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ENTERGY MISSISSIPPI LLC

For the period ended Mar 31, 2024. Filed May 2, 2024.

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About this filing

A company's report for each of its first three quarters. The financial statements are not audited. It shows how the business has moved since the last annual report, and what management says changed.

Mar 31, 2024 · Filed May 2, 2024

ETR$111.79+1.1%Stored close · as of Nov 9, 2026

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Consolidated Statements of Changes in Member’s Equity

ENTERGY NEW ORLEANS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN MEMBER'S EQUITY
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 and 2023
(Unaudited)
Member's Equity
(In Thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2022$702,816
Net income10,142
Balance at March 31, 2023$712,958
Balance at December 31, 2023$806,754
Net loss(48,980)
Balance at March 31, 2024$757,774
See Notes to Financial Statements.

ENTERGY TEXAS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Net income decreased $4.9 million primarily due to higher depreciation and amortization expenses and higher other operation and maintenance expenses, partially offset by higher retail electric price.

Amount
(In Millions)
2023 operating revenues$507.5
Fuel, rider, and other revenues that do not significantly affect net income(73.3)
Volume/weather0.7
Retail electric price9.6
2024 operating revenues$444.5

Entergy Texas’s results include revenues from rate mechanisms designed to recover fuel, purchased power, and other costs such that the revenues and expenses associated with these items generally offset and do not affect net income. “Fuel, rider, and other revenues that do not significantly affect net income” includes the revenue variance associated with these items.

The volume/weather variance is insignificant and primarily due to an increase in weather-adjusted residential usage and the effect of more favorable weather on residential sales, substantially offset by a decrease in industrial usage. The increase in weather-adjusted residential usage is primarily due to an increase in customers. The decrease in industrial usage is primarily due to a decrease in demand from cogeneration customers.

The retail electric price variance is primarily due to an increase in base rates effective June 2023. See Note 2 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for discussion of the 2022 base rate case.

Total electric energy sales for Entergy Texas for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 are as follows:

20242023% Change
(GWh)
Residential1,3111,2475
Commercial1,0831,0612
Industrial2,0532,193(6)
Governmental6363—
Total retail4,5104,564(1)
Sales for resale:
Non-associated companies11710413
Total4,6274,668(1)

See Note 12 to the financial statements herein for additional discussion of Entergy Texas’s operating revenues.

an increase of $3.6 million in power delivery expenses primarily due to higher transmission repairs and maintenance costs, higher transmission and distribution management overhead costs, higher vegetation maintenance costs due to timing, and higher metering costs;

an increase of $2.7 million in compensation and benefits costs primarily due to higher healthcare claims activity in 2024;

an increase of $1.6 million in contract costs related to operational performance, customer service, and organizational health initiatives;

an increase of $1.3 million in non-nuclear generation expenses primarily due to a higher scope of work performed in 2024 as compared to 2023; and

Depreciation and amortization expenses increased primarily due to:

the recognition of $13.8 million in depreciation expense in first quarter 2024 for the 2022 base rate case relate back period, effective over six months beginning January 2024. The recognition of depreciation expense for the relate back period is effective over the same period as collections from the relate back surcharge rider and results in no effect on net income;

an increase in depreciation rates effective with an increase in base rates in June 2023; and

additions to plant in service.

See Note 2 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for discussion of the 2022 base rate case.

Other income increased primarily due to an increase in the allowance for equity funds used during construction due to higher construction work in progress in 2024, including the Orange County Advanced Power Station project.

Interest expense increased primarily due to the issuance of $350 million of 5.80% Series mortgage bonds in August 2023, partially offset by an increase in the allowance for borrowed funds used during construction due to higher construction work in progress in 2024, including the Orange County Advanced Power Station project.

The effective income tax rates were 19.1% for the first quarter 2024 and 18.9% for the first quarter 2023. The differences in the effective income tax ratesfor the first quarter 2024 and the first quarter 2023 versus the federal statutory rate of 21% were primarily due to book and tax differences related to the allowance for equity funds used during construction and certain book and tax differences related to utility plant items, partially offset by the accrual for state income taxes.

20242023
(In Thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period$21,986$3,497
Net cash provided by (used in):
Operating activities110,907198,102
Investing activities34,303(108,019)
Financing activities10,740(1,416)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents155,95088,667
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$177,936$92,164

Net cash flow provided by operating activities decreased $87.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023 primarily due to lower collections from customers, the timing of payments to vendors, and the timing of recovery of fuel and purchased power costs. The decrease was partially offset by a decrease of $13.0 million in interest paid. See Note 2 to the financial statements herein and in the Form 10-K for a discussion of fuel and purchased power cost recovery.

