Blog Posts - Alliance for Affordable Energy

Big money, nuclear subsidies, and systemic corruption by Cassandra Jeffery & M. V. Ramana

2/17/2021

Article by Cassandra Jeffery, M. V. Ramana
Originally published on the Bulletin
February 12, 2021

The Davis–Besse Nuclear Power Station, northeast of Oak Harbor, Ohio

The “largest bribery, money-laundering scheme ever perpetrated against the people and the state of Ohio” came to light during an unexpected press conference in July 2020 in Columbus.

FirstEnergy, now called Energy Harbour, is one of Ohio’s largest utility corporations. For years, the firm lobbied to get a subsidy to continue operating its unprofitable nuclear plants and maintain its revenue flow. When lobbying efforts failed to produce subsidies, it resorted to bribery to gain legislative support for House Bill 6, 2019 legislation that forces state consumers to pay into something called “the Ohio Clean Air Fund.” The green language is a smoke screen for the real purpose: to siphon nearly $150 million annually to FirstEnergy to keep its Perry and Davis-Besse nuclear power plants and two coal-fired power plants operating, while simultaneously gutting Ohio’s renewable energy standards.

Also gone were the state’s energy efficiency programs, which had saved consumers and corporations millions of dollars. When citizens tried to organize a referendum to repeal the bill, FirstEnergy indulged in various dirty tactics to thwart this democratic opposition.

A memorial tribute to one of our founders Karen Wimpelberg

2/11/2021

Obituary from Nola.com Obituaries

Karen Wimpelberg, age 77, passed away on January 25, 2021 in St. Augustine, FL. She is preceded in death by life partner Gary Groesch and survived by her children Alex Wimpelberg and his wife Ashley, Avery Anna Wimpelberg, grandchildren Ella and Davis, and by her former husband, Bob Wimpelberg. Karen was raised in St. Louis Missouri where she graduated from Southwest High School, followed by George Peabody College for Teachers in Nashville.

She had a passion for teaching, organizing a trip for high school students to Greece to learn about ancient Greek culture and mythology. Karen moved to New Orleans in 1980 where she quickly became part of the uptown community. She was employed for 20 years as personal assistant to native New Orleanian and philanthropist, Betty Wisdom. Karen found a kindred spirit in Betty. Their avid involvement in the community and love of travel became the backdrop of a long friendship.

Karen made notable contributions as an officer in the League of Women Voters and cofounder of the Alliance for Affordable Energy. Propelled by a strong sense of civic duty and the common good, Karen advocated for the rights of utility customers and promoted energy efficiency and progressive energy policies in New Orleans and across the country.

Desiring to be closer to family, she moved to St. Augustine in 2015 and became actively involved in the lives of her grandchildren. Karen touched many lives, as evident in the vast variety of friends she made. Her bright spirit lit up every room she walked into. Karen's family will host a Zoom-assisted celebration of her life in February. Anyone who knew Karen and is interested may contact a member of the family.

We are grateful for Karen's vision, leadership and commitment to the Alliance.

If you would like to make a donation to Karen Wimpelberg's special memorial fund please use the button below. Karen’s mentorship was vital to so many in keeping the mission of the Alliance going. Therefore we will direct any donated funds to support our internship program to maintain that spirit.

How many Louisianans work in the oil and gas industry, anyways?

2/9/2021

With all of this hubbub about the potential loss of oil and gas jobs in Louisiana due to new Federal policy, it makes sense to dig a bit deeper into the actual job numbers. The Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association (LMOGA) claims 48,000 jobs will be lost, yet the most recent report by the Louisiana Workforce Commission claims only 1.5% of Louisiana’s jobs are in oil and gas. So what gives??

First, it’s important to note that the LMOGA report is from September 2020, which is outdated considering the data from the Louisiana Workforce Commission, the “Mining & Logging” sector (i.e. oil & gas) has seen cascading job losses month after month, even prior to COVID. From December 2019 - December 2020, the sector lost 8,100 jobs and has consistently lost jobs in 15 of the last 16 months. So, although September 2020 doesn’t seem too long ago, that data needs to be updated. BUT, digging deeper, it depends on how you count the oil and gas jobs, which is imperative when talking about transitioning away from our traditional extractive economy.

UPDATE Closed - We're hiring! AAE is looking for a Climate Coordinator

2/9/2021

The Alliance is hiring a full time Climate Coordinator to support organization-wide efforts to combat climate change through organizing, regulatory policy, and litigation. Commitment of a minimum of 40 hours per week is required. Due to the nature of the Alliance’s work, it is understood that additional hours may be required and that some flexibility in daily hours may be required. This position reports directly to the Executive Director.

