May 12-16 marksÌę, but for Entergy employees, it seems like the observance is celebrated daily.

Throughout the company’s service area, a dizzying number of projects are being planned, designed, approved, built and put into service. These projects will improve resiliency, enhance reliability, supply economic growth and meet increased residential demand for Entergy’s 3 million customers.

Interested in how the company is investing in serving customers better, both now and for the future? Below are just a few of the many initiatives active right now.

Entergy LouisianaÌęis investing more than $400 million over the next four years to upgrade approximately 730 miles of distribution and transmission lines across the state’s Capital Region. As part of the project, approximately 20,300 poles will be upgraded to withstand winds of up to 150 mph, helping to ensure the continuity of service in the face of increasingly severe weather events.

The initiative will directly benefit the Capital Region’s vital industries, as well as small businesses, schools, hospitals and residential customers that rely on affordable and reliable power. With more than $30 billion in industrial projects currently evaluating investment in the region, enhanced grid reliability is a critical factor in supporting continued economic growth.

Learn more about future projects in theÌę.

Entergy TexasÌęis roughly 70% complete with construction of the Orange County Advanced Power Station. The plant, designed to generate 1,215 megawatts of power, remains on track to power more than 230,000 homes by June 2026.

Bringing this massive project to life requires an impressive inventory of materials:

• Over 1.3 million feet of electrical cables
• More than 43,000 feet of underground piping
• Nearly 2,000 tons of steel
• Over 22,000 cubic yards of concrete

Entergy Texas expects energy demand across residential, commercial and industrial customer bases to increase over the next few years. This growth in energy consumption requires the Entergy Texas power grid to have an additional 1,600 megawatts of generation capacity by 2028, which is approximately 40% of current generation capacity.Ìę.

Entergy New OrleansÌęhas announced a $100 millionÌę, approved by the New Orleans City Council in October 2024. The plan reflects a commitment to strengthening the grid and creating jobs while driving long-term growth.

The first phase of work, to be completed in 2025-2026, will include 65 individual projects, strengthening 3,096 structures and upgrading 63 electric line miles.

Company employees are already working closely with local partners to help transform the city’s economic landscape in other positive ways:

• The River District Neighborhood Initiative will feature a mixed-use neighborhood with sustainable designs, green spaces, and advanced infrastructure. This project is expected to generate over $1 billion in economic activity and $43 million in annual tax revenue.
• Five O’ Four Golf, a $40 million golf-entertainment facility, will include a driving range, dining options, and other amenities, bringing jobs, tourism, and entertainment to the region.
• ,Ìęthe first site in the city to be classified as a “Certified Site” under the Louisiana Economic Development’s Certified Sites Program, will benefit residents by creating jobs, improving infrastructure, and enhancing logistics and transportation services.

Entergy ArkansasÌęcontinues its plans to invest millions of dollars into grid upgrades and one example is the recently completed significant reliability upgrades in the Harrisburg community aimed at modernizing aging infrastructure, increasing resilience and reducing the risk of power interruptions. The year-long project, which includes more than two miles of new distribution lines and enhancing substation equipment, is expected to bring improved stability to the area, providing farmers and residents with the reliable power needed to operate essential irrigation systems during the hot summer months.

These upgrades represent a proactive investment in the community’s future, helping farmers, residents and local businesses thrive with expanded electrical stability. In total for this project, Entergy Arkansas has invested more than $12 million in new upgrades and has rebuilt more than a mile of existing distribution lines allowing the company to support increased load demands and provide consistent power delivery, even during high-demand periods.

For more on long-term plans:Ìęentergy.com/brightfutureark

ŽĄłÙÌęEntergy Mississippi, construction is underway at theÌęDelta Blues Advanced Power StationÌęin Greenville. By replacing end-of-life gas generation with more clean and efficient generation, the company is ensuring customers continue to have modern, reliable energy well into the future.

Delta Blues Advanced Power Station will be a 754-megawatt facility capable of powering 385,000 homes across Entergy Mississippi’s 45-county service area.

The $1.2 billion investment represents a significant economic impact for the Mississippi Delta, including more than 300 construction jobs in the area over the next several years and additional tax revenue for Washington County. Entergy will employ about 21 full-time personnel to operate the plant when it comes online. When fully operational, the plant will provide the state a newer, cleaner and more attractive power source to highlight when recruiting new industry and jobs to Mississippi.

