WBRZ - Baton Rouge

Tagged News

• PSC to revisit energy efficiency program debate

  May 21, 2013 3:03 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The state's utility regulatory agency will reconsider a decision to shelve a planned statewide energy efficiency program. The Public Service Commission has been sued over its handling of the issue, with three organizations claiming the commission broke the state's open meetings law by refusing to allow public... more »

• New jobs and energy gains helping lift US economy

  May 5, 2013 10:42 AM

  WASHINGTON - A stronger-than-expected April rebound in job creation and recent dramatic discoveries of vast U.S. oil and gas reserves are helping to lift the American economy out its long funk. The economic advances also are drawing attention to the importance of private-sector innovation rather than government policy in fostering... more »

• Moniz backs natural gas 'revolution'

  April 9, 2013 12:07 PM

  WASHINGTON- Ernest Moniz, chosen by President Barack Obama to lead the Energy Department, says he will push to increase use of natural gas as a way to combat climate change even as the nation seeks to boost domestic energy production. Moniz, a physics professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology,... more »

• Gulf lease sale to open 38M acres to drilling

  February 7, 2013 4:22 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - More than 38 million acres in the Gulf of Mexico will go on the auction block next month. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management said the New Orleans sale will include about 7,299 federally-owned drilling tracts, three to 230 miles off the coasts of Louisiana, Alabama... more »

• Genesis Energy plans Baton Rouge area expansion

  February 4, 2013 11:13 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Genesis Energy is expanding its presence in the Baton Rouge area, with plans to build a crude oil pipeline that will connect to ExxonMobil's refinery. The Houston-based company supports refinery and chemical operations with pipeline transportation, supplies and logistics. It announced the $125 million project Monday. Construction... more »

• Shaw Founder: "I am under consideration" for Energy Secretary Post

  February 1, 2013 2:00 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Shaw Group Founder Jim Bernhard told News 2 today he is up for consideration to replace Stephen Chu as the Secretary of the Department of Energy. He also said there are other names out there to become the country's next Secretary of Energy. Bernhard recently... more »

• Energy Secretary Chu to step down

  February 1, 2013 10:58 AM

  WASHINGTON- Energy Secretary Steven Chu is stepping down. The Energy Department said Friday Chu has offered his resignation to President Barack Obama. Chu won a Nobel Prize in physics but came under questioning for his handling of a solar energy loan. Chu is a former director of the Lawrence Berkeley... more »

• Experts say 2nd industrial revolution starting in La. Play Video

  January 28, 2013 5:49 PM

  BATON ROUGE- A new LSU energy report shows industry will invest $60 billion dollars in Louisiana projects over the next decade. The investments are tied to Louisiana's natural gas resources and production development, and expected to generate more than $20 billion directly to the state economy. Louisiana Chemical... more »

• LSU to offer specialized study in energy law

  November 12, 2012 10:31 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The LSU Law Center is developing a specialized program in energy law in reaction to increasingly complex legal and regulatory issues. The Louisiana Board of Regents approved the LSU Energy Law Center in August. Chancellor Jack M. Weiss discussed the plans in a recent interview with NOLA.com... more »

• Volunteers make improvements to homes near Istrouma

  October 4, 2012 10:39 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Volunteers and city-parish officials along with Entergy gathered in East Baton Rouge today to make more than a dozen homes more energy-efficient. Volunteers organized out of Istrouma High School fanned out into the nearby neighborhood this morning to make improvements at 16 different homes in the... more »

• Obama attacks Romney on wind-power in Iowa

  August 14, 2012 3:09 PM

  OSKALOOSA, Iowa - President Barack Obama is blasting Mitt Romney for opposing tax supports for wind power. At a campaign stop in Iowa, Obama accused his Republican challenger of wanting to maintain billions of dollars in taxpayer subsidies for oil companies rather than investing in what he describes as promising... more »

• Romney promises energy independence by 2021

  August 14, 2012 12:44 PM

  BEALLSVILLE, Ohio - Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has promised voters in coal-rich eastern Ohio that America won't have to buy oil from Venezuela or the Middle East by the time his second term ends in 2021. Romney stopped Tuesday outside a coal mine in Beallsville, where he said the... more »

• La. solar tax credit price tag far above estimates

  August 9, 2012 10:38 AM

  BATON ROUGE - A tax break passed by lawmakers four years ago to spur investment in solar energy has become a costly deal for the state, siphoning millions of dollars more than expected from Louisiana's coffers. When lawmakers passed the Wind and Solar Energy Systems Tax Credit in 2007, fiscal... more »

• La. energy customers can expect refunds soon

  July 19, 2012 7:25 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Officials say customers at two Louisiana-based energy companies will be receiving refunds as credits on their energy bills this summer. Members of the state's Public Service Commission voted to let Pineville-based electricity provider Cleco Corp. put a refund on its customers' September bills. PSC attorney... more »

