EFNO hosted a forum featuring candidates for the New Orleans City Council Race. The forum allowed candidates to discuss their positions, plus a Q&A.
Couldn't make it to the forum? Check out the recording below to hear first hand where the candidates stand on current and future energy regulation issues.
Energy Future New Orleans has prepared the New Orleans City Council Candidates' Questionnaire to help raise awareness about where each candidate stands on issues involving the regulation of Entergy, climate change, as well as equitable and just energy policies.
Answers to the questionnaire were due on October 15th, 2021. The questionnaire was sent to all candidates and all responses that were received are published below.
Here's what the candidates had to say:
Question 1) Hurricane Ida exposed problems in Entergy’s electric system resulting in a catastrophic power failure that contributed to the deaths of 10 New Orleans residents. During the power failure, residents with rooftop solar with battery storage at their homes had continuous electricity. If elected to serve on the City Council, what actions would you take to hold Entergy accountable and ensure residents have access to climate-ready power?
Complete the investigation into Entergy’s power failure, which was recently ordered by the City Council
Order a prudence review to publicly examine whether the costs for the gas plant with black start capability in New Orleans East are fair and reasonable
File a formal complaint with the Federal Regulatory Commission that calls for an investigation of Entergy’s transmission failure and an examination of its maintenance of the transmission system
Amend the Energy Smart Program with incentives for renters, homeowners, and businesses to install roof top solar with battery storage
Order Entergy to move portions of power lines in the city underground
All of the above
None of the above
Other
Bob Murrell (District a)
All of the above.
LESLI HARRIS (DISTRICT B)
All of the above.
STEPHEN MOSGROVE (DISTRICT C)
All of the above.
FRANK PEREZ (DISTRICT C)
All of the above.
TIMOLYNN SAMS (DISTRICT D)
Complete the investigation into Entergy’s power failure, which was recently ordered by the City Council
Order a prudence review to publicly examine whether the costs for the gas plant with black start capability in New Orleans East are fair and reasonable
File a formal complaint with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission that calls for an investigation of Entergy’s transmission failure and an examination of its maintenance of the transmission system
Amend the Energy Smart Program with incentives for renters, homeowners, and businesses to install roof top solar with battery storage.
Bart Everson (At-large Division 2)
All of the above.
Plus: A) Enhancement of public transit and bike-friendly policies will reduce overall energy demands. B) Power outages resulted in more deaths than the storm itself. Entergy and the City need to have an emergency preparedness plan to identify vulnerable individuals before a storm hits. C) Moving power lines underground in a sinking city is potentially problematic, but it is surely appropriate in some areas of the city. New experts (question 5, below) should be able to advise on this topic. Distributed energy would require fewer lines, overall.
JEAN PAUL “JP” MORRELL (AT-LARGE DIVISION 2)
All of the above.
KRISTEN PALMER (AT-LARGE DIVISION 2)
All of the above.
Question 2) Entergy power plants are located near predominantly Black residents in New Orleans East and other communities in Louisiana, where they emit pollution that threatens public health and worsens climate change. If elected to serve on the City Council, how will you use your powers over Entergy New Orleans, LLC to reduce the use of polluting power plants?
Bob Murrell (District a)
City Council should fine them relative to the scale of pollution and ensure fines collected are used specifically for public health measures in affected areas.
LESLI HARRIS (DISTRICT B)
As Councilmember, I will aggressively monitor Entergy’s progress on the Renewable and Clean Portfolio Standard (RCPS), which requires Entergy to satisfy an escalating percentage of its user demand through the use of renewable and clean energy technologies. To meet these goals, Entergy must complete a meaningful Integrated Resource Planning Process that reflects real-world conditions, including the realities of New Orleans’ population, many of whom are low income. Energy efficiency and renewable energy are rapidly becoming the most cost effective means for providing energy services to consumers, while traditional coal and natural-gas fired plants are becoming obsolete at faster rates than initially predicted. I will monitor Entergy’s efforts and require Entergy make real progress towards these goals, including putting long term planning that is best for customers ahead of short term gains for stockholders.
STEPHEN MOSGROVE (DISTRICT C)
I am very eager to see Entergy move much more assertively towards using clean, renewable energy sources. Not only are these energy sources cleaner, safer, more equitable but they are also reliable and will help diversify our local economy which, among many forward evolving changes, I have advocated for for decades. We are still trying to push for true, authentic, real change in New Orleans.
