Host Scott A. Angelle sits down for a cup of coffee to interview Chett Chiasson to discuss:

Topic #1: Offshore energy & the vital role Port Fourchon plays in the energy industry on behalf of America

Topic #2: Secondary and Tertiary Effects to the Economy from Directly Hampering Energy Development

Topic #3: Rice’s Whale

Recently, the Federal Government incorporated certain binding stipulations for the upcoming lease sale in the Gulf to protect the Rice’s Whale. These stipulations are based on a minimal amount of research and data, and furthermore, these restrictions currently only apply to oil and gas operations. Understand how these restrictions are hurting the Port and local economies.  Discussions on how similar restrictions on oil and gas and other industries could be coming with regards to other species and how that will impact the Port. 

ABOUT CHETT

Chett Chiasson is the Executive Director of the Greater Lafourche Port Commission (GLPC), which runs Port Fourchon and the South Lafourche Leonard Miller, Jr. Airport.  

Chett’s experience at the Port Commission over the past 17 years includes the marketing and leasing of port and airport properties as well as grant writing, management, and disaster recovery. His battle-tested leadership saw Port Fourchon through the aftermath of a direct hit from 2021’s Hurricane Ida, highlighting the port’s resilience and strength by opening for business within nine days of landfall.

Since being named director in January 2010, Chett has played a leadership role in working to protect Port Fourchon and Louisiana’s surrounding coast from devastating land loss while also stressing the importance of the energy industry for our local, state, and national economies and U.S. energy security. As chair of the Gulf Caucus, U.S. Delegation Legislative Policy Council member, and Vice Chairman for the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) Board of Directors, he advocates for ports and port-forward policy on a national level. Chett has also had several opportunities to testify to the U.S. Congress regarding the economic importance of Port Fourchon and the energy industry and how industry and the environment can and do work together. He continues to champion that message, most recently with his 2021 appointments to the US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s Gulf of Mexico Offshore Wind Task Force and the Louisiana Climate Initiatives Task Force Transportation Committee.

On the state level, Chett serves on the boards of the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Financing Corporation and the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Coastal Protection, Restoration, and Conservation. Chett is also Chairman of the Louisiana CPRA Board’s Finance Working Group. 

He is Chairman of the LA 1 Coalition Board of Directors, Vice President of the Executive Board of Restore or Retreat, First Vice President of the Gulf Ports Association, a Fourchon Oilman’s Association board member, and a member of the SLEC Emerging Energy Task Force. Also, Chett is a past chairman of the Lafourche Chamber of Commerce and past president of the Ports Association of Louisiana (PAL), the South Central Industrial Association (SCIA), and the Bayou Industrial Group (BIG). 

He is a graduate of both Leadership Lafourche (2008) and Leadership Louisiana (2009), was named one of the Best of Lafourche’s Forty under Forty (2014), and was honored as the LSU Public Administration Institute’s 2015 Distinguished MPA Alumnus.

Chett holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and a Master of Public Administration degree, both from LSU. Geaux Tigers.

ABOUT Greater Lafourche Port Commission (portfourchon.com)

The Greater Lafourche Port Commission, a political subdivision of the state of Louisiana, facilitates the economic growth of the communities in which it operates by maximizing the flow of trade and commerce. We do this to grow our economy and preserve our environment and heritage. The Port Commission exercises jurisdiction over the Tenth Ward of Lafourche Parish, south of the Intracoastal Waterway, including Port Fourchon and the South Lafourche Leonard Miller, Jr. Airport.

·       Over 250 companies utilize Port Fourchon as a base of operation.

·       In addition to its huge domestic hydrocarbon significance, Port Fourchon is land base for LOOP (Louisiana Offshore Oil Port), which handles 10-15% of the nation’s domestic oil, 10-15% of the nation’s foreign oil, and is connected to 50% of US refining capacity. LOOP is the only US deepwater port capable of offloading VLCCs (Very Large Crude Carriers) and ULCCs (Ultra Large Crude Carriers).

·       Port Fourchon currently services over 95% of the Gulf of Mexico’s deepwater energy production.

·       Overall, Port Fourchon plays a strategic role in furnishing this country with about 16% of its entire oil supply.

·       Over 400 large supply vessels traverse the port’s channels each day.

·       Approximately 15,000 people per month are flown to offshore locations supported by Port Fourchon.

·       Truck traffic studies have shown that up to 1,200 trucks per day travel in and out of Port Fourchon.

·       Five of the top ten Lafourche Parish employers operate from and/or utilize Port Fourchon.

·       Nine of the top ten Lafourche Parish taxpayers operate from and/or utilize Port Fourchon.

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