Well Being Magazine

Entergy Embraces Clean Energy

In the past Well-Being has published a number of articles about how we can each reduce our carbon footprint by adjusting our way of thinking and taking some simple steps that will not only save energy, but also save money. And, it’s true that each of us can make a difference in our own way when it comes to working toward a cleaner, safer planet. It turns out, Entergy Corporation, which produces and distributes electrical power to utility customers in Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas and Texas, has its own plan for reducing emissions and increasing its use of clean energy.

Clean Energy Goals and Measurable Results

• Entergy was the first U.S. utility to voluntarily commit to stabilizing CO2 emissions.
• Entergy’s investments in fleet transformation and nuclear upgrades have greatly reduced both absolute air emissions and emission rates since 2000.
• In 2011, Entergy adopted Environment 2020, a comprehensive environmental strategy and management system that covers six areas of strategic action.
• Entergy’s current commitment is to maintain CO2 emissions from Entergy-owned power plants and controllable power purchases through 2020 at 20 percent below year-2000 levels.
• Through year-end 2015, the company’s cumulative emissions from 2001 were 9.0 percent below its cumulative 2001-2015 target.
• Since 2000, Entergy’s investments in clean energy capacity have resulted in: 61% reduction in absolute NOx emissions and 69% reduction in NOx emission rates; 36% reduction in absolute CO2 emissions and 50% reduction in CO2 emission rates; and 69% reduction in SO2 emissions and 75% reduction SO2 emission rates

• According to a recent Benchmarking Air Emissions report, Entergy produces fewer CO2 emissions than 78 of the top 100 U.S. power producers, even though it produces the seventh-largest amount of electricity.

Investments in Clean Energy

Just over the past 12 years, Entergy’s operating companies and Entergy Wholesale Commodities have added approximately 4,458 megawatts of clean, highly efficient combined cycle gas turbines (CCGT) generation and 700 megawatts of non-emitting nuclear generation by increasing capacity at existing plants.

CCGT plants are highly efficient at reducing the amount of fuel burned per kilowatt hour of energy produced, thus greatly reducing emissions. Entergy’s strategy has allowed the retirement or reduced use of 4,000 megawatts of older, less efficient legacy gas steam units.

Investments in Alternative Fuels

Entergy is exploring a wide range of opportunities with respect to renewables and new technology. In 2015, approximately 2.4 million MWh of renewable energy was included in Entergy’s fuel mix, which consists of hydro, solar, biomass, landfill gas, waste heat recovery, and wind renewable energy credits. Entergy Arkansas received approval in 2015 to purchase power from a new 81 MW solar project that is expected to come on line in 2018. And to further these efforts, three of Entergy’s utilities are seeking up to 320 MW of new renewable resources including consideration of a project that involves installing utility-owned rooftop solar projects on customer-owned sites in New Orleans.

Working Hand-in-Hand with Consumers

Entergy partners with customers on a variety of energy efficiency programs, which help lower bills by reducing energy usage. For available tools and resources, visit the energy efficiency pages for each of Entergy’s operating companies at entergy.com.

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