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Louisiana Bucket Brigade push for renewable energy in SWLA

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Louisiana Bucket Brigade push for renewable energy in SWLA


CAMERON, Louisiana — Within the farthest southwest nook of Louisiana, Cameron Parish shines as a real sportsman’s paradise.

It has greater than 26 miles of shore on the Gulf of Mexico accessible by means of Rutherford, Gulf Breeze, Little Florida, Constance, Lengthy-dun, Mae’s and Holly seashores.

Greater than 400 chicken species may be seen all year long in Cameron Parish. Its marshes are residence to brown and white shrimp, blue crab and alligators.

For James Hiatt, Cameron Parish additionally is likely one of the finest locations for fishing. There is a pier that might finish on the jetties within the mouth of Calcasieu Cross. Hiatt, who grew up in Lake Charles, would forged his line or simply watch the sundown.

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However that highway is now inaccessible, changed by Enterprise World LNG with a sea wall to guard the Calcasieu Cross liquid pure gasoline facility, he stated. 

“You may’t get there now,” Hiatt stated. “The place is something of a sportsman’s paradise? And what occurs when business simply takes and does not give again?”

Hiatt is a part of the Louisiana Bucket Brigade, a statewide nonprofit devoted to environmental points. He and different environmental justice advocates wish to see Louisiana transfer away from the petrochemical business towards cleaner and renewable vitality. 

They argue that whereas Cameron Parish is on the frontlines of local weather change, the sufferer of an eroding seascape and extra frequent and violent pure disasters, it accelerates the difficulty by being residence to 3 liquid pure gasoline websites and planning for extra. 

‘We will not afford to let all of this occur’

There are three liquid pure gasoline amenities in Cameron and Calcasieu parishes – Sabine Cross, Calcasieu Cross and Cameron LNG.

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Liquid pure gasoline is pure gasoline that has been cooled to a liquid state making it attainable to move , in accordance with the U.S. Vitality Info Administration.

Mike Moncla, president of the Louisiana Oil and Fuel Affiliation, stated liquid pure gasoline is likely one of the cleanest vitality sources. 

“Our elevated reliance on pure gasoline over the previous few years has resulted within the lowest CO2 ranges the ability sector has seen in almost three many years,” he stated in an emailed assertion. “The U.S. Vitality Info Administration attributes this profit to the usage of pure gasoline for vitality manufacturing.”

Regardless of its clear label, crops additionally leak methane, which contributes to greenhouse warming at a larger depth than carbon dioxide, in accordance with the Environmental Protection Fund. 

Liquid pure gasoline is important for international vitality and decreasing emissions, President of Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil & Fuel Affiliation Tommy Faucheux stated in an e mail. 

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“As all of us look to satisfy local weather targets, pure gasoline, together with pure gasoline transported as LNG, is a necessary constructing block for a cleaner vitality future, and as an inexpensive and low-carbon vitality selection,” he stated. 

“Louisiana is uniquely positioned to be a frontrunner in LNG and our business is dedicated to investing in defending our workers, our surroundings and our communities.”

Louisiana ranks third within the U.S. in pure gasoline manufacturing and accounts for about 9% of the U.S. whole marketed pure gasoline manufacturing, in accordance with the U.S. Vitality Info Administration. Final 12 months, Louisiana shipped 52% of the nation’s liquefied pure gasoline exports. 

“Lake Charles is taken into account by many to be the LNG capital of America,” Moncla stated. “The quantity of income that the LNG business brings to Lake Charles is what makes town as sturdy as it’s.”

There are plans to broaden or create new liquid pure gasoline amenities in each parishes alongside the Calcasieu Cross Ship Channel that runs from Lake Charles to the Gulf, in accordance with the Louisiana Bucket Brigade. 

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A ship carries liquid natural gas on the Calcasieu Pass Ship Canal on May 17, 2022.

“What we’re taking a look at now, in the present day, is an unprecedented quantity of strain to construct petrochemical amenities for the refining and liquefaction of gasoline for exports for worldwide exports,” stated cartographer Justin Kray, who works with the nonprofit. 

