On May 21, 2025, the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (“LDEQ” or “the Department”) officially approved the use of unmanned aircraft systems (“UAS”), or drones, for visual inspections of aboveground storage tanks under LAC 33:III.2103.D.2.e.[1] LDEQ estimated a potential $4 million in annual savings for the regulated community by reducing the need for scaffolding, cranes, and other equipment required by traditional visual inspection methods.

Prior to initiating the use of drones, facilities should ensure that the technical specifications of any UAS meet the requirements identified by LDEQ. The Department also encourages use of models approved by the U.S. Department of Defense.[2]

Facilities should update or prepare policies and standard operating procedures (“SOPs”) for use of a drone for tank inspections. Procedures may include: (1) direction for ensuring that the drone system specifications are compliant, (2) certification checks for the pilot(s) of the drone, (3) steps to prepare the area for safe inspection, and (4) security protocols surrounding the information captured.

As drones become more widely used in industrial and agency operations, facilities must also be prepared to respond to unauthorized drone activity. Although federal and state laws prohibit drone flights over certain critical infrastructure,[3] facilities should never attempt to disable or interfere with an unrecognized drone. If personnel observe a drone that is not accounted for, they should document the sighting and contact the Louisiana State Police, the regional Federal Aviation Administration office, and/or another appropriate authority.[4]

[1] LDEQ press release can be found here: UnmannedAircraftInspectionsPressRelease.pdf.

[2] See Blue UAS Cleared Drone List.

[3] See e.g., La. R.S. 14:337 (Unlawful use of an unmanned aircraft system); 14 C.F.R. § 99.7 (prohibits drone flight in certain areas designed in conjunction with the Department of Defense, including over certain critical infrastructure); see also 14 C.F.R. Part 107 (Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems regulations).

[4] Contact Louisiana State Police (LSP) Suspicious Activity Hotline 1-800-434-8007, use the See Send app, or file an online complaint of suspicious or criminal activity. see https://la-safe.org/suspicious-activity-reports/.