BATON ROUGE – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, released the full agenda and list of speakers for his upcoming summit, “Louisiana Energy Security Summit: Unleashing American Abundance in a Changing Global Landscape,” in Baton Rouge on Wednesday, October 16, 2024.
Registration is open to attend in-person HERE.
Press must RSVP to shawn_hanscom@cassidy.senate.gov.
WHAT: Energy Security Summit
WHO: Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA)
WHEN: Wednesday, October 16
9:00am – 4:00pm CT
WHERE: Louisiana State Museum – Capitol Park Museum
660 N. 4th Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
| Louisiana Energy Security Summit: Unleashing American Abundance in a Changing Global Landscape | ||
| 9:00 AM – 9:10 AM | Opening Remarks Welcome by Sen. Bill Cassidy, setting the stage for the day’s discussions on leveraging our state’s energy and other resources to enhance U.S. economic security. | Sen. Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) |
| 9:10 AM – 9:30 AM | Fireside Chat: Louisiana’s Role in Strengthening America’s National Interests in a Changing Global Landscape A conversation between Sen. Bill Cassidy and Hon. Mark W. Menezes on the indispensable role Louisiana plays in promoting U.S. economic security. | Sen. Cassidy Hon. Mark W. Menezes, Former Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Energy |
| 9:30 AM – 10:00 AM | Protecting U.S. Interests Against Unfair Trade Practices This panel exposes how overseas adversaries exploit weak environmental and labor standards to create a competitive advantage in trade and suggests potential solutions to hold foreign polluters accountable. | Maureen Hinman, Co-Founder and Chairman, Silverado Policy Accelerator Catrina Rorke, Senior Vice President, Policy and Research, Climate Leadership Council Hon. James Connaughton, Former Chairman of the White House Council on Environmental Quality and Director of the White House Office of Environmental Policy Moderated by: George David Banks, Former Special Assistant for International Energy and Environment at the National Economic and National Security Councils, the White House |
| 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM | Executive Insights: Overcoming Competitive Challenges in Global Markets CEOs discuss Louisiana’s potential in advancing American interests, highlighting key investments and policy solutions needed to level the playing field against unfair global competition. | Massimo Toso, President and CEO, Buzzi UnicemUSA David Hardy, Group EVP and CEO Americas, Orsted Caroline Reily, Co-Founder and CEO, Aluminum Technologies Drew Marsh, Chairman of the board and CEO, Entergy Mark Widmar, CEO, First Solar Moderated by: Sen. Cassidy |
| 10:45 AM – 11:30 AM | Trade, Energy & Manufacturing: Implications for U.S. Industries and Competitiveness Further explores the challenges posed by unfair competition and what can be done to level the playing field for Louisiana’s industry at home and abroad. | Kevin Gundersen, Vice President of Global Corporate Communications and Government Affairs, Huntsman Corporation Calvin Hart, Vice President and General Manager, Nucor Steel Louisiana Jerae Carlson, Sr. Vice President, Cemex Scott Nielson, Vice President of Environmental, Sustainability & Innovation, Ash Grove Cement Company Linda Dempsey, Vice President, Public Affairs, CF Industries Moderated by: Sarah Stewart, CEO and Executive Director, Silverado Policy Accelerator |
| 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM | Louisiana Spotlight: State-Level Solutions Industry leaders discuss the key role of Louisiana’s oil, gas, and chemical industries in fostering a secure energy future. This panel will also highlight opportunities for innovation and job creation in Louisiana’s key manufacturing sectors. | Tommy Faucheux, President, Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association (LMOGA) Greg Bowser, President and CEO, Louisiana Chemical Association (LCA) Will Green, CEO, Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI) Mike Moncla, President, Louisiana Oil and Gas Association (LOGA) Moderated by: Desiree Lemoine, Director of Governmental Affairs, TJC group |
| 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | Carbon Capture: Cutting-edge technologies for reducing carbon footprints | Vikrum Aiyer, Global Head of Public Policy, Heirloom Douglas Chan, Chief Operating Officer, Climeworks Michael Manteris, Co-President, Blue Sky Infrastructure Patrice Lahlum, Vice President of Carbon Management, Great Plains Institute Bradley Ives, Executive Director, Institute for Energy Innovation, Louisiana State University Moderated by: Lynn Abramson, President, Clean Energy Business Network |
| Critical Minerals, Mining, and Processing: Regional to global policies | Hon. Aurelia S. Giacometto, Secretary, Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) Marcio Paes Barreto, Frontiers Initiative & EverCore Energy John Flake, PhD., Louisiana State University Chris Young, Chief Strategy Officer, ElementUSA Moderated by: Colleen Moss, Managing Director, ClearPath | |
| 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM | Load Growth and Energy Demand: Higher future demand for energy will bring a host of opportunities, risks and challenges | Nate Hill, Head of Energy Policy, Amazon Tom Neyhart, Founder and Executive Chairman, Posigen Ron Marinzel, Senior Director, Emerging Markets, X Energy Andrey Shuvalov, Vice President U.S. Energy Transition, Shell Moderated by: Tom Hassenboehler, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, CO2EFFICIENT |