“We will not afford to let all of this occur with out realizing and internalizing the dangers that we’re taking,” he added. “It is super.”

The liquid pure gasoline crops are inflicting issues for Cameron and Calcasieu parishes, Kray argued pointing to aerial pictures proven by the group indicating erosion to the shoreline and sandbars surrounding the crops. 

A proposed growth by Enterprise World close to the Calcasieu Cross plant would excavate a part of Monkey Island. Development is predicted to start in April. It’s anticipated to deliver a $10 billion funding and 1,000 new jobs, Moncla stated.

Demand for liquid pure gasoline is at a 14-year excessive, he stated. Exports from the U.S. have been rising as Europe seems to be away from Russia for vitality. 

“We want LNG now greater than ever, and Louisiana has a possibility to take the lead on LNG exports in a time of worldwide disaster,” Moncla stated.

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Kray additionally argued that in defending their very own crops from storm surge, which probably reached 15 toes excessive in 2020 when Hurricane Laura wrecked southwest Louisiana, the crops have been pushing the water elsewhere. 

Shifting towards renewable vitality

The Louisiana Bucket Brigade hopes that by mentioning the hurt it says the crops have induced to Cameron and Calcasieu parishes, they will stop future harm. 

“On the present stage, we’re sort of at a tipping level the place three of those crops have been constructed and are working,” Kray stated. “However nonetheless, the vast majority of them are nonetheless within the allowing and exploration allowing section. So there may be nonetheless alternative to sort of come to some phrases of reckoning.” 

However a part of that means convincing locals that the profitable jobs that include the crops may be changed with one thing else, ideally renewable vitality. 

“We want jobs. What we do not want are jobs which can be suicidal and can wipe out the coast,” Hiatt stated. “I am not saying I’ve the alternate financial factor discovered, however we’re not even transferring in that path. That is the issue.

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“We must always truly be sprinting in direction of one thing completely different moreover a suicidal business positioned immediately on one of the weak coasts that we have now.”

Justin Kray, left, and James Hiatt with the Louisiana Bucket Brigade talk on May 17, 2022, about the effects of Liquid Natural Gas plants on southwest Louisiana.

Hiatt says that realizing the monetary advantages the refineries can deliver to employees. He was a ship agent, a dock employee, a tank farm operator and a laboratory analyst earlier than leaving the business. 

“The purpose is, we have to do one thing that may transition us away from being so carbon-intensive,” he stated. “We would like electrical energy. After we flip it on, we wish the issues to work. However we have to discover a method to do this with out persevering with to contribute to this international warming that we’re experiencing.”

Hiatt stated the oil firms view southwest Louisiana as a sacrifice zone, a spot to destroy whereas liquid pure gasoline is a excessive commodity. He stated the businesses do not suppose the individuals of Cameron and Calcasieu parishes will battle to defend the pure magnificence that makes it a sportsman’s paradise. 

“You ask anyone in Kentucky in a coal mine, you ask individuals within the Rust Belt, what occurs when the business leaves?

“These locations (liquid pure gasoline crops) are solely slated for 30 years, clearly, that is a technology. So possibly they’re going to be right here 30 years. What occurs after that when in all places else has began transferring into some renewable and sustainable vitality and Louisiana is left holding the bag.”

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Contact Ashley White at adwhite@theadvertiser.com or on Twitter @AshleyyDi





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Louisiana

Why Losing Hits Harder In Louisiana: Insights & Reactions Revealed

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Why Losing Hits Harder In Louisiana: Insights & Reactions Revealed


You’ve heard the phrase “You can’t win ’em all.” Well, in Louisiana, when we don’t win, we are very likely to get upset. Now over the years, the New Orleans Saints before the mid-2000s were notorious for grabbing defeat out of the jaws of victory turning Saints fans into Aints fans, and employing the use of paper bags on their heads at games.

