Compromise reached on ‘legacy lawsuits’ debate

Lawmakers this morning announced they’ve brokered an agreement in an ongoing dispute between the oil and gas industry and landowners over how to address “legacy lawsuits” centered on cleaning up environmental damage caused by drilling projects years ago—and in some cases decades ago. The proposal, included today in a bill by Sen. Robert Adley, R-Benton, would allow cleanup plans devised by the Department of Natural Resources to be admissible as evidence in a lawsuit for a larger damage claim, a move sought by the oil and gas industry. Two other agencies, the Department of Environmental Quality and the Department of Agriculture, would also be allowed to weigh in on cleanup plans. Permitting that additional input addresses complaints from landowners who say the industry has too heavy an influence over DNR and could pressure the agency in cleanup estimates that would be reviewed to determine damages. More details on the compromise, as well as comments from lawmakers and representatives from the oil and gas industry, are available on the Louisiana Oil & Gas Association website here.