All Categories - Alliance for Affordable Energy

Permitting reform - can we build transmission without expanding oil and gas?

11/20/2023

By Jackson Voss, AAE's Climate Policy Coordinator

The Alliance for Affordable Energy has fought for decades to provide Louisiana ratepayers with affordable, clean energy. We prioritize affordability because it is important to protect the hundreds of thousands of Louisianans who live in or near poverty – after all, no one can afford to go without electricity in our modern world, but our system relies on investor-owned utilities who have a vested interest in extracting as much profit as possible, often making energy unaffordable.

And we advocate for clean energy because these same investor-owned utilities have often insisted on generating Louisiana’s energy with fossil fuels – this has had the effect of increasing the costs of electricity for ratepayers, without truly improving reliability, while also being harmful to public health and Louisiana’s environment.

The burning of fossil fuels for energy has also changed our climate, making life in Louisiana increasingly difficult in the face of extreme weather and sea level rise, further threatening the well-being of our most vulnerable friends, family, and neighbors.

Shedding Light on Entergy’s $4.6B Resiliency Plan

11/13/2023

By Constantine Gonatas, AAE Consultant & Jessica Hendricks, AAE's State Policy Director

On December 19, 2022 Entergy filed an application at the Louisiana Public Service Commission requesting $4.6B for upgrades to the transmission and distribution system it claims will reduce future hurricane recovery costs and shorten outage durations following storms. This request is for Phase I of Entergy’s two part $10B total resilience investment plan.

Entergy’s plan uses a complex simulation model to predict damage following a hurricane but has never checked any of its predictions against a single actual hurricane to validate the complex analysis it relies on, raising questions about the accuracy of their analysis.

The City Council Votes to Make Solar Power Accessible to More People

10/31/2023

At the New Orleans City Council's Climate & Sustainability Committee Meeting yesterday, October 30th, the Committee unanimously voted to adopt Resolution R-23-507, amending the Community Solar Rules so that Community Solar can thrive in Orleans Parish.

The Alliance commends the Council for taking bold action to amend our city’s broken community solar rules. The amended rules are more favorable to communities and community solar developers alike, which we expect will encourage more solar development in New Orleans.

The Basics of Community Solar

Community solar programs make the benefits of solar power accessible to more people by allowing residents, including renters, to access solar energy without installing solar panels on their property. According to the DOE definition, “community solar customers typically subscribe to—or in some cases own—a portion of the energy generated by a solar array, and receive an electric bill credit for electricity generated by their share of the community solar system” (DOE).

The Alliance has crunched the numbers and uncovered a shocking truth...

10/19/2023

The Alliance has crunched the numbers and uncovered a shocking truth: Louisianans have lost a whopping $1.5 billion, over the past 5 years, as a result of slow walking energy efficiency programs.

The Louisiana Public Service Commission desperately needs to finalize the energy efficiency rules that have been in development since 2009 (docket R-31106).

States around the country have implemented effective solutions to reduce energy waste and lower utility bills through energy efficiency programs, but Louisiana is lagging behind.

Breaking down the LA Public Service Commission's October B&E agenda

10/16/2023

The Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC) is meeting this Wednesday, October 18th at 10am for its monthly Business & Executive Session (B&E) in Metairie at the Copeland Towers. While the voting agenda is sparse, we expect some good discussion during Exhibit 11 where we'll hear a report from SWEPCO on recent power outages in Northern LA, a discussion on available federal funding for energy efficiency and how such funding could work with the Commission's rules, and an update on the Project Cypress Direct Air Capture (DAC) Hub located in Southwest Louisiana.

Task Force on the Local Impacts of CCS meeting next week

10/13/2023

UPDATE: THIS MEETING HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED TO NOVEMBER 6, 2023.

The Louisiana Legislature has convened a Task Force to examine the local impacts of carbon capture & sequestration (CCS). That Task Force will hold a public meeting on Tuesday, October 24th at 12:30pm at the Capitol (900 North Third Street), Room E.

The Alliance encourages those who can to attend the meeting and give testimony. Persons who do not feel comfortable giving testimony in person may submit a prepared statement via email to snatr@legis.la.gov. Make sure to email your statement in at least 4 hours before the meeting.

