State of Louisiana Archives: on Energy & Oil


John Bel Edwards: Reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2050

Another way we've established groundwork for a more resilient Louisiana is through the creation of a Climate Initiatives Task Force last year. No state is more adversely impacted by climate change than Louisiana. But at the same time, no state is better positioned to be a leader in reducing carbon emissions and bolstering coastal resiliency. By 2050, our goal is to reduce carbon emissions to net zero and to have invested $50 billion in rebuilding Louisiana's coast.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to Louisiana legislature Apr 12, 2021

John Bel Edwards: Work with--not against--oil & gas companies on solutions

The reason I know we can get there is because we are working with--not against--the energy sector that sustains so much of Louisiana's economy. Oil and gas production in the Gulf of Mexico continues to be important to Louisiana's success. By working with these companies on forward thinking solutions, like carbon capture, we are going to make Louisiana more sustainable while also unlocking a whole new sector of economic and job opportunities.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to Louisiana legislature Apr 12, 2021

Antoine Pierce: Subsidize renewable energy sources

Source: 2020 Louisiana Senate campaign website AntoinePierce.com Feb 4, 2020

Ralph Abraham: End the war on our oil and gas industry

Environment: Force oil companies to pay for restoration of damaged coastal wetlands?

Abraham: No. Says Edwards is waging "war on our oil and gas industry."

Bel Edwards: Yes. Supported parishes suing for paying for restoration costs of Coastal Master Plan.

Eddie Rispone: No. "Lawsuit abuse is killing thousands of jobs."

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Guide to 2019 Louisiana Governor race Nov 1, 2018

Clay Higgins: Do more in DC to help the oil & gas industry

Congress has moved in the right direction earlier this year by revoking the 40 year ban on exports of oil and gas products. In my opinion, more can be done in DC to help the industry. Right now, we are locked in a global battle between Saudi-Arabia/OPEC and Russia--as well as a handful of other smaller countries like Brazil. America is involved in a global struggle to see who's going to control the future of oil and gas. Therefore it's crucial that our federal government create an environment which allows American oil/gas companies to compete without onerous federal restrictions that the other major players do not have to contend with. I've never met a Republican who wants dirty air and dirty water or who wants to destroy the earth. However, jobs and economic growth must come first. Obama's over-the-top restrictions on methane and carbon dioxide and his onerous limits on operating on federal land have hurt America.
Source: 2016 Louisiana House campaign website CaptainHiggins.com Dec 10, 2016

Mike Johnson: Further expand our domestic oil and natural gas production

Even as Louisiana struggles through our oil-based recession, some politicians are targeting the oil and gas industry for increased taxes and regulations. I will oppose any attempt to remove the intangible drilling costs deductions for our beleaguered producers, and champion every measure in Congress to further expand our domestic oil and natural gas production. This is critical to boosting our national economy, adding more jobs, and enhancing our national security interests.
Source: 2016 House campaign website MikeJohnsonForLouisiana.com Dec 10, 2016

Mike Johnson: CAFE standards add $3,800 to price of every new vehicle

When the production of goods and services is overregulated by misguided policymakers it drives up prices for consumers, and stifles innovation and job creation. For example, the federal Corporate Average Fuel Economy ("CAFE") standards are a complex set of regulations that add approximately $3,800 to the price of every new vehicle sold. I will work to repeal these and many of the other major new regulations that ultimately decrease our standard of living.
Source: 2016 House campaign website MikeJohnsonForLouisiana.com Dec 10, 2016

Foster Campbell: Build Keystone pipeline; no farcking regulation for now

Q: Do you support building the Keystone XL pipeline?

A: Yes

Q: Do you support government funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)?

A: Yes

Q: Do you support increased regulations on the hydraulic fracturing ("fracking") industry?

A: No. I will continue to listen to and study scientific evidence that would support further regulation.

Source: VoteSmart 2016 Louisiana Senate Political Courage Test Nov 1, 2016

Foster Campbell: Regulate greenhouse gases; incentivize reducing emissions

Q: Do you believe that human activity is contributing to climate change?

A: Yes

Q: Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions?

A: Yes. I will continue to incentivize reducing emissions so that we don't damage the economy while we save the environment.

Source: VoteSmart 2016 Louisiana Senate Political Courage Test Nov 1, 2016

Thomas Clements: No cap and trade; no taxing carbon emissions

Q: Do you agree or disagree with the statement, "Prioritize green energy"?

A: New Technology should [be developed] in a free trade˙market of private enterprise.˙No cap and trade taxing carbon emissions.

Source: Email interview on 2016 Louisiana Senate race by OnTheIssues Jul 31, 2016

Garret Graves: No federal subsidies for wind & solar

Q: Governments should pay to develop wind and solar energy solutions when these are not economically feasible?

GRAVES: Strongly Disagree

Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 Louisiana House race Sep 30, 2014

Ralph Abraham: No federal subsidies for wind & solar

Q: Governments should pay to develop wind and solar energy solutions when these are not economically feasible?

