Press Release: Expansion in renewable energy generation announced at LPSC - public opinion poll shows strong support for more renewable energy

News Type: 
Regulatory Action

June 24 - On Wednesday, June 23rd, the Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC) voted unanimously in support of a pilot program creating up to 350 megawatts of new renewable energy generation for LA over the next 3 years. This represents approximately 2% of Louisiana's total energy supply. The commission ordered that final details of the program be worked out in the next 90 days.

This new policy was the result of an ongoing docket to create a renewable portfolio standard (with targets for generating an increasing percentage of energy supply from renewable resources) that has been spearheaded by LPSC Chair Lambert Bossier since January 2009. Commissioner Holloway played an instrumental role in advancing the pilot program concept. The Alliance for Affordable Energy, which has been advocating for a renewable portfolio standard since 2003, welcomes this expansion of renewable energy in Louisiana.

The Commission's action is consistent with the desire by a majority of Louisiana residents to expand renewable energy, as revealed by a public opinion poll released by the Alliance at the June 23rd LPSC meeting. With funding support from the Energy Foundation, the independent telephone opinion poll surveyed 1000 Louisiana residents and found:

- 69% support government policies that promote the use of renewable energy resources.
-72% believe utilities should meet an increasing percentage of customer demand using renewable energy.
- A majority are willing to pay an additional 50 cents a month to have 20% of their energy come from renewable resources

"This decision is a meaningful first step to a cleaner and more stable energy future," said Tommy Milliner, attorney for the Alliance for Affordable Energy. "In light of the strong public support for renewable energy, we hope the Commission will take the next step and adopt a full fledged RPS that will substantially and continuously increase the amount of renewable energy generation in Louisiana."