Last week, governor-elect Jeff Landry selected former Trump administration employee Aurelia Skipwith Giacometto as the new secretary for the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality. This has left people questioning what exactly made him come to this decision as Giacometto was previously the leader of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Many are unsure why Landry considered her a good fit for the role.

When asked about his views regarding John Bel Edwards’ climate action plan, Landry made it obvious that he had no intention to follow the net-zero carbon emission plan set in place by the current governor.

Edwards set a goal to have Louisiana to reach a net-zero carbon emission status by 2050. However, Landry released a statement, “Trying to be carbon neutral at this time is extremely destructive on the economy and on the backs of working people. Our petrochemical industry - our oil and gas industry - has lifted more people out of poverty globally than any other industry on the planet.”

This statement seemingly ignores the 30 or more carbon capture projects that have been planned out for Louisiana. Many of these plans which have the financial and philosophical support of the petrochemical industries mentioned by Landry. In recent months, Landry has made it known that he has interest in the fossil fuel industry which may be one cause for the criticism received regarding his climate plan.

These climate capture projects have been a hot topic with environmentalists and many Louisiana communities. Some environmentalists have noted that the power source needed to capture carbon may create more emissions than they are able to offset. Also, some of the locations proposed for the storage of carbon emissions have caused fear regarding the impact on groundwater, ecosystems, and the surrounding environment.

It is unsure how Landry will proceed with the climate plan. The fossil fuel industry, which he supports, is in favor of the carbon capture technology he seems to be against. It is likely that Landry’s administration won’t be putting too much of a focus on the carbon neutrality plan. Landry instead stated that he wanted to “balance our environment and our industries and the jobs they create”.