2025 NFL DRAFT: WILL SAINTS TAKE A QUARTERBACK? 1C THE
ACADIANA
ADVOCATE
T H E A C A D I A N A A D V O C AT E.C O M
|
T h u r s d ay, a p r i l 24, 2025
Land in St. Landry leased for wind farms
H
$2.00X
Lafayette exchanging streets with state Swap will benefit Boulet’s pedestrian connectivity plan
BY CLAIRE TAYLOR Staff writer
PROVIDED PHOTO
Mississippi got its first wind farm last year, when AES began producing electricity at its 184-megawatt Delta wind project located on private property in Tunica County. According to public records, at least five utility-scale wind projects are in development in Louisiana.
At least five land-based projects are in development BY BLAKE PATERSON
Staff writer
Private wind developers are quietly inking lease agreements with landowners in parts of rural Louisiana for what could be the state’s first land-based wind farms, even as President Donald Trump takes aim at renewable energy projects in general and the wind industry in particular. According to public records, at least five utility-scale wind projects are in development in Louisiana. Two of those projects are based in St. Landry Parish in Acadiana. Three others are in Madison, Tensas and West Carroll parishes in the northeastern part of the state.
As of yet, no wind turbines have been erected in Louisiana, and the projects are likely years away from coming online. But they signal a new wave of interest in wind development in Louisiana, made possible by taller turbines and technological advances that are allowing developers to access faster winds. St. Landry Parish President Jessie Bellard said landowners have signed lease agreements with two separate developers, AES Corporation, a Virginia-based power company that operates on four continents, and Toronto-based Cordelio Power, which has projects across Canada and the U.S. The wind farms could provide a new source of revenue for both landowners and
local governments, he said. They could also help attract new investments to Louisiana from industries that are transitioning away from planet-warming fossil fuels and toward renewable energy, economic development officials say. The deals come as the wind industry is facing an uncertain future. On his first day in office, Trump signed an executive order temporarily halting offshore wind lease sales in federal waters and pausing the issuance of approvals, permits and loans for all wind projects. Last week, the Trump administration ordered construction to stop on a ful-
ä See WIND, page 5A
Former House speaker Henry dies at 89
Louisiana could ban or regulate kratom State Sen. Jay Morris, R-West Legislature is taking Monroe, wants kratom banned outright. He said he believes up the debate the products are too danger-
BY TYLER BRIDGES Staff writer
ä See HENRY, page 4A
WEATHER HIGH 85 LOW 70 PAGE 6A
ä See STREETS, page 5A
2025 LEGISLATURE
He also oversaw convention that wrote new constitution
E.L. “Bubba” Henry, a self-described country lawyer who rose to the top echelons of Louisiana politics by serving two terms as speaker of the state House during the 1970s, died Wednesday in Baton Rouge. He was 89. Henry, who served while Edwin Edwards was governor, also played a pivotal role by chairing the 1973 convention that wrote the Louisiana Constitution. Henry sought to parlay his powerful roles in state politics by running to replace Edwards in 1979, but he finished fifth in a race won by David Treen. Henry remained an influential
Lafayette is giving part of Ambassador Caffery Parkway to the state in exchange for a portion of Johnston Street and Bertrand Drive so the city can install and widen sidewalks as part of its pedestrian connectivity, transportation safety and resiliency plan. Mayor-President Monique Boulet wants to improve walkability in the city by building wide walking and bicycling paths, for instance, from Moncus Park on Johnston Street to Bertrand Drive to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette athletic complex at Cajun Field, moving utility poles to one side of the street and putting more distance between them to reduce visual clutter. The city will begin with a redesign of a half-mile section of Bertrand Drive, which Boulet said in March she hopes will Boulet spark a conversation about how to pay for extending the project to Johnston Street, where elements of the project could include in some places burying communication lines and spreading steel power poles farther apart, Jamie Boudreaux, chief communications officer, said. “The corridor has faced challenges, aging utility poles being one, she said. “The goal is to update infrastructure (poles, lines, drainage) in conjunction with other transportation safety measures and improve business investment along the route.” Having local ownership of those roadways will make the improvements easier. The Lafayette City Council introduced an ordinance Tuesday that will allow for the roadway exchange. Final approval is expected in two weeks. State law requires local governments to give up ownership of locally owned roadways when taking ownership of state roadways. As introduced, the city will accept ownership and maintenance of Johnston Street from Ambassador Caffery Parkway northeast for 3.07 miles to North College Road as well as Bertrand Drive between Johnston Street and North College Road. The city also will be responsible for maintain-
BY MEGHAN FRIEDMANN
ous to be allowed, and he has won support from many law enforcement officials. His proLouisiana lawmakers are posal, Senate Bill 154, would currently grappling with what make it a crime to possess or to do about kratom, an unregu- distribute kratom. If his bill passes, those in poslated herbal substance that causes stimulating or sedating session of less than 14 grams effects and can be purchased of kratom would be fined $500. over the counter at gas sta- Possessing more than that, or tions, convenience stores and distributing kratom, would carry a penalty of between one smoke shops. This spring, the Legislature and five years in prison or a fine is considering two competing of over $2,000. bills. One would ban kratom; ä See KRATOM, page 4A the other would regulate it. Staff writer
STAFF FILE PHOTO
E.L. ‘Bubba’ Henry served two terms as speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives in the 1970s before a failed run for governor in 1979.
Business ...................10C Commentary ................3B Opinion ........................2B Classified .....................4B Living............................5C Sports ..........................1C Comics-Puzzles .....7C-9C Nation-World................2A
100TH yEAR, NO. 298