For more on long-term plans:Ìęentergy.com/brightfuturems

°Őłó±đÌęEntergy NuclearÌęRiver Bend Station in St. Francisville, La., has recentlyÌę, transitioning to a nationally approved system that continues to alert local broadcast and news outlets about severe weather, while putting information directly in the hands of residents.

Similar to how people now get storm warnings through their electronic and mobile devices, the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System is now set to give local residents more information in a timelier manner should an emergency occur.

IPAWS works by sending local emergency messages to the public to customer’s mobile phones using wireless emergency alerts, to radio and television via the Emergency Alert System and also on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s, or NOAA, weather radio. The Federal Emergency Management Agency developed IPAWS over a decade ago is currently being used by major nuclear plants across the nation.

These investments, and many more like them, are part of an aggressive plan to invest $37 billion in the grid through 2028. For details,Ìęcheck out Entergy’s most recent performance report.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – For the 10th year in a row, Entergy Arkansas and the Little Rock International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 34 have come together to provide winter coats to elementary school students for “Operation Warm.” Through this partnership, hundreds of students in the Little Rock School District received new coats Wednesday, just before the students’ winter break begins.

Operation Warm is a national nonprofit that manufactures high-quality coats and shoes for children in need. The coats are designed and manufactured by the nonprofit to be long-wearing, water repellent and machine washable, with a warm fleece lining, deep pockets to keep little hands warm even without gloves, and detachable hoods. They come in sizes 2T to adult. Since 1998, the organization has provided more than 6 million coats to kids in need across the United States.

The IAFF Union 34 began working with the national nonprofit several years ago after seeing a group of young children shivering at a school bus stop near their firehouse.

“Helping people is our job, but it’s also part of who we are,” said IAFF Union 34 President Matthew Stallings. “We work year-round to support this program, and the last few weeks have been a concerted effort with Entergy and the Little Rock School District to determine the needs of the students and organize the coats for distribution. It’s worth any effort, though, to see those smiling faces as we do what we can to help children in our community weather the cold.”

With the support of a $10,000 grant from Entergy Arkansas and payroll-deduction contributions from members of IAFF Local 34, firefighters purchased 800 new coats for children at Western Hills and Carver STEAM Magnet Elementaries, as well as Romine Early Childhood Center.

“Since 2015, nearly 6,000 students across the Little Rock School District have benefited from the generosity of Union 34 firefighters and Entergy, said LRSD Superintendent Jermall Wright. “We are deeply grateful for their continued dedication and investment in our community. Their support is not just a donation, but a demonstration of the vital role community partnerships play in our mission to impact the lives of our students.”

“Entergy Arkansas works with community partners year-round and across the state to better our communities through grants and volunteerism, and this event is the ultimate example of our commitment to “power life” in every community we serve,” said Laura Landreaux, Entergy Arkansas president and CEO. “We are grateful to the Little Rock Fire Fighters Union 34 members who spearhead the effort with individual donations and coordinate the logistics of the coat donations and delivery. Helping meet the needs of children in this way is both an honor and a joy.”

About Entergy Arkansas

Entergy Arkansas, LLC provides electricity to approximately 730,000 customers in 63 counties. Entergy Arkansas is a subsidiary of șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű, a Fortune 500 electric company. Entergy powers life for 3 million customers through our operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. We’re investing in the reliability and resilience of the energy system while helping our region transition to cleaner, more efficient energy solutions. With roots in our communities for more than 100 years, Entergy is a nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship. Since 2018, we have delivered more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to local communities through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has approximately 12,000 employees. For the latest news from Entergy Arkansas, visit theÌęÌęand connect withÌę@EntergyArkÌęon social media.

The day-to-day business at Entergy Arkansas is to provide safe, reliable and affordable electricity to our customers. The mission as a corporation is to continually improve the communities served through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy.

Across the company, those efforts are focused primarily on the broad pillars of poverty solutions, education and workforce development, and environmental programs. Additionally, the areas of healthy families, arts and culture, and community enrichment are part of the overall strategy to contribute to a society that is healthy, educated, environmentally safe and productive.

“As a corporation, Entergy Arkansas invests in solutions and partners with nonprofits, schools and government organizations to provide opportunities and programs that create sustainable value and quality of life,” said Brandi Hinkle with Entergy Arkansas Corporate Social Responsibility. “Our employees do this each day as well, giving of their time and resources to help those who are disadvantaged, as well as the elderly and disabled.”

