Most of the oil and gas production in the Gulf of Mexico remains offline nearly two weeks after Hurricane Ida ripped through the ports of south Louisiana and forced the evacuation of workers from dozens of offshore rigs and platforms.

Oil and gas advocates play a crucial role in combatting anti-industry policy and rhetoric from the Biden administration and the rest of the national climate elite.

Yesterday afternoon, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit issued a ruling that would help keep coastal erosion litigation against some of the nation’s largest oil companies in federal court. The ruling partially overturns a decision given by the Fifth Circuit in 2020 that would have sent the lawsuits back to state court.

The American Petroleum Institute has recently come under pressure from its members and other stakeholders in the industry for its support over increased regulations and lower emission standards in order to combat climate change. While Democrats have been steadfast in their criticism the oil and gas industry, many Republicans in Congress have criticized the new climate agenda backed by API, including Rep. Garret Graves from Louisiana.

Despite rising crude oil prices, current OPEC disputes are causing American oil companies to hedge losses. This comes as American oil supply decreases due to political tensions and a reluctance by oil companies to ramp up production.