Private calls and campaign cash: Inside Louisiana regulators’ ties to the utilities they oversee

Louisiana is one of only 10 states with elected utility commissioners.

Nearly 43 percent , or about $3.5 million , of all $ 250 -plus campaign donations to Louisiana ’s commissioners came from utilities, energy-related businesses, and their attorneys and lobbyists.

The PSC , in turn, has resisted measures that could curb utility profits, such as requiring them to encourage energy efficiency.

Commissioners who responded to Floodlight’s inquiries insisted that such contributions don’t influence their decisions.

“Hell no, I do what I want,” said one commissioner who has received more than one-third of his financial support from utilities and fossil fuel sources.

Louisiana is tied for last among the 50 states for renewable energy use.