RSS Feed

By Derek Draplin | The Center Square

(The Center Square) – President Joe Biden’s administration issued an order temporarily halting leases and permits for oil and gas development on federal land, fulfilling a pledge he made during his campaign, despite pushback from the industry and states that rely on revenue from energy development.
Acting Interior Secretary Scott de la Vega signed an order that suspends approval of new land leases and drilling permits for 60 days. The order also “temporarily elevates review” of other agency decisions for DOI leadership.
“The Order does not impact existing ongoing operations under valid leases and does not preclude the issuance of leases, permits and other authorizations,” DOI said in a statement Thursday.
Biden, whose campaign pledged to ban new leases and reinstate environmental regulations rolled back by the Trump administration, has nominated U.S. Rep. Deb Haaland, D-N.M., to serve as DOI secretary pending the Senate’s approval.
The order was criticized Thursday by energy industry groups and praised by environmental watchdog organizations.
American Petroleum Institute President and CEO Mike Sommers said in a statement that the move means the U.S. will have to rely on foreign countries for energy development and risks American jobs.
“With this move, the administration is leading us toward more reliance on foreign energy from countries with lower environmental standards and risks to hundreds of thousands of jobs and billions in government revenue for education and conservation programs,” he said. “We stand ready to engage with the Biden administration on ways to address America’s energy challenges, but impeding American energy will only serve to hurt local communities and hamper America’s economic recovery.”
Kathleen Sgamma, president of the Denver-based Western Energy Alliance, warned that the temporary ban is “a precursor to a longer-term ban.”
Sgamma added that if the acting secretary does not hold quarterly lease sales as required by law, the Alliance is “prepared to challenge this intended ban in court at the appropriate time.”
Dan Ritzman, the lands, water and wildlife director for the Sierra Club, tweeted that the organization “welcomes this opportunity for the Biden administration to chart a new path for our country’s lands and waters.”
“Pausing new fossil fuel decisions brings us closer to healthier communities, a healthier climate and healthier wild places,” he said.
Several western states rely heavily on tax revenue from energy development that takes place on federal lands, such as Wyoming and New Mexico.
A federal lease moratorium would result in a $639.7 billion hit to gross domestic product (GDP) in Wyoming, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Montana, North Dakota, California, and Alaska by 2040, according to a report released last month that was commissioned by the Wyoming Legislature.
“The economic predictions are devastating, to be blunt, to Wyoming,” Gov. Mark Gordon said when the study was released.
Gordon’s office did not respond to a request for comment on the DOI’s order.
Conservation projects also rely heavily on revenue from energy development on federal lands.
DOI disbursed $8 billion from offshore and federal land energy development to the states in 2020, down from $11.69 billion in 2019.
The Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA), which passed Congress with bipartisan support, relies on oil and gas development royalties to pay off the National Park Service’s $12 billion maintenance backlog.
The Land Water Conservation Fund, which GAOA requires to be funded with $900 million annually, is funded by federal offshore oil and gas revenue, which in turn is distributed to states for conservation projects.
DOI announced on Tuesday that LWCF’s State and Local Assistance Program will get over $302.3 million for fiscal year 2021 that’s apportioned to states.

October 21, 1935 ~ January 19, 2021

KAPLAN — Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, January 22, 2021 at Vincent Funeral Home - Kaplan honoring the life of Dallas “Gramps” Fontenot, 85, who died Tuesday, January 19, 2021 at Abrom Kaplan Memorial Hospital. He will be laid to rest at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Cemetery with Reverend Matthew Hebert officiating the services.
He is survived by his companion, Lona Richard of Kaplan; his two daughters, Trina Rost and her husband, Craig of Leroy and Lori Domingue and her husband, Chad of Kaplan; his 12 grandchildren, Penny, Nicholas, Amber, Ashley, Lainie, Hunter, Amber M., Fayth, Carlee, Jonathon, Jordan, and Brennen; his 13 great grandchildren; and his three sisters, Margie Richard of Lafayette, Joyce Istre of Kaplan, and Jane Landry of Abbeville.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Clemence Fontenot and the former Agnes Hebert; his three brothers, Clemence Fontenot, Jr., Mervis Fontenot, Sr., and Robert Fontenot, Sr.; and his sister, Mae Rose Abshire.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Kaplan, 300 N. Eleazar Ave., on Thursday, January 21, 2021 from 1:00 PM until 9:00 PM with a rosary being prayed at 7:00 PM; Friday, January 22, 2021 from 8:00 AM until the time of the services at 10:00 AM.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Kaplan, (337) 643-7276 [Service Information 225-5276]. Condolences may be sent to the Fontenot family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.

