Energy

New State Energy Commission Will Meet in Summer Months

Baton Rouge—The recently formed Governor's Comprehensive Energy Policy Advisory Commission plans to hold meetings in June, July, and August. At some point thereafter, the 24-member group will present their findings to Governor Foster and state legislators.

The energy commission was formed in October of last year to examine and investigate existing energy programs, policies, and legislation that would have an affect on a national energy policy. The commission's chairperson is Charles Cusimano of Metairie. Representing the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources is T. Michael French, director of the Technology Assessment Division. Other committee members include representatives from the Mineral Board, Department of Economic Development, Public Service Commission, Board of Commerce and Industry, academia, and from the private sector. The commission is expected to help develop the framework for a comprehensive energy policy for the state, encouraging new energy sources and implementing conservation incentive programs.

According to French, the commission has already proposed a resolution to support new state legislation that restores an exemption on the payment of severance taxes to the state as an incentive for drilling wells categorized as inactive. The energy group has also adopted a resolution requesting the President and U.S. Congress to enact tax credits for the drilling of deep wells onshore and offshore. This resolution was previously presented by French to the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy.

Other members of the Governor's Comprehensive Energy Policy Advisory Commission are: Sumanta Acharya (Baton Rouge), Magdy Bayoumi (Lafayette), Dan Borne (Baton Rouge), David Boulet (Baton Rouge), Don Briggs (Baton Rouge), John Crisp (New Orleans), La. Speaker of the House Charlie DeWitt, David Dismukes (Baton Rouge), David Eppler (Pineville), W.H. Fenstermaker (Lafayette), Jimmy Field (Baton Rouge), State Senator Butch Gautreaux (Morgan City), Charles T. Goodson (Lafayette), John P. Laborde (New Orleans), Philip R. May (New Orleans), Elizabeth Podlaha (Baton Rouge), B. Jim Porter (Baton Rouge), Monica Surprenant (New Orleans), Newman Trowbride, vice-chairman (Lafayette), Ernest Walker (Baton Rouge),Ting Wang (New Orleans) and James Wharton (Baton Rouge).

The commission meets monthly in the Natural Resources Hearing Room located in the LaSalle State Office Building. The next meeting will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, June 24th. Wednesday, July 24th and Monday, August 26th are also scheduled dates.

Editors: For more on this topic, contact the Department of Natural Resources' Mike French at 225-342-1275.