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HR 197

ENERGY: Urges and requests the Public Service Commission to study distributed energy generation and storage

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Roy Adams and 9 co-sponsors

Louisiana directs the PSC to study distributed energy resources and storage, evaluating capacity, value, private investment, and resilience, with a written report to the Legislatur

Taken by the Clerk of the House and presented to the Secretary of State in accordance with the Rules of the House.
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Bill Summary · HR 197

Summary of House Resolution 197 (2026), Louisiana

Basic purpose

  • HR 197, introduced in the Louisiana 2026 Regular Session and sponsored by Rep. Joe Orgeron, urges and requests the Louisiana Public Service Commission (PSC) to study the feasibility, benefits, and value of distributed energy generation and distributed energy storage resources in Louisiana.
  • The PSC is asked to report its findings in writing to the Legislature before the convening of the 2027 Regular Session.

Why this is being proposed

  • Louisiana faces rising electricity demand driven by economic development, industrial expansion, data centers, and artificial intelligence infrastructure.
  • The resolution aims to assess how distributed energy resources (DERs) and distributed energy storage could improve reliability, resilience, and affordability of electricity.

Key provisions and topics for study

The PSC is requested to coordinate with input from various stakeholders and to examine the following areas:

  1. Existing capacity of residential and commercial distributed energy resources in Louisiana.
  2. Value of DERs, including their potential when aggregated as virtual power plants.
  3. Private investment opportunities, including innovative PSC-approved partnership arrangements.
  4. Reliability and resilience benefits, with emphasis on performance during hurricanes and other extreme weather events.
  • The resolution explicitly mentions DERs such as:
    • Battery storage systems
    • Rooftop solar panels
    • Other controllable loads
  • It recognizes that DERs can be aggregated to form virtual power plants and that demand response programs can improve grid efficiency and reduce peak demand.

Coordination and reporting

  • The PSC is to coordinate with the LSU Energy Institute in conducting the study.
  • A written report detailing findings must be provided to the Louisiana Legislature prior to the 2027 Regular Session.
  • The PSC must submit one print copy and one electronic copy of the report to the David R. Poynter Legislative Research Library, as required by law.

Who/what is affected

  • Primary: Louisiana Public Service Commission.
  • Indirectly affected: Utilities, DER developers (e.g., solar, storage, and demand-response providers), potential investors, and ratepayers in Louisiana who could benefit from improved reliability, resilience, and affordability.

Procedural/timeline aspects

  • The study is to be conducted and the report delivered before the convening of the 2027 Regular Session.
  • The measure is a urging/resolution, not a law, and does not itself authorize new programs or spending; it directs the PSC to study and report.

Outcome and potential impact

  • If the PSC completes the study as urged, it could inform future state policy considerations on DER integration, potential pilot programs, investment opportunities, and regulatory approaches to enhance grid reliability and resilience.
  • The resolution signals legislative interest in leveraging distributed energy resources as a tool to meet rising demand and extreme-weather resilience.

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison with similar resolutions from other states or draft potential questions the Legislature might ask the PSC in the report.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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