GOP Delegation Calls for JBE to Fully Open Louisiana

Per Blake Miguez’s Facebook page, several GOP officials in the State of Louisiana have called for fully reopening the state.

Today, we sent a letter to Governor Edwards calling for him to re-open ALL of Louisiana. The state cannot continue to handicap our job creators and working families with separate and confusing rules for different industries. The current piecemeal approach picks winners and losers, crippling small businesses and forcing too many into bankruptcy or closure. Our local small businesses deserve a level playing field. #lalege #reopenlouisiana #reopenamerica

Louisiana Attorney General Writes to Congress to Investigate China’s Role in the COVID-19 Pandemic

In a letter To the U.S. House and Senate Foreign Relations Committee and other Congressional leaders, the 18 Attorney Generals across the United stated have come together to voice their concern. 

“Was there an opportunity to contain this virus at the very early stages of it?” said Landry. “f so why weren’t those steps taken?”

They are asking for Congressional Hearings to help better understand the origins of COVID-19 and efforts by the Chinese government.

Read more: Louisiana Attorney General Writes to Congress to Investigate China’s Role in the COVID-19 Pandemic

LOGA and LMOGA statement on SB 359’s referral to the Senate Finance Committee

BATON ROUGE, LA (May 18, 2020) — Today, Monday May 18th, Senate Bill 359, which seeks to streamline the coastal lawsuits, was referred from the Senate Floor where it was pending final passage, back to the Senate Committee on Finance. Gifford Briggs, president of Louisiana Oil and Gas Association (LOGA) and Tyler Gray, president of Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association (LMOGA) made the following joint statement in response to the bill’s referral to Senate Finance:

“On more than one occasion, the Secretary or Department of Natural Resources has indicated he has all of the necessary resources to enforce the coastal program. Further, the Attorney General of Louisiana has indicated there is no anticipated fiscal impact to his department.”

“Nonetheless, the legislative fiscal office is referencing public testimony without consideration for current law providing for contingency and fee shifting arrangements as reason for the move. LMOGA and LOGA look forward to a swift hearing in Senate Finance, and a vote on the Senate floor to move this bill to the House this week.”

###

About LMOGA

Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association, founded in 1923, is a trade association exclusively representing all sectors of the oil and gas industry operating in Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico.  LMOGA serves exploration and production, refining, transportation, marketing and mid-stream companies as well as other firms in the fields of law, engineering, environment, financing and government relations. 

About LOGA 

The Louisiana Oil & Gas Association was organized in 1992 to represent the Independent and service sectors of the oil and gas industry in Louisiana; this representation includes exploration, production and oilfield services. LOGA’s primary goal is to provide our industry with a working environment that will enhance the industry. Find out more information at: http://www.loga.la

LOGA and LMOGA applaud senators for opposition to SB 490

BATON ROUGE, LA (May 15, 2020) — The following are statements from LOGA President Gifford Briggs and LMOGA President and General Counsel, Tyler Gray, regarding the Senate Natural Resources committee deferral of SB 490 today:

“We applaud Senators Bret Allain, Mike Fesi, Bob Hensgens, and Sharon Hewitt for their bold leadership in opposing SB 490. This bill would have diverted funds away from Louisiana coastal restoration, incentivized more frivolous litigation targeting the energy industry, and allowed for the wholesale out-sourcing of state coastal policy and regulatory enforcement authority to private attorneys at the expense of Louisiana’s integrated coastal resources program.”

“LOGA and LMOGA have opposed these meritless lawsuits from the beginning. We believe they represent an unprecedented abuse of state and federal coastal zone management laws, and they undermine the spirit of partnership that has enabled our industry to invest in Louisiana’s economy and our coast for decades.”

Over the last five years, Louisiana oil and gas companies generated more than $230 million for coastal restoration and hurricane protection, and as as result, there are more CPRA projects underway today than ever before in our state’s history. Conservation is at the core of Louisiana’s energy industry with over 339+ billion in environmental investments to reduce emissions and improve air quality, planting acres upon acres of trees, donating land and making significant investments in Louisiana’s coast. 