A recent survey from Captain Gambling including over 2,000 Americans determined how the average person from each state responds to a loss (since it’s a gambling site we are assuming they are only referring only to sports losses.)

via CaptainGambling

via CaptainGambling

According to the survey, 33 percent of Americans stay calm after a loss. Other reactions included:

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  • Laughing it off

  • Asking for a rematch

  • Walk away

  • Deny the loss

Not surprisingly, 15% of the survey respondents have actually gotten into fights with other players after losing. There is plenty of video evidence to support the finding if you do a quick search on YouTube. Even though he’s not originally from Missouri, Patrick Mahomes might have blown the curve on the calm nature of the state at 36%.

That being said, where does Louisiana rank in terms of handling a loss? At least we’re not at the top of the list. That honor goes to our neighbor to the north in Arkansas with 83% of respondents admitting they lose it when they lose. Louisiana follows on the list at number 2, with 80% of those surveyed admitting to being a sore loser. The primary reaction to losing in Louisiana is to deny the loss.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, if you’re looking for states that stay calm in the face of defeat, head to Utah and Iowa who are only 17% likely to get upset when they lose.

One interesting question on the survey asked if parents intentionally let children win games. While there was no official breakdown by state, 57% said they occasionally let their kids win, 30% said ‘Yes’ and 13% were not going to lighten up just because they were playing against a child.

As to why Louisianans react the way they do after a loss is up for debate, but I’d like to think it’s because of our fiery spirit and tenacity to never give up, even if it means denying we lost. Louisiana has plenty to celebrate, and here are a few things we’re proud of.

Fun Facts About Louisiana That May Surprise You

Gallery Credit: Townsquare Media

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Louisiana’s seasonally adjusted employment shows rise in unemployment, more job opportunities

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Louisiana’s seasonally adjusted employment shows rise in unemployment, more job opportunities


Data released today by the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics shows Louisiana’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment figure continues to add jobs as the number of unemployed individuals rise.

Nonfarm is a measure of the number of U.S. workers in the economy, excluding those in farms, private households, and non-profit organizations. The state’s seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment for January 2024 increased by 7,600 jobs from December 2023, for a total of 1,958,400 jobs, a news release said. Compared to January 2023, seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment increased by 6,200 jobs.

The Louisiana Workforce Commission uses seasonally adjusted data to provide a more valuable and telling picture of Louisiana’s jobs and employment situation.

The construction sector gained 2,400 jobs from December 2023, the release said. Other major industries showing the largest gains in the month include professional and business services, which gained 1,200 jobs, and government, which gained 1,200 jobs.

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The Department of Labor defines seasonal adjustment as a measurement that removes the influences of predictable seasonal patterns to reveal how employment and unemployment figures change from month to month. In the course of a year, the size of the labor force, the levels of employment and unemployment, and other measures of labor market activity undergo fluctuations due to seasonal events, including changes in weather, harvests, major holidays and school schedules. Seasonal adjustment reduces the impact of these changes, making it easier to understand trends.

The number of seasonally adjusted unemployed individuals for January 2024 is estimated to be 85,129.The number of unemployed rose by 2,502 individuals from the December 2023.

Compared to January 2023, the number of seasonally adjusted unemployed individuals increased by 9,231. The number of employed decreased by 680 individuals compared to December 2023. Ultimately, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for January 2024 is 4.1%, which is tied for the third-lowest rate in a series history for the month of January, according to the Bureau Labor of Statistics.

“With the help of our stakeholders, Louisiana added over 7,000 nonfarm jobs for January, with the seriesseeing 34 consecutive months with an over-the-year gain,” said Louisiana Workforce CommissionSecretary Susana Schowen. “We stand readily available and are committed to continuing to workalongside our partners to host hiring fairs and provide resources for job seekers.”

