America is blessed with abundant and reliable energy sources, but the radical environmental movement has effectively used their vast power and resources to cripple the lifeblood of our national advancement and prosperity. There are few greater examples than the state of Louisiana.

That’s why, this week, I had the privilege to travel around Louisiana to hear firsthand and learn from the state’s energy workers. I toured Port Fourchon and saw firsthand how Louisiana’s southernmost port sustains oil & gas production across the Gulf of Mexico, providing an indispensable energy for our nation’s economy. We held a roundtable with Attorney General Jeff Landry and State Representative Philip DeVillier to hear how they are leading the fight against the extreme eco-left. And we met with energy leaders in Lake Charles, Baton Rouge, and Lafayette to talk about the challenges and opportunities they see facing the industry.

Wherever I went, I heard an incredible sense of optimism about the future of Louisiana and its oil & gas industries. Despite attacks on their industry which have created devastating inflation crippling household budgets across America, Louisiana’s energy workers are eager to unleash another energy renaissance. As soon as they have leaders who are once again willing to fight the radical left and get them off their backs, they are ready to get the job done.

Between Joe Biden and his eco-left allies, Louisiana’s oil & gas industries have been under constant attacks in recent years. They have led an unprecedented and radical effort to transform the American economy with the consequences most devastating in energy producing states.

The state’s congressional delegation — led by Majority Leader Steve Scalise — punches above their weight in fighting for Louisiana’s energy workers at the federal level. However, for nearly eight years, Louisiana’s Democrat Gov. John Bel Edwards has failed to take meaningful action to protect his state from the radical far-left. Early in his term, Gov. Edwards even threatened several parishes unless they sued oil and gas companies. His hand-picked successor, former Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson, would be even worse, supporting more lawsuits against the oil & gas industry and raising gas taxes.

Fortunately, Gov. Edwards’ most likely successor — Attorney General Jeff Landry — would be a stark reversal, providing welcome relief for Louisiana’s energy workers. Having grown up in the heart of Louisiana’s oil patch, he understands its importance to the state. During his time in office, Attorney General Landry has consistently stood up to the Biden administration’s extreme green agenda. Just one example: in 2021, a federal judge blocked the Biden administration’s suspension of new oil and gas leases on federal land and water thanks to a legal challenge from Attorney General Landry.

Though our nation cannot be saved overnight, there is no time to waste to turn things around. That starts by unleashing the power of America’s energy producing states like Louisiana. A renewed energy renaissance in Louisiana is the first step for ensuring a national revival for the American people.

Daniel Turner is the founder and executive director of Power The Future, a national nonprofit organization that advocates for American energy jobs. Twitter: @DanielTurnerPTF