The 2014 U.S. Senate election in Louisiana will be held Nov. 4 and incumbent Democrat Sen. Mary Landrieu is running for her fourth term in office. BIC Magazine recently visited with Landrieu to discuss her energy-related agenda, crude oil exports and other industry-related topics pertaining to her campaign.
BIC: In summary, what is your energy-related agenda for the 2014 election?
LANDRIEU: I am committed to ensuring Louisiana continues to lead the Gulf Coast region, nation and world in energy production and job creation. My efforts are focused on achieving American energy security, increasing export opportunities and creating high-paying energy jobs to build a larger middle class.
There are a number of things we should do to achieve this goal. Specifically, I am focused on building the Keystone XL pipeline, investing in our energy infrastructure, promoting the responsible export of LNG, encouraging robust onshore and offshore domestic energy production, and ensuring we have an ample supply of domestic natural gas to keep our manufacturing renaissance moving forward.
BIC: Do you support or oppose the export of domestically produced crude oil?
LANDRIEU: I support free and fair trade, and I support the concept of exporting crude oil. There are a number of studies currently being completed to assess how exports would impact American consumers and American refineries. I think it is important to wait for their conclusions before making a final determination. I do, however, expect these studies to support responsible crude oil exports.
BIC: Why is Louisiana so important to the emerging U.S. oil and gas renaissance?
LANDRIEU: Louisiana is truly at the epicenter of the American energy revolution —whether that is the production, refinement and transportation of oil and gas, the 59,000 miles of pipelines and the several LNG export terminals under construction. We have a proud 100-plus year history of discovering, producing, refining and transporting oil and gas. I want to keep Louisiana as the leader for the next 100 years and beyond.
Cheap, abundant natural gas is also powering a manufacturing renaissance in Louisiana and across the country. Entire plants are literally returning to Louisiana after being outsourced years ago. We need to take advantage of our geography, water and other natural resources to generate new manufacturing investment in our state. We cannot rest on what we have already done, and I will continue to provide the leadership necessary to keep Louisiana at the forefront of the American energy revolution.
BIC: What energy-related issues will you be pushing if you are re-elected to the Senate?
LANDRIEU: My top priority will be to continue building a new, bold and comprehensive energy policy for the U.S. In 2005, the last time we passed a comprehensive energy bill, experts predicted we would need to import record amounts of oil and natural gas to meet rising demand. The energy revolution currently underway in the U.S. has brought us to the precipice of becoming truly energy secure. We need a new strategy that reflects this.
I will not give up on the fight for stronger energy infrastructure — especially the Keystone XL pipeline. We need to build this pipeline, and I will continue to lead the effort to approve it.
I will also focus on how to export LNG responsibly, how to open new areas for drilling onshore and offshore, and how we can build upon the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act, which established revenue sharing for Gulf Coast states to ensure all coastal states get their fair shares of the revenues they help produce. For more information, visit www.landrieu.senate.gov or call (202) 224-5824.
Rep. Bill Cassidy (R-Baton Rouge) is also running for U.S. Senate in Louisiana. BIC Magazine will have a feature article on Cassidy in the upcoming October issue.
