Minor release contained: A hydrogen release triggered a brief fire that injured two workers at a new Air Products and Chemicals Co. plant in Luling today. Company spokesman Art George says the leak was contained to the plant site. The St. Charles Parish emergency office says the release was reported about 11:45 a.m., adding there was no threat to the public. The emergency office says one of the injured workers suffered burns to 40% of his body and the other injured a hand. Both were hospitalized. George says the accident happened as the plant was being started, adding that the plant shut down after the fire was extinguished by plant employees. The cause of the release is being investigated. Allentown, Pa.-based Air Products produces industrial gases and chemicals.
Billable hours: A behind-the-scenes firestorm of the legislative session centers on a big-money, years-long dispute between landowners and the oil and gas industry over how to handle cleanup of environmental damage from drilling years ago. Called “legacy lawsuits,” the issue has generated more than a dozen bills filed in the current session, which runs through June 4. Leaders of the House and Senate natural resources committees hope a compromise can be reached without contentious disputes in the Legislature. The Louisiana Oil and Gas Association says frivolous lawsuits over the cleanup are choking the industry and stopping exploration in the state; check out a recent letter from LOGA President Don Briggs’ on the suits here. Landowners—represented by lawyer Jimmy Faircloth, a former Jindal administration official—say they want to remediate property, but also want to preserve legal rights over damage claims. Gov. Bobby Jindal’s natural resources secretary, Scott Angelle, is trying to mediate a compromise.
Chitchat: Bill Parcells says the New Orleans Saints haven’t contacted him about possibly coaching the team in the wake of Sean Payton’s one-year suspension, which still could be appealed. Parcells did say, however, that Payton has spoken to him about how to handle the season. The Saints have yet to announce their future coaching plans. Payton’s agent, Donald Yee, says, “No decisions have been made about an appeal,” adding that Payton “fully supports the league’s player safety goals.” He says Payton “probably won’t address the entire league” Tuesday when he arrives at the NFL owners meetings.
