Crews have been inspecting and addressing identified facilities in need of replacement – such as poles and crossarms – to reduce the frequency and duration of future power outages. Along with this targeted work, they’re also continuing maintenance of power lines, trimming trees, adding lightning protection, and installing animal guards.

Just in time for the start of hurricane season, the company has completed a drone inspection of all interstate crossings in the New Orleans area. The inspection program gives Entergy New Orleans a bird’s eye(pictured below,left) view of issues not visible from the ground. Infrared photos and videos (pictured below, right) pinpoint any hotspots that need immediate action or repairs.

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While Entergy New Orleans uses drones to help detect damage to infrastructure after a storm, this proactive reliability inspection also is critical for the company’s hurricane preparedness. Through the inspection of hardware, wires, and other equipment, the company has a continued commitment to customer safety in the event of an evacuation to ensure downed power lines are less likely to obstruct evacuation routes.��

To help reduce the frequency and length of outages, as well as the number of customers impacted, reclosers are being installed throughout the Entergy New Orleans service area. Reclosers are essentially circuit breakers that temporarily open a line when momentary problems occur, such as animal contact or tree branch falls on a line.

Crews also will have the ability to switch customers to a temporary power source while making necessary repairs should an outage occur. If the electrical system experiences a brief problem and can correct itself, customers may only experience a momentary blink instead of a prolonged outage. While the reclosers can prevent or reduce some outages, they cannot restore power in the event of major damage, such as when a car hits a utility pole.��

Part of how Entergy New Orleans will continue to evolve is to re-think the traditional utility business model and have a better understanding of customers’ needs. By investing in smarter energy infrastructure, Entergy New Orleans will have the capability to deliver more advanced functions and a higher level of customer service than ever before.��

COVID-19 presented extraordinary challenges for customers and businesses. In true public service fashion, the Care Centers took immediate steps to be able to continue partnering with customers offering in-person bill payment and customer service assistance. In less than 24 hours, the Care Centers in New Orleans and Algiers had completed a deep sanitization of the buildings and transformed the facilities to follow CDC guidelines.��

Furniture was moved for social distancing and to adhere to limited indoor capacity rules, six feet reminder markings were placed inside and outside the Care Centers, and specially sized plexiglass barriers were installed as an extra layer of protection.��

While navigating through the changes in work, the 18 Care Center employees continued full-service bill help offerings. In fact, aside from the 24 hours the Care Centers closed to implement COVID-19 safety measures, they have remained open for normal operating hours. Customers from as far as Mississippi and Texas have travelled to the Care Centers for that personal guidance the Care Center employees are known for.

There may come a time when you are faced with a situation where you know you must go above and beyond to help those in need. That’s how the Care Center employees found themselves during the pandemic.

Their commitment to the community, customers and neighbors remains unwavering.��

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Trees that grow too close to electric lines can create shock and fire hazards as well as power outages.��When tree branches come in contact with power lines, they could cause an outage, a fire, or the wire could be torn down. Downed lines should be considered live and are especially dangerous.

When considering what trees to plant around your home, be sure to know what the mature height of the tree will be and proximity to utilities to avoid conflicts with power lines.

Guidelines to keep in mind when planting trees:

• Small trees that mature to a height of no more than 20 feet can be planted 15 feet on either side of utility wires. This includes planting trees near the street, just so long as power lines are at least 25 feet above ground.
• Trees with mature heights between 20 feet and 50 feet should be��planted��a minimum of 35 feet away from��power lines.
• Trees with a mature height of more than 50 feet should be planted at least 50 feet from power lines.

When in doubt, speak to your local nursery about how big your tree will grow. In addition, keep areas around electric meters, transformers or other electrical equipment free of any vegetation that could limit utility service access.

Remember, call 811 before you dig. Utility companies will come to your home to mark the location of underground utilities so that accidental contact, damage and injuries can be avoided.

Important safety tip – If you have trees that appear to be growing into power lines, never try to prune them yourself. Leave it to the professionals.