| Louisiana’s Competitive Advantage: Leading the Globe in Low-Emissions Manufacturing Louisiana’s energy sector boasts a rich history and a bright future. Industry experts discuss how Louisiana is transforming its manufacturing sector to lead in low-emissions production, creating jobs, and driving economic growth. | Christen Campbell, North America Energy & Sustainable Technologies and Site Development Director, BASF Danna Leblanc, Commercial Executive Director, Air Products Greg Upton, PhD, Executive Director & Associate Professor-Research, Center for Energy Studies Louisiana State University Vanessa Martin, Louisiana LNG Project Vice President, Woodside Energy Frank J. Macchiarola, Chief Policy Officer, American Clean Power Moderated by: Xan Fishman, Senior Director, Energy Program, Bipartisan Policy Center | |
| 1:45 PM – 2:30 PM | The Bayou and Beyond: Enhancing U.S. Competitiveness through Exports Louisiana industries can advance U.S. leadership in the global marketplace through exports. | Dr. Paul Schubert, CEO, Strategic Biofuels LLC Dr. Robert R. Twilley, Vice President, Office of Research & Economic Development, Louisiana State University Will Latta, Vice President, Babcock & Wilcox Matt Barr, Vice President of State Government & Community Affairs, Cheniere Energy Hon. Kimberly A. Reed, Former Chairman, U.S. Export Import Bank, 2019-2021 Moderated by: Anna Johnson, Executive Director, West Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce |
| 2:30 PM – 3:15 PM | Louisiana’s Liquid Gold: Strengthening U.S. Geopolitical Influence through Energy Leadership This panel explores the critical role of Louisiana’s natural gas industry in strengthening U.S. geopolitical influence and securing a prosperous energy future. Experts will cover how increased domestic natural gas production can foster stability amid geopolitical uncertainties and drive economic growth. | Bob Pender, Executive Co-chairman and Founder, Venture Global LNG T. Lane Wilson, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Williams Hon. Mark W. Menezes, Former Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Energy, 2018-2021 Hon. Neil Chatterjee, Former Chairman, US. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Moderated by: Bob Stout, Senior Fellow, Duke Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability |
| 3:15 PM – 3:25 PM | Closing Remarks | Sen. Cassidy |
Last week, Cassidy announced key speakers and panelists for the summit. Learn more here.
Earlier this month, he announced key themes for the summit. They include:
- Advancing Energy Security in a Changing Global Landscape
- Exposing Threats to Global Trade and Energy Security
- Implications for U.S. Industries and Competitiveness
- Supporting Accountability and Fair Competition in Global Trade
- Enhancing U.S. Competitiveness Through Louisiana’s Industrial Exports
- Strengthening U.S. Geopolitical Influence and Advancing Energy Security
Background
Cassidy frequently highlights the geopolitical challenges confronting U.S. manufacturers operating internationally. Adversaries exploit lax environmental and labor standards to gain an unfair trade advantage over American companies. Cassidy advocates for a U.S. foreign policy integrating national, economic, and energy security.
He and U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) introduced their Foreign Pollution Fee Act to level the playing field with Chinese manufacturing and expand American production.
Earlier this month, he released the 3rd episode of Bill on the Hill, which highlights his Foreign Pollution Fee Act and discusses China’s growing economy and military at the expense of the American worker. After hearing fellow Americans share his concerns, Cassidy presented his plan to address the nexus between economic development, national security, and the environment. His Foreign Pollution Fee Act would even the playing field while holding China accountable.
He penned editorials in Foreign Affairs, The Washington Times, and jointly in the USA Today Network with State Senator Caleb Kleinpeter (R-Port Allen), and State Representative Blake Miguez (R-Erath) discussing the geopolitical threats China poses to U.S. global standing. Cassidy also joined Greta Van Susteren on Newsmax to discuss his foreign pollution fee, noting the competitive advantage China receives from intentionally ignoring environmental standards.
Last Spring, the Louisiana Senate and House of Representatives unanimously adopted a resolution urging Congress to pursue an industrial manufacturing and trade policy to counter competition from China. Learn more here.
Last Congress, Cassidy released a landmark energy policy outline in response to the Biden administration’s assault on domestic energy. The outline details how we can successfully reset U.S. energy policy, including Cassidy’s plan for an Energy Operation Warp Speed to cut permitting red tape and unleash domestic energy and manufacturing. In support of this complete vision and in addition to the Foreign Pollution Fee Act, Cassidy led Republican colleagues in opposition to a domestic carbon tax and introduced the first comprehensive judicial reform for permitting bill. He also pushed back on disastrous proposals from the Biden administration to limit development in the Outer Continental Shelf with the introduction of the WHALE Act and the Offshore Energy Security Act of 2023.
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