Hillyer wants to stop the lawsuits against the Oil and Gas Industry for the damage they caused to Louisiana's environment over the past half century. In place he would like to see former Governor David Treen's long ago plan to address the situation which Treen called CWEL (Coastal Wetlands Environmental Levy) Never mind that was over 40 years ago when the Louisiana legislature failed to pass the plan because of the objection of the Oil and Gas Industry and the same political mind set that opposes the ongoing suits against the industry taking place today.
Why is Hillyer bringing up CWEL now? Is it because the industry is suggesting or pushing that to use as just another delaying tactic. A state court has already found Chevron liable for damages and fined them $700 million. The recent Supreme Court decision does not change that finding and the attorney representing those who brought the suit against Chevron said he would continue the fight in court.
Past Politidose commentary was way ahead of Hillyer and the media on the matter of CWEL with several commentaries long ago and especially two major ones titled, It is time for the Louisiana legislature to act on CWEL dated 5/10/2010 and, "The Wisdom of former Governor Treen" dated 4/22/2014 which included a letter Treen wrote to the Times Picayune and explained the purpose of CWEL. Politidose commentary filled the void the media failed to act on concerning CWEL and the legislature failed to enact the plan which would have started collecting revenues over 40 years ago. That was a crushing blow to Louisiana's environment because the legislature chose to support the industry over the health of the state and its people.
Governor Treen was a conservative, but not like today's so called republicans. Treen did not govern by ideology like today's GOP and Trump. He had the wisdom to see the real problem and come up with a sane and fair plan that addressed the situation. When one governs by ideology, failure follows. The people of Louisiana were fortunate that Barrack Obama was President when the BP explosion took place, caused so much damage to life and the environment and the President answered the call and held BP accountable.
Nice try Mr. Hillyer, but politidose commentary was there for CWEL long before your recent empty commentary. If the media in Louisiana would have paid more attention to CWEL and its benefits the past 40 years, maybe they could have been a force to put pressure on the subject and accomplish something special. The do nothing attitude of the state and the media was the trigger for the lawsuits now pending.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
