CITY OF KAPLAN SIGNS WHOLESALE POWER AGREEMENT WITH LEPA
February 25, 2026
The Kaplan Council voted to become a Full Requirements Member of LEPA at its February meeting, and the LEPA Board of Directors then approved the agreement at its February 19th meeting. Kaplan is the 15th municipality to become a Full Requirements Member of LEPA, meaning that LEPA serves as its wholesale electricity provider. The other 14 Full Requirements members include Abbeville, Erath, Gueydan, Jonesville, Morgan City, Plaquemine, Minden, Natchitoches, New Roads, Rayne, St. Martinville, Welsh, Winnfield and Vidalia.
“I am truly honored to be part of such a respected organization and to work alongside all of you in our shared commitment to providing reliable, affordable electric service to the citizens we proudly serve,” said Kaplan Mayor Mike Kloesel.
LEPA General Manager Kevin Bihm noted, “With the addition of the City of Kaplan, LEPA is now providing wholesale power to fifteen Louisiana municipalities, the most LEPA have served in its history. This is a responsibility we take very seriously, and the addition of Kaplan further meets our mission to provide stable electricity at the lowest possible cost to our member municipalities.”
SHOWN AFTER THE EXECUTION OF THE LEPA FULL REQUIREMENTS AGREEMENT ARE:
Front Row (left to right): Kaplan Electrical Foreman, Wayne Vidrine; Kaplan Councilman Randy Campbell; LEPA Vice Chairman, Abbeville Mayor Roslyn White; Kaplan Mayor Mike Kloesel; LEPA Chairman, St. Martinville Mayor Jason Willis; LEPA Secretary/Treasurer, Vidalia Mayor Buz Craft; Kaplan Utility Committee Member Kishment McCloskey; Kaplan Public Works Director Claude Huntsberry; and LEPA General Manager Kevin Bihm
Back Row (left to right): LEPA Asst. General Manager David Bergeron; Natchitoches Utility Director Tim Tousek; LUS Engineering & Power Supply Manager Karen Hoyt; Erath Councilman Scott Bernard; Jonesville Mayor Loria Hollins; Vinton Mayor Bonnie Bahnsen; Plaquemine Utility Director Paul Seawell; and Rayne Mayor Chuck Robichaux.
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TOWN OF ERATH MAKES LEPA ITS NEW ELECTRICITY PROVIDER
January 20, 2026
The Town of Erath has signed on as a wholesale electric customer of the Louisiana Energy and Power Authority (LEPA), effective June 1, 2026.
The Erath Town Council voted to become a Full Requirements Member of LEPA and the LEPA Board of Directors then approved the agreement at its January meeting. The agreement was signed by Town officials and LEPA representatives on January 16th, making Erath the fourteenth Full Requirements Member of LEPA, meaning that LEPA serves as its electricity provider. The other thirteen Full Requirements members include Abbeville, Gueydan, Jonesville, Morgan City, Plaquemine, Minden, Natchitoches, New Roads, Rayne, St. Martinville, Welsh, Winnfield and Vidalia.
Erath has been a long-time Member of LEPA but made the move to a Full Requirements Member because LEPA provides very competitive power rates to its Full Requirements Members. “I’m proud to announce our town’s partnership with the Louisiana Energy and Power Authority (LEPA) as our new wholesale power supplier,” said Mayor Taylor Mencacci. “This strategic move is projected to deliver significant savings for our community. LEPA’s municipal-focused model supports Erath’s long-term success, while its invaluable mutual aid has proven essential during hurricanes and everyday emergencies.”
LEPA General Manager Kevin Bihm said, “Not only will this new contract provide Erath with electricity savings, it will also provide additional benefits that come with Erath being an integral part of the LEPA Organization. Erath Mayor Taylor Mencacci sits on the LEPA Board of Directors and provides valuable input to the organization, and his representation on the Board ensures that Erath has a vote and a voice.”
LEPA was created by the State Legislature in 1979 as the joint-action agency for the State of Louisiana. LEPA’s current membership is comprised of 20 cities and towns that own their electric distribution systems. The member cities of LEPA include Abbeville, Alexandria, Erath, Gueydan, Houma, Jonesville, Kaplan, Lafayette, Minden, Morgan City, Natchitoches, New Roads, Plaquemine, Rayne, Ruston, St. Martinville, Vidalia, Vinton Welsh and Winnfield.
SHOWN AFTER THE EXECUTION OF THE LEPA FULL REQUIREMENTS AGREEMENT ARE:
(left to right): Erath Councilman Scott Bernard, Erath Mayor Taylor Mencacci, and LEPA General Manager Kevin Bihm.
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Mayor Jason Willis of St. Martinville installed as LEPA 2026 Chairman; Mayor Chuck Robichaux of Rayne Recognized as Past Chairman
January 15, 2026
City of St. Martinville Mayor Jason Willis has been named the Chairman of the Louisiana Energy and Power Authority (LEPA) Board of Directors for 2026. Willis has been on the Board for four years, and previously served as Vice Chairman in 2025 and Secretary/Treasurer in 2024.
“Jason is a proven Mayor working tirelessly to create positive change for the citizens of St. Martinville, and I know he will bring that same energy to the Chairman role at LEPA”, said General Manager Bihm.
Mayor Robichaux was recognized by the Board for his role as Chairman in 2025 during the Board’s January meeting. “2025 saw the LEPA organization kick off its Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), and LEPA also began serving wholesale electricity to the cities of Minden and Natchitoches in June of 2025 – both under Mayor Robichaux’s tenure as Chairman,” said LEPA General Manager Kevin Bihm.
