TASC Calls on Louisiana Public Service Commission to Denounce Biased Study

BATON ROUGE, La., March 5, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This week, Acadian Consulting Group issued a biased study attacking rooftop solar in Louisiana.  The author, David Dismukes, is a well-known advocate for the fossil fuel industry and an outspoken critic of renewable energy.  The Alliance for Solar Choice (TASC) and several state-based groups are calling on the Public Service Commission to denounce the draft study because of Dismukes' and Acadian's demonstrated bias.

Acadian and Dismukes' clients include utilities such as Entergy and Cleco, and oil and gas companies.  Dismukes has taken money from oil industry front groups to fund numerous anti-renewable studies, served as an expert witness for more than a dozen oil and gas companies, and commented publicly on his support for fossil fuel subsidies. 

"The PSC owes Louisianans more than policymaking based off the work of a fossil fuel front man," said TASC Co-Chairman Bryan Miller. "Louisiana voters deserve energy choice in the form of rooftop solar, and they continue to demand it."

Last July, TASC and several advocacy groups filed a complaint with the Public Service Commission because Dismukes' exclusive representation of fossil fuel groups and regulated utilities create alarming conflicts of interest. The complaint also addressed ethical concerns surrounding Dismukes' and Acadian's past work products. Public Service Commissioner and then-Chairman Eric Skrmetta, known for taking a high percentage of contributions from the entities he regulates, ignored those concerns last year and is now using the study as an anti-solar lobbying tool.  

Utility monopolies are using the biased Dismukes study to attack a fundamental rooftop solar policy called net metering.  Net metering exists in 44 states and gives solar customers fair credit for the excess energy they provide to the grid.  Utilities want to roll back net metering to eliminate rooftop solar competition and protect their monopolies. 

In September, the Mississippi Public Service Commission produced a study from a reputable, objective consulting firm that shows net metering provides a financial benefit to all ratepayers and helps keep electricity rates low.  All of the recent independent studies by state regulators show that net metering is a financial benefit to all ratepayers.

About The Alliance for Solar Choice
The Alliance for Solar Choice (TASC) leads the rooftop solar advocacy across the country. Founded by the largest rooftop companies in the nation, TASC represents the vast majority of the market.  Its members include: Demeter Power; Silevo; SolarCity; Solar Universe; Sunrun; Verengo; and ZEP Solar.

CONTACT: Susan Glick, (415) 580-6874, [email protected]

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SOURCE The Alliance for Solar Choice

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