Sen. John Kennedy touts LNG Center, federal investments during Southwest Louisiana visit

LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) – U.S. Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., visited Southwest Louisiana on Wednesday, addressing the Better Business Bureau of Southwest Louisiana and West Calcasieu Chamber of Commerce in Sulphur before touring the LNG Center of Excellence at McNeese State University in Lake Charles.

Kennedy, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said securing the center for Lake Charles was a priority after Congress initially planned to place it in Mississippi.

“When Congress passed a bill creating the LNG Center of Excellence as an institution, and they put it in Mississippi, I was ready to slap somebody to Pluto,” Kennedy said. “And I said, you have to have my vote to pass this bill. And this bill is dead as Jimmy Hoffa, unless you put the LNG Center of Excellence where it ought to be, here in Lake Charles at McNeese State University.”

Kennedy called Southwest Louisiana “the LNG center of the world,” citing global demand for natural gas from Japan, South Korea and Europe, and said experts from around the world will come to Lake Charles to train.

“And we’re just going to grow it. And experts from all over the world are going to come here and learn from my people in Lake Charles,” Kennedy said.

During his luncheon address, Kennedy said Lake Charles has received about $314 million in direct federal funding in recent years, including $240 million for roads, bridges, ports, coastal protection and other projects.

Kennedy also cited funding for LNG safety and workforce development, the Lake Charles Harbor and Terminal District, Chennault International Airport and Second Harvest Food Bank.

Kennedy also addressed large-scale projects in Louisiana, including SpaceX, proposed data centers, and continued LNG growth. He said he supports the investments but expects companies to follow through on commitments.

“I’m delighted SpaceX is coming. I’m excited. I know Mr. Musk. I know his company. They’re a great company,” Kennedy said. “But, they’ve got to behave. They’ve got to do everything they said they were going to do. They’ve got to respect our environment. They’ve got to respect our air. They’ve got to respect our water. They’ve got to follow the rules.”

He added: “If they don’t behave, then I’ll do everything I can to eat them up and spit the bones on the floor.”

Kennedy closed by addressing cost-of-living concerns, calling inflation “a cancer on the American dream” and saying lowering costs remains a focus.

“You shouldn’t have to sell plasma to go to the grocery store to afford it,” Kennedy said.