Entergy filing would raise electric bills by nearly 10 percent

LITTLE ROCK – Customers of Arkansas’ largest electric utility would see a nearly 10 percent jump in their monthly electric bills this year if state regulators approve the rate adjustment request that Entergy Arkansas filed Wednesday.

Entergy cited unusual circumstances, including two Gulf Coast hurricanes, nuclear plant shutdowns and a record spike in natural gas prices, for the rate adjustment filed with the state Public Service Commission for reimbursement of fuel and purchased power cost in 2005 and this fiscal year.

The proposal would increase the bill of a typical Entergy residential customer using 1,000 kilowatts hours a month an average of $9.27 per month, or 9.9 percent, company officials said. That means a customer with a monthly bill of $93.50 per month using the same amount of power would see a jump to $102.77 after the rate adjustment, which would go into effect in April.

“Nobody like higher bills, and we’re working to ensure our customers received the maximum benefit possible of our lower cost generators and minimize the impact of expensive natural gas,” Entergy President Hugh McDonald.

Arkansas News