Keith E. Neal

The Louisiana Public Service Commission meeting included discussions and votes on various topics. These included rescinding a motion regarding Equipment Transport, LLC, and adopting Louisiana Energy Efficiency Program rules with modifications. The Commission also expressed non-opposition to Beauregard Electric Cooperative's loan request and approved a settlement regarding Entergy Louisiana's generation and transmission resources for a project in North Louisiana. Additionally, there were discussions and votes on Formula Rate Plan Annual Reports for Parish Water Company, The Baton Rouge Water Works Company, Atmos Energy Corporation, and Magnolia Water Utility Operating Company, as well as an application for Entergy Louisiana to complete an uprate project at the Waterford 3 Nuclear Station. The Commission also reviewed SWEPCO's outages and audits of Purchase Gas Adjustment filings for various companies, and ratified votes taken by representatives on the Organization of MISO States and the Southwest Power Pool. Finally, the meeting included a report from AT&T, discussions on utility poles, and an executive session to discuss allegations of misconduct.

The Louisiana Public Service Commission convened to revise and update regulations and guidelines concerning the administrative determination of avoided costs. The Commission reviewed methods for determining avoided costs, considering input from various stakeholders including electric utilities and qualifying facilities. The approved General Order amends regulations governing electricity purchases and sales between electric utilities and qualifying cogeneration and small power production facilities, aiming to encourage the development of these facilities while protecting consumers. The Economic Dispatch Model (EDM) was recommended as a reasonable approach to calculating avoided costs.

The Louisiana Public Service Commission held a meeting to discuss and vote on the Final Staff Recommendation regarding AT&T Louisiana's petition for modification of rules and regulations. The Commission voted to adopt Staff's primary recommendations, including the elimination of AT&T Louisiana's Carrier of Last Resort (COLR) obligation, modifications to AT&T Louisiana's Price Plan, elimination of certain administrative reports, and elimination of rules and requirements applicable to technical and market trials. The Commission also addressed AT&T Louisiana's requests to modernize billing and collection rules, and update requirements for certain administrative reports.

The Louisiana Public Service Commission initiated a rulemaking to establish rules and regulations specific to the regulation of intrastate prison telephone communication systems, intending to modernize existing regulations for Inmate Calling Service Providers (ICSPs) to ensure services are provided at just, reasonable, and non-discriminatory rates. The new regulations preempt and supersede all prior Commission Orders, rules, and regulations pertaining to Inmate Calling Services and Providers. The regulations address various issues, including the elimination of tariff requirements for ICSPs, a transition period for compliance with ICS caps and regulations, rate and ancillary fee maximum charges, methods of bill payment, and the certification process for ICSPs. The Commission also discussed the review process for rates and charges, potential exceptions for additional charges, and procedures for handling customer complaints.

The Louisiana Public Service Commission addressed reliability and proposed a general order relative to service quality standards. The Commission voted to publish for comments a proposed General Order. The Commission believed that action in this docket would have industry-wide implications and, therefore, it was treated as a rule-making proceeding. The Commission voted to expand the scope consideration in this docket to include interruption frequency and duration criteria. The Commission Staff recommended adopting of the attached General Order.