Since hurricane Katrina in 2005, New Orleanians have advocated for a more equitable city. Thousands of families have invested in energy efficiency and solar to reduce our energy bills and take action on climate, but we still suffer with the second worst energy burdens in the country.
We deserve better than the plan Entergy has put forward, which includes an expensive new gas plant that would continue to pollute our city with over 700 million lbs of greenhouse gases every single year. For years, the Energy Future New Orleans Coalition has fought this new gas plant. While the fight continues, the coalition has moved forward with a proposal to make New Orleans a 100% renewable city by 2040. In 2018, we asked the New Orleans City Council to open a Renewable Portfolio Standard rulemaking to respond to the realities of climate change. In spring 2019 we got our docket.
On May 20th, 2021 the full New Orleans City Council unanimously voted to adopt R-20-182, establishing a Renewable and Clean Portfolio Standard (RCPS) for the city of New Orleans. New Orleans joins the now 32 states and three US territories that have established renewable energy mandates. This policy is a crucial step in the race to solve climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions for New Orleans to zero and transitioning energy to the lower cost resources. This policy prioritizes local solar and efficiency first. Read the Lens and the Advocate's reporting on the Council's action. |
Add your name to the petition and urge the city of New Orleans to take bold action.
Follow the filings on the Alliance's resources page.
We'll keep this page updated as the RPS develops! Concerned about increases in your energy bill? Tell us what’s happening
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In June of 2020 we hosted a Symposium for learning and listening, opening the collaboration to anyone in the New Orleans community, including the participants in the Greater New Orleans Foundation's Climate Action Equity Project.
We took the input and priorities of community members from that Symposium and crafted an innovative Energy Future vision to submit to the City Council. You can read the Resilient Renewable Portfolio Standard here. Also check out more materials from the Symposium below.