The New Orleans City Council is meeting on Thursday

10/12/2023

The New Orleans City Council (CNO) is meeting Thursday, October 19 at 10am. Join The Alliance at the meeting in New Orleans at City Hall. Your voice is needed. Can’t make it in person? The meeting will be livestreamed on the Council’s website/youtube channel: council.nola.gov.

The Council will vote on Entergy New Orleans’ request to extend its electric and gas formula rate plans (FRPs) through the years 2024, 2025, and 2026 (docket UD-18-07) - which was approved by the Council’s Utility Committee last week. A Formula Rate Plan (FRP) is a ratemaking method in which a utility adjusts its base rates outside of a general rate case, over a set number of years, in this case 3 years.

Join us at our annual Fall Gathering on Thursday!

10/2/2023

Join us this Thursday, October 5th at our office in New Orleans for our annual community gathering to celebrate accomplishments and discuss upcoming issues, including high utility bills.

The event is free and open to all!

Don’t miss out on free food by Pigéon Catering, drinks donated by Abita Brewery, and music by local artist DJ Legatron Prime. The Alliance will also offer a raffle for a chance to win prizes donated by local businesses including the New Orleans Museum of Art, Faubourg Brewery, Flemings Steakhouse, ShakeShake, the Cheesecake Factory, Winn-dixie, and Trader Joe’s.

RSVP for the Fall Gathering

An opportunity to provide your input on Project Cypress

10/2/2023

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Clean Energy Demonstration (OCED) is hosting an in-person community briefing on November 7th regarding Project Cypress, a direct air capture hub planned for Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana. The goal of the briefing is to share more details about the process and Project Cypress, and to hear feedback and questions from local stakeholders.

The Alliance encourages you to make your voice heard and attend the community briefing in person on Tuesday, November 7, 2023 from 5:30-7:30pm at West Cal Arena & Events Center, Cypress Room (401 Arena Rd, Sulphur, LA 70665). Unfortunately, this briefing will not be streamed or recorded.

Register for the Community Briefing

How do big wires help enable renewable energy? No transition without transmission.

9/27/2023

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

The transmission system - the towers and wires that move electricity at high voltages over long distances, often crossing over state lines - is a critical piece of our electric grid. In many parts of the country, the transmission grid is monitored and managed by neutral experts known as regional transmission operators (RTO) or independent system operators (ISO). Most of Louisiana is a member of the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), which is also responsible for transmission grid planning in 15 states and the Canadian province of Manitoba.

The transmission portion of our electric grid helps us keep our communities powered, but the transmission grid is also an unsung hero for the energy transition. Transmission lines allow renewable energy to be transported to population centers that otherwise could not access that energy.

New Orleans City Council approves an increase in electric & gas revenues for Entergy New Orleans

9/12/2023

At the New Orleans City Council's September 7th Regular Meeting Councilmembers unanimously approved Resolution No. R-23-423 authorizing "an agreement in principle related to the 2023 electric and gas formula rate plan (FRP) filings" in Docket UD-18-07. A Formula Rate Plan (FRP) is a ratemaking method in which the utility adjusts its base rates outside of a general rate case. The approved agreement grants Entergy New Orleans an increase of $1.65M in electric revenues and $6.9M in methane revenues.

While this revenue will be collected through a charge on customers bills, electric customers will not experience an increase in their bills because incoming bill credits from a settlement in Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) docket EL 18-152 (related to the Grand Gulf Nuclear Station) will offset these costs. The average gas customer will see an increase of $4.93 on their monthly bill.

Entergy asks for another rate increase as New Orleanians are struggling to beat the heat

8/23/2023

By Jesse George, AAE's New Orleans Policy Director

On April 28, 2023, Entergy New Orleans (ENO) filed an application with the New Orleans City Council (the Council) for an increase in both electric and gas rates. ENO’s application would see monthly bills for ratepayers who use 1000 kWh per month rise by $3.79 on the electric side and $5.85 on the gas side.

In response to ENO’s application, the Council’s utility advisors have recommended that the Council lower electric bills for the average user by about $0.24 per month, while recommending that gas bills increase by about $4.93 per month.

