Power Coalition for Equity and Justice’s Public Service Commission Platform
Since the dawn of civilization, people have looked to their political officials and asked; What, exactly, is it that you do?
While this guide might not answer every one of your questions about what, exactly, your elected officials are responsible for, it will (we hope) give you some clarity on the various offices that are supposed to represent your interests at the state and local level, and the responsibilities that are supposed to go with those offices.
Louisiana families face some of the highest energy burdens in the country while living in one of its most economically vulnerable states. The Public Service Commission (PSC) exists to safeguard the public interest, not corporate utility profits. We are calling on all candidates for Public Service Commissioner to pledge their commitment to the following four pillars of utility accountability:
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Governor
As the head of the executive branch, the Governor is the highest state office in Louisiana. Elected every four years, and limited to two consecutive terms, the Governor leads the Governor’s office and all departments therein.
Responsibilities
Maybe the most notable part of the Governor’s job is signing legislation into law or vetoing legislation. But the Governor also submits a proposed budget to the legislature (which serves as a statement of principles, i.e., a set of priorities), and he or she can create executive orders that impact state policy.
The Governor also appointments and removes people to and from appointed positions, makes an address at the beginning of regular legislative sessions, serves as Commander in Chief of all the armed forces of the state, and is able to declare states of emergency.
As the head of the executive branch, the Governor is the highest state office in Louisiana. Elected every four years, and limited to two consecutive terms, the Governor leads the Governor’s office and all departments therein.
Responsibilities
Maybe the most notable part of the Governor’s job is signing legislation into law or vetoing legislation. But the Governor also submits a proposed budget to the legislature (which serves as a statement of principles, i.e., a set of priorities), and he or she can create executive orders that impact state policy.
The Governor also appointments and removes people to and from appointed positions, makes an address at the beginning of regular legislative sessions, serves as Commander in Chief of all the armed forces of the state, and is able to declare states of emergency.
Lieutenant Governor
Although the Lieutenant Governor is officially second-in-command of the executive branch, the office doesn’t come with a lot of responsibilities in terms of policy. The office is up for election every four years.
Responsibilities
While serving as the commissioner of the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism, most of the Lieutenant Governor’s work comes in promoting Louisiana to the rest of the country and the world. They also take on other duties as assigned by the Governor, and stand in as Governor in the event of a vacancy or if the current Governor is out of state.
Although the Lieutenant Governor is officially second-in-command of the executive branch, the office doesn’t come with a lot of responsibilities in terms of policy. The office is up for election every four years.
Responsibilities
While serving as the commissioner of the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism, most of the Lieutenant Governor’s work comes in promoting Louisiana to the rest of the country and the world. They also take on other duties as assigned by the Governor, and stand in as Governor in the event of a vacancy or if the current Governor is out of state.
Secretary of State
As the chief election officer of Louisiana, the Secretary of State oversees several administrative and archival duties, including acting as the state’s head election officer, overseer of state archives, manager of business registration in the state, keeper of the great seal of the state of Louisiana and, finally, the overseer of several state museums.
Responsibilities
That’s a lot of responsibilities for one office, but the Secretary of State is probably best known as the head election officer for Louisiana. That means they are responsible for qualifying certain candidates, preparing and certifying ballots for all elections in the state, tabulating, and verifying election results. They are also central to the effort to maintain the integrity and security of Louisiana’s voting system.
The Secretary of State also administers election laws, except for those regarding voter registration and custody of voting machines, and is responsible for the proper and lawful regulation and registration of businesses in Louisiana.
As the chief election officer of Louisiana, the Secretary of State oversees several administrative and archival duties, including acting as the state’s head election officer, overseer of state archives, manager of business registration in the state, keeper of the great seal of the state of Louisiana and, finally, the overseer of several state museums.
Responsibilities
That’s a lot of responsibilities for one office, but the Secretary of State is probably best known as the head election officer for Louisiana. That means they are responsible for qualifying certain candidates, preparing and certifying ballots for all elections in the state, tabulating, and verifying election results. They are also central to the effort to maintain the integrity and security of Louisiana’s voting system.
The Secretary of State also administers election laws, except for those regarding voter registration and custody of voting machines, and is responsible for the proper and lawful regulation and registration of businesses in Louisiana.