To qualify for volunteer service and grants from the company, organizations must be:

• A public charity or private foundation that qualifies as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entity.
• A state or local government, but only if the volunteer service/donation thereto benefits the public at large.
• A school, hospital, or religious institution that holds nonprofit status similar to that of 501(c)(3) organizations, but only if the volunteer service/donation thereto benefits the public at large.
• Certain tax-exempt war-veterans’ organizations, domestic fraternal societies and volunteer fire departments.

The company has awarded nearly $500,000 in shareholder profit and donations to scores of nonprofit partners in Arkansas during the better part of the year. Programs funded range from emergency response and relief services to scholarships and youth services, food pantries and community safety events. Entergy Arkansas employees clocked 29,000 volunteer hours in 2023 based on a goal of 25,000 and hope to meet or exceed that number this year.

Focusing on literacy and education

A few of the largest endeavors so far this year included education and literacy projects, including a statewide partnership with the Arkansas STEM Coalition. In preparation for the April 8 total solar eclipse, Entergy Arkansas partnered with the Coalition to purchase and distribute free eclipse glasses to all public schools in our service territory. A grant from Entergy Arkansas helped fund the purchase of more than 625,000 pairs of eclipse glasses, enough for all preK-12 students, teachers and staff. Volunteers from the STEM Coalition, Entergy Arkansas and other groups worked for more than six weeks to sort and deliver the glasses.

The company also partnered with the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas for the Girls of Promise “Full STEAM Ahead” conference, which introduced 8th grade girls across the state to potential STEAM careers. Nearly 150 girls from 20 counties were able to meet women leaders in the fields of engineering, finance and more. The goal is to increase the number of girls in higher-level STEAM courses and careers to put them on the path to achieving economic security as adults.

Other literacy, education and workforce program recipients included:

• American Association of Blacks in șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű – Careers in șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Student Summit
• Food Jobs Work Foundation – Culinary Training Program
• Junior Achievement of Little Rock
• Oscar J. Washington Scholarship Fund
• North Arkansas College Foundation
• Searcy Foundation for the Future
• University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension
• West Memphis Boys and Girls Club

Attacking root causes of poverty

Research shows the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is one the nation’s most effective means of lifting Americans out of poverty. IRS-certified volunteers with Entergy Arkansas and other nonprofit partners provided free tax return preparation for qualified customers as part of the federal Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program and other services atÌęSuper Tax DayÌęevents throughout tax season. Partners across the state included Arkansas Asset Funders, Central Arkansas Development Council, Forrest City Public Library and Southern Bancorp, who provided trained volunteers to help customers determine if they were eligible for EITC and other tax credits to maximize their refunds.

Supporting the arts, culture

By cultivating creativity, Entergy Arkansas helps create a community of inclusion and inspiration. For many years, the company has supported The Repertory Theatre’s regular season as well as student workshops, along with the Arkansas Fine Arts Museum, both of which have Entergy Arkansas employee on the respective boards of directors. A longtime partnership with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra also provides for free tickets for all students. Other organizations and programs supported this year include:

• Arkansas Cinema Society
• Arkansas Committee Of The National Museum Of Women In The Arts
• Cross County Foundation – Downtown Arts Festival
• Friends Of Mosaic Templars Cultural Center – Juneteenth in Da Rock
• Hot Springs National Park Sister City Foundation – Cherry Blossom Festival
• Sculpture in the River Market

For more information about how to apply for grants or create volunteer opportunities for Entergy Arkansas employees, visit entergy.com/csr/giving.

“We’re proud to say that every dollar and employee volunteer hour makes a difference in achieving our goals to improve the places where we work and live,” Hinkle said, “and we’re always looking for new ways to engage our employees and customers.”

About Entergy Arkansas

Entergy Arkansas, LLC provides electricity to approximately 730,000 customers in 63 counties. Entergy Arkansas is a subsidiary of șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű, a Fortune 500 electric company. Entergy powers life for 3 million customers through our operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. We’re investing in the reliability and resilience of the energy system while helping our region transition to cleaner, more efficient energy solutions. With roots in our communities for more than 100 years, Entergy is a nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship. Since 2018, we have delivered more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to local communities through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has approximately 12,000 employees. For the latest news from Entergy Arkansas, visit the and connect with @EntergyArk on social media.

