I recently saw a $600 energy bill from Cleco, and it left me feeling frustrated and unheard, especially in our current economy. Many of us are struggling to make ends meet, and a bill this large seems outrageous. To begin, I'd like to express my view that $350 should be the absolute maximum anyone should pay for electricity. However, Cleco, given its monopoly in our region of Louisiana, continuously hikes prices, leaving us with no alternative.

After every storm—a natural disaster beyond our control—Cleco seems to unjustly raise their rates even further. We're left to pick up the pieces, both literally and financially, when we should be focusing on rebuilding our lives rather than stretching our already tight budgets even thinner. Research indicates that this behavior exploits the lack of competition, as monopolies have little incentive to keep prices fair and services excellent.

According to a report by the American Public Power Association in 2022, regions with multiple energy providers experience at least 20% lower rates on average than those with monopolies like Cleco. Because they face competition, these utilities herd accountability back to themselves instead of relying solely on the consumer base to foot every pike and unforeseen charge.

This bleak reality must change. We deserve fairness, transparency, and the basic right to choose our utilities. By filing a lawsuit against Cleco, not only can we challenge their unjust practices, but we can also push for state intervention which might pave the way for more options in our local market. It's time to cut through the red tape that's binding us to these exorbitant charges.

I urge you to consider joining our quest for justice and transparency in our energy services. Standing together, we can challenge Cleco's exploitative practices and demand regulation to protect our economic futures. Please sign this petition so that we can bring this issue to the attention of our local and state leaders, and start the journey towards true change.