Latest news with #LouisianaDepartmentofEnvironmentalQuality
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Early-season activity may indicate an above-average hurricane season in Louisiana. What to know
Saturday, June 1 marked the official start of hurricane season in the Atlantic Ocean, and this year is forecasted to see an above-average number of storms. As of June 2, the National Hurricane Center has highlighted an area off of the southeast coast of Florida, and the U.S., for tropical cyclone activity. The storm system currently has a low chance of developing, however, rain and thunderstorms are expected to impact Florida in the following days. The National Hurricane Center is also monitoring a tropical wave off the cost of Africa, south of Cabo Verde, that's moving west at 17 mph. Dust from the Sahara is currently being carried westward across the Atlantic Ocean, and strong winds can transport this dust further to the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, according to the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality. This dust can help prevent tropical storms from developing or strengthening. In June, tropical storms typically develop close to the U.S., off of the southeast coast, in the Gulf Coast or in the Caribbean. Later in the season, storms usually form out of tropical waves moving off the coast of Africa, The Palm Beach Post reported. Early tropical storm activity can indicate an active hurricane season, although, this is not a definitive predictor. While early activity can suggest a more active season, it's possible that an active June and July can be followed by a quieter year, says the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Peak hurricane activity is usually from mid-August until mid-October and, in some cases, hurricane season may have a quiet start in June and July, but see an increase of activity later in the season, says the NOAA. The NOAA has predicted this hurricane season to be above-normal, citing a number of factors for an above-average season, including continued ENSO-neutral conditions, warmer-than-average ocean temperatures, weak wind shear and the potential for higher activity from the West African Monsoon. Presley Bo Tyler is a reporter for the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@ This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: What does early tropical storm activity mean for hurricane season?
Gizmodo
2 days ago
- Climate
- Gizmodo
Lousiana House Passes Legislation to Fight Weather-Controlling ‘Chemtrails'
Tinfoil hats are back out amongst Louisiana legislators. Last week, lawmakers in the House passed a bill to ban 'chemtrails' in the state. What are those, exactly? Oh, you know. The white lines left behind by aircraft that conspiracists insist are chemicals released by the government or other agencies for potentially nefarious purposes. People's primary concern with chemtrails used to center around using chemicals to control people. Lately, though, conspiracists have honed in on chemtrails as part of a plot to control the weather. Louisiana's Senate Bill 46 aims to solve that by prohibiting the intentional dispersement of chemicals for the 'express purpose of modifying weather, temperature, climate, or sunlight.' As of now, there aren't any actual fines involved with the ban. However, the bill would require the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality to record chemtrail sightings and send data to the state's Air National Guard. Thankfully, lawmakers were thoughtful enough to include exceptions to the ban for specific activities like firefighting. While defending the bill, Rep. Kimberly Landry Coates told fellow lawmakers that 'multiple people. Multiple groups, contractors,' are involved with the conspiracy. When asked by Rep. Candace Newell (D) what chemicals Coates has evidence of, she responded, 'Barium. There is a few, some with long words that I can't pronounce.' Unfortunately for forward-thinking lawmakers like Coates, chemtrails have long been debunked as a bogus conspiracy theory. In 2016, a survey of leading atmospheric scientists 'categorically rejected the existence of a secret spraying program.' Instead, these white streaks are simply contrails formed when emissions from aircraft engines interact with water vapor at high altitudes. Basically, as the Environmental Protection Agency summarized, contrails happen under certain conditions 'for the same reason that we can see our breath on a cold day.' Chemtrail conspiracies have existed for decades. However, MAGA enthusiasts helped drive its resurgence and give it further credibility in official discourse. Last August, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. responded to a tweet about a 'chemtrail pilot whistleblower', writing, 'We are going to stop this crime.' And during a town hall interview with Dr. Phill in April, Kennedy responded to a woman's comment about chemtrails by pushing blame onto another agency and vowing to do everything in his power to stop them. In addition to Louisiana, lawmakers in several other states, including Florida and Pennsylvania, introduced legislation targeting chemicals and geoengineering. Although it may seem silly, these laws may hinder efforts to address climate change. While defending SB46, Coates specifically accused the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of sending chemicals into clouds to reflect sunlight and cool the Earth. 'Wild and wacky ideas, with no basis in truth, are being raised and argued as if they were true — often with little or no media push-back,' Mark Shanahan, a professor at University of Surrey in the United Kingdom, told Newsweek. 'The president sets the tone and so far, Donald Trump has encouraged and enabled the circus of craziness. While US government is more about ratings than effectiveness, this disconnect from reality is set to continue.' SB46 passed Louisiana's House with a vote of 58-32.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Meet Courtney Burdette, new head of Louisiana Department Environmental Quality