Learn more about why and how we trim trees to help maintain the reliability of your electric service.��

It was the hottest September on record for the entire state of Louisiana. The Baton Rouge region saw 30 straight days of above average temperatures, with 20 of those days more than 5 degrees hotter than average, according to AccuWeather.��In the New Orleans region, 28 days had above average temperatures and 17 days were more than 5 degrees warmer than average with six of those days breaking record highs.

Escaping the heat that has been blanketing Louisiana can also come at a cost. High temperatures mean running your air conditioner longer, especially in areas of the state that saw daytime highs in the mid-to-upper 90s for weeks on end.

Air conditioning typically makes up about 55 percent of a home’s energy usage. In other words, for every $100 of your electric bill, $55 goes towards air conditioning alone. When it is extremely hot, it takes more energy to keep your home at the temperature you have set on your thermostat.

The high temps may stick around a little while longer, but there are ways you can save energy without sacrificing comfort:

• Get your A/C inspected��to make sure your system is leak-free and operating as efficiently as possible. Don’t forget about air filters; some units require monthly cleaning or replacing.
• Set your thermostat to 78 degrees or the highest comfortable temperature.��Every degree lower than 78 can raise your bill as much as 3%. If you crank down the A/C to a cooler 72 degrees, you’ve already increased your bill by 18%.
• Buy a programmable thermostat.��As energy use rises, costs also rise. If you spend most of your day outside of the house, set your thermostat to automatically shut off or raise the A/C setting when you’re away.
• Use fans to cool off, but remember – fans cool people, not rooms.��Ceiling fans, box fans and oscillating fans use very little electricity and circulate the air, which helps you feel several degrees cooler. To save more energy, be sure to turn them off when you leave the room.
• Close blinds, shades and curtains to keep the sun out and the cool air in.��Also, close A/C vents in rooms that are not in use.
• Seal cracks and holes around doors, windows and ductwork.��Inexpensive weather stripping and caulk will help keep the cold air inside the house and the hot air outdoors.

If your energy bill was higher than usual, here are some ideas:

• Find out why. You can dig deeper into your bill with Entergy’s Analyze My Bill. This interactive tool allows customers to compare their energy usage (and the temperatures in their area) over time. With this knowledge, customers can pinpoint the best ways to save money. Check it out here:��/analyzemybill/
• Get assistance. There are times when everyone needs a little help. When your income won’t stretch any further, we have programs available for both emergency bill payment assistance and long-term relief. Visit /our_community/bill_help.aspx
• Call Entergy Louisiana at 1-800-Entergy (800-368-3749) to discuss billing options such as Level Billing, Pick-a-Date, Deferred Payments and Payment Extensions.

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Today, we recognize three (of our many) employee volunteers.

Mary Fay Legnon, Customer Service Representative, Southeast region
Knowing what it’s like to be on the other side of the table is just one reason May Fay Legnon volunteers to offer free tax assistance to qualifying low-income customers, including assistance with claiming Earned Income Tax Credit. “As a working single mother, that EITC check was our savings,” shared Mary Fay.

With familiar faces coming through the doors at Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites year after year, Mary Fay quickly realized volunteering makes a big difference.��

“When I learned how to prepare a tax return, but more importantly, how to explain it to others, I realized I could do more. I’ve lived through being a single mom and worrying about bills, so I could relate to just about everyone who came for help,” she said.

Mary Fay also volunteers with and sits of the Board of the West Bank ARC, working with mentally challenged adults who are working toward thriving in society. In addition, she is Vice President of the Gretna Economic Development Association working to bring awareness to the city of Gretna and Jefferson Parish to encourage people to work and live there. ��

“That’s likely why I am working in customer service for Entergy Louisiana. My career and volunteerism go hand in hand. I enjoy working with the public. It comes naturally,” said Mary Fay.��

Linda McGee, Service Operator
Raising a son who learns differently is how Linda McGee was introduced to the Learning Style Strategies Center in Harvey. Linda’s friend, Kathy Paterson, had developed a program to help kids like Linda’s son Christopher become more confident in school and adapt to a new way of learning.

