Powering Louisiana Forum 2026

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The Powering Louisiana Forum is a participatory forum where industry, government, and public-sector stakeholders will discuss a shared strategy for Louisiana to become an "all of the above” energy leader. This event is hosted by the Southeastern Wind Coalition and GNO Inc, in partnership with the Southern Renewable Energy Association’s “Powering Louisiana” initiative.

Louisiana is experiencing unprecedented load growth driven by industrial expansion, new data centers, and major manufacturing investments. As companies like Meta, Amazon, and other large energy users located in Louisiana, they bring not only economic opportunity—but an urgent need for new electrons to power this growth. Building on its strong foundation in oil and gas production, Louisiana is uniquely positioned to lead in an “all of the above” energy future—where natural gas continues to provide baseload power while new technologies and generation methods diversify and strengthen the state's energy portfolio.

The Powering Louisiana Forum will facilitate discussions on the critical issues limiting new power generation in Louisiana—transmission infrastructure, community engagement, market development, and policy—and what is needed to fully realize Louisiana's "all of the above" energy vision. Insights and key recommendations from the dialogue will be synthesized into a resulting white paper that can inform Louisiana's energy priorities.

Dates

Wednesday, April 15, 2026 - 1:00pm - 5:00pm CT, with reception to follow
Thursday, April 16, 2026, 9:30am - 3:00pm CT

Location

LSU Energy, Coast and Environment Building at Louisiana State University

Agenda

Wednesday, April 15, 2026


12:30pm	Registration Opens
1:00pm	Welcome
1:30pm	Panel Discussion - Large Loads and Evolving Market Demand. Moderated by Lindsay Cooper Phillips, Clean Air Task Force This panel will explore the changing landscape of industrial energy demand, the drivers behind low and zero-carbon commitments, and how companies in Louisiana are planning to meet emissions goals while remaining competitive. Panelists include: Steven Jahng, Vice President, Hyundai Motor Group Katie Southworth, Deputy Director, Market & Policy Innovation for South & Southeast - Clean Energy Buyers Association Michelle Bourg, Vice President, Business and Economic Development - Entergy
2:30pm	Panel Discussion - Creating a Dominant Energy Mix. Moderated by Monika Gerhart, Gulf States Renewable Industries Association Louisiana’s geography, workforce, and energy infrastructure position the state to become a major generator of solar, onshore wind, offshore wind, battery, and energy storage systems. This panel will explore the current state of renewable development in Louisiana and what it will take to scale. Panelists include: Dr. Alexandra St. Pé, Senior Manager, Onshore Development - South, RWE Dr. Stephen Barnes, Director, ULL Kathleen Blanco Center for Public Policy Laura Beauchamp, Vice President, Business Operations & Strategy, Entergy
3:30pm	Break
3:40pm	Fireside Chat with Elizabeth Ingram, Director of Regulatory Strategy, Entergy This fireside chat will explore how Louisiana’s major utility is planning for increased power demand and how Entergy evaluates and assesses new technologies/generation methods.
4:00pm	Panel Discussion - Technologies for 2030 and Beyond. Moderated by Greg Delaune, Deep Blue Institute This panel will explore new and emerging technologies that could shape Louisiana’s next era of energy leadership, including advanced geothermal, next-generation nuclear, and long-duration energy storage. Panelists will discuss the commercialization timeline for these technologies and the investment signals required to bring them to scale. Panelists include: Troy A. von Otnott, CEO - HotRok Energy Cameron Poole, Director of Strategy - Newlab
5:00pm	Program Adjourns

Thursday, April 16, 2026

Attendees will choose one of the two concurrent roundtable discussions to participate in during the morning session, and one of the two concurrent roundtable discussions to participate in the afternoon session.


