Louisiana has always been an energy leader. For generations, oil and gas have been the backbone of our economy and a core part of our culture. Today, as global energy needs grow and new technologies emerge, our state is at an important crossroads. To keep Louisiana a leader, we need every tool in our toolkit.
Last week, leaders from across the state gathered for the Powering Louisiana Forum to discuss how we can build a stronger energy future together. Hosted by GNO, Inc. and the Southeastern Wind Coalition, this event brought together a diverse group of 55 representatives from Louisiana’s energy, nonprofit, academic, industrial manufacturing, and government sectors. Attendees included Entergy, MISO (Midcontinent Independent System Operator), Hyundai, RWE, Turner Industries, the Department of Conservation and Energy, regional planning commissions, and policy and advocacy groups such as the Pelican Institute, Advance Power Alliance, Southern Renewable Energy Association and the Alliance for Affordable Energy.
The forum featured panels on everything from Large Loads (like data centers and manufacturing) to "Technologies for 2030 and Beyond" (covering the future potential of advanced nuclear and geothermal power generation). We discussed how natural gas provides significant power and how new additions like solar, land-based wind in the Delta, and even offshore wind can help meet the growing global demand for clean power.
By combining the strength of our traditional energy industry with new innovations, Louisiana should be able to start generating more power right here at home.
Why This Matters for Louisianians
One of Louisiana’s most significant challenges is that more people are leaving the state than moving in. According to the 2025 Atlas Van Lines Migration Study, Louisiana is the nation's most "outbound" state. Many people leave to find better jobs and more economic stability.
At the same time, major companies like Amazon and Meta are moving into Louisiana, bringing new jobs and investments. These businesses, along with existing industries, need massive amounts of reliable power to operate. To grow Louisiana’s economic opportunities, we need an "all-of-the-above" energy strategy. This means supporting our traditional energy sources while adding new ones to make our power grid more reliable and affordable.
Honest Conversations
The forum focused on small-group discussions where experts could talk honestly about the real challenges we face. Four main topics were explored in detail at these roundtables included:
- Global and Local Markets, where experts discussed how Louisiana can utilize its port system, the largest in the Western Hemisphere, and its highly skilled workforce to lead the world in energy production. The conversation focused on creating a supply chain vision that connects local manufacturing to large-scale energy projects. By building parts for wind, solar, and traditional energy infrastructure at home, we can ensure that Louisiana workers are the ones filling high-paying jobs in the global energy market.
- Community Engagement discussed the importance of transparency and early communication to build trust so that town and parish leaders can work as true partners with energy companies. This group focused on making sure new projects provide clear, long-term benefits to residents, such as increased property tax revenue for local schools, better roads, and improved emergency services, while ensuring the local environment and character of the community are respected.
- The Power Grid roundtable addressed how we can invest in our energy system to deliver the new electrons urgently needed to support Louisiana's growth. Experts discussed multiple pathways to improve how we deliver power, including modernizing our infrastructure, installing new technologies to increase the transfer capacity of existing power lines, and participating in long-term planning efforts to build a grid that’s more reliable and better supports all Louisianans.
- State Policies and Rules participants discussed how the government can create fair, nonpartisan rules that provide "regulatory certainty" or, to put it plainly, create an environment where businesses feel safe investing in Louisiana. The goal is to modernize the permitting process so that energy projects can be built faster and at better price points, which helps keep monthly utility bills down for residents while ensuring every project meets high safety and environmental standards.
Looking Ahead
The Powering Louisiana Forum was a successful first step in bringing different voices to the table. The main takeaway is clear: the world is changing fast, and it isn't going to wait around. With the government and citizens working together, we can ensure Louisiana remains at the forefront of energy innovation and production. The all-of-the-above energy strategy isn't just about power lines and fuel; it's about building a stable, prosperous future where every Louisianian has the opportunity to thrive right here at home.
Stay tuned for a white paper detailing the findings from the roundtable discussions, which will be released soon by the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s Kathleen Blanco Public Policy Center.
Madelyn Smith serves as the Louisiana Program Director for the Southeastern Wind Coalition (SEWC). The Coalition is a nonprofit that works to advance the land-based and offshore wind industry in the Southeast. For more information about SEWC, visit their website at https://www.sewind.org/.
