Don’t let a bad deal lock New Orleans into higher bills and outdated energy systems. The sale costs alone are projected to raise average monthly residential gas bills by over $12.
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SUBJECT: NO NEW GAS UTILITY IN NEW ORLEANS!
Dear Cm. NAME,
I am writing to you as your constituent to express my opposition to the sale of Entergy New Orleans’ fossil gas distribution system to a subsidiary of private equity firm Bernhard Capital. As a resident who is already struggling with record-high bills and poor customer service from my local utilities, I do not want yet another utility giving me the run-around.
The sale costs alone for this transaction are projected to raise average monthly residential gas bills by over $12, and that is before Bernhard Capital’s plans to invest in and expand fossil gas distribution infrastructure in our city. These increasing costs will fall on the backs of vulnerable, captive ratepayers.
As more people and companies move toward electrification, including the Sewerage & Water Board (New Orleans’ single-largest retail gas customer), there will be fewer gas customers to share these costs, putting even more of a burden on renters and those who cannot afford to electrify.
Creating a brand-new utility whose sole business is selling fossil gas would be a tremendous step back for the City’s clean energy and climate mitigation goals. As a city on the frontline of a climate that has changed due to the burning of fossil fuels, this transaction would be not only irresponsible, but disastrous for our future. The Council should consider initiating proceedings to acquire and operate the fossil gas system for the public benefit and with any eye toward phasing out fossil gas.
Entergy and Bernhard have not met their burden of proving that this sale is in the public interest or that it would result in net short- and long-term benefits to ratepayers. Please exercise your independent regulatory authority to deny this deal that warrants more scrutiny on behalf of us all.
Sincerely,
NAME
COUNCIL DISTRICT
ADDRESS
