By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer
HACKBERRY, La. (LBM) – Louisiana’s congressional delegation praised President Donald Trump’s commitment to energy independence after his visit to the Cameron LNG Facility in Hackberry Tuesday, May 14.
Trump toured the $10 billion facility before speaking to employees, local officials, school children and other invited guests. During the rally, plant officials announced the Cameron LNG facility had begun producing liquefied natural gas from the first liquefaction train. It is the first of three trains that will ship American natural gas to global markets.
According to its website, Cameron LNG will be able to produce nearly 12 million metric tons of liquefied natural gas per year, or about 1.7 billion cubic feet of natural gas daily. That is enough energy to power 8.5 million U.S. homes in a single day.
“I’m so excited that President Trump could visit Louisiana and tout the policies that he and Congress have implemented that have allowed American LNG exports to flourish, even as other areas of the oil and gas industry have struggled due to state-level decisions,” Congressman Ralph Abraham, a member of Alto Baptist Church, told the Baptist Message. “I was proud to welcome him to our state, and I told him he was welcome back any time.”
Congressman Mike Johnson, a member of the First Baptist Church in Bossier City, took to Facebook to share his thoughts.
“Since President Trump took office and made energy dominance a top priority of his administration, domestic energy production in the U.S. has soared, and the industry has experienced an economic boom,” he said. “Thanks, in large part, to operations in Louisiana, we now have the ability to use our own resources rather than depending on hostile foreign nations to meet the demands of American industries and consumers.
“The administration’s focus on promoting pro-growth policies, coupled with deregulation efforts passed in the last Congress, has allowed businesses in the energy sector to create, invest and grow – leading to increased innovation and thousands of good-paying jobs in our state and across the nation,” he continued. “These extraordinary results are a prime example of what can be achieved when we unleash the power of the free market.”
Congressman Clay Higgins applauded Trump’s comments during the rally to build a new Interstate 10 bridge in Lake Charles.
“Thank you, President Trump,” Higgins wrote on his Facebook page. “Your commitment to build a new I-10 Bridge is a huge win for Southwest Louisiana.”
Both of Louisiana’s US senators were delighted that Trump came to the state to emphasize the important role it plays in energy independence.
“President Trump’s goal that the United States be energy dominant has been great for Louisiana workers,” U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy said. “Billions of dollars in investment and energy innovation in Louisiana has created thousands of good-paying jobs across our state.”
U.S. Sen. John Kennedy echoed the thought.
“The president’s visit to Cameron Parish allowed us to showcase Louisiana’s leading role in the energy industry,” Kennedy said in a statement. “Sempra’s LNG facility created thousands of jobs and promises to power millions of homes
“President Trump recognizes the importance of the energy industry to the American economy,” he continued. “He’s sweeping away the roadblocks that stand in the way of job growth. He is a true friend to the Louisiana energy industry.”
‘ENERGY REVOLUTION’
In his remarks, Trump said the 7,000 employees of the plant are helping lead an “American energy revolution.” He said the facility was an example of his America First policy.
“Workers like you are lighting up our homes, powering our factories, and reducing energy costs for hardworking American families,” Trump said. “You are not only making our nation wealthier, but you are making America safer by building a future of American energy independence. We are independent. We don’t need anybody.”
Trump also touted low unemployment and the creation of a Veterans Choice program that allows those who served in the armed forces to receive funded care from a community provider. He also promised to replace the aging I-10 bridge in Lake Charles if re-elected.
“It’s a very unsafe bridge — a lot of problems,” Trump said. “And we’re going to give you a new one. They’ve been trying to do it for a long time. So we’re going to start planning and development right away. And we’ll have it all set to go day one, right after the election, okay?”
