Today, the Grow Louisiana Coalition, which has more than 110,000 supporters in Louisiana, made the following statement after Governor Jeff Landry announced a settlement from ConocoPhillips in its coastal lawsuits:

“It’s a sad day when the state of Louisiana celebrates another ‘sue and settle’ deal against one of the largest energy producers in the world. For decades, Louisiana’s economy thrived thanks to energy producers like ConocoPhillips. Now, we’d rather let offshore energy development dry up and sue our way to success.

Since the coastal lawsuits were first filed, we’ve seen energy production in Louisiana waters drop by more than 50 percent and, over the last two years we’ve seen more residents leave Louisiana than any other state. Louisiana remains addicted to its trial lawyer economy. Look no further than billboard lawyers taking private equity investment to sue more people and more businesses.

Louisiana’s coastal parishes should not be forced to choose between the trial lawyer economy, which extracts wealth and opportunity, over the energy industry, which has built the economic and community prosperity we’ve enjoyed together for over a century.

Our oil and natural gas industry is already the number one private investor rebuilding our coast. We can keep that partnership going or drive it away in favor of short-term paydays that put more money in the pockets of trial lawyers.

It’s time to end the madness. Drop the coastal lawsuits and let’s get back to work.”