The New Orleans Times Picayune reports that “While a shale gas boom is poised to make the United States a net exporter of natural gas in the near future, industry leaders said Louisiana must remain committed to a petrochemical industry that financially fuels much of the state.”  

The piece continues: “A lack of appreciation and respect for the industry within the state, says Chris John, president of the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association, is a significant challenge. ‘It’s the attitude and complacency of people saying: ‘It really doesn’t matter how we treat oil and gas. They’re not going anywhere.’ That could not be further from the truth.'”  

“[Gifford Briggs, vice president of the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association] and John, along with other experts who attended the Grow Louisiana Coalition’s ‘Energy Outlook 2035’ forum, held at the LSU Center for Energy Studies, suggest state and industry officials stay competitive in the economic, regulatory and legal environments to continue statewide industry growth.”  

“The pro-oil-and-gas industry alliance was formed to promote what it says are the positive impacts of the energy industry on the state and its citizens. To that end, the coalition is organizing a series of talks across the state to push its message.”  

“Anti oil-and-gas industry officials have been concerned with the environmental impact of the industry on our ecosystem, its impact on the communities it resides in, and how it contributes to our vanishing coastline among other issues.”