Baton Rouge, LA – Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA), the leading voice for sensible energy policies for families and businesses, released its Louisiana Emissions Analysis, which found that emissions declined by 71% across the state since 1990. This sharp decrease is remarkable given that Louisiana’s Gross Domestic Product surged 177% over the same period.
This outstanding feat comes as Louisiana is one of the nation’s largest crude oil and natural gas producing states, and one out of three Louisiana households relies on natural gas for home heating. CEA’s analysis illustrates that we can have energy production and meet the energy needs of Louisiana’s families, small businesses and industries while protecting our environment at the same time.
From 1990 to 2019, Louisiana’s emissions of key pollutants have decreased across the board, with a:
- 71% reduction in sulfur dioxide (SO2)
- 66% reduction in nitrogen oxides (NOx)
- 49% reduction in carbon monoxide (CO)
- 17% reduction in volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
These numbers are noteworthy given that Louisiana’s total and per capita energy consumption is among the top three states in the nation, and more than 88% of the state’s energy needs are met by oil and natural gas.
Moreover, while Louisiana’s emissions of key pollutants were plunging and the state’s economic growth was exploding by 177%, the population grew by 10% and Louisianans traveled 17% more, as measured by vehicle miles per capita. All three of these usually are accompanied by emissions increases, not decreases.
“Louisiana has proven environmental stewardship and energy independence are not mutually exclusive, a false idea that many anti-energy extremists propagate,” CEA Gulf Coast Director Kaitlin Schmidtke said. “These emissions improvements are occurring while the United States has become the world’s leading producer of oil and natural gas, proving that rigorous environmental standards and energy production can coexist. The data is clear, and Louisianans should be proud of the work that their industries and policymakers have taken to sustain these tremendous reductions in emissions across the board.”
“Louisiana is a leading example that we do not have to choose between a cleaner environment, a strong economy or affordable and reliable energy. Louisiana has achieved drastic reductions in emissions during a period of extreme economic growth, all while meeting the energy needs of families and businesses across the state,” Schmidtke said.
“We thank Louisiana’s policymakers for recognizing the importance of this work, as well their understanding that the state and the nation benefit from expanded exploration and production access in the Gulf of Mexico –proof that we can produce energy reliably, affordably and in an environmentally responsible way.”
This analysis follows CEA’s Energy Savings Report for Louisiana, which found that Louisiana consumers saved more than $68.8 billion from 2008-2018 in large part because of affordable natural gas. Louisiana’s households saved over $2 billion and industries, including aerospace operations and petrochemical and steel manufacturing facilities, saved more than $65 billion.
Not only is affordable energy essential to Louisiana’s families and small business operations, COVID-19 has shown how essential it is to our national supply chains and manufacturing infrastructure. All Louisianans benefit from a strong energy industry and reliable energy infrastructure.
With more than 273,000 Louisianans now suffering from unemployment and small businesses and manufacturers across the state reeling from the economic downturn, it’s important to highlight the 291,200 jobs and more than $50.7 billion in economic impact that the energy industry has brought to the state.
To view the analysis, click here.
