News & Updates

Louisiana Residents Have One of the Least Reliable Electric Grids in the Country, Planners and Advocates Discuss in Monroe

June 18, 2026 | Jamie Moody, Communications Director

Pelican State residents pay more for electricity and have one of the least reliable grids in the country, advocates and planners from the City of Monroe discussed during a meeting in May. 

The City of Monroe sits at the precipice of the North Louisiana data center boom. Meta's sprawling Richland Parish data center is under construction approximately 30 miles east of the city, which is raising awareness for the need for power and is what brought the Center of Planning Excellence (CPEX) and the Southeastern Wind Coalition to town. 

KNOE in Monroe reported that the meeting focused on concerns regarding how increased demand will affect parts of everyday life in North Louisiana like agriculture, billing, and reliability during severe weather. Experts said solar and wind could make billing more affordable for residents by making energy more local. There are no project or proposals currently according to officials.

In January, the Louisiana Illuminator reported that Louisiana's Electric Profile found that Louisiana is one of the least energy efficient states with one of the least reliable electric grids in the nation. The article notes that the effects have fallen largely on Louisiana residents, who consume more electricity than almost any other state and pay higher-than-average electric bills. 

Also, its power grid experiences the highest number and longest duration of power outages in the southern region — even after excluding service interruptions caused by severe weather, according to the report.

The scope of the analysis covers 2010-23, though some information extends through 2024. 

The report also notes that while utility companies and politicians often tout Louisiana's low retail electricity prices, those low prices have not always translated into lower electric bills for Louisiana residents and businesses, which pay more on average than the rest of the nation. The catch? High consumption and inefficient buildings are driving the costs up.

Powering Louisiana

Powering Louisiana is a nonpartisan coalition of Louisianans united to identify, engage, and empower voices across the state who support utility-scale renewable energy developments. Our mission is simple: accelerate energy growth in The Pelican State by finding and connecting landowners, farmers, business leaders, and community stakeholders who understand that a modern, reliable grid requires local, scalable solutions.

If you agree that we need to move every available electron we can get onto the grid to build a future for Louisiana where energy is homegrown, reliable, and abundant, Powering Louisiana invites you to join us. This is about real progress, real collaboration, and real results—together, we will drive the energy future Louisiana deserves.

Icon with three men

Challenge Misinformation

Powering Louisiana partners with communities across the state to counter misinformation about renewable energy and to support community leaders in crafting clear, practical language for advocating when wind or solar projects come to their areas.

Icon with clipboard and checkmark

Coalition Building

Powering Louisiana believes lasting change comes from uniting communities, policymakers, and industry partners to advocate for transparent, evidence-based renewable energy policies. By forming broad coalitions across the state, we advance practical, affordable power solutions that protect everyday Louisianans.

Icon with dartboard and dart in the center

Take Action

Powering Louisiana champions policies that grow renewable energy and shield the industry from harmful legislation. We work to ensure practical siting guidelines, reliable bonding standards, and clear decommissioning processes so projects can thrive in communities across the state.