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Public Service Commission approves Entergy Louisiana settlement with affordability measures and reporting safeguards
Summary
The Louisiana Public Service Commission approved a stipulated settlement with Entergy Louisiana that resets formula rate plan terms, provides millions in customer credits, expands low‑income senior discounts and establishes an affordability working group with annual reporting and staff prudence review.
The Public Service Commission voted to approve an uncontested stipulated settlement in Entergy Louisiana’s formula rate docket (U‑36959), adopting changes that include a multi‑year implementation of a formula rate plan, fee reductions, expanded eligibility for low‑income and senior discounts and millions in customer rate credits.
Commission staff and company representatives said the settlement implements roughly $120 million in base‑rate revenue changes for the test year, includes one‑time adjustments, and extends Entergy’s formula rate plan subject to enhanced reporting. Larry Hand, speaking for Entergy Louisiana, said the company will notify customers by mail or email and that the settlement produces less severe increases than the original filing: “We published notice… the rate changes published were significantly harder than the ones that are being approved through the settlement because of the negotiations,” Hand said.
The settlement also creates a low‑income affordability working group to develop programs and data to connect vulnerable customers to assistance, and it expands eligibility for a senior discount by aligning it with Louisiana’s LIHEAP eligibility standards. Commissioners noted the working group and additional reporting as key safeguards. “I’m very encouraged by… changes that benefit low‑income and at‑risk communities,” Commissioner Lewis said during discussion.
Commission staff emphasized the deal’s accountability mechanisms. Annual reports and prudence reviews were described as tools the staff will use to assess transmission and distribution recovery mechanisms and any future adjustments. Commissioners reiterated that any future changes to rates or specific programs would come back before the Commission for approval.
The Commission approved the settlement by voice and moved on to related docketed matters; staff will monitor annual filings and working group progress as the terms are implemented.