As the son of a welder/pipefitter who worked seven days a week, twelve hour shifts without any real time off, I've written two Louisiana governors (Jindal and Edwards) to start to move Louisiana into an expanded energy role. The railroads companies didn't see the transportation threats from new technology (the car) because their executives believe they were in the railroad industry instead of the transportation industry. New Orleans and Louisiana need to start thinking about what it means to be an oil and gas state. We need to think about expanding the definition to being an "energy" state and NOT be left behind as we have been for decades because of a lack of vision from the status quo friendly political machines and their alliances with status quo business leaders.
FRANK PEREZ (DISTRICT C)
I would compel them to comply with the settlement they made with the federal government years ago to utilize MISO. They have to take advantage of the regional transmission grid. I would also use the Integrated Resource Planning tool to move them toward solar and other sources of greener, renewable energy.
TIMOLYNN SAMS (DISTRICT D)
As the mother of a small child diagnosed with asthma, allergies, and eczema I find it unconscionable that plants like these are still cropping up with no real monitoring or mitigating systems in place. As a city council member, I will support responsible, larger-scale efforts to propel our city forward in the transition to renewable energy, and that starts with the vision of moving the city to net-zero emissions by year 2040, and 100% carbon-free generation by 2050. In addition, it is my goal to work with EJ advocates and public health practitioners to establish equitable and good-quality public health policies. This means tackling the root issues that sustain environmental injustices and make them more prevalent.
BART EVERSON (AT-LARGE DIVISION 2)
A) First I would look for a way to reverse or decommission NOPS (gas plant). Even though it is already built, it was a mistake. As an economic principle, it is better to admit a mistake and stop throwing more money to a lost cause. IPCC has stated that we must not develop new fossil fuel sources. ENO should pay the lost capital cost, not the ratepayers, and certainly not those in the neighborhood of NOPS. If this affects their guaranteed rate of return, the contract should be altered going forward. They should not be allowed to raise rates to compensate for the loss. It is possible that in the decommissioning process, the plant could be converted to a clean solar plant or otherwise repurposed.
B) Council should disallow further fossil fuel sources.
C) Council should pass a resolution affirming principles of climate justice: ideally there should be minimal pollution from power sources, but if there is pollution, it must not disproportionately impact Black, Indigenous or People of Color. Council should establish an office of Climate Justice and hire qualified individuals. Council must work collaboratively with the Governor’s Climate Initiative Task Force Equity Committee. D) Community solar, utility-scale solar, and residential solar (all with battery backup) will reduce the overall need for polluting power plants. Council needs to work with existing community organizations to ensure effectiveness and inclusiveness.
JEAN PAUL “JP” MORRELL (AT-LARGE DIVISION 2)
New Orleans is unique in that our city has the independent ability to regulate all of its utilities separate from the state of Louisiana Public Service Commission (PSC). This is a fundamental difference from every other city in Louisiana and grants the New Orleans City Council a level of unique power to promote an aggressive agenda when it comes to resilient and renewable utility policy.
As your next City Councilmember at-Large, I will leverage the council’s regulatory power to push the envelope on what the city can do to lead the south on green energy and utility management. Specific steps I will take include:
Accelerate implementation of the “renewable Portfolio standard” (currently slated to be effective as of 2050) to get to 100% clean energy as early as 2035.
Push to replace all fossil fuel generation with renewables as soon as possible, including retiring all thermal generation.
Champion more options for the public to use renewable energy alternatives - on and off the grid.
Create meaningful local incentives for residential and commercial solar and battery storage.
KRISTEN PALMER (AT-LARGE DIVISION 2)
We have to radically increase the Energy Smart program to increase energy efficiency in all homes. We have to partner to create incentives for rooftop solar and ensure we do everything we can in our permitting process to make it easier. I will work with the Real Estate Tax Abatement Program (RTA) to incentivize the use of alternative energy sources as well as green infrastructure and tree planting.
Question 3a) If elected to serve on the City Council, will you support regulations and policies that transition away from generating electricity from coal, nuclear, oil and gas by expanding energy efficiency and renewable energy?
