Eclipse – Entergy We power life. Wed, 25 Jun 2025 18:44:55 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.1 /wp-content/uploads/2024/06/cropped-FavIcon-32x32.png Eclipse – Entergy 32 32 Entergy Arkansas highlights community engagement for National Volunteer Month /blog/entergy-arkansas-highlights-community-engagement-for-national-volunteer-month Thu, 25 Apr 2024 18:50:00 +0000 /entergy-arkansas-highlights-community-engagement-for-national-volunteer-month At Entergy Arkansas, our employees are not only dedicated to providing reliable power to our customers but also to personally giving back to the communities in which we live and work. April is National Volunteer Month, and the company is proud of the year-round commitment our employees make to volunteering and making a difference in communities throughout our service territory.

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 110th 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 to creating a diverse, inclusive and engaged culture that 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.

]]>
Solar eclipse shines light on nuclear energy’s role in meeting climate goals /blog/solar-eclipse-shines-light-on-nuclear-energy-s-role-in-meeting-climate-goals Wed, 24 Apr 2024 00:57:00 +0000 /solar-eclipse-shines-light-on-nuclear-energy-s-role-in-meeting-climate-goals Two seemingly unrelated topics that have caught the attention and imagination of the public of late both converged in Arkansas recently: the solar eclipse and renewable energy.

As renewable power, such as solar, continues remarkable growth in the United States, some still question its intermittent nature and how that may affect reliability.

So, with nearly two-thirds of the state inside the path of totality during the April 8 total eclipse, what did happen at Entergy Arkansas’ solar facilities?

Our solar plant in Searcy, a 100-megawatt facility, was our only one directly in the path of totality. It saw a total eclipse of about three minutes during which there was some reduction in output, as expected. The other solar plants — in Chico and Stuttgart — saw even less of an impact.

What did that mean for our customers? What happened to their power supply? As expected, even with this decrease in solar energy production, lights stayed on, computers kept humming, refrigerators stayed cold.

You get the picture. There were no power interruptions for our customers related to the eclipse, and that was exactly what we expected.

This was due to Entergy’s diverse energy portfolio, which simply means that we do not put all of our eggs in one basket. We use a variety of energy sources, including solar, natural gas and nuclear, to meet our obligation to provide safe, reliable and affordable power to our customers. More than 71% of Entergy Arkansas’ total energy production in 2023 came from clean nuclear energy, while natural gas powered about 15%. Solar energy accounts for about 1.9% of power capacity for Entergy Arkansas.

That energy portfolio is changing, however. Entergy has committed to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and is continuing to add more renewable power to get there. In addition to Entergy Arkansas’ three solar facilities currently in operation, another 530 megawatts of new solar generation will be coming online this year — Walnut Bend (100 MW), West Memphis (180 MW) and Driver Solar (250 MW). Construction of another 400 MW of solar is expected to be completed in 2025.

What’s helping to make this possible — while preserving reliability and affordability — is nuclear power like that generated by our two units at Arkansas Nuclear One in Russellville.

Like renewables, nuclear power is clean and carbon-free. It runs 24/7, rain, shine or solar eclipse, so it can back up weather-dependent energy sources. Nuclear is a workhorse that, when paired with renewables like our solar plants, will not only help Entergy meet its net-zero climate goals, but will help our industries, government and businesses meet theirs, too. When businesses and industries look to expand here, or consider moving into our state, a growing consideration is the access to carbon-free and affordable electricity. While costly to build, once online carbon-free nuclear energy is a low-cost source of energy.

Our more than 900 nuclear professionals at ANO work hard to provide approximately 65% of the power demands of Entergy Arkansas’ 730,000 customers. ANO celebrates 50 years of operation this year. With plans to keep our units running through 2050 and beyond, ANO will continue to be a significant part of Arkansas’ future for decades to come.

I want to thank every Entergy employee and all those who work at ANO for their dedication and commitment to achieving excellence.

]]>
Wonder over worry: Electricity and the 2024 solar eclipse /blog/wonder-over-worry-electricity-2024-solar-eclipse Fri, 22 Mar 2024 20:12:00 +0000 /wonder-over-worry-electricity-2024-solar-eclipse For centuries, humans have been fascinated by the solar eclipse.

In some cultures, an eclipse has been explained as a mythic being swallowing the sun. In others, the phenomenon has been determined a cosmic response to mankind’s bad behavior. And in some folklore, an eclipse was attributed to an eternal romance between the sun and moon, whose occasional rendezvous stilled the heavens.

Whether an omen of impending doom or a celestial love affair, mortals have always observed the spectacle with rapt attention. And on April 8, as the path of totality for the 2024 eclipse crosses the United States, we will do so again.

Though science has now provided empirical answers to why and how an eclipse occurs, there’s still much wonder to be had when safely observing one. And Entergy employees will be on the job to ensure that our customers can fully enjoy that wonder – without worry about potential impacts to their electric service.

