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Thirteen states, including Louisiana, have sued President Joe Biden’s administration, claiming the president’s moratorium on new oil and gas leases on public land and offshore waters violates federal law.
“The Biden plan fails under the law, and it fails to account for the environmental benefits of producing domestic energy under one of the most stringent and detailed regulatory frameworks in the world,” Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry said Wednesday.
The Biden administration issued an executive order in January, declaring a “pause” on new oil and gas leases on public land and offshore “pending completion of a comprehensive review and reconsideration of Federal oil and gas permitting and leasing practices."
The secretary of the interior was directed to consider whether royalty rates associated with coal, oil and gas should be adjusted to account for the impact of those fuel sources on climate change.
The lawsuit argues the agencies tasked with enforcing the order “rushed to halt long-planned lease sales using an opaque and nonpublic process.” Regulators failed to consider whether the order is in line with legal requirements and failed to consult states, the lawsuit said.
Landry said the administration undermines its own arguments about the need to consider environmental impact and “picks winners and losers” by exempting tribal lands from the moratorium.
ndustry representatives said exploration in the Gulf of Mexico produces less carbon than in other jurisdictions where regulations are not as stringent and where oil-and-gas drilling operations could move.
Mineral revenue also helps to fund coastal restoration and hurricane protection projects in Louisiana. Cancellation of one federal lease sale and the suspension of two others will reduce Louisiana’s share of Gulf of Mexico Energy and Security Act funding, which is dedicated to coastal projects, by up to $17 million, said state Rep. Blake Miguez, R-Erath.
The Gulf of Mexico supports 94,000 Louisiana jobs, said Mike Moncla, president of the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association. It is unclear when the moratorium might end or how any new rules might affect jobs and revenue for Louisiana.
The U.S. Department of the Interior declined to comment on the pending litigation.
Landry is taking a more aggressive stance against the moratorium than Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards, who also has expressed concerns. Edwards said Wednesday he had not had a chance to read the lawsuit.
Edwards recently became chairman of the Outer Continental Shelf Governors Coalition, a discussion and policy platform for offshore energy issues shared by coastal states and the federal government.
He said he has spoken with industry and federal officials about the moratorium and said it's clear enough leases already have been issued so that a temporary pause should not cause economic harm.
Edwards said he has stressed to federal officials that demand for oil and gas isn't going away anytime soon, and oil production from the Gulf of Mexico leads to less carbon emissions than from anywhere else in the world. Permits to drill on existing leases are starting to be issued again, he said.
"Just as you're starting to have the communication get you to a point where you're feeling better about things and the permits are being issued probably isn't the best time to file litigation," Edwards said.
"I don't know how this litigation [a reporter asked about] advances our goals, but we'll see."

The Charenton Bridge at the Baldwin Canal on LA 182 between Yokley Road and Newman Street will be closed on Monday, March 29 for routine bridge inspections.
This closure is estimated to take place from 8:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., weather permitting.
The detour for this road closure will be LA 83, US 90 and LA 3211.

January 19, 1932 – March 21, 2021
Thomas Frere McNulty, the son of Elizabeth Frere McNulty and Michael Jesse McNulty, Sr. was born on January 19, 1932. He died on March 21, 2021, due to complications following an automobile accident.
T. Frere was devoted to his family, friends and, especially, to his wife, Abbie, of sixty-three years.
Among his many interests were history (particularly World War II), traveling, gardening, bird-watching, singing in Church of the Assumption choir, telling stories and going for walks.
A Navy Veteran, he served his country during the Korean War. He retired from the Louisiana State Police and later served as an investigator for the 16th Judicial District.
A humble man, he was often surprised by the admiration bestowed upon him and was content with who he was and grateful for all he had.
T. Frere will be remembered as a gentleman of integrity, kindness, loyalty, humor, and discipline. Left to cherish his memory are his daughters, Kathleen (Jimmy) Flanagan, Charlotte McNulty and Shay McNulty; his son, Tommy (Kathleen) McNulty; his grandchildren, Patrick (Meredith) Flanagan, Kerry (Bryan) White, Erin (Alex) Armstrong, Caroline McNulty, Miranda (Karl) Lawrence, and Maddie McNulty; his great- grandchildren, Alex White, Eliza Armstrong, Abbie White, and Lucy Armstrong; his sister Erin McNulty; his sisters-in-law, Renee (Tom) Stirling and Jane deGravelles; his cousin Dr. Thomas (Glenna) Kramer and numerous nieces and nephews.
T. Frere was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Abbie deGravelles McNulty, his parents and his brother, The Honorable Michael “Mickey” McNulty.
A gathering of family and friends will begin at Church of the Assumption on Friday, March 26, 2021, at 10:30AM until the time of service at 2:00PM.
Memorial donations may be made to St. John - Hanson Schools Foundation, 924 Main Street, Franklin, LA 70538, or to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave. Floor 17 Chicago, IL 60601, www.alz.org.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Ibert’s Mortuary, Inc., 1007 Main St., Franklin, LA 70538, (337) 828-5426.

Easter is coming and it’s time to put up the tree. For those thinking right now that trees are for an entirely different Christian holiday, you are both right and wrong.
Even though trees may be more widely associated with Christmas, Easter trees are an increasingly popular and festive tradition that trace their roots to Germany.
The Easter tree is known as Ostereierbaum in Germany and is a centuries-old custom. Eggs are hung on outdoor tree branches and bushes or are placed on cut branches displayed inside. While the tradition is traced to Germany, German-influenced locales like Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, and the Pennsylvania Dutch region of the United States also are popular places for Easter trees to appear.
For 50 years, one person branched out with his own Ostereierbaum tradition. Volker Kraft decorated an apple tree on his property in the town of Saalfeld, Germany, adding more eggs each year as the tree grew larger. The tradition came to an end in 2015. At one point the tree held 10,000 eggs, all hand-crafted by Kraft and his family. However, a tree in Rostock, Germany held the Guinness World Record for tree with the most eggs — a display of 80,000.
While Easter trees are typically more modest than Kraft’s tree, the displays can be as large or as small as one desires. Many Easter trees consist of a few branches placed in a vase decorated with flowers, ribbons and Easter eggs. Pussy willow branches work well, though any branches can stand in.
When decorating Easter trees, families can use plastic eggs or even real ones. Using a sharp knife or needle, make two small holes in a raw egg. Blow out the inside of the egg until the shell is hollow. Then decorate the egg and thread a ribbon through the holes so it can be hung on the tree. If desired, place sweet Easter treats, such as chocolate eggs or pastel-colored cupcakes, under the Easter tree.
Decorating an outdoor tree also is possible and very visible. It can be a great way to share Easter blessings with others in the community.