Alliance for Affordable Energy - The Watchdog

Good news out of this morning’s B&E: We’re one step closer to Energy Efficiency Rules!

5/17/2023

By Jessica Hendricks, AAE's State Policy Director

The Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC) acted this morning on our request to release the draft Energy Efficiency Rule which Stakeholders have been refining for years, marking a significant step towards finalizing long-term robust energy efficiency programs for all Louisianans.

After years of stakeholder collaboration to develop long-term Energy Efficiency rules, an attempt was made to circumvent the rulemaking process with the introduction of a completely different energy efficiency program that would not be subject to an evaluation and verification process, and lack transparency. We commend the LPSC for seeing through the attempted diversion, committing themselves to the established rulemaking process, and moving forward with the progress Stakeholders have made in this proceeding.

EPA New Carbon Rule is Deeply Troubling

5/15/2023

Last week, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a new draft rule to curb carbon emissions from fossil burning power plants. The new rule takes a different approach from the Obama era Clean Power Plan, which focused on shifting to renewable and efficient energy and instead sets limits based on assumptions that technologies like hydrogen blending and carbon capture and storage can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

It is deeply troubling to see a rule that continues to bet on our future using expensive technologies that have failed to show results, even as efficiency and renewable energy have proven to capture savings and reduce emissions for all.

The Louisiana Legislative Session is in full swing!

5/12/2023

The Louisiana Legislative Session is in full swing and while it’s a fiscal session, legislators have already considered many issues ranging from bills aimed at regulating or restricting carbon capture and injection projects, to strengthening air and water monitoring, and determining how utilities are allowed to recoup costs. Keep reading to get the rundown on what was heard, what was deferred, and what passed.

On April 25th the Senate passed SB51 without objection - which will allow utilities to request approval from the Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC) for rate hikes on customers to cover costs incurred by previous mining of coal or lignite, EVEN AFTER the LPSC ordered refunds to ratepayers for those very charges.

The Alliance is looking for a Climate Solutions Coordinator

5/12/2023

The Alliance is hiring a full time Community Policy Coordinator to support organization-wide efforts to combat false climate solutions including carbon capture, carbon dioxide pipelines, carbon dioxide injection, and hydrogen.

Candidates will need to reside in Louisiana. We seek someone with existing ties to communities and civic organizations within Louisiana, with organizing and outreach experience. This person would need to be confident in working closely with Louisiana’s diverse communities to empower individuals to engage with elected officials and agency leadership in a potentially unfamiliar place.

Do you know someone who has a passion for clean energy solutions, environmental justice, and climate action? Check out our job listing on Idealist!

On the hunt for solutions: Principles for an Equitable Electric Grid

5/2/2023

By Yvonne Cappel-Vickery, AAE's Clean Energy Grid Organizer

Achieving an affordable, equitable, decarbonized energy system is similar to a giant puzzle with many crucial pieces. One of these puzzle pieces is putting equity at the center of planning the electricity grid.

In October 2022, The Alliance, along with Clear RTO Path, CURE Minnesota, Communities Organizing Latino Power and Action, Cooperative Energy Futures, Environmental Justice Coalition, Environmental Law and

Policy Center, Soulardarity, Taproot Earth, the Union of Concerned Scientists, and Vote Solar gathered in New Orleans, Louisiana to address the issue of unprecedented new transmission investments being made within MISO. The organizations and individuals who participated in the convening all had one thing in common - the Midcontinent System Operator (MISO), a 15-state regional transmission operator.

Bill dispute process is a positive step for frustrated S&WB customers, but what about Entergy customers?

4/20/2023

By Jesse George, AAE's New Orleans Policy Director

Today, Thursday, April 20, 2023, the New Orleans City Council adopted an ordinance establishing an appeals process for Sewerage & Water Board (S&WB) customers to dispute bills. The ordinance gives customers 45 days from receipt of a hearing officer’s written decision to appeal to the City Council and charges the Council Utilities Regulatory Office (CURO) with reviewing appeals for completeness.

