Louisiana’s New Law Labels Natural Gas as Green Energy

Louisiana redefines natural gas as green energy, raising sustainability and climate concerns across the country.

Despite being a fossil fuel that is known to emit planet-warming greenhouse gases and contribute to climate change, Louisiana took a controversial step when it passed a new law that redefines natural gas as ‘green energy.’ Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry strongly supports the move and signed the law this week.

Ohio, Tennessee, and Indiana, the other three states led by Republicans, have passed similar laws. Meanwhile, several Democratic-led governments are working to reduce the use of natural gas. Cities like New York, San Francisco, and Berkeley have taken steps to ban natural gas hookups in new buildings, while some of these prohibitions have been challenged in court. Although coal, oil, and gas release greenhouse gases that warm the planet when burned for electricity, several executive orders were signed by President Donald Trump to promote these sectors. However, the European Union’s earlier certification of natural gas and nuclear energy as sustainable is being challenged by the Austrian government and organizations like Greenpeace. These new rules, according to environmental groups, are a part of a bigger attempt by petrochemical industry-related organizations. The aim of these industry-backed groups is to rebrand fossil fuels as climate-friendly and prevent attempts to switch electric networks to renewable energy sources like wind and solar.

Renewable energy sources that are essential to climate sustainability and do not pollute the environment, such as geothermal, hydropower, wind, and solar, are referred to as “green energy.” The new law in Louisiana, however, may cause state funding to shift from fully renewable energy to greenhouse gas–emitting fossil fuels like natural gas. Many environmentalists worry this could hinder efforts to build a cleaner, low-carbon future.