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — Courtney J. Burdette was named the new secretary of the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) by Gov. Jeff Landry on May 2. Her background as a veteran attorney includes experience in environmental law and public administration, according to a news release from LDEQ. She joined the agency in 2014, serving as general counsel before serving as executive counsel from 2023. She made history at LDEQ, becoming the first Black woman to hold those positions. She earned a bachelor's degree from Howard University and a juris doctorate from LSU's Paul M. Hebert Law Center. Burdette's legal career includes working as an assistant attorney general with the Louisiana Department of Justice and judicial clerkships at the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana. 'Secretary Burdette's broad experience, professionalism, and long-standing dedication to public service make her uniquely qualified to lead LDEQ into its next chapter,' Landry said. 'She understands the critical importance of protecting our environment while fostering responsible economic development. We are proud to welcome her back to the agency in this leadership role.' Louisiana joins lawsuit against US nuclear commission, argues overstepping authority Burdette, a Baton Rouge native, described it as an honor to return to LDEQ to lead the agency in its mission to provide environmental protection services and compliance programs. Her goal is to strengthen the relationship with stakeholders, the industry, and the public while ensuring transparency. 'This is a full-circle moment for me, and I'm honored to return to LDEQ as Secretary,' Burdette said. 'I know the caliber of professionals that work here and the impact this agency can have on Louisiana's environment and the communities we serve. Together, we will uphold the highest standards of integrity and innovation as we tackle some of our state's most complex environmental challenges.' Son of singer Rick James sentenced for assaulting inmate in California prison Gov. Landry starts Operation GEAUX for immigration control in Louisiana Meet Courtney Burdette, new head of Louisiana Department Environmental Quality GOP lawmakers signal discomfort with Trump Qatar jet, Middle East diplomacy Free cancer screenings, music, food at Live Well Baton Rouge event this weekend Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
E&E News
05-05-2025
- Business
- E&E News
Former Trump FWS head departs Louisiana agency, returns to DC
Former Fish and Wildlife Service Director Aurelia Skipwith Giacometto's groundbreaking and rocky tenure as Louisiania's top environmental regulator has now ended with her move to a Washington-based law firm. Appointed in November of 2023 as the first Black female secretary of the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, Giacometto was dogged throughout her time in Baton Rouge by staff departures, low department morale and highly critical media accounts of her leadership. Republican Gov. Jeff Landry announced Giacometto's departure Friday, praising her accomplishments that he said included a 2.5 percent reduction in the department's fiscal 2026 budget, which Landry described as savings of more than $5 million. Advertisement 'Aurelia prioritized environmental improvements to our air, land, and water, while also keeping a focus on the jobs and businesses that often suffer from red-tape and over-regulation,' Landry said in a statement. 'We are grateful for her actions to improve the Department and wish her the best in her next endeavor.'
Associated Press
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
The head of Louisiana's Department of Environmental Quality leaves for a new job
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — The head of Louisiana's environmental agency is leaving her position for a job at a law firm in Washington, D.C., the governor's office announced on Friday. Aurelia Skipwith Giacometto, secretary of the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality and a former wildlife official for President Donald Trump's administration during his first term, was the first Black woman to lead the state agency. Giacometto, a biologist and lawyer who spent more than six years at agrochemical giant Monsanto, was appointed by Gov. Jeff Landry in November 2023. The state agency is responsible for ensuring the citizens of Louisiana have a clean and healthy environment to live and work. Among other things, the department regulates pollution sources and responds to environmental emergencies. When Landry, a Republican, took office last year, he said Giacometto understood 'the balance between protecting our environment and ensuring job creation.' Landry has been a major defender of the state's fossil fuel industry. Louisiana, which is situated on the Gulf Coast and home to diverse natural landscapes that include bayous, forests and coastal areas, has tens of thousands of jobs tied to the oil and gas industry. Additionally, the Deep South state has had a front-row seat to the impacts of climate change. Hurricanes are making landfall more frequently, coastal areas are being eaten away by erosion, subsidence and rising sea levels, and the Mississippi River has reached record-low water levels, causing barges with agricultural exports to get stuck and allowing a mass influx of salt water that has threatened drinking supplies. During Giacometto's year and a half in office, she has faced criticism over her management style and numerous employees, including some high-profile staffers, have left the agency, as reported by The Advocate. Courtney Burdette, who has worked in the department for a decade in various positions, has been named by Landry as the next secretary.
