SUMMARY: Louisiana may lose revenue from a recently passed constitutional amendment related to offshore wind and renewable energy royalties due to President Trump’s memorandum halting new wind energy leasing on the Outer Continental Shelf and pausing federal approvals for existing projects. This scrutiny extends to existing leases, beginning with the Lava Ridge Wind Project, which faces reevaluation. Wind energy is criticized for hidden environmental costs, reliability issues, and the extensive resources required compared to fossil fuels. With U.S. Department of the Interior plans for Gulf of America offshore wind leasing rights, Trump’s order threatens these developments, stalling progress on potential projects.

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SUMMARY: A historic blizzard in southern Louisiana brought up to 10 inches of snow, affecting public utilities. The Lafayette Utilities System (LUS) reported water pressure drops impacting 12,000 customers, leading to a boil water advisory for the northern part of the city. While the electric grid remained stable initially, outages were reported in Lafayette and Tangipahoa Parish, with some caused by vehicles crashing into utility poles. The storm is expected to worsen, with temperatures dropping below freezing and further power disruptions possible. Crews are ready to respond, though icy conditions could delay restoration efforts.

“While crews are ready to respond, icy roads and other winter hazards are expected to slow travel and restoration efforts,” Entergy said in a statement. “Additionally, cold-load pickup, the increased energy demand that occurs when power is restored to systems impacted by extreme cold, may delay restoration times.”

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Coast Guard is ramping up operations in response to President Trump’s national emergency declaration regarding maritime borders. Acting commandant Adm. Kevin Lunday announced the deployment of cutters, aircraft, and specialized forces to deter mass migration from Haiti and Cuba, particularly near Florida. The increase in resources extends to Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. territories, and the southwest maritime border with Mexico. The Coast Guard, in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security and Defense, aims to intercept illegal migration and drug smuggling. Recently, they repatriated 200 individuals, primarily from the Dominican Republic, Bahamas, and Cuba.

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