As #Louisiana grapples with accelerating erosion, it has turned a blind eye to #LNG terminals cropping up along its coast. Not only are these facilities contributing to the problem, they are increasingly vulnerable to storm damage and pose a massive risk to the communities they’ve intruded upon. All in the name of an economic boost that is completely negated by tax exemptions.

From #TheLensNola in partnership with #Grist:
https://thelensnola.org/2023/08/06/death-stars-on-sinking-land-how-liquified-natural-gas-took-over-the-gulf-coast/

#environment #climate #fossilefuels

On this week’s episode of #BehindTheLens:
- The Port of South Louisiana has decided to allow Greenfield to defer its first Payment in Leu of Taxes

- #StJohn parish council approves a dirt pit on Greenfield’s property while breaking it’s own procedures

- NOLA Public Schools reversed its decision to move Plessy Community School out of its historic #FrenchQuarter building

From #TheLensNOLA:
https://overcast.fm/+O94GR7I60

#NewOrleans #Education #RiverParishes #Environment

The Port of South Louisiana has extended the deadline for Greenfield to begin paying fees as part of a scheme to shield the company from paying property taxes on a potential new grain elevator in #StJohn. The decision was made in a closed door meeting that may have violated #Louisiana’s “open meetings” law.

Seems to me the Port is bending over backward for a private company with little benefit for itself, local gov, or the state as a whole.

From #TheLensNOLA

https://thelensnola.org/2023/02/27/greenfield-misses-initial-4m-payment-in-port-agreement/

Boring elections have vast consequences. By the sound of it, Devonte Louis is actually walking the walk on #energy, #sustainability, and #environmental policy. Now let’s see if the #Louisiana Public Service Commission can push utilities in the right direction.

From #LAIlluminator in partnership with #FloodlightNews and #TheLensNOLA

https://lailluminator.com/2023/02/17/new-state-utility-regulator-wants-to-reduce-rates-introduce-renewable-mandates/

#TheLensNOLA has an important discussion out today on how #OrleansParish has fallen afoul of a new law allowing formerly incarcerated people to serve on juries. They have continued to send out summons stating that those with felony convictions cannot serve and are likely still excluding some from even receiving summons.

It’s also highly likely that many other #Louisiana parishes are also in violation of the law.

#CriminalJustice #CivilRights #NewOrleans

https://overcast.fm/+O94GEmIWI

Check out the excellent podcast BEHIND THE LENS from #TheLensNOLA, always engaging and important local news.

#nola #neworleans #politics #environment #education #criminaljustice #louisiana #podcast

https://thelensnola.org/category/behind-the-lens/

This makes Devonte Lewis’ election to the #Louisiana Public Service Commission even more impressive. It’s also proof that there is a strong base of support in favor of proper oversight and regulation of utility companies and is one more piece of evidence of the #FossilFuel industry’s corrupting influence on our politics.

Another great story from the #LAIlluminator with references from #TheLensNOLA.

#NonProfitNews #LocalNews #EnergyPolicy #Environment

https://lailluminator.com/2023/01/25/louisiana-democratic-party-funneled-utility-donations-to-climate-candidates-challenger/

This #TheLensNOLA article poses an interesting debate. Can we successfully move to #renewable #energy sources without #oil and #gas reaping some of the benefits?

I wish that we lived in a world where we could simply move on from #FossilFuels, but I don’t see them just going away. They hold too much power in #Louisiana and we will need the expertise of #OffshoreOil in order to build #OffshoreWind.

https://thelensnola.org/2022/12/30/how-ocean-wind-power-could-help-the-oil-industry/