(Newswire.net — October 21, 2014) Mandeville, LA — A day after criticism from LPSC Candidate Forest Wright for failing to inform ratepayers of a new statewide cost-savings program, the Louisiana Public Service Commission chaired by Eric Skrmetta informed select parties that it would be suspending the implementation deadline of Energy Efficiency Quick Start programs that could save Louisianans money on their energy bills. The memo, less than a half page long, delayed the programs for another 30-90 days but new deadline for implementation has not been determined.
In anticipation of the October 1st rollout deadline, Forest Wright, candidate for the Louisiana Public Service Commission, earlier this week called on utility companies to be more proactive in alerting their customers to the opportunities to save money afforded by these programs. According to Wright, this most recent delay is simply stale status quo.
“This delay means more lost dollars for ratepayers, lost energy savings opportunities, and unnecessary increases to program overhead costs for a program that doesn’t even exist yet. And once again, Eric Skrmetta, as chairman of the Public Service Commission, is protecting the profits of big utility on the backs of regular people, ” Wright said in a statement on Friday.
Wright went on to point out that this is the second time that the Energy Efficiency Quick Start program has been delayed. In 2013, Eric Skrmetta attempted to undo the energy efficiency rule shortly after it was enacted, breaking the state’s open meetings law in the process.
“The reasons given for this delay make little sense. What good is a deadline if it can be moved repeatedly? What good is a policy that never gets implemented?” Wright asked on Friday. “The reality of the situation is that instead of serving the public, Eric Skrmetta is serving the utilities – while simultaneously taking hundreds of thousands of dollars from the same monopoly companies he’s supposed to be holding accountable. Consumers will always get the short end of the stick in that situation. This delay is more proof of that.”
A seasoned energy policy expert, Wright played a lead role in development of the state’s energy efficiency programs, which lower monthly bills and increase property values for ratepayers by offsetting the initial investment for efficiency upgrades to homes and buildings. Utility scale energy efficiency programs have saved ratepayers millions of dollars in New Orleans and Arkansas, the model for Louisiana’s program, while also expanding business and job creation for contractors.
Forest Wright has built a career as a policy expert and small business owner. Known as a champion for emerging industry and a fierce protector of consumer rights, Forest has worked on the front lines to bring more options and lower costs to Louisiana’s working families and businesses.
Among his many career accomplishments, Forest Wright has launched workforce development training and incentive programs that reward customers for saving energy to reduce their monthly utility bills and promote economic growth. Wright holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Tulane University, where he met his wife Julia.