Louisiana, September 12, 2024 — The increasing investment in whole-home generators across Louisiana, driven by recent storm experiences, is putting unprecedented pressure on the state’s aging gas infrastructure.
Growing Demand for Backup Power
Many Louisiana residents, like M.E. Cormier, have turned to whole-home generators to ensure their families remain safe and comfortable during power outages. Cormier, who purchased her generator following Hurricane Ida in 2021, reflects a broader trend of homeowners seeking reliable backup power solutions. “With two young children, we wanted to make sure we were set up for success in future storms,” she said.
However, the surge in generator usage is highlighting significant challenges. Public Service Commissioner Davante Lewis points out that the state’s gas infrastructure was not designed to handle the increased demand generated by these units. “Most of our infrastructure for gas is not built for the type of demand that comes from a home generator,” Lewis said.
Infrastructure Strain
South Coast Gas in Raceland has noted particular issues in Thibodaux, where residents with whole-home generators are experiencing insufficient gas pressure. The utility explained that its system was not equipped to handle the heightened demand resulting from the widespread use of generators. “The system was built for normal day-to-day use, and with many homes running generators simultaneously, the pressure is dispersed, causing a drop in gas availability for each unit,” Lewis explained.
Entergy Louisiana has acknowledged these concerns, stating that the utility employs various modeling tools to forecast the system’s response to increased gas demand. “Before major events, we work closely with our gas suppliers to ensure there are no interruptions at our gas city gates—the transfer points from transmission pipelines to our local system,” Entergy said in a statement. They also emphasized the importance of customers informing their gas provider when installing new appliances or generators to keep system models accurate and up to date.
Looking Forward
The strain on infrastructure due to the rising use of whole-home generators is expected to be a topic of discussion at future Public Service Commission meetings. Lewis indicated that potential upgrades to the gas system might result in increased natural gas bills for consumers.
For those considering the purchase of a whole-home generator, Cormier advises being prepared for both the benefits and the potential challenges. “We’ve all experienced and been through things, and having a backup plan is always the best course of action,” she said.
As Louisiana continues to grapple with the implications of increased generator usage, both residents and utilities will need to navigate the evolving landscape of power reliability and infrastructure demands.