Governor John Bel Edwards will travel to Washington, D.C. today to testify Thursday before the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
Edwards will discuss recent federal offshore oil and gas developments and the adverse effect that President Biden’s moratorium on new drilling leases in the Gulf of Mexico will have on Louisiana’s economy. He will also highlight the state’s ongoing work on climate initiatives.
“An abrupt and prolonged major reduction to federal offshore oil and gas exploration and production would devastate Louisiana’s economy, but our state absolutely cannot turn a blind eye to the ways that climate change and sea-level rise threaten Louisiana,” Gov. John Bel Edwards said. “This is why we are taking a balanced approach to climate change and energy production, looking for ways to reduce our state’s emissions and continue to restore our wetlands and coast while also maintaining energy production. I look forward to speaking to the committee about the impact abrupt shifts in federal offshore oil and gas policy have on Louisiana, how our state and other gulf states deserve more federal impact assistance for offshore oil and gas production, and also why Louisiana must achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
While in D.C., he will also attend the swearing-in of Congressman-elect Troy Carter.
“I am also proud to join Congressman-elect Troy Carter’s swearing-in later today. He has been a fierce advocate for his community for years, and I know he will bring this same energy to advocate for his constituents in Congress.”