th

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