EFNO Follow-Up Letter to Councilmember JP Morrell

8/17/2023

On August 2, 2023 the Energy Future New Orleans Coalition (EFNO) sent a letter to Councilmember JP Morrell following up on their Thursday, July 20, 2023 meeting to discuss urgent utility matters facing New Orleanians.

Key takeaways from the meeting include Councilmember Morrell's commitments to:

Convening the Arrearage Management Working Group established by Council resolution R-22-143 within 30 days of July 20, 2023.
Moving forward with a decision in docket UD-22-04 pertaining to energy efficiency and demand-side management within 60 days of July 20, 2023.
Holding a hearing regarding the Entergy New Orleans bill dispute process within 60 days of July 20, 2023.

Creative Solutions for Resilience in a Regulated Utility Market

8/14/2023

By Jessica Hendricks, AAE's State Policy Director

With so much going on at the Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC) you may be wondering why I spent the morning digging through an old, stalled out Docket. But, that under the radar Docket (U-36507), is an application for a microgrid in Louisiana and extremely relevant to resilience and deregulation.

Ingevity Corporation is a chemical manufacturer in DeRidder, LA, and a current Cleco customer. Ingevity is not satisfied with the reliability of Cleco Power, citing frequent power outages.

Verdant is a microgrid company with no existing ties to LA. Ingevity and Verdant teamed up and drafted a plan whereby Verdant would build a microgrid, consisting of 1000 kW of solar, 2000kW of Combined Heat & Power (CHP) and a heat recovery steam generator (“HRSG”) on Ingevity owned property. Verdant would then sell the power solely to Ingevity, and Ingevity would continue to rely on Cleco Power for 10-20% of its electric load.

Breaking down the LA Public Service Commission's August B&E agenda

8/13/2023

The Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC) is meeting this Wednesday, August 16th at 9am for its monthly Business & Executive Session (B&E). Since there wasn't a July LPSC Meeting, the August agenda is packed! The Alliance is here to breakdown the energy items that matter to you so that you can stay informed and get engaged.

You'll want to tune in for the presentation on the Louisiana Climate Action Plan from the Governor’s Climate Initiatives Task Force (CITF). Many items in the Action Plan require significant LPSC engagement and this is the first time many of these folks are getting down to brass tacks in a public forum.

No free passes to polluters. The LDEQ needs to hear from you!

7/26/2023

The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) is preparing rules for the voluntary environmental self-audit program. This program allows industrial companies to voluntarily report their permit violations to LDEQ and places limits on the fines/fees imposed for violations.

The law allowing for this self-auditing process passed last year, but now the LDEQ is also considering keeping the details of these permit violations confidential by not requiring companies to submit full environmental audit reports unless officially requested by the agency. That means companies could pollute, violate their permits and avoid fees, all while leaving neighboring residents in the dark about it.

Coastal communities should share in the benefits of offshore wind power

7/25/2023

Last week, The Alliance’s New Orleans Policy Director Jesse George spoke with FOX8 about the Federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s recent notice of a public lease sale for offshore wind power in the Gulf of Mexico. While the story reflected our disappointment with the terms of the lease sale, it left out crucial context regarding the reason for that disappointment.

The Alliance has long advocated that offshore wind power is vital to a just transition to a renewable energy economy for Louisiana. We also know that poor, Black, and Indigenous communities along the coast have paid the heaviest toll from the extractive activities of the oil and gas industry, as well as experiencing the worst effects of the climate change that our dependence on fossil fuels has caused.

Wasting energy and wasting time…mostly.

7/23/2023

By Logan Burke, AAE's Executive Director

Louisiana is wasting time, money, and energy. Our households have the highest electricity usage in the nation. But it isn’t our fault. States around the country have implemented effective solutions to reduce energy waste and lower utility bills through energy efficiency programs. Unfortunately, despite efforts at the Louisiana Public Service Commission since 2009, Louisiana residents and businesses still only have anemic programs available to mitigate their rising energy costs.

This month, the Commission received stakeholder input on a new draft energy efficiency rule that could streamline a universal state-wide efficiency program under a single administrator.

SWEPCO got approval for new solar resources. Why did the LPSC take so long to approve it?

