CCMG

We still recognize the oil industry’s importance to our economy, but we also know all too well that the same industry can also harm us. Jindal may not yet understand it, but it’s clear that Louisiana’s citizens want the industry to repair their damage to our coast.

A recent statewide survey by Southern Media & Opinion Research showed that 50 percent of those surveyed support the lawsuit filed by the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority.

Another survey – this one of just coastal Louisiana residents — showed that, by a 74 percent to 21 percent margin, residents do not want state government intervening to stop the suits.

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Team Jindal, hoping to fend off questions about Hassinger’s potential conflict, noted that Galloway Johnson does not represent any of the suit’s 97 named defendants. That does not address the equally sticky issue of whether the firm represents any of the defendants’ many insurers.

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The SLFPA-E filed its suit in July after a unanimous vote of support from its nine-member board, whose members serve staggered terms to minimize political interference. At today's meeting, actor, social commentator and frequent New Orleans resident Harry Shearer blasted attempts to sidetrack the suit, calling them a “grotesque” example of the kind of political interference the board was created to avoid.

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For a governor who raked in more than $20 million in his three campaigns, $421,750 seems an awfully cheap price for which to sell out the state’s chance to withstand the onslaught of coastal erosion.

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At a Lens event Thursday morning, environmental reporter Bob Marshall will interview author John Barry about his role in a controversial lawsuit against the oil and gas industry for coastal loss. He lost his seat on a local levee board due to his leadership on that suit. Tuesday, Barry announced that he had formed a nonprofit group to lobby for coastal restoration.

John Barry speaking about the formation of Restore Louisiana Now. 

If Jindal, Hassinger & Co. succeed in scuttling the lawsuit, it will be the biggest sellout since Huey Long gave his pals the mineral rights to Louisiana's water bottoms. Let's hope the public turns out in force to let the SLFPA-E know that people are behind the effort to make Big Oil pay for what it broke.

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There could be a possible showdown at this week's meeting of the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East (SLFPA-E) over the board's lawsuit, accusing 97 oil, gas and pipeline companies of contributing to coastal erosion.

Governor Bobby Jindal's three new appointees to the board, led by New Orleans attorney Joe Hassinger are expected to ask the board to halt the lawsuit.

The meeting comes amid calls for Hassinger to recuse himself from voting and discussing matters concerning the energy industry. He is a partner in the Galloway Johnson law firm.

The firm's own website says its clients include both major and independent oil and gas producers, as well as oilfield service companies and suppliers.

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Advocates for the East Bank levee authority’s suit against oil and gas companies on Tuesday officially launched a nonprofit group aimed at blocking possible legislative interference with the suit and shoring up support for other similar efforts.

The new group, Restore Louisiana Now, primarily will focus on holding energy companies accountable for widespread damage to coastal wetlands caused by oil and gas exploration, said former Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority — East Commissioner John Barry, the group’s president.

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Saltwater intrusion in the aquifer that serves Baton Rouge, the sinkhole at Bayou Corne, Louisiana coastal erosion and concerns about additional drilling of more underground natural gas storage caverns at Lake Peigneur are issues that got environmental leaders from south Louisiana together in Baton Rouge on Friday to talk about common goals.

Affectionately calling itself the “Green Army,” this loose network of environmental groups being led by former Lt. Gen. Russel Honoré (U.S. Army Retired) will bring together the many groups working on local issues into collaboration on larger goals.

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The recent environmental lawsuits filed by Jefferson and Plaquemines parishes against dozens of energy companies could not come at a better time for supporters of an earlier suit by the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East (SLFPA-E). But that doesn’t mean Gov. Bobby Jindal won’t still try to kill flood authority’s suit.

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That’s right. Our anti-tax governor wants taxpayers to pay to fix what was broken by the most profitable industry in the history of the world. The SLFPAE is simply asking — in fact, demanding — that the oil companies fix what they broke. Let the courts decide who’s right. This is something everyone in Louisiana should support.

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It took a while, but the resistance is making headway.

The occupying forces, while not exactly on the run, may soon be forced to the negotiating table. The quisling government is starting to look rattled. Citizens want their country back.

Such is the current condition of Louisiana, which has been under the foreign heel of oil and gas so long that recompense for the massive destruction and exploitation seemed out of the question. Toxins leached into the shrinking wetlands and natural flood barriers washed away, but oil and gas were abundant and politicians cheap. The companies extracted billions of dollars and doubtless regarded the natives with contempt.

They still have some powerful collaborators, Gov. Bobby Jindal chief among them. But the tide seems to be turning.

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The 'Ragin' Cajun' Lt. Gen. Russel Honore, ex-New Orleans levee board member John Barry and other environmental activists met in Baton Rouge on Friday to discuss issues around which to build legislation ahead of the 2014 session.

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“It’s not too late to save the coast. But we are getting dangerously close to the point of no return.”