News Release > Crews Continue Second Phase of Entergy New Orleans' Transmission System Upgrade Project

Crews Continue Second Phase of Entergy New Orleans' Transmission System Upgrade Project

11/09/2015

CONTACT:

Yolanda Pollard / Charlotte J. Cavell
504-670-3624
powertogrownola@entergy.com

Interstate crossing work scheduled Nov. 14 and 15 near Xavier University

NEW ORLEANS -- Crews continue working on the second phase of Entergy New Orleans’ technological upgrade to the electric power transmission system -- Ninemile generation-Derbigny substation -- and will begin on the first of a series of interstate crossings this week. Weather permitting, work crossing Interstate 10 will take place on Saturday, Nov. 14 and Sunday, Nov. 15 near Xavier University.  Entergy New Orleans will conduct its remaining interstate crossing work in December and in January 2016, with the entire second phase being completed by March 2016.

"Unlike the first phase -- Ninemile generation-Napoleon substation -- where crews worked mostly in residential neighborhoods, the second phase requires project crews to work over I-10 near downtown New Orleans," said Charles Rice, president and CEO of Entergy New Orleans, Inc. "Since a safe, accident-free environment for both the general public and project crews continues to be our top priority, we have been involved in extensive planning that will allow us to maintain that focus with the least amount of impact to the general public."

Entergy has coordinated with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development and Louisiana State Police to determine non-peak times for short, intermittent I-10 closures to ensure safety for all.

The first I-10 closure will take place at South Telemachus Street and South Genois Street, both of which are located near the Xavier University campus. During the short, intermittent closures, police will stop traffic on I-10 in both directions. Louisiana DOTD digital message signs are in place to alert drivers about the closures, and traffic controls will be placed at the designated on-ramps.

The Power to Grow NOLA website will provide detailed and up-to-date project information for those who are interested. The Power to Grow NOLA hotline (504-670-3624) and the project email address (powertogrownola@entergy.com) are available for customers to voice their project-specific questions and concerns.

The remaining I-10 crossing work will take place at South Galvez Street in December and at Lafayette Street in January 2016. Entergy New Orleans will be sure to notify everyone in advance.

"We are committed to ensuring timely delivery of information through multiple communications channels," said Toni Green-Brown, public affairs manager for Entergy New Orleans. "Traffic and segment alerts, with related timelines, are available to the general public on the Power to Grow NOLA website to complement and reinforce the I-10 signage and traffic control presence at the designated on-ramps."

Multiple project crews will be working simultaneously and will use very large equipment including 24-foot-wide bucket trucks and 120-foot cranes at each of the existing steel transmission poles crossing the designated portion of I-10. Several stages of work will occur during each segment, and each stage of work will have different impacts. The initial stage is called a "pre-pull."  The next stage is called the "pull." After the "pull" is complete, Entergy bucket trucks and cranes will return to the steel pole locations to complete the "post-pull" work.

The Ninemile generation-Derbigny substation phase impacts the Carrollton-Hollygrove area, including Cambronne Street, through the outer portions of the Xavier University footprint. The Ninemile generation-Napoleon substation phase, which was completed ahead of schedule in September, affected the Audubon Park, upper Magazine Street and Annunciation Street areas.

This transmission project represents a $30 million capital investment in the electric transmission infrastructure as Entergy prepares to deactivate the aging Michoud generating facility, which originally was placed into service during the 1960s. These upgrades are required by the Midcontinent Independent System Operator prior to the planned 2016 Michoud deactivation, and will enhance reliability, increase transmission capacity and help ensure the availability of affordable power now and into the future.

Entergy New Orleans, Inc. is an electric and gas utility that serves Louisiana’s Orleans Parish. The company provides electricity to nearly 197,000 customers and natural gas to some 105,000 customers. Entergy New Orleans is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation.

Entergy Corporation is an integrated energy company engaged primarily in electric power production and retail distribution operations. Entergy owns and operates power plants with approximately 30,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity, including nearly 10,000 megawatts of nuclear power, making it one of the nation’s leading nuclear generators. Entergy delivers electricity to 2.8 million utility customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Entergy has annual revenues of more than $12 billion and approximately 13,000 employees.

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Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

In this news release, and from time to time, Entergy New Orleans, Inc. makes certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Except to the extent required by the federal securities laws, Entergy New Orleans undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements, including (a) those factors discussed elsewhere in this news release and in Entergy New Orleans’ most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Entergy New Orleans’ other reports and filings made under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; (b) uncertainties associated with rate proceedings, formula rate plans and other cost recovery mechanisms; (c) uncertainties associated with efforts to remediate the effects of major storms and recover related restoration costs; (d) legislative and regulatory actions and risks and uncertainties associated with claims or litigation by or against Entergy New Orleans; (e) risks and uncertainties associated with strategic transactions that Entergy New Orleans may undertake, and (f) economic conditions and conditions in commodity and capital markets during the periods covered by the forward-looking statements.

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