Louisiana Survived Katrina. Will it Survive the Petrochemical Industry? [Special Report]

Synopsis: Two decades after Hurricane Katrina ravaged Louisiana, the state is now facing a new kind of storm: the rapid expansion of liquified natural gas facilities that are displacing residents and polluting minority communities.

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Description: Hurricane Katrina was one of the deadliest hurricanes ever to strike the United States, killing 1,833 people, displacing hundreds of thousands more and causing more than $100 billion in damage. Louisianans wanted change and climate action, but 20 years on, a state ravaged by climate disasters is now ground zero for a whole new kind of storm: liquified natural gas facilities. The Trump administration okayed several new LNG plants on the Gulf this year, but residents are still picking up the pieces after the first LNG plants entered their neighborhood under Democratic administrations. In this episode, Laura speaks to Louisianans whose lives have been turned upside down by the expansion of LNG exports, and an expert who says minority communities benefit little from the jobs in the petrochemical facilities that surround them, yet suffer disproportionate pollution effects. Their message? Climate refugees exist in the U.S., and there will be more: “Wake up, open your eyes!”

“[I’m a] climate refugee, more than once . . . I'm no scientist, but I'm more of an expert than the experts. Living it’s a whole different ball game.” - Travis Dardar

“[Companies] demand big tax incentives to come here . . . We are last in transportation, last in healthcare, last in education . . . We’re almost last in every measurable area because we give tax breaks to the big oil companies and petrochemical companies.” - General Russel L. Honoré

“Donald Trump doesn't live next to an oil refinery and he never will.” - Kimberly Terrell

Guests:

•  Travis Dardar: Commercial Fisherman; Founder, Fishermen Interested In Saving our Heritage (FISH)

•  General Russel L. Honoré: Decorated 37-Year Army Veteran; Commander, Joint Task Force Katrina; Founder, GreenARMY

•  Kimberly Terrell: Visiting Scientist, Center for Applied Environmental Science (CAES); Former Research Scientist & Director, Community Engagement, Tulane Environmental Law Clinic

Additional Crew: for this special report includes Dan T. Peters of Dan T. Peters Media and Calvin Blue Jr..  Special Thanks:  Gina Kim and Anne Rolfes

Music credits: Jagged and Thrum of Soil by Blue Dot Sessions and original sound design by Jeannie Hopper

Watch the episode released on YouTube August 1st, 5pm ET; PBS World Channel August 3rd, and on over 300 public stations across the country (check your listings, or search here via zipcode). Listen: Episode airing on community radio (check here to see if your station airs the show) & available as a podcast August 6th.

Full Episode Notes are located HERE.

-Related Podcast:  Uncut Conversation with General Russel L. Honoré: Decorated 37-Year Army Veteran; Commander, Joint Task Force Katrina; Founder, GreenARMY

RESOURCES:

Related Laura Flanders Show Episodes:

•  Colette Pichon Battle on Climate Justice Reparations- Watch / Listen:  Episode, Full Conversation

•  BIPOC Media Answers the Call: Community Action After Hurricane Helene- Watch / Listen:  Episode, Full Conversation

•  Before the Ground Runs Dry: BIPOC Media on the US Water Crisis: Watch / Listen:  Episode

Related Articles and Resources:

•  Fishfolk are on the frontlines of the gas export boom, Venture Global’s Calcasieu Pass 2, or CP2, threatens the way of life on Louisiana’s Gulf Coast, January 25, 2025, Southern Environmental Law Center

•  The Biden Administration’s Next Big Climate Decision.  The liquefied-natural-gas-buildout-and fossil-fuel exports-challenge progress on global warming.  September 22, 2023,  By Bill McKibben, October 31, 2023, The New Yorker

•  Pervasive racial and ethnic disparities in the U.S. petrochemical workforce, by Kimberly Terrell, Gianna St. Julien, Michael Ash, September 2025 Science Direct

Laura Flanders and Friends Crew:  Laura Flanders-Executive Producer, Writer;  Sabrina Artel-Supervising Producer; Jeremiah Cothren-Senior Producer; Veronica Delgado-Video Editor, Janet Hernandez-Communications Director; Jeannie Hopper-Audio Director, Podcast & Radio Producer, Audio Editor, Sound Design, Narrator; Sarah Miller-Development Director, Nat Needham-Editor, Graphic Design emeritus; David Neuman-Senior Video Editor, and Rory O’Conner-Senior Consulting Producer.

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