Signed by Governor Jeff Landry

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with Senate amendments and pass a bill that establishes standards for prioritizing affordable, reliable, and clean energy sources to be used in Louisiana's energy grid and state-funded energy programs.

Highlights:

• Requires the Department of Energy and Natural Resources to work with the Public Service Commission and the Department of Economic Development to prioritize affordable, reliable, and clean energy security within the state of Louisiana by (Sec. 1):

• Prioritizing fuel sources primarily produced within the United States;

• Minimizing reliance on foreign nations for critical materials or manufacturing by prioritizing infrastructure necessary to deliver energy to Louisiana customers; and

• Ensuring that Louisiana has a sufficient supply of renewable energy production sources to satisfy the demand for the state's business and industry.

• Specifies that reliable energy sources must meet all of the following criteria (Sec. 1):

• Be dispatchable to meet the demands of residential and commercial customers at all times of day and during all seasons of the year with minimal interruptions during high usage periods;

• Deliver cost savings to residential and commercial customers relative to other energy sources;

• Include energy generated by hydrocarbons;

• Have a continuously dispatchable electricity output; and

• Have the capability to increase or decrease electricity generation within a reasonable time to stabilize the electrical grid. 

• Specifies that “green energy” is any energy generated by utilizing the energy sources listed in 42 U.S.C. 15852(b) or hydrocarbons which, when combusted for electricity generation, meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency under the authority of the Clean Air Act, and shall include (Sec. 1):

• Energy generated by nuclear reactors;

• Energy generated using natural gas; and

• Green energy as defined shall apply to all state programs that fund "green energy" or "clean energy" initiatives.

Full Bill Text