NEW ORLEANS - Last Thursday, Entergy New Orleans filed a settlement with the Mississippi Public Service Commission at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) to resolve more than a dozen pending cases and included a proposed settlement for the New Orleans City Council and ratepayers.
Though the Council was offered a settlement, it was not accepted as it was deemed well below what the ratepayers were entitled to based upon the council’s litigation posture. The publicly filed settlement offer provides that other participants may “opt-in” to the same terms agreed to by the Mississippi Commission.
The Council is one of the “other participants” in these matters, which include allegations of multiple instances of wrongful conduct in the operation of the Grand Gulf facility among other issues with Entergy.
“This filing was a ridiculous attempt by Entergy to sandbag the City Council and mislead the other regulatory agencies in Louisiana and Arkansas into a bad settlement,” said Council Vice President and Utilities Committee Chair JP Morrell. “As utility bills continue to spiral out of control in New Orleans, for Entergy and Entergy New Orleans to try to manipulate us into taking less than ratepayers are entitled to is beyond offensive.”
“Most importantly, for the corporation to publish a settlement offer during legal negotiations gives me great pause in whether further negotiations are in the public’s best interest. Rest assured the City Council will continue to pursue its efforts to get what ratepayers are owed," he continued.