- Establish an Independent Consumer Advocate
Louisiana is one of only three states (alongside GA and ID) without a designated Office of Consumer Advocate.Establish an independent advocate, either within the Attorney General’s office or as a standalone agency, to represent residential ratepayers in all PSC proceedings. - Improve Constituency Involvement and Community Relations
Modernize PSC proceedings by creating more opportunity for the public to engage. PSC meetings sometimes feel exclusionary and not a place for residents to engage. Open the doors for more constituent involvement. For example, hosting field hearings across the state gives impacted communities direct access to commissioners in more welcoming environments. - Commit to Agenda Transparency
Mandate that any agenda modifications be publicly reported at least 48 hours prior to meetings. Additionally, provide full notice of rate case developments. Citizens’ voices matter in public meetings, and they should be adequately notified of substantial agenda items in a timely manner. - Require Public Data Reporting
U.S. Energy Information Association’s Form EIA-112 requires that utilities report and track residential shutoffs and disconnections for nonpayment. Currently, the PSC does not track this information. Mandate that the commission collect and publicly report data on these instances to give the Louisianans a clearer view of the practices of their utilities.
- End Predatory Fees
Louisiana currently sits among the highest in the nation late fees and disconnection charges. Other states have significantly lower charges or don’t have them at all. Eliminate or significantly reduce late fees and disconnection charges so that working families can afford their necessities. - Implement Fair Rate Structures
Over 18% of Louisiana residents fall below the poverty line. Many companies across the country make arrangements within their pay structure to fit their customers. Push utilities to transition to equitable rate designs, including income-percentage-based payment plans, pay-as-you-go options, and targeted low-income rate structures to better serve Louisianans. - Fund Weatherization & Residential Energy Efficiency
In a state with our extreme weather events, Louisianans deserve more thoughtful consideration of their immediate needs for weatherization and energy efficiency. Investment in residential updates will protect people in extreme weather and save them money in our hard seasonal events. Allocate dedicated state funds for low-income weatherization and ensure the equitable implementation of the Senate Resolution 148 task force to streamline LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) delivery. - Liberate Costs of Incarcerated People’s Communications Services (IPCS)
In the nation’s poorest state and ‘prison capital’ of the world, communications with loved ones who are incarcerated is costing the average Louisiana resident $100+ per month or an average of 5% of their monthly budget. Communication with external community is a violence suppressor, an active rehabilitator, and a parenting program. Push for action from the FCC under the Martha Wright Reed Act and work to secure funding to make all calls free in Louisiana.
- Protect Vulnerable Residents During Extreme Weather
Thousands of Americans die annually due to heat related causes. Louisiana’s average summer temperature is in the upper 80s. Protecting Louisianans from unnecessary bodily stress when they cannot afford to pay bills should be a priority. Advance a state funded energy efficiency frameworks to help residents lower energy consumption and reduce monthly bills. - Hold Utilities Accountable for Outages
Many areas around Louisiana experience unexplained or unplanned power outages that are of no direct result of weather or infrastructure damage. People depend on reliable electricity for work, medical devices, food storage and cooking, and many day to day activities. Allowing utilities to toy with people’s livelihood should not be readily allowed. Establish financial and regulatory penalties for unexplained or recurring service outages. - Modernize and Strengthen the Grid
With the frequency of hurricanes, tropical storms, and extreme heat events, along with the increased presence of data centers statewide, Louisiana’s grid is under significant strain. This strain could cause blackouts and delays in restoring power after a major weather event. Invest in long-term resilience through Grid Enhancing Technologies (GETs), strategic under-grounding of power lines, Virtual Power Plants (VPPs), and Community Solar Hubs.
- Diversify the Energy Portfolio
Over 70% of Louisiana’s energy is derived from fossil fuels. With such a heavy reliance on this energy source, Louisiana is highly vulnerable. Ratepayers are subject to the fluctuation of global fuel prices and also exposed to the regional operators of the MISO grid. Reduce Louisiana’s heavy reliance on natural gas to stabilize volatile fuel costs and advance environmental justice in fence-line communities. - Prioritize Impacted Communities
Pending billions of dollars in investment in massive data centers, Louisiana residents are fearful of the impacts that increasing Louisiana’s infrastructure to facilitate these sites will have on their already expensive power bills. They’re being denied transparency on what calculations these companies have used to create their proposed energy needs, and they worry that the burden will eventually fall on their plates. Ensure data centers and large energy consumers pay their fair share of infrastructure demands, preventing those costs from shifting to residential ratepayers—particularly in low-income and minority communities. - Enact Pending Energy Efficiency Programs
The PSC has been working with Entergy to implement an energy efficient program for over two years now. The continued bureaucratic stalling is costing Louisiana citizens who are truly in need. Immediately enact long-delayed statewide energy efficiency frameworks to help residents lower energy consumption and reduce monthly bills. - Expand Ratepayer Education
Many residents across the country have learned about savings they could be receiving by monitoring when they use the majority of their electricity. Invest in public education around off-peak energy usage, Time-of-Use (TOU) rates, and voluntary demand-response programs so consumers can control their energy costs.
