Public Service Commission outlines energy‑efficiency grants available to Saint Martin Parish

Mary Elizabeth Beaughey of the Public Service Commission's District 2 office presented the PSC's public entities energy efficiency grant program during the Administrative Finance Committee meeting on Oct. 21.

Beaughey said the program helps local governments, schools and public facilities reduce energy costs and upgrade equipment, and that eligible applicants must be served by Cleco or Entergy. She told council members, "Since I began working on the public entities program in District 2, we have actually awarded $2,200,000 to Saint Martin Parish alone." She noted the application deadline for 2026 is Jan. 31, 2026, and offered to connect the parish with PSC contractors and provide a list of local projects that have been completed.

Council members identified candidate parish facilities to include in applications and confirmed staff would gather 12 months of utility consumption data for the application. Council member Speaker 6 listed the agricultural building in Breaux Bridge, the Breaux Bridge Fire Station, the Reg Building and the basketball court as possible sites for upgrades; staff said the application work would be completed by the end of the week for submission preparation.

Beaughey urged parish staff to confirm which facilities are on Cleco versus Entergy service territories so the parish can secure available funds. She emphasized the program funds projects such as lighting retrofits, HVAC replacements and building controls at no direct cost to qualifying public entities because the projects are paid from ratepayer‑funded energy efficiency programs approved by the PSC.

Next steps: staff will compile utility bills and coordinate with the PSC office to prepare applications before the Jan. 31, 2026 deadline.