Made in the shade

“At Entergy Arkansas, we’re well-positioned with a diverse fleet of power generation sources,” noted John Schwegler, manager of operations planning in Arkansas. “We don’t anticipate any impact from our generation fleet that would affect customers’ electric service during this year’s event.”

Entergy’s Arkansas service area is directly in the path of eclipse totality. Solar energy accounts for less than 2% of power capacity for our Arkansas customers. While plant operators can’t know the exact amount of solar generation that will be impacted during the 3-minute total eclipse, other generation sources like natural gas, hydropower and nuclear will offset any dip in solar generation.

“It’s actually fairly normal for a solar plant’s output to reduce to almost zero for a few minutes at a time,” said Craig Richardson, solar asset manager. “This occurs regularly when heavy cloud cover passes overhead, for example.”

“At Entergy Arkansas, we’re well-positioned with a diverse fleet of power generation sources. We don’t anticipate any impact from our generation fleet that would affect customers’ electric service during this year’s event.”

– John Schwegler, manager of operations planning in Arkansas

In those cases, as during April’s eclipse, Entergy’s power generation employees rely on the company’s diverse fuel supply mix to ensure customers don’t experience any service interruptions.

For example, our nuclear generation, including the two units at in Russellville, generate enough clean power to meet approximately 65% of Entergy Arkansas’ total demand. And, in addition to being unaffected by a solar eclipse, generating nuclear energy avoids the emission of greenhouse gases.

“Clean, carbon-free nuclear energy naturally complements renewable energy,” said Doug Pehrson, Entergy site vice president at Arkansas Nuclear One. “Nuclear energy is not weather-dependent. Nuclear power can be produced 24/7, 365 days a year.”

Taking a shine to reliability

That’s not all, though. Our Searcy Solar ϳԹ Center, which has a capacity of 100 MW, also boasts a 3-hour, 10 MW battery backup. This feature helps the plant combat the intermittency that can impact renewable power generation. The batteries store excess energy when the sun is shining. Then, during evening hours or under cloud cover, our customers can use the energy stored in those batteries.

“Our diverse generation mix and interconnected grid mean we don’t rely too heavily on any single source of generation to ensure the comfort and convenience of our customers,” added Schwegler. “A variety of options keeps our grid flexible and better able to respond to changing conditions.”

And that means Entergy Arkansas customers can dispense with the worry during this April’s eclipse – and focus solely on the wonder. Have a happy #EclipseDay!

Related article:

]]>
Entergy Arkansas prepared for solar eclipse /news/entergy-arkansas-prepared-for-solar-eclipse Fri, 01 Mar 2024 07:20:00 +0000 /blog-post/entergy-arkansas-prepared-for-solar-eclipse/ Path of totality across the state will not affect power capacity

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A large part of Arkansas will go dark Monday, April 8, but it won’t be because the lights go out.

A once-in-a-lifetime solar eclipse will take place over Arkansas in the early afternoon, and Entergy Arkansas is encouraging customers to be prepared.

The path of the eclipse across the state will cover large stretches of Interstates 30 and 40 along with miles of state highways, county roads and city streets. Nearly two-thirds of the state is inside the path of totality for the eclipse. The centerline of the eclipse will enter the state around 12:29 p.m. and exit the state at approximately 3:14 p.m. Several locations throughout the state will experience total darkness for anywhere from 1-4 minutes.

Entergy Arkansas is working with officials from the , and other state and city leaders on a preparedness plan that includes preparing for heavy traffic, monitoring the weather and mobilizing workers and equipment throughout our service area to quickly and safely respond if issues arise. While widespread power outages are not expected, Entergy Arkansas stands ready to restore power if needed.

Visitors and traffic concerns

The massive influx of visitors expected in the state will cause challenges with transportation and traffic management that will likely impact Arkansans during the solar eclipse. Additionally, the possibility for severe spring weather, potential fuel shortages and other emergency events is being considered by state leaders.

With hundreds of thousands of visitors expected throughout the natural state during the eclipse, heavy traffic could make it hard to travel, especially immediately after the eclipse has passed. Arkansas transportation officials say residents and visitors alike should be patient and expect traffic jams.

“Increased traffic in a given area can cause concern for accident-related outages,” said Adam Effrein, Entergy Arkansas vice president of reliability. “If a vehicle hits a power pole, it can knock out power to the area until repairs can be made. In addition, cars parked to watch the eclipse could block crucial entrances to substations and electrical equipment that could hamper response times, should a power outage occur.”

Entergy Arkansas is planning for the solar eclipse in much the same way we do for storm situations, with reminders for customers to be sure their contact information is updated in our system, so any outages or unforeseen circumstances can be properly communicated to customers.

