(The Center Square) − The Lafourche Parish Council declined to take legal action this week against oil and gas companies over coastal damage, voting 6-1 on Tuesday to reject participation in the state’s high-profile coastal lawsuits.
The vote came after an emergency meeting on Tuesday that included nearly two hours in executive session. Council Chairman Armand Autin cast the lone vote in favor of granting the parish president authority to pursue litigation.
Oil and gas advocates have voiced opposition strong to the lawsuits, warning that legal action could jeopardize local jobs and investment.
“Today, the Lafourche Parish Council has closed the door on coastal lawsuits even in the face of unrelenting pressures from trial lawyers,” said Marc Ehrhardt, executive director of the Grow Louisiana Coalition, which advocates for the oil and gas sector. “With this vote, Lafourche sent a clear message: We stand with the 62,485 men and women of the Bayou Region who power our energy industry.”
Nine individuals addressed the council before the vote, most urging councilmembers to protect the economic benefits brought by oil and gas companies.
Thomas Arceneaux, former president of the Larose Civic Center, said his organization relies heavily on industry support.
“If this goes in the wrong direction, this could hinder our assistance,” Arceneaux said. “Without the assistance we get from the oil companies, we probably couldn’t stay open.”
The lawsuits at issue — filed by coastal parishes against oil majors like Chevron and Shell — allege that companies caused extensive damage to Louisiana’s fragile wetlands. In April, a jury in Plaquemines Parish ordered Chevron to pay $744 million in the first trial of the 42 cases filed since 2013.
“This is a deep-pocketed trial lawyers driving baseless lawsuits hoping to make millions in legal fees,” Tommy Faucheux, president of the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil & Gas Association, said following the verdict.
“By voting to oppose self-sacrificing coastal lawsuits, the Lafourche Parish Council is standing up for its people and our future,” Faucheux said in a statement.
