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Louisiana Energy Protection Act Heads to Senate Floor, Nearing the Home Stretch
Thursday afternoon, Senate Natural Resources gave approval to HB 804 by Brett Geymann (R-Lake Charles), sending the Louisiana Energy Protection Act to the Senate Floor for consideration. The bill responds to the growing wave of “climate liability” lawsuits being filed nationwide against energy producers and other industries. These cases—brought by individuals as well as state and local governments—seek billions of dollars in damages tied to storms, flooding, coastal erosion and other impacts alleged to be climate related.
The measure comes at a pivotal time, as Louisiana competes on an unprecedented global scale for billions of dollars in new investment and job creation. When companies decide where to invest, they look for a stable and predictable legal environment. Public policy should be set by the Legislature—not through inconsistent court decisions or litigation driven by entrepreneurial plaintiff attorneys. Uncertainty created by these types of cases discourages investment, when Louisiana should be encouraging growth, strengthening competitiveness and supporting true accountability.
More than two dozen lawsuits have already been filed across the country, and the U.S. Supreme Court is now weighing cases that could shape whether these claims move forward and where they will be heard. This expansion of liability through litigation has created a rapidly evolving legal landscape that introduces uncertainty for employers and job creators.
Throughout the session, LABI has highlighted the potential economic consequences of climate liability litigation for Louisiana’s energy-driven economy. With the state actively competing for major projects and long-term investment across multiple industries, the bill seeks to provide clarity and guardrails against litigation that attempts to regulate emissions or energy production through the courts.
The legislation is expected to be heard on the Senate Floor next week. Following anticipated passage, it will return to the House for concurrence due to an amendment adopted in Senate Natural Resources.