Louisiana has long been the heartbeat of American energy.
From offshore rigs to natural gas pipelines, the state fuels the nation — creating jobs, supporting families, and keeping the American Dream alive.
But today, that dream is at risk.
Why? Because bureaucrats in distant offices pile on outdated rules that do more to choke prosperity than protect the environment.
The result?
Facilities are being shuttered. Investments are drying up. And local economies that depend on energy are being left behind.
Energy workers here don’t need Washington telling them how to protect their home. These are people who fish, shrimp, and raise their children on the same coastline where they work. They know how to keep the Pelican State beautiful.
On a recent stop of Americans for Prosperity’s (AFP) “Road to Prosperity” tour, Coalitions Director Mary Beth Cirucci and the team visited the Louisiana coast, home to rigs, refineries, and generations of hardworking families.
They saw the effects of Washington’s overreach firsthand.
One processing facility stood abandoned, not because it had run out of resources or polluted the waters, but because the permitting process had become so costly and time-consuming that the owners finally gave up.
“When these go away, our whole town dies,” commented a local worker.
He’s right.
When a rig or facility shuts down, it’s not just the workers who lose out. It’s the restaurants, marinas, gas stations, and small businesses that depend on them.
Entire communities begin to fade away.
What’s worse is that Louisiana has immense energy potential, but regulations are hampering growth.
This means that the state’s productive capacity is slipping at exactly the places that support communities, households, and small businesses.
But while Washington is making the American Dream harder to reach, Louisianans are resilient.
Locals are turning old, retired rigs into thriving artificial reefs, assisting efforts to protect marine life in the Gulf.
In other words, the same people accused of harming the environment are actually helping restore it.
Standing on a platform surrounded by dolphins and fishing boats, Mary Beth saw the issue clearly — energy and environmental care can coexist when Washington gets out of the way.
The people of Louisiana don’t need more oversight — they need freedom to manage their own resources responsibly.
It isn’t just in the Pelican State. Across the country, states are witnessing a decline in traditional energy production due to outdated and expensive permits and regulations.
For too long, federal red tape has dictated energy policy from afar, ignoring the realities on the ground. It’s time for Washington to trust the states and communities that know their land, water, and industries to drive prosperity in America.
With the right policies, these states could help America achieve energy abundance while protecting local livelihoods.
Energy abundance and environmental stewardship are not opposites. They’re partners in prosperity — and they start with letting local people lead.
This is about more than oil, gas, or paperwork.
It’s about people. Families, small business owners, and communities whose futures depend on energy freedom.
If we want to lower prices, strengthen our economy, and protect the environment, we must clear the path for progress.
That means:
We’re rallying people nationwide to spread the message to Congress.
Enough with the delays, red tape, and endless regulations. Let communities lead the way toward affordable, reliable energy so that every citizen can embrace the American Dream through energy abundance.
Add your voice to our growing list of Americans who are demanding permitting reform.
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