Louisiana Energy Regulator Holds Dual Roles Amid Utility Expansion Decision

Eric Skrmetta, chair of the Louisiana Public Service Commission and the principal deputy under secretary at the Department of Energy, intends to maintain both roles until the conclusion of his PSC term in December. He is expected to influence a decision regarding Louisiana's largest utility's proposal to construct seven natural gas plants to support Meta's $50 billion Hyperion data center. Concerns have emerged from the Alliance for Affordable Energy, which argues that Skrmetta's dual responsibilities could lead to conflicts of interest, potentially impacting regulatory decisions.