LUFC Louisiana Urban Forestry Council

As per request, this is a synopsis of the recently passed order per the LaPCS in regards to the renewable portifolio standard. RPS

1. The Docket no. is R-28271. The history and findings can be accessed on the LPCS web site in the docket tab.
2. The order was officially filed on July 10,2010.  It will go into effect after a 90 day review period which will allow for the development of the implementation process.
3. The driving force has been the issue that several States have developed RPS programs and the anticipation that there would be Fed. legislation in some regard.
4. The orginal attempt to develop such in La. begin in 3005 which resulted in the “Geaux Green” program.
5. With the change in the Fed. administration and passage of the Waxman/Markley legislation, the LPCS began the process again in May 2009 which entailed the establishment of a task force.
6.  Following a series of meeting and inputs, the staff recommended that a “Pilot” program be established on June 15, 2010 which the LPCS adopted with unamious consent.
7. The goals are, “allow the Commission to accomplish its stated polilcy goals of: providing additioal resources that result in reliable and economical long-term electric supply; diversification of La. fuel mix; greater energy security through the use of indigenous resources; encouraging private investment; improving air quality; developing additional in-state renewable resources; ; andecouraging job creation andjob retention while avoiding the uncertanity associated with the cost impacts of a long term policy decision in an uncertain economic and political climate.”
8. As set out the “Pilot” program consist of two components, A. Research Component and B. RFP component.

  1. Research component - These will be small scale research/evalation of renewable energy projects of either self-build and/or affilaited entities limited to no larger than 30MW for the entire component.
     Affiliated entities may enter into 3 yr. contracts with utilities at standard cost plus $30 per MWH.
  2. RFP component- each jurisdictional utility will be requried to conduct RFPs.  The total capacity will be 350 MW based on an utility base load.  Contracts will be for less than 20 years.  Terms will be developed subject to PSC approval.
     An exception will be an utility that is undertaking a bio-fuel co fireing.  Terms and conditions are detailed.
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As of June 1st, we have entered the Atlantic Basin Hurricane Season.  While hurricane specialists and governmental organizations predict a “normal” hurricane season, all it takes is one hurricane to truly do damage to a region (remember 1992 and Hurricane Andrew?)

Since we are not in the “meat” of the season, today is the perfect time to begin your last-minute preparations for your trees and property for any possible storms that may make landfall near your home and/or business.  Prepare by simply looking at your trees around your property.  Determine if there are any hazardous situations (i.e., rotting limbs, branches overhanging rooftops) where immediate attention could prevent greater damage if a storm hits your area.

To really make sure your trees are ready for the hurricane season, consider getting a professional to take a look at your trees and to give you recommendations on what you should do to mitigate any possible storm damage.  The money you spend today will save you lots of money in the long-term, especially if a storm hits your area.

For a listing of certified professional arborists, the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry has a listing on their website (see http://www.ldaf.state.la.us/portal/Portals/0/AES/Horticulture/ARL.pdf).

It is important that you take action now!

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Louisiana Urban Forestry Council, welcome to the Council’s newly redesigned website!

Forests, whether in an urban, rural or coastal setting, impact our daily lives.  We often take these precious resources for granted.  The devastation following the 2005 and 2008 hurricanes (Gustav and Ike) remind us how fragile and important these “sentinels of history” are to us and our communities.  Thanks to funding from the U.S. Forest Service’s Hurricane Supplemental Grant Program following the 2005 landfalls of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the Council embarked on an ambitious campaign to enhance our website to improve the environment and the health of our citizens.
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