The BEC Has Posed Questions Directly to the Louisiana Public Service Commission
Two awards of $2.765MM to one institution in a 9 month span prompt questions
My effort to find answers about these awards continues…
I’ve left phone messages with the Director of Communications at Southern and another communications specialist there. I’ve also left a phone message with the Public Service Commission.
This morning I turned to Twitter to ask direct questions of the LA PSC:
To the Louisiana Public Service Commission:
Interest and curiosity are increasing over two awards given in a 9 month span to a single institution by one commissioner. The gifts prompt many questions that seem hard to get an answer to, so I'm asking directly...
-- What is the source of the $2.765MM awarded to Southern, ostensibly for energy efficiency upgrades to 3 on-campus facilities?
-- Is this an existing program, available to all Louisiana institutions/groups/etc? How do citizens access this program?
-- Do each of the 5 commissioners possess what looks like a "slush fund," and are they doling out similar sums in similar ways? Where can citizens see the list of recipients of other awards from other commissioners? Is this publicly available information?
-- Was this a transparent, open, and competitive process and Southern demonstrated need that made it apparent that it should be the only recipient of both awards?
-- What are the ethical guardrails around this giving, as it seems ripe for potential abuse, i.e. "vote buying" or rewarding special interests to a commissioner?
I eagerly await answers to these germane questions...
To review:
Commissioner Lewis awarded Southern University - Baton Rouge $1.265MM in June of 2023 ostensibly for energy efficiency upgrades to the on-campus stadium. And just last week, Mr Lewis awarded (again) Southern an additional $1.5MM for two other on-campus facilities.
None of this seems transparent, so I’m digging in…
The BEC