A New Natural Gas Plant in New Orleans East?

Frequently Asked Questions about the Entergy New Orleans’ IRP
     
Entergy New Orleans has filed a draft of their Integrated Resource Plan (IRP). So what’s an IRP?  An IRP is a process that brings utilities, regulators, and stakeholders together to forecast future energy needs and for Entergy to develop a roadmap for meeting those needs over the next 20 years.

Why do I care about Entergy New Orleans’ IRP? The IRP process guides how YOUR energy will be created for the next 20 years. If you want to see more clean energy in New Orleans, get involved!

What is in Entergy New Orleans’ draft IRP? Entergy’s Michoud power plant is scheduled to shut down this month.  That leaves a gap in our energy needs. Unfortunately, Entergy decided to thwart the IRP public process and decided that building a new 250 MW Combustion Turbine (CT) power plant in the same location as the original plant is the only way to meet our energy gap.Entergy announced they will be asking the Council for permission to build the plant this month, before even finalizing the IRP or addressing serious concerns about the IRP.

Note: red star is the location of the current and proposed facilities Source: Google Maps

Is the plan to build a new natural gas plant in New Orleans East set in stone?No! The New Orleans City Council must approve Entergy New Orleans’ plans to build the proposed natural gas power plant, its size, location, and cost.  
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Were other options considered? Not in a meaningful way. The City Council directed Entergy to increase energy efficiency and renewable energy in the IRP but Entergy did not comply.

1. Energy Efficiency programs: Making our homes and businesses more efficient makes us more comfortable, reduces the amount of electricity we have to buy, protects us from rate hikes, and decreases the need to build new power plants. Efficiency programs reduce the environmental and health impacts of dirty power generation.
2. Renewable Energy: Solar and wind energy have dropped significantly in price. Since renewable energy uses no fuel, the fuel costs you have to pay are 0, which reduces risks as fossil fuel prices spike. Renewable energy also doesn’t release harmful emissions.

What can I do?

1. Attend the New Orleans City Council hearing on June 15th from 12:30 – 2:00 pm at City Hall. This is your opportunity to voice your thoughts and concerns about the proposed gas power plant in New Orleans East.
2. Call your City Council Utility Committee representative: 
   Councilmember-at-Large Jason Williams: 504-658-1077
   Councilmember-at-Large Stacy Head: 504-658-1060
   Councilmember District “A” Susan Guidry: 504-658-1010
   Councilmember District “D” Jared Brossett: 504-658-1040
   Councilmember District “E” James Gray II: 504-658-1050
3. Spread the word! Encourage your friends and family to attend the June 15th hearing. City Council listens to the people of New Orleans. This is your chance to shape your future. It really matters.​