Your Electric Bill Is on the Ballot in 2026 — Whether You Know It or Not
- Your congressman?
- The governor?
- The White House?
None of the above.
It’s the five elected members of the Louisiana Public Service Commission (PSC). And in 2026, Louisiana voters will choose two new ones.
Most people couldn’t pick a PSC commissioner out of a lineup. That’s understandable. The commission doesn’t pass headline-grabbing laws or dominate cable news. Instead, it does something far more consequential: it decides who pays for the energy infrastructure that keeps your lights on and your air conditioning running in August.
The PSC regulates investor-owned utilities like Entergy and electric cooperatives like DEMCO. It approves or denies rate increases. It authorizes new power plants and transmission lines. And when utilities propose billion-dollar investments, the PSC determines whether shareholders bear the financial risk, or whether families and small businesses do.
Unlike many states, Louisiana gives the PSC near-exclusive authority over these decisions. Two open seats. Billions of dollars at stake. Every household affected.
A Generational Shift
Commissioners Eric Skrmetta (District 1) and Foster Campbell (District 5) are term-limited after a combined 42 years of service on the commission. For the first time in a generation, both seats are open. The winners will serve six-year terms and could remain in office for as long as 18 years. That’s long enough to shape the next era of Louisiana’s energy economy.
And make no mistake: we are entering a new era.
Electricity demand is rising at a pace not seen since the post–World War II boom. Artificial intelligence facilities, hyperscale data centers, advanced manufacturing, and industrial reshoring are driving projections of significant load growth nationwide. Louisiana has the natural resources, industrial corridors, and skilled workforce to compete. What we need is a regulatory framework prepared for the 21st century, and this election presents an opportunity to help shape that framework.
The commission seated in 2027 will oversee billions of dollars in investment in power generation, transmission projects, and grid modernization. In practical terms, it will help determine whether Louisiana becomes a premier destination for jobs, opportunity, and affordable, reliable energy or falls behind as other states move more decisively.
New Election Rules. Higher Stakes.
These PSC races will also unfold under new election rules. For the first time in more than 50 years, Louisiana will operate under closed partisan primaries with an earlier election calendar.
Here’s how it works:
- May 16: Closed party primary
- June 27: Potential runoff within each party
- November 3: General election between party nominees
Only one Republican and one Democrat will advance to the general election (aside from any third-party candidates who qualify by petition). The general election winner does not need an outright majority—only a plurality.
In short, participation in the early rounds will matter more than ever. Voters who sit out the primaries may find the field already narrowed by the time November arrives.
What’s Actually at Stake
With American electricity demand projected to surge up to 50% by 2040, the stakes for reliable, affordable, and resilient energy in Louisiana have never been higher. PSC commissioners set rates for electricity, natural gas, water, wastewater, and certain telecommunications services. They also regulate intrastate pipelines, trucking operations, moving companies, and even prison phone contracts. But make no mistake: the coming fights won’t be about tow trucks or telecom filings. They’ll be about electricity—who builds it, who pays for it, and who benefits from it.
The central question is straightforward: When new power plants are built to serve massive industrial loads, who pays?
Do residential customers subsidize the infrastructure required for data centers? Or do large users shoulder their own costs?
Can the PSC advance market-oriented reforms to allow for private, islanded grids that impose no cost shift on existing ratepayers? Will it permit co-location and behind-the-meter solutions where sophisticated users finance their own generation? Or will it default to the monopoly model and socialize costs across captive customers?
These are not theoretical debates. They are line items on your electric bill.
A forward-looking, ratepayer-conscious commission can welcome growth while protecting families and businesses from unnecessary increases. A less deliberate approach could result in higher costs and missed opportunities.
A Rare Opportunity — And a Real Responsibility
Louisiana is entering a period of extraordinary change in energy demand. The decisions made over the next several years will influence not only grid reliability, but also the affordability of power for families, retirees, and small businesses. These are complex and technical matters that merit thoughtful discussion.
That’s why the Pelican Institute is elevating the conversation. On March 3 at the Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center, the 2026 Solutions Summit will feature “The Future of Louisiana Energy: Public Service Commission Issues Forum,” a dedicated lunchtime session with qualified candidates for the open District 1 and District 5 seats. From noon to 1:30 p.m., Summit attendees will hear directly from those seeking to help guide Louisiana’s energy future. To learn more or register for the Summit, visit: https://pelicanpolicy.org/
Please make plans to join us and stay plugged into the LPSC race. Because when you vote in 2026, you are not simply selecting a name on a ballot. You are helping write the rules that govern your electric bill—and Louisiana’s energy future.
