Biden Hasn’t Declared War on Oil, the World Has – and Louisiana Will Be the Winner
Which of these two recent headlines is true and critical to the future of Louisiana’s coastal communities?
1) Joe Biden’s war on oil is very bad news for Louisiana.
2) Global ice loss accelerating at record rate.
It’s the second one. The state’s own coastal survival plan shows if the rate of ice melt pouring into the oceans isn’t slowed, most of Louisiana’s bottom third — including cities from Lake Charles to Mandeville — could be drowned by sea-level rise before the end of this century.
But if you only listened to Louisiana politicians and local news sites, you’re excused for thinking that first story was true.
It isn’t.
That “war” headline is from an op-ed by U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise, of Jefferson Parish, opposing President Joe Biden’s program to reduce fossil fuel emissions driving global warming already causing more intense tropical storms, flooding, disastrous wildfires and sea-level rise.
Like similar articles, it claims Biden’s order will stop offshore drilling; cause soaring unemployment in coastal parishes tied to oil and gas; destroy the state’s overall economy; and leave the U.S. dependent on foreign supplies.
Those claims are bogus. They come from talking points provided by oil industry lobbyists like the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association. And, of course, by Scalise — arguably one of the industry’s best-paid spokesman, his campaign receiving $442,000 from oil and gas last year alone, and some $1.7 million since going to congress in 2008, according to OpenSecrets.org.
But here are the facts.
Read the rest of the article at The Times-Picayune.
