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Yesterday, October 9th, Judge Robert Tiffany dismissed the case against three environmental activists who were charged with damaging an Enbridge Energy pipeline in northern Minnesota in 2016. After trespassing onto the property, activists cut the chains and locks bound to the pipeline valve, shutting off the flow of as much as 500,000 gallons of oil. The recently acquitted activists have celebrated the case’s dismissal, having been lauded by environmentalists and anti-energy outlets across the country. One of the activists has even contended she feels as if she no longer needs “to be so careful about committing other acts of civil… Read More

Last week, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported the United States is now the largest global crude oil producer, surpassing Russia and Saudi Arabia. Louisiana has continued to play an important contributing role to the oil boom, as one of the top ten producing states. According to the EIA, the state’s 18 oil refineries account for nearly one-fifth of the nation’s refining capacity, and are capable of processing more than 3.3 million barrels of crude oil per day. In addition, the state’s deep-water port can accommodate the largest crude oil tankers, receiving up to 2 million barrels per day.… Read More

Yesterday morning, Bayou Bridge pipeline developer Energy Transfer Partners announced they would be temporarily halting construction on a small, disputed parcel of land along the 162-mile pipeline route. This decision comes as the pipeline nears completion, and will soon carry crude oil from St. Charles to St. James. According to a statement from Energy Transfer Partners, the project’s developer, the agreement “does not have any impact to our construction schedule or the timing of our project completion.” Thorough permitting and regulations play a critical role in modern pipeline development and expansion. Furthermore, continued growth of our critical energy infrastructure is… Read More

Yesterday, the Hayride reported on Louisiana Economic Development’s recent announcement of a $2.5 billion crude oil pipeline and export terminal project in Plaquemines Parish. The project will be completed by Tallgrass Energy LP and Drexel Hamilton Infrastructure, with assistance from the Plaquemines Port Harbor and Terminal District. Public-private partnerships have continued to be the backbone of industry and infrastructure growth. This news comes at a critical time, as the U.S. currently faces a major energy infrastructure shortage. In addition to its vital contributions to the energy industry and providing safe, efficient transport of crude oil, the 700-mile pipeline project will… Read More

InsideSources published an article today on the escalating protests at Bayou Bridge construction sites. Activists have turned to “kayaktivism,” tree sits, and other unlawful, risky tactics to delay construction. These intensified protests come as the pipeline nears its expected October completion. A number of protesters have been arrested over the past few weeks since a new Louisiana state law was enacted on August 1. InsideSources describes the new law, writing: On August 1, a Louisiana state law raised the stakes for trespassing on a “critical infrastructure” area, changing the offense from a misdemeanor to a felony. It further classifies pipelines… Read More

The Daily Caller published an article yesterday highlighting recently enacted legislation that seeks to protect pipelines and other critical infrastructure and its reception by environmental activists. The article specifically discusses legislation in Oklahoma and Louisiana, noting that a number of other states are also considering taking legislative action to further protect energy infrastructure from eco-terrorism and other external threats. Environmental activists clearly are misunderstanding the point of this recently implemented legislation, as one activist stated “the purpose is to chill lawful dissent.” Other groups have gone so far as to claim this legislation puts a “fundamental element of our democracy… Read More

Yesterday, Louisianians for Energy shared relevant news articles with local media to keep them up to date on Bayou Bridge and what’s happening in the Atchafalaya Basin. Here is an excerpt from the email: A group of anti-energy activists in southern Louisiana has resorted to increasingly dangerous tactics in their opposition to a pipeline currently under construction. While groups such as L’eau Est La Vie have been camping in the Atchafalaya Basin for months to impede construction of the Bayou Bridge Pipeline, recent news reports have underscored the fact that new tactics – like so-called “sky pods” housing protesters suspended… Read More

Despite the fact that the Bayou Bridge Pipeline procured the necessary permits and received approval from the respective regulatory agencies, environmental activists have continued to escalate protest tactics at project construction sites in the Atchafalaya Basin. In their latest attempts, protesters have turned to sitting in suspended platforms tied to multiple trees, known as “sky pods,” in an effort to block pipeline construction. The Daily Caller visited one of the resistance camps in the Atchafalaya Basin, and spoke with an activist who went into detail on the so-called “sky pods”: “All I can say really is that there is a… Read More

A decade ago, industry experts would not have been able to predict the massive energy infrastructure shortage that the U.S. is now facing. American oil and natural gas production is at an all-time high, but our nation’s pipeline network is having difficulty keeping up with the energy boom. One project at a time, the industry is working to fuel our country’s energy needs. Once complete, Louisiana’s Bayou Bridge will play a critical role in safely transporting natural gas from refineries to consumer markets. Strong energy infrastructure means more than just affordable and accessible energy. It also leads to much-needed tax… Read More

A recently published political column by The Advocate’s Lanny Keller titled “For John Bel Edwards the intensity of support among his base voters is vital” did a disservice to readers by not giving context to Governor Edward’s support of Louisiana’s oil and gas industry. The author points out that Gov. Edwards “draws regular criticism on his support of the Bayou Bridge pipeline” but fails to acknowledge the numerous organizations throughout the state that have expressed their support for the pipeline and anticipate the great benefits the pipeline will bring. These groups include the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI),… Read More