• Former U.S. Senator named LSU speaker

  March 14, 2012 12:32 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Former U.S. Senator J. Bennett Johnston will be the commencement speaker at the LSU Law Center graduation ceremonies. Johnston served 24 years in the U.S. Senate representing Louisiana. He was either directly or indirectly responsible for all energy legislation considered by the Congress during his terms. Johnston... more »

• EBR gets $1M for energy bills

  January 4, 2012 3:08 PM

  BATON ROUGE - East Baton Rouge Parish has more than $1 million to allocate to residents who need help paying their utility bills. The city-parish received the money from a federal grant through the Louisiana Housing Finance Agency. Officials say the parish will allocate $108,126 for people who already have... more »

• Mayor launches energy conservation initiative

  December 15, 2011 4:04 AM

  BATON ROUGE -The city of Baton Rouge has officially gone green. Mayor Kip Holden launched the ConserveBR energy efficiency outreach program Wednesday. The grant-funded program encourages both city-parish employees and area residents to become more energy-efficient by making small changes to conserve energy usage. For more information... more »

• Researchers: Gulf drilling could add 230,000 jobs

  July 22, 2011 9:57 AM

  NEW YORK - An energy research group predicted that an increase in drilling activity in the Gulf of Mexico could create 230,000 jobs and add $44 billion to the economy next year. IHS on Thursday echoed the industry's argument that regulations enacted following the Gulf oil spill have slowed... more »

• Worker dies after fall on abandoned gas platform

  April 18, 2011 5:20 PM

  LAKE CHARLES - A worker sealing off an abandoned natural gas well in the Gulf died this morning after a fall, according to authorities. A spokesperson with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement said the worker with Alliance Oilfield Services died when he fell through a... more »

• GOP lawmakers call lightbulb mandate a dim idea

  March 10, 2011 1:02 PM

  WASHINGTON - Sen. Mike Enzi has a dim view of a federal law requiring light bulbs to be more efficient. The Wyoming Republican is pushing a bill to repeal the 2007 law and give consumers the choice to buy any light bulbs they want. Twenty-six senators - all... more »

• Academy responds to industry's "Gasland" request

  February 25, 2011 1:06 PM

  ALLENTOWN, Pa. - The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences says it's not in the business of vetting best documentary contenders for truth and accuracy. That's up to Oscar voters. The academy has responded to attacks on the documentary "Gasland," a critical look at natural gas drilling.... more »

• Energy assistance program keeps heat on in BR

  December 28, 2010 3:19 PM

  BATON ROUGE – People who need help with their energy bills to stay warm this winter can apply for another round of assistance from East Baton Rouge Parish. The Office of Social Services is now accepting applications for its Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP. They will take... more »

• EBR explosion causes half-million dollars in damage

  December 27, 2010 11:50 AM

  CENTRAL - A natural gas explosion that shook homes near an East Baton Rouge energy plant this morning caused a lot of damage at the site but no injuries, according to authorities. Central and Baton Rogue fire departments were called to the Evergreen Energy Plant around 6:30 a.m. Central... more »

• Four Loko changes on the way

  November 29, 2010 5:51 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The current version of Four Loko will only be in stores for two more weeks, according to officials. The manufacturer says it will only sell a caffeine free version of the drink starting December 13th, after public outcry and scrutiny from officials in several states. ... more »

• Lt. Gov. switches from Democratic to Republican party

  October 26, 2010 6:02 PM

  Lt. Governor Scott Angelle announced Tuesday that he and his wife have switched parties from Democratic to Republican. Angelle said he switched because of the energy policies of the national Democratic Party. He announced his decision at The Republican Leadership Summit. Angelle told the Summit the energy industry is important... more »

• Gas prices could climb due to Gulf spill impact

  October 26, 2010 5:39 PM

  Former Shell Oil President John Hofmeister said the U.S. is heading for an energy abyss, and fallout from the Deepwater Horizon spill will speed up the problems. Hofmeister said he predicts new drilling permits for the Gulf will not be approved by Washington, which will cause oil reserves to... more »

• Cleco plans changeover to 'smart' meters

  August 15, 2010 1:03 PM

  Cleco Corp. says its 277,000 customers will have a better idea of where they're spending their energy budget once "smart" meters are installed. President and Chief Executive Officer Mike Madison tells The Town Talk that the Pineville-based utility wants to put $52.9 million of its own money and a... more »

• LSU AgCenter tests broiler house heating

  August 11, 2010 5:30 AM

  The LSU AgCenter is raising nearly 43,000 chickens to see how much energy is used by different types of heating equipment - and whether birds grow better in either. Bill Owens, resident coordinator of Hill Farm Research Station in Homer, says one 21,400-bird broiler house is heated by standard radiant... more »

