Gulf Coast

Gulf Coast

Louisiana communities are left in the dark on toxic air — and industry helped keep it that way

The state’s air monitors are often miles from its biggest polluters and residents have little way of knowing what they’re breathing. That’s no accident.

Gulf Coast

Louisiana senator helped secure Meta's largest data center. Then he sold the land beside it.

State senator John “Jay” Morris helped bring Meta’s Hyperion project to Richland Parish. Here’s what he did with his land — before and after Meta’s announcement.

Gulf Coast

'I haven't done anything wrong': A Q&A with Louisiana State Sen. Jay Morris

Morris’ recent land deals in light of Meta’s Hyperion data center buildout are raising questions about whether the senator violated state laws designed to prohibit self-dealing.

Gulf Coast

Judges overseeing Louisiana's landmark oil cases have financial stakes in defendants

Federal judges held stock, bonds and leased mineral rights to Exxon, Chevron and others while hearing cases against the companies alleging damage to the La. coast.

Gulf Coast

Here’s how we ID’d Louisiana federal judges with connections to oil companies

Read the methodology behind Floodlight’s recent investigation

Gulf Coast

Louisiana bets big on ‘blue ammonia.’ Communities along Cancer Alley brace for the cost.

Carbon capture hasn’t delivered major climate benefits — and the plants would still emit thousands of tons of pollution.

Gulf Coast

Trump moves to boost greenhouse, toxic emissions in Gulf states

Expansions at five petrochemical plants in Texas and Louisiana could add the equivalent of more than 1 million cars’ worth of pollution, advocates say

Leaving Home

As millions face climate relocation, the nation’s first attempt sparks warnings and regret

Three years after a federally funded move, Indigenous residents of Louisiana’s Isle de Jean Charles report broken homes — and promises

LNG

Trump-fueled gas boom has fenceline Gulf Coast communities on edge

Residents cite pollution, loss of fishing and diminished tax revenue as liquefied natural gas production accelerates here, feeding demand from Europe and Asia

Gulf Coast

$80 million, few rules: Louisiana’s energy efficiency ‘slush fund’

One of the least energy efficient states allows elected commissioners to use ratepayer money for ‘patronage’ projects — with little oversight

Gulf Coast

Tulane scientist resigns, citing ‘gag order’ on environmental justice research

Emails show a racial disparities study angered elected Louisiana officials and potential donors to a $600 million university-led redevelopment project

Gulf Coast

How Big Oil is ruining a small ‘slice of heaven’ town in Texas

Export terminals shipping nearly half of U.S. crude oil have formed around Ingleside on the Bay, turning the coastal town into an unlikely ‘fenceline’ community.

Gulf Coast

Energy efficiency program killed; advocates say Louisianans will pay the price.

The state Public Service Commission voted along party lines to end a program to save energy and money for residential customers — who already top the US in electricity use

Gulf Coast

Video: The failed promise of industry jobs in polluted communities

A new documentary, based on a Tulane study, debunks the promise of high-quality employment for residents of color when new industrial plants come to their neighborhoods

Gulf Coast

Update: US electricity prices are surging. These companies want out.

Citing few renewable options and projected price jumps, industries in Louisiana propose their own power generation, free from monopoly utilities

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