Entergy Electricity Bills in LA Below National Average

Submitted by Entergy's Mary A. Broussard

Continued Low Electricity Prices for Entergy Gulf States Louisiana; Customers Encouraged to Conserve

CENTRAL  – In the wake of holiday gift-giving and celebration expenses, customers of Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, L.L.C. will begin the New Year with electricity bills well under the national average. Despite the continued lower costs, the recent cold snap and expected lower temperatures later this month could drive customers to use more electricity, so conservation is encouraged.

“Although lower than average electricity prices are good news, it’s important to continue to use energy efficiently to take full advantage of these lower costs,” Entergy Customer Service Manager Mary Broussard said. “Higher usage can still lead to a higher bill. Lowering your thermostat in the winter and making small investments in caulking and weather stripping pay off for customers in the long run. We recommend setting your thermostat to 68 degrees during colder months.”

Natural gas prices have continued to trend lower over the past two months. As a result, a typical Entergy Gulf States Louisiana customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hoursof electricity per month will see a bill of approximately $89.40 this January. This means the average customer is able to power lights, heating, appliances, computers and other daily essentials for less than $4 a day.

             According to estimates from the United States Energy Information Administration, in October 2010, the U.S. total average retail price of electricity for residential customers was 11.93 cents per kwh, or $119.30 for every 1,000 kwh, while the average electricity costs for Entergy Gulf States Louisiana customers in October 2010 were almost 19 percent lower, at 9.68 cents per kwh, or $96.83 per 1,000 kwh.

Across the nation, typical electricity bills vary tremendously. A comparison of sample residential electricity rates per 1,000 kwh for October 2010 is below:

• San Diego Gas & Electric Co. (San Diego, Calif.) – $236.01
• Public Service Electric & Gas Co. (Newark, N.J.) – $166.77
• Baltimore Gas & Electric Co. (Baltimore, Md.) – $134.06
• Progress Energy Florida (St. Petersburg, Fla.) – $131.52
• We-Energies (Milwaukee, Wis.) – $131.05
• Alabama Power Co. (portions of Alabama) – $109.78
• MemphisLight & Gas Water Division (Memphis, Tenn.) – $102.12
• Florida Power & Light Co. (Miami, Fla., and portions of Florida) – $96.97
• EntergyGulfStates Louisiana, L.L.C. – $96.83
• City Public Service (San Antonio, Texas) – $95.38
• Georgia Power Co. (Atlanta, Ga.) – $95.37
  *JEA Electric Rate Comparison Quarterly Survey, October 2010.

Economic energy saving tips and an online energy audit are available for customers at entergy-louisiana.com.

Entergy’s Louisiana utility companies serve more than one million customers through the operating companies Entergy Louisiana, LLC and Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, L.L.C. With operations in southern, central and northeastern Louisiana, the companies are part of Entergy Corporation’s electric system serving 2.7 million customers in Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi and Texas.