Energy companies refusing to invest until lawsuits are over, lawmaker says

(The Center Square) – Louisiana energy companies may be keeping major projects on the sidelines until a 2025 law meant to bring more predictability to oilfield environmental litigation takes effect, according to comments from Rep. Brett Geymann.

In an interview, the Lake Charles Republican said an oil and gas working group that included about 30 people – roughly 10 to 12 legislators and the rest industry representatives – heard directly from executives about why Louisiana projects remain stalled. No lobbyists were allowed in the room, he said, because lawmakers wanted “raw, unfiltered discussion.”

The result, Geymann said, was candor.

Executives “put their guard down,” he said, and described a business climate in which Louisiana investments are still being delayed because of pending and potential lawsuits.

One industry representative, Geymann said, told lawmakers that when executives sit in a board room and review stacks of potential investments, “we take t...