Category: Economics & Billing

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.

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

7/20/2023

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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.

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Are you having issues with Entergy New Orleans?

7/13/2023

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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.

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Effort to Give Oil Companies $97 Million Tax Break in Louisiana Halted by Sara Sneath

6/5/2023

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Article by Sara Sneath
Originally published by DeSmog
May 31, 2023

The latest vote was postponed after state senators considered shoring up the budget with a natural gas tax.

For the fifth time, a Louisiana lawmaker has introduced legislation to try to reduce the tax that fossil fuel firms pay on oil they produce in the state. The original version of the bill introduced by Rep. Phillip DeVillier this spring would have cost the state $97 million over the next five years, according to a Louisiana Legislative Fiscal Office report.

“It’s just so much money,” said Rep. Mandie Landry, who voted against the bill in the House Committee on Ways and Means and again when it was before the full House.

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The Watchdog

Wasting energy and wasting time…mostly.

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

Are you having issues with Entergy New Orleans?

Effort to Give Oil Companies $97 Million Tax Break in Louisiana Halted by Sara Sneath

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