Central Louisiana News

U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy and Cynthia Lummis, along with their colleagues, have introduced a resolution to designate October 4, 2024, as National Energy Appreciation Day. The resolution aims to honor the contributions of domestic energy workers who power the nation and beyond.

“Louisiana energy workers are the reason we have the fuel to run our cars and electricity to power our homes,” stated Dr. Cassidy. “Thanks for powering the American economy.”

Senator Lummis expressed concerns about challenges faced by the energy sector under current policies: “Wyoming’s energy producers work tirelessly each and every day to power our nation, yet our domestic energy industry is under attack like never before due to the Biden-Harris administration’s war on energy production.” She emphasized recognizing those in her state and across the country who contribute significantly to global energy needs.

The resolution is supported by several other senators including John Barrasso, Kevin Cramer, James Lankford, Ted Cruz, Shelley Moore Capito, Pete Ricketts, John Hoeven, and Cindy Hyde-Smith.

The American energy sector plays a crucial role in maintaining affordable and reliable energy while supporting economic growth. It has also contributed significantly to reducing emissions and improving life expectancy worldwide. The industry supports over seven million jobs directly and more than ten million indirectly across the United States.

Despite its importance, recent policies from the Biden-Harris administration have been cited as restrictive towards domestic energy production. In 2023 alone, federal oil and natural gas leases generated $15.9 billion for the government—a decrease from previous years attributed partly to policy changes such as banning liquified natural gas exports.