Flood Official: Oil Companies ‘Trashed the Hotel Room’

A Louisiana flood control official is likening the oil and gas industry in coastal Louisiana to rock stars who bring a lot of money to the area but, in his words, “trashed the hotel room.”

Stephen Estopinal was speaking in defense of an unprecedented lawsuit filed against nearly 100 oil, gas and pipeline companies by the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East.

Estopinal is a member of the authority. He spoke on Aug. 14 before a legislative transportation committee meeting in Baton Rouge.

The authority’s suit says oil and gas activity is a major cause of the erosion of coastal land that serves as a natural buffer against flooding from hurricanes.

The industry is highly critical of the suit. Gov. Bobby Jindal has said the authority should withdraw it.