Bob Murrell (District a)
Yes
LESLI HARRIS (DISTRICT B)
Yes
STEPHEN MOSGROVE (DISTRICT C)
Yes
FRANK PEREZ (DISTRICT C)
Yes
TIMOLYNN SAMS (DISTRICT D)
Yes
Bart Everson (At-large Division 2)
Yes
JEAN PAUL “JP” MORRELL (AT-LARGE DIVISION 2)
Yes
KRISTEN PALMER (AT-LARGE DIVISION 2)
Yes
Question 3b) If you answered “yes” to the question above, how will you use your authority on the City Council to expand the development and use of energy efficiency, renewable energy, and battery storage by more people and neighborhoods in New Orleans? If you answered “no,” please explain why.
Bob Murrell (District a)
I will support funding efforts to expand decentralized solar collection & storage around the city, funding to implement the mayor’s C4 Divest/Invest pledge, and look to include solar retention for permitting/zoning requests.
LESLI HARRIS (DISTRICT B)
As discussed above, I will aggressively monitor Entergy’s efforts (or lack thereof) to fulfill the requirements of the Renewable and Clean Portfolio Standard (RCPS). I will also work with stakeholders, like this organization, to make sure the RCPS is improved and amended, when necessary, to require the most cost effective, healthy means of powering our city in the context of a rapidly-changing energy market and environment. My door will always be open to the people who are working hard every day to make a more sustainable, efficient, and affordable energy future for all New Orleanians.
STEPHEN MOSGROVE (DISTRICT C)
Authority as a regulator allows the Council to make requests, demands, and the provides the opportunity to execute legal triggers to enforce those requests and demands. The councils and their advisors over many years have been too cozy with Entergy. I would require Entergy to support these advances. I'd also like to see the City's Office of Community Development, the Housing Authority of New Orleans, and the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority look for ways to incorporate renewable energy, battery storage, and efficiency into their housing and development initiatives.
FRANK PEREZ (DISTRICT C)
I would amend the Energy Smart Program to incentivize rooftop solar panels with battery storage.
TIMOLYNN SAMS (DISTRICT D)
This Spring, the New Orleans city council voted to adopt a Renewable and Clean Portfolio Standard (RCPS). I am in full agreement with the city’s proposed targets of net-zero emissions by year 2040, and 100% carbon-free generation phasing out of Renewable Energy Certificates by 2050. As a member of the city council, it will be my responsibility to ensure that there is balance between demand side and supply-side technologies to meet the goals of the RCPS. This includes directing Entergy to engage with the Integrated resource planning (IRP) process to develop an RPS Compliance Plan that reflects a path forward to achieve our common and necessary goals.
The council has the capacity to influence market transformation through policy changes that can help decrease barriers to clean energy efforts. Through a community engagement process, the council should establish a few “quick wins” to provide community-wide visibility and build momentum in energy efficiency implementation. By implementing high-visibility clean energy demonstration projects on its facilities, the council will demonstrate to the community how to execute new kinds of projects such as rooftop solar and battery storage.
The opportunity to envision a more sustainable future and to set our sights on the challenges brought into clearer focus by COVID-19 and disasters like the BP oil spill a decade ago allows the newly elected city government to be both SMART and thoughtful. As a utility regulator we can advance equity through a renewable portfolio by providing financial incentives for low-income households to generate their own electricity from renewable sources. Bringing clean electricity to renters and low-income communities, cities by launching innovative community solar programs, which allow residents to purchase a share of a solar installation and reap the benefits of clean energy (including cost savings) without having to physically install panels on their property.
Bart Everson (At-large Division 2)
We do not need to re-invent the wheel, we just need to use it wisely. Some of these programs already exist citywide (such as EnergySmart). For others we can follow guidelines in the three existing Climate Action/Equity Plans, as well as the RCPS.
We also need to work collaboratively with the Governor, the state and federal legislature, and the IPCC; guidelines will be forthcoming.
Council needs to set specific guideposts and timelines. These need to be rapid enough to achieve the Paris 1.5 or 2 degree goal, widely considered a bare minimum.
Having set goals, then we need to work closely with the neighborhood associations, community groups, houses of worship, corporations, activist networks, and advocacy groups to implement such programs as rapidly as possible. A local carbon or pollution tax is a possibility, since these are the molecules that are responsible for climate change. This would need to be designed to affect large stakeholders, rather than low-income families: for example it might only apply to large vehicles, or high emitters. ENO is insisting that nuclear power is “clean.” However, it is the most expensive option in our energy menu. Some of the capital costs contribute to the energy burden (see next question). Capital costs to ratepayers (especially for non-functioning nuclear plants) should be phased out. No new nuclear plants should be built, since the modeling is not certain and some models find that solar/wind/battery is sufficient to complete the energy transition, globally.