The safe and responsible development of oil and gas resources in Louisiana supports more than 260,000 high-paying jobs and $72 billion in overall economic activity.

About LMOGA

Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association, founded in 1923, is a trade association exclusively representing all sectors of the oil and gas industry operating in Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico.  LMOGA serves exploration and production, refining, transportation, marketing and mid-stream companies as well as other firms in the fields of law, engineering, environment, financing and government relations. LMOGA’s mission is to promote and represent the oil and gas industry operating in Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico by extending representation of our members in the Louisiana Legislature, state and federal regulatory agencies, the Louisiana congressional delegation, the media and the general public.

About the Louisiana Oil & Gas Association 

The Louisiana Oil & Gas Association was organized in 1992 to represent the Independent and service sectors of the oil and gas industry in Louisiana; this representation includes exploration, production and oilfield services. LOGA’s primary goal is to provide our industry with a working environment that will enhance the industry. Find out more information at: http://www.loga.la

###

AG Jeff Landry: ‘Hold communist China accountable for COVID-19’

As chief legal officers of their respective states, General Landry and his fellow members of this Attorney General coalition want to hold China accountable for its actions. They are asking for Congressional Hearings to help better understand the origins of COVID-19 and efforts by the communist Chinese government to deceive the international community.

A copy of the letter from the attorneys general of Louisiana, South Carolina, Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia may be found at www.AGJeffLandry.com.

Read more: AG Jeff Landry: ‘Hold communist China accountable for COVID-19’

GROW LOUISIANA COALITION: Unified Letter of Support for SB 359 sent to Senate Natural Resources Committee

Today, 21 parish, regional and state organizations sent a letter of support for SB 359, authored by Sen. Bob Hensgens (R-Abbeville), to the Senate Natural Resources Committee. The bill, which is scheduled to be considered during Thursday’s committee hearing, keeps the state’s focus on enforcing state permits and ensures that 100% of any funds recovered under the enforcement guidelines of Louisiana’s State and Local Coastal Resources Management Act (SLCRMA) are spent directly on coastal restoration and hurricane protection, as the Louisiana Legislature originally intended. 

“A small group of trial lawyers and a few parish officials are actively working to stifle the economic recovery of Louisiana’s energy sector by continuing to pursue misguided lawsuits against the industry,” said Marc Ehrhardt, executive director of the Grow Louisiana Coalition. “SB 359 will help oil and gas businesses in the state get back on their feet, not spend resources on senseless lawsuits that have yet to provide a dollar for our coast or economy in more than seven years. There are many things that we cannot control right now. SB 359 is something positive and productive that we can do to help our industry move in the right direction.”

The parish, regional and state organizations who have signed on to the letter of support include:

• Bayou Industrial Group

• Consumer Energy Alliance

• Greater Baton Rouge Industry Alliance

• Greater Iberia Chamber of Commerce

• Grow Louisiana Coalition

• Gulf Economic Survival Team

• Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce

• Lake Area Industry Alliance

• Louisiana Association of Business and Industry

• Louisiana Coalition for Common Sense

• Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch

• Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil & Gas Association

• Louisiana Oil & Gas Association

• One Acadiana

• Pelican Institute for Public Policy

• Port of Iberia

• River Region Chamber of Commerce

• South Central Industrial Association

• The Chamber Southwest Louisiana

• Thibodaux Chamber of Commerce

• West Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce

VIEW THE LETTER HERE

LANDRY: Open Cosmetology Industries in Louisiana

Louisiana Attorney General recently shared the letter sent to Governor Edwards regarding reopening cosmetology industries in the state, which have been shuttered as a result of COVID-19.

I am calling upon Gov Edwards to allow the cosmetology industry to re-open. With safety protocols, barber shops and hair salons could choose to open and people would have the choice to use these services. My official post with my letter to the Governor below. #lalege #lagov

LOGA: State’s Oil Producers Shuttering at Alarming Rate

BATON ROUGE, LA (May 4, 2020) — The economic consequences of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the oil glut generated by the Saudis and Russians, and the lack of storage are being felt at a much quicker pace than previously projected, gravely threatening Louisiana’s energy sector.

