At a time when Republicans across America are focused on affordability issues, energy experts and conservative activists are concerned that environmental lawfare in Louisiana is undercutting President Donald Trump’s energy dominance agenda.
Louisiana Oil and Gas Association President Mike Moncla warned of the devastating impact Louisiana’s coastal erosion lawsuits have had on his business while testifying in the Louisiana legislature. “Personally, my family business has already felt the wrath of our state’s frivolous coastal erosion lawsuits that didn’t just eliminate 250 employees’ jobs, it caused a complete closure of inland waters business,” Moncla explained. “These suits also decimated the Louisiana lease production as well state revenues from royalties and severance taxes.”
Moncla went on to compare the parish coastal erosion cases to the wave of climate change litigation launched by dozens of leftwing states and municipalities around the country. “These climate suits are just money grabs out to do the same thing as costal suits: decimate our industry,” he added.
More than 40 Louisiana parishes have filed environmental lawsuits against the energy industry in the state’s courts. Last month, the Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision in Chevron v. Plaquemines Parish, ruling the companies have the right to remove these cases to federal court.
Ken Blackwell, former Ohio State Treasurer and Secretary of State, called for Republican leaders in Louisiana to put an end to the environmental litigation. “[Moncla] hits the nail on the head,” Blackwell said following the testimony. “Louisiana is central to President Trump’s energy dominance agenda. But the state’s coastal erosion lawsuits undermine that important mission — threatening jobs, investment, and critical domestic energy production… it’s up to Louisiana’s leaders to end this environmental lawfare scheme.”
Melissa Landry, Director of the Pelican Center for Energy at the Louisiana-based Pelican Institute, warned of the state’s coastal erosion lawsuits having negative impacts on Louisiana’s energy production and economy.
“Louisiana’s is especially vulnerable to the growing wave of litigation targeting oil and gas producers,” Landry explained. “Lawsuits have already cost Louisiana dearly — driving a 42 percent collapse in offshore reserves, 56 percent drop in production, 37 percent loss in energy jobs, and over $600 billion in foregone economic growth since 2010.”
Steve Forbes added that there are nationwide recriminations to the Louisiana lawfare. “The Louisiana lawsuit isn’t just a Louisiana problem,” Forbes explained. “Climate lawfare in Louisiana and other states puts energy workers and jobs at risk across the country, and threatens America’s once-in-a-generation opportunity for true energy dominance.”
