One of the biggest votes in favor of supporting the lawsuit filed against 97 oil and gas companies by the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East could come this Saturday, Feb. 8. The Louisiana Democratic Party will vote to decide whether or not to support the SLFPA-E’s lawsuit.
John Barry, the former vice president of the SLFPA-E’s board and Foster Campbell, the utilities regulator, will make their case at the meeting. Barry is one of the lawsuit’s strongest proponents. The Central Committee of the Louisiana Democratic Party received a letter from Campbell asking for their support for the lawsuit.
The lawsuit was filed last year and seeks damages from the oil and gas industry for the damage and injury to the state’s wetlands and coastal areas. Governor Bobby Jindal’s administration has been a staunch opponent of the lawsuit. The governor was also responsible for appointing Barry’s replacement on the SLFPA-E’s board. Campbell’s letter to the central committee asked, “Which side are you on – the special interests’ or the people’s interests?” Campbell said that the Democrats need to stand behind the state, the environment and the people.
The resolution to support the lawsuit has already been approved by the Democratic Party’s resolution committee; however, that doesn’t mean the resolution will automatically be passed. Should it pass, though, the support will be a huge boost to an issue that has already begun to dominate the 2014 legislative session.
Issues that involve the environment can often be complex and require litigation to see any substantial results. An experienced environmental law attorney may provide valuable advice for those wishing to pursue such civil action to protect the environment.
Source: nola.com, “State Democratic Party will vote on whether to support east bank levee suit against oil and gas industry” Lauren McGaughy, Feb. 06, 2014