Summer Cereal DriveÌę

When schools close for the summer, children especially struggle to find food to replace breakfast and lunch they were receiving at school every day. Over 60% of children in Arkansas rely on free and reduced lunches, meaning when summer comes, they are struggling to fill the gaps that those meals provided.ÌęÌę

Meeting the basic needs of our most vulnerable customers, such as providing hot meals, is foundational to Entergy’s corporate social responsibility objectives. Addressing food insecurity is a vital step in our strategy to develop and support poverty solutions.Ìę

Entergy Arkansas is there to help with the summer cereal drive and other programs to help children and their families get the nourishment they need. In fact, we’re the defending champions for the Arkansas Foodbank and KTHV Channel 11 Summer Cereal Drive.ÌęÌę

Last year, we were the largest donor at just over $30,000 and some change. Every $1 donated can purchase one box of cereal, which provides five meals. And while the cereal and donations are collected in the summer, they are used to provide meals throughout the year to families in need.Ìę

We’ve pledged to defend our position and bring in even more donations this year. You’ll see us at donations sites across our service territory, including Little Rock, Pine Bluff, Cabot, Hot Springs and Russellville.Ìę

Year-round GivingÌę

The Arkansas Foodbank serves Central Arkansas and is one of six Feeding America food banks that helped found the . The others include , , , and the .Ìę

Entergy Arkansas is a longtime partner to the Alliance, which seeks to advocate on food policy, provide resources, source nutritious food, secure food and funding, promote nutrition education, increase out of school meals participation, and raise awareness of hunger in the state.Ìę

Last year, Entergy Arkansas donated $110,000 to the group as part of its Entergy Arkansas Bright Futures campaign celebrating 110 years in the state.ÌęÌę

Since its founding in 2001, the Alliance has grown to include more than 500 members: the original six Feeding America food bank members, local food pantries, soup kitchens, food rescue organizations, global food wholesalers and retailers, state level hunger programs and hunger advocates from around the state who are working daily to reduce hunger in Arkansas.Ìę

Programs through the Alliance and sponsored by Entergy Arkansas this year will include the Hunger Action Breakfast, Serving Up Solutions, Watermelon Crawl and .Ìę

While we are putting a lot of effort into addressing food insecurity in June, you’ll also see us serving in our community in other ways. One grantee we’ll be volunteering to help with is Mosaic Templars Cultural Center commemoration, which happens all month long. It’s one of several ways we help create and celebrate diversity, inclusion and belonging for our employees and our communities.

Our employees carry out that task every day, engaging in our communities and providing thousands of volunteer hours to make them better. In 2023, employees in Arkansas dedicated more than 29,000 hours of volunteer service valued at over $922,000.

“As a company, our mission is to continually improve the communities we serve and create sustainable value and quality of life,” said Brandi Hinkle with Entergy Arkansas Corporate Social Responsibility. “Employees do this through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy.”

Our philanthropic focus

Across the company, those efforts are focused primarily on the broad pillars of poverty solutions, education and workforce development, and environmental programs. Additionally, the areas of healthy families, arts and culture, and community enrichment are part of the overall strategy to contribute to a society that is healthy, educated, environmentally safe and productive.

“Each employee is encouraged to volunteer a minimum of 16 hours per year – on the clock – but also to go above and beyond that to impact our friends and neighbors in a positive way,” Hinkle said. “We reward those employees with a grant of $250 to the nonprofit of their choice for every 20 hours of volunteer service, up to $750 per year.

“By using our dollars and time to alleviate food insecurity, provide equitable education and workforce opportunities, and help sustain healthy families, we can help our customers and their families move beyond survival into growth and greater well-being,” Hinkle said.

Grants are funded from shareholder profit, not customer dollars, and company shareholders contributed nearly $2 million to nonprofit partners in Arkansas that align with our areas of focus. More than 200 grants were awarded, many of which also included volunteer opportunities for employees. Programs that were funded ranged from emergency response and relief services to scholarships and youth services, food pantries and community safety events.

