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Tanner Johnson

Tanner A. Johnson

Partner

Areas Of Focus
Government Relations and Public PolicyEconomic DevelopmentProject and Infrastructure Development

Tanner helps clients navigate the intersection of their business priorities and public policy. He develops and executes strategies that advance complex energy, infrastructure, coastal restoration and economic development initiatives. Just as importantly, he helps clients anticipate what is coming next — identifying emerging public policy issues and economic development opportunities as they take shape across Louisiana and the Gulf Coast.

Drawing on more than two decades of experience in government and public policy, Tanner turns strategy into action, helping move consequential projects forward by securing the funding, incentives, regulatory approvals and public support necessary for success.

Tanner works with Louisiana’s public and private companies to obtain federal funding, pursue appropriations and advance policy priorities before Congress and federal agencies. He advises clients on congressional engagement, federal agency strategy, infrastructure investments, disaster resilience initiatives and grant opportunities.

Leveraging established relationships across Louisiana’s political, regulatory and business communities, Tanner helps businesses enter and expand operations in the state. He coordinates with regulators, officials, civic groups and funding agencies across the Gulf Coast. With experience leading policy negotiations and building public-private partnerships, Tanner plans for site and stakeholder challenges to protect large-scale projects and long-term investments.

Tanner often combines federal and state advocacy to keep major projects moving. He helps clients build support for projects involving the Louisiana Department of Conservation and Energy, Department of Transportation and Development, Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, and Louisiana Public Service Commission.

Tanner played a key role in helping Louisiana lead the way for carbon management projects. He secured one of the state's first Class VI Underground Injection Control (UIC) permits and worked with state officials to position Louisiana to directly regulate carbon sequestration.

During his service in senior positions in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, Tanner secured multibillion-dollar funding for restoration projects and revenue sources for Gulf Coast states. He also drove coastal policy and restoration initiatives at the state level. Louisiana Governors Bobby Jindal and John Bel Edwards both appointed Tanner to the Governor's Advisory Commission on Coastal Protection, Restoration and Conservation.

Experience

Energy, Infrastructure and Environmental Policy

  • Served as lead Louisiana government affairs advisor to a carbon storage and transportation company developing Class VI geologic storage infrastructure, advancing major carbon management projects through coordinated legislative, regulatory and stakeholder engagement strategies across multiple levels of government.
  • Developed policy and legislative strategies to advance long-term water resilience initiatives and federal policy objectives for a national nonprofit supporting a Colorado River Basin coalition.

Regulatory and Permitting

  • Helped major carbon management company advance one of Louisiana's first Class VI Underground Injection Control permits.
  • Advanced federal approval of a major offshore oil export terminal for a leading U.S. midstream energy and infrastructure company, securing a Deepwater Port Act license after extensive congressional review.
  • Helped a utility-scale solar developer advance innovative renewable energy initiatives before the Louisiana Public Service Commission, including the development of an industrial shared solar program supporting manufacturing, workforce development and community investment.

Funding and Advocacy

  • Secured more than $15 million in federal funds for public port infrastructure projects that improved rail connectivity and strengthened the region’s freight network.
  • Guided federal funding and advocacy strategies for a major Louisiana public research university, positioning significant research, technology and infrastructure initiatives for congressional and agency support while advancing the institution's long-term goals.
  • Developed and executed a federal engagement strategy for a flagship public research university seeking to expand its role within the DOE and national laboratory system, establishing key research partnerships and advancing opportunities for long-term investment in energy research programs and infrastructure.

Government Service

  • Steered congressional staff negotiations to pass the RESTORE Act, creating a dedicated multibillion-dollar funding source for Gulf Coast restoration projects.
  • Directed more than $1 billion in grants to fund coastal restoration and environmental projects in Texas and Louisiana as regional director of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s $2.5 billion Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund.
  • Led congressional staff efforts to pass the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act, establishing continuous offshore energy revenue stream for Gulf Coast states.
  • Helped build Louisiana’s first Coastal Master Plan for restoration and hurricane risk reduction with the Louisiana Governor's Office of Coastal Activities.

Insights

Education

  • Louisiana State University Law Center, J.D., 2001
  • Spring Hill College, B.A., 1998

Credentials

  • Louisiana
  • District of Columbia

Memberships and Affiliations

  • Louisiana Governor's Advisory Commission on Coastal Protection, Restoration and Conservation (2014-2019)
  • Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, Board of Directors (2014-2017)

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