[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",5988380,"mediaKeyId","5761424-04a696d80d5eeb1d3bedcfc871cbca5d","parentId",5761424,"title","Task force examines MISO queue, LPSC certification and generation options including gas turbines and behind‑the‑meter supply","audioSeconds",370,"startMs",1094295,"endMs",1464865,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5761424-04a696d80d5eeb1d3bedcfc871cbca5d&start=1094&end=1464","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5761424-04a696d80d5eeb1d3bedcfc871cbca5d/thumbnail_1094295.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5988380/Louisiana/Task-force-examines-MISO-queue-LPSC-certification-and-generation-options-including-gas-turbines-and-behindthemeter-supply","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5988380-31ee1a15090c278ea082f20a1a20d0bc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143563&Signature=ZgmbgEasqMIoRLyk0Br7sXZaaVxRnc0m40PGzoHceV0kSGf3wY-7GH1gSY9QbVDfGXAis5pWO0Uu58PS1f5cXRp0Aa-t8fk8EMlorHgRqSyLpm~yPzn6Rz5y04H1Gk6MTAghzXOBmqja6PblcG1dcO0AXCNGJCRHbjNu1dMtdBjQIl~aB2AR~L3cFQpOa8weMgOWOvdFGqDSIiPDSReVl0Pni0jUNOK4xJrBco8myST55UVdPvLdqjSRiHwN7mHka7dgKhLVTZzqesxIrPVn5U6-6McaDi2TVSTbwDQulws7llBQnzXm9E43EYinjjmlqtRu13VE7Qag2pEsRznQEw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Louisiana Legislature","date","2025-09-12T00:00:00Z","article","BATON ROUGE, La. — During the Sept. 12 meeting of the Task Force on Energy Infrastructure and Modernization, members and industry representatives discussed transmission constraints, the MISO generation queue and regulatory steps the state has used to accelerate authorization for new generation — particularly natural-gas combined-cycle units — while noting concerns about water access and ratepayer protections.

A task force member summarized how MISO’s queue works and the state’s use of an accelerated process. “MISO has what they call a generation queue that you have to submit a request into if you want to put generation onto the grid in the MISO footprint,” Mr. Frey said. He described an accelerated process (referred to in the meeting as ERAS/ARIS) that allows certain projects tied to customer need — for example a large data center — to move ahead in the study queue.

Mr. Frey and others said the Louisiana Public Service Commission adopted rules and a window of slots that allowed gas projects in the state to obtain earlier positions in the MISO process; those slots do not guarantee cost recovery or final certification but do put projects earlier in line for transmission studies. “Now this doesn’t bless the project. I mean, they’d still have to come in and get certified for cost recovery, but it at least says from the commission, we have been presented with this request,” Frey said.

Generation types and scale: Industry and utility representatives discussed combined-cycle gas turbines and battery storage as near-term options. One participant said Cleco recently filed a modified integrated resource plan to consider new load; another described the Washington Parish Energy Center as “probably 300 megawatts.” A participant estimated “about 30,000 megawatts available in and around the state.”

Behind-the-meter and private-supply options drew sustained attention. Randy Young, speaking from an industry perspective, described options where companies either own or lease generation or enter purchase-power arrangements so large customers are served without relying solely on the utilities. “If you open that up and you look at ways to unlock that, there’s ways to bring new generation to Louisiana that’s not only through the utilities,” Young said.

Jonathan Bruiser, who said his company owns and operates multiple behind-the-meter plants, described industry experience in other markets and argued that private generation and supply chains are part of the solution. “We own and operate, 7 behind the meter plants. We’re building an eighth now in California in regulatory markets,” Bruiser said.

Ratepayer protection and market effects were recurring concerns. Several members urged protections to prevent customers from seeing price increases if new large loads are added. “I think we do have protections built in to ensure that doesn’t happen,” Mr. Frey said in describing commission action; other members stressed that adding many large loads without careful planning could create excess generation that shifts costs to existing ratepayers.

Transmission constraints were identified as a primary technical barrier: new generation must be able to move power to load centers, and if transmission upgrades lag, projects could be delayed or infeasible. “You can’t just build a power plant and not be able to move that power,” Frey said.

What was not resolved: The task force did not adopt new regulatory rules; members agreed to continue exploring options — utility-led build, merchant generation, private transmission and purchase-power frameworks — and to weigh tradeoffs between growth and ratepayer impacts.