The second in a series of “point-in-time” surveys shows that nearly a quarter of the state’s oil related workforce has potentially already been laid off, and four in every five Exploration and Production (E&P) companies has already begun shutting in wells.

“Our members have indicated they’ve already been forced to lay off 23% of their workforce and the large majority are now taking steps to shut-in production,” Louisiana Oil & Gas Association President Gifford Briggs said. “We feared these outcomes would take place by mid-to-late May, but the crushing weight of the crisis is taking hold much quicker than expected. Without a doubt, we need federal and state policymakers to take immediate action to help mitigate further losses from these extreme market conditions.”

Louisiana’s severance tax rate is the highest in the country at 12.5%, nearly four times the neighboring Texas 4.6% rate. “We’re worried about taxes and other costs that are not going down that we still have to pay as prices have cratered,” the head of one Louisiana energy company shared.

Oil prices closed most recently on the West Texas Intermediate at $18.84, a menacingly low amount. Louisiana’s independent producers require an average of $37.00 a barrel to break even. 

Further, more than half of company leaders indicated that bankruptcy or closures are likely. “We have been forced to cut salaries between 6% and 20% for our employees,” one member shared. “I as the owner have cut my salary to zero.”

According to the Louisiana Workforce Commission and the Department of Natural Resources, the oil and gas industry employs approximately 33,900 workers operating around 33,650 oil and gas wells around the state. 

Those tens of thousands of jobs bring Louisiana families $3.2 billion in wages. According to the survey results, 23% have already reportedly had to be laid off. 

State tax revenue will also suffer drastically from the sharp decline in oil prices and staggering job losses across the state.

This survey from LOGA’s members, which comprises 450 exploration and production and service companies across Louisiana, is below.

LOGA Survey Results

• Members have been forced to reduce 23% of their Louisiana workforce already

• 77.5% of operators have already begun taking steps to shut-in production

• 97% are moderately or extremely concerned about the future of the industry

• 51.35% said bankruptcy likely

• 34% applied for EIDL funds, of those only 25% received the funds they expected

• Of those who received funds, 46.67 indicted they were not enough to help them stay in business

• Of those who received funds, 72% indicated they were not enough to avoid layoffs

“We’re one of the largest employers in Louisiana with the highest average wages. Just imagine what shut-ins and company closures mean for individuals and communities. These are real dollars and their lack is going to be felt all across the state,” Briggs added.

“Of the things we can control, we must take bold action to enact immediate changes,” Briggs said. “We are looking forward to working with the legislature and the administration to figure out how to keep wells flowing and keep people employed as long as possible.”

Emergency Measures to Help the Louisiana Oil & Gas Industry Survive

• Reduce state severance taxes for a period of one year while protecting resources for local governments via passing HB 506

• Support the passage of SB 359 and take appropriate steps to address the government-led coastal lawsuits

• Identify any opportunities at the federal and state level to expedite additional storage capacity

One member summed up the widespread feeling of dejection in the oil patch. “If we are truly an essential industry, we sure don't feel like it right now.”

About the Louisiana Oil & Gas Association 

The Louisiana Oil & Gas Association was organized in 1992 to represent the Independent and service sectors of the oil and gas industry in Louisiana; this representation includes exploration, production and oilfield services. LOGA’s primary goal is to provide our industry with a working environment that will enhance the industry. Find out more information at: http://www.loga.la

###

California: You Win Some, You Newsom

Elsewhere, in places like Louisiana, some of the state pressure is paying off. As more churches grow impatient to start the re-opening process, Attorney General Jeff Landry encouraged the governor, John Bel Edwards (D), to start amending his emergency order. “As other states begin reopening and unrest in the legislature continues, I believe many faith-based congregations will begin to meet with or without guidance,” Landry wrote. “We are better served by taking a proactive approach by publishing reopening guidelines that take a phased approach to faith services restarting. Without guidance based on best practices in place, this could be disastrous.”