Entergy Arkansas recommends customers consider taking the following preparation steps before the solar eclipse:

  • Stock up on groceries, medicine, and other daily necessities. Since travel, even locally, will be challenging during the eclipse, get what you need to be able to stay home for those few days if possible.
  • Fill up vehicles with gasoline ahead of time. Don’t wait until visitors arrive in the state to purchase fuel when lines may be long and prices could be higher.
  • Reschedule errands or appointments. If you can avoid being out and about during the time of the eclipse, stay home. Fewer people on the roads means less possibility of accidents and/or traffic delays.
  • Expect heavy traffic and delays. If you must travel for work, school, etc., prepare for longer travel times. Use alternate traffic routes, if available.
  • Use special eclipse glasses to safely view the sun. According to the American Astronomical Society, staring directly into the sun during even partial solar eclipses can cause permanent eye damage.

Customer safety

Entergy Arkansas has partnered with the to provide for all k-12 public school students, as well as teachers and staff members.

Experts say the only safe way to look directly at the sun is through special-purpose solar filters, and the American Academy of Ophthalmology is warning eclipse watchers to use caution when watching the solar eclipse. Appropriate solar filters can be found in specially made eclipse glasses and hand-held solar viewers.

Power capacity

When the moon passes in front of the sun during the April 8 eclipse, there will obviously be less solar power generated. Because Entergy Arkansas has a diverse mix of generating resources, the eclipse is not expected to have a major impact on electricity delivery.

Solar energy accounts for about 1.9% of power capacity for Entergy Arkansas, and while we don’t know the exact amount of solar power generation that will be impacted during the short time the total eclipse occurs, other generation sources like natural gas, hydropower and nuclear will offset any dip in solar power generation.

Customers should note that the darkness during the eclipse most likely will trigger sensors on automatic street lighting or other safety lighting to turn on. Entergy Arkansas will not disable such lighting for the eclipse.

“Planning for power generation during the solar eclipse is very similar to situations where we have thunderstorms or extended cloud cover in the area,” said Effrein. “We’re well positioned with a diverse portfolio of power generation sources, and we don’t believe there will be any impact on customers’ electric service during this time.”

Weather forecast

Spring weather can bring severe storms to the area. While meteorologists will be closely watching the weather and making predictions for April 8, no one can say with certainty what kind of weather a specific location will experience on eclipse day.

Entergy Arkansas encourages customers to remain weather aware during this time and to be prepared in case severe weather strikes during the time of the eclipse.

To be ready before a storm threatens, customers are encouraged to put together a kit that includes emergency supplies and items like important personal documents and contacts, flashlights and cell phone chargers. Additional suggestions on what to include in a kit can be found at .

Also, it is important to know how to remain safe before, during and after a storm. Customers are encouraged to monitor news reports and be aware of any evacuation directions from local authorities. If a storm does impact the area, please remember to use generators safely and avoid downed power lines, as well as utility crews and their worksites. Additional safety tips can be found at .

There are several ways customers can stay connected with Entergy throughout a storm event, including by signing up for text message alerts, downloading the free Entergy mobile app and monitoring the company’s View Outage map, Storm Center and social media channels. Additional information on these tools can be found at .

About Entergy Arkansas

Entergy Arkansas, LLC provides electricity to approximately 730,000 customers in 63 counties. Entergy Arkansas is a subsidiary of ϳԹ, 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.

]]>
Total Eclipse of the Heartland: The Electrical Grid Is Ready /blog/total-eclipse-heartland-electrical-grid-ready Tue, 25 Jul 2017 09:04:00 +0000 /total-eclipse-heartland-electrical-grid-ready After lunch on Aug. 21, you may notice it getting dark outside and wonder, “Did I set my watch wrong? Is a storm coming? Am I on the set of Independence Day III, and a giant alien spacecraft is blocking the sunlight?”

Then you’ll remember: It’s the arrival of a that will be visible in nearly all of North America. And although the path of the total eclipse will be outside most states where Entergy companies operate, it will definitely get darker where we are, rain or shine. 

How the eclipse affects the U.S. electrical grid

Although there’s a genuine wow factor to the solar eclipse, its effect on the U.S. electrical grid will not be large, according to a study by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation. NERC found that the Aug. 21 eclipse is “unlikely to cause any reliability issues to the North American bulk power system.” You can .

The effect of the eclipse will be more pronounced in California, where solar generation makes up a sizeable piece of the energy pie. North Carolina, which is in the projected path of the total eclipse, also has a significant concentration of solar power installations.

“In California, a significant amount of solar energy is produced on a typical August day. But Aug. 21 won’t be typical,” said Charles Long, transmission planning director at Entergy. “Traditional generation, such as natural gas-fired plants, will pick up the slack for solar plants that won’t be able to produce energy during the eclipse.”

That kind of power variation can happen anytime clouds pass over solar farms, he said.

“The big difference with this eclipse is that grid operators know it’s coming in plenty of time to plan for it,” Long said. “For our purposes, we don’t expect any significant impacts in our service area. Making up for any lost solar output in our region should be easily handled in normal operations.”

NERC recommended that utilities in Utah, California, Nevada and North Carolina, in particular, be prepared to deal with electrical load variations during the event. 

Tips for safely watching a solar eclipse

If you plan to “watch” the eclipse, be sure to for safe viewing.

Or .

If you’re too busy to observe this solar eclipse, there’s .

]]>