NEW ORLEANS — Republican Stephanie Hilferty has been elected to the state Public Service Commission.

Hilferty, a state lawmaker from New Orleans for the last decade, defeated Chris Justin and Connie Norris, according to complete but unofficial returns. She picked up nearly 60 percent of the vote.

Justin, who ran without party affiliation, is a New Orleans chemical engineer and a former PSC consultant. Norris, a Democrat from Slidell, is a nurse and has pursued lower water utility rates.

Hilferty will replace Eric Skrmetta, who was term-limited.

The PSC sets utility rates and governs infrastructure expansion, including how new plants will be paid for. Most recently, the PSC has been involved in permitting for supersized projects like a Meta data center going up in Richland Parish.

While state leaders have been supportive of mega-projects requiring megawatts, critics fear regular ratepayers may one day be left on the hook for construction costs, particularly if Meta leaves Louisiana.