Friday, Orleans Civil Court Judge Piper Griffin ruled the New Orleans City Council violated public meetings law. The ruling stems from the February 2018 committee meeting when Entergy packed the meeting room and dominated the public comment period with paid supporters. The Council approved the plan based on the support for the project. Judge Griffin says all of the people who wanted to attend and speak at meeting should've had that chance, but didn't because of meeting being packed with those paid 'actors.'
Ultimately, the City Council did not disqualify the vote, but instead fined the utility $5-million for their covert action.
Alliance for Affordable Energy's Logan Burke says the ruling means a do-over: "This judge has voided the Council's prior decision to approve the gas plant approval in New Orleans East."
However, City Council President Helena Moreno's office released a statement in response: "Judge Griffin made it clear that the past City Council acted appropriately and that it was Entergy New Orleans that undermined the process. This affirms the current Council's position that Entergy used disgraceful tactics. This Council aggressively investigated and penalized the company for their reprehensible acts along with holding additional public hearings."
And despite The Council's violation of public meeting law, the Judge ruled in a separate action the city did not violate the public's right to due-process. So this means a do-over of the hearings and vote may not be in the immediate future.
As for final word on whether the City Council will or will not re-visit the issue, President Moreno's office responded in their written statement "Under the advisement of the City Attorney, we await the judge's order."
