Representative Wright defers constitutional amendment to shift New Orleans utility regulation to PSC

Representative Wright introduced a constitutional amendment proposal (House Bill 744) that would allow the Louisiana Public Service Commission to regulate certain common carriers and public utilities currently regulated by New Orleans authorities. Wright said consolidation could reduce duplicated costs and lower rates for customers by increasing scale.

He cited studies and historical context, and PSC staff and commissioners joined to explain the constitutional exception dating to 1921 and the potential rate effects of consolidation. PSC Commissioner Davonte Lewis said consolidation could lead to some rate reductions but that corporate decisions by utility operating companies would factor into any change.

After questions about operational and emergency-response implications, including whether linemen and crews could be shared across territories, Wright said he would prefer turning the topic into a study and formally deferred the bill. "I would love to turn it into a study moving forward," Wright said. The committee voted to defer HB744.