New Orleans City Council Utilities Committee Meeting on DER Program and Arbitration Appeals - April 15, 2026

The New Orleans City Council's Joint Utility, Cable, Telecommunications Technology, and Climate Change Sustainability Committee met on April 15, 2026, to consider several items including a resolution extending the discovery period for the Distributed Energy Resource (DER) program (Neighborhood Power Plan), an ordinance updating utility rules on ex parte communications, and two arbitration appeals from the Sewerage and Water Board. The meeting included extensive public testimony on the DER program incentive levels.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of minutes from the December 2025 joint utility committee meeting (passed unanimously by roll call). Note: The transcript references "December 2010, 2025" which appears to be a typo; the date is reported as December 2025 as context suggests.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Natalie Jordy (Together New Orleans) presented on the need for local, grid-tied, resilient power (LGR), emphasizing that distance from power sources creates vulnerability and high costs. She highlighted the Neighborhood Power Plan as a solution.
• Broad Bagger (Together New Orleans) argued that the proposed upfront incentives are insufficient, citing a gap of $5,600 for low-income households and $7,100 for others, with payback periods exceeding asset life. He recommended raising ongoing incentives and removing caps.
• Deborah Salvador (Community Church Unitarian Universalists) spoke as a community lighthouse operator, supporting the plan to expand backup power locations.
• Brandon Dubos (homeowner) noted upfront cost as a barrier to battery adoption.
• Jesse George (Alliance for Affordable Energy) thanked the council for procedural clarity.
• Margaret Washington (resident, New Orleans East) emphasized the need for neighborhood power plants for medical devices (CPAP) and health safety during outages.
• Jeff Canton (Solar Alternatives) supported the program, citing reliability and experience.
• Christopher Walker (Grid Alternatives) advocated for free battery systems for low-income residents, calibrated incentives, and income eligibility at or below 80% AMI.
• Douglas Malançon (homeowner with solar) supported the program.
• Becky Merriweather (resident) urged adequate upfront incentives, equalized commercial/residential ongoing incentives, and council accountability.
• Sean Moses (pastor, former Together New Orleans board member) supported the plan and urged consideration of data from Together New Orleans.
• Calvin Lawrence (resident) called for local hiring, prevailing wages, and apprenticeship programs.
• Larry Morgan (resident) demanded the council serve the people and address battery pricing.
• Morgan Clevinger (resident, 7th ward) highlighted distrust of Entergy, cited past solar program failures, and advocated for accessible incentives for middle-class residents as well.
• Two online comments were read: Patricia Bernstein (demanded grid improvements) and Sharonda Williams (on behalf of Entergy New Orleans) argued that Entergy's implementation plan is compliant with the December 2025 resolution, cost-neutral using settlement credits, and that Together New Orleans' proposal would shift costs to non-participating customers.

Discussion Items

• DER Program Resolution: Council advisors Bobby Mason and Basil Udo presented background on the DER program, noting the council's December 2025 resolution (R25669) approved a pilot with upfront incentives, 40% LMI set-aside, and ongoing incentives. The current resolution addresses three issues: extending discovery to May 26, 2026, to evaluate TNO's new proposals; directing Entergy to file a supplemental implementation plan by May 26; and setting a comprehensive comment deadline of June 22, 2026. Councilmember Willard expressed concern that upfront incentives may be insufficient for LMI participation. Councilmember Green emphasized customer eligibility and protections. The resolution passed unanimously (5-0).
• Ordinance Calendar 35422 (Chapter 158): This ordinance updates utility rules, including ex parte communication provisions. Public comment by Broad Bagger (Together New Orleans) supported the intent but noted that current interpretation has been overly restrictive, preventing constructive conversations. The ordinance was moved and seconded, and passed unanimously (5-0).
• Arbitration Appeals: Two appeals from Sewerage and Water Board billing disputes (Michael Stevens and Ms. Moliere). The committee voted unanimously to uphold the arbitrators' decisions in both cases after a brief overview and public comment from Larry Morgan about high water bills.

Key Outcomes

• Approved DER program resolution to extend discovery and comment periods (vote: 5-0).
• Approved ordinance updating utility rules, including ex parte communication policy (vote: 5-0).
• Voted to uphold arbitration decisions for Michael Stevens and Ms. Moliere (both 5-0).
• Committee adjourned.