Grow Louisiana Coalition Responds to Plaquemines Parish Ruling ordering Chevron to pay $744 million

Grow Louisiana Coalition Responds to Plaquemines Parish Ruling ordering Chevron to pay $744 million

NEW ORLEANS – (April 4, 2025) – Today, the Grow Louisiana Coalition Executive Director Marc Ehrhardt made the following statement after a Plaquemines Parish jury delivered its verdict ordering Chevron to pay $744 million in damages:

“This is a shortsighted, flawed verdict that has the potential to sacrifice tens of thousands of jobs at the altar of Louisiana’s trial lawyer economy.

“We will hear all types of excuses about how this is only about the past. That Louisiana wants to build relationships with energy companies.

“The truth is that lawsuits don’t help relationships; they end them. We’re staring that in the face.

“Forget about Louisiana being known for its natural resources, infrastructure, and skilled workforce. With this verdict, Louisiana will be branded as a state that will extort the most recognizable companies on earth for billions of dollars, decades later, after being told that their work was welcome investment and in compliance with all laws on the books at the time.

“After this verdict, it’s clear: following the law in Louisiana will not protect you. This challenge is not limited to the energy industry. For many businesses, the risk of getting sued makes investing here too expensive. After this decision, trial lawyers across the state will go after any industry on any topic with enough profit to make it worth their while.”

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ABOUT THE GROW LOUISIANA COALITION

With more than 110,000 supporters, the mission of the Grow Louisiana Coalition is to raise awareness of and to rally support behind the state’s traditional economic industries in order to create a viable future for its citizens. More information is available at www.GrowLouisianaCoalition.com.