UPDATE Position Filled - We're hiring! AAE is looking for a New Orleans Policy Manager

2/9/2021

The Alliance is hiring a full time New Orleans Policy Manager to promote energy efficiency, renewable energy, and consumer protection, within the New Orleans regulatory environment. Commitment of a minimum of 40 hours per week is required. Due to the nature of the Alliance’s work, it is understood that additional hours may be required and that some flexibility in daily hours may be required. This position reports directly to the Executive Director.

Why Are Your Energy Bills Through The Roof This Month!? PLUS What You Can Do

2/8/2021

Updated March 4, February 8, 2021
Originally Posted January 29, 2021

People all over the state have been reaching out in disbelief at their Entergy bill, and even we got sticker shock when we opened our bills too!

Some bills have doubled, nearly tripled- is it a mistake?! Well, it might be, and you should call your energy provider if you think there has been a billing error, but we also wanted to break down a few other elements that could be to blame for the spike.

In New Orleans, at least part of the bill spike is due to the Fuel Adjustment Charge more than doubling, plus the charge for the new gas plant, all on top of the higher usage from the cold and being home due to Covid. Entergy sent a letter to the City Council back on December 18th (attached), to let them know about some of these changes, as they are required to alert the Council if the fuel charge has a significant increase.

The Fuel Adjustment Charge gives us insight into the bill impact when power plants are down and gas costs spike. This charge (also called a Fuel and Purchased Power rider on bills) is based on what was happening in energy markets two months prior and it is always on this two month lag.

Back in November 2020 (think way back!) three things happened that all impact this one line item.

Sierra Club Report Exposes ‘Dirty Truth’ about Electric Utilities’ Climate Pledges: Entergy New Orleans and Entergy Louisiana Receive Worst Ratings in State

2/3/2021

The Dirty Truth About Utility Climate Pledges
Report by Sierra Club, John Romankiewicz, Cara Bottorff, Leah C. Stokes
January 25, 2021

NEW ORLEANS, LA -- The Sierra Club released a groundbreaking report and research tool today that grades utilities based on their plans to retire coal plants, stop building new gas plants, and invest in clean energy. The tool gives the public the power to judge each utility’s climate progress based on its stated carbon reduction goals and how that compares to what science actually demands. Sierra Club will update the scores in this analysis on a regular basis.

“Entergy New Orleans and Entergy Louisiana each received the worst possible grade because the utilities plan to invest in new fracked gas power plants while making very little investments in proven and affordable options like energy efficiency, wind, and solar power,” said Dave Stets, Delta Chapter Chair from New Orleans. “Utilities could save $1.1 billion annually if Louisiana’s remaining coal plants retire by 2030 and replaced with energy efficiency and renewable energy.”

Sky High Electric Bill? Here's Why! Interview with Our Executive Director Logan Burke by Jennifer Crockett

1/29/2021

Interview by Jennifer Crockett
Article originally published on WDSU News
January 24, 2021

AAE breaks down increases in Entergy New Orleans bills

Check out Jennifer Crockett's interview with our Executive Director Logan Burke & click "Read More"
to learn more about what's causing these bill increases

AAE Consumer Protection Report

1/14/2021

By Peter-Raymond Graffeo, Alliance for Affordable Energy

The AAE Consumer Protection Report focuses on the best and worst practices of consumer protections provided by utility companies. These protections are essential for low income and minority households that struggle to meet the economic burden of rising utility costs.

The report compares seven State’s consumer protections with what the National Consumer Law Center recommends for such protections, with a special focus on Louisiana. Specifically, the report focuses on seven consumer protections: weather, critical medical conditions, elderly and handicap, veterans, service disconnection restrictions, social service payment customers, and miscellaneous protections. Additionally, for convenience, all State consumer protections have been added to the end of each section in a chart.

After analyzing each category, AAE believes that significant reform is needed to meet the National Consumer Law Center’s base-line recommendations. Ultimately, when considering the vulnerability of many Louisiana residents, stronger protections are needed to ensure families are protected from the disproportionate economic and health impacts associated with disconnections.

Download Report

Download Spreadsheet

The Nuclear Industry’s Really Bad Safety Analysis by George Harvey

1/2/2021

Article by George Harvey
Originally published on Clean Technica
December 31, 2020

The Japanese knew about tsunamis long ago, but a few of them seem to have forgotten. The Great Wave off Kanagawa, by Katsushika Hokusai. (Printed from 1731-1734, public domain.)

