What types of educational options are currently in use? What are the potential impacts of global regulatory restrictions on economic success? Will adequate domestic infrastructure be there to meet global LNG growth aspirations without adversely affecting existing domestic stakeholders?

This panel offers a status report on educational efforts that support Louisiana’s market and economic development prospects. It includes up-to-date assessments of efforts that support new energy expansions with qualified local candidates. Relevant programs include university graduate degrees, certificate programs, junior college associate degrees, and outreach to secondary schools via teacher orientation courses (basically short courses designed to “teach the teacher”). LSU’s Center for Energy Studies offers periodic non-degree courses for those interested in making informed decisions about energy issues. Tulane Energy Institute’s certificate program broadens the understanding of existing energy professionals who work for industrial service groups such as ENFRA, a national company in 17 states, that focuses on providing energy as a service. Jordan Tinsley is on the panel representing ENFRA.

Construction jobs garner headlines, but Operations jobs are a strategic educational focus. Relevant positions include graduate-level technical, legal, and economics experts, but educational goal also include candidates who graduate with associate degrees and are qualified to operate and maintain new industrial facilities. The latter workers, workers need to be trained by teams that include employers, universities, junior colleges and, in many cases, existing company employees. Successful job candidates understand the promises and the limitations of energy markets. Lacy McManus, of the FUEL organization, can speak to the funded statewide effort focused on providing energy training for Louisiana’s youth.

A key factor driving domestic growth will be reaching accommodations between traditional consumers of power e.g. residential, commercial and industrial clients, and “new” consumers such as data centers. Job candidates need to understand the, sometimes conflicting, priorities of existing customers and the priorities of new arrivals. Dr. Frederic’ Sourgens will be available to explain specialized training for lawyer candidates provided by the Tulane Energy Law Center. 

Natural gas used to power new data centers is a good example. The panel will discuss educating the workforce about expanding domestic energy markets for affordable, available and reliable power while also attracting large new power consumers such as the Meta data center. New data center projects need workers but also need indirect workers at the Utilities who can operate existing and future power grids and new generation assets. One of our panel members, Laura Beauchamp, a VP at Entergy Louisiana, was instrumental in providing Meta with the information necessary for them to locate in Louisiana. 

A second major educational goal is supporting decarbonization projects such as Cameron LNG’s recently approved Class 6 injection well. Without carbon sequestration, LNG terminals cannot minimize their emissions and maximize sales to key international customers because international environmental regulations will limit the amount of LNG that can be sold by Gulf Coast LNG producers thereby reducing gross US natural gas demand. 

Current international demand for US gas is approximately 12% of our gross natural gas demand but it is slated to increase dramatically, perhaps doubling to 25% over the next two decades. Meeting the challenge depends on providing economic stability but also on Louisiana job candidates who understand both domestic and international policy requirements. As a region, the Gulf Coast needs to temper enthusiasm for minimizing hydrocarbon infrastructure. Recent state legislation can frustrate our ambitions by delaying the installation of CO2 pipelines. John Foreman, of the Tulane Energy Institute, can discuss the unique training being provided for both graduate and undergraduate students regarding jobs as energy traders.