Louisiana did not have a base rate order for October 1, 2026 that we could find. Bills still moved during the year, mostly through fuel. The Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC) publishes a monthly comparison of residential bills, which makes the change easy to see.
This article covers the investor-owned utilities the LPSC regulates. It does not cover Entergy New Orleans, which the New Orleans City Council regulates.
Quick Summary: 1,000 kWh Residential Bill
| Utility | January 2026 | May 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entergy Louisiana (RS-G) | $138.30 | $150.89 | +$12.59 |
| Entergy Louisiana (RS-L) | $138.37 | $151.70 | +$13.33 |
| Cleco (RS) | $149.63 | $146.41 | −$3.22 |
| SWEPCO (RS) | $151.80 | $156.08 | +$4.28 |
| Average, all listed utilities | $130.89 | $138.45 | +$7.56 |
Source: LPSC residential electric bill comparisons. Changes are our subtraction.
Fuel Explains Most of It
The fuel adjustment passes fuel and purchased power costs straight through, with no markup, and resets monthly.
| Utility | Fuel at 1,000 kWh, January | Fuel at 1,000 kWh, May |
|---|---|---|
| Entergy Louisiana | $29.33 | $38.20 |
| Cleco | $37.03 | $33.26 |
| SWEPCO | $42.38 | $29.72 |
For Entergy Louisiana, fuel rose $8.87, which is about 70% of the RS-G bill increase. At SWEPCO, fuel fell $12.66 while the total bill rose, so other charges went up.
Entergy’s Base Rates
In August 2024 the LPSC approved a settlement that phases in increases over three years starting September 2024: about 1.8% a year for legacy Entergy Louisiana customers and about 3% a year for legacy Entergy Gulf States customers. The same deal cut the late fee from 5% of the bill to 1.5%. That schedule means a step each September, including 2026. We did not confirm the 2026 step amount.
What This Means for Homeowners With Solar
We did not verify Louisiana’s current net metering or export credit rules for this article, so we give no export rates here. Ask your utility for its current solar tariff, and check how exported energy is credited before sizing a system. Fixed monthly charges are not reduced by solar.
Because fuel is billed per kWh, solar you use yourself avoids it. Our solar payback guide shows how the retail rate and the export credit change the math.
What to Check on Your Bill
- The fuel adjustment rate this month.
- Formula rate plan and storm restoration riders.
- Your kWh. Summer use in Louisiana is far above 1,000 kWh in many homes.
For help sorting the lines on your bill, see our guide to reading your electric bill.
Limitations
We compared two months, January and May 2026. We did not review later months, so we cannot say where bills stood in October. Rider detail beyond fuel was not analyzed, and the September 2026 formula rate step was not confirmed.
Sources
- Louisiana PSC, Residential Electric Bill Comparison, May 2026
- Louisiana PSC, Residential Electric Bill Comparison, January 2026
- Alliance for Affordable Energy, “Louisiana Public Service Commission Approves a Rate Change for Entergy Louisiana Customers,” Aug. 14, 2024
Frequently asked questions
Did Louisiana electric rates change on October 1, 2026?
We found no base rate order with that date. Fuel adjustments change every month, so bills move even without a rate case.
Why did my Entergy Louisiana bill go up in 2026?
Between January and May 2026 the fuel adjustment rose from about 2.9 cents to about 3.8 cents per kWh, adding about $8.87 at 1,000 kWh, according to the commission's bill comparisons.
Which Louisiana utility has the lowest bill?
In the commission's May 2026 comparison, the lowest 1,000 kWh bills were at two cooperatives, at about $105. Among investor-owned utilities, Cleco was $146.41, Entergy Louisiana about $151 and SWEPCO $156.08.
