Pelican Institute for Public Policy

Climate lawsuits seeking billions of dollars from energy producers are increasingly shaping national policy debates. That's why judicial neutrality matters.

According to reports, the Federal Judicial Center removed a climate science chapter from a judicial reference manual after concerns that it could be perceived as favoring one side in active climate litigation. Now a coalition of Democratic attorneys general is pushing for its reinstatement.

Courts should decide cases based on evidence and the law—not on guidance that could be viewed as endorsing a particular litigation strategy or policy outcome.

Read more: https://subscriber.politicopro.com/article/eenews/2026/06/03/democratic-ags-urge-resurrection-of-judicial-manuals-climate-chapter-00947128

Energy lawfare isn't just an attack on producers—it's an attack on affordable energy.

Every lawsuit that seeks to punish companies for producing the energy Americans rely on creates uncertainty, discourages investment, and threatens future energy production. The result? Higher costs for families, businesses, and workers across the country.

Reliable, affordable energy is a cornerstone of human well-being and economic opportunity.

Read more: https://www.aei.org/articles/american-energy-national-wealth-wins-at-the-us-supreme-court/

American Energy National Wealth Wins at the US Supreme Court Efforts to punish fossil energy producers through expansive litigation threaten the national wealth, energy affordability, and economic gains those industries help generate.

Who controls your electric bill?
Right now, Louisiana voters are deciding — and the stakes couldn’t be higher for abundant, affordable, reliable energy.

Our latest analysis breaks down what’s really at stake for families, businesses, and our energy economy.

Read it here 👇
https://pelicanpolicy.org/energy/who-controls-your-electric-bill/

“The repeated state funding of local pet projects and non-governmental organizations at alarming levels – as critical state needs like LA GATOR remain unmet – demonstrates ‘business as usual’ at a time when lawmakers should be fulfilling their pledge to enact positive change and take Louisiana in a new, more prosperous direction,” said Erin Bendily, Senior Vice President of the Pelican Institute, an influential right-leaning think tank that has been a major proponent of LA GATOR.

Read more: https://www.nola.com/news/louisiana-budget-with-no-money-for-teacher-stipends-some-question-millions-in-local-projects/article_c641c56a-c160-4c5e-aeeb-c521e33a634b.html

Louisiana budget: With no money for teacher stipends, some question millions in local projects A plan to set aside millions in the state budget for local projects without funding a pay raise for teachers or expanding the LA GATOR school voucher program has prompted criticsm from observers on both sides of the aisle.

Today, we remember the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country.

Their sacrifice secured freedoms we should never take for granted.

From all of us at Pelican Institute, thank you to those who gave everything for America. 🇺🇸

Some fights never really end — especially when they threaten Louisiana jobs, our energy economy, and the rule of law.

Last September, our CEO Daniel Erspamer joined Brian Haldane to unpack the lawfare targeting American energy and how the Pelican Institute filed amicus briefs at the U.S. Supreme Court to protect coastal communities by moving these cases to federal court.

While SCOTUS has since delivered major victories for energy workers, the lawsuits keep coming and the economic damage continues. The fight for free enterprise and affordable energy in Louisiana remains far from over.

Daniel’s breakdown is still essential listening today.
🔗 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coastal-battles-capitol-moves-daniel-erspamer-breaks/id1799070125?i=1000727211288

Coastal Battles & Capitol Moves: Daniel Erspamer Breaks It Down Podcast Episode · Mornings with Brian Haldane · September 17, 2025 · 14m

Once again, the Louisiana Senate Finance Committee has chosen politics over students. With no debate or discussion, new funding for LA GATOR championed by Governor Landry, the Trump Administration, the Louisiana House, and 65% of Louisiana voters was stripped out of the state budget. On behalf of the thousands of families who will, once again, be left on a waiting list, we are deeply disappointed in this outcome.

The budget is the clearest definition of the legislature's priorities. Louisianans will be looking closely at what projects Senators prioritized over education, and we will be especially curious to see how the $50 million returned from the MFP from last year's budget is allocated in the supplemental bill.

The Senate floor vote (and possible conference committee) give another opportunity for Senators who support education freedom to step up and lead for the children of Louisiana.

Old debates die hard — especially when they threaten Louisiana jobs, our energy economy, and the rule of law.

Last fall, Melissa Landry laid it out perfectly in the : the Supreme Court had a chance to deliver a major victory for America’s energy workers by stopping the weaponization of our courts through government-sponsored lawsuits.

This April, SCOTUS delivered exactly that — an 8-0 decision in Chevron v. Plaquemines Parish, sending these coastal cases to federal court.
Yet the lawsuits keep coming, the economic damage continues (lost jobs, lost royalties, higher costs for all of us), and the fight for free enterprise and affordable energy in Louisiana is far from over.

Revisit the column today.
🔗 https://dailycaller.com/2025/10/23/opinion-supreme-court-has-victory-americas-energy-workers-melissa-landry/

MELISSA LANDRY: Supreme Court Has Chance To Deliver Victory For America's Energy Workers The Court has an opportunity to restore constitutional balance and protect American energy workers,

There’s still time for the legislature to fully fund LA GATOR. Bonus good news: It's also what a majority of voters across all major parties want!

17,387 Students are waiting. Let’s fund LA GATOR and give every eligible child a shot at a school that fits.

Louisiana will fight anybody over SEC standings. But when it comes to school choice, we're getting lapped by Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, and Tennessee. The law exists. The families showed up. Governor Landry, House Representatives, and BESE members are ready. The Senate Finance Committee keeps punting. Lane Kiffin didn't come here to punt, and neither should Baton Rouge. 🐊 🏈

Read the full guest column by a Louisiana father of two here >>> https://pelicanpolicy.org/lagatorguestcolumn