Scalise and Coastal Leaders Announce Nearly $100 Million in Critical Revenue Sharing Funding for Louisiana
WASHINGTON, D.C.—House Republican Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) made the following statement upon the Department of Interior's announcement that Louisiana will receive $94.7 million in revenue sharing funding as required by the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 (GOMESA):
"Today's announcement is welcome news for Louisiana families and communities. Revenues from oil and gas activity in the Gulf of Mexico are vital to restoring our coast and protecting coastal communities, which is why I've fought to protect this revenue sharing from attempts to raid it. Through this revenue sharing, Louisiana will receive nearly $100 million to invest directly into vital coastal restoration and hurricane protection projects that provide greater security against strong Gulf storms and floods. American energy dominance will play an increasing role in the revenue sharing dollars coming to Louisiana, and I look forward to working with President Trump to support a robust energy strategy in the Gulf of Mexico which allows us to better protect the coast we love. I will also continue fighting every day to equalize the revenue sharing from offshore production with that from onshore drilling so that we can finally get our fair share of energy revenues generated off our coast."
Louisiana leaders and stakeholders also praised the disbursement, which is slated to exceed Louisiana's 2018 allotment:
"The Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA) funds are vital to assisting Lafourche Parish Government with projects that restore our coastline and maintain our public infrastructure. As our oil and gas economy struggles to rebound, shared revenue from the United States Government is essential for local economic growth. These funds are encouraging to the partnership between the South Lafourche Levee District and Lafourche Parish Government which is focused on improving LA Hwy. 1, the gateway to the Gulf of Mexico, to expand international energy supply. Additionally, coastal projects with the North Lafourche Levee District such as the Grand Bayou Freshwater Reintroduction and the Lake Fields and Lake Long Restoration would not be possible without the support of GOMESA," said Lafourche Parish President James B. Cantrelle.
"GOMESA is vital to coastal restoration, hurricane protection, and drainage of Terrebonne and Louisiana. GOMESA is dedicated to these efforts, and projects have been built, and continue to be built, to protect the people of Terrebonne and our way of life for future generations to come,"said Terrebonne Parish President Gordy Dove.
"I want to commend Congressman Scalise on his continued work to increase investments for the future of Plaquemines Parish and the State of Louisiana. These revenue dollars are important to making the long term investments we'll need to restore our coast, keep our communities safe, and protect our unique culture and way of life," said Plaquemines Parish President Kirk Lepine.
"In St. Bernard Parish we rely heavily on the oil and energy industry for economic stability. It is the financial backbone of our community. The funds that we have received via GOMESA will play a direct role in providing coastal protection for our citizens. These funds will allow this administration to continue to develop long-term economic and environmental sustainability. As a life-long resident of this Parish, it is gratifying to finally see energy resources playing a direct role in the conservation of the surrounding areas they extract from," said St. Bernard Parish President Guy McInnis.
"GOMESA funds are already at work restoring our coast and protecting our communities because the citizens of Louisiana stepped up to constitutionally protect those dollars over a decade ago, and this increase will allow for more long-term investments to keep our communities safe and safeguard our Sportsman's Paradise. I commend Congressman Scalise and the Louisiana delegation for their leadership and continuous efforts to maximize and leverage coastal investments for Louisiana's future,"said Executive Director of Restore or Retreat Simone Theriot Maloz.