As a new community organizer with Healthy Gulf, I recently had the privilege of traveling to Washington, D.C., to speak out against the harmful Energy Permitting Reform Act (EPRA). I joined my colleague, SE Texas-SW Louisiana Organizer Breon Robinson, as well as partners from Oceana, for a week spent meeting with key decision-makers to make our case against this legislation. EPRA would have devastating consequences for Gulf Coast communities and our environment.
The threat of the Energy Permitting Reform Act (EPRA)
This bill, introduced by Senator Joe Manchin (I-WV) and Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), seeks to increase offshore oil and gas lease sales, fast-track permits for liquefied methane gas export facilities, and roll back critical environmental protections. If passed, it would undo significant progress made by the Biden administration, including the pause on approvals for liquefied methane gas export terminals. The stakes are high. This legislation could exacerbate existing environmental challenges and deepen the burdens on vulnerable Gulf Coast communities.
Our week was packed with back-to-back meetings, starting early in the morning and often running late into the evening. Breon and I met with representatives from the White House Council on Environmental Quality, the Department of the Interior, and various Congressional and Senatorial offices. These discussions were critical to explaining the dire consequences of EPRA including the expansion of offshore oil and gas lease sales beyond the three already mandated by the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. This dangerous increase would lead to further heating of the Gulf of Mexico, fuel more destructive severe weather events, and harm the communities that rely on the Gulf’s resources.
A moment of reflection and connection
On our final day in D.C., we gathered with Oceana staff and partners for a much-needed dinner at Busboys and Poets, a beloved local spot. This gathering was more than just a meal—it was a chance to reflect on our advocacy and renew our commitment to the fight ahead. I left feeling more determined than ever to defend the Gulf’s ecosystems and coastal communities from harmful, dirty energy-promoting legislation.
Through coalitions with organizations like Oceana, we are expanding our reach and strengthening our ability to protect the Gulf. Together, we will continue to advocate for clean energy solutions and push back against dangerous bills like EPRA, which put the interests of the oil and gas industry ahead of our planet’s health and our people’s well-being.
Join us in the fight to protect our Gulf!
Now more than ever, your voice is crucial in the fight against EPRA. This bill is a dirty deal that hands massive benefits to the oil and gas industry at the expense of Gulf Coast communities and marine life. If passed, it would deepen the environmental damage caused by offshore drilling and delay our nation’s transition to clean, renewable energy.
You have the power to help stop this harmful legislation. Contact your representatives today and tell them that you support ending offshore drilling and prioritizing clean energy for a safer, more sustainable future. Together, we can protect our Gulf’s communities and ecosystems—take action now!
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Gregory Swafford is the Southeast Louisiana Organizer for Healthy Gulf. He works to build campaign movements across Southeast Louisiana, particularly against LNG expansion in Cancer Alley. He is a co-founder of Culture of Cleanliness, a New Orleans-based organization established in 2022 to combat littering and illegal trash dumping in New Orleans neighborhoods.