Environment
Louisiana enacts new orphan oil well law to fetch $200 million in federal money
Legislation that positions Louisiana to receive an estimated $200 million in federal grants to fix orphan oil wells became law Tuesday as one of the first bills enacted from the 2022 regular session. Senate Bill 245, sponsored by Sen. Bret Allain, R-Franklin, was among an initial batch of 17 bills Gov. John Bel Edwards signed. […]
Florida seeks EPA help to prevent ‘catastrophic’ damage to wetlands
Federal environmental regulators should take over wetlands permitting in Florida to prevent “catastrophic” environmental damage where development and sensitive lands are in conflict, says Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Nikki Fried. At issue is a late-2020 decision, in the final months of the Trump administration, to transfer authority over wetlands permitting from the U.S. […]
Louisiana Sen. Sharon Hewitt has history of passing bills to benefit oil and gas, her husband
Public records shared with Floodlight in partnership with The Lens, The Illuminator and The Guardian, show state Sen. Sharon Hewitt of Slidell also pushed for laws that would benefit her husband’s company.
Louisiana lawmakers propose study for wind energy pilot project in Gulf
Studies show Gulf of Mexico wind power is one of the largest untapped energy resources in the nation. The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory found Gulf winds can provide double the energy currently being used in all five Gulf states.
Solar tax credit bill burns out in House committee
A bill proposing a tax credit for the purchase and installation of solar energy systems in Louisiana failed to advance Tuesday from the House Ways and Means Committee. Republican legislators voted against the measure, 7-3. House Bill 794, sponsored by Rep. Edmond Jordan, D-Baton Rouge, would have offered a 50% rebate up to $25,000 for […]
Survey shows Louisiana residents worry about losses from hurricane damage
The Louisiana Department of Insurance shows people closest to the coast pay from $1,800 to $12,000 for baseline coverage for homeowner’s insurance annually compared to the national average of $1,300.
Florida lawmakers push to convene for special session over property insurance woes
Monday, Senate Democratic leader Lauren Book wrote a letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis, saying that: “Florida is nearing a tipping point, and our neighbors are in danger of losing their viability..."
Known to be toxic for a century, lead still poisons thousands of children
Lead is a dangerous neurotoxin commonly used in water pipes, paint, gasoline and household products until the late 20th century, decades after scientists began sounding the alarm about its danger.
Louisiana lawmakers block attempt to pull tax breaks from solar, wind projects
Fossil fuel proponents in the Louisiana House of Representatives were met with resistance Tuesday in a committee where they brought three different bills, one of which would have targeted solar and wind energy projects to make them ineligible for state tax breaks. House Concurrent Resolution 6, sponsored by Rep. Danny McCormick, R-Oil City, would have […]
Entergy proposes its customers cover cost of backup generators for businesses
Entergy has proposed a new project to give backup generators to grocery stores and other commercial customers across the state to form micro-grids that can be used during outages and peak demand times, but the utility company wants the rest of its customers to pay for them. Entergy would also be able to run the […]
Senate passes bill to position Louisiana for $200 million in orphaned oil well grants
The Louisiana Senate approved a bill Monday that would position Louisiana to receive nearly $200 million in federal grants to fix orphaned oil and gas wells. Senate Bill 245, sponsored by Sen. Bret Allain, R-Franklin, passed unanimously in a 38-0 vote without any debate on the floor. It will head to the House for consideration. […]
Climate misinformation still reigns in GOP Senate primary amid Colorado drought, fires
The 2022 campaign season has brought little sign of a change in Colorado Republicans’ long-running pattern of denying or downplaying human-caused climate change.