Public Service Commission, District 1

Answers to issue questions limited to 500 words total.

Eric Skrmetta - Elected

Name: Eric Frederick Skrmetta
YOUR CAMPAIGN WEB SITE: http://www.ericskrmetta.com
CONTACT INFORMATION FOR PUBLICATION
Address: PO Box 55896, Metairie, Louisiana 70055
Phone: 504-833-6791
Fax: 504-833-2678
Email: dest501@yahoo.com
PARTY AFFILIATION: Republican
PROFESSION: Attorney at Law/Private Business
PRESENT EMPLOYER/POSITION (if self-employed, what type of business): Self Employed Attorney and Mediator
HIGHEST LEVEL OF EDUCATION (include graduation date and school): BS, LSU (Industrial Technology) 1981; JD, Southern University Law School 1985; LL.M (Maritime and Admiralty Law) Tulane Law School 1986.
APPLICABLE TRAINING: My bachelors' degree in technology uniquely positions me to clearly understand the complex nature of the technical issues that will be brought before the commission. Additionally, my Laureate Masters in Maritime Law degree will provide unique insight to the commission, who regulates transportation, including the Mississippi River. After Hurricane Katrina, I had the privilege of serving as a Mediator in the Louisiana Department of Insurance program in which I facilitated a resolution between homeowners and their insurance companies. After completing over 700 mediations I have come to recognize the importance of bringing parties together to resolve their issues. My mediation skills will be invaluable to me as I work with the consumer to resolve their differences with the utility companies.
CIVIC EXPERIENCE: I feel that volunteerism and community service are an important part of how I give back to my community. A partial list of my service to my community is as follows:
- United States Secret Service adjunct, President George Bush Advance Team, North American Leaders Conference, New Orleans, LA, April 2008
- Judge, ABA National Representation in Mediation Competition, Regional Finals 2008
- Judge, Championship Round, ABA National Representation in Mediation Competition, Regional Finals 2007
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Citizens Academy, Member, 2007 to date
- Board Member, East Jefferson YMCA, 2007 to date
- Executive Board Member, Boy Scouts of America, Southeast Louisiana Council, 2007 to date
- Member Jefferson Parish Chamber of Commerce, Business Advisory Committee, 2007 to date
- Chairman, Louisiana Film Foundation, Inc. 2006 to date
- Board Member, Jefferson Education Foundation, Inc. 2005 to date
- Chairman, Aid for the Emergency Responders, Inc. 2005 to date, Contributing Organizer, New Orleans Air Show 2006
- Chairman, Jefferson Parish Presidents Film and Digital Media Advisory Committee 2006 to date
- Board Member, Krewe of Mid City, 2000 to date
- Lieutenant, Krewe of Endymion, 2005 to date
- President, South Sena Drive Civic Association 2005 - 2007
- Member, Blue Lodge 483, 2005 to date
- Member, Blue Lodge 102, 2005 to date
- Jerusalem Shriners, 2005 to date
- National Rifle Association, Life Member
- Fellow, Institute of Politics, Loyola University, 1981
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE AND POLITICAL ORGANIZATION MEMBERSHIPS:
- Member, Louisiana Republican Party Jefferson Parish Executive Committee, 2008 - 2012
- Judge, ad hoc THO, First Parish Court for the Parish of Jefferson, March 2008
- Commissioner, Greater New Orleans Expressway Commission, 2006 - 2007
- Staff Employee, Governor's Office of the State of Louisiana, 1980 - 1981
- Staff Employee, Lt. Governor's Office of the State of Louisiana, 1978 - 1980

1. What in your experience most qualifies you to run for this position?

My education life experiences in engineering. It is also important to approach problems between providers and consumers with an open mind and ability to determine the issues and work toward a resolution that will serve all. My experience in Mediation will enable resolution to problems that come before the commission.

2. What will you do to protect homeowners from extreme natural gas price hikes that can result in excessive utility bills?

I will encourage the Congress to require commodity trading in natural gas to be regulated under rules similar to stocks. This should stabilize inflated trading and have the effect of getting prices down to a level that will be more acceptable to consumers.

I will encourage: providers to develop flex fuel technology to include the use of fuels that will be less expensive and reduce demand on natural gas which should result in lower prices and also encourage price averaging by both providers and consumers.

3. Louisiana has some of the highest electric bills in the nation due to inefficient use of energy. Would you support policies that decoupled company profits from the generation of power and which would promote companies to help customer usage become more energy efficient?

Traditional rate structures discourage gas utilities from promoting energy-efficiency because their profits often suffer when customers cut back on use. The decoupling concept suggests that through conservation, usage will drop and people will pay lower bills.

My concern is that if decoupling is approved and it results in an overall net cost increase to consumers and proves to only enhance profitability for service providers then I will move to stop the decoupling experiment.

4. Many states are passing laws to promote the use of non-polluting renewable energy resources, called Renewable Portfolio Standards. What will you do to encourage the use of renewable energy resources in Louisiana?

I will encourage the use of renewable sources of energy. Providers must have the opportunity to implement proven technologies and develop others. I will work with Congress and the Legislature to develop tax credits for providers to take steps to develop these technologies under a comprehensive energy policy.

5. POWERPLANT DEVELOPMENT:
A. In your opinion, what criteria must be met in order to support nuclear power plant development?
B. Louisiana has the most to lose from greenhouse gas pollution. In your opinion, what criteria would justify power generation using coal or coal-like fuels?

A. I suggest that future nuclear facilities be built contiguous to the St. Francisville facility as it will expand an existing safe facility. To place nuclear power facilities in non-traditional locations will only delay development through actions of groups opposed to such facilities.

B. Louisiana is quite green in power generation through the use of nuclear and natural gas for production. However the use of coal is a valid option and the consumers need for lower rates support its use. We can use coal to produce energy in a more environmentally friendly manner. Technologies should be encouraged as one means to reduce the country's dependence on foreign oil. Some that exist for clean coal are gasification and treating flue gases or chemically treating coal. We must protect the environment but we must also provide for our citizens requirements and take into consideration their financial issues.

6. Currently, a member of the public can only speak at a Business Executive meeting if a commissioner agrees to put him/her on the agenda at least 24 hours in advance. How will you work to make this process more open to the public?

I will work with the other commissioners to develop a mechanism to improve the current system. However, without their support it will be impossible change the rules.

Outside of a business executive meeting it is always possible for any member of the public to contact a commissioner to express their issues and I will remain available to discuss any matter at any time convenient to the public.

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