Louisiana has always been at the center of America's energy economy. Our oil and gas resources, refining capabilities, industrial infrastructure, and skilled workforce have helped power this nation for generations.

The Louisiana Economic & Energy Security Summit, hosted by the American Council for Capital Formation (ACCF) in New Orleans, reinforced just how important our state will be to America's next chapter of energy and industrial development.

The summit brought together leaders from the Trump administration, federal and state policymakers, and representatives of the energy and manufacturing industries to discuss energy security, supply chains, critical minerals, emerging technologies, and the infrastructure necessary to support America's growing economy.

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy highlighted Louisiana's role in strengthening American energy security and rebuilding domestic industrial capacity. Throughout the summit, one message was clear: Louisiana has an extraordinary opportunity to lead, but the decisions we make today will determine whether that opportunity creates lasting prosperity. Former U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu and former Congressman Garret Graves echoed the demand for energy and the need to develop more generation while emphasizing an all-of-the-above approach to meet the demand with the historic growth in economic development we’re experiencing in Louisiana.

We've Been Here Before

Louisiana experienced a tremendous energy boom during the 1960s and 1970s. Oil and gas development brought economic opportunities that helped build much of the industrial infrastructure we depend on today.

But those of us who remember that period also remember what followed. We remember the energy downturn of the 1980s and the devastated communities across Louisiana. Companies closed facilities, shifted investments to other states, and thousands of Louisiana families were forced to seek employment elsewhere.

While global energy markets played a major role in that downturn, the experience demonstrated the risks of depending too heavily on a narrow segment of the economy.

Today, Louisiana is experiencing another period of extraordinary energy and industrial investment. Data centers and other types of large, advanced manufacturing are creating opportunities that could transform our economy for decades.

But we cannot allow another historic boom to be followed by another devastating bust.

This time, we must be smarter about how we approach economic development, recognize changing market demands, and avoid policies that unnecessarily limit our opportunities.

Building on Our Strengths Without Picking Winners and Losers

One of the comments that stood out to me during the summit came from Tommy Faucheux, President of the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil & Gas Association (LMOGA).

Faucheux reminded attendees that Louisiana's current economic opportunities are the result of generations of investment in our energy industries. "What we did the last 100 years has positioned us to be experts in the growth we see coming today," he said. He continued, emphasizing the importance of making decisions that benefit Louisiana businesses and communities for generations. "Let's not pick winners and losers, let's talk about what will really make us successful, not for today or five years from now, but for generations!"

I could not agree more.

Yes, Louisiana's oil and gas industry has given us an incredible foundation of infrastructure, expertise, and workforce capabilities. We should build upon those strengths - but we should also recognize that today's energy marketplace is changing.

Companies investing billions of dollars in Louisiana have different energy requirements, operating timelines, and corporate objectives. Some need natural gas generation. Others are seeking renewable energy. Many require a combination of resources to meet their electricity needs.

An all-of-the-above energy strategy means allowing those market demands to drive investment rather than having the government decide which technologies should succeed.

It is not about choosing oil and gas over renewables, or renewables over traditional energy. It is about recognizing that both have an important role in Louisiana's future.

As Louisiana competes for the next generation of industrial investment, we should welcome every responsible energy resource that can help meet that demand.

The Market Is Telling Us What It Needs

One of the summit’s central themes was the growing connection between energy availability and America’s industrial competitiveness. Louisiana is now seeing unprecedented interest from companies looking to invest in data centers, manufacturing, and other energy-intensive operations. These companies aren’t simply searching for a site to build—they’re looking for states that can provide the infrastructure, workforce, and energy resources their businesses need to succeed.

That creates both an opportunity and a responsibility for Louisiana. We must recognize that energy customers increasingly want choices. Some prioritize traditional generation, others have renewable procurement goals, and many are seeking diversified solutions that balance reliability, affordability, and their broader business objectives.

If Louisiana doesn’t respond to these market demands, other states will—and we know what happens when investment and jobs move elsewhere. For that reason, our energy policies should anticipate the market rather than try to dictate it.

That means establishing regulations that are reasonable and predictable, respecting property rights, and enabling responsible private investment across all energy technologies.

Making This Boom Last

One of the most important takeaways from the summit is that Louisiana’s future success won’t be determined only by how much investment we attract today—it will depend on whether we create the conditions that keep that investment growing for generations.

Louisiana has a tremendous advantage: the energy expertise we’ve built over the past century. But we can’t afford to be so focused on protecting yesterday’s successes that we miss tomorrow’s opportunities. The next generation of energy development will bring new technologies and evolving business models. Louisiana should be positioned to benefit from that evolution—not resist it.

I want to thank the American Council for Capital Formation for inviting me to be a speaker, and for bringing together such a wide range of industry leaders and policymakers to discuss these critical issues. As Louisiana Director of the Southern Renewable Energy Association and Powering Louisiana, my message aligns with the summit’s core theme: support responsible energy development, encourage private investment, and promote policies that allow Louisiana to compete.

We should celebrate the energy industries that built Louisiana—and at the same time welcome the investments and technologies that will shape its future. The energy boom of the 1960s and 1970s helped build modern Louisiana. The bust that followed should remind us why diversification, sound policy, and long-term thinking matter.

We have another opportunity now. Let’s make sure we get it right. Louisiana’s next energy boom shouldn’t just be bigger than the last one. It should be smarter, more diversified, and built to last.

Because economic development depends on energy development - you can’t have one without the other.

Jeff Arnold is the Louisiana Director of Powering Louisiana and the Southern Renewable Energy Association, the former CEO of the Association of Louisiana Electric Cooperatives, a former Director of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Board, and a former 14-year member of the Louisiana House of Representatives.