This is a letter from Mayor Nick Cox about electric power in the city of Minden.
Minden residents, your voices have been heard loud and clear. The electricity bills straining our households and businesses have long been a shared burden. It’s no secret that Minden carries the unfortunate distinction of having the highest electricity rates in Louisiana. At 16.31 cents per kilowatt-hour, well above the state average of 11.55 cents, our community is paying a steep price, both financially and competitively. Small businesses feel this pressure just as deeply, with energy costs cutting into already tight margins. This isn’t just a number. It’s a challenge we face together every day.
The Toll on Our Community
The effects touch every part of Minden. Families among us are making tough calls, cutting back on essentials to keep the lights on. Local business owners grapple with whether to raise prices or take the hit themselves, risking their livelihoods either way. Meanwhile, as nearby cities highlight their affordability, we’re left working harder to hold onto the people and businesses that make Minden our home. This isn’t just about money. It’s about our pride, our stability, and the future we envision for our city.
A Bold Step Forward with LEPA
We are not here to linger on the problem. We are here to celebrate the solution. After months of careful planning, our community is taking bold action. On June 1, 2025, we’ll transition our electricity supply to the Louisiana Energy and Power Authority, or LEPA. For those unfamiliar, LEPA is a cooperative that harnesses the collective purchasing power of municipalities like ours to secure electricity at better rates. By uniting with other Louisiana cities, we are embracing the advantage that comes from sharing our purchasing ability. Sharing the load, we’re paving the way for progress.
What does this mean for us? Experts estimate this shift could lower our electricity rates by 20 to 25 percent. That’s a meaningful reduction, enough to lighten the load on our monthly budgets and give our businesses a real shot at thriving. When July and August roll around, and those first adjusted bills land in our mailboxes, we’ll see the change for ourselves. This is a moment we’ve long awaited, a step we’ve championed because it matters to all of us.
Building a Stronger, More Competitive Minden
This isn’t just about saving money. It’s about reshaping Minden’s future. Lower electricity costs will make our city more welcoming to families looking to put down roots and entrepreneurs ready to invest. Together, we’re sharpening our edge, ensuring Minden is known not for its struggles but for its resilience and determination. Picture a city where the lights burn bright without draining our wallets, where businesses flourish free from crushing overhead, and where our neighbors no longer look elsewhere for a better deal. That’s the Minden we’re building as a team.
Moving Forward Together
As June approaches, we’ll keep everyone in the loop every step of the way. This victory belongs to all of us, and we want everyone to feel part of it. As a community, neighbors, leaders, and friends who have all felt the weight of these rates, we’re dedicated to seeing this through.
Minden, this is our moment to claim the fairness we deserve, and to build a brighter, more affordable tomorrow. Let’s stay tuned for updates as we approach the switch to LEPA. Relief is coming, and we’re excited for what lies ahead as we continue moving forward, together!
– Mayor Nick Cox