LMOGA Applauds Trump Administration for Timely Completion of NMFS Biological Opinion, Avoiding Major Disruptions to Offshore Industry

BATON ROUGE, LA - The Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association (LMOGA) commends the Trump Administration and the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) for their swift action in completing the Biological Opinion (BiOp) to meet the court-ordered deadline. This milestone ensures that the document will not be vacated, thereby averting a significant slowdown of offshore oil and gas permitting in the Gulf of America.

The timely completion of the BiOp protects the continued operations of the offshore oil and gas industry—an economic engine for Louisiana that supports tens of thousands of jobs, powers local communities, and drives billions in economic activity. A pause in permitting due to a vacated BiOp would have placed overwhelming burdens on offshore operators, disrupted supply chains, and caused irreparable harm to small businesses and energy workers who depend on steady activity in the Gulf.

“LMOGA sincerely appreciates the Administration’s commitment to meeting this crucial deadline,” said Tommy Faucheux, President of LMOGA. “Had this document been vacated, it would have triggered an immediate permitting backlog, bringing numerous offshore operations in the Gulf to a halt. That would have devastated Louisiana’s economy and workforce at a time when energy security and affordability are more important than ever.”

The offshore industry plays a vital role in America’s domestic energy supply and is a cornerstone of Louisiana’s economy. From welders and boat captains to engineers and service contractors, thousands of small businesses and families rely on a stable regulatory environment to thrive. The Administration’s leadership in avoiding a lapse in permitting safeguards not only energy production but also the livelihoods of working families across the Gulf Coast.

LMOGA stands ready to continue working with the Administration to ensure that science-based, timely decision-making supports the long-term viability of the offshore industry and the prosperity it brings to Louisiana and the nation.