Get ready folks because the Commission is throwing some curveballs and there are important items on the agenda that could impact your energy bills.
The Commission will vote on whether or not to pause and reverse course on reforms to the Energy Efficiency Program made in January 2024. After a thorough 14-year process, the January 2024 decision ensured that Louisianans would finally have access to expanded, well-funded programs designed to help families and businesses lower their energy use and save money.
While we don’t know what specific changes are being proposed, we do know that any delay in rolling out these programs will be a costly mistake, wasting time, money, and energy. This will leave Louisianans with higher bills and fewer options to improve their homes.
Backtracking now would not only erase that progress but also undermine the Commission’s own hard work. No new information has been presented that justifies reversing course—this is simply a move by one Commissioner to protect utility profits at the expense of Louisianans.
The Commission will also consider retaining an EM&V (Evaluation, Measurement and Verification) Contractor and increasing a separate current efficiency consultant budget. EM&V is an important part of efficiency programs that provide confidence that savings are happening, and over time can provide the Commission with important guidance on how to improve the programs for customers.
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.
Industrial organizations want to proceed with the docket because they want more information about potential cheaper sources of energy not currently available to them.
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.
The Commission will vote on whether to retain two consultants in docket U-37479 regarding Cleco’s application for authorization of Phase I of its comprehensive hardening plan. The Commission still has not completed its rule on storm hardening and resilience. In the meantime, Entergy’s application last year was approved for nearly $2 billion in spending. We’ll be watching closely to make sure Cleco’s plans get the most for their ratepayers funds and keep the lights on whether there’s a major storm or not.
The Commission will vote on retaining a consultant in 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 base 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. SWEPCO is asking to increase their profit margin, and increase their spending and budget for vegetation management, which means tree cutting. The Alliance is participating in this docket and we’ll keep you updated.
The Alliance encourages you to attend the LPSC’s March meeting if you’re able and provide your input by submitting public comment at the meeting.
Where: Galvez Building, 602 N, Fifth Street, Baton Rouge
When: Wednesday, March 26 at 9am
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.