The largest grants were given to six nonprofits to celebrate the company’s 110^th anniversary. Each of the following organizations received a $110,000 grant as part of the Entergy Arkansas Bright Futures Campaign:

• Arkansas Community Foundation
• Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance
• Arkansas STEM Coalition
• Habitat for Humanity
• The Nature Conservancy
• Women’s Foundation of Arkansas

Along with receiving the grant, each of these organizations will provide Entergy Arkansas employees with opportunities to volunteer and help with designated projects, such as stuffing backpacks with food for children in need or planting trees and litter cleanup.

Doing more in ‘24

So far in 2024, Entergy Arkansas employees aim to exceed last year’s service hours and have already participated in several important volunteer initiatives to help and serve our customers. A few of the largest endeavors this year include:

Super Tax Day

IRS-certified volunteers with Entergy Arkansas and other nonprofit partners provided free tax return preparation for qualified customers as part of the federal Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program and other services at Super Tax Day events throughout tax season. During the Super Tax Day events, customers receive counseling regarding tax credits and deductions they may be eligible for, including the federal Earned Income Tax Credit, one of the nation’s most effective means of lifting Americans out of poverty. Tax preparation volunteers help customers determine if they are eligible for this and other tax credits in an effort to maximize their tax refunds.

Eclipse glasses

In preparation for the April 8 total solar eclipse, Entergy Arkansas partnered with the Arkansas STEM Coalition to purchase and distribute free eclipse glasses to all public schools in our service territory. A grant from Entergy Arkansas helped fund the purchase of more than 625,000 pairs of eclipse glasses, enough for all preK-12 students, teachers and staff. Volunteers from the STEM Coalition, Entergy Arkansas and other groups worked for more than six weeks to sort and deliver the glasses.

Girls of Promise STEAM conference

Entergy Arkansas participated in the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas Girls of Promise “Full STEAM Ahead” conference, which introduced 8th grade girls across the state to potential STEAM careers. Nearly 150 girls from 20 counties were able to meet women leaders in the fields of engineering, finance and more. The goal is to increase the number of girls in higher-level STEAM courses and careers to put them on the path to achieving economic security as adults.

We have planned philanthropy events each month throughout the year with our existing partners and are continually looking for new partners and ways to impact the communities we serve. Entergy is committed toÌęcreating a diverse, inclusive and engaged cultureÌęthat inspires all individuals to work together to operate a world-class energy business for our customers, employees, communities and owners now and into the future. We’re proud to say that every employee volunteer hour makes a difference in achieving our goals.

In honor of its 110^th anniversary, the state’s largest and oldest electric provider is donating more than half a million dollars as part of its “Entergy Arkansas Bright Futures Campaign” to six partner nonprofits to help build strong communities across its 63-county service territory for a total of $660,000.¬†These donations are made possible by profits from the company owners through the Entergy Charitable Foundation and not with customer dollars.

“I cannot think of a more appropriate way to commemorate the last 110 years and look toward ‘Bright Futures’ for our customers and communities,” said Laura Landreaux, president and CEO of Entergy Arkansas. “Entergy Arkansas has been honored to serve for more than a century in our great state, and these grants highlight important partnerships and demonstrate the priority we place on being good corporate citizens by investing in our customers and the places we all call home.”

Six separate grants in the amount of $110,000 from the Entergy Charitable Foundation will be awarded to nonprofits that align with utility’s philanthropic focus on sustaining families, investing in workforce opportunities and a healthy environment. These initiatives are grounded in actions proven to improve the quality of life in the communities we serve now and for generations to come.¬†

“Strategic giving to our communities through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy is integral to our corporate mission,” said Ventrell Thompson, Entergy Arkansas’ vice president of customer service. “We invest in local solutions that attack the root causes of poverty, support education and workforce development, and protect and preserve the environment.”

The following nonprofits will receive $110,000 grants to commemorate Entergy Arkansas’ 110^th anniversary and kick off the Entergy Arkansas Bright Futures Campaign, which will include a number of efforts and initiatives including volunteerism and advocacy, in the coming year and beyond:

• The will use funds to support hunger initiatives and child feeding programs, including food-filled backpacks, breakfast and after-school meals through the food banks located in the Entergy Arkansas footprint.
• The will administer donations of books through the Dolly Parton Foundation’s program and the literacy program to help kids throughout our service territory read at grade level by the third grade.
• The will support STEM education in Arkansas Schools in our service area focused on low-income students.
• The internships for women of color who are juniors, seniors and college-aged provides paid experience and includes housing and transportation. This will expose these women to career opportunities and prepare them to enter the workforce and succeed. Many women-owned businesses are located in the Delta, which is in our service area, and a portion of funding will support the .
• chapters in the Entergy Arkansas service area will receive a total of $110,000 to provide affordable housing to address housing, homelessness and poverty.
• in Arkansas will use funding to enhance their efforts to protect and restore forests across a 10-county area in the Arkansas Delta and upper Gulf Coastal Plain.