Entergy Texas’s investing activities provided$34.3 million of cash for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to using $108.0 million of cash for the three months ended March 31, 2023 primarily due to the following activity:

money pool activity;

an increase of $9.1 million in non-nuclear generation construction expenditures primarily due to higher spending on the Orange County Advanced Power Station project;

an increase of $9.7 million in transmission construction expenditures primarily due to a higher scope of work on projects performed in 2024 as compared to 2023; and

an increase of $12.9 million in distribution construction expenditures primarily due to higher capital expenditures as a result of increased development in Entergy Texas’s service area.

Decreases in Entergy Texas’s receivable from the money pool are a source of cash flow, and Entergy Texas’s receivable from the money pool decreased $267.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to decreasing by $92.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The money pool is an intercompany cash management program that makes possible intercompany borrowing and lending arrangements, and the money pool and other borrowing arrangements are designed to reduce the Registrant Subsidiaries’ dependence on external short-term borrowings.

Entergy Texas’s financing activities provided $10.7 million of cash for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to using $1.4 million of cash for the three months ended March 31, 2023 primarily due to an increase of $12.5 million in prepaid deposits related to contributions-in-aid-of-construction primarily for customer and generator interconnection agreements.

Entergy Texas’s debt to capital ratio is shown in the following table.

March 31, 2024December 31, 2023
Debt to capital50.6%50.9%
Effect of excluding securitization bonds(2.1%)(2.1%)
Debt to capital, excluding securitization bonds (non-GAAP) (a)48.5%48.8%
Effect of subtracting cash(1.5%)(0.2%)
Net debt to net capital, excluding securitization bonds (non-GAAP) (a)47.0%48.6%

(a)Calculation excludes the securitization bonds, which are non-recourse to Entergy Texas.

Net debt consists of debt less cash and cash equivalents. Debt consists of finance lease obligations and long-term debt, including the currently maturing portion. Capital consists of debt and equity. Net capital consists of capital less cash and cash equivalents. The debt to capital ratio excluding securitization bonds and net debt to net capital ratio excluding securitization bonds are non-GAAP measures. Entergy Texas uses the debt to capital ratios excluding securitization bonds in analyzing its financial condition and believes they provide useful information to its investors and creditors in evaluating Entergy Texas’s financial condition because the securitization bonds are non-recourse to Entergy Texas, as more fully described in Note 5 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K. Entergy Texas also uses the net debt to net capital ratio excluding securitization bonds in analyzing its financial condition and believes it provides useful information to its investors and creditors in evaluating Entergy Texas’s financial condition because net debt indicates Entergy Texas’s outstanding debt position that could not be readily satisfied by cash and cash equivalents on hand.

See “MANAGEMENT’S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS -Liquidity and Capital Resources” in the Form 10-K for a discussion of Entergy Texas’s uses and sources of capital. The following are updates to information provided in the Form 10-K.

Entergy Texas’s receivables from the money pool were as follows:

March 31, 2024December 31, 2023March 31, 2023December 31, 2022
(In Thousands)
$50,244$317,882$6,536$99,468

Entergy Texas has a credit facility in the amount of $150 million scheduled to expire in June 2028. The credit facility includes fronting commitments for the issuance of letters of credit against $30 million of the borrowing capacity of the facility. As of March 31, 2024, there were no cash borrowings and $1.1 million in letters of credit outstanding under the credit facility. In addition, Entergy Texas is a party to an uncommitted letter of credit facility as a means to post collateral to support its obligations to MISO. As of March 31, 2024, $76.5 million in letters of credit were outstanding under Entergy Texas’s uncommitted letter of credit facility. See Note 4 to the financial statements herein for additional discussion of the credit facilities.

See “MANAGEMENT’S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - State and Local Rate Regulation and Fuel-Cost Recovery” in the Form 10-K for a discussion of state and local rate regulation and fuel-cost recovery.

Industrial and Commercial Customers

See “MANAGEMENT’S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS – Industrial and Commercial Customers” in the Form 10-K for a discussion of industrial and commercial customers.

See “MANAGEMENT’S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - Critical Accounting Estimates” in the Form 10-K for a discussion of the estimates and judgments necessary in Entergy Texas’s accounting for utility regulatory accounting, taxation and uncertain tax positions, qualified pension and other postretirement benefits, and other contingencies.

See the “New Accounting Pronouncements” section of Note 1 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for a discussion of new accounting pronouncements and the “New Accounting Pronouncements” section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis herein for updates to the discussion of new accounting pronouncements.

