Entergy to drop electric rates

By Emily Ham (Contact) | The Natchez Democrat

Published Wednesday, November 18, 2009

NATCHEZ — Mississippi Entergy Inc. customers are likely to see visible changes to their January through March energy bills.

Entergy’s latest report submitted to the Mississippi Public Service Commission could bring about an 11 percent drop in 2010 from the same period in 2009.

“We are subject to (the Mississippi Public Service Commission’s) regulation, Entergy spokesperson Jim Hedges said, “but in the past they typically endorse our recommendations.”

One of the main reasons Entergy cites for the drop in payments is the current price of natural gas.

“(We estimate) based on the actual amount that has been spent on fuel, and we’ve looked at projections of fuel,” Hedges said. “What we are doing is we are projecting what fuel prices will be for next quarter.”

Hedges said if the report is accepted, the drop will go into effect Jan. 1 and run for three months.

For Natchez resident Jill Martin, the drop in bill costs is an anticipated event.

“It’s been kind of hard,” Martin said. “Maybe with this, I’ll be able to pay my bill on time.”

Natchez resident Patricia McKenzie said while the recession was not hitting her family as hard as others, the 11 percent break in power bills would be a welcome break.

“This is going to be good for everyone,” McKenzie said.

I’m going to save (the money) in case it goes up in the summer.”

While energy bill cuts fluctuate and sometimes don’t exist depending on natural gas prices, Hedges said the current deal is one with which citizens of Mississippi Entergy Inc. can take a financial breath with.

“An 11 percent decrease is a fairly significant decrease, too, and that is good news,” Hedges said.

Natchez citizen Philip English said the cut couldn’t come at a better time.

“Those are costly months,” English said. “I use more electricity in those months. It’s darker earlier and there is an added cost. You can’t cook outside.”

English said the use of his home’s stove and appliances during winter and spring months are what puts a strain on his power bill.

While an 11 percent drop would be beneficial to all Entergy customers, it wasn’t significant enough to really change the way he operates his home.

“Eleven percent is not going to be enough to take the weekend in Florida, but now it becomes discretionary money,” English said.