Ending: The meeting closed with agreement to continue study and coordination among the LPSC, MISO, the department and economic development partners.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Task Force on Energy Infrastructure and Modernization Sep 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Members and industry representatives discussed the MISO generation queue, accelerated study slots, LPSC certification and multiple paths to add generation — utility-led, merchant-owned, or behind‑the‑meter — and raised concerns about transmission constraints and protections for residential ratepayers.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature LA, Louisiana","taxId",78558,"location","Louisiana","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5988385,"Louisiana task force launches DRIVE review to map power and water needs for data center growth",2370,68720,2439450,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5761424-04a696d80d5eeb1d3bedcfc871cbca5d&start=68&end=2439","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5761424-04a696d80d5eeb1d3bedcfc871cbca5d/thumbnail_68720.jpg","/articles/5988385/Louisiana/Louisiana-task-force-launches-DRIVE-review-to-map-power-and-water-needs-for-data-center-growth","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5988385-815e222b7992b3caebdb137c077a4cba/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143563&Signature=Tc4Pp4jzrLPH5~j~x1VnB802j3sJF4fB6JoQYSoobYwndP3jvMZgxA0UTxchJwd2lFrw8rgbdtBIfbx9XIjJ8hqJgD3GU0OWJK4A41xpAHYz~DEOWynIjFB1qh~AQ1LosAoFZAu5e61s13o-JSj5XAyYdva68uD6S2OtoGjvctbGsLkMgrmsPNW48h1xxHa6cG2k4Fwl9vk8kmCFwYgKHFdlVpEDZJs0yU9mByxeo9Muokdkw2P8J~EIxrKIXsM2gxOymU3SUwpsmQ8AO3yXUpDVbZUNNHkEpBi8-~96vM3fycoeOJxI-jyMjrXmuigTsk81yBZhVcH4dYVb0P2jKg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","BATON ROUGE, La. — The Task Force on Energy Infrastructure and Modernization convened Sept. 12 to begin implementing S.R. 195, an order directing a statewide review of electricity needs tied to economic development, with particular emphasis on data centers and groundwater resources.

Senator Cameron Henry, one of the task force’s sponsors, said the group’s purpose is to make “a plan for power moving forward.” “The point of SR195 is Louisiana has to come up with a plan for power moving forward,” Henry said, adding that state economic development depends on reliable supply.

Secretary Dustin Davidson, speaking for the Department of Energy and Natural Resources, described an internal reorganization that creates a standalone Office of Energy (the department is due to be renamed the Department of Conservation and Energy) to lead studies, pursue federal grant funding and coordinate with the Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC), MISO and national laboratories. “We have changed our office of energy, which was previously a part of the office of the secretary, to be its own standalone office within the department,” Davidson said.

Why it matters: Louisiana economic development officials and industry speakers told the task force power and water availability are the most frequent obstacles in recruitment. “We have over 200 projects in the pipeline right now, and power is the chief concern of each one of those,” said a representative from Louisiana Economic Development (LED). The department and task force members repeatedly emphasized both electricity and freshwater as necessary inputs for large data centers.

Groundwater and data-center water use were focal points for several members. Senator Henskins asked how recent legislation (S.B. 244) affects the department’s authority to assess groundwater when new facilities propose heavy water use. Secretary Davidson said the department’s role, as implemented under that law and the DRIVE initiative, is primarily data collection and technical support for local groundwater districts: the aim is better mapping, fault-zone study and saltwater-intrusion analysis to protect community drinking supplies while informing industrial siting. “We have focused on protecting groundwater for communities. That is number one,” Davidson said, and added the department will help local districts seek federal funding and technical assessments.

Task force members and stakeholders also described how the Office of Energy will partner with LED, the LPSC and MISO to understand transmission backlogs and whether statewide grid upgrades or localized generation are needed. Davidson said the department will work with universities and national labs to produce studies that feed into an energy and economic development strategic plan.

Meeting directions: Chair Beth Mizell — elected at the start of the session — asked staff to circulate a meeting summary and schedule follow-up meetings and a survey of member availability. “If staff could kind of send a summary of what was discussed today, I’d love to get feedback from you all on further thoughts,” Mizell said.

What was not decided: The task force did not adopt any policy or requirement at the Sept. 12 meeting. Members discussed options (more regulation, less regulation, expanded generation types including nuclear), and they agreed to continue fact-finding and produce further analyses.

Ending: Task force staff will compile the day’s discussions and circulate materials and scheduling options; the group adjourned after electing Mizell as chair and asking for additional input prior to the next meeting.","At its Sept. 12 meeting, the legislatively created task force framed SR195 as a statewide effort to plan for rapidly rising electricity and water needs driven by data centers, directing a new Office of Energy within the Department to pursue studies, federal grants and coordination with the PSC, MISO and national labs.","actionData","errors"]

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Task force examines MISO queue, LPSC certification and generation options including gas turbines and behind‑the‑meter supply

Louisiana task force launches DRIVE review to map power and water needs for data center growth