Louisiana Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy announced a hold Wednesday on the Biden administration’s Environmental Protection Agency nominees, citing frustration with the agency delaying approval for carbon capture wells in his state.
In a statement, Cassidy took aim at the EPA for what he characterized as “unnecessary” delays in approving his state’s application to permit carbon sequestration wells, which he said has not moved forward since October.
Cassidy, one of 19 Republican senators to approve President Joe Biden’s $1 trillion infrastructure bill last fall, described Louisiana as the “ideal location” to store carbon underground. He also said completion of the carbon capture application is a key step for the Biden administration as it seeks to deliver on its stated goal of reducing carbon emissions.
“We have met the requirements, and we have the workers, capacity, and resources to begin this process,” Cassidy said in a statement Wednesday.
“All that’s needed is the green light from the Biden administration,” he added. “The EPA has emphasized their desire to lower emissions and ensure a healthy environment yet hinders Louisiana’s ability to do just that.”
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Shortly after announcing the hold, Cassidy met with EPA Administrator Michael Regan to discuss the status of Louisiana’s carbon capture application, his office confirmed.
“EPA is aware of the Senator’s request and will respond through the proper channels,” an EPA spokesperson told reporters.
But Cassidy is not the only Republican in the chamber with a hold on the administration’s EPA nominees.
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Wyoming Sen. Cynthia Lummis also has holds on all four of Biden’s EPA nominees, according to E&E News, because of a dispute between her state and the agency over a regional haze plan for its Jim Bridger power plant.
