Jindal Administration News

Feds issue Interim Guidelines for reefing old rigs at the same time that NOAA identifies myriad potentially polluting shipwrecks. Salvage opportunities abound. In late June, the U.S. Interior Department revised its interim policy for defunct, offshore oil-and-gas platforms, making it easier to turn them into artificial reefs under an initiative by the agency’s Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement or BSEE. Separately, and at virtually the same time, a new NOAA report that examines national oil pollution threat from shipwrecks has been presented to the U.S. Coast Guard.

With skilled craftsmen in short supply in U.S. coastal areas, many shipbuilders turn to their own, sometimes extensive, internal training. Because fewer young people are entering shipbuilding out of high school, the industry is faced with an aging workforce that will soon have to be replaced. As good jobs for shipfitters and welders go begging, industry leaders say it's way past time to spread the word about these opportunities. Pascagoula, Miss.-based John Lotshaw directs Operations Workforce Training and Development at Huntington-Ingalls Industries (HII).

Governor Bobby Jindal, Louisiana Economic Development Secretary (LED) Stephen Moret and company officials announced today that Edison Chouest Offshore (ECO) will expand its Louisiana shipyard operations at the Port of Terrebonne. The $10 million investment being requested by Governor Jindal in the second special session will help bring 1,000 new jobs with an average annual salary of $54,000. At the Port of Terrebonne, Edison Chouest Offshore, through its sister company LaShip, will build vessels to support growing deepwater offshore oil and gas industry needs for vessels with hull lengths greater than 350 feet. Pending legislative approval, the state will provide $10 million to support infrastructure improvements at the Port of Terrebonne to accommodate the company's expansion investment.