• Babel to Weber transmission line approved (links to SREA statement)
• Funding Disclosure Rule passes with modifications
• Public comments accepted, but no movement on fight to restore power to camps in Terrebonne Parish 

The Louisiana Public Service Commission welcomed Commissioner Foster Campbell back to the dais during the October meeting after an absence, and without missing a beat, Campbell started the meeting offering a stark assessment of electricity costs, arguing bills and pricing levels have become impossible for many customers to manage. His core concern was people who can’t pay their utility bills, he said, and the commission should act to prevent the trajectory from continuing.

Funding Disclosure Rule passes, includes modifications from intervenors

Policywise, all eyes were on Exhibit 4, the Funding Disclosure Rule. We reported on this initiative put forth by Commissioner Eric Skrmetta during the April LPSC meeting. LPSC staff worked on Part Two of rules addressing parties in LPSC cases, proposing language intended to align with a directive issued after concerns were raised about participation potentially undermining the integrity of proceedings affecting Louisiana ratepayers and energy infrastructure.

Staff’s justification for the rule referenced a March 2026 report by the Pelican Institute for Public Policy that documented alleged intervenors were receiving substantial foreign or out-of-state funding since 2020. 

The rulemaking process involved multiple rounds of filings. By September 9, 2026, the agency’s third set of proposed rules for Part Two was released for “final review.” Intervenors like ALEC, Alliance for Affordable Energy, LUEG, and SREA did not have major concerns, though each suggested targeted changes. Sierra Club and the Pelican Institute urged more substantive revisions.

Under this version of the rule, we’re left with: 

• Intervenors to the LPSC are required to certify they either did not receive funding from a "foreign country of concern” or disclose that it did;
• Intervenors must demonstrate that they have made a reasonable inquiry into their funding’s countries of origin;
• Certifications of the above must be updated yearly by March 31; failure to comply could result in having the intervenor’s status with the Commission revoked or denied in a proceeding.

On October 7, staff filed proposed final rules emphasizing transparency about participation and disclosed interests and goals. 

Nuclear research surcharge approved

The meeting also addressed nuclear policy and early-stage planning through the Nuclear Research and Development Surcharge, a 20-cent fee for feasibility studies, site assessments, and economic modeling on SMRs and microreactors.

Skrmetta asked for the proposal during the August meeting, and faced immediate resistance from other Commissioners including JP Coussan and Lewis. This time around, however, the Commission also approved R-37871, with Skrmetta moving to pass, Coussan seconding, and Lewis opposing.

Lewis questioned staff about funding mechanics and raised concerns about a shift away from a per-meter charge. Staff’s explanation referenced spending limits and a capped approach - ie., utilities can spend up to 20 cents, but they’re not required to do so - with the intent of reducing the risk of passing costs directly through to customers.

Babel to Weber line garners approval 

The Babel to Weber transmission line was approved as a statewide reliability effort designed to reduce congestion and decrease load-shed events. The 147-mile, 500 kV transmission project supports load growth and redundancy and should help alleviate problems in a known load pocket that contributed to a New Orleans load shed event in May 2025.

Construction is scheduled to begin in 2027, with commercial operation targeted for August 2029 (subject to approvals). Initial residential impact was estimated at $3.74 per 1,000 kWh, with projected offsets tied to industrial sales and transmission-use revenue.

SLECA and the fight to restore power to camps in Terrebonne Parish

The meeting also included discussion tied to SLECA and their decision to cut power to camps in Terrebonne Parish. Hurricane Ida damaged some of the utility’s equipment that powered the camps, and for years, SLECA has told the owners they planned to rebuild. However, in August 2024 the utility sent the camp owners a letter telling them they would not rebuild. SLECA then filed paperwork with the LPSC to abandon the camps, and in March 2026, the utility was approved to abandon one of the four communities affected. 

During last month’s LPSC meeting, Commissioners rejected the judge’s ruling to abandon the camps. The decision is the first known case of its kind in the county. 

One speaker urged commissioners to require SLECA to demonstrate it pursued every reasonable opportunity to minimize ratepayer costs, arguing that projected rate increases should not be treated as unavoidable.

The speaker also raised federal funding questions, citing that FEMA may cover 90% of eligible restoration costs, and asked what additional grants or appeals were pursued and exhausted. They noted the matter has been delayed long enough that communities have spent 25 months during the proceeding without power and more than five years without service, urging procedural fairness as reconsideration continues. 

The meeting was adjourned with no action taken.

You can watch Louisiana PSC meetings here: https://www.youtube.com/@louisianapsc.

The next Louisiana PSC meeting will take place on November 18 at 9:00am at the Galvez Building (602 North 5th Street, Baton Rouge).

Southern Renewable Energy Association and Powering Louisiana write these stories because regulatory decisions shape everyday life, from affordability to reliability, and yet they’re still often a mystery to the average consumer. Our aim is to provide transparent recaps of these meetings and show how you can participate in public comment or hearings. Keep up with all things Louisiana by following Powering Louisiana on Facebook and sign up for email updates.