Happy New Year! Our work to grow our economy in 2008 and 2009 continues to pay off…
A recent economic progress evaluation reported on by the Associated Press indicates “Louisiana secured expansion commitments from 23 companies and 10 new business projects, retaining 7,900 jobs and eventually creating up to 8,100 new positions.” Thanks to our aggressive economic development efforts and our commitment to workforce training, Louisiana is in on track for continued economic growth in 2010.
Unfortunately, proposals to regulate greenhouse gasses by the Environmental Protection Agency could threaten our continued economic progress. Last week I wrote to the Administrator of the EPA in Washington to object to their new proposals, which would have a chilling effect on refining and production capability in Louisiana and force employers to reduce their workforces or even possibly move their businesses to other countries. We need sensible solutions to the nation’s environmental challenges, but this proposed regulatory scheme should not be imposed unilaterally without even a chance for Congressional input.
As the Baton Rouge Advocate reported, my letter told the EPA that “changes this significant should at a minimum be vigorously and openly debated by Congress and should not be decided unilaterally by one government agency.”
We will continue to do everything we can to protect economic growth in Louisiana and we look forward to announcing even more economic wins that create jobs for our people in 2010!
Sincerely,
Governor Bobby Jindal
Tags: Economy & Jobs