JEAN PAUL “JP” MORRELL (AT-LARGE DIVISION 2)
As stated in my response to the previous question, the Council gets to call the shots when it comes to regulating utilities. That is something the current Council has almost entirely failed to do. Entergy reported record profits last year while the power grid was patched up with duct tape and glue, and no meaningful investments were made to move towards renewable energy. That’s obscene. Accelerate retirements of thermal plants; incentivize microgrids, batteries, and rooftop solar; expand transmission infrastructure and press MISO to do the same, so we can have more access to renewables across the MISO footprint.
KRISTEN PALMER (AT-LARGE DIVISION 2)
I will continue to work with organizations that I currently do such as SOUL, Green Light New Orleans, NOLA Tree Project, the Alliance for Affordable Energy to ensure we are doing everything we can to move toward energy efficiency, renewable energy, and battery storage. Again, we have to work with the RTA program and expand Energy Smart as I mentioned above. We can also that ensure that OCD housing grant programs include energy efficiency and green infrastructure.
Question 4)Many New Orleans residents complain about high Entergy bills. Their complaints are supported by U.S. Department of Energy data showing that half of New Orleanians pay an energy cost burden that is two times higher than the national median of 3.1 percent. The household energy burden is more severe for low income residents who pay as much as 28 percent of their income on Entergy bills. If elected to serve on the City Council, how will you reduce Entergy bills for New Orleans residents?
Bob Murrell (District a)
I will not support further rate case increases, and I would like to propose that Entergy credit customers for service lapses during outages. I would like to investigate whether we can decrease/waive late charges for low-income households and forgive outstanding debts.
LESLI HARRIS (DISTRICT B)
In addition to pushing for Entergy to provide the most affordable, healthy means of delivering energy services through completing an IRP and fulfilling the requirements of the RCPS, I will work with state and federal partners, like Congressman Troy Carter and Cedric Richmond to get funds to subsidize energy costs for our low income residents. With new leadership in the White House, we must capitalize on this opportunity to invest in our most vulnerable and improve their quality of life. I will push Entergy to invest in green energy solutions for homeowners, renters, and businesses -- including solar panels and the batteries for future outages when they happen. Entergy needs to meet people where they are, and I will push them to provide information sessions and forums in neighborhood meeting places so that everyone has equal access to information and resources.
STEPHEN MOSGROVE (DISTRICT C)
I'd first like to see how Entergy is managing ENO and its corporate assets. I want to see if Entergy is getting its maximum performance out of existing assets. If not, then divest from those expensive and unreliable assets; or, at the very least, don't pass on the inefficiency to customers in the forms of higher bills. So, finding the efficiencies in the existing life of Entergy.
I support an independent management audit to assist in finding efficiencies. Second, it's my knowledge that renewables provide energy at lower costs. Again, I'd support new energy methods and weatherization so that lower costs can benefit customers. Entergy has lost its focus on customers. As a person with a social science and MBA background, we are taught that the best companies serve customers first which then benefits shareholders. Entergy seems to be focused on shareholders, net profits, and accounting decisions to benefit shareholders instead of providing good quality service.
FRANK PEREZ (DISTRICT C)
I would renegotiate the "reasonable profit" margins they are guaranteed. I will also oppose any proposed rate increases.
TIMOLYNN SAMS (DISTRICT D)
The energy cost burden for low-income households in New Orleans is 18.9 percent. As utility regulators the New Orleans City Council can and must do more to advance equity. As a regulator of the city’s utilities I will investigate closely the value, or lack thereof, that the current advisors provide not only to the Council itself, but to New Orleans ratepayers. Moratoriums on rate increases should be put in place until the company is held accountable, and support for community-driven solutions and a more climate-resilient power system.
In addition to the guidance of the advisors, I am interested in increasing accesses to community input by residents and other stakeholders, to ensure that rates are fair and affordable for New Orleans ratepayers
Bart Everson (At-large Division 2)
These complaints reflect an injustice that needs to be corrected.
One reason the energy burden is high among low-income residents is the simple fact that their income is indeed low. We need to raise that income. Raising minimum wage to a living wage is in progress, but needs to be spread to all workers.
