This sale could have serious consequences for you, your wallet, and our community—but together, we can stop it. Haven’t heard about the proposed sale yet? Get the full rundown in our previous blog. Here’s the short version: Entergy wants to sell its gas system to Delta States Utilities, a company owned by private equity firm Bernhard Capital, that has never served a single customer.
That’s just the start. “Despite agreeing to a temporary rate freeze, Delta States Utility has admitted plans to expand gas infrastructure in the City, which will lead to inevitable rate increases,” said Jesse George, AAE’s New Orleans Policy Director. For residents already struggling with high bills and unreliable service, this sale threatens to add financial strain and deepen inequities.
The Council has scheduled a Utility Committee meeting for Thursday, December 12, and a vote on the deal is likely to happen then. That gives us one week to act—and this webinar is your chance to get the facts and learn how to make your voice heard.
During the webinar, we’ll break down the details of this proposed sale, explain why it’s bad for you and our community, and discuss alternatives the City Council should consider, such as public ownership and phasing out fossil gas. This is your chance to learn, ask questions, and learn how to take action before the Council makes its decision.
📅 Date: Thursday, December 5, 2024
⏰ Time: 6-7 PM
🔗 Register: bit.ly/stopthegassale
Councilmembers contact information can be found below. If you’re unsure who your Councilmember is you can find out on their website here.
SUBJECT: NO NEW GAS UTILITY IN NEW ORLEANS!
Dear Cm. NAME,
I am writing to you as your constituent to express my opposition to the sale of Entergy New Orleans’ fossil gas distribution system to a subsidiary of private equity firm Bernhard Capital. As a resident who is already struggling with record-high bills and poor customer service from my local utilities, I do not want yet another utility giving me the run-around.
The sale costs alone for this transaction are projected to raise average monthly residential gas bills by over $12, and that is before Bernhard Capital’s plans to invest in and expand fossil gas distribution infrastructure in our city. These increasing costs will fall on the backs of vulnerable, captive ratepayers.
As more people and companies move toward electrification, including the Sewerage & Water Board (New Orleans’ single-largest retail gas customer), there will be fewer gas customers to share these costs, putting even more of a burden on renters and those who cannot afford to electrify.
Creating a brand-new utility whose sole business is selling fossil gas would be a tremendous step back for the City’s clean energy and climate mitigation goals. As a city on the frontline of a climate that has changed due to the burning of fossil fuels, this transaction would be not only irresponsible, but disastrous for our future. The Council should consider initiating proceedings to acquire and operate the fossil gas system for the public benefit and with any eye toward phasing out fossil gas.
Entergy and Bernhard have not met their burden of proving that this sale is in the public interest or that it would result in net short- and long-term benefits to ratepayers. Please exercise your independent regulatory authority to deny this deal that warrants more scrutiny on behalf of us all.
Sincerely,
NAME
COUNCIL DISTRICT
ADDRESS