7/20/2023

By Jessica Hendricks, AAE's State Policy Director

SWEPCO’s application for 999 MW of solar and wind generation capacity was heard by Louisiana Public Service Commissioners at the May and June meetings. Then the Commission held a special meeting in late June to re-hear it. The point of contention was over ownership. SWEPCO only sought projects they would own, allowing them to earn a rate of return, or profit, increasing the cost of the energy for ratepayers.

The Commission wanted to see the costs (and benefits) of SWEPCO’s application for owned generation compared to a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) in which SWEPCO would simply buy power from a renewable power producer to ensure ratepayers were getting the best value.

Are you having issues with Entergy New Orleans?

7/13/2023

Entergy New Orleans (ENO) customers with grievances can submit a formal complaint to the New Orleans City Council using the utility complaint form recently added to their website.

As a ratepayer you have the right to “safe and reliable service in accordance with industry standards,” guaranteed to you by the utility Ratepayer Bill of Rights. The Alliance for Affordable Energy and Citizens for Change worked with the New Orleans City Council and ENO to develop this Ratepayer Bill of Rights, and in 2007 the Council codified it into law.

The law states: “If you feel that the Utility has violated your rights or is in violation of its Customer Service Regulations, you have the right to participate in the Customer Complaint and Dispute Resolution Process."

The Alliance encourages you to exercise your rights as a ratepayer and take advantage of this dispute resolution process if needed; and as your consumer advocate we're here to help.

Will the EPA Listen to Louisiana's People?

6/22/2023

Last week the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) held three days of hearings to allow the public to offer input regarding whether the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources’ (LDNR) should be given permitting primacy for Class VI carbon waste injection wells.

Primacy essentially means the LNDR will be given the authority to give out permits to companies that want to build these kinds of injection wells, which store carbon captured from power plants and other industrial facilities. Currently that authority rests with the EPA, which has more resources than the LNDR to rigorously protect our drinking water, land, and air.

It's time for Community Solar Rules that produce results

6/22/2023

By Jesse George, AAE's New Orleans Policy Director

In April of this year, the New Orleans City Council took action on a motion by Madison Energy Investments to amend the City’s community solar rules. The Council granted Madison’s motion in part, increasing the eligible project size from 2MW to 5MW, and re-opened the docket for comment by stakeholders on a variety of issues.

Since the Council adopted the City’s community solar rules in 2019, there has been no development in community solar. Quite simply, the current rules do not provide adequate financial incentive to community solar developers.

Alarming New Report: The Carbon Capture Sequestration Gold Rush Is On

6/12/2023

Press Release published by the 2030 Fund & Louisiana Against False Solutions

An alarming new report commissioned by the 2030 Fund details dramatic expansion of 27 new projects throughout Louisiana, while EPA permitting decision hangs in the balance.

Get the rundown on the report in 2030 Fund & Louisiana Against False Solutions' (LAFS) press release.

Read 2030 Fund's Press Release

Public hearing on primacy around CCS injection wells

6/7/2023

Next week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will be hosting three days of public hearings from June 21-23 on the issue of whether or not Louisiana will be granted primacy over Class VI wells. This is notable for a couple of reasons.

First, primacy over Class VI wells – which are wells that are used to inject carbon dioxide into deep rock formations, a process known as carbon capture and sequestration / storage (CCS) – would mean that Louisiana would become the third state in the country to fully oversee all permitting and regulation of CCS projects in the state (the other two are Wyoming and North Dakota).

A Community Dialogue with your Representatives

6/6/2023

By Brenna Landis, JD Candidate, Class of 2023, Loyola University New Orleans College of Law

On March 23, 2023, the Alliance for Affordable Energy hosted a virtual community dialogue in partnership with two of its interns, Carrie Anne Ducote and Brenna Landis – law students at Loyola New Orleans College of Law.

Carrie and Brenna created a group called the Louisiana Utility Watchdog as a way to highlight the power imbalance at the state level between regulated investor-owned utilities (IOUs) and the public, the bill-paying ratepayers.

We were honored to have Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Davante Lewis and State Representative Matthew Willard join as special guests. The dialogue focused on the Securitization Act, which allows utilities to purchase securities (basically loans) to repair infrastructure damaged by storms, and to pass those repair costs onto ratepayers.

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!

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