July 22, 2014

The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources held a hearing to discuss revenue sharing for offshore drilling and access to federal lands on July 22.

During the hearing, Committee Chairwoman Mary Landrieu (D-LA) highlighted issues central to her state, suggesting that Louisiana receives less money from revenue sharing, the process of sharing leasing income from federal lands with states, than any other state relative to the resources that they produce.

Witnesses addressed the importance of revenue sharing to Louisiana. Charlotte Randolph, President of LaFourche Parish, explained how increased revenue sharing could benefit Louisiana and the country, citing the $9 billion per year that Port Fourchon, located in her parish, helps generate for the Federal Treasury. Ms. Randolph believes the federal government should help pay for the maintenance and improvement of the only highway that services Port Fourchon, given the importance of the road to national energy supplies.    

Last year Chairwoman Landrieu and Ranking Member Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introduced the FAIR Act of 2013, S. 1273, to reform revenue sharing relating to Outer Continental Shelf energy production. Chairwoman Landrieu is currently in a tough reelection race and this bill would bring more money to her home state of Louisiana.

Sources: Bipartisan Policy Center, E&E News, Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

Updated 8/8/14