Latest news with #CommunityLighthouse
Axios
3 days ago
- Business
- Axios
Entergy, grid operator promise earlier warnings after Memorial Day weekend outages
New Orleanians could get earlier warnings before the next rolling blackout, according to Entergy and the regional grid operator — a change prompted by the widespread Memorial Day weekend outages. Why it matters: Utilities knew the grid was strained for at least 48 hours but didn't tell the public until the AC went out for about 100,000 customers on a hot holiday weekend. The big picture: The May 25 event was an "extremely rare" transmission emergency, not a capacity issue, said Todd Hillman, senior VP and chief customer officer at Midcontinent Independent System Operator. Speaking to the New Orleans City Council on Tuesday, Hillman likened the agency to air traffic controllers for the power grid. There was enough power elsewhere, he said, but they couldn't get it to metro New Orleans to meet the demand. (MISO's full explanation) To prevent outages spreading throughout the region, MISO told Entergy and Cleco to cut power by specific amounts within 30 minutes. Entergy operators in Jackson, Mississippi, used models to select neighborhoods for the outage. (Timeline from Entergy New Orleans) How it works: New Orleans is in a "pocket" in MISO's system, which makes it more difficult to get power to the area. Think of the transmission lines like bridges accessing an island, Hillman said. When only two of the three bridges are working, traffic is limited. MISO has done transmission line improvements elsewhere in its system, but there's a bottleneck in south Louisiana. Improvement projects are still in the planning phases, MISO reps said Tuesday. Friction point: Industrial customers use 70% of the state's power, according to Public Service Commissioner Davante Lewis, who was in council chambers Tuesday for the committee meeting. "I feel that there has been a priority by our utilities in favor of industrial customers at the expense of residential and commercial," Lewis said. "I think we have to have a big conversation about that." Stunning stat: Louisiana's electricity customers experience more than 12 times as many hours of power outages than the national average, writes Axios' Chelsea Brasted. What we're watching: New Orleans is working on ways to make itself more sustainable during power outages. It has the Community Lighthouse project, and the council is looking at microgrids and virtual power plants. These would use a network of solar panels and battery storage systems to serve as a backup to the grid if it goes down or there's a strain. Go deeper. Council President JP Morrell tells Axios he expects the council to make a decision this year about the virtual power plants. Zoom out: More communication has been an ongoing theme in recent council meetings. Members want to get information to the public sooner, especially through the NOLA Ready text system. Examples: The jail outbreak and neutral ground parking. What's next: The Louisiana Public Service Commission will hear from MISO and Entergy Louisiana at its June 18 meeting about the power outages and the transmission situation. Go deeper
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Shreveport's Highland Center becomes a beacon for disaster aid
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) — The Highland Center in Shreveport is in phase two of transforming into a vital 'lighthouse' for supporting residents during weather disasters, with backup power, water, and emergency support through the Community Lighthouse project. The Highland Center is a nonprofit organization that offers free tax filing, emergency support, neighborhood wellness programs, career readiness programs, and more. 'We are working towards getting backup power and backup response in any kind of disaster. We've been working really closely with our partners at Caddo Parish North Louisiana Interface. So, part one is almost complete. We have our backup power, solar panels on, water roof up there, and today, we're doing part two, which is getting backup water through a water well,' explains the Highland Center's executive director, Madison Poche. The Highland Center's roof is lined with solar panels, providing backup power for the community. Additionally, Poche says the water well is 175 feet deep underground. Once operational, it will be available for residents to use during emergencies. She hopes the Highland Center's Lighthouse project is accessible to as many people as possible. 'So definitely our plan is to make sure that neighborhood-based Disaster Response Hub is in as many neighborhoods as possible. So right now we're starting with pilot projects to kind of the east and the west parts of town. But we want to make sure that anyone can be within a 15-minute walk or a 15-minute drive of basic power and water necessities,' says Poche. Galilee Church $500K funding measure postponed, Lighthouse Project The Highland Center shared on social media: 'About four years ago, as the snow was melting, water pressure was restored after some residents lost access to water for up to two weeks. We have been collaborating with partners to develop a better plan for future crises, which includes water wells at the 'Community Lighthouse' pilot project sites, Morning Star Baptist Church of Shreveport, and the Highland Center.' Poche says Community Lighthouses are essential for neighbors to help each other during natural disasters so that first responders can focus on more significant emergencies. 'Neighbors can be prepared to help other neighbors. So our first responders in a natural disaster, in a really big emergency, can, you know, prioritize 911 calls. We can be taking care of each other when small issues like keeping a medical device charged, or keeping your medicine cold, or just having clean drinking water, before these smaller issues become nine on one calls,' says Poche. 'So I hope it builds our capacity to take care of ourselves and take care of each other and to be a stronger part of our community, use the disaster response plan.' This project has secured vital support from the American Rescue Plan disaster response funds through Caddo Parish and substantial private backing from the North Louisiana Interfaith Coalition. Poche underscores the Highland Center's Water Well is currently not operational. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Nuns hope to use solar power to spread God's light
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — It's a modern idea, coming from an order of nuns that was founded in 1842. Henriette Delille, a free woman of color in pre-Civil War New Orleans, started the Sisters of the Holy Family to serve and educate the poor. It is the second oldest order of black nuns in America. Today, from their convent in New Orleans East, the nuns still oversee a small daycare, a nursing home, and St. Mary's Academy for girls. But as their number has dwindled, the sisters are looking for a new way to serve. WGNO's Honoring Black History Special: Honoring African American Women Congregational Leader, Sister Alecia Costa, says she woke up to a news report one morning in 2024, about a group of non-profits and churches- of very faith – who were starting the Community Lighthouse program. The program turns places where the community can gather, into places of refuge during times of need. For example, if a neighborhood loses electricity in a summer storm, the nearest 'lighthouse' has an alternative power source that can provide air conditioning and internet access until power is restored. The convent became one of the lighthouses, but the nuns wanted to continue their mission of helping those in need, year-round. They were approached by the non-profit group, Together New Orleans, to consider putting solar panels on 22 acres of unused land the Sisters own behind the convent. Despite initial regulatory roadblocks, the goal is to provide affordable power to 300 homes. 'A Freedom Fighter': The life and legacy of Oretha Castle Haley The idea was on track to get started within the year but Costa says that with the Trump administration's cut in funding for alternative energy programs, the nuns can no longer afford to buy the solar panels. She says donations are greatly needed to bring the project to life. You can learn more about the project, in our story above.'Throw me something NEW mistah!' Child becomes first measles death reported in Texas outbreak What does it take to be middle class in 2025? New study explains USAID employees given 15 minutes to clear out offices Nuns hope to use solar power to spread God's light Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
