The fund would be used to develop electric cars, biofuels
and natural gas, among other items.
Landrieu is seeking to speed up an increase to Louisiana’s
offshore royalty payments which would grow to 37.5% in 2017. Landrieu would
like to see that begin immediately.
“The President's idea is not a new one and does indeed have
some merit," Landrieu said. "But dedicating offshore oil and gas
revenues toward this purpose and not at the same time acknowledging the role
that coastal states play in producing these revenues for the nation is a grave
oversight."
"As interested as I am in research and development for
alternative fuels, I will not be able to support such a proposal without first
addressing the inequity that currently exists between interior and coastal
states."In a separate issue, in the wake of issues uncovered in Europe involving horse meat mixed together with beef, Senator Landrieu has proposed a bill to ban the slaughtering of horses for food.
The Obama Administration is close to approving a new horse slaughterhouse in New Mexico. The 2012 Agriculture Appropriations Act lifted the ban on horse slaughtering.
According to Senator Landrieu, 80% of Americans oppose slaughtering horses for food.