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Among Louisiana’s MSAs in January 2024, seasonally adjusted data shows:

  • Baton Rouge (421,200 jobs) added 1,500 jobs from December 2023 and gained 4,400 jobs fromJanuary 2023.
  • Alexandria (61,200 jobs) lost 200 jobs from December 2023 and lost 200 jobs from January 2023.
  • Hammond (49,900 jobs) added 200 jobs from December 2023 and gained 1,100 jobs from January2023.
  • Houma (85,800 jobs) showed no change from December 2023, but gained 1,300 jobs from January2023.
  • Lafayette (205,500 jobs) added 900 jobs from December 2023 and gained 1,000 jobs from January2023.
  • Lake Charles (96,200 jobs) added 300 jobs from December 2023 and gained 300 jobs from January2023.
  • Monroe (77,300 jobs) lost 200 jobs from December 2023 and lost 900 jobs from January 2023.
  • New Orleans (559,200 jobs) lost 1,400 jobs from December 2023 and lost 7,700 jobs from January2023.
  • Shreveport (177,400 jobs) added 600 jobs from December 2023, but lost 1,100 jobs from January 2023



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Wanted sex offender, 51, who was caught with child porn is found sleeping in Louisiana swamp living off rats he hunted with makeshift spear

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Wanted sex offender, 51, who was caught with child porn is found sleeping in Louisiana swamp living off rats he hunted with makeshift spear


  • US Marshals found Brian Schaller, 51, living in the shelter on March 14
  • He was convicted in 2016 for distribution of child porn and had active warrants for sexual battery and violating the terms of the sex offenders’ registry

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A wanted sex offender was found living in a stick and tarpaulin shelter deep in a Louisiana swamp and eating rats that he hunted with a makeshift spear.  

Brian Schaller, 51, was convicted in 2016 for distribution of child porn and had active warrants for sexual battery and violating the terms of the sex offenders’ registry. 

Earlier this month, US Marshals received a tip-off that he was living in the Atchafalaya Basin, East of Lafayette, and tracked him down to his encampment, deep in the swamp. 

He surrendered himself and told officers he had been living there since January, catching small animals and rodents in traps and killing them with a makeshift spear for food. 

Schaller had made a dilapidated hut out of stacked branches, covered with a tarp and held together with parachute cords and even created an alarm system with string and old cans. 

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Marshals received a tip-off that wanted sex offender Brian Schaller was living in a shelter in the Louisiana swamp 

Schaller had an active warrant from the East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office for allegedly violating the terms of his sex offender registry and from the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's for felony sexual battery and felony oral sexual battery

Schaller had an active warrant from the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office for allegedly violating the terms of his sex offender registry and from the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s for felony sexual battery and felony oral sexual battery

The shelter was made of branches stacked together and covered in trash bags and tarp

The shelter was made of branches stacked together and covered in trash bags and tarp 

According to a release from the Marshals Service, Schaller was initially indicted in 2015 for distribution of child pornography. 

They said he also had an active warrant from the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office for violating the terms of his sex offender registry and from the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office for felony sexual battery and felony oral sexual battery. 

On March 12, officers received a tip-off that Schaller was living deep in the swamp. 

They put together a team of uniformed officers, boats and even canine teams to track him. 

Then on March 14, the team started searching the swamp and found Schaller’s shelter a mile-in. 

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They surrounded it and ordered him to come out, they said: ‘Schaller complied with the verbal commands and was taken into custody without incident.’

Photos of the camp show a rudimentary shelter made from sawn off branches stacked on top of each other and covered over with trash bags and a tarpaulin. 

To the side of the shelter he had strung a washing line which was still covered in clothes. 

Schaller said he had been living there since January, surviving off small animals and rats that he killed with traps and a makeshift spear

Schaller said he had been living there since January, surviving off small animals and rats that he killed with traps and a makeshift spear

He had fashioned a basked out of small branches and had even created an early-warning system using string and old cans

He had fashioned a basked out of small branches and had even created an early-warning system using string and old cans

Officers also found a make shift spear, with a kitchen knife blade fastened to a stick with twine. 

Schaller had also made a basket out of small branches. 

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The Marshals said: ‘Schaller had several small game traps along the trails around his encampment, made from paracord and small limbs he had gathered. 

‘Schaller had also deployed an early warning system made from string and aluminum cans. 

‘Schaller told investigators he had been living off the land since approximately January and that he had been living off small game and rodents.’

Schaller was first arrested in December 2014 on 500 counts of child pornography possession and his bond was set at $51 million. 

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