‘Forbes’ columnist blasts PSC vote to end La. energy efficiency program

When the Louisiana Public Service Commission, which regulates utilities, shelved plans for a statewide energy efficiency program in late February—just two months after backing the idea—Forbes contributing writer and columnist William Pentland says the commission dealt “energy luddites” a big win. “Forty-six states have implemented energy efficiency programs similar to the one rejected by Louisiana’s PSC. And for good reason,” Pentland writes in a recent column. “Energy efficiency investments save customers money by lowering their utility bills.” In addition, Pentland maintains, “the economic benefits created by investments in energy efficiency almost always exceed the costs of implementing efficiency programs.” In helping to overturn the state’s commitment to the program by a 3-2 vote, the PSC’s newest commissioner, Scott Angelle, raised concerns about the program’s cost for small businesses, because utility companies would be able to charge their customers for energy efficiency initiatives. PSC Chairman Eric Skrmetta, who also voted to abandon the plan, says the commission will study the idea and return with a new approach. But Pentland says the plan in place had been a good one. Citing Department of Energy calculations, he says, “Every dollar spent on energy efficiency creates $0.49 more economic activity than every dollar spent on an electric bill creates in local communities.” Click here to read the entire column by Pentland, who in addition to contributing to Forbes is the senior director of market development for an Oregon-based hydrogen fuel cell company, according to his LinkedIn profile.