Crude oil prices have hit a seven-year high of 80-bucks a barrel and that’s not a good thing in a number of ways for Louisiana. Dave Brannen reports.
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”
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Long-awaited travel trailers for those who’ve been displaced by Ida are beginning to roll in the state. Brooke Thorington has more from one of the biggest proponents for getting the program up and running.
Cut 2 (32)…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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With crude oil prices at their highest level in seven years, gas prices aren’t the only things fuel-related being impacted by the 80-dollar a barrel price. LSU Professor David Dismukes says winter heating bills in Louisiana are expected to be impacted negatively.
Cut 3 (06) “….be concerned about.”
Dismukes, who is Executive Director of LSU’s Center for Energy Studies, says the rising price of crude is happening at the same time as natural gas prices head higher, and thus the cost of power generation in the state.
Dismukes says while the state is not that reliant on heating oil to keep homes and businesses warm during the winter, the price of crude still impacts the costs of other fuel options.
Cut 4 (10) “…prices are skyrocketing.”
While you might think that rising oil prices might be a positive thing for Louisiana’s oil and gas industry, Dismukes says that’s not necessarily the case given the Biden administration’s negative thoughts on fossil fuels.
Cut 5 (08) “…wells right now.”
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Almost a month and a half after Ida made landfall in southeast Louisiana travel trailers are finally beginning to roll into the state to help those who have been displaced by the storm. Houma Representative Tanner Magee has been extremely vocal about the delay and says he’s relieved for those people who’ve so desperately needed shelter.
Cut 6 (10) “…overjoyed.”
Magee says more than five thousand requests for the trailers have been submitted to the state so far. The state is acting as the middleman in acquiring the trailers and will be reimbursed by FEMA. Magee says in the first sourcing request for trailers the state acquired roughly 700.
Cut 7 (12) “…up steam.”
The state being involved in acquiring trailers is a pilot program for distribution and Magee says it’s an effort to reduce time and red tape for those in need of shelter. Magee says if a site is not able to support a trailer, then recipients have the option of a trailer park.
Cut 8 (11) “…basic overview is.”
To register for housing visit IdaShelteringLA.com
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After dealing with years of budget deficits during Governor Edwards’ first term in office, the state is reporting a billion-dollar surplus for the fiscal year that ended June 30th. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says the state’s economy outperformed economists projections
Cut 9 (10) “…surplus”
Dardenne says some of the money will go into the Rainy Day Fund and towards other constitutional dedications. He says state lawmakers will have the ability to spend 450-million dollars of it on one-time projects…
Cut 10 (13) “…in the state”
Dardenne says when lawmakers gather for the 2022 session in March they’ll also have federal coronavirus relief dollars to spend. He says it’s an opportunity for the state to make some wise investments…
Cut 11 (07) “…next year”
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Matthew Mire the man accused of killing a state trooper, an Ascension Parish woman, and wounding three others Saturday in a multi-parish shoot spree was denied bond today. Legal Analyst Franz Borghardt says he’s not surprised. Borghardt says he says a defendant has a constitutional right to a bond determination…
Cut 12 (12) “….without bond ”
Mire appeared in court via Zoom this afternoon and it was also revealed in court that the suspect is on lockdown and under suicide watch at the East Baton Rouge Prison. Borghardt says this is normally a precaution to protect a suspect and Mire could be on watch for a number of reasons.
Cut 13 (12) “…or others”
Because the string of shootings took place in three separate parishes Borghardt says prosecutors will most likely work together due to the seriousness of the crimes and he expects Mire will be assigned counsel that is prepared to handle a capital case.
Cut 14 (12) “…prosecute him”
31-year old Mire faces several charges including first-degree murder of a police officer, attempted first murder of a police officer, and aggravated flight from an officer.