The deal has been controversial from the start as the Alliance for Affordable Energy and Mayor’s Office of Resilience & Sustainability both raised concerns about higher rates for customers and expanded reliance on fossil fuels. Our earlier blog post goes into more detail about the issues raised.
Since Delta Utilities began serving customers in New Orleans in July, The Alliance has already received reports from residents of billing errors. Many customers are being charged a manual meter reading fee despite having smart meters. All New Orleans residents were automatically switched to a smart meter unless they specifically opted out. This meter reading fee is only supposed to apply to customers without a smart meter, to cover the costs of the utility sending someone to physically read the meter.
Several customers have had this fee removed from their bill after contacting the Council Utility Regulatory Office (CURO), which connected them with Delta Utilities. We have also received complaints from people who have received two separate bills a week apart for differing amounts, and a customer who complained of having fewer payment options under Delta’s payment platform Paystar. Delta Utilities also purchased Entergy Louisiana’s gas distribution system around Baton Rouge, and Centerpoint’s gas system in other parts of Louisiana, so we’re hearing about similar stories in other parts of the state.
If you have received an erroneous bill from Delta – or if you need help disputing a bill – you can also reach out to The Alliance; we’re here to help you read your bills and connect you to the support you need.
Sarah Eazzetta is a current intern with the Alliance for Affordable Energy and a recent graduate of Tulane University, where she studied Environmental Studies and Public Health. She previously worked as a renewable energy field organizer in Texas and is passionate about mitigating climate change through renewable energy and advocating for energy consumers in the Gulf South.
