House backs bills to flag brick and wood-pellet manufacturing for economic development

The Louisiana House adopted two bills on April 13 aimed at promoting small manufacturing industries that sponsors said could revive local workforces: one referencing brick manufacturing and another asking the state to clear pathways for wood-pellet manufacturing.

Representative Rosemary (or 'Rep. Owen' as presented on the floor) described the brick bill as ‘‘a flag’’ to the Louisiana Department of Economic Development (LED) to prioritize investigation of suitable locations where clay resources exist and to support entrepreneurs. For the related wood-pellet bill, the sponsor said LED should identify sites and work with entrepreneurs; the bill was not written to create direct subsidies but to open regulatory and marketing channels.

Members extensively questioned the wood-pellet measure about market demand, production, logistics and environmental considerations. Representative Desotel asked whether pellets are used as a heating fuel overseas; the sponsor confirmed pellets are exported and noted existing plants in the state. Members raised the role of companies such as Drax in overseas markets and whether carbon-capture or bioenergy-with-carbon-capture technology is integral to the market. The sponsor said some producers describe processes that capture carbon and either reembed it in wood or pursue other abatements, but he cautioned that large-scale sequestration tied to pellets is not established domestically.

Representative Owens asked for favorable passage, stressing opportunities for local entrepreneurs and jobs. The House adopted the bills on recorded votes (final tallies recorded on the floor). Sponsors said LED and other state agencies will further study regulatory pathways and potential incentives as follow-up steps.