Since 1985, AAE has been working to ensure equitable, affordable, and environmentally responsible energy policy for ALL Louisiana energy consumers. We are Louisiana's only dedicated Watchdog working to protect consumer rights at the Louisiana Public Service Commission, and New Orleans City Council. Most states have organizations like ours that are supported by state allocated funds. We do not receive any funding from the city or state, and rely on our members, corporate sponsors, and foundations to keep our "lights on". We appreciate all support and we look forward to at least another 30 years of making sure your energy is economically and environmentally sustainable.
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Our Work
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Learning Resources
Through our work, we have amassed a large collection of legal reports and documents. We have compiled New Orleans dockets, Louisiana Public Service Commission dockets, and Reports for public use.
Reports for Public Use
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Energy Matters Blog
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With Louisiana's vast wealth of natural resources and industry, why do we stay so poor?
How to Get Involved
Learn more about how to engage with these two important local and state regulatory bodies.
And read about our current dockets and issues below.
And read about our current dockets and issues below.
Current Dockets & Issues
Find out what AAE is currently working on and how it affects you!
New OrleansWinter Storm Uri Prudence InvestigationThe New Orleans City Council will conduct a prudence investigation of Entergy New Orleans' decision-making during Winter Storm Uri. The winter storm caused a Maximum Generation (or Max Gen) event within our electric market, MISO, and lead to rolling blackouts for Louisianans. Max Gen events should be unusual and fully investigated to make sure that all of the costs passed along to the customer are incurred prudently. Preliminary findings have indicated that ENO's mismanagement caused it to shed more than double the required load during the event. Triennial Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) of Entergy New Orleans (ENO)Entergy's IRP is the planning process by which they assess the resources available to meet the power supply needs of New Orleans. It takes into account estimates of customers’ future electricity needs and the resources available to serve those needs. The Alliance is intervening in ENO's Triennial IRP to ensure that the needs and interests of communities across New Orleans are represented and protected. We are advocating for the most cost effective energy solutions: Energy Efficiency and other demand side solutions. We are also watching to ensure clean and renewable energy is being modeled on a fair playing field against the utility’s preferred fossil fueled plants. Streamline Entergy (ENO) Reporting RequirementsThe City Council established this Streamline Docket to consider revising ENO's current reporting requirements. The Alliance is in favor of streamlining that minimizes administrative costs, while keeping in mind the importance of transparency in the regulation of such an important utility. While we agree that streamlining can be beneficial when, for example combining some reports like Community Solar and Net Metering reports into a single Distributed Resources report, AAE’s view is similar to CCPUG: “most of the filing and reporting requirements should be maintained.” AAE is working to ensure the continued transparency that is enabled by these reports. These reports are not only about the regulatory oversight of ENO, but also, as a matter of public record, are valuable windows into the operations of the utility that serves the people of New Orleans. Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS)In response to a groundswell led by the Alliance, the New Orleans City Council has created a rulemaking process to develop the first Renewable Portfolio standard in the region. An RPS is a regulatory requirement that utilities meet a specified percentage (or wattage) of their power supply using qualified renewable resources. The Alliance is part of a coalition of local and national advocates working together to drive action on a standard that ensures equitable outcomes and centers resilience as a goal. On May 20, 2021 the full New Orleans City Council unanimously voted to adopt R-21-182, establishing a Renewable and Clean Portfolio Standard (RCPS) for the city of New Orleans. Entergy New Orleans' (ENO) Rate CaseAAE is representing residential interests in the first Rate Case in a decade in New Orleans. With a team of legal and technical experts, we are advocating for thoughtful rate design that encourages more energy savings, reduces energy burdens, and gives residents the power to reduce their energy bills. |
Louisiana StateEnergy Efficiency Phase II Rule MakingThe Louisiana Public Service Commission is finally firming up rules for mature energy efficiency programs across the state. Louisiana residents currently use 30% more electricity per household than the average American. We are advocating for the state to adopt rules that would dramatically cut our energy waste for all customers, which would mitigate the need for new gas-fired power plants. Read our Energy Efficiency 1-pager and the highlights of Louisiana's EE Quick Start Program Year 3 Customer Centered OptionsYes, 2020 might be the year to really shake things up at the Commission. With a fleet of aging power plants in the state, the LPSC needs to put all options on the table to mitigate significant bill increases that could result from a whole new fleet of power plants. It’s time to evaluate all of our existing resources, and think outside of the box. This rulemaking docket was opened in January to research and evaluate Customer-Centered Options. The phrase customer-centered options implies customer choice, and while the LPSC is addressing specific customer-centered options like energy efficiency and green tariffs in concurrent dockets, this docket serves as an opportunity to have a more robust conversation regarding energy regulation. As an intervenor in this docket The Alliance is pushing to:
Green Tariff OptionsGreen Tariffs can work really well and have multiple benefits including incorporating more renewable energy into the grid and attracting more commercial businesses, all while keeping costs low. Some folks are willing to spend a couple dollars more a month for the right to clean energy’s attributes, some aren’t. A renewable option allows for folks to choose. Here's the thing though. Just because Green Tariffs can have multiple benefits, does not mean that all Green Tariff policies are inherently good, and just because they are in place does not mean that they are useful. So, here’s our opportunity to push for renewable energy options that work for us! The Alliance is intervening in this docket to ensure the LPSC considers the best practices in Green Tariff development and that they implement them with an inclusive and attractive policy. Need for Demand Response ProgramsStates all over the country are using Demand Response (DR) programs to avoid the need for costly, new generation. Similarly to energy efficiency, DR programs are part of a robust Demand Side Management (DSM) portfolio, where utility customers can manage their energy usage in order to shift demand to non-peak hours and/or lower their energy usage by utilizing smart appliances. |
