On Wednesday, November 17th, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) will hold Lease Sale 257, the first federal land leasing event of the year. In the early days of his presidency, President Biden signed an executive order that banned new federal leasing permits for drilling. On June 15th, after months of legal battles led by Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry, U.S. District Judge Terry Doughty granted a preliminary injunction that temporarily reversed the moratorium while litigation remained in progress.

Earlier today, the White House issued a statement urging OPEC+ to increase oil production in order to satisfy the current demand for energy in the United States. Louisiana Oil & Gas Association President Mike Moncla responded publicly to the White House this afternoon.

I hope you will join me in supporting the police jury members who are taking action and standing with our industry. I would urge you to also join us in opposing the bogus settlement scheme that’s being promoted by trial lawyers and the legislation they are pursuing at the Capitol this Legislative Session. SB233 and its twin in the House, HB569 are trying to reconfigure Louisiana’s entire coastal program so they can settle meritless coastal lawsuits with a single defendant company. If passed, SB 233 and HB569 would implement a flawed settlement scheme that would divert funds away from coastal restoration.

At the Louisiana Oil & Gas Association, I see that real impact every day just talking to my members. One pipe fabrication business recently told me “no new projects, no need for piping products.” Others have cited being immediately forced to do layoffs, and others simply having no demand for their services. We are watching the guillotine being readied for our already greatly battered economy.I’m asking the Governor to stand up for our state, just as the governor in our Lone Star neighbor just did. Find every way to support our vital industry and stop these executive actions from harming our great state of Louisiana.

VICTORY! We are celebrating VICTORY with the passage of Constitutional Amendment 2.