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Affordable, reliable and clean energy must be permanent

September 17, 2026

Need to know

RealClear

Common Sense

MORE LNG, PLEASE: Black Bayou Energy Hub announced a $1.6 billion Louisiana expansion along the growing LNG corridor.
The reason? “Louisiana doesn’t just produce energy — we build the infrastructure that makes America’s energy economy possible,” Gov. Jeff Landry said.
Why it matters: Black Bayou Energy Hub is developing infrastructure designed to increase the movement, storage and delivery of natural gas across the Gulf Coast. The project will add capacity and connectivity to Louisiana’s existing energy network, helping meet growing demand across the region.
Last summer, Louisiana delivered one of the strongest examples and greatest victories for Affordable, Reliable, Clean Energy Security legislation when it became the first state to codify into law a guarantee of affordable, reliable and clean energy for homes and businesses statewide, positioning the state as a powerhouse of economic growth and innovation.
Consider:
  • The project is expected to create 58 new job opportunities in Louisiana.
  • The investment greatly expands critical natural gas infrastructure in southwest Louisiana.
  • Construction will begin later this year with commercial operations expected to begin in late 2028.
Landry boasted: “Black Bayou Energy Hub’s investment reinforces Louisiana’s place at the center of America’s energy future and demonstrates why companies continue choosing our state to build the next generation of American industry.”
More than $48 billion in LNG projects have been announced in Louisiana since 2024, and investment at that scale creates demand for the infrastructure and businesses needed to support it.
Bottom line: Louisiana is a leader in energy, as well as the accompanying infrastructure needed to support it. More states should follow their example.

Nonsense

ARC IS THE ANSWER: There are fundamentally different approaches to achieving affordable energy. One is a short-term, feel good approach like the Trump administration’s recent repeal of the Biden-era rules to limit the carbon dioxide emissions from power plants that drive climate change.
The other is a simple, but permanent, fix like ARC Energy Security, whether it be through an Executive Order or voted into law by Congress.
Why it matters: While revoking the power plant rule would save industry more than $300 billion in costs and help “unleash” American energy, it simply isn’t enough.
The harsh reality is that environmental groups will certainly challenge the ruling in court, perhaps dragging it out for years. And if a Democrat gets elected president in 2028, this ruling will undoubtedly be overturned once he or she takes office the following January, rendering it meaningless.
Consider: 
  • Affordable, reliable, clean energy is built on proven resources such as natural gas and nuclear energy.
  • That is why the measure introduced by Rep. Troy Balderson (R-Ohio) should pass the House and advance to the Senate.
  • The bill formally defines three key energy terms for energy regulators: affordable, reliable, and clean. Currently, these terms can be left open to interpretation by the executive branch and can shift from one administration to the next.

While President Trump has worked to roll back the previous administration’s Green New Deal agenda, this legislation would make those reversals legally binding.

American families need PERMANENT affordable and reliable energy. Nothing less is acceptable.
Bottom line: This EPA ruling, while noteworthy, lacks the required permanency that ARC legislation provides. It must become the law of the land.

 

A look ahead

  • Nothing on the calendar for next week.

Quote of the week

“We are proposing to repeal Obama and Biden rules that have been criticized as regulating coal, oil and gas out of existence.”
— EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin