ENERGY: Urges and requests the state, its agencies, and the legislature to repudiate the Louisiana Climate Action Plan of 2022

Legislative Summary: House Concurrent Resolution 59 (2026)

Overview

House Concurrent Resolution 59 (HCR 59) is a resolution introduced by Representative Owen during the 2026 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature. The primary purpose of this resolution is to formally urge the State of Louisiana, its agencies, and the state legislature to repudiate the Louisiana Climate Action Plan of 2022 and its associated Priority Climate Action Plan.

Purpose and Intent

The resolution seeks to distance the state from the climate goals established under previous administrations. Specifically, it targets the framework developed by the Climate Initiatives Task Force (created via executive order in 2020), which aimed for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

The author of the bill argues that the 2022 Plan:
* Aligns with international agendas (such as the Paris Climate Agreement) rather than state interests.
* Imposes "burdensome regulations" that could hinder Louisiana's energy independence.
* Prioritizes "green" energy subsidies and electric vehicle credits over the state's traditional fossil fuel infrastructure.
* Infringes upon private property rights and state sovereignty by creating a dependency on federal funding and regulations.

Key Provisions

If passed, HCR 59 would establish the following:

• Formal Repudiation: The state and its agencies would officially reject the Louisiana Climate Action Plan and the Priority Climate Action Plan, declaring them non-binding for all current and future legislation, policies, programs, or agencies.
• New Policy Framework: The resolution calls for a shift toward "America-first and Louisiana-first" policies, emphasizing:
  • Increased domestic oil and gas production.
  • Protection of private property rights.
  • Free-market innovation over government mandates.
• Future Requirements: Any future environmental or climate initiatives must be developed with "robust input" from industry stakeholders, local communities, and the general public to ensure they are economically beneficial and technologically feasible.
• Legislative Oversight: The resolution asserts the need for the legislature to exercise greater oversight and conduct hearings when executive actions attempt to establish state policy.

Who is Affected?

• State Agencies: Departmental leadership and agency staff would be directed to cease treating the 2022 Climate Action Plan as a binding guide for policy.
• Energy and Industrial Sectors: The petrochemical, manufacturing, agriculture, and transportation sectors—which the bill highlights as vital to the state's economy—would see a policy shift away from "defossilization" and toward the support of fossil fuel resources.
• Environmental Policy Groups: Organizations advocating for the 2050 net-zero goal would find the state’s official policy framework shifted away from those objectives.

Procedural Status

As of April 16, 2026, the resolution has been read by title and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and Environment for further consideration.

Note: As a Concurrent Resolution, HCR 59 serves as a formal expression of the will of the legislature and an official request/directive to state agencies; it does not create new statutory law but sets a formal policy direction for the state.