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illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on Grist or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: Louisiana has passed a controversial law redefining natural gas — a potent fossil fuel — as “green energy,” enabling it to qualify for clean energy funding alongside wind and solar
• The legislation, signed by Governor Jeff Landry, mirrors bills recently enacted in Ohio, Tennessee, and Indiana, all drawing from model language crafted by the conservative American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), which has longstanding ties to the fossil fuel industry
• Critics warn that the move undermines genuine sustainability efforts and misleads investors and the public
🔭 The context: Natural gas is widely used in Louisiana, powering roughly 75% of the state’s electricity, but it is a significant methane emitter and prone to failure during extreme weather — as noted in a 2025 state audit
• ALEC, funded by oil and gas interests, has promoted similar pro-fossil-fuel legislation across the U.S. since the 1970s, including laws criminalising protests and discouraging divestment
• Lawmakers like Rep. Jacob Landry, who introduced the bill and has strong financial ties to the industry, argue that the measure protects against “foreign energy dependence,” though grid experts dispute its effectiveness
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Redefining natural gas as “green” risks diverting scarce public funds away from truly low-carbon technologies and prolonging reliance on fossil fuels
• Such legal maneuvers also obscure the climate and health risks of methane emissions, impeding efforts to achieve emissions targets and a just transition
• Critics argue it is a clear case of greenwashing, enabling decades more investment in polluting infrastructure under the guise of sustainability
⏭️ What's next: The law opens the door for Louisiana gas projects — including pipelines and liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals — to access funding streams previously reserved for clean energy
• Analysts expect potential legal challenges and growing scrutiny from investors and civil society over the misclassification of natural gas
• Meanwhile, pressure is likely to build on federal agencies to clarify definitions of “clean” and “green” energy to prevent further dilution of standards at the state level
• Policymakers and utilities may also face growing calls to diversify Louisiana’s grid to improve resilience against climate-driven weather events
💬 One quote: “It’s classic greenwashing — using the language of sustainability to describe an activity that’s actually not sustainable at all.” — Laura Peterson, Union of Concerned Scientists
📈 One stat: Louisiana accounts for ~10% of U.S. natural gas production and holds ~6% of national reserves, yet its grid remains among the least reliable in the country
See on illuminem's Data Hub™ the sustainability performance of Exxon Mobil, Phillips 66, and their peers in the U.S. fossil fuel sector
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