The ordinance gives the Council authority to contract with a third party consultant to review S&WB investigations and hearing officers’ written decisions and to make recommendations on individual appeals.

The Louisiana Legislative Session kicks off this week!

4/10/2023

By Jackson Voss, AAE's Climate Policy Coordinator

While it is a fiscal session – meaning the focus is intended to primarily be on tax policy – legislators will consider many issues, including bills aimed at regulating or restricting carbon capture projects; strengthening air and water monitoring; and fostering development of an offshore wind industry.

AAE will be paying particular attention to a bill relating to utility securitization – SB51 would allow utilities to pass off decommissioning costs for coal-fired power plants to ratepayers as fees on monthly utility bills. These are costs that ratepayers have already borne at least once before, and this bill would let a few utilities off the hook for recent, poor investment decisions by raising power bills for all Louisianans.

There’s a lot going on at the LPSC these days!

4/7/2023

By Jessica Hendricks, AAE's State Policy Director

Entergy Louisiana (ELL) has filed two applications for solar resources. One application, for 224 MW, includes a 175 MW Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) facility and a 49 MW ELL constructed facility, both located in the Amite South region where transmission congestion has been a long standing problem. The other application is a much bigger application for up to 3 GW in solar resources. Given the scale, ELL plans to prove that these resources are needed in Phase I.

Phase II is where we’ll discuss costs, structure & where the identified potential resources will be located.

Letter to the Public Service Commission: Our Hydrogen Concerns

3/20/2023

The Alliance is deeply concerned about the costs and impacts of hydrogen as part of our power systems. Today, we sent a letter to the Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC) outlining some of those concerns.

Many of those same concerns were brought up by LPSC Commissioners at the November B/E. Those concerns include the unknown costs related to the development of new pipelines and changing existing power infrastructure to handle hydrogen for combustion, the local air-quality impacts from burning hydrogen and the resulting harmful emissions, and the federal clean energy subsidies allow utilities to gain access to massive hydrogen subsidies without making any meaningful changes to their polluting status quo.

We encourage the Commission to continue to seek information about emerging technologies outside the context of utility applications. It is tempting to imagine switching one fuel for another as a short-cut to energy transition and decarbonization, but regulators should not be expected to approve technology based on speculation. Nor should regulators accept that hydrogen can affordably reduce carbon emissions and other harmful pollution.

Back in the LPSC Game

3/19/2023

By Jessica Hendricks, AAE State Policy Director

A little over a year ago, I signed off at The Alliance. My parting words were ‘until next time’. Well, allies and supporters, it’s next time! I’m back to do the work that always made me so happy alongside a team that was consistently supportive.

My work for a utility regulator taught me a different point of view and I gained insight on how decisions are made. I’m stronger from the experience and can’t wait to write comments again for a utility regulator, knowing a bit more about how they’re going to be received.

It's Time to Plan an Electric Grid that Serves Our Needs

3/7/2023

By Yvonne Cappel-Vickery, AAE's Clean Energy Grid Organizer

Do you ever wonder who is responsible for planning the high voltage transmission grid that provides power across a huge multi-state region including Louisiana? Well that is MISO, the Midcontinent System Operator, and regional transmission organization (RTO) for this whole region - and they will be in New Orleans this month!

MISO is responsible for planning a reliable electric grid across 15 states. We in Louisiana are well aware of how important it is to have a reliable electric grid. Hurricane Ida and more recently, Winter Storm Elliott, were rude reminders about how important reliability is. Louisiana citizens are ready for a reliable electric grid that will keep the lights on, and provide access to renewable energy.

New Reliability Standards for Entergy New Orleans are a First Step Towards Keeping the Lights On

2/15/2023

By Jesse George, AAE New Orleans Policy Director

At a joint meeting of the New Orleans City Council’s Utility, Cable, Telecommunications and Technology (UCTTC) and Climate and Sustainability Committees last week on Wednesday, February 8, the Council adopted minimum electric reliability standards for Entergy New Orleans LLC, making New Orleans the first regulatory jurisdiction in the South to have such standards for an investor-owned utility.

