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Shell USA president Colette Hirstius urges Louisiana lawmakers to preserve predictable environment for investment
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Summary
Colette Hirstius, president of Shell USA, told the Louisiana Senate that the company’s long history and billions in investment make predictability — litigation reform, workforce development and coastal protection — essential to keep capital in the state.
Colette Hirstius, president of Shell USA and executive vice president for the Gulf of America, addressed the Louisiana State Senate and urged lawmakers to keep the state’s business climate “predictable and dependable” so firms will continue to invest in Louisiana.
Hirstius, a New Orleans native who described her family’s deep ties to the region, summarized Shell’s century-plus presence in the state and listed areas she said must be addressed to sustain investment: reforming the litigation environment, strengthening workforce development and education, improving insurance and preserving the working coast. “I fight to ensure that capital investment comes here,” Hirstius said, and described those investments as “billions of dollars” that support local jobs and supply chains.
Senator Foyle introduced Hirstius and noted her local roots and leadership roles, including her work with Shell’s U.S. operations. Hirstius framed her remarks as a business case for maintaining Louisiana’s competitive edge, saying the state’s infrastructure, skilled workforce and experience in offshore operations give it an advantage but that other places are aggressively competing for corporate investment.
Her remarks emphasized local economic connections: she highlighted the large local workforce in the energy ecosystem — welders, fitters, engineers and boat crews — and described Shell’s community investments after hurricanes and in cultural events. Hirstius also said the company aims to invest in innovation and new technologies in Louisiana while urging lawmakers to view legislation through the lens of attracting long-term investment and opportunity for families.
The visit was a ceremonial appearance; Hirstius was welcomed from the dais and given time to speak, and no formal legislative action followed directly from her remarks during this session.
