ICYMI: Kennedy in Center Square: Louisiana’s energy producers make it possible for U.S. to defend its national security interests

WASHINGTON - Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) penned this op-ed in the Center Square arguing that Louisiana energy producers play a vital role in ensuring America's national security interests. Kennedy's op-ed also appeared in Shreveport-Bossier's BIZ Magazine.

Key excerpts of the op-ed are below:

"President Donald Trump did not start a war with Iran. He is trying to stop a war by Iran. Our intelligence showed that Iran had renewed its nuclear weapons program. Our intelligence also showed that Iran had begun manufacturing hundreds of missiles and drones a month so that Iran could threaten to destroy the entire Middle East if we ever attacked it again to stop its development of a nuclear warhead. The Trump administration had no choice but to do what we did.

"One of the reasons the president was able to attack first in order to protect America's security and interests is because we are no longer dependent on Iran or any other nation for energy. In fact, we can produce enough oil and gas to satisfy America's energy needs and have some left over to sell to our friends in Europe, for instance.

"Just 10 years ago, Louisiana sent its first cargo export of liquified natural gas (LNG) overseas to our allies. In the decade since, Louisiana energy producers have ramped up LNG shipments to nearly 15 billion cubic feet per day. That's enough LNG to power 15 London-sized cities every day."

. . .

"The world has long known that it can count on Louisiana to be the most interesting state in America. But many world leaders now understand that they can count on Louisiana to be something more: The world's premier energy supplier."

Read Kennedy's op-ed here.