EDF Action Congratulates Davante Lewis for Winning a Seat on the Louisiana Public Service Commission

(New Orleans, LA – December 10, 2022) EDF Action congratulates Davante Lewis for winning a seat on the Louisiana Public Service Commission. 

“Voters sent a strong message by electing Davante Lewis to the Public Service Commission,” said EDF Action Louisiana State Director Liz Russell. “With Lewis’ voice on the Commission, we know we will see increased prioritization of clean energy, improvements to our grid, and efforts to center ratepayers in the regulatory processes. This race was critical to our ability to make real and lasting climate progress in our state. We look forward to working with Commissioner-elect Lewis and his colleagues on the Commission.” 

Louisiana is on the frontlines of climate change and associated pollution that puts the health of our communities at risk. Almost no other place in the country deals with climate impacts so frequently – both extreme weather and ongoing sea level rise, as well as the direct impacts of pollution on the health of our communities. Additionally, as one of the top greenhouse gas emitters in the U.S. and an economy reliant on supplying oil and gas to people across the nation, the state has a lot at stake. Louisiana leaders need to find climate solutions that will address this crisis head-on while strengthening our economy, improving reliability, reducing costs for consumers and ensuring our communities thrive. 

EDF Action supported a local Super PAC, Keep the Lights On, which spent $1.1 million supporting Lewis, including on TV and digital ads in the November election, helping to force this race into a runoff. In that final phase of the race, Keep the Lights On ran ads highlighting a contrast between Lewis’ vision for the commission and the status quo. 

In addition to Keep the Lights On’s communications, Lewis’ win was the result of committed voters who took an interest in the race and pushed for change on the Commission. Several local groups were heavily engaged on the ground to turn out voters and communicate to constituents the significance of this obscure regulatory body. The Alliance for Affordable Energy, the Power Coalition for Equity and Justice, and Together Louisiana educated voters on the importance of participating in this election. Among others, Voters Organized to Educate and the Greater New Orleans Housing Alliance promoted Lewis, including his commitment to issues and the people of Louisiana.