Borrowing from FRC’s roadmap for re-opening churches, he included a draft framework for how Louisiana could approach the issue. On Thursday, seeming to heed the call, Governor Edwards agreed that churches could at least start holding services outdoors, if they practiced social distancing.

Read more: California: You Win Some, You Newsom

LOUISIANA CITIZENS FOR JOB CREATORS: AG Landry Calls for Church Services to Resume!

As the state of Louisiana continues to make strides against the COVID-19 pandemic, AG Jeff Landry is once again looking out for the liberties of Louisianians. This time urging the Governor to allow for church services to resume, all while abiding by social distancing recommendations. In a letter to Governor Edwards yesterday, AG Landry cited the growing unrest that is "unfolding across the Nation and here in Louisiana with regard to peoples' freedom to practice their faith." Additionally, he notes growing concern over the complexity of utilizing law enforcement to enforce these measures. 

Less than 24 hours after AG Landry issued his letter, the Edwards Administration issued guidance allowing churches to hold outdoor services as long as they can abide by social distancing measures. 

Louisiana is state of believers, who hold dear to our Christian practices. Enduring the past 6 weeks of uncertainty without the ability to worship has no doubt put a mental and emotional strain on our citizens. Allowing people the opportunity to worship is a great step froward in the process of healing our country.

Thank you AG Landry for standing up the the civil and religious liberties of our great state! Read AG Landry's letter HERE and we will see you at Church on Sunday?

New Brief: Expanding “Buy America” Rules Would Hurt U.S. Patients and Economy, Hinder Development of Coronavirus Vaccine

Expanding “Buy America” rules for prescription drugs and medical supplies would reduce patient access to drugs and further damage the economy, finds a new issue brief released today by the Center for Medical Economics and Innovation at the Pacific Research Institute.

Click here to download the brief

Read more: New Brief: Expanding “Buy America” Rules Would Hurt U.S. Patients and Economy, Hinder Development of Coronavirus Vaccine

LOGA Response to Severance Tax Collection Delay

“Welcome First Step in the Right Direction”

BATON ROUGE, LA (April 22, 2020) — 

“We are grateful that Governor Edwards has recognized the severe crisis that is facing the industry and has heard our calls for severance tax relief,” Louisiana Oil & Gas Association (LOGA) President Gifford Briggs said. “The decision to delay severance tax payments and provide temporary relief to the industry is a welcome first step. We look forward to continuing to work with the administration and the Louisiana Legislature on additional measures to help small and independent producers, service companies and the thousands of hard working men and women that make up the industry. We need bold, decisive action in order to survive. We fully support efforts to re-open the economy as safely and quickly as possible as outlined by President Trump and the Centers for Disease Control. We need to expand severance tax relief to include a suspension of severance taxes and bring an end to the government sponsored-coastal lawsuits. Companies can ill afford to be spending resources paying lawyers instead of making payroll.”

About the Louisiana Oil & Gas Association 

The Louisiana Oil & Gas Association was organized in 1992 to represent the Independent and service sectors of the oil and gas industry in Louisiana; this representation includes exploration, production and oilfield services. LOGA’s primary goal is to provide our industry with a working environment that will enhance the industry. Find out more information at: http://www.loga.la

###

LOUISIANA CITIZENS FOR JOB CREATORS: A Much Needed Answer to American Independence

It has been over a month since states across the country have closed their doors, imposed Stay at Home orders, and essentially brought the US Economy to a grinding halt. Main Street can now be called Pain Street as so many businesses are being financially gutted and their very existence slowly being bled dry. 

Even with $2.2 Trillion being infused into the economy, the unemployment rate is at record highs and the economic moral of America is at record lows. 

If the coronavirus has taught us anything it is how vulnerable our country is and how dependent we are on China and foreign supply chains. This must stop.  

In an effort to address this desperate need for change, The Empowerment Alliance has produced thought provoking ideas and solutions to help address the daunting task of getting our country back up and running through energy independence and free market solutions; setting forth a foundation for long term economic growth and stability through self reliance and being "American Made."

