Louisiana House Bill HCR18

Louisiana 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/12/24
• Refer: 3/13/24
• Report Pass: 4/16/24
• Engrossed: 4/30/24
• Refer: 5/1/24
• Report Pass: 5/15/24
• Passed: 5/20/24

Caption

Urges and requests the administration of President Biden to end its pause on pending approvals of liquefied natural gas exports

Impact

The resolution asserts that a pause on LNG export approvals could disrupt the global supply chain, leading to higher costs for fuels that would disproportionately affect low-income households. It makes a case that Louisiana's robust oil and gas industry, particularly the Haynesville Shale region, plays a vital role in meeting domestic and global energy demands, providing high-paying jobs, and contributing significantly to state and local tax revenue. Furthermore, it argues that ongoing operations in this sector would help mitigate America's reliance on foreign oil.

Summary

HCR18 is a House Concurrent Resolution urging the Biden administration to end its pause on the pending approvals of liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports. The resolution emphasizes the critical role of the oil and natural gas industry in Louisiana, highlighting its significant contributions to job creation, state revenue, and the economy as a whole. With LNG being a major part of Louisiana's economy, the resolution seeks to ensure the continuity of LNG exports, which are deemed essential for both economic stability and energy security.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HCR18 is largely supportive among Louisiana's legislators and industry stakeholders, who view the lifting of the pause as essential for maintaining economic growth and stability. They argue that the ability to export LNG will support job creation and bolster the state's economy. Conversely, the resolution may face criticism from environmental advocates concerned about the ecological impacts of expediting fossil fuel exports, although such opposition is not explicitly captured in the resolution itself.

Contention

Notably, HCR18 points to the investments made by the industry in greenhouse gas mitigation technologies, positing that these efforts have led to significant reductions in emissions in contrast to global trends. The resolution, however, does not address potential environmental concerns in detail, which could lead to contention among various stakeholders about the balance between economic benefits and environmental sustainability. As such, the resolution implicitly raises the question of how best to align energy policy with ecological preservation, which may create discussions moving forward.