Ida Know What I’ve Been Told

We are all well versed  in the tricks – remember when they paid actors to promote the new plant to the City Council? (btw we’ve already paid north of $30M for that plant)  And now, rather than take responsibility, or honestly communicate, Entergy has provided plenty of PR-fueled texts, robo-calls, press releases, and public statements. They’ve dissembled, obfuscated, misinformed, and confused. Not until 5 days after the storm cleared out could folks still sheltering in the hot and in the dark make a plan.  Also, this isn’t just about Entergy New Orleans. Entergy Louisiana owns, operates, and maintains the majority of the plants and transmission system that went down during the hurricane.
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Do not be misled. Entergy has gotten a power plant every time they asked. The transmission system is entirely of their building, and they have never been denied ratepayer dollars to improve it. The system we have now is the one that works best for shareholders, not for people.

To be abundantly clear, we are deeply appreciative of the efforts of tens of thousands of line workers from all over the country who have come to the gulf south to help bring lights and air back. What we refuse to do, is stop asking questions or stop pushing for an energy system across Louisiana that works for everyone, not just shareholders.

The Alliance and dozens of our partners have been insisting for years that we need a system that acknowledges the reality of climate change. That means BOTH renewable and efficient energy to reduce emissions AND distributed and efficient technologies to adapt to the climate change that is here and is rapidly intensifying.

We don’t want to waste anyone’s money or time on “solutions” that only work a few days a year (fossil fueled emergency generation and peaker plants). Instead, we want to see efficient homes, solar + batteries, and transmission that help bring down everyday costs AND keep you safe in your home when disasters come. Because they are coming. They are here.

The traditional energy systems that served us in the 19th and 20th centuries were not designed to weather Ida or Laura. We need to plan differently.