By Greg Hilburn
Lafayette Daily Advertiser
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said the state is desperate for gasoline and diesel to fuel the Hurricane Ida recovery effort in southeastern Louisiana, where water systems and the power grids also remain compromised.
"The fuel problem is signficant," Edwards said during a Wednesday press conference in Jefferson Parish, one of the hardest hit by the Category 4 storm, which shredded southeastern Louisiana with 150 mph winds. "It's hampering all of our recovery efforts."
Edwards, the only Democratic governor in the Deep South, was joined by Louisiana Republican U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy and GOP Congressmen Steve Scalise, the second highest ranking Republican in the House.
"We need bulk fuel to be brought in before refineries come back on their own," Edwards said, noting two-thirds of the state's considerable refining capacity is down. "The state of Louisiana provides fuel for rest of country, and now it's time for rest of country to give up a little of their fuel and send it back to Louisiana."