The Bayou State is no exception in the ongoing nationwide shortage of truck drivers as we hear in this report from Dave Brannen.
Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”
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Industrial gas supplier Air Products will build a $4.5 billion clean energy facility in Ascension Parish. Brooke Thorington has more on what this means for the state.
Cut 2 (31)…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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The truck driver shortage continues nationwide leaving some store shelves nearly bare, and goods not getting to where they are needed. Our state is no exception, says Renee Amar, CEO of the Louisiana Motor Transport Association.
While there seems to be no silver bullet to solving the driver shortage, Amar says the LMTA is offering scholarships through its foundation to offset some of the expense for drivers to obtain their CDL licenses.
Amar says the truck driver shortage and the significant growth in e-commerce since the beginning of the pandemic is causing major problems in the delivery of goods.
Cut 4 (11) “…seeing right now.”
Amar says you should consider buying Christmas gifts, including specific toys, sooner rather than later, but not just because of the truck driver shortage that could lead to empty shelves.
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The industrial gas supplier Air Products will build a $4.5 billion clean energy facility in Ascension Parish. The plant will produce blue hydrogen which uses natural gas to create an alternative fuel. Governor John Bel Edwards says it’s a tremendous step in clean energy.
The plant will also be able to capture carbon dioxide emissions and store them underground.
Edwards says this will be the world’s largest permanent carbon dioxide capture project to date. In addition to creating an alternative fuel, the complex will also feature carbon capture at the production source and store it underground.
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Air Products is not new to Louisiana, the company already employs 330 and the new plant is expected to create 170 new jobs. Air Products president Seifi Ghasemi (Say-fee Gah-sim-ee) says they share the governor’s vision to make Louisiana a leading player in the energy transition and a hub for clean energy production.
Cut 8 (12) “…kinds of projects.”
The facility is expected to be up and running by 2026.
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It’s been nearly seven weeks since Hurricane Ida made landfall and the recovery remains slow in the coastal town of Dulac in Terrebonne Parish. Former state representative Joe Harrison says the biggest need remains housing
There has been movement on getting travel trailers to the hard-hit areas. They serve as a temporary place to live for families who have destroyed homes. Sherry Verdin lives in Dulac and says they are waiting on FEMA for assistance…
Just over one thousand people live in Dulac, which is 17 miles south of Houma. Harrison says many families are eager to rebuild, but many residents are struggling to get an adjuster to come to their damaged home…
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The attorneys for Ronald Greene and Aaron Bowman say Governor Edwards has not done enough to end a pattern of excessive force by State Troopers. There’s body camera video showing Greene and Bowman on the receiving end of beatings by State Troopers during arrests in 2019 in north Louisiana. Attorney Lee Merritt represents the Greene family
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Greene died in police custody after he was repeatedly punched by Troopers. The governor’s office says the head of State Police, Colonel Lamar Davis, is working each day to implement reforms. But Merritt says the agency should be dismantled
Attorney Donecia Banks-Miley represents Bowman, a black man who was hit in the head 18 times with a flashlight. Trooper Jacob Brown is facing state and federal charges in connection with the Bowman incident. Banks-Miles is calling for significant changes to the L-S-P…
Cut 14 (09) “…expedite the change,”
Governor Edwards told KNOE-TV says some changes have been made, but more are needed.