The standards are based on calculations known as System Average Interruption Frequency Index and System Average Interruption Duration Index, or SAIFI and SAIDI. Essentially, these scores together indicate the average number of outages for a utility customer and the average length of time, in minutes, of those outages.

FERC Decision is a Victory for Louisiana Ratepayers

12/29/2022

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has released a decision siding with the Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC) in its dispute against System Energy Resources, Inc. (SERI), a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation (Entergy).

FERC's decision reaffirms regulatory and advocate concerns that Entergy has systematically overcharged ratepayers across the states of Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana for over two decades for costs related to its ownership, and mismanagement, of the Grand Gulf Nuclear Station in Port Gibson, Mississippi.

A Look Back at the Year

12/15/2022

For 35+ years, the Alliance for Affordable Energy has been advocating for equitable, affordable, and environmentally responsible energy for the people of New Orleans and the state of Louisiana. While we are often opposed by powerful corporations and entrenched interests, our supporters and community partnerships have helped The Alliance succeed and advance energy policy that benefits Louisianans.

Let's take a minute to look back all we’ve achieved this year:

Successfully worked with New Orleans City Councilmembers to extend the shutoff moratorium and ensure no residents were left unprotected from the extreme heat this summer.

What's the Hold Up?! Barriers to Renewable Energy in Louisiana

12/12/2022

Louisianans want affordable, reliable energy, and renewable energy can provide just that! But, there is a hold-up to access to renewable energy in Louisiana.

Join the Alliance for Affordable Energy as we discuss the barriers delaying renewable energy development with legislative, land-use, and transmission planning experts!

Moderated by AAE's Clean Energy Grid Organizer, Yvonne Cappel-Vickery, the webinar was held virtually via zoom on December 1, 2022 from 5:30-7pm CT.

Missed the webinar? Don't worry, watch the recording!

The Votes Are In…Now the Work Really Begins

12/12/2022

By Emma Meyerkopf, AAE's Communications Coordinator

Elections are over and you might be wondering who was elected to represent Louisianans at the Public Service Commission (LPSC)?

As you may already know, District 4 was decided on November 8 and incumbent Mike Francis was re-elected to the Commission. District 3 was just decided on December 10 and challenger Davante Lewis was elected to the Commission.

Over the last 4 months Louisianans have been involved in choosing who will represent them, but now the work really begins.

Welcome to the Jungle: An Overview of Louisiana's Jungle Primary

11/15/2022

By Austen Angers

Louisiana has adopted an election mechanism and timetable that is unique and not widely used in the United States. We have what is sometimes called a “jungle primary” process.

This means that for a single office, every candidate is listed on one ballot, regardless of political party affiliation. This serves as a sort of “first round.” This can be confusing for some voters, since Louisiana’s jungle primary actually occurs when the rest of the U.S. holds its general election. In order for this round to resolve the election, a single candidate must receive at least 50% of the vote. If this occurs, then that candidate wins the election outright in the first round.

The LA Public Service Commission Primary Election results are in!

11/10/2022

Do You Know Who Holds the Power (and the Air, and the Heat, and the Water…)? By Jacqui Patterson

11/7/2022

Article by Jacqui Patterson
Originally Published on Urban Resilience Project
November 7, 2022

Tomorrow, November 8th, is Election Day and all eyes are on the high-stakes races that will determine which party controls Congress. Few are paying attention to local races for Public Service Commissions (PSC) or Public Utility Commissions. But these races have an outsized impact on our lives.

Whether you are electing a commissioner to join your Public Utilities/Public Service Commission, or you are electing a Governor who will appoint these commissioners, take heed.