Executive Director Kathy Webb said, “The Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance is grateful for a long history of collaboration with Entergy, through LIHEAP information, Entergy’s poverty simulation, and more. Collaborating with community-minded partners like Entergy is essential to alleviate hunger in Arkansas, and the underlying causes. Working together, we lessen food insecurity in several ways, including nutrition education, community outreach, supporting our six Feeding America food banks and hundreds of member pantries, and our efforts advocating for positive changes in Arkansas.”

Entergy Arkansas has a long history of supporting local communities financially and with volunteers. In 2022, the company awarded more than 100 non-profit partners and community organizations with $3.4 million in grants. Employees and retirees dedicated more than 25,292 hours of volunteer service valued at more than $757,495.

“This incredible investment comes at a special time, as the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas celebrates turning ’25 Years Bold’ this year. As we recognize two and half decades of boldly working for women and girls in our state, this unique contribution from Entergy Arkansas in recognition of their own 110th anniversary will be a catalyst to help ensure WFA is able to meet the needs of women and girls in our shared community for generations to come,” said Anna Beth Gorman, CEO of the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas.

“We are excited and grateful to be part of Entergy Arkansas Bright Futures campaign and the recipient of this generous grant,” said Roger Mangham, state director of the Arkansas Nature Conservancy. ¬†“These funds will support our forestry work, keeping the forests we have healthy and planting new trees, which ultimately means better air for us to breathe and cleaner water to drink. We definitely call that an investment in a brighter future!”

Landreaux concluded, “This funding is just the beginning for our ‘Bright Futures’ campaign and will serve as a powerful building block for our core focus areas as we look forward to many more years of powering life for our customers and communities.”

For more information about the Entergy Arkansas corporate giving, visit /csr/giving/.

About Entergy Arkansas

Entergy Arkansas, LLC provides electricity to approximately 730,000 customers in 63 counties. Entergy Arkansas is a subsidiary of șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű, a Fortune 500 electric company. Entergy powers life for 3 million customers through our operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. We’re investing in the reliability and resilience of the energy system while helping our region transition to cleaner, more efficient energy solutions. With roots in our communities for more than 100 years, Entergy is a nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship. Since 2018, we have delivered more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to local communities through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has approximately 12,000 employees. For the latest news from Entergy, visit the .

The Sandy Bayou project is a 500/230kV substation that will support the operations of the second mill that will be constructed, owned and operated by U. S. Steel in in Osceola, Arkansas.

The foundations for the substation yards and transformer pads have been completed. Steel, insulators and capacitor voltage transformers are being installed at the substation, with the steel to be completely erected by August. When completed, the substation will be able to accommodate future expansions should the area see continued growth.

A groundbreaking was held in early 2022 on the grounds of U.S. Steel’s first mill in the area, Big River Steel, which began operations in 2016 and is Entergy Arkansas’ largest industrial customer.

The mill project is the largest economic development project in the history of the state. It is a next-generation, highly sustainable and technologically advanced steel mill. Its construction has brought more than 1,100 workers to the area, contributing to the economic impact of the area.

Sandy Bayou’s construction is also contributing to the local economy. The substation’s engineering, procurement and construction contractor reports that their local spend on the project is $11.6 million. They also work to use diverse suppliers on their projects whenever possible.

Entergy Arkansas also has partnered with U. S. Steel to donate to various charities in Osceola and Mississippi County. Entergy Arkansas donated $100,000 to help bolster $1 million in donations by U. S. Steel. Among the donations is a $425,000 grant to relocate the South Mississippi County Regional Medical Center’s (SMCRMC) emergency room, which was damaged by flooding, buy life-saving equipment and construct a helipad.

Despite its name, the Entergy Arkansas R&R Drone Team has certainly not been taking it easy. The team of three employees and two high-tech drones has been flying hundreds of miles of power lines, inspecting equipment and finding ways to strengthen the electric grid. They especially fly difficult lines and circuits to detect potential problems that could cause power outages.

