LORI LEBLANC, Vice President, LMOGA
LORI LEBLANC, Vice President, LMOGA
Ten years ago, the Gulf Economic Survival Team (GEST) was born amid a fight for the survival of our coastal communities that proudly fuel the rest of our nation. At that time, a presidential moratorium on deepwater drilling in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) stopped Louisiana's offshore oil and gas industry in its tracks and threatened the survival of thousands of local businesses that support this vital industry, from boat companies to fabrication shops.
Our independent, grassroots GEST effort was a persistent voice in Washington, as we vigorously advocated for our communities and industry, and our voice was heard. In the fall of 2010, the president ended the moratorium, and GEST continued to work diligently to clear permit hurdles and promote regulatory reform that would get us back to work in the GoM.
A decade later, our coastal communities and oil and gas industry find themselves in crisis and struggling for survival once again. This time, an unimaginable pandemic has significantly cut global energy demand, causing massive cuts to production, employment and tax revenue, and threatening the viability of small businesses along the Gulf Coast. GEST is a unified voice for us all, pushing for policies and programs that will stimulate a return to the robust production of fuel for our nation and the jobs that fuel our economy.
Recently relaunched as a subsidiary of LMOGA, GEST promotes the significance of the energy industry in the Gulf region to the U.S. economy, small service companies and middle-class Americans. We advocate for policies that support the production, refining and transportation of Gulf energy in a safe and environmentally responsible manner, providing energy security and growth.
Did you know that over 11 million jobs are associated with the U.S. energy industry, including nearly 500,000 jobs directly tied to energy production in the GoM? Industry revenues and tax contributions make a significant contribution to state budgets and coastal economies as well. Preserving these significant economic contributions is our battle cry.
GEST has focused recent advocacy efforts in support of federal offshore economic incentives, recognizing the detrimental impact the industry downturn is having on Gulf Coast service companies and well-paying jobs that depend on a thriving energy industry. Small and medium-sized companies are slashing budgets and laying off workers. America's energy industry needs immediate attention and action from the federal government.
In a letter sent to President Trump on April 6, GEST encouraged the administration to consider incentives including a temporary royalty suspension or relief, lease term extensions of nonproducing federal leases in the GoM, granting suspensions of operations and suspensions of production, providing flexibility in decommissioning obligations, and implementing mechanisms to ensure critical inactive infrastructure is protected while crude oil storage is at full capacity.
GEST also supports expanded eastern GoM access for production, the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act as a critical source of funding for our coast, and policies and initiatives promoting economic growth and encouraging industry investment in the Gulf region. The organization has secured support from local, regional and state-wide associations, as well as state, parish and legislative leadership, in advocating for these economic incentives.
We know you recognize, like we do, that robust offshore production creates robust onshore jobs, and Louisiana experiences that impact most directly. Promoting our economic survivability is critical, and GEST invites you to join us in that effort. We welcome individuals, businesses and organizations throughout the Gulf region to become members of GEST and help us get back to work in the GoM.
Lori LeBlanc is vice president of LMOGA and executive director of GEST.
For more information about GEST, visit www.gulfeconomicsurvival.org.
For more information about LMOGA's work to protect and grow Louisiana's oil and gas industry, visit http://www.lmoga.com or call (225) 387-3205.
