Earlier this year, one of the key political battles during the legislative session centered on the controversial practice of carbon capture sequestration (CCS). As I detailed in a previous article, numerous big-business lobbyists descended on the State Capitol in an attempt to defeat “Louisiana First” legislation designed to protect the private property rights of Louisiana citizens:

The sad reality is that the huge swath of pro-CCS corporate lobbyists are influencing this committee–to the detriment of the numerous Louisiana residents and local officials who have voiced opposition to expanding carbon capture in rural parts of the state. Just look at some of the corporate giants opposing some of the best legislation when it comes to protecting rights of “We the People.”

The following businesses and groups filed cards in opposition Rep. Owen’s HB 4 during a committee meeting last month: Exxon, Entergy,  LABI, Baton Rouge Area Chamber of Commerce, Royal Road Carbon, GNO Inc, Capture Point LLC, and many more. Similarly, organizations like LABI, Cleco, and the Louisiana Oil & Gas Association also opposed Rep. Geymann’s bill (HB 601), which would restrict the use of eminent domain for CCS projects.

We the People elected legislators who proposed this legislation to protect our rights from shady corporations. Let’s hope that the Louisiana Legislature finally starts listening to the valid concerns that Louisiana citizens have about carbon capture.

Fortunately, several strong bills passed last session that reinforced the sovereignty and property rights of Louisiana residents. While this initial skirmish over carbon capture may be over, the broader political battle is clearly far from finished.

Thankfully, we have several notable state legislators who have stood firm with Louisiana citizens in this populist fight. One of the key figures was longtime state representative and Louisiana Freedom Caucus member Brett Geymann. Back in April, Rep. Geymann appeared on the State of Freedom podcast and offered a full-throated defense of Louisianans’ property rights:

Unsurprisingly, big-business lobbyists pushed back against Rep. Geymann’s HB 601 during the 2025 session, targeting his outspoken opposition to carbon capture. These special interests ultimately helped run out the clock on HB 601, but they have not silenced the growing chorus of citizens frustrated with the collusion between Big Business and politicians in Baton Rouge.

For those unfamiliar, Rep. Geymann has a long history of standing up for Louisiana citizens in the Legislature. During his first stint at the Capitol, he challenged former Gov. Bobby Jindal over the administration’s budget practices and Jindal’s early support for Common Core.

I have to applaud Rep. Geymann and the stalwart members of the Louisiana Freedom Caucus for defending Louisiana residents on the issue of carbon capture. In a state where many politicians blow to the political winds of special interests, Louisiana could certainly use more legislators willing to take principled stands that genuinely benefit the people–just as Rep. Geymann has done for years.