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. Should we retire costly, and dirty coal generation in favor of renewables? Another important piece to check here is how your utility is considering energy efficiency. The goal of an IRP is to select the “best” combination of resources available to meet forecasted demand. The question is, best for whom?
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!
Entergy’s Michoud power plant is scheduled to shut down this month. That leaves a gap in our energy needs. Unfortunately, Entergy decided the best way to meet our energy gap is to thwart the public IRP process; they have put forth a plan to build a new 250 MW Combustion Turbine (CT) power plant in the same location as the original Michoud plant.
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.
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.
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.
Energy Efficiency programs help us make our homes and businesses more efficient and make us more comfortable, all while reducing the amount of electricity we have to buy, protecting us from rate hikes, and decreasing the need to build new power plants. Efficiency programs reduce the environmental and health impacts of dirty power generation.
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.
1) Attend the New Orleans City Council hearing on June 15 from 12:30 to 2pm at City Hall. This is your opportunity to voice your thoughts and concerns about the proposed gas power plant in New Orleans East. Check out our Facebook event here.
2) Call your City Councilmember on the Utility Committee. If you can’t make the meeting you can still make your voice heard.
3) Spread the word! Encourage your friends and family to attend the June 15th hearing.
