LAFAYETTE, LA – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) has pushed several measures in recent weeks that would protect Louisiana oil and gas jobs against global market disruptions and the Coronavirus health challenge.
These actions include:
- On March 20, Congressman Higgins and other Gulf Coast lawmakers authored a letter to Interior Secretary David Bernhardt to request royalty relief for offshore energy production in the Gulf of Mexico. Read that letter here.
- On March 23, Congressman Higgins sent a letter to Governor John Bel Edwards requesting a temporary reduction or halt in Louisiana’s severance tax. Read that letter here.
- Congressman Higgins’ office worked with President Trump’s administration to open the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) for private industry leasing. Read more about that decision here.
- On April 2, Congressman Higgins cosigned a House Energy Action Team (HEAT) letter to President Trump requesting action to address Russia and Saudi Arabia’s unfair practices, provide royalty relief, continue utilizing the SPR, and expedite potential regulatory relief. Read that letter here.
- On April 8, Congressman Higgins cosigned a HEAT letter to the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, calling on him to halt efforts to disrupt global oil markets. Read that letter here.
- On April 8, Congressman Higgins led a letter to Vice President Pence requesting expanded COVID-19 testing for offshore oil and gas workers. Read that letter here.
- Congressman Higgins has held dozens of stakeholder calls with industry officials and Louisiana energy producers.
- Congressman Higgins authored an op-ed in the Daily Advertiser, calling for action to protect oil and gas jobs. Read the op-ed here.
- On April 21, Congressman Higgins sent a follow-up letter to Governor Edwards, again requesting a suspension or reduction in Louisiana’s severance tax. Read that letter here.
- On April 21, Congressman Higgins sent a letter to President Trump, again urging royalty relief on offshore energy production in the Gulf of Mexico. Read that letter here.
- On May 11, Congressman Higgins cosigned a HEAT letter to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell requesting equal consideration of all industries, including oil and gas, when implementing the Main Street Lending Program (MSLP). Read that letter here.
- On May 21, Congressman Higgins cosigned a HEAT letter to Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt requesting expedited royalty relief for America’s energy producers. Read that letter here.
Congressman Higgins issued the following statement:
“America’s energy producers are facing a generational crisis. My office is doing everything possible to protect the scores of thousands of Louisiana oil and gas jobs that are currently at risk. We must take action to help this cornerstone industry survive these next few crucial months, especially Louisiana’s small and mid-sized producers. My office will continue to push for these measures, and I’m prayerful that economic relief will soon follow.”
Louisiana Oil & Gas Association President Gifford Briggs said:
“We owe a debt of gratitude to Congressman Higgins for taking action to help our industry survive this perfect storm. Our recent LOGA member survey indicated a few measures are critical for ensuring the existence of Louisiana’s oil and gas industry after this crisis, including the immediate reduction of severance taxes and we appreciate Congressman Higgins for reaching out to the governor in that regard to support our industry. Additionally, our members need and are looking forward to increased storage capacity for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and a responsible end to the government-led coastal lawsuit abuse.”