Learn more about their initiatives HERE.   

LOGA: ‘Crude oil trading at lowest price in history’

BATON ROUGE, LA (April 20, 2020) —

On Monday, West Texas Intermediate futures (WTI) traded below $11 a barrel for the first time since 1986, reaching as low as $10.63 early Monday morning, indicating a drop in price of over 80% since the beginning of the year.  WTI has not traded in single digits since December of 1973. However, when adjusted for inflation, this is the lowest price that oil has traded in U.S. history. (https://www.macrotrends.net/1369/crude-oil-price-history-chart)

“The crisis facing the industry is impossible to overstate,” Louisiana Oil & Gas Association President Gifford Briggs said. “The global demand destruction of oil, caused by the worldwide shutdown of the economy, has sent prices to the lowest in history when adjusted for inflation. There is no magic pill that will save the thousands of jobs that will be lost, but we can immediately take steps to limit the losses.”  

“President Donald Trump has outlined a clear plan to get the economy moving again.  It is time that Louisiana, Texas and other states work with President Trump to implement his plan as soon as possible, and lean on countries around the world to do the same.  Until demand rebounds,  if industry is going to survive we will need severance tax relief, royalty relief, and an end to the government sponsored coastal lawsuits. State leaders must take comprehensive action immediately or we will lose an entire industry, and the jobs, wages, families and communities that are sustained by it.”

“Many of our members are being told they cannot deliver crude in May due to storage constraints, and as a result have begun planning to shut in 100% of their Louisiana production,” Briggs added. “It’s an absolute worst case scenario, a perfect storm.”

About the Louisiana Oil & Gas Association 

The Louisiana Oil & Gas Association was organized in 1992 to represent the Independent and service sectors of the oil and gas industry in Louisiana; this representation includes exploration, production and oilfield services. LOGA’s primary goal is to provide our industry with a working environment that will enhance the industry. Find out more information at: http://www.loga.la

###

Letters: To fight the virus, are we sacrificing God-given rights?

Let us take a lesson from German pastor Martin Niemoller and the Holocaust: “First they came for the socialist, and I did not speak out — because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out — because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out — because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me — and there was no one left to speak for me.”

Read more: Letters: To fight the virus, are we sacrificing God-given rights?

Wanhua and Wuhan - Chinese Influence in Louisiana

Cajun Conservatism has reported in the past about Louisiana officials trying to do business with a Chinese state-owned chemical company that has a questionable safety record. This chemical company has been trying to build a plant in the state for years, with little success. Last year, Wanhua pulled plans to build a massive plant in St. James after local opposition mounted and just this year, the Westwego City Council pulled the rug out from under them. Well, they’re back in the news touting their efforts to help Louisiana cope with coronavirus:

To help pandemic response, businesses are encouraged to donate urgently needed PPE equipment. Several companies including Krunchy Kripsy Chicken, ExxonMobil and Wanhua Chemical have donated various supplies in the wake of the national shortage of PPE.

Ironic that a Chinese state-owned entity would try to help Louisiana recover from a virus that came from China. What comes around goes around. Now, The Washington Post reports today that the United States has been concerned for years about coronavirus research being done at facilities in Wuhan. Wanhua and Wuhan … if they can’t control their health labs, what makes you think they can control their chemical plants? Or maybe it’s, if they can’t control their chemical plants, what makes you think they could have controlled their health labs?

LOGA Comments on OPEC+ Deal, Likely Impact on Louisiana Energy Producers

BATON ROUGE, LA (April 13, 2020) — Louisiana Oil & Gas Association President Gifford Briggs issued the following statement today in response to the announcement of a new deal between members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and other major producers like Russia, known as OPEC+, to reduce global oil production by just under 10 million barrels a day beginning next month. 

“The OPEC+ deal may eventually help move the needle in the right direction, but the cuts announced Sunday fall far short of the meaningful measures that Louisiana’s independent oil and gas producers need to survive,” Briggs said.

