On September 29, Strategic Biofuels welcomed residents, elected officials, and industry partners to a townhall meeting in Caldwell Parish to provide updates on the Louisiana Green Fuels (LGF) project. The event highlighted the project’s milestones, economic impact, and commitment to safety and sustainability.
The first phase of the LGF project will establish a 100MW biomass power plant fueled by sustainably sourced wood waste. This facility will integrate carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) technology to store approximately 1.1 million tons of CO₂ annually in a deep geological reservoir located directly beneath the site. This eliminates the need for long-distance pipelines and enhances safety.
Unlike intermittent renewable sources such as wind and solar, the biomass plant will deliver 24/7 baseload power, supporting Louisiana’s growing demand for reliable, renewable electricity. A future second phase may include a synthetic fuels facility at the Port of Columbia, depending on market demand and policy incentives. Alternatively, additional renewable power generation may be pursued.
Strategic Biofuels CEO Dr. Paul Schubert shared that the biomass plant will create approximately 75 full-time jobs with an average salary of $80,000, along with 300+ indirect jobs in the region. The project is expected to double the local tax base, significantly benefiting Caldwell Parish.
The company is currently raising capital to complete the plant’s design, with construction targeted to begin in late 2026 and full operations by end of 2029. Engineering and construction will be led by a top-tier firm committed to hiring local workers wherever possible.
Dr. Schubert emphasized that safe operations and CO₂ management are top priorities. While CO₂ pipelines have operated safely in the U.S. for over 50 years, Strategic Biofuels is taking additional precautions, including:
The company has already begun coordination with local emergency services to ensure preparedness and transparency.
Strategic Biofuels COO Bob Meredith, a lifelong Caldwell Parish resident, highlighted the strong community support and the Port of Columbia’s efforts in securing nearly $50 million in state and federal infrastructure grants. Local leaders spoke at the event, including:
Andrew Bays, Director of Engagement at the Louisiana Department of Economic Development, also addressed the project’s transformative economic potential.
During the Q&A session, CFO Dan Jackson and other company leaders addressed questions about subsurface CO₂ storage. Strategic Biofuels will compensate pore rights owners based on agreements with the State of Louisiana, which owns over 10% of the required 8,000 acres. Payments will begin well before CO₂ reaches individual properties.
Monitoring systems designed by SLB (formerly Schlumberger)—a global leader in carbon sequestration—will ensure the integrity of the storage reservoir and protect the drinking water aquifer, which is separated by thousands of feet and multiple impermeable geologic layers.