New Orleans, LA—The Pelican Institute for Public Policy released the following statement on behalf of CEO Daniel Erspamer in response to today’s jury verdict in the Plaquemines coastal litigation case:

“Today’s $745 million judgment means hundreds of millions less for energy production, drilling investments and the jobs they create. This is a setback for the new administration and the thousands of Louisiana families who depend on a strong energy sector. And the verdict sends a deeply troubling message about our economic future and overall legal climate.”

“For more than a decade, coastal lawsuits like this one have unfairly targeted energy producers for activities that were lawfully conducted decades ago. This misguided litigation is based on a dangerous premise: that companies can and should be held retroactively liable for actions that were legal, permitted, and often encouraged by the very governments now seeking massive damages. There is little doubt that, if left to stand, this chilling precedent would further undermine legal certainty and deter future investment in our state.

“Let us be clear—Louisiana’s coastal challenges are real. But turning our courtrooms into battlegrounds for politically motivated lawsuits is not the answer.

“Instead of endless litigation, Louisiana needs real solutions—smart, science-based, and collaborative strategies to protect our coast and grow our economy. That means aligning public and private interests around shared goals, not weaponizing the court system against the very industries that provide thousands of jobs and millions in tax revenue to fund our schools, hospitals, and infrastructure.

“We urge policymakers and community leaders to look beyond today’s decision and reject the false choice between economic growth and environmental stewardship. Working together, we can—and must—do both.”