“We can scout these lines much quicker with drones than our workers can on foot – especially in hard-to-reach areas. We are almost like a force multiplier,” said Aaron Scruggs, senior engineer for Entergy Arkansas. “You only have a finite number of resources, so you have to use them wisely.”

Drones have been around Entergy for a few years now, but Entergy Arkansas’ proactive program began about a year ago when Joseph Boyd, vegetation operations coordinator for the Baseline Network in Little Rock, became a certified Entergy drone operator and began doing drone inspections. His focus is primarily on trees, tree growth and potential vegetation issues on or near power lines that could cause an outage.

A few months after Boyd began his drone flights, he was joined by Scruggs, another Entergy certified drone pilot who mainly focuses on poles, wire, insulators, transformers and other components of the electric system. Recently Anthony Johnson, also an Entergy Arkansas engineer, joined the team and currently serves as a visual safety observer. A licensed drone operator, Johnson is working to become an Entergy certified drone pilot as well.

Drone inspections help spot problem areas at a very low cost and can scout power lines within just a few minutes, whereas it can take hours or days for workers to visually inspect some power lines, Boyd said.

“We can reduce truck rolls, and that also saves money,” Scruggs said. “Instead of sending out workers to scout the lines, we can look at the drone photos and see if there needs to be anything addressed. If something doesn’t look right on a piece of equipment, we can share that.”

Drone footage has been shared with numerous departments, including distribution, engineering, vegetation and even corporate communications.

“Just like an ATV has its uses, a bucket truck has its uses, climbing gear has its uses and so on. Drones have their uses. There are instances where it’s not useful but for inaccessible lines and for getting sophisticated data, it is worth its weight in gold.”

SUCCESS STORIES

Hurricane Ida is a great example of Entergy Arkansas’ R&R Drone Team at work. Before the hurricane even hit the Gulf Coast last year, Boyd was called to South Louisiana to help look for access points for air boats to quickly get into affected areas once the hurricane passed.

“Those airboats can go just about anywhere, but there was always an issue getting the airboats to where they needed to be,” Boyd said. “By using the drone, we were able to show the best entry points for the airboats.”

Once Hurricane Ida hit the area, Boyd was called to Baton Rouge to help assess damage. “I was able to go in with my drone and see exactly what was broken in a good-sized neighborhood that had a lot of rear lot lines.

When I arrived, I asked the assessment teams on foot how long they had been there. They said they had been there about an hour and 10 minutes and had gotten two streets assessed. I was able to go in there, fly the lines and see every detail of every single street and get out of there in about 15 minutes.”

Earlier this year, the drones were valuable in helping with Arkansas storm response. In the Forrest City area, swampy and flooded conditions made it difficult for crews to identify damage that was easily detectable and accessible by a drone. A few months later, the drone team helped in southeastern part of the state. A 25-mile line that stretches from Gurdon to Okalona to Antoine through a river bottom was flown in three hours, whereas as it would have taken workers in an ATV three days to patrol it.

All these efforts helped get the lights on quicker for customers and saved money in the process.

MORE TO COME

Currently, the R&R Drone Team is working to add new cameras that will provide advanced spectral, thermal and mapping technologies that will enhance resiliency even further.

Spectral cameras will allow the crew to detect tree defects, decaying or dying plant species to identify and target them for removal. It can also detect core rot in poles that can’t be seen during visual inspection.

“It’s a pretty awesome, new capability that we’re going to be testing at Entergy for the next two months,” Boyd said. “It will save us a lot of money on our hazard tree program.”

The thermal capability will allow the drones to detect changes in temperatures on power lines. “What you cannot see with the naked eye, you can use the drone to go in and see that a transformer or something else is hotter than everything else,” Boyd said. “Diagnosing becomes a lot easier. The thermal capacity is very effective in substations and for transmission lines as well.”

Scruggs added that the thermal imaging can detect if a line spice, insulator or switch is about to fail, so they can make repairs before there’s a problem.

Another feature in the new equipment is LIDAR, which stands for Light Detection and Ranging. It will allow the team to measure power lines for GPS and 3D mapping, as well as confirm that current mapping is correct.

LIDAR will also help predict growth rates of plants and trees to help determine how often vegetation trimming is needed for the reliability of power lines.