Attorney General
The Attorney General serves a four-year term, is the chief legal officer of the state, and is the head of the Louisiana Department of Justice.
Responsibilities
The office of the Attorney General manages hundreds of lawyers within the state and provides legal representation to the state. It also enforces state law, ensures that the state itself is following state and federal laws, and is in compliance with federal law, and conducts public education programs.
The Attorney General serves a four-year term, is the chief legal officer of the state, and is the head of the Louisiana Department of Justice.
Responsibilities
The office of the Attorney General manages hundreds of lawyers within the state and provides legal representation to the state. It also enforces state law, ensures that the state itself is following state and federal laws, and is in compliance with federal law, and conducts public education programs.
State Treasurer
The State Treasurer serves as the chief custodian of the state’s Treasury and is the state’s head banker. The Treasurer serves a four-year term.
Responsibilities
The Treasurer receives and deposits state monies, manages investments, and keeps track of budget surpluses and deficits, and must ensure that the state has enough money to pay all of its bills on time.
The Treasurer is also the head of the Treasury Department, which serves as the “central bank” of Louisiana and is where public money for state government is deposited and withdrawn. Additional duties include leading the State Bond Commission and overseeing the Unclaimed Property Division of the Treasury, which is responsible for returning lost money to its rightful owner.
The State Treasurer serves as the chief custodian of the state’s Treasury and is the state’s head banker. The Treasurer serves a four-year term.
Responsibilities
The Treasurer receives and deposits state monies, manages investments, and keeps track of budget surpluses and deficits, and must ensure that the state has enough money to pay all of its bills on time.
The Treasurer is also the head of the Treasury Department, which serves as the “central bank” of Louisiana and is where public money for state government is deposited and withdrawn. Additional duties include leading the State Bond Commission and overseeing the Unclaimed Property Division of the Treasury, which is responsible for returning lost money to its rightful owner.
Commissioner of Insurance
The Commissioner of Insurance is the head of the Louisiana Department of Insurance (LDI), and is elected every four years. The LDI contains the Office of Consumer Advocacy and the Division of Diversity & Opportunity, and is made up of the following boards and commissions: Louisiana Health Care Commission, Louisiana Property & Casualty Commission, Louisiana Auto Theft & Insurance Fraud Prevention Authority.
Responsibilities
The LDI regulates the insurance industry according to state law, educates consumers, and advocates for consumer protections. It also reports to the state legislature, which can affect the insurance industry and, in turn, consumers. Another important role of this agency is running the Senior Health Insurance Information Program, which helps senior citizens better understand Medicare coverage options and benefits to make more informed decisions.
You can go to the LDI website to lodge consumer complaints, and they publish resources and updates for consumers.
The Commissioner of Insurance is the head of the Louisiana Department of Insurance (LDI), and is elected every four years. The LDI contains the Office of Consumer Advocacy and the Division of Diversity & Opportunity, and is made up of the following boards and commissions: Louisiana Health Care Commission, Louisiana Property & Casualty Commission, Louisiana Auto Theft & Insurance Fraud Prevention Authority.
Responsibilities
The LDI regulates the insurance industry according to state law, educates consumers, and advocates for consumer protections. It also reports to the state legislature, which can affect the insurance industry and, in turn, consumers. Another important role of this agency is running the Senior Health Insurance Information Program, which helps senior citizens better understand Medicare coverage options and benefits to make more informed decisions.
You can go to the LDI website to lodge consumer complaints, and they publish resources and updates for consumers.
Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry
The Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry leads the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry. The Commissioner is elected every four years and is not subject to term limits.
Responsibilities
The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry is responsible for administering the programs and enforcing the regulations that impact every aspect of the state’s agriculture and forestry, including agricultural chemistry programs, horticulture programs, pesticide and environmental programs, conservation, seed programs, animal health, food safety, forestry, and medical marijuana.
These programs are intended to ensure food safety in Louisiana and that the environment remains suitable for continued growth of the state’s economy.
The Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry leads the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry. The Commissioner is elected every four years and is not subject to term limits.
Responsibilities
The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry is responsible for administering the programs and enforcing the regulations that impact every aspect of the state’s agriculture and forestry, including agricultural chemistry programs, horticulture programs, pesticide and environmental programs, conservation, seed programs, animal health, food safety, forestry, and medical marijuana.
These programs are intended to ensure food safety in Louisiana and that the environment remains suitable for continued growth of the state’s economy.
BESE--Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education
BESE is made up of 11 members, eight are elected from the BESE districts, and the other three are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the State Senate. BESE members elect a president, vice president, and secretary-treasurer from its membership.
The members are also divided into four separate committees: Administration and Finance, Educator Effectiveness, Academic Goals and Instructional Improvement, School Innovation and Turnaround. Each committee considers issues within its specific subject area and then makes recommendations to the Board as a whole.
