Incumbent Public Service Commissioner Eric Skrmetta will face off with Allen Borne Jr. in the Dec. 5 runoff for the Louisiana regulatory body’s 1st District post. Borne says he feels the PSC needs someone to look out for the interest of the people because it’s being ignored, and he wants to help companies move towards green technology.
“Because at this point a lot of the infrastructure of the utility companies, the power plants are aging out. It an opportunity to direct them in a green and clean energy environment,” said Borne.
Eric Skrmetta says he’s running for his third term because he wants to continue to serve the public and he’s proud of making Louisiana’s utility rates one of the lowest in the country.
“I enjoy solving problems that help benefit the citizens of Louisiana. It’s a challenge but I rise to meet them,” said Skrmetta.
Borne says sister states, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia do not allow campaign contributions from the companies the PSC regulates, and Louisiana shouldn’t either. Borne says the incumbent accepts contributions from utility companies and it’s a conflict of interest.
“You can sit here and say that you can take hundreds of thousands of dollars from these companies and it doesn’t influence you, but common sense dictates otherwise,” said Borne.
Skrmetta responds how can he be in the pocket of companies he regulates when he’s helped return rate credits of over a billion dollars to customers.
“It’s a bogus issue. I’d like to see Mr. Borne talk about what he actually would do as a Public Service Commissioner since all he wants to do is alleged personal attacks,” said Skrmetta.
Skrmetta garnered 31-percent of the vote to Borne’s 25-percent, five other candidates were also on the November 3rd ballot.
The 1st District covers all or parts of Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Tammany, Ascension, Livingston, St. Helena, Tangipahoa, and Washington parishes.
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