Gulf Coast
Fueling Knowledge: Oil and gas money shapes research, creates ‘echo chamber’ in higher education
Louisiana’s flagship university is looking to partner more closely with petrochemical industries in the state
Pam Radtke/Floodlight
Pam is an environment, energy and climate reporter. A long-time New Orleans resident, Pam was part of the Times-Picayune team that published after Hurricane Katrina. pam@floodlightnews.org
Data Centers
Power for data centers could come at ‘staggering’ cost to consumers
New report highlights how traditional ways of setting rates don’t fit Big Tech’s massive, immediate demand for more electricity
Carbon Capture
Capturing CO2, sold as climate solution, rebranded as oil industry boost
Oil executives, business interests push economic benefits of carbon capture as President Trump takes aim at climate funding OK’d under Biden
Carbon Capture
CO2 pipeline company draws $2.4M fine for menacing federal inspectors
Workers were manufacturing pipeline to replace a ruptured section of carbon dioxide line that sent 45 people to the hospital in Mississippi
Data Centers
Utilities to spend billions to power AI. Are they jumping the gun?
Chinese AI tech DeepSeek is forcing a second look at proposals to build a record number of new fossil fuel power plants
Plastics
ExxonMobil sues, doubling down on advanced plastics recycling
In a new lawsuit, the oil giant alleges the California attorney general and environmental groups defamed the company
LNG
Federal gas export study not the final word on US LNG projects
A new analysis shows super-chilled methane harms the climate — but falls short of recommending a halt to the booming industry
Carbon Capture
Developers eye Louisiana, Texas coasts for offshore carbon storage
Is the Gulf of Mexico the ‘single best opportunity’ to store climate-warming gas — or an existential threat to wildlife and people?
LNG
Report: LNG operators in Louisiana offered $21.1 billion in tax breaks
If all 15 liquefied natural gas plants in Texas and Louisiana open, reductions in overall U.S. greenhouse gas emissions would slow
LNG
Venture Global’s ‘carbon bomb’ LNG plant on hold — for now
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission set aside its approval of the massive CP2 facility until further studies are done on air pollution
Carbon Capture
Removing carbon from the air — a climate cure or waste of money?
The incoming Trump administration will have a say in whether federally backed direct air capture projects in Louisiana move forward
Gulf Coast
Huge gas plant eyed to power mystery $5B Louisiana data center
Entergy proposes a new $3.2 billion natural gas plant to run a ‘game changing’ data center in northeast Louisiana; critics question the move
Gulf Coast
Experts warn oil and gas can’t save Louisiana’s economy — even under Trump
As state lawmakers consider even more tax breaks for fossil fuels, a new report says the state can no longer rely on the industry for growth
Polluting Democracy
Private calls and campaign cash: Louisiana regulators’ ties to the utilities they oversee
The state is tied for dead last in renewable energy adoption. Little surprise, with so much fossil fuel money flowing to its commissioners.
Polluting Democracy
Utility regulators take millions from industries they oversee. What could go wrong?
The clean energy transition, for one, a Floodlight analysis of campaign finance data reveals.
Gulf Coast
California calls plastics recycling tech a ‘stunt’; to Louisiana it’s economic development
ExxonMobil wants millions in tax breaks for a Baton Rouge project that would create no jobs, pollute the environment and recycle few plastics