ABRAHAM: Strongly Disagree

Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 Louisiana House race Sep 30, 2014

Bill Cassidy: Don't pick winners & losers in energy market

Mary Landrieu's latest is narrated by a Republican ship builder from Louisiana who supports her. The supporter says Landrieu's new post as the chairwoman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will bring "more boats, more jobs, and more oil and gas" to Louisiana.

But Cassidy sees things differently: "Mary Landrieu's most recent advertisements tell us a lot about how central a role she believes the government should play in our daily lives," Cassidy said in an emailed statement. "Her ad tells us that the government should pick the winners and losers and the politically well-connected benefit." Cassidy went on to say Landrieu's ad reveals that she promotes a "Washington insider system" rather than a level playing field.

The Louisiana Democratic Party shot back at Cassidy's claims saying that it's a lawmaker's jobs to create jobs, which is exactly what Landrieu's ad explains.

Source: AdWatch by The Hill e-zine on 2014 Louisiana Senate race Apr 28, 2014

Buddy Roemer: Railed against ethanol subsidies in Iowa

Roemer portrays himself as a hard-nosed businessman who has the guts to tackle the deficit by slashing any program he deems ineffective. As if to prove he wouldn't be beholden to anyone, Mr. Roemer railed against ethanol subsidies in Iowa, a state full of corn farms. An analyst in attendance, writing on an Iowa political website, called Roemer "one of the most interesting candidates of the night; it's unfair and unwise to fully dismiss him."
Source: The Wall Street Journal, "Longshot from Louisiana" Mar 16, 2011

Jeff Landry: Drill here, drill now; not cap-and-trade

Cap and Trade, commonly called emissions trading, will have a devastating impact on the economies that depend on oil & gas. The people of South Louisiana who work hard in the oilfields and our nation running will be severely impacted by this policy.

A more realistic approach to global energy independence should allow a greater flexibility to harvest those resources that we have here in US while we move toward other sources of energy at the same time. We need to drill here, drill now.

Source: 2010 House campaign website landryforlouisiana.com, "Issues" Nov 2, 2010

Charles Melancon: Congressional trip to Antarctica to study global warming

The panel pressed Melancon on whether a trip to Antarctica to study global warming was a good use of taxpayer dollars. "We met with scientists," Melancon said. "We were up at 5:30 a.m."
Source: WWLTV Eyewitness coverage of 2010 Louisiana Senate debate Oct 28, 2010

Charles Melancon: Funnel BP oil-leak penalties into coastal restoration

Melancon tacked two amendments onto a recently passed bill to improve oil drilling regulation. His measures called for lifting the drilling moratorium and for funneling money from oil-leak penalties against BP into coastal restoration.

Melancon said he is most proud of his non-legislative actions on the ground after BP's oil leak. During the recent oil leak, Melancon ensured that the federal government created a mobile health clinic and provided services for victims under stress, he said.

Source: Baton Rouge Advocate on of 2010 Louisiana Senate debate Oct 18, 2010

Mary Landrieu: Proud of expanding oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico

Landrieu said one of her proudest wins in Congress was getting approval for the expansion of offshore oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, with a large portion of the royalties going to help Louisiana coastal protection efforts.

Kennedy responded that much of the billions of dollars in royalties wouldn’t start flowing until 2017, after thousands more acres of wetlands had washed away. But Landrieu noted millions of dollars already had come to Louisiana because of the drilling bill.

Source: Associated Press on NOLA.com on 2008 Louisiana Senate Debate Oct 16, 2008

John Neely Kennedy: Incentives for non-petroleum automobiles are a tax increase

Sen. Mary Landrieu is telling voters via a statewide television ad that her Republican challenger John Kennedy opposes more domestic oil drilling. Landrieu’s 30-second drilling spot hinges on Kennedy’s opposition to an energy bill pitched by Landrieu and nine other senators, Democrats and Republicans calling themselves the “Gang of 10.” The approach would combine more offshore production with consumer tax incentives for non-petroleum automobiles. Kennedy called the proposal a tax increase--it would repeal some of the breaks afforded to oil companies--to pay for more studies of alternative energy sources.

Landrieu’s ad goes beyond any nuanced criticism from Kennedy, with an announcer stating, “He opposes her plan to open up 120 million acres for drilling. Under Kennedy, no new oil, higher gas prices, lost Louisiana jobs.”

Source: 2008 Louisiana Senate debate reported in Times-Picayune Aug 25, 2008

John Neely Kennedy: More domestic drilling, including in Gulf of Mexico & ANWR

Kennedy opposes an energy bill pitched by Landrieu and nine other senators, Democrats and Republicans calling themselves the “Gang of 10.” Kennedy has echoed Republican leaders’ call for more domestic drilling, including in the Gulf of Mexico and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Alaska’s ANWR would remain off limits under the “Gang of 10” proposal.

A Landrieu spokesman echoed his boss’s characterization of Kennedy, saying the Republican speaks in generalities and has not offered any specific energy policy, drilling or otherwise.

