What We Do
Coastal Louisiana is the area most at risk from the climate changes caused by global warming. Among the challenges our area will face are stronger storms and rising sea levels. To preserve our culture and economy, the Alliance for Affordable Energy is working to develop policy solutions that will decrease global warming pollution.
Through coalitions, we successfully fought off a dirty coal plant that would have cost ratepayers $1.7 billion and released millions of tons of pollution. By demanding clean energy, we can prevent the worst impacts of global warming and secure our future.
How We Do It
RPS | IRP | Solar Energy | Distributed Generation | Voices of Solar
Renewable Portfolio Standard
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The Alliance is working to ensure that Louisiana families benefit from clean sources of energy. No one wants to live next to a dirty power plant. A renewable portfolio standard is the way to bolster local investment in clean energy production and give Louisiana citizens cleaner energy choices.
In 2018, the Alliance joined forces with 30 local organizations to ask the City Council in New Orleans to open an RPS rulemaking. In 2019 the docket was opened and work began in earnest. CLICK HERE for more info on an Equitable and Resilient RPS. The Alliance succeeded at the LPSC with the approval of the Renewable Energy Pilot Program in 2010. This program directed Louisiana’s utility companies to pursue 350 megawatts of new renewable energy generation by 2014 (2% of the total supply for our state). The pilot is intended as part of an ongoing effort to require utilities to generate an increasing percentage of their energy from renewable resources through a policy known as a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS). |
Integrated Resource Planning (IRP)
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All investor owned utilities in Louisiana are required to conduct public stakeholder planning called Integrated Resource Planning. The Alliance is a formal intervenor in all IRPs to make sure Clean Energy, including energy efficiency is given a chance to compete fairly with traditional fossil fueled resources. In New Orleans, IRP happens every 3 years, and at the LPSC, IRP happens every 4 years. The Alliance was instrumental in the development and passage of public Integrated Resource Planning rules. Before our advocacy, utility planning was conducted behind a veil of secrecy, and without input from stakeholders.
This year, all four investor owned utilities in Louisiana have been conducting stakeholder processes for their 20-year energy resource plan, on which all major power generation and energy efficiency investment decisions are meant to be based. Thus far, all utilities are showing plans for increased renewable resources over the next two decades, with limited new fossil fueled generation across the state. We continue to intervene as new gas plants are introduced to fight against all new GHG polluting resources in our fragile state. |
Solar Energy
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The Alliance has been working diligently with regulators, utilities, and solar companies to ensure your right to rooftop solar. Recent years in Louisiana have seen major changes in tax policies that spurred incredible growth in solar. In fact, Louisiana has an impressive per-capita solar ranking. Utilities nationwide are fighting against fair compensation for the electricity solar customers put on the grid. We want to see your investment in clean solar energy reduce your bills.
The Alliance was successful in helping craft rules that allow communities in New Orleans to invest in and share community-owned renewables projects. The rules include carve-outs to ensure low-income customers have access to this solar resource, with virtual net energy metering to ensure a reduction in their energy bills. |
Distributed Generation | A Paradigm Shift
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Thomas Edison is the father of our current energy production systems: monopoly energy companies with large centralized power plants owning lines that connect to every home and business in their jurisdiction. At the turn of the last century energy was produced by burning coal and it was a very dirty process. These plants had to be located away from population centers. In the 21 st century, we have better choices. The Alliance is working to open up the market and “decentralize” power production. This policy is called “distributed generation”. Currently there is a 30% federal tax credit for a renewable energy system.
Net metering is the law that allows customers to tie their renewable energy system and receive fair credit for the energy they send to the grid and the utilities are attacking this law. The Alliance is working tirelessly to protect our net-metering laws and ensure that Louisiana citizens continue to have the right to invest in energy independence, lower their bills, and decrease their carbon footprint. For more up-to-date information on Net Metering, check out the website: DontTakeMySunshine.com |
Voices of Solar
Louisiana’s solar community is made up of people from across the state and of every walk of life. Our individual stories showcase the many ways solar is improving lives and moving Louisiana forward. You too can join the “Voices of Louisiana Solar” project.