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Louisiana's statewide energy efficiency program is back on track, thanks in part to NOLA Wise. In February 2013, the Louisiana Public Service Commission halted the program, just two months after it was adopted, but on June 26, 2013, the commission voted to restore the program.

"A major source of the commission's change of heart was data we provided about energy savings achieved by NOLA Wise clients and testimony from ratepayers outside of New Orleans about how they would like access to programs like NOLA Wise," said Jackie Dadakis, a director at Green Coast Enterprises, a NOLA Wise partner that provides quality control over each home energy upgrade to ensure that the desired energy savings are achieved. "Without having NOLA Wise as a demonstration over the last few years, we would never have this momentum statewide!"

Louisiana's statewide energy efficiency program is now set to resume later this month, following an additional public comment period. As part of the program, utilities will have one year to develop programs that offer financial incentives for energy upgrades to residential and business customers. New Orleans residents have already benefitted from energy efficiency programs NOLA Wise and Entergy's Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program, Energy Smart. Now Louisiana residents outside the New Orleans area will have access to programs to help them lower their energy usage and associated costs.