energy policy

A crew of linemen use bucket trucks to repair a utility pole and restore electricity near Houma on Sept. 12, 2024, one day after Hurricane Francine made landfall in Terrebonne Parish.

Politics

Bill prioritizing domestic fuel sources for grid resilience advances

Brooke Thorington

A bill that would require the Department of Energy and Natural Resources (DENR) to work with the Public Service Commission (PSC) on prioritizing domestic fuel sources in Louisiana advanced from House Appropriations on Tuesday.

Logan Burke of the Alliance for Affordable Energy, left, and Billy Anderson from the Power Coalition for Equity and Justice, testify Wednesday against a move to halt an energy efficiency program for Louisiana’s residential customers. In a hastily called meeting, the Louisiana Public Service Commission voted 3-2 to kill the program.

Coastal Desk

Energy efficiency program killed; advocates say Louisianans will pay the price.

Pam Radtke, Floodlight

The state Public Service Commission voted along party lines to end a program to save energy and money for residential customers — who already top the US in electricity use.

From left, Louisiana Public Service Commissioners Mike Francis, Jean-Paul Coussan and Eric Skrmetta during a Feb. 19, 2025, PSC meeting.

Coastal Desk

La. Public Service Commission might scrap new energy efficiency program

Wesley Muller (Louisiana Illuminator)

In a surprise agenda change for Wednesday’s meeting, the Louisiana Public Service Commission will consider terminating a statewide energy efficiency program it just recently hired a contractor to run after spending 14 years to create it.

Workers install solar panels on the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Net-Zero Energy Residential Test Facility in Gaithersburg, Md. Funding that had been frozen for Solar for All, a federally funded program to provide rooftop and community solar to low-income residents, has now resumed, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said. (Photo courtesy of NIST)

Coastal Desk

‘Solar for Y’all’ faces hazy future in Louisiana

Elise Plunk (Louisiana Illuminator)

The future of millions of dollars in funding to help low-income Louisiana residents access solar energy has grown increasingly uncertain as the Trump administration attempts to slash grant programs awarded under its predecessor.

A Floodlight review of campaign donations in nine of the 10 states that elect their public service commissioners found that fossil fuel interests, power companies and related groups have given about $13.5 million to elect their preferred state energy regulators in the past decade — about 35% of all donations $250 and above.

Coastal Desk

Utility regulators take millions from industries they oversee. What could go wrong?

Mario Alejandro Ariza, Floodlight

The clean energy transition, for one, a Floodlight analysis of campaign finance data reveals.

This photo shows transmission towers that carry electricity.

Coastal Desk

This state race could impact your future energy bills. Here’s who’s running

Halle Parker

Three candidates are running for one open seat to serve as one of Louisiana’s top utility regulators.

Voters trickle into a downtown Baton Rouge precinct Saturday, Oct. 13, 2023, for the statewide primary election.

Politics

The most important election in Louisiana that many don’t even know about

Wesley Muller (Louisiana Illuminator)

PSC energy regulators are among the most powerful politicians in state.

THURSDAY: Politico Ray Strother, U.S. Energy Policies, Author Wiley Cash

Jim Engster

Jim talks with veteran Democratic political consultant Ray Strother about President Obama's second term, Hillary in 2016, women in combat and more.Former…

Coastal Desk

Candidates Stumping in La. Tackle Energy Policy

In Mississippi, they ate grits. In Louisiana, Republican presidential hopefuls have been trying to impress local voters by talking about oil and gas ahead…