“To look at the road Christopher has taken from a child with a learning disability to a college student recruited by NASCAR to help build diesel engines, I knew volunteering with the Learning Center was how I could help other families,” said Linda.����

Volunteering at the summer camp associated with the Learning Style Strategies Center has shown Linda that there are many ways her time and dedication make a difference to the community. Kids from across Harvey attend the camp, which is devoted to at-risk students with learning disabilities. ��

“Knowing that the kids that come to summer camp are better prepared for the school year and life makes it all worth it,” she said.

Linda’s commitment continues beyond the end of summer. The Center also offers an after-school program called Pillows and Hearts. The program is targeted to girls ages nine through 17 where discussions on body changes, sexuality, bullying and life take place daily.

“To help kids blossom and create a safe space for growing and learning is well worth my time,” Linda said.

Nikesh Kandel, GridMod engineer
“You will always find time to do the things you love,” Nikesh said when asked what motivates him to volunteer. ��Nikesh found his motivation while volunteering at a nursing home in his native Nepal while in high school.

“Motivation is doing what you love – from the heart. Walking into a room where someone was likely staring at the same walls for hours, but smiled when they saw me, that’s motivation,” said Nikesh. “It’s not just what I’m doing, but the impact I have.”

A year ago, at the company’s new employee orientation, Nikesh was introduced to the volunteer program Entergy offers all employees – time off to volunteer during the work week and the opportunity to donate grant money to the nonprofit of your choice.

Soon after his orientation, Nikesh went through training to become a certified tax preparer to help complete tax returns for free for customers at VITA sites. Nikesh also volunteers his time with the Red Cross with their Disaster Action Team.

“I’m proud to work for a company that understands and supports employees that want to make a difference in their communities,” said Nikesh.

Servicemen Kevin August, Derek Calvin and Jamison Jones, were recently presented plaques for their willingness to promote community responsibility by David Ellis, Entergy New Orleans president and CEO; Phillip May, Entergy Louisiana president and CEO; and Tad Patella, Entergy gas distribution business director. They were nominated for the award by David Peterson, manager, gas operations

Last summer, the three employees encountered families in need of assistance such as food and basic school supplies. Pooling their own resources, the servicemen volunteered their time by hosting a cookout and neighborhood party as well as purchased much needed school supplies for the kids.

“It would have been easy for Kevin, Derek and Jamison to get back in to their trucks and drive away,” said Patella. “Instead, they answered the call for help. We are very proud to say they are part of our team.”

Types of heat stress:

Heat stroke��is the most serious heat related disorder and occurs when the body’s temperature regulation fails, and body temperature rises to critical levels. Signs and symptoms of heat stroke are confusion, irrational behavior, loss of consciousness, a lack of sweating (usually), hot, dry skin, and an abnormally high body temperature. ��

Heat exhaustion��signs and symptoms are headache, nausea, vertigo, weakness, thirst, and giddiness. Fortunately, this condition responds very quickly to treatment.

Heat cramps��are usually caused by performing hard physical labor in a very hot environment. Cramps are usually caused by not hydrating enough.

Heat rashes��are the most common problem when spending time outdoors in the extreme heat. Most of the time, the rash will disappear once you find a cool place.

What can I do?

There are a few simple steps you can follow to stay safe when spending time outdoors in the heat this summer.

• Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Always keep a water bottle with you and take frequent drinks.
• Make sure you have plenty of shade to take cover from the sun and get some relief from the heat.
• Choose lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
• If working outside, take frequent breaks.
• Sunburn affects your body’s ability to cool down and can make you dehydrated, so be sure to apply sunscreen and reapply often.
• If you with others, watch out for each other and pay attention to the signs of heat stress.

For more safety tips on avoiding heat-related illness, visit

The outside of the apartment complex was exactly what you are likely picturing – brick walls, cookie-cutter front doors and porches, and big parking areas for cars. What gas servicemen Kevin August, Derek Calvin and Jamison Jones didn’t expect were the living conditions families were exposed to when they entered each apartment. “We encountered infested homes that had no furniture and kids were just sitting on the floor,” said August. “We knew their parents were doing their best, but to see those faces, we just knew those kids were hungry – starving in some cases.” ��After chatting with some kids, the men also found that most lacked basic school supplies.��

When their Entergy work was done, neighborhood kids approached August, Calvin and Jones to ask if they had any food they could share. “Without question, we jumped in our cars and drove to the nearest fast food restaurant,” August said. ��

But they knew they had to do more. Working with local apartment management, the men volunteered their time that weekend to host a cook out. Not knowing what to expect, the initiative turned in to a neighborhood party. Family volunteered to help set up and cook food. The trio even brought in an inflatable waterslide and spacewalk to help make sure everyone enjoyed themselves.����

It didn’t end there. Using their own funds, they purchased much-needed school supplies for the neighborhood kids. “It really didn’t matter what we cooked or did that day. Seeing the smile on those kids’ faces made it all worth it,” August added.

While August, Calvin and Jones had hoped to make the cookout a more frequent event, luckily, soon after, families worked with local organizations and were relocated to more suitable housing. The apartment complex now stands empty and will eventually be torn down.�� ��

“Doing good comes in many different forms. These men help define how we power life for the communities in which we live and serve,” said Phillip May, Entergy Louisiana president and CEO. “This is just one example how every individual has the power to create change – acting to tackle society’s greatest challenges, and build stronger, more resilient communities.”

The March 29 performance in New Orleans provided more than 2,600 high school students the opportunity to experience the musical Hamilton after having spent several weeks in their classrooms studying American history through a special integrated curriculum about Alexander Hamilton and the nation’s Founding Fathers.

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In addition to seeing a performance of Hamilton, students participated in a Q&A with members of the Hamilton company. Students representing various schools in attendance also performed an original work they created based on their classroom studies – songs, rap, poetry, scenes, monologues – on the Saenger Theatre Arts stage in front of their peers.����

“At Entergy, we look for meaningful giving opportunities in the areas of education and community enrichment,” said Phillip May, president and CEO of Entergy Louisiana. “The Hamilton Education Program is exactly the kind of effort we want to be a part of, because it’s an investment in the communities we serve and the things that make our service area a great place to live. We know these kids will amaze us all with their talent.”

Participating schools included:

• Lee Magnet High, Baton Rouge, La
• University View Academy, Baton Rouge, La
• Woodlawn High School, Baton Rouge, La
• JCFA, Harvey, La
• Destrehan High School, Destrehan, La
• Carencro High School, Lafayette, La
• Lafayette High School, Lafayette, La
• Doyle High School Talented Arts Theatre Program, Livingston, La
• John Ehret High School, Marrero, La
• Kenner Discovery Health Science Academy, Metairie, La
• Pearl River High School, Pearl River, La
• Plaquemine High School, Plaquemine, La
• Northeast High School, Pride, La
• Springfield High School, Springfield, La
• Amant High School, St. Amant, La
• Pine Prairie High School, Ville Platte, La

The Hamilton Education Program is currently open to high school students studying American History in Title I schools. The Gilder Lehrman Institute selects the schools after verifying their Title I status, on a first-come, first-served basis.

About the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History

Founded in 1994 by Richard Gilder and Lewis E. Lehrman, visionaries and lifelong supporters of American history education, the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History is the leading nonprofit organization dedicated to K–12 history education while also serving the general public. The Institute’s mission is to promote the knowledge and understanding of American history through educational programs and resources.

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. Drawing on the 70,000 documents in the Gilder Lehrman Collection and an extensive network of eminent historians, the Institute provides teachers, students, and the general public with direct access to unique primary source materials.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity, the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History is supported through the generosity of individuals, corporations, and foundations. The Institute’s programs have been recognized by awards from the White House, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Organization of American Historians, and the Council of Independent Colleges.

About Entergy

Entergy Louisiana, LLC provides electric service to more than 1 million customers and natural gas service to nearly 93,000 customers in the greater Baton Rouge area. With operations in southern, central and northeastern Louisiana, the company is a subsidiary of ���ϳԹ���.

���ϳԹ��� is an integrated energy company engaged primarily in electric power production and retail distribution operations. Entergy owns and operates power plants with approximately 30,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity, including nearly 9,000 megawatts of nuclear power. Entergy delivers electricity to 2.9 million utility customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Entergy has annual revenues of approximately $11 billion and more than 13,000 employees.