Mary Landrieu

The FAIR Act will do that. It will properly send money from oil and gas production to Gulf states.

I support the FAIR act. And so should any fair-minded person.

It is only fair then that oil revenues be used to protect Louisiana's land and people.

This legislation is in the national interest now, just as it was before.

No part of the United States--indeed, no part of the developed world--has suffered as much environmental damage because of the extraction of natural resources as Louisiana.

I don't think $100 million a year is going to do it. Do you?

But if the law is wrong you wouldn't recommend it be corrected?

Do you acknowledge that this coastal area operates some of the main ports in the United States?

That's exactly what the underlying principle of the FAIR Act is is to spend a little bit of money now and save a lot of money at the end

We’re not starting with a clean slate.

With a $500 million cap split 4 ways where the interior States have no cap. We have a $500 million cap split 4 ways. So that would basically generate a maximum of $100 million a year.

I think they would be shocked to hear you represent their interests that they are not entitled to share in the revenues.

That's how short changed the coastal States are.

The energy industry is responsible for a significant share of the destruction of coastal Louisiana.

I cannot imagine Federal taxpayers that live along the coast not believing that your organization is up here basically testifying that they have to pay 100 percent of the roads.

I'm disappointed in your lack of support for this bill.

I urge you to vote in favor of this bill and to enhance our energy security, our energy reliability, future innovation for alternative energy sources and the creation of many American jobs.

I believe the constitutional dedication of our federal revenue sharing helped pave the way for Congress to pass GOMESA in late 2006.

The only money I'm aware of is the $7 million in the Corps of Engineer budget. Seven million. Our master plan calls for $50 billion over 50 years.

I want to highlight the GOMESA Act that I was proud to be the lead sponsor with Senator Domenici.

Where would we get long term money if not from revenue sharing? Where will that come from?

Sometimes is it important to spend a little bit on the money on the front end to save a lot on the back end

It was totally disconnected before Katrina.

Just to finalize this point.

I think the States should be able to decide and determine the definition of alternative and renewable energy.