Congressman Carter Praises First Installment of Community Lighthouses

NEW ORLEANS, L.A. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-La.) was joined by other elected officials and community leaders to celebrate the completion of the first two “lighthouses” that will serve residents during extended power outages. Congressman Carter secured $3.8 million to help fund the project - the single largest community project funding in the nation for a solar-related project.

Residents across New Orleans remember the misery caused by the catastrophic power failure that followed Hurricane Ida for several weeks. Our nation’s climate emergency is causing more frequent and destructive weather events, and extended power outages are becoming a common threat to Louisianians.

“Today marks a big step toward a sustainable solution to the many challenges created by frequent disasters and the power outages they cause. These lighthouses will enable our houses of faith and nonprofits to better serve Louisianians when it’s needed most,” said Rep. Carter.

The Community Lighthouse project aims to provide commercial-scale solar power and back-up battery capacity to 86 congregations and community institutions across the city. During extended power outages the lighthouses will immediately assess need and aid their surrounding communities. They will provide charging stations, food distribution, cooling and heating stations, oxygen exchange, light medical equipment, and more.

The initial pilot phase of 16 community lighthouses is expected to be completed and fully operational ahead of the 2023 hurricane season, which officially begins on June 1, 2023. When the entire network of 86 lighthouses is complete, every New Orleans resident will live within a 15-minute walk of one.

“Just because we are without power lines, we need not be powerless,” said Rev. Gregory T. Manning, a clergy leader of Together New Orleans and pastor of Broadmoor Community Church- the site of one of the first lighthouses.

“Here in New Orleans, we know what it’s like to be hit by disasters. And every time we have one, the Greater New Orleans Foundation steps up to play a leadership role,” said Andy Kopplin, President & CEO of the Greater New Orleans Foundation. “Raising money to help our communities respond and recover is one of our most important jobs.  Every disaster teaches us something. Hurricane Ida taught us about the importance of our electric grid. That is why we are thrilled to have made a $1 million leadership challenge grant as the Founding Partner for the Community Lighthouse project. As the Greater New Orleans Foundation celebrates our 100th anniversary this year, we are proud to continue investing in projects and initiatives like this one with Together New Orleans that help ensure our region is resilient in the face of future storms.” 

“We can all recall the heat, anxiety, and frustration caused by power outages after disasters, most recently Hurricane Ida,” said City Council President JP Morrell. “Community Lighthouses are tangible and life-changing proof of what can be accomplished when we work together. Through the network of lighthouses, our city will be more resilient and able to help our most vulnerable neighbors. I’m grateful to Together New Orleans and all who partnered to make Community Lighthouse a reality.”

 “New Orleans is on the front lines of climate change, and we need to meet this growing threat with real solutions. Community Lighthouse is a shining example of that. I’m proud to partner with Together New Orleans and other organizations doing the work to empower our people and create a more resilient city for all,” said City Council Vice President Helena Moreno.

“After Hurricane Ida, Bethlehem Lutheran Church served as a literal beacon for our Central City community. I was proud to volunteer at the church in the immediate aftermath of the hurricane with Pastor Ben and other dedicated volunteers to provide hot meals, water, cleaning supplies, diapers, and, more importantly, a sense of community. That first week, we sweated it out in Bethlehem's kitchen making and distributing daily meals because there was no electricity,” said Councilmember Lesli Harris. “Now, with this Community Lighthouse, Bethlehem Lutheran and others like it can provide a reliable source of emergency power and air conditioning in times of natural disaster and power outages. I am grateful that the New Orleans City Council, Congressman Carter, and the Mayor's Office all support this important investment and advancement in our communities.”

Background

New Orleans and communities across Louisiana are on the front lines of the climate crisis, suffering the effects of more frequent and destructive weather events. The extended power outages they cause leave residents vulnerable to extreme temperatures and without critical medical supplies and necessities.

As a solution, Together New Orleans put forward a vision to build the nation's largest network of solar + storage resilience hubs at churches and community centers across Southeast Louisiana.

The Community Lighthouse is being funded through public-private partnerships, and philanthropic efforts, including:

• $3.8 million community project funding by Congressman Carter - the single largest in the nation for a solar-related project.
• $1 million from the Greater New Orleans Foundation through a “Leadership Challenge Grant” to launch the initiative.
• $2 million from the City of New Orleans, from Wisner Grant and American Rescue Plan Act funds.

Other funders include the U.S. Department of Energy, Direct Relief, and Episcopal Relief and Development, among others.

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