Entergy Units Complete 3 Major Projects

Public Service Commission chairman Lambert Boissiere said the lines will increase service reliability and stabilize power costs, especially during periods when the costs of generating fuel rise. Customers pay the cost of the fuel on a direct charge on their bills.

As an example, power costs were soaring in 2007 when natural gas traded above $12 per thousand cubic feet — compared with the current cost of about $3.75. Since Entergy generates much of its power with natural gas, power purchased from the outside — with a cheaper fuel — could be imported in greater quantities during times of high gas prices.

One Amite South project, costing $44.2 million, includes 18 miles of new line across St. James and St. John the Baptist parishes, along with a rerouting of 4.5 miles of existing line, a new substation in St. James Parish and improvements to three substations in St. John the Baptist Parish.

The other Amite South project, costing $18.2 million, involves the upgrade of about 19 miles of line in Livingston, Ascension and East Baton Rouge parishes, along with substation improvements in Ascension Parish.

The facilities are designed to withstand winds of 140 miles per hour.