South Louisiana News

State Sen. Jean-Paul Coussan (R-Lafayette) said that he was "truly humbled" to be the only candidate in the race for the Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC) to have received the endorsement of the Louisiana Oil & Gas PAC. 

"I’m truly humbled to be the only candidate with the trust and endorsement of the Louisiana Oil & Gas PAC," Coussan said in a Facebook post. "I’ve been a strong ally for our oil and gas workers and jobs, which help us protect our national security and reduce our energy costs!"

Coussan further expressed his support for oil and gas workers and jobs that he says help reduce energy costs for Louisianans. 

As WBRZ reported on October 7, Coussan's campaign is placing an emphasis on his support for the natural gas industry and, in turn, natural gas consumers. "I am going to be coming at a perspective of our natural gas capabilities and production in Louisiana to make so our energy prices stay low our jobs are protected, and we can provide cheap affordable domestic energy," Coussan told WBRZ.

In February 2021, the Louisiana Illuminator reported that the Louisiana House and Senate Natural Resources Committees held a joint meeting where they expressed concern or criticized President Joe Biden's recent executive order pausing offshore drilling. According to Coussan, who was serving as chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, Biden's executive order stemmed from "a misunderstanding of our oil and gas industry."

During the hearing Coussan also said that the state's oil and gas industry "has shown a commitment to more safe and responsible practices," and noted that companies have invested billions in technologies that "reduce harmful pollutants," and that the industry is "committed to making these enhancements while producing enough energy to transition away from being dependent on foreign energy.”

Coussan served two terms as the Representative of District 45 in the Louisiana House before being elected to the Louisiana State Senate. During that time he served on the House Natural Resources Committee, including as its chairman. 

Coussan will face Julie Quinn, a lawyer and former State Senator, and Democrat Nick Laborde, a human resources consultant, for the District 2 seat on the Louisiana Public Service Commission during the November general election. If no candidate reaches the 50 percent threshold, the top two vote receivers will advance to a runoff.