Appeals Court Rules Louisiana Oil-and-Gas Lawsuits Must be Heard in Federal Court -

"The state and six coastal parishes have filed 42 lawsuits against 200 fossil fuel companies since 2013 over coastal erosion and wetland loss, with some allegations dating back as far as World War II."

Why this is important: Trial lawyers tend to prefer state courts because of the dynamics involved in electing judges, so having these lawsuits heard in federal court will result in fewer variables for the O&G defendants to have to deal with. Right now, Louisiana ranks as the fourth largest producer of oil and electricity in the nation, with rates 28 percent below the national average. If successful, these high-stakes lawsuits could costs the company billions and cost the state a portion of that production market share.