“We have the ability to get all the data you would want — from GIS data to engineering data to vegetation data to construction data,” Scruggs said. “And we have the capability to broadcast anywhere, anytime. If I find something that’s eminent, I can land my drone and send that photo from my phone to anyone who needs to see it.”

Do you have a project idea that promotes conservation, energy efficiency or delivers environmental benefits? Submit your proposal for funding consideration through this 2022 request for proposal. All proposals must be received by midnight Central time, June 30, 2022.

“We’re proud to partner with community organizations to reduce environmental risk and seize opportunities to ensure a cleaner, brighter tomorrow,” said Kelli Dowell, director of environmental policy. “EIF grants reinforce our objective of creating long-term, sustainable value that benefits everyone.”

Proposed projects will be granted funding based on:

• Potential to create environmental benefits.
• Location (projects within the utility service area will be given preference).
• Project quality.
• Developer standing, reputation and co-party risk.
• The likelihood that a project would not move forward without EIF funding.
• Cost.
• Marketing and public relations opportunities.
• Project-specific terms and conditions.
• Uniqueness, innovative quality or opportunity to expand into self-funding projects.

Entergy helps fund environmental projects that address climate change and align with one or more of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Our Sustainability and Environmental Policy organization manages the fund, evaluates project proposals, solicits approval from company leaders and awards funding to the most impactful ideas.

The Environmental Initiatives Fund has awarded more than $40 million in Entergy shareholder contributions to environmentally beneficial projects and programs since 2001. EIF has supported wetlands restoration in Louisiana, reforestation in Mississippi and Texas, waterway and wildlife conservation in Arkansas, and a host of volunteer opportunities and other projects you can learn aboutÌęhere.

For more information, email EIF@entergy.com.

WYNNE, Ark. – Today officials with the Wynne Economic Development Corporation and Entergy Arkansas announced completion of the utility’s Select Site certification for the 37-acre Wynne Highway 1 industrial site, located 11 miles north of Interstate 40 on Arkansas Highway 1.

“The timeline for responding to prospects has shortened significantly,” said Cody Slater, CEO for the Wynne EDC, “and going through the certification process helps to ensure that we have the site information necessary to respond quickly to inquiries.

“This site is well-suited for a manufacturer who wants to move products across the country and needs to act quickly, and the additional marketing that comes with certification provides our site with an advantage that few communities in the state have,” Slater added.

Recently announced projects in the state that have begun operations or are under construction on former Select Sites include an Amazon Fulfillment Center in Little Rock and the Tractor Supply Co. distribution center in Maumelle.

Entergy Arkansas Senior Project Manager Joe Bailey participated in the Wynne EDC board meeting to recognize the group for completing the comprehensive review and documentation process and to present a grant check to help offset some of the costs associated with the certification. Joining Bailey was Matt Twyford, community development manager, and Amy Williams, regional community development manager, from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC).        

Bailey said, “Wynne is to be commended for their hard work in accomplishing a Select Site certification. In today’s competitive economic development environment, this is a great asset.”

The business and economic development team at Entergy Arkansas works with communities to implement an assessment tool that allows communities to certify their sites and communicate the prepared status to the AEDC, site location consultants and company decision makers looking to expand or move their business to Arkansas.

The Select Site program helps communities better prepare their sites as winning candidates for high-tech, manufacturing and distribution projects with a thorough audit of the site’s readiness for new or expanding business. Through the Select Site program and the Arkansas Site Selection Center, Entergy is helping to meet those needs. Other Select Site properties are in Jefferson County, Magnolia, Newport, Osceola, Russellville and West Memphis.¬†

Visit for details on each Entergy Arkansas Select Site, including the Wynne Highway 1 site.

CUTLINE

Entergy Arkansas Project Manager Joe Bailey presents a plaque to Cody Slater, Wynne Economic Development Commission CEO, in recognition of the city’s new “Select Site.” 

Entergy Arkansas provides electricity to approximately 722,000 customers in 63 counties. Entergy Arkansas is a subsidiary of șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű (NYSE:ETR), an integrated energy company engaged in electric power production, transmission and retail distribution operations. Entergy delivers electricity to 3 million utility customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Entergy owns and operates one of the cleanest large-scale U.S. power generating fleets with approximately 30,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity, including 7,000 megawatts of nuclear power. Entergy has annual revenues of $10 billion and approximately 12,500 employees.