The election on November 3 will decide the District 1 seat on the Louisiana Public Service Commission. Republican Stephanie Hilferty, independent Chris Justin, and Democrat Connie Norris are running for a six-year term. The Commission currently has a partisan makeup of 3 Republicans and 2 Democrats. There is also an election this year for District 5.
The Louisiana Public Service Commission regulates state utilities
The Commission consists of five members who serve staggered six-year terms, each representing one district in the state. The Public Service Commission is tasked with regulating all public utilities and common carriers, except for utilities owned and operated by cities and towns. This means that the Commission regulates and sets rates for electricity, water, natural gas, and other services including telecommunication. State law has also granted the Commission additional regulatory powers, including executing the “Telephonic Solicitation Relief Act,” known as the Do Not Call program. The Louisiana Public Service Commission is established by Article IV, Section 21 of the Louisiana Constitution.
The Commission conducts administrative hearings and monthly meetings to gather the needed information to make their final determinations. In recent years, the Commission has ended net metering, reducing the incentive for households to install solar panels. It also approved a new rate plan for Magnolia Water, along with an audit into the company’s business practices, approved a large grid resiliency plan to be executed by Cleco Power, and fast tracked the construction of seven new natural gas power plants to power a new Meta data center.
To help you decide
Here’s background on the candidates’ public statements, actions, backgrounds, and publicized endorsements. Follow our links to get further information.
The Candidates
Stephanie Hilferty
On accountability,supports updating the outdated reliability standards that are used to grade utility companies. Doing so would make the utilities accountable for their current service. Supports requiring faster response times to power outages. Seeks “full financial transparency.”
On data centers,supports Governor Landry’s executive order requiring data center companies to pay for utility costs. “If the data center needs that additional power, they are the ones paying for that power.”
On infrastructure,supports investing in storm-resilient infrastructure and smart grid technology.
On utility rates,voted as a state representative to require utilities to reimburse ratepayers for utility overcharges.
On water oversight,introduced legislation to give the New Orleans City Council more control over the city’s Sewerage and Water Board, including more authority to set rates and fees. Says that Magnolia Water needs to be audited and should not be authorized to make any new acquisitions “for the time being.”
Stephanie Hilferty is currently a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives, where she has served since 2016. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Loyola University New Orleans. In addition to serving as a legislator, she is a senior advisor for SRSA Commercial Real Estate.
On accountability,started a website for people to report damaged electrical equipment, especially leaning utility poles, around Louisiana.
On data centers,says that data centers should pay 100 percent of their costs, including power, transmission lines, and water.
On infrastructure,says that the utility companies should be forced to improve electric, gas, and water systems before the Commission approves any rate increases. Says that private non-utility energy companies should be given a chance to improve the power grid. “If private industry will fund cheaper power, we take it.”
On utility rates,worked to reduce the amount that Louisiana ratepayers pay for “ghost charges” that do not go toward improved services. Says that the utility company guaranteed profit rate should be lowered from the current rate of 9.7%.
On water oversight,testified in front of the Commission and said that Magnolia Water should not have its new rate approved without a complete company audit as part of a “full open-book rate case.”
Chris Justin is currently an energy policy consultant with Emergent Grid Solutions, a role in which he has testified in front of the Louisiana Public Service Commission on reducing electricity costs. He earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Penn State University. He previously worked as a process engineer at Shell Norco Refinery.
Justin’s endorsements include: Republican primary candidate for PSC District 1, Wayne Cooper, among others.
Connie Norris
On accountability, “Louisiana families deserve to know when, where, and how utility companies are spending their money. It’s time for sunshine, full accountability and transparency.” Elected commissioners “need to disclose their private meetings.”
On data centers, no position found.
On infrastructure, no position found.
On utility rates,said, “we’re fast approaching electric bills being as high as our house loans and water bills becoming our new car notes.” Intervened in a Magnolia rate case before the Commission to push for lower bills for ratepayers. In the case a judge ordered an audit of Magnolia’s finances before the company can apply for another rate increase.
On water oversight,advocated for stopping all Magnolia Water acquisitions in Louisiana.
Connie Norris has spent the last two years as a community advocate in front of the Louisiana Public Service Commission challenging rate increases. She is otherwise retired and lives in Slidell. She formerly worked as a healthcare professional.
Norris’s endorsements include: the Louisiana Democratic Party, among others.
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