Washington Watch for Nov. 2

• By GERARD SHIELDS
• Advocate Washington bureau
• Published: Nov 2, 2009

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Officials protest oyster ban

U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., and U.S. Rep. Charles “Charlie” Melancon, D-Napoleonville last week protested the Food and Drug Administration’s ban on the sale of fresh, live oysters from Gulf Coast states.

The ban is during warm-weather months unless the oysters are subject to post-harvest processing. The Louisiana oyster industry employs 3,500 people and has an estimated $318 million impact on the state, Landrieu said.

“The FDA has bigger fish to fry and should let our seafood industry continue to educate consumers about the risks associated with eating raw products,” Landrieu said in a statement. “Imposing burdensome federal regulations that may take away 3,500 much-needed jobs in Louisiana is not the answer.”

Melancon called on the FDA to reverse its position.

He sent a letter to the agency’s deputy director of food and safety, requesting that he meet with Louisiana oyster industry representatives to further discuss the negative consequences of the policy that would begin in 2011.

“The restriction on Gulf oyster, proposed in the name of food safety, is like swatting a fly with a sledgehammer,” Melancon said in a statement. “We all want safer food for our families, but Americans have been enjoying fresh, Louisiana-produced oysters for hundreds of years.”

Plant grant

Louisiana Tank Inc. in Cameron Parish was selected by the U.S. Department of Energy last week for a $5 million project to measure the feasibility of a geothermal plant in the parish.

The money was part of $338 million in stimulus money for projects related to tapping into the heat of the Earth.

The money will be spent on the exploration and development of new geothermal fields and research in advanced geothermal technologies. The grants will support 123 projects in 39 states.

Loans for drywall victims

U.S. Rep. Anh “Joseph” Cao, R-New Orleans, spoke in favor last week of an amendment that will allow homeowners affected by toxic Chinese drywall an option to apply for U.S. Small Business Administration loans to repair their homes.