Louisiana AG Leads 13-State Lawsuit Against Biden’s Oil and Gas Leasing Ban

March 25, 2021

Yesterday, Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration’s moratorium, which has halted new oil and gas leases on public property since January. This comes ahead of today’s virtual forum the Interior Department is hosting as part of their comprehensive review of the federal leasing process.

According to WHNT News, Landry said on Wednesday morning:

“By executive fiat, Joe Biden and his administration have single-handedly driven the price of energy up — costing the American people where it hurts most, in their pocketbooks. Biden’s executive orders abandon middle-class jobs at a time when America needs them most and put our energy security in the hands of foreign countries, many of whom despise America’s greatness.”

Louisiana and 12 other states joined the lawsuit, including: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah and West Virginia. Wyoming is another state that filed a separate lawsuit.

Power The Future commends these states for sticking up for the interests of the constituents they represent. The oil and gas industry has a large presence in many of these states, which rely heavily on the industry to stimulate their local economies, provide revenue for local communities, and support the majority of their workforces.

“The world will continue to need and use oil and gas for the foreseeable future,” Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon said Wednesday. “The question is whether it will be produced under the environmental safeguards in place on federal lands in Wyoming, or overseas without equally stringent regulations.”