Other officers include Mayor Roslyn White of Abbeville, Vice Chairman; Mayor Buz Craft of Vidalia, Secretary/Treasurer. The remaining LEPA Operating Committee members for 2026 include Mayor Mike Kloesel of Kaplan and Mayor Chuck Robichaux of Rayne.
LEPA is a joint-action agency based in Lafayette and is made up of 20 member municipalities, each owning their own municipal electrical systems. LEPA members include Abbeville, Alexandria, Erath, Gueydan, Houma, Jonesville, Kaplan, Lafayette, Minden, Morgan City, Natchitoches, New Roads, Plaquemine, Rayne, Ruston, St. Martinville, Vidalia, Vinton, Welsh and Winnfield.
PHOTO:
A fun moment when the gift of a 1990's vintage bag phone was presented to outgoing Chairman Robichaux. (left to right): LEPA Vice Chairman, Abbeville Mayor Roslyn White; LEPA 2025 Chairman, Rayne Mayor Chuck Robichaux; LEPA 2026 Chairman, St. Martinville Mayor Jason Willis.
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City of Minden to Receive Wholesale Power from LEPA
February 26, 2025
The Louisiana Energy & Power Authority (LEPA) announced that it will begin supplying wholesale power and energy to the City of Minden on June 1. Minden is the 13th city to become a “full requirements” member getting its electrical power from LEPA.
“Minden is very excited to have signed a power contract with LEPA, a pivotal move to address our city’s high electricity costs,” said Mayor Nick Cox. “This agreement will leverage LEPA’s collective purchasing power to secure more affordable rates, with projected savings of 20 to 25 percent for our residents and businesses. After months of planning, this step ensures a brighter, more competitive future for our community, reflecting our commitment to easing financial pressures and supporting Minden’s growth.”
Kevin Bihm, LEPA General Manager, noted, “Mayor Cox, along with his staff and Minden City Officials worked countless hours to make this transaction happen and LEPA is excited to have Minden back as a full requirement member. This new contract will bring the benefits of stable and competitive electric power to all electrical customers of the City of Minden, and also benefits the 12 other LEPA member cities that are full requirements members.”
CONTRACT SIGNING:
(right to left): Minden Mayor Nick Cox, Minden Councilman Buddy Myles, Minden Linecrew Director Gary Moreland and LEPA General Manager Kevin Bihm
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Natchitoches to begin receiving wholesale electricity from LEPA
January 29, 2025
The Louisiana Energy & Power Authority (LEPA) will soon provide wholesale electrical power to the City of Natchitoches. Natchitoches is the twelfth member city to receive its wholesale electrical power from LEPA.
The LEPA Board of Directors unanimously approved the contract between LEPA and the City of Natchitoches at its January meeting. The Natchitoches City Council also approved the wholesale electricity contract with LEPA. The city will begin receiving its wholesale electricity from LEPA in June 2025.
“We are excited to have Natchitoches join the eleven other LEPA member towns and cities to receive reliable and stable electricity directly from the organization created for them and their citizens,” said LEPA General Manager Bihm. “This not only helps to strengthen the LEPA organization, but also lowers electrical costs for all of these cities in the process.”
Natchitoches Mayor Ronnie Williams, Jr. said, “As mayor of the great City of Natchitoches, I understand that the responsibility of my administration is not just to ensure power continues to flow throughout our city, but to do so in a way that benefits all residents and businesses. This is a decision that not only affects us at present, but also well into the future. We knew we were not just selecting a provider. We needed to select a partner who would share in our vision for a sustainable, equitable, and resilient community. We were seeking a supplier that not only prioritizes affordability, but also customer service. In selecting LEPA as our energy partner, we are confident that in addition to meeting our energy needs of today, we are embarking on a journey together to meet our energy needs for future generations to come.”
Created by the State Legislature in 1979, LEPA has a membership of 20 cities and towns in Louisiana that own their municipal power systems. As a joint action agency, LEPA works to provide its member communities with firm, stable sources of electricity at the lowest possible cost.
The twelve full requirements cities are Abbeville, Gueydan, Jonesville, Morgan City, New Roads, Plaquemine, Rayne, St. Martinville, Vidalia, Welsh, Winnfield and Natchitoches. Other member cities in LEPA include Alexandria, Erath, Houma, Kaplan, Lafayette, Minden, Ruston and Vinton.
SHOWN AT THE CONTRACT SIGNING FOR NATCHITOCHES TO BEGIN RECEIVING ITS WHOLESALE ELECTICAL POWER FROM LEPA:
Front Row (left to right): Jonesville Mayor Loria Hollins, Natchitoches Asst. Utility Director Bukar Mohammed, Natchitoches Utility Director Matt Anderson, Natchitoches Mayor Ronnie Williams, Jr., Rayne Mayor Chuck Robichaux, St. Martinville Mayor Jason Willis, Abbeville Mayor Roslyn White, and LEPA General Manager Kevin Bihm.
Back row (left to right): Natchitoches Consultant Frank Ledoux, Erath Mayor Taylor Mencacci, Natchitoches Electrical Superintendent David Dobson, LUS Director Jeffrey Stewart, Plaquemine Mayor JB Barker, Plaquemine Utility Director Paul Seawell, and New Roads Mayor Theron Smith.