State Department of Natural Resources Secretary Scott Angelle testified before members of the United States Congress yesterday on energy issues, primarily on the future of alternate energy resources in America and oil and gas exploration and production from the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). This is the second time this year that Louisiana has been represented before members of the U.S. Energy and Natural Resources Committee where a national energy policy is expected to be formulated.

In January, Secretary Angelle was chosen by Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy, Senator Pete Domenici of New Mexico, to provide comments to the Natural Gas Conference that discussed a broad range of proposals on the nation’s future energy needs. In his appearance at that time, Secretary Angelle stressed Louisiana’s role in supplying energy to the rest of the country through its intricate system of pipelines and infrastructure. Louisiana produces 34 percent of the natural gas supply and almost 30 percent of the crude oil supply for the nation.

On Tuesday, Secretary Angelle expressed to committee members that the OCS is probably the single most promising area for the United States to obtain significant new energy supplies. He said, “these new supplies, whether conventional oil and gas, imported oil, imported liquefied natural gas (LNG), wind and ocean energy, or gas hydrates, need the support of coastal states to cooperate and to supply and maintain critical production and support infrastructure.” He further commented that it will take the support of the federal government to those producing states to help offset infrastructure costs by sharing some of the offshore production revenues.

Angelle said the state is open to new LNG activity that does not pose environmental hazards and that Louisiana can continue to help America in these critical times. He said, “there is no free lunch and we are now in need of your help to save coastal Louisiana.”

In his address Angelle also noted, “It is imperative that we, as a nation, stop reacting to energy situations imposed on us by outside forces, and instead, proactively start shaping our energy future.” Joining Secretary Angelle at the hearing was Admiral James Watkins, Chairman of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy and Rejane Burton, Director of the Mineral Management Service of the Department of the Interior. Other distinguished panelists were Dr. Robert Thresher, Director, National Wind Technology Center, Washington, D.C., Virginia State Senator Frank W. Wagner, Charles Davidson, Chairman and CEO Noble Energy, Inc. of Houston, and Debbie Boger, Deputy Legislative Director, Sierra Club, Washington, D.C.

To view DNR Secretary Scott Angelle’s testimony to the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee’s Offshore Energy Hearing, April 19, 2005 online: go todnr.louisiana.gov/news/20050419speech.pdf