9:00am	Coffee and light breakfast available
9:30am	Welcome
10:00am	Morning Concurrent Roundtable 1 - Domestic and Global Market Development This facilitated roundtable discussion will explore how Louisiana can strategically leverage its competitive advantages—including its port infrastructure, industrial base, and workforce—to deploy a diverse mix of energy resources and create a resilient, competitive energy economy. Roundtable participants will examine the evolving landscape of large industrial energy demand and speed-to-market considerations, analyze market dynamics around emissions goals, and identify pathways for Louisiana to capitalize on domestic and international market opportunities to grow our workforce and statewide supply chains. Panelists include: Steven Jahng , Hyundai Steel Dr. Alexandra St. Pé, Senior Manager, Onshore Development - South, RWE Michelle P. Bourg, P.E., Entergy Chett Chiasson, Executive Director, Greater Lafourche Port Commission Katie Southworth, Clean Energy Buyers Association OR Morning Concurrent Roundtable 2 - Local Community Engagement and Ordinance Development Louisiana's energy growth and economic development depends on strong local frameworks and community support. This facilitated roundtable discussion will explore best practices for engaging local governments and communities in ordinance development and benefit negotiations for energy projects. Roundtable participants will discuss strategies for building local capacity to participate in proactive planning efforts, share successful stakeholder outreach approaches, and develop recommendations for supporting parishes in creating ordinances and agreements that meaningfully benefit communities while enabling responsible energy development. Facilitated by: Kim Marousek, Center for Planning Excellence Panelists include: Amanda McClinton, Executive Director - Department of Conservation and Energy Matt Johns, Executive Director - Rapides Area Planning Commission Virginia Bell, Executive Director - St. Helena Economic Development Foundation John Stoddard, Community Strategist, Southeast, RWE
11:30am	Lunch
12:30pm	Afternoon Concurrent Roundtable 1 - Transmission and Grid Resilience Louisiana’s energy grid faces mounting pressure to deliver new electrons quickly and reliably. This facilitated roundtable discussion will explore the interconnection barriers limiting new power generation projects and solutions to enhance the capacity and reliability of the power grid. Roundtable participants will discuss recommendations for accelerating interconnection processes, improving grid resilience and reliability, and strengthening coordination and planning for the future. Facilitated by: Brent Bailey, EPL Advisors Panelists include: Joe Tirone, Partner - Jones Walker Andrew Owens, Research Fellow - LSU Center for Energy Studies Burt Finzer, Principal Customer Advisor, MISO Andy Kowalczyk, Transmission Director, Southern Renewable Energy Association Yvonne Cappel-Vickery, Clean Energy Grid Manager, Alliance for Affordable Energy Will Hardy, Conservatives for Clean Energy Louisiana Monika Gerhart, Gulf States Renewable Energy Association Jonathan Monken, Converge Strategies OR Afternoon Concurrent Roundtable 2 - Policy and Regulatory Pathways Louisiana's ability to meet unprecedented industrial energy demand and position itself as an energy leader depends on a policy and regulatory environment that enables rapid, cost-effective energy development while protecting consumers and the public interest. This facilitated roundtable discussion will examine current policy and regulatory barriers to deploying new generation capacity across all energy types, evaluate recent and potential regulatory reforms, and identify priority actions at the state and federal level that can accelerate project deployment. Roundtable participants will discuss how policy changes—including permitting reforms, tariff modifications, and innovative project bundling approaches—can reduce project costs and timelines while ensuring that economic development projects have access to affordable, reliable power sources that meet their specific needs. Facilitated by: Dr. Greg Upton, LSU Energy Institute Panelists include: Shawn Daray, Partner, Jones Walker Jeff Clark, President and CEO, Advanced Power Alliance Erin Bendily, Vice President, Pelican Institute on Public Policy Gordon Polozola, Partner, Kean Miller
2:00pm	Break
2:15pm	Closing Reflections Moderated by Lori LeBlanc, President/Owner, Aurora Solutions Group.
3:00pm	Adjourn

Registration

Thank you to our sponsors!

Reception Sponsor

Generator Level Sponsors

Spark Level Sponsors

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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.

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.

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.

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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.