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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Latest stories from
THE WATCHDOGWe Cannot Be Silent: A letter to all allies against White Supremacy
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Our Work
Hurricane Ida Update: How did the grid fail so dramatically in our city and throughout Louisiana?
Consumer Protection
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Clean EnergyThe Alliance’s Clean Energy Program seeks to identify opportunities for and support the growth of clean energy resources in Louisiana. Our commitment to transforming the utility and energy regulatory environment at the most fundamental levels ensures Louisiana will not stand idly by as the effects of climate change ravage our communities and our coastline. |
Energy EfficiencyThrough our Energy Efficiency Program we advocate for energy regulatory policy and programming that maximize our energy resources and minimize demand on energy infrastructure. By reducing our consumption of resources we are not only helping utility customers save on their bills, we are protecting our environment by establishing policy objectives for the responsible use of those energy resources and infrastructure. |
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, The Watchdog
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AAE's Tuesday radio show with
experts from around the globe |
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Watch Now
Check out these recordings of recent teach-ins The Alliance hosted. Plus, learn about what we do and our history below.
Turn Off the GaslightJoin us for a discussion about what natural gas is (methane!).
Plus, hear from experts about who sets the price of methane, how the price of methane affects your utility bills, what are the alternatives, and what you can do. |
What is the Public Service Commission?What is the LPSC anyway? The LPSC regulates nearly all of Louisiana's utilities. They set consumer rates and determine utility profits. Check out our short video to learn more about how the LPSC holds the keys to our future.
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A Quick Rundown on AAE
Since its founding, AAE’s actions have resulted in over $4 billion in direct savings to Louisianans while holding energy companies accountable to protecting Louisiana’s people and natural features.
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 OrleansCommunity SolarCommunity solar is a powerful tool that can provide access to clean, affordable energy to anyone, reducing barriers for renters, and others who may not be able to have rooftop solar. Community solar programs are popular and successful nationally, especially in majority-renter cities. EFNO encouraged the Council to create a community solar policy to unlock this tool for New Orleans and participated in the docket (UD-18-03) that created a rule in 2019. However, the rule has flaws that has stymied the development of community owned solar resources in New Orleans, and the rule has been re-opened. EFNO members are working to improve the rule to ensure equitable access to solar for all and community-driven renewable energy. Hurricane Ida CostsEntergy New Orleans (ENO) is requesting that the Council approve its total storm costs related to Hurricane Ida. The Council is reviewing Entergy's application and will be looking at "whether the restoration costs presented in" Entergy's application "are accurate, reasonable, and necessary to rebuild ENO's electric infrastructure and to restore power to its customers." The Alliance is monitoring these proceedings to limit the financial impact on ENO customers. Demand Side SolutionsThe Council is considering changes to the Energy Smart energy efficiency and conservation program as well as potential Council policy. They are seeking to make the benefits of Energy Smart more accessible to ratepayers and to accelerate the adoption and deployment of energy-saving technologies, including solar and battery storage systems. The Alliance submitted comments which focus on the poor performance of Energy Smart among income-qualified ratepayers, who also often bear the highest energy burdens in New Orleans. The Alliance has proposed the adoption of a standard whereby 15% of total energy savings should accrue to income-qualified households in programs specifically designed for them, such as the income-qualified weatherization program. 100% RenewableThe Council believes that in order to mitigate climate change it is important that the City work to utilize 100% renewable and clean energy to power city buildings. They opened this docket to determine how to best make that transition. The Alliance commends this effort to power city facilities with 100% renewable and clean energy. We want to note, as we have in the past, that not all resources touted as renewable and clean are equally so. In order to realize the full benefits of renewable energy for our city the Council must exclude dirty, expensive technologies, such as methane and nuclear power, for affordable distributed technologies, such as solar and wind. The Council must also utilize resources that reduce energy demand. Resilience & Storm HardeningThe Council opened this docket to improve resilience and storm hardening on Entergy's system, with a particular focus on reducing weather-related power outages. Hurricanes during the 2020-2021 season alone have caused $4.4 billion worth of damages, much of which will show up on Louisianans' bills. This new resilience docket is a great start to plan for a safer more climate-ready New Orleans. |
Louisiana State
Evaluation & Assessment of Louisiana's Electric InfrastructureFollowing recent extreme weather events in Louisiana, Commission staff was directed to open two rulemakings, including R-36226, to evaluate the status of our electric infrastructure including maintenance and whether more could have been done for Louisiana customers. Similarly, R-36227 will look into resiliency and the possibility of hardening our grid for future storms. Energy 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. SWEPCO Advanced Meter Infrastructure (AMI)SWEPCO’s application for authorization to install advanced meters. SWEPCO will replace old meters that are no longer manufactured and/or in need of replacement and install up to 12,000 Advanced Meter System (AMS) meters, commonly referred to as Smart Meters. This advanced technology allows customers to better track their energy usage. |
