By Bonnie Culverhouse
For the second time in three weeks, the vote was unanimous, pushing across the finish line a contract to transfer power to City of Minden utility customers from Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO) to Louisiana Energy and Power Authority (LEPA).
“This was a campaign promise we made,” said Minden Mayor Nick Cox, referring to his fellow councilpersons as they sought a way to lower energy bills. “We said we were going to look for a way to make this happen. This was a giant day for Minden – a move in the right direction – a day I was looking forward to even before I took office.”
Cox said he likes to set a goal and accomplish it, “and this was a big one.”
During Minden City Council’s February 3 meeting, council members voted unanimously to give Cox the authority to sign the contract with LEPA and Thursday, February 20, members of LEPA’s board voted unanimously to allow the city to become a full requirements’ member – and the mayor signed on the dotted line.
Cox said LEPA’s meeting was not a regularly-scheduled gathering but one called to bring Minden onboard.
City of Minden residents and businesses officially will begin receiving power from LEPA June 1, but it may be a few weeks before customers see a change.
“Half the (June) bill will be on (SWEPCO), and half will be on the new,” Cox said. “It may be August before we see a difference, because of the way the billing system is. You won’t see a full bill until then.”
Cox said after the meeting he and Councilman Carleton “Buddy” Myles met with engineers.
“We talked about designing the new meters, so LEPA will be able to meter the power that comes in,” he said. “LEPA will be able to audit the power charges that pass through. That will be at the substation.”
Not everything will change.
Local maintenance and repairs will remain with Minden’s utility crews. The City of Minden will handle downed lines, routine upkeep and direct customer support just as it does now. Transmission is administered by the regional grid operator, MISO. LEPA coordinates and schedules power on Minden’s behalf, but it does not physically own or operate the transmission lines.
For the past 16 years, City of Minden has been in a 20-year contract with Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO) for its electricity.
According to the State Attorney General, Louisiana Revised Statute 33:41649(B) reads:
Municipalities may obtain water or electric current under contracts extending over a maximum period of fifteen years with private persons, on such terms and conditions as may be agreed upon by the parties. The governing authority of the municipality contracting for such water supply or electric current may bind the municipality, the greening authority and its successors in office to carry out the terms of any such contract.
At this point, Cox feels that law will back up the City’s move, and what happens with SWEPCO after this point will be dealt with as it arises..