Congress Takes A Page From Louisiana: The Case For An American Energy Renaissance

Louisiana's Act 462 redefined "green energy" by including natural gas and nuclear power, establishing the state as a leader in energy policy. This law prioritized American-made energy, aiming to reduce reliance on foreign sources, reflecting economic and scientific realities. Congressman Balderson introduced federal legislation mirroring Louisiana's approach, answering Governor Landry's call for a national energy security strategy. Federal policy had previously prioritized unreliable sources, ignoring full life-cycle costs and foreign dependencies. Act 462 in Louisiana mandated considering affordability, reliability, and domestic sourcing in energy projects. The federal bill now redefines "green" to include natural gas and nuclear, providing stable power without foreign mineral dependencies. America possesses abundant natural gas reserves, which the Louisiana model recognizes as a strategic advantage. This approach aims to lower costs, strengthen the grid, and enhance national security by displacing energy from adversarial nations. Louisiana's success demonstrates the positive impact of grounded energy policies, attracting investment and creating jobs. The new energy debate shifts from "green" versus "dirty" to real versus imaginary energy solutions. Congress, adopting this new framework, can restore balance and common sense to national energy policy.