Central Louisiana News

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy recently hosted the "Louisiana Energy Security Summit: Unleashing American Abundance in a Changing Global Landscape" at the Capitol Park Museum in Baton Rouge. The event gathered leaders from various sectors, including government, industry, and research communities.

In his keynote speech, Cassidy addressed the challenges faced by U.S. manufacturers abroad due to unfair trade practices. He emphasized the need for fair trade with countries like China to protect American jobs and environmental standards. "We are working to preserve the jobs we have in Louisiana and create more in the future," said Dr. Cassidy.

Cassidy also discussed his Foreign Pollution Fee Act, which aims to support U.S. businesses while penalizing foreign polluters. "It creates a level playing field for American companies on the global stage," he added.

The summit included ten panels that examined topics such as protecting U.S. interests from unfair trade practices and the role of natural gas in enhancing U.S. geopolitical influence. Panelists featured prominent figures from companies like Entergy, First Solar, Buzzi UnicemUSA, Orsted, and Aluminum Technologies.

Will Green of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry highlighted Louisiana's strategic advantages: "We have the talent, we have the resources... We just need to make sure we marry those with good policy."

Former White House Council on Environmental Quality Chairman James Connaughton remarked on Louisiana's energy economy: "This state embodies what we can achieve again if we open our alliances and shut down our adversaries."

Mark Menezes, former Energy Deputy Secretary, spoke about market disadvantages for U.S. producers: "This is basic fairness... You can choose a U.S.-made product or something that is imported."

Kevin Gundersen from Huntsman Corporation pointed out China's increasing production and market flooding: "I think there needs to be a course correction."

Massimo Toso of Buzzi UnicemUSA expressed appreciation for efforts toward a carbon border adjustment mechanism: "We already import more than 26 million tons [of cement] per year."

Linda Dempsey from CF Industries noted unfair trade practices overseas: "Non-market actors overseas... make it cheaper to produce goods than companies like ourselves."

First Solar CEO Mark Widmar stressed fairness in competition against Chinese solar panel imports: "Between American ingenuity... we can outcompete, but we need fairness."

Senator Cassidy's initiatives include introducing the Foreign Pollution Fee Act alongside Senator Lindsey Graham to address competitive disparities with Chinese manufacturing.

Cassidy has actively communicated his concerns through editorials and media appearances regarding China's economic strategies impacting U.S. workers.

The Louisiana Senate and House previously urged Congress to develop policies countering Chinese competition. Additionally, Cassidy released an energy policy outline responding to domestic energy challenges posed by current administration policies.