While surface water is abundant in Louisiana, a barely publicized issue is that our fresh water aquifers are being depleted and facing salt water intrusion. 

Our drinking water aquifers are primarily being depleted by industrial and agricultural usage, because they are filled with water that requires very little treatment prior to use. That is why we are focused on researching economical treatment methods for alternative water sources, such as brackish aquifers and treated waste water. If we can make our current water usage more efficient and allow large industrial applications to use a different source completely, we can ensure our citizens have access to affordable drinking water in the future.

As Louisiana's economy is heavily dependent upon our hydrocarbons, one of our primary focuses is on optimizing their usage to ensure they remain the dominant energy source in the future.

Just as coal was the dominate energy source for the past 100 years but is now on life-support, we are working to ensure that does not happen to our oil and gas resources. By enhancing combustion efficiency, reducing associated emissions, and optimizing the hydrocarbon value chain; we can pro-long their dominance as an energy source to protect our state's economy, citizens, and environment.

From pine trees to crawfish, Louisiana's agricultural industry is just as economically important with our other two priority areas. They are all connected!

Our research priority for Louisiana's agricultural industry is focused on helping them achieve more with reduced water usage, fuel usage, and emissions. Not only will this make their businesses more economical, but it will also help protect them from future environmental regulations.