Buckle in folks, the agenda is a long one and some of the items that were deferred at last month’s meeting are back on the table.
For a full rundown on these agenda items and others that might affect you keep reading below.
Commissioner Mike Francis has put forth a dangerous proposal to end our state’s energy efficiency program. If the Commission reverses course, families across Louisiana will face higher electricity bills and fewer tools to manage them—while utility companies stand to rake in millions more on wasted energy.
“The Louisiana Public Service Commission is handing Entergy and other utilities everything they want at a golf resort in Many, Louisiana where it’s hard for the media and the public to attend,” said Logan Burke, Executive Director of the Alliance for Affordable Energy.
Commissioner Francis, the chair of the Commission, announced the last-minute proposal through a supplemental agenda, less than 2 days before the Commission is set to vote on the matter at their monthly April meeting, which is open to the public. His decision to bring this vote with virtually no notice leaves little time for public input on an issue that directly impacts household budgets and statewide energy policy.
This is the second time in two months that the Commission has considered eliminating the cost-saving energy efficiency rule and third-party administrator policy, which was adopted by the Commission last year. The continued back-and-forth on this issue raises serious concerns over the Commission’s trustworthiness and credibility with regard to contracts and other agreements. Why should any company trust the word of the Commission if its members are so willing to arbitrarily change course, undoing more than a year of negotiations and stakeholder input?
Act now. Call or email your Commissioner and urge them to reject this last-minute attempt to dismantle Louisiana’s energy efficiency program. Demand they protect the people they serve—not utility profits.
The Commission has been exploring solutions to protect residential customers from rising energy costs as part of docket R-35462, commonly known as the Customer Centered Options docket. Recently, Entergy Louisiana filed a motion asking the Commission to close the docket and avoid looking into options that could save residents money on bills, like Community Solar. The Commission will vote on whether or not to approve Entergy’s request and close the docket. This item will likely be contentious and discussed at length.
Industrial organizations want to proceed with the docket because they want more information about potential cheaper sources of energy not currently available to them that they would purchase directly from power producers, not utilities.
The Alliance has also submitted comments in the docket urging the Commission to continue exploring solutions to protect residential customers from rising energy costs. The stakes are too high for the Commission to cut this process short.
SWEPCO is asking the Commission to increase their budget for vegetation management, which means tree cutting.
This request is part of Docket U-37502, regarding SWEPCO’s application for an extension of its Formula Rate Plan. A Formula Rate Plan, or FRP, is a ratemaking method in which the utility adjusts its rates outside of a general rate case. SWEPCO is attempting to circumvent the normal ratemaking process by extending an old FRP instead of filing a new rate-making application. The Alliance is participating in this docket and we’ll keep you updated.
Concordia Electric Cooperative & SLEMCO have submitted separate applications to sell their transmission assets to GridLiance Louisiana, an independent transmission company subject to the Commission’s jurisdiction. The Commission will vote on whether to retain an outside consultant to review the applications.
Directive to Staff to open a rulemaking regarding customer energy usage data, at the request of Commissioner Lewis.
The Alliance supports taking a comprehensive look at how residents and businesses are using electricity. This conversation is timely given the recent talks about our state’s energy efficiency program, as well as findings from the Legislative Auditor’s report that found Louisiana pays more for electricity, and is the nation’s highest energy-user per household, even though we have one of the least reliable grids.
The Alliance encourages you to attend the LPSC’s April meeting if you’re able and provide your input by submitting public comment at the meeting.
Where: Cypress Bend Resort (2000 Cypress Bend Parkway), Many, LA 71449
When: Wednesday, April 16 at 10am
Agenda: Click here to view the regular agenda
Can’t make it in person to Baton Rouge? Tune in via livestream at tinyurl.com/LPSCyoutube.
While you must attend the meeting in person to submit public comment, that’s why The Alliance exists. We know most people don’t have the time or energy to go to obscure meetings like these and, while it’s critical that your voice is heard, know that AAE will be advocating on your behalf and behalf of all Louisianans at LPSC meetings.
