Jeff Landry (La.) — The incoming Louisiana lawmaker will take the seat of retiring Rep. Charlie Melancon (D). Louisiana’s 3rd District encompasses the southeastern part of the state hit hardest by the summer’s massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Landry is eager to use his seat on the Natural Resources Committee to end what he calls the administration’s “de facto moratorium” on oil and gas drilling in the Gulf and allow the permitting process to move more swiftly. “They have just lumped the entire offshore oil and gas industry into one category,” he said. “When it involves energy, I certainly would like to see the next Congress become a little more energy friendly and also energy realistic,” which includes expanding production of a range of energy sources, including nuclear and “clean coal.”

Read more – 10 to watch: GOP freshmen on energy