Energy Conference Report Passes Senate
Includes $1 Billion for Louisiana, Other Coastal States
July 29, 2005
WASHINGTON – The Energy Bill Conference Report, including in it $1 billion in coastal impact assistance for Louisiana and other coastal oil- and gas-producing states, passed the Senate this afternoon by a vote of 74 to 26, announced U.S. Senators Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., and David Vitter, R-La.
“This is an incredibly important victory for Louisiana and the other Gulf Coast producing states who contribute so much to our national energy supply, security and economy each year,” said Sen. Landrieu, who led Gulf Coast efforts to secure the funding from her position on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. “As a result of our delegations’ hard work over many years, the federal government will now for the first time acknowledge these significant contributions and recognize America’s Wetlands and Gulf Coast for the vital security and economic strength they provide.”
“By working together on the Energy Bill, Senator Landrieu and I convinced our colleagues that this is not just a Louisiana problem, but a national one,” said Sen. Vitter. “This funding is the next step in implementing the Louisiana Coastal Area program and truly restoring our coast. The future of Louisiana’s coastal restoration funding looks brighter than ever.”
The measure provides $1 billion – $250 million per year for fiscal years 2007 through 2010 – to six coastal energy-producing states: Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Alaska and California. Each state would be allocated a fair share based on the oil and gas production off its coast, with Louisiana standing to receive a particularly fair 54 percent, or $135 million per year.
The measure authorizes funds to be used for the conservation, protection and restoration of coastal areas and wetlands; the mitigation of damage to fish, wildlife and other natural resources; and the implementation of federally-approved marine, coastal and other conservation management plans. Coastal parishes, counties and boroughs, would receive 35 percent of each state’s share. The direct spending, which is not subject to appropriations, was originally added to the Senate version of the bill by a 69-26 vote last month despite original White House opposition.
“After years of falling short, especially in the Senate, I am excited about this historic first step toward not only protecting our coast, but fully restoring it,” Sen. Vitter said.
“America now has brand new tools for its toolbox to help us build a future of energy independence,” Sen. Landrieu said at an Energy Committee press conference led by the Energy Committee Chairman Pete Domenici, R-N.M., and the Ranking Member Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., today after the passage of the Energy Bill Conference Report. “I am so pleased that the Committee was able to put reason over rancor and provide the nation with the first comprehensive energy legislation in more than 13 years, and give Louisiana some much needed coastal assistance.”
The report, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives last night, now moves to the White House for the President’s signature.
READ MORE ABOUT SEN. LANDRIEU'S WORK FOR LOUISIANA'S COAST
Photographs
Photo Credit: U.S. Senate
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Sen. Landrieu discusses the inclusion of $1 billion in coastal impact assistance in the Energy Bill Conference Report.