The Louisiana Public Service Commission on Sept. 11 voted to end the one-for-one net metering program that has existed in the state since 2007, according to WWL. Existing rooftop solar customers will be grandfathered in for 15 years, but future solar customers will only receive the avoided cost, or about 3 cents per kWh, for exporting energy back to the grid. The prior net metering arrangement gave consumers 10 cents per kWh.
“Why the Commission would choose the interests of the state’s monopoly utilities over its ratepayers is lost on us,” said Sean Gallagher, VP of state affairs for SEIA. “This decision will hurt customers and businesses and eliminate energy choice for Louisianans, and for what? Net metering is a net positive for the grid and for people in the state, and history has shown that gutting net metering only hurts local economies and destroys good job opportunities. We hope Louisiana leaders will reconsider this decision.”
Residents of the City of New Orleans are not affected because they are regulated by the City Council, not the Public Service Commission, according to WWL.
Solar advocates like the Gulf States Renewable Energy Industries Association rallied in favor of net metering before the ruling, but were ultimately unsuccessful.
#Solar Supporters have been making their voices heard at @CLECO Headquarters, Entergy Headquarters and PSC Commissioner Eric Skrmetta’s offices. Today they will make their voices heard in #BatonRouge! pic.twitter.com/dVexHN5OT1
— GSREIA (@GSRenew) September 11, 2019
Updated at 12:44 p.m. ET
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