“Our industry is on the verge of collapsing. This is a time for bold, decisive action, not small steps in the right direction. With tens of thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in tax revenue at risk, it is essential for policymakers at all levels of government to implement aggressive and immediate solutions to offset the expectation of prolonged shut-in wells, a massively oversupplied world oil market and the global shutdown of our economy.” 

“At the federal level, we urge members of Congress to support a temporary elimination of offshore royalties in the Gulf of Mexico to prevent thousands of leases from being shut in,” Briggs said.

“At the state level, we urge Louisiana lawmakers to provide immediate severance tax relief and support legislation to address the government sponsored coastal lawsuits.  These important steps will let Louisiana energy companies stay in business, so they can keep people working and keep wells flowing.” 

The plan by OPEC+ will slash 9.7 million barrels a day, or close to 10 percent of the world’s output, in May or June. The market responded to the news of a deal last Thursday with a drop in the futures price for West Texas Intermedia (WTI), signaling a belief that the cuts were not deep enough.

Global oil storage capacity is quickly becoming a threat, with many experts predicting that storage will dry up completely sometime in May. This threat has already become widespread reality in Louisiana where producers are being crippled by below-$10/bbl agreements and limited production sales for May crude deliveries. 

“The futures market is not a true representation of what is happening on the ground here in Louisiana.  Companies simply cannot survive when they cannot sell the oil they produce, and what they do sell at such a low price. We need help!”

About the Louisiana Oil & Gas Association 

The Louisiana Oil & Gas Association was organized in 1992 to represent the Independent and service sectors of the oil and gas industry in Louisiana; this representation includes exploration, production and oilfield services. LOGA’s primary goal is to provide our industry with a working environment that will enhance the industry. Find out more information at http://www.loga.la

###

Louisiana Coronavirus: Reps. Clay Higgins, Ralph Abraham want oil workers tested

Reps. Clay Higgins and Ralph Abraham of Louisiana want Vice President Mike Pence to provide state-of-the-art COVID-19 testing kits for oil and gas workers in the Gulf of Mexico.

In the letter to Pence, the congressmen said the close quarters the workers live in and the dangerous nature of the work put these workers at enhanced risk.

Read more: Louisiana Coronavirus: Reps. Clay Higgins, Ralph Abraham want oil workers tested

STATE INVESTIGATORS VISIT 2 ABORTION FACILITIES THAT CONTINUE DEFYING STATE MEDICAL ORDER

Today, according to eyewitnesses, state officials entered Delta Clinic in Baton Rouge and Hope Medical Group for Women in Shreveport, two abortion facilities in Louisiana that have remained open in defiance of Louisiana Department of Health orders to postpone all medical and surgical procedures (except emergencies) during the COVID-19 pandemic that has left more than 650 of the state’s residents dead and healthcare workers facing an extreme shortage of personal protective equipment.

Representatives at the Attorney General’s office confirmed that members of AG Jeff Landry’s COVID19 Task Force visited the two sites today.

Read more: STATE INVESTIGATORS VISIT 2 ABORTION FACILITIES THAT CONTINUE DEFYING STATE MEDICAL ORDER

Lawmakers ask Trump administration to help Gulf oil and gas producers

The Friday letter was signed by Reps. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas), Randy K. Weber (R-Texas), Clay Higgins (R-La.), Mike Johnson (R-La.), Bill Flores (R-Texas), Chip Roy (R-Texas), Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.), Ralph Abraham (R-La.), Kevin Hern (R-Okla.), Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.), Brian Babin (R-Texas), Michael C. Burgess (R-Texas), Michael Cloud (R-Texas) and Lizzie Fletcher (D-Texas). 

"This call for royalty relief on offshore oil and gas will help ensure that the cost of production isn't more than the price of the commodities. This is especially important for America's smaller producers - many of whom are based in Texas - who feel the burden of these royalties the most," Crenshaw's office said a statement about the letter. 

Read more: Lawmakers ask Trump administration to help Gulf oil and gas producers