• Wholesale prices drop 0.5 percent in June

  July 15, 2010 8:58 AM

  Wholesale prices fell for a third consecutive month as another drop in energy costs and the biggest plunge in food costs in eight years banished inflation in June. The Labor Department said wholesale prices dropped 0.5 percent last month, following declines of 0.1 percent in April and 0.3 percent... more »

• Acadiana customers asked to conserve energy

  June 18, 2010 7:10 AM

  High temperatures have sparked increased demand on electric utilities in the state's Acadiana region, prompting the companies to ask customers to conserve energy to help prevent brownouts. Cleco Corp., Entergy Corp., SLEMCO, Lafayette Utilities System and Louisiana Energy and Power Authority joined forces Thursday in urging customers to reduce their... more »

• Wholesale prices fall 0.3 percent in May

  June 16, 2010 8:45 AM

  Wholesale prices fell for a second straight month in May, the first time that has happened in a year, reflecting big declines in the cost of energy and food. The Labor Department said wholesale prices dropped 0.3 percent in May following a 0.1 percent decline in April. Core... more »

• Wholesale prices dip 0.1 percent in April

  May 18, 2010 7:52 AM

  Prices at the wholesale level fell in April, reflecting declines in energy and food. The Labor Department said wholesale prices edged down 0.1 percent last month, the second decline in the past three months. Core inflation, which excludes energy and food, rose 0.2 percent, slightly faster than expected.... more »

• Cash for appliances: money out

  May 2, 2010 9:56 AM

  If you've been waiting to cash in on Louisiana's "Cash for Appliances" program: time's up. The federal program's money is officially dried up. Louisiana residents reserved about 29,000 appliances for rebates by Saturday morning--exactly one week after the program began. More than half of that was reserved the first... more »

• PSC to discuss renewable energy standard

  March 10, 2010 4:56 AM

  The Public Service Commission will consider adopting a renewable energy standard for Louisiana utilities today. Under a voluntary program, goals would be set for utilities to use a certain percentage of power generated by non-traditional sources. Utilities that meet the goals would be eligible for financial incentives. Louisiana could be... more »

• Entergy makes spinoff concessions for New York

  March 3, 2010 5:05 PM

  Entergy has agreed to financial concessions in an attempt to win approval from New York regulators for its proposed spinoff of six nuclear units. The New York State Public Service Commission will consider Thursday whether to allow the New Orleans-based Entergy to create a separate, publicly traded company known... more »

• Louisiana still heavily dependent on energy

  February 3, 2010 11:22 AM

  A new study says that despite decades of attempts at economic diversification, Louisiana is still heavily dependent on petroleum revenue. The report by the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City also suggests that Louisiana and other energy states will lag behind a national economic recovery because of low prices for... more »

• November wholesale prices rose faster than expected

  December 15, 2009 9:41 AM

  Inflation at the wholesale level surged in November, reflecting price jumps in energy and other products. The bigger-than-expected increase is certain to raise the attention of Federal Reserve policymakers beginning at two-day meeting on interest rates. The Fed has been able to keep interest rates at record-low levels to... more »

• Jobs coming to Port of Greater Baton Rouge

  December 2, 2009 5:28 PM

  Port of Greater Baton Rouge leaders say a wood pellet plant is set to open early next year. It's expected to generate about 100 jobs at the site. Hundreds of spin-off jobs are expected in things like timber and shipping. The plant will compress saw dust into pellets that... more »

• Oil prices settle above $71 a barrel

  October 9, 2009 7:57 AM

  Oil prices settled at $71 a barrel, mirroring the strength in the equities market. Benchmark crude for November delivery added $2.12 on Thursday to settle at $71.69 on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Despite surging supplies, natural gas, gas futures and heating oil also jumped. In Asian... more »

• Southern University considers on-site energy production

  September 23, 2009 1:29 PM

  Update: Southern University leaders met with Broad International, a Chinese multi-national energy company, to discuss a proposal for an energy saving program. The project would allow the university to produce electricity on-site to heat and cool all buildings on campus. It could cut the cost of electricity by half.... more »

• Southern University considers on-site energy production

  September 23, 2009 10:13 AM

  Southern University leaders are discussing a proposal for a project that would allow the university to produce electricity on-site to heat and cool all buildings on campus. The project is part of an energy saving effort between the university and Broad International, a Chinese multi-national energy company. Chancellor Kofi... more »

• La. gets stimulus money for energy efficiency

  September 15, 2009 5:29 AM

  Louisiana is getting $13.8 million in stimulus spending for programs to lower energy use, cut back on carbon pollution and create jobs. The Energy Department said Louisiana would use the money on such things as energy efficient transportation lighting, alternative fuels and renewable energy and building energy code enforcement. more »