The sale of Pearl the pig raised $100,000 in Vermilion Parish for a scholarship fund to honor 10-year-old Kaylee McLain, who died last month in an accident.
The fundraising effort came during the auction of 4-H animals on Jan. 16.
“We have amazing and generous people in Vermilion Parish,” said Shannan Waits, LSU AgCenter 4-H agent in Vermilion Parish.
In the midst of their grief, Kaylee’s parents, Erin and Allen McLain, set up the scholarship fund to help provide students with education in Catholic schools.
Gwen Broussard, a 4-H volunteer who helped the McLain family set up the scholarship fund, said word spread about the upcoming sale, and numerous people pledged money to buy the pig.
“When this happened, people wanted to find a tangible way to support the family,” Broussard said. “Before the pig even sold, we knew we had $38,000.”
The pig wasn’t sold to just one individual for $100,000; numerous people placed winning bids on the pig, then donated the animal for another round of bidding. At the auction, Pearl was sold, then donated back for another sale 26 times, Broussard said. In total, more than 100 families and businesses contributed to the final amount.
But even after auctioneer Mike Dominique struck the final gavel with a total of $96,000, the bidding wasn’t over. Waits said as her husband, Hilton, also a 4-H agent, was talking to the audience about the significance of the donations, a 4-H supporter, Danny Meaux, rose to speak.
“He said, ‘We’re not going to leave it at $96,000. We’re going to put up another $4,000,’” Shannan Waits said.
Broussard said people were taken aback. “The crowd gasped. It was so emotional. The family couldn’t believe the amount of money raised.”
During the livestock show, Waits said, Kaylee’s fellow 4-H students were wearing ribbons made by the Pointe Coupee Parish 4-H Junior Leader Club. She said the idea for that gesture came from Brandi Frey, 4-H agent in Pointe Coupee, whose husband attended the LSU Ag Leadership program with Allen McLain, a rice and crawfish farmer. “It was just something they did out of the kindness of their hearts.”
The McLain family also donated a belt buckle for the winner of the Swine Overall Champion Swine Showmanship award. The buckle was inscribed with the phrase “All Heart No Shoes” to recognize Kaylee’s enthusiasm for her 4-H swine project and her preference to go barefooted. “She never wore shoes anywhere,” Broussard said.
The award and buckle were won by Paityn Martin. Broussard said the family plans to continue sponsoring the award.
Broussard said Kaylee, who died Dec. 10, was a devout, kind soul. “This was the kid who was always laughing and having fun.”
She said it was the first year that Kaylee was eligible to participate in a livestock project, and she and Pearl entered the show ring in November in a preliminary event for Vermilion Parish competitors.
“She worked with her pig every day,” Broussard said.
Pearl was shown at the parish show by Kaylee’s mentor, high school student Amelia Detraz, and Pearl managed a respectable fifth place in her class.
“Amelia had helped Kaylee with her pig, so it was special that Amelia got to show Pearl,” Waits said.
Donations continue for the scholarship fund. A Venmo account has been established, Venmo@Kaylee-Abigail-McLain.Mem.
Donations also can be made at any Bank of Erath branch for the Kaylee Abigail McLain Memorial Fund, or mailed to Bank of Erath, P.O. Box 308, Abbeville, LA, 70510.

With a shared mission and vision to enhance the Vermilion parish community, it made perfect sense for Pastor Walter August, Jr., senior pastor and chairperson of Bethel’s Place, to collaborate with Williams Scholar Academy (WSA) on his latest construction endeavor.
The newly-approved Type 2 charter in Vermilion is spearheaded by School Leaders, Dr. Twyla Williams-Damond and Mrs. Tiffany Williams-Spraggins. Williams Scholar Academy will serve as the academic anchor for the state-of-the-art Educational Center inclusive of office space, classrooms (6-12th grade), science laboratories, technology center, library, cafeteria, full gymnasium, and an outdoor recreational facility. The double-faced building will also be characterized by 65,000+ sq. ft. and 3+ levels.
Upon completion, the establishment will house:
• The Williams Scholar Academy in the Educational Center
• The James A. Herod Cultural Center, which will give homage to James A. Herod High School ‘s alumni and former educators
• An African-American History Museum
• Several Adult Learning suites
In dual roles, Dr. Damond and Mrs. Spraggins will also serve as the curators for the entire facility.
Dr. Williams-Damond states, “Immediately upon BESE approval this past December, WSA was blessed to be in the position of contemplating several respectable offers concerning facilities. We would be remiss if we did not express our gratefulness for the outpouring of support from local businesses and commercial real estate owners who were willing to house our school. However, Pastor Walter August, Jr. provided the vision that most closely aligns with WSA’s goals for students. In addition, his reputation for philanthropy and working in Vermilion is undeniable.”
Mrs. Spraggins says, “We all stand on the shoulders of the educators who started and kept James A. Herod going for many years. It is an honor to help revitalize that history and be a part of increasing the learning outcomes for students. Combining educational endeavors with the ability to rebuild at such a historic site is a rare opportunity and we are truly humbled to be a part of this venture. We intend to shift the narrative and commence a new story within our own historic borders. WSA’s belief: ‘Your school. Your choice’.”
With a goal of more than $10 million dollars, Bethel’s Place will officially start the Building Capital Campaign on Martin Luther King Day, January 18, 2020. During Abbeville’s MLK activities on Monday, Pastor August will share his vision for the property as one of the featured guest speakers. All social distancing requirements will be in place.
Interested in donating to the Building Capital Campaign? Please make checks payable to: Bethel’s Place- James A. Herod Project. All donations are tax deductible and can be sent directly to Gulf Coast Bank of Abbeville.
For more information on Williams Scholar Academy, visit wsascholar.com.