Before we allow small modular reactors, mini reactors on barges, reactors for making hydrogen, reactors to be set up on the Moon, or just about any nuclear reactors to be built, we should get an explanation from the nuclear industry of why some of its calculations have been so bad. I am talking about numbers that are so bad, off by an order of magnitude, that they are functionally deceptive. And if they are not intentionally deceptive, that is not an excuse. They fool people into thinking things are true when they are not, and they are very much to the advantage of the nuclear industry.

If You Could Power Your Entire Home With 60 Minutes Of Cycling, Would You Do It? By Alanna Ketler

12/31/2020

Article by Alanna Ketler
Originally published by Collective Education
February 6, 2020

Looking for a New Year's Resolution that's good for you and the environment? Well look no further. If you could power your entire home with 60 minutes of cycling, would you do it?

Imagine if your morning workout could power your home for the entire day, all the way until your next morning workout. Well, you may not have to imagine, as this technology exists now. Manoj Bhargava has invented a new exercise bike that can power some homes for 24 hours after use for only sixty minutes per day.

This invention was a part of a new initiative to bring electricity to places that undergo frequent power outages or may only have access to power for a few hours during the day. In our modern age, going without electricity can really separate a person from the rest of the world. Bhargava’s mission is to bridge the gap for those who suffer from poverty and make it easier for them to access the same information as the rest of the world, potentially giving them more opportunities in life.

Cancer Alley, climate advocates hold out hope for Rep. Richmond but 'can't be patient forever By Halle Parker

12/28/2020

Article by Halle Parker
Originally published on Nola.com
December 27, 2020

Photo by Chris Granger | The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate

With climate change high on President-elect Joe Biden's agenda, one might think local environmentalists would have high hopes for U.S. Rep. Cedric Richmond’s ascent to the role of key White House adviser.

But the leaders of local environmental and citizen groups have tempered expectations, saying Richmond has been largely absent from conversations between activists and industry in his own district during his decade in Congress. Still, they're ready to give him the benefit of the doubt, for the time being, at least.

In the coming weeks, Richmond is expected to step down from his congressional seat — which includes most of New Orleans, part of Baton Rouge and some of the areas in between — to lead the Biden administration’s Office of Public Engagement.

As the lone Democrat in Louisiana's eight-member delegation, he has worked with his Republican colleagues on legislation surrounding flood insurance and coastal restoration funding. But he hasn't highlighted concerns about pollution or environmental racism, issues that matter greatly to some of his constituents.

They're hopeful, though, that Richmond's new perch will allow him to provide more vocal support and fill his seat with someone who will be a better advocate in environmental battles happening in the River Parishes.

A Cost-Saving Two-fer: Efficiency Reduces Total Electricity Needs & Peak Demand By The Electricity Markets & Policy Department at Berkeley Lab

12/25/2020

Study by Natalie Mims Frick, Sean Murphy, Chandler Miller, Greg Leventis, Kristina Hamachi LaCommare, Charles A Goldman, Lisa C Schwartz
Article originally published by the Electricity Markets & Policy Department at Berkeley Lab
December 16 2020

Electricity systems are designed to meet peak demand — the maximum load during a specified period, typically in summer — even if that demand occurs only a few hours in a year. Yet most evaluations of electricity efficiency programs focus on reductions in annual energy use. However, these efficiency programs are also delivering peak demand savings at an affordable cost.

A new study, Peak Demand Savings From Energy Efficiency: Practices and Opportunities (link is external), by the Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) explores the program administrator (PA) cost – or the cost to implement an energy efficiency program to a utility or third party administrator – of saving peak demand through efficiency programs for electric utility customers.

Read more to learn about the findings on how peak demand savings vary by region and sector (low-income, residential, commercial & industrial, cross cutting)

What’s up with New Orleans Climate Action and Renewable Portfolio Standard?

12/17/2020

Months ago the New Orleans City Council unanimously approved a resolution committing the City to 100% Net-Zero emissions by 2040, followed by actual zero emissions by 2050. Then the Council sent stakeholders back to the table to work out the details.

Now the Council is expected to take up a final renewable resolution in January 2021. So, what does the rule on the Council’s desks look like, and does it meet those top four goals laid out by the Council earlier this year? Here is the breakdown.

How Does Your Electric Bill Compare to Others in Louisiana?

12/17/2020

Image courtesy of source

As the temperature drops and we cozy in with our heaters going, those electric bills are going back up, but how does your bill in Baton Rouge compare with those in Shreveport? Where does New Orleans rank? Well, look no further than this handy-dandy spreadsheet! The Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC) compiles monthly bills from just about every electric utility across the state based on kWh usage. This spreadsheet is updated monthly, using the tabs at the bottom, making it easy to track changes. Whether that’s a new power plant going online, or hurricane charges rolling off, you can see how it all adds up.