Drilling has been a major issue in the campaign since Kennedy started earlier this summer highlighting a May committee vote in which Landrieu honored a request of Sen. Ken Salazar, D-Colorado, to vote against allowing exploration in oil shale in Colorado.

Source: 2008 Louisiana Senate debate reported in Times-Picayune Aug 25, 2008

Mary Landrieu: Member of bipartisan “Gang of 10” for comprehensive oil plan

Sen. Mary Landrieu is telling voters via a statewide television ad that her Republican challenger John Kennedy opposes more domestic oil drilling. Landrieu’s 30-second drilling spot hinges on Kennedy’s opposition to an energy bill pitched by Landrieu and nine other senators, Democrats and Republicans calling themselves the “Gang of 10.” The approach would combine more offshore production with consumer tax incentives for non-petroleum automobiles. Kennedy called the proposal a tax increase--it would repeal some of the breaks afforded to oil companies--to pay for more studies of alternative energy sources.

Landrieu’s ad goes beyond any nuanced criticism from Kennedy, with an announcer stating, “He opposes her plan to open up 120 million acres for drilling. Under Kennedy, no new oil, higher gas prices, lost Louisiana jobs.”

Source: 2008 Louisiana Senate debate reported in Times-Picayune Aug 25, 2008

Mary Landrieu: Voted against allowing exploration in oil shale in Colorado

Kennedy opposes an energy bill pitched by Landrieu and nine other senators, Democrats and Republicans calling themselves the “Gang of 10.” Kennedy has echoed Republican leaders’ call for more domestic drilling, including in the Gulf of Mexico and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Alaska’s ANWR would remain off limits under the “Gang of 10” proposal.

A Landrieu spokesman echoed his boss’s characterization of Kennedy, saying the Republican speaks in generalities and has not offered any specific energy policy, drilling or otherwise.

Drilling has been a major issue in the campaign since Kennedy started earlier this summer highlighting a May committee vote in which Landrieu honored a request of Sen. Ken Salazar, D-Colorado, to vote against allowing exploration in oil shale in Colorado.

Source: 2008 Louisiana Senate debate reported in Times-Picayune Aug 25, 2008

Foster Campbell: Charge 6.25% oil refining tax and wipe out income tax

Campbell believes he possesses the knowledge and courage to unlock billions of untapped dollars: ridding the state of its income tax, saving Louisiana's residents $3.2 billion, according to his estimates. To eliminate the income tax, the state would need to charge oil companies a 6.25% tax to refine their product in the state. The tax on domestic oil, meanwhile, would drop from 12.5% to 6.25%.

Currently, foreign oil refined in Louisiana is not taxed by the state, Campbell said. If a tax were enacted, it would generate $5 billion or more, making it possible to wipe out the income tax and improve the state's education, highway and medical systems. "We have squandered our natural resources," Campbell said. "The politicians have been too cozy with the oil companies." Simply taxing international oil corporations isn't enough, however. Campbell also plans to ask them to pay the state for damages they have caused to its coast--approximately $20 billion, he said.

Source: Thibodeaux Daily Comet on 2016 Louisiana Senate race Aug 24, 2007

Foster Campbell: 3% tax on hydrocarbon processing facilities

Legislative Digest: Present constitution prohibits the levy of a tax other than severance tax on "oil, gas, or sulphur leases or rights." Proposed constitutional amendment authorizes the levy of a tax on the use of hydrocarbon processing facilities at a rate not to exceed 3% of the value of the hydrocarbons.

Proposed constitutional amendment provides for a repeal of all severance taxes which are levied on oil and gas if such a tax is levied and the tax is determined to be valid by a final, non-appealable judgment or as otherwise provided by law.

Legislative Outcome: Died in Senate committee. (SB1 authored by Senator Foster Campbell)

Source: Louisiana 2002 legislative voting records: SB1 Apr 29, 2002

  • The above quotations are from State of Louisiana Politicians: Archives.
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2020 Presidential contenders on Energy & Oil:
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Sen.Michael Bennet (D-CO)
V.P.Joe Biden (D-DE)
Mayor Mike Bloomberg (I-NYC)
Gov.Steve Bullock (D-MT)
Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D-IN)
Sen.Cory Booker (D-NJ)
Secy.Julian Castro (D-TX)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Rep.John Delaney (D-MD)
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Sen.Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
CEO Tom Steyer (D-CA)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
Marianne Williamson (D-CA)
CEO Andrew Yang (D-NY)

2020 Third Party Candidates:
Rep.Justin Amash (L-MI)
CEO Don Blankenship (C-WV)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Howie Hawkins (G-NY)
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Howard Schultz(I-WA)
Gov.Jesse Ventura (I-MN)
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Gov.Larry Hogan (R-MD)
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Gov.Mark Sanford (R-SC)
Pres.Donald Trump(R-NY)
Rep.Joe Walsh (R-IL)
Gov.Bill Weld(R-MA & L-NY)

2020 Withdrawn Democratic Candidates:
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Mayor Bill de Blasio (D-NYC)
Sen.Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Sen.Mike Gravel (D-AK)
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Page last updated: Oct 13, 2021