Memphis, one of the few places with an even worse energy burden, has made progress on this. One thing that has been done is to make it a visible public issue, perhaps with some large city-wide meetings to draw up proposals. We need a resident-powered solution.
We have low rates, but the high bills are due to extra fees, such as paying for capital costs. This is difficult but we need to change this profit model: ratepayers should not bear the capital costs. In no other industry do consumers do this. It would be like going to Walmart for groceries, and then paying a fee on everything you buy for their construction costs of other Walmarts all over the country or world. We will be still paying for the gas plant when New Orleans is completely underwater!
Another reason for disproportionate energy burdens is that low-income renters often have “leaky” structures and inefficient appliances. We need to institute programs to correct that.
JEAN PAUL “JP” MORRELL (AT-LARGE DIVISION 2)
Not to oversimplify, but again, it really comes down to doing the job of regulating the utility company. No more record profits. No more failure to invest in hardening the grid and green energy. Deferring maintenance and relying on fossil fuels ends up being far more expensive in the long run than meaningful investment in and modernization of our power infrastructure. Expanding access to low-cost renewable energy will go a long way to lowering costs over time.
That said, there are federally funded programs available to help low income families pay their bills, such as the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. No one should ever have to pay 28% of their income on their energy bills.
KRISTEN PALMER (AT-LARGE DIVISION 2)
First, I'm opposed to any rate increase from Entergy and will always put the needs of the ratepayer first. I do not sit on the Utilities Committee, but I am committed to getting on the committee so we can make real changes. Expansion of Energy Smart and incentives for battery storage, solar, and renewable energy will accomplish lower power bills for our people.
Question 5a)For decades, the City Council has contracted with the same contractors, led by out-of-state firms, for legal and technical advice on the regulation of Entergy. If elected to serve on the City Council, will you support building the capacity and staffing of the Council Utility Regulatory Office to provide the legal and technical analysis and advice with support, as needed, from local resources?
Bob Murrell (District a)
Yes
LESLI HARRIS (DISTRICT B)
Yes
STEPHEN MOSGROVE (DISTRICT C)
Yes
FRANK PEREZ (DISTRICT C)
Yes
TIMOLYNN SAMS (DISTRICT D)
Yes
Bart Everson (At-large Division 2)
Yes
JEAN PAUL “JP” MORRELL (AT-LARGE DIVISION 2)
Yes
KRISTEN PALMER (AT-LARGE DIVISION 2)
Yes
Question 5b) Please explain your answer to the above question.
Bob Murrell (District a)
I believe the cost of hiring people in-house will offset the savings made for contracting these services out.
LESLI HARRIS (DISTRICT B)
I support bringing the Council’s advisors in-house and utilizing local resources of technical and legal expertise. I also plan to tackle the ethical and conflict-of-interest issues that have created this environment where the same contractors win million dollar contracts every year. In August 2021, the New Orleans Ethics Review Board voted unanimously to recommend a revision to the city’s Code of Ethics that would bar City Council members and candidates from accepting political contributions from city-regulated utility firms like Entergy New Orleans or Cox Communications. I will author and pass legislation to bring effect to this recommendation. I will also author and pass legislation to prohibit Council Members from voting on matters related to Entergy if they have any financial and ethical conflicts of interest.
STEPHEN MOSGROVE (DISTRICT C)
Absolutely. Building capacity of internal council staff and using local advisors makes all kinds of sense.
One of my core beliefs is the progressive power of localized talent, and one of my long held desires is to see City government (and related entities) function at a much higher level of performance using that talent that exists here in our beautiful but flawed city.
Building capacity within the Council Utility Regulatory Office is consistent with my beliefs and desires for our community.
It is local and in the "same boat" as all of us, and I believe that we can save taxpayer funds with in house advisor capacity and local external advisors when necessary. I am absolutely supportive of this. It's important to exercise another core belief....hire the best that we can.... What you know and not who you know is what matters to me.
FRANK PEREZ (DISTRICT C)
The current advisory contracts need to be canceled at best and/or not renewed. The City Council advisors should be both local and experts in renewable energy--people who actually believe the climate crisis exists and understand its existential threat.
TIMOLYNN SAMS (DISTRICT D)
The council former reliance exclusively on outside consultants to meet its regulatory responsibilities is not financially responsible. It has long been advised that instead the council should build up its own staff of experts, bring in local talent as full-time employees to take over the bulk of the work. I support the internal staff increase of the CURO office which provides a $1.2 million in savings on consultant fees.