Responsibilities BESE has the responsibility for governing all Louisiana elementary and secondary schools; special schools for the deaf, blind, and physically handicapped; and educational units within the state’s correctional institutions and mental facilities. There are also Task Forces/Commissions and Advisory Councils within BESE.
BESE has the authority to create policies that govern the statewide operations of public and non-public schools, to administer the budget for educational programs and services at those schools, and to conduct administrative hearings to resolve any conflict concerning its policies and actions. Some of the many specifically defined duties assigned to this board by law include approval of certification requirements, policies for assessment and evaluation of teachers, administrators and students, approval of textbooks, and administering the state’s charter school program.
BESE is made up of 11 members, eight are elected from the BESE districts, and the other three are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the State Senate. BESE members elect a president, vice president, and secretary-treasurer from its membership.
The members are also divided into four separate committees: Administration and Finance, Educator Effectiveness, Academic Goals and Instructional Improvement, School Innovation and Turnaround. Each committee considers issues within its specific subject area and then makes recommendations to the Board as a whole.
Responsibilities BESE has the responsibility for governing all Louisiana elementary and secondary schools; special schools for the deaf, blind, and physically handicapped; and educational units within the state’s correctional institutions and mental facilities. There are also Task Forces/Commissions and Advisory Councils within BESE.
BESE has the authority to create policies that govern the statewide operations of public and non-public schools, to administer the budget for educational programs and services at those schools, and to conduct administrative hearings to resolve any conflict concerning its policies and actions. Some of the many specifically defined duties assigned to this board by law include approval of certification requirements, policies for assessment and evaluation of teachers, administrators and students, approval of textbooks, and administering the state’s charter school program.
State Senator
Your State Senator is elected by voters in your senate district to represent that district in the state legislature. There are 39 senators in the Louisiana legislature, and each senate district contains an average of approximately 116,000 people. Elections to the Senate occur every four years, and senators are limited three four-year terms (12 years).
Responsibilities The primary duties of a state senator are creating, debating, and voting on legislation that either makes new laws or modifies existing ones. Legislation must be approved by the Senate, as well as the House of Representatives, before being signed into law by the Governor.
The laws either created or modified by the state legislature are an important addition to the laws that must be followed at the local level as well as at the federal level.
Your State Senator is elected by voters in your senate district to represent that district in the state legislature. There are 39 senators in the Louisiana legislature, and each senate district contains an average of approximately 116,000 people. Elections to the Senate occur every four years, and senators are limited three four-year terms (12 years).
Responsibilities The primary duties of a state senator are creating, debating, and voting on legislation that either makes new laws or modifies existing ones. Legislation must be approved by the Senate, as well as the House of Representatives, before being signed into law by the Governor.
The laws either created or modified by the state legislature are an important addition to the laws that must be followed at the local level as well as at the federal level.
State Representative
Your State Representative is elected by voters in your district to represent the district in the state legislature. There are 105 representatives in the Louisiana legislature, each of whom represents approximately 42,500 people. Members serve four-year terms with a term limit of three terms (total 12 years).
Responsibilities
Primary duties of a State Representative are creating, debating, and voting on legislation that either makes new laws or modifies existing ones. Legislation must be approved by the State House of Representatives, as well as the State Senate, before being signed into law by the Governor of the state.
The laws either created or modified by the state legislature are an important addition to the laws that must be followed at the local level as well as at the federal level.
Your State Representative is elected by voters in your district to represent the district in the state legislature. There are 105 representatives in the Louisiana legislature, each of whom represents approximately 42,500 people. Members serve four-year terms with a term limit of three terms (total 12 years).
Responsibilities
Primary duties of a State Representative are creating, debating, and voting on legislation that either makes new laws or modifies existing ones. Legislation must be approved by the State House of Representatives, as well as the State Senate, before being signed into law by the Governor of the state.
The laws either created or modified by the state legislature are an important addition to the laws that must be followed at the local level as well as at the federal level.
Sheriff
The Sheriff’s office in your parish provides law enforcement, detention, court security, and homeland security services within that parish. It also enforces state law within the parish and maintains the parish prison.
The Sheriff has an influential role in providing a fair and responsible police force that citizens can rely on to provide equitable justice regardless of our individual characteristics (such as race, religion, sexual orientation, and gender identity).
The Sheriff’s office in your parish provides law enforcement, detention, court security, and homeland security services within that parish. It also enforces state law within the parish and maintains the parish prison.
The Sheriff has an influential role in providing a fair and responsible police force that citizens can rely on to provide equitable justice regardless of our individual characteristics (such as race, religion, sexual orientation, and gender identity).
