dor api print clichabily com/pueptactonsopéile-Later. 2theadvocatecom GE)PRINTTHIS (Bow rm SAVETHS| BALTHS| Cos Letter: Oil companies should pay public + Published: Jul 30,2009 - Page: 8B Comments (0) {read with interest of the $19 billion dispute between U.S. taxpayers and the cil companies developing ‘our resources inthe Gulfof Mexieo. ‘The companies are relyirg on the 1995 (Deep Water) Royalty Relief Act authored by then-US, Sens. J Bennett Johnston and John Breaux, both D-La., and then-U.S. Rep. Billy Tauzin, R-Chackbay. They ‘wanted to encourage production in the Gulf when oil prices were low. Their bill waived the mineral royalties normally paid to the American people, who own the resources ‘The companies drilled inthe deep Gulf waters and made record profits when oil prices went sky-high. The Aispute is about what happens when el prices go up, as they did dramatically last year hope the U.S. Supreme Court reverse the judges who have sided with industry. One may sympathize with oil companies when prices are low, but surely the sponsors of royalty reli never intended to give away the store when ol high and the likes of ExxonMobil, Royal Dutch Shell and ChevronTexaco make huge profits. In the coverage ofthe issue, a representative of the Tulane Energy Institute was quoted as saying a $19 billion loss to the American people “shouldn't even enter the discussion.” I suspect he spoke for his institute donors Conoco Philips and Shel. Nineteen billion dollars would go along way toward reducing ‘ur deficit, improving ou highways and funding health care. | invite my fellow Louisiana politicians to join me in caling for oil companies to pay fair royalties to the taxpayers. also urge elested officials to join me in asking that oll eompanies pay for damaging our coastline Scientists say 40 t0 60 percent ofthe damage is due to oil exploration, yet our leaders ae silent on this issue. When oil companies cause environmental harm on land, asin the Haynesville Shale in north Louisiana they are held fable. Why should it be any different in our coastal areas? Foster Campbell public service commissioner Bossier City 8212009 10ss7aM