Bart Everson (At-large Division 2)
It is significant that Council has submitted an RFP/Q for new advisors. This is our opportunity to get out from under the “tyranny” of the current advisors. Advocates should be disseminating the RFP to clean energy experts.
Passage of the ethics resolution (next question) is relevant to hiring advisors and elected Utility Committee members. Expertise, not profit, should be the guiding principle for hiring.
CURO needs to be peopled with genuine experts in contemporary energy issues: the energy transition, in New Orleans, in the context of the climate emergency. Obviously we need at least a fraction (about half) to be local experts. CURO and Council also regulate the other utilities (except water) such as internet and telephone. We will need experts on these matters as well.
JEAN PAUL “JP” MORRELL (AT-LARGE DIVISION 2)
Yes! This is actually a point I made in my Infrastructure Platform (https://www.jpmorrell.com/platform) as it relates to regulating Entergy. I will absolutely exercise my power as a regulator of Entergy to iIncrease staffing in the independent city council utilities office, rather than rely upon costly multimillion dollar contracts with out-of-state law firms.
KRISTEN PALMER (AT-LARGE DIVISION 2)
I am absolutely in favor of this. Entergy has a responsibility to spend our residents' money efficiently. It's unacceptable that we are giving huge checks to out-of-state consultants.
Question 6a) If elected to serve on the City Council, will you support the passage of a city ordinance to ban campaign contributions to Council members and candidates from entities regulated or contracted by the City Council, as unanimously recommended by the New Orleans Ethics Review Board?
Bob Murrell (District a)
Yes
LESLI HARRIS (DISTRICT B)
Yes
STEPHEN MOSGROVE (DISTRICT C)
Yes
FRANK PEREZ (DISTRICT C)
Yes
TIMOLYNN SAMS (DISTRICT D)
Yes
Bart Everson (At-large Division 2)
Yes
JEAN PAUL “JP” MORRELL (AT-LARGE DIVISION 2)
Yes
KRISTEN PALMER (AT-LARGE DIVISION 2)
Yes
Question 6b)Please explain your answer to the above question.
Bob Murrell (District a)
I believe the resolution passed re: ENO contributions was not sufficient as it did not include city contract owners or other utilities.
LESLI HARRIS (DISTRICT B)
As discussed above, I will author, if necessary, such legislation and work to make sure it passes. I will also author and pass legislation to prohibit Council Members from voting on matters related to Entergy if they have any financial and ethical conflicts of interest.
STEPHEN MOSGROVE (DISTRICT C)
Yes, absolutely. I am a long time advocate for good government, ethics, and people-focused leadership not career/machine politicians' focus on the next election or personal economic interests.
The years of allowing these contributions are a reason that the relationship between the regulator (the council) and the regulated (Entergy) has become too cozy and unproductive for customers, residents, and business stakeholders who rely on energy that Entergy provides.
FRANK PEREZ (DISTRICT C)
This is a no-brainer for me. The conflict of interest is obvious. I am the only candidate in my race who has publicly stated I am NOT accepting campaign contributions from Entergy.
TIMOLYNN SAMS (DISTRICT D)
In order for people to trust their government there must be confidence in the system of regulation and that the system is free from outside political influence. This ensures transparency and prevent misconduct safeguards will be put in place so that more of the negotiations are happening in public.
Bart Everson (At-large Division 2)
For two years I have served on the steering committee of the Greater New Orleans Interfaith Climate Coalition. (Note: I am on hiatus now for the campaign.) I was very proud when the coalition brought a recommendation to the Ethics Review Board, stipulating that officials and candidates should not receive money from the utilities they regulate. The Board agreed. This is an especially pertinent issue for climate policy. But for these ethics rules to have the desired effect, there must be an independent external evaluation. The fact that it’s in the Charter but has not been established does not speak well to our priorities in government. Let’s make it happen now.
JEAN PAUL “JP” MORRELL (AT-LARGE DIVISION 2)
Yes. I would support a ban. It is already illegal for council members to take Entergy contributions, by ordinance, but another resolution was recently passed that seeks to prevent candidates from accepting contributions as well. As a regulator, it is appropriate to refuse contributions from Entergy.
KRISTEN PALMER (AT-LARGE DIVISION 2)
Yes. I have always been in favor of this. It's unacceptable for a candidate to accept a contribution from an entity they regulate.
