The Louisiana Energy & Power Authority (LEPA) recently announced it will soon provide wholesale electrical power to the City of Natchitoches. Natchitoches is the twelfth member city to receive its wholesale electrical power from LEPA.
The LEPA Board of Directors unanimously approved the contract between LEPA and the City of Natchitoches at its January meeting. The Natchitoches City Council also approved the wholesale electricity contract with LEPA. The city will begin receiving its wholesale electricity from LEPA in June 2025.
“We are excited to have Natchitoches join the eleven other LEPA member towns and cities to receive reliable and stable electricity directly from the organization created for them and their citizens,” said LEPA General Manager Bihm. “This not only helps to strengthen the LEPA organization, but also lowers electrical costs for all of these cities in the process.”
Natchitoches Mayor Ronnie Williams, Jr. said, “As mayor of the great City of Natchitoches, I understand that the responsibility of my administration is not just to ensure power continues to flow throughout our city, but to do so in a way that benefits all residents and businesses. This is a decision that not only affects us at present, but also well into the future. We knew we were not just selecting a provider. We needed to select a partner who would share in our vision for a sustainable, equitable, and resilient community. We were seeking a supplier that not only prioritizes affordability, but also customer service. In selecting LEPA as our energy partner, we are confident that in addition to meeting our energy needs of today, we are embarking on a journey together to meet our energy needs for future generations to come.”
Created by the State Legislature in 1979, LEPA has a membership of 20 cities and towns in Louisiana that own their municipal power systems. As a joint action agency, LEPA works to provide its member communities with firm, stable sources of electricity at the lowest possible cost.
The twelve full requirements cities are Abbeville, Gueydan, Jonesville, Morgan City, New Roads, Plaquemine, Rayne, St. Martinville, Vidalia, Welsh, Winnfield and Natchitoches. Other member cities in LEPA include Alexandria, Erath, Houma, Kaplan, Lafayette, Minden, Ruston and Vinton.
Pictured: Shown at the contract signing for Natchitoches to begin receiving its wholesale electrical power from LEPA are, Front Row from left: Jonesville Mayor Loria Hollins, Natchitoches Asst. Utility Director Bukar Mohammed, Natchitoches Utility Director Matt Anderson, Natchitoches Mayor Ronnie Williams, Jr., Rayne Mayor Chuck Robichaux, St. Martinville Mayor Jason Willis, Abbeville Mayor Roslyn White, and LEPA General Manager Kevin Bihm. Back row, from left: Natchitoches Consultant Frank Ledoux, Erath Mayor Taylor Mencacci, Natchitoches Electrical Superintendent David Dobson, LUS Director Jeffrey Stewart, Plaquemine Mayor JB Barker, Plaquemine Utility Director Paul Seawell, and New Roads Mayor Theron Smith.
