Central Louisiana News

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) announced that the Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024 will incorporate several of his bills aimed at bolstering American energy security by expediting the permitting process for energy and mineral projects within the United States.

In addition to these permitting provisions, Cassidy secured a commitment from Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Joe Manchin (I-WV) to convene a business meeting in September to discuss Cassidy's Reinvesting in Shoreline Economies & Ecosystems (RISEE) Act, which seeks to improve offshore revenue sharing.

“It’s a problem that there are more ways to kill a project than build one in the U.S.,” said Dr. Cassidy. “Today’s action to move the bipartisan permitting reform bill forward begins to change that paradigm.”

“From judicial reform to mandatory offshore lease sales and ending the LNG freeze, there’s a lot to like in here for the Pelican state and our workforce,” added Dr. Cassidy. “Permitting reform is one step in the right direction; the RISEE Act is the next giant hurdle to jump.”

Cassidy's contributions to the Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024 include various provisions aimed at enhancing energy security.

The RISEE Act proposes amendments to the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA) and aims to create a new dedicated funding stream from future offshore wind development for coastal protection and resiliency. Analysis indicates that Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, and Alabama missed out on approximately $216 million in offshore revenue sharing last year alone, funds that could have been allocated towards local resiliency projects.

The RISEE Act was previously considered and passed by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee during the last Congress.

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