A trade association that represents several liquefied natural gas companies recently agreed to be an affiliate of the Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance in an effort to become the voice of LNG statewide, officials said during a news conference Tuesday.

The partnership between the Louisiana Energy Export Association and the alliance is designed to educate residents and officials statewide on the LNG industry and its economic impact, said Maury Hudson, association chairman and vice president of operations and maintenance for LNG Limited.

George Swift, SWLA alliance president and CEO, said the energy association will be based at the SEED Center.

"We think this is going to raise the profile of Southwest Louisiana even more," Swift said. "It’s a logical place for them to be, we think, because of all the plants that are in Cameron and Calcasieu (parishes)."

Hudson said the LEEA formed two years ago. It has seven member companies, including Driftwood LNG, G2 LNG, Lake Charles LNG, Magnolia LNG, Commonwealth LNG, Delfin LNG and Shell.

During last year’s legislative session, the energy association helped push a constitutional amendment that Louisiana voters approved last year. It created a property tax exemption for construction work while it is in progress.

Swift said the alliance will handle LEEA’s administrative and communications needs.Alliance Partnership