Former U.S. Senator John Breaux (D-Louisiana) is stressing the need for national awareness regarding the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) revenues that bypass Louisiana. "Louisiana deserves a fair share of the revenues that come from her shores," he told attendees at the America's Energy Coast Economic Forum in New Orleans. "We contribute a large amount of energy and economic security to the nation, and now more than ever, Louisiana deserves a national response to this national issue." Annell Bay, vice president of exploration, for Shell E&P Co., added, "Congress should enact comprehensive OCS revenue-sharing legislation to increase funding for states and help local communities that provide the support needed for energy development off their coasts." King Milling, president of the America's Wetland Foundation, said, "It is time for the U.S. to protect its economic and energy assets along the energy coast. The deterioration of the Gulf coast is a national problem, and by redirecting 50% of the revenues generated by offshore oil production, energy-producing states can secure their coasts and protect domestic energy production for the future." Louisiana's coast, known as "America's wetland," represents the nation's strategic petroleum reserves and thousands of miles of pipeline that provide 30% of the nation's oil and gas.