BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — A group of Louisiana residents made their stance against carbon capture public. They want the growth in Louisiana to end, but others say, carbon capture is a job creator, and it’s needed for the state.

“Where is the legislation that says no to CO2 pipelines and ensures our lives are not put at risk,” cried Shamell Lavigne, COO of Rise Saint James.

Activists created signs and chanted asking state legislators to stop capture pipelines from being built across the state.

“People who care about their lake. people who care about their property, people who want a brighter future for themselves,” explained DeVante Lewis, Public Service Commission.

Activist Jane Patton claimed that the pipelines will contribute to the climate crisis, ruin soil, and pose a danger to small towns in Louisiana.

“Very questionable, untested, and unproven technologies and injection wells in Louisiana. They are not making sure that the people have clean air, clean water, or safety,” said Patton.

But Russell Richardson with BRAC disagrees.

“It’s an environmentally friendly technology with minimal impact,” said Richardson.

He continued by saying carbon capture is a job creator.

“It actually creates jobs, construction jobs, and ongoing maintenance jobs for the pipelines and that technology process,” Richardson added.

Louisiana Mid Continent Oil and Gas Association also released a statement. Read their words below.

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) supports America’s energy independence, helps to reduce air emissions and puts Louisiana at the forefront of what’s next for the energy sector.

CCS technologies have been safely operating in the U.S. for more than 50 years with an established record of performance. There are currently more than 300 projects in various stages of development across the world.

Without innovative technologies and processes like CCS in the state, Louisiana will be left behind – sooner rather than later.

The fact is that carbon capture and storage is a safe, proven solution to advance energy production and innovation here at home to meet the needs of a changing global marketplace. If fully implemented, Louisiana could generate nearly $14 billion in private investment – all while retaining, and growing, local jobs and lowering our environmental impact.

If Louisiana energy does not evolve, hundreds of thousands of jobs and our way of life will be at risk.

Tommy Faucheux, President of the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association (LMOGA)