Energy Smart Should Benefit Those Most in Need

11/2/2022

On September 15, 2022 the New Orleans City Council issued Resolution No. R-22-413, establishing a new docket (UD-22-04) to consider changes to the Energy Smart energy efficiency and conservation program as well as potential Council policy with respect to demand-side management and customer-owned distributed energy resources and energy storage.

The Council is 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 Calls for Extension of Entergy New Orleans Shutoff Moratorium

10/31/2022

On Friday, October 28, 2022 the Alliance for Affordable Energy and Delta Audubon sent a letter to the New Orleans City Council calling on the Council to extend the service shutoff moratorium for Entergy New Orleans (ENO) residential customers set to expire on Tuesday, November 1.

20,000 accounts are at risk of disconnection. That is, tens of thousands of children and elders who will be left in the cold and the dark on this Council’s watch, unless you act on behalf of your constituents. Telling vulnerable people to rely on ENO’s subpar customer service to apply for a three or four month deferred payment option is not a solution. At best, it is kicking the can down the road, as methane, or natural gas prices remain high and ENO has applied for approximately $170M in costs related to Hurricane Ida that will drive up bills even further.

While the moratorium is set to expire, Entergy New Orleans (ENO) announced on Friday, October 28 that it raised quarterly dividend payments to shareholders by 6%. The City cannot abide any more loss of life due to Entergy’s greed and negligence - justice demands it.

Losing ground: How one New Orleans community is sinking By Sara Sneath

10/14/2022

Article by Sara Sneath for Floodlight
Originally Published on The Lens
October 12, 2022

The ground has been sinking all across New Orleans as the Mississippi River soil that created the city dries out and compacts – but few places are as bad as in a section of New Orleans East known as Village de L’Est, a predominantly Black and Vietnamese community.

A study conducted in 2016 by NASA identified groundwater use from a nearby, now-shuttered power plant as the primary cause for the sinking. Entergy New Orleans, which owns the plant, denies responsibility for the subsidence.

The Alliance's Position: Make an Informed Vote.

10/5/2022

The Alliance for Affordable Energy is a 501c3, non-profit organization and therefore does not endorse political candidates campaigning for any seat. In 2016, the Alliance provided one of the candidates currently running for office with an award, however this does not imply that we endorsed him then or now, nor any other candidates in the present race for the Louisiana Public Service Commission.

The Alliance's role is to educate, not endorse.

We encourage all voters to attend our upcoming District 4 forum on October 12 in Pineville and District 3 forum on October 20 in New Orleans to learn where each of the candidates stand on the issues that are important to Louisiana voters today.

Update: Position Filled | AAE is looking for a Climate Policy Coordinator!

10/3/2022

The Alliance is hiring a full time Climate Policy Coordinator to support organization-wide efforts to combat climate change through policy development and public engagement.

We seek someone with existing ties to communities and civic organizations outside of New Orleans, with organizing and outreach experience. This person would need to be confident in working closely with Louisiana’s diverse communities to empower individuals to engage with elected officials in a potentially unfamiliar place.

Express Your Interest in Becoming an AAE Board Member

9/30/2022

Do you care about rising energy bills throughout the state of Louisiana? Do you want to make sure that people's access to power is protected after hurricanes and during major heat waves? Are you interested in learning more and advocating for sustainable solutions like solar and wind power?

The Alliance for Affordable Energy is here to promote the interest of everyone with an energy bill in Louisiana. We work to advocate for consumers in front of the Louisiana Public Service Commission and New Orleans City Council. Through legal processes, advocacy, and strong alliances, our work helps require utility companies to make good choices that benefit consumers across Louisiana. We are searching for board members throughout the State of Louisiana who believe in these principles.

Intern & Volunteer

If you want to be a frontline soldier on environmental protection, social justice, or environmental racism, come to Louisiana” –Gary Groesch, Founder of AAE

View our events calendar for important upcoming community events and public meetings!

501(c)3 IRS Notice

Alliance for Affordable Energy
Phone: (504) 208-9761
4505 S Claiborne Ave
New Orleans, LA 70175

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