Louisiana Becomes the Third State in the Southeast to Adopt Statewide Energy Efficiency Rules

Last week, the Louisiana Public Service Commission (PSC) announced the passage of a landmark energy efficiency rule that could mean big savings for ratepayers and small businesses statewide. This standard – one of the first of its kind in the Southeast – was adopted following three years of dialogue spearheaded by the Alliance for Affordable Energy, the Sierra Club and the Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA).

Energy Efficiency Rule Dubbed 'Watershed Action'

Since 2009, SEEA has provided strategic direction, public comments and testimony on the proposed rule.

“SEEA congratulates the Louisiana PSC on its commitment to developing and implementing energy efficiency programs that will reduce energy costs, increase customer satisfaction, improve energy reliability and security, reduce environmental impact, and promote health and safety, said Vice President Mandy Mahoney. “This is a watershed action that is extremely powerful, not only for Louisiana, but also for the region.”

Energy efficiency rules encourage more productive use of generation resources through utility energy savings targets. Louisiana is only the third state in the Southeast to adopt this mechanism; similar rules are already in place in North Carolina and Arkansas.

Statewide Energy Efficiency Standard to Support Economic Growth in Louisiana

Linda Stone – Director of Global Green USA’s New Orleans office, which administers the NOLA Wise initiative in SEEA’s portfolio of energy efficiency retrofit programs – commented, “Global Green is proud to have been a part of the Louisiana PSC energy efficiency docket and the resulting approval of a statewide energy efficiency standard. We know the PSC considered New Orleans' energy efficiency programs in developing these rules, and are excited about the possibility of NOLA Wise being emulated statewide.”

Energy efficiency represents an opportunity to reduce energy costs, spur job growth, increase economic competitiveness, mitigate fuel price volatility and protect the environment. According to the Appliance Standards Awareness Project, energy efficiency initiatives are expected to generate 390,000 net jobs in the United States by 2020. The expansion of the energy efficiency sector supports continued economic development and prosperity for Louisiana.