MANY, La. (KPLC) – The Louisiana Public Service Commission found itself embroiled in controversy over a Statewide Energy Efficiency Program. At issue is what consumer groups called a plan to eliminate the program a year after it started.
Members of the public and several citizen groups went before the PSC today in Many.
Among those in attendance was Logan Burke, the executive director of the Alliance for Affordable Energy. She says the program educates customers who live paycheck to paycheck on how to lower their electric bills.
“Residential utility bills are unaffordable for hundreds of thousands of people in our state. Entergy alone had over 150 thousand disconnections last year. So, why would the commission consider ending the only program residents and businesses have to manage their bills and keep the lights on?” Burke asked.
With a 3-2 vote, the commission agreed to eliminate third-party contracts that add to the cost.
PSC Chairman Mike Francis says they do want energy efficiency to reduce energy waste. However, he says they must look at administrative costs.
“When you look at the staggering numbers that you’ve been spending on staff to administer this program, we need to take another look at it,” Francis said.
The PSC will take up the matter of developing an energy efficiency program in May. However, the consumer groups say eliminating the third-party contracts amounts to killing the program.
The PSC was also criticized for putting the issue on the agenda just a couple of days ago.
“I ask you to defer. Don’t vote on this at all. We want the public to know exactly, be informed. Don’t vote to end the thing you barely got started. Wait until you have more people and more public participation, more understanding of exactly what’s going on,” James Hiatt of Lake Charles said.
Following today’s meeting, the Alliance for Affordable Energy put out a scathing response to the PSC vote, as did Commissioner Davante Lewis who voted no.
Also at today’s meeting, an interim rate increase was approved for Beauregard Electric Cooperative.
BECi General Manager Mike Viator was complimented for saving $1.4 million in the annual budget. Viator says they combined some employee duties and did not replace some who retired.
The co-op will get its power from what’s called 1803 Electric Cooperative. Viator said that despite the interim rate increase, co-op members will actually pay less.
“The member’s bill is actually going to go down more than $15. So, we’re telling the members that the savings from 1803 will more than cover the cost of the increase and still be able to provide some relief,” Viator said.
Viator said BECi has not had a rate increase since 2013 and that the increase is about $2.73 per 1000 kilowatts used. Viator says the average residential member uses 1267 kilowatts monthly.
Even with BECi getting an increase, Viator explains that the same 1000 kilowatt usage bill will go down due to the savings from 1803.
“We have intentionally timed it to where they happen together so the member never actually sees an increase. The savings from 1803 will both cover the increase and also provide some savings to the members,” Viator said.
Without the interim rate increase, Viator says they would be in default of their debt service obligations. He says their top goals are safety, reliability, and cost to members.
Copyright 2025 KPLC. All rights reserved.