On May 19, 2025, Haughton Mayor Hunter Timms addressed the Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC) in Lafayette, urging state regulators to investigate the April 2 and April 26 power outages that left the town and nearby areas without electricity for nearly eight hours combined.
The outages, caused by load-shedding events from Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO) and the Southwest Power Pool (SPP), resulted in financial losses for businesses and significant stress for residents. The events, which appeared preventable, raised questions about preparedness, communication, and equitable distribution of service disruptions.
In his address, Mayor Timms called on the LPSC to determine the cause of the outages, why they were not rotated among other communities, and what preventative measures are being implemented to avoid future occurrences. The mayor emphasized the need for accountability and a clear explanation to ensure the reliability of power systems for Haughton and surrounding areas.
While the commission meeting did not yield definitive answers, the matter received serious attention from regulators. Mayor Timms noted the commission’s commitment to examining the situation closely and welcomed their planned After Action Report, scheduled for release in July.
The town of Haughton, along with the LPSC, continues to seek transparency and resolution from SWEPCO and SPP, aiming to protect residents from further avoidable disruptions.