Early voting is underway and one of the big items on the December 10th ballot is the 3rd District Louisiana Public Service Commission Race as New Orleans Democrat Lambert Boissiere seeks a fourth term, but is facing a significant challenge from Davante Lewis. Boissiere has been on the PSC since 2005 and he says he’s kept utility rates in check.
“The Louisiana utility rates are some of the lowest, in some cases the lowest in the nation and have been for decades and that is because we have smart policies here at the commission that doesn’t give the companies everything they want,” said Boissiere.
But Lewis says utilities like Entergy used their monopoly power to generate record profits without making the necessary investments. He says utilities use campaign contributions to buy their way out of regulation.
“My opponent in this race, the current commissioner, in the last 11 years, 99% of every dollar he’s taken has come from those same entities,” said Lewis.
Lewis says he’s refused to accept donations from industries regulated by the PSC. But Boissiere denies claims that utility companies can buy his vote.
“I won the highest award, the Groesch Award from the non-profit Alliance for Affordable Energy, it’s a consumer champion award, you don’t get that by being cozy with utility companies,” said Boissiere.
Lewis says the state’s electrical grid is crumbling and depends on outdated infrastructure and dirty, volatile energy sources. He says he’ll push for utilities to speed up the adoption of clean, renewable energy sources.
“We need to be invested in renewable energy sources such as solar and wind and promote the adoption of rooftop solar and home batteries across the state,” said Lewis.
Boissiere says he’s championed wind and solar energy production in Louisiana.
The third PSC district covers Orleans and Jefferson, the River Parishes, and sections of the Baton Rouge area.
Photo of Davante Lewis
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