Louisiana is on the verge of becoming one of a select few states with a statewide program that will regulate and facilitate energy efficiency for its residents, The Center Square reports.  The Louisiana Public Service Commission met on Wednesday to select a company to be the exclusive facilitator of energy efficiency for many of Louisiana’s utility companies. Aptim secured the commission’s vote, for a budget of $25 million to set policies for how utility companies work to conserve energy and potentially lower utility rates. There are concerns that the program may come at a high cost to taxpayers. While energy conservation might reduce utility rates, critics suggest that there might be the opposite effect, with the savings offset by higher taxes.  Read the full story.