PARIS – Gov. John Bel Edwards and Louisiana Economic Development officials met with top executives of two companies experimenting with new carbon-reduction technologies to promote Louisiana’s advantages for energy investment. The engagements at the corporate headquarters of Air Liquide and TotalEnergies highlighted the early portion of the governor’s economic growth and diversification mission to France and Belgium, focusing on the energy, aerospace and life sciences sectors.
In addition, Governor Edwards continues to be in regular contact with Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Director Casey Tingle for updates on ongoing state and local efforts to provide assistance to Louisianans struggling with continued power outages and other impacts from the severe weather. He was also briefed on Tropical Depression Three, a storm system forming in the Atlantic Ocean.
Air Liquide and Total Energies have emerged as leaders in the production of renewable and low-carbon hydrogen in France. That raises the specter of future investment opportunities in the rapidly expanding hydrogen sector in Louisiana, where the two companies together employ more than 700 workers at a dozen industrial sites in and around Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Lake Charles and Oakdale.
“Like so many legacy oil and gas companies in the United States, France’s Air Liquide and TotalEnergies have fully embraced the global transition to new, lower-carbon energy production,” Gov. Edwards said. “Today’s exchange allowed me to personally thank them for their long commitment to our state, and to remind them of the high value that Louisiana’s skilled workforce, world-class logistics, abundant natural resources and business incentives programs would bring to additional investments. As the only Gulf Coast state with a Climate Action Plan and a goal to reach carbon neutrality by 2050, we are uniquely suited for continued investment from these international energy industry leaders.”
Air Liquide’s U.S. operations, which date back to 1968, include several industrial gas facilities in Louisiana. The company has played a pivotal support role in the state’s economic hurricane recoveries by providing the nitrogen needed to restart many industrial facilities, especially refineries, after precautionary shutdowns. The company recently announced a major commitment to produce renewable and low-carbon hydrogen at industrial scale through proprietary electrolysis and carbon capture, storage and reuse technologies.
“Air Liquide is proud to support the growth of the Louisiana economy and its community through decades of investment,” said Chris Clark, Group Vice President, Large Industries World Business Line, Air Liquide. “The work of more than 500 Air Liquide employees at 35 facilities in Louisiana supports large industrial customers while creating innovative and sustainable technologies for the future, like hydrogen and carbon capture. The products we produce in Louisiana are driving the energy transition and advancing decarbonization efforts, enabling us and our customers to create a more sustainable world.”
TotalEnergies, a frequent partner in Air Liquide ventures, began as a French fossil fuel company in 1924 but has more recently adopted a “multi-energy” strategy emphasizing new investments in low-carbon energies, ranging from offshore wind and solar to hydrogen and synthetic fuels. TotalEnergies’ portfolio of petrochemical industry investments in the United States dates back to
1957 and includes oil refining, chemicals, LNG, offshore exploration and production. It operates the world’s largest polystyrene plant, in Carville, La.
Since 2020, 19 companies have announced $33.2 billion in energy transition-related business development or expansion projects in Louisiana, representing more than 19,000 potential new jobs. Those projects – which involve solar, wind, hydrogen, renewable fuels, electric vehicle battery materials and carbon capture and storage – have positioned the state for an unprecedented third consecutive year of total capital investment exceeding $20 billion in 2023. The state has created a new website to capture the rapid expansion and diversification of the sector at Energy.OpportunityLouisiana.gov.
Gov. Edwards will conclude the energy-related portion of his trip Tuesday when he takes part in an International Energy Agency briefing at the Paris Air Show. The remainder of his day will be devoted to meetings with executives of global aerospace and aviation corporations, including Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and Airbus.
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