April of next year seems like an eternity from now, but we all know how time goes by.
Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell represents 24 districts in north Louisiana. He is termed out and thus a new commissioner will be elected next year.
The Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC) is an independent regulatory agency which manages public utilities and motor carriers in Louisiana. The commission has five elected members who have staggered six year terms.
The LPSC is frequently in the news, largely because of regulatory authority over investor-owned public utilities which offer electric, water, wastewater, natural gas and telecommunication services.
LPSC affects all local consumers since it regulates rates for electricity. It also regulates the sums that can be expended for tree clearance of utility rights of way. This has been a big issue in this area in recent years.
Three names have been mentioned for the next year's April election to replace Campbell--Representative Larry Bagley of Logansport, Ned White of Monroe, and Caddo Commissioner John Atkins of Shreveport.
Stay tuned.
John came to Shreveport in January of 1977 when he was transferred to Barksdale AFB.
He’s been active in Shreveport politics since deciding to make Shreveport his home.
John practiced law for 40 years and he now monitors local politics. He regularly attends Shreveport City Council and Caddo Parish Commission meetings.
John is published weekly in The Inquisitor, bi-monthly in The Forum News, and frequently in the Shreveport Times.
He enjoys addressing civic groups on local government issues and elections.