We’ve posted the spreadsheets from 2019, 2020, 2021 on our Bills & Economics page, and will continue to update those as the year goes on. AND, once we get a little free time on our hands, we plan to dive into some of those bill components! Why does Entergy have so many ‘riders’? What is a ROE, and why is Cleco’s so high? Stay tuned friends, in the meantime you can read up on Why Utility Rate Design is So Hot Right Now.

Residential Electric Bill Comparisons for 2021

Residential Electric Bill Comparisons for 2020

Residential Electric Bill Comparisons for 2019

Changes to Louisiana's Net Metering: Why You Should Care by Catherine Lane

12/10/2020

Article originally published on Solar Reviews by Catherine Lane

Residents waiting to testify at the Louisiana Public Service Commission meeting on Sept. 11, 2019. Image source: The Center Square

Net-metering is a credit that people with solar panels get from their utility company for producing clean energy and delivering it to the grid. In September of 2019 the Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC) voted to end net metering for Louisianans, outside of New Orleans, in favor of 2-channel billing. Changes went into effect January 1, 2020, with a 15 year grandfathering clause. Unfortunately, these policy changes will work in favor of utilities rather than Louisiana customers as they will significantly reduce "the amount of savings your solar system will provide you."

Learn more about what these changes mean for you, your utility bill, and the future of net metering in this interesting article by Catherine Lane, originally published on Solar Reviews!

Use the Force... the Climate Task Force.

12/7/2020

On November 9, the Louisiana Climate Task Force met for the first time, to begin to address the existential crisis that threatens Louisiana’s future. But climate change is not a far-off potentiality, it is here now, lapping at our shores and changing the way we live.

This task force must work together and with the people of our state, to lean into our expertise and to look to proven policies and technologies to reduce emissions and protect our coast.

Most importantly, the task force must center the people who make Louisiana so great.

VOTING 101: TIPS & RESOURCES

10/10/2020

We've worked with groups in USCAN to put together every resource you'll need to figure out how to vote safely this year!

Why Utility Rate Design is So Hot Right Now

10/9/2020

Small businesses are closing up shop, unemployment rates are at an all time high and I’m buying tickets to virtual concerts in hopes of keeping my favorite music venues afloat. It’s no secret that we’re amid an economic recession, but which businesses are really struggling and what does it mean to be guaranteed a profit from the pockets of those that may not be able to keep a roof over their heads? Luckily, we had the perfect intern for that research question.

Council approves Entergy rate-case deal.

10/8/2020

Customers still protected from Gas Plant rate hike

Addressing the Climate Crisis: Energy Policy Solutions 20 Years Later

8/18/2020

The Vision for Equitable Climate Action (VECA) was developed by Climate Action Network (USCAN) in May 2020. It was created over the course of a year, by a diverse team of 176 people from 106 organizations. The VECA platform draws attention not only to the urgency of the climate crisis, but also to the injustice created by climate change and the roadblocks preventing “effective responses” (p. 4). VECA puts forth policy solutions that take these factors into consideration so that we “act equitably and ambitiously to exceed the U.S. goals originally put forward in the Paris Climate Agreement” (p. 5).

When looking toward the future of climate change policy it can be helpful to reflect on the past. In 1999 AAE released The Louisiana Climate Report which reviewed evidence of Global Climate Change from the 1995 IPCC Report and identified five areas of risk for Louisiana - extreme weather, human health, agriculture, forestry, and coastal impacts. The report outlined and examined policy solutions and actions that could reduce or mitigate risks from Climate Change. While many of these solutions took a step in the right direction towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions, reports released more recently have raised the bar, highlighting problems with some of these ideas and suggesting better avenues to pursue.

The Cost of Being Poor

8/17/2020

Ongoing pandemic, economic collapse, lifting of eviction and utility shutoff moratoriums, ending of federal unemployment assistance, Black Lives Matter - my mind is spinning! There are literally fires to put out everywhere. But, simply putting them out is not going to solve the systematic problems that caused them. We need to dig deep into the unjust policies that got us here.

AAE, Now Hiring a Civic Engagement Coordinator

8/12/2020

UPDATE: POSITION HAS BEEN FILLED

AAE is seeking someone with existing ties to communities and civic organizations outside of New Orleans, with some 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. Apply today!

NOLA Gets Another Month to Pay the Light Bill

7/7/2020

You’ve got another month to pay the Light Bill in New Orleans!

The New Orleans City Council has extended the prohibition on utility disconnects due to non-payment.

Recovery Plan for Utility Customers Approved!

6/25/2020

The Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC) finally made a decision regarding lifting the utility disconnect prohibition for LPSC jurisdictional customers. Here’s what you need to know.

Intern & Volunteer

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