The New Orleans Metropolis Council has authorized a $30 million digital energy plant (VPP) program that can defend residents throughout energy outages.
The decision establishes a citywide distributed vitality assets (DER) program, making a VPP of batteries put in at roughly 1,500 houses and 250 neighborhood establishments throughout New Orleans, Louisiana.
“This can be a historic step towards defending lives in New Orleans,” mentioned Nathalie Jordi of neighborhood group Together New Orleans. “As a substitute of ready for the grid to fail once more, town is constructing neighborhood-level energy that retains folks protected when it issues most.”
The Neighborhood Energy Plan is the results of years of organizing and coverage improvement led by Collectively New Orleans and the Alliance for Reasonably priced Power, in partnership with congregations, clinics, unions and neighborhood establishments throughout town following Hurricane Ida.
“Right now’s final result proves that when residents set up round actual options, metropolis authorities can ship,” mentioned Sonya Norsworthy, Board President of Collectively New Orleans.
The Neighborhood Energy Plan can be funded utilizing Entergy settlement {dollars}, with prices recovered via current Power Sensible mechanisms and no improve to buyer utility charges.
Below the decision, town will launch a three-year DER program that features $28 million in upfront incentives to put in photo voltaic and battery techniques with at the very least 40% of residential funding reserved for low-to-moderate revenue households.
After remaining invoice passage later this week, Entergy New Orleans will work with town council, program advisors and a third-party administrator to finalize the implementation plan and start rolling out installations in neighborhoods throughout town in 2026.
Information merchandise from Collectively New Orleans