ENTERGY TEXAS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 and 2023
(Unaudited)
20242023
(In Thousands)
OPERATING REVENUES
Electric$444,491$507,506
OPERATING EXPENSES
Operation and Maintenance:
Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale96,137167,530
Purchased power94,343107,758
Other operation and maintenance77,96064,430
Taxes other than income taxes24,56727,996
Depreciation and amortization89,50559,391
Other regulatory charges (credits) - net(975)10,924
TOTAL381,537438,029
OPERATING INCOME62,95469,477
OTHER INCOME
Allowance for equity funds used during construction9,2485,089
Interest and investment income3,9041,417
Miscellaneous - net(2,312)439
TOTAL10,8406,945
INTEREST EXPENSE
Interest expense31,96626,962
Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction(3,602)(1,896)
TOTAL28,36425,066
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES45,43051,356
Income taxes8,6869,683
NET INCOME36,74441,673
Preferred dividend requirements518518
EARNINGS APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCK$36,226$41,155
See Notes to Financial Statements.
ENTERGY TEXAS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 and 2023
(Unaudited)
20242023
(In Thousands)
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income$36,744$41,673
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flow provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization89,50559,391
Deferred income taxes, investment tax credits, and non-current taxes accrued1,438(6,536)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Receivables13,05963,210
Fuel inventory1,009(8,445)
Accounts payable(17,830)(44,804)
Taxes accrued(28,917)(21,586)
Interest accrued5,287(12,656)
Deferred fuel costs38,863107,238
Other working capital accounts(11,186)9,245
Provisions for estimated losses(1,358)522
Other regulatory assets24,18121,535
Other regulatory liabilities(7,959)(3,283)
Pension and other postretirement funded status(4,648)(1,960)
Other assets and liabilities(27,281)(5,442)
Net cash flow provided by operating activities110,907198,102
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Construction expenditures(235,625)(205,191)
Allowance for equity funds used during construction9,2485,089
Changes in money pool receivable - net267,63892,932
Changes in securitization account(5,958)(849)
Increase in other investments(1,000)—
Net cash flow provided by (used in) investing activities34,303(108,019)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Preferred stock dividends paid(518)(518)
Other11,258(898)
Net cash flow provided by (used in) financing activities10,740(1,416)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents155,95088,667
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period21,9863,497
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$177,936$92,164
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest - net of amount capitalized$25,940$38,923
Income taxes$2,447$—
Noncash investing activities:
Accrued construction expenditures$276,548$104,805
See Notes to Financial Statements.
ENTERGY TEXAS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
ASSETS
March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023
(Unaudited)
20242023
(In Thousands)
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash$26$1,497
Temporary cash investments177,91020,489
Total cash and cash equivalents177,93621,986
Securitization recovery trust account11,1535,195
Accounts receivable:
Customer86,08188,468
Allowance for doubtful accounts(1,100)(1,484)
Associated companies56,939329,941
Other28,83324,416
Accrued unbilled revenues62,66272,771
Total accounts receivable233,415514,112
Deferred fuel costs100,156139,019
Fuel inventory - at average cost49,83850,847
Materials and supplies - at average cost144,081123,020
Prepayments and other31,52235,232
TOTAL748,101889,411
OTHER PROPERTY AND INVESTMENTS
Investments in affiliates - at equity170214
Non-utility property - at cost (less accumulated depreciation)376376
Other15,11715,068
TOTAL15,66315,658
UTILITY PLANT
Electric8,003,0327,931,340
Construction work in progress1,022,362857,707
TOTAL UTILITY PLANT9,025,3948,789,047
Less - accumulated depreciation and amortization2,414,2652,363,919
UTILITY PLANT - NET6,611,1296,425,128
DEFERRED DEBITS AND OTHER ASSETS
Regulatory assets:
Other regulatory assets (includes securitization property of $246,746 as of March 31, 2024 and $250,324 as of December 31, 2023)572,425596,606
Other158,880129,769
TOTAL731,305726,375
TOTAL ASSETS$8,106,198$8,056,572
See Notes to Financial Statements.
ENTERGY TEXAS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023
(Unaudited)
20242023
(In Thousands)
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable:
Associated companies$55,706$74,423
Other173,694195,703
Customer deposits40,69539,999
Taxes accrued49,97078,887
Interest accrued36,57231,285
Other20,98516,237
TOTAL377,622436,534
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accumulated deferred income taxes and taxes accrued818,667814,905
Accumulated deferred investment tax credits7,7767,963
Regulatory liability for income taxes - net108,234114,759
Other regulatory liabilities41,57943,013
Asset retirement cost liabilities15,59811,743
Accumulated provisions8,1229,480
Long-term debt (includes securitization bonds of $257,683 as of March 31, 2024 and $257,592 as of December 31, 2023)3,225,4443,225,092
Other348,268274,421
TOTAL4,573,6884,501,376
Commitments and Contingencies
EQUITY
Common stock, no par value, authorized 200,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 46,525,000 shares in 2024 and 202349,45249,452
Paid-in capital1,200,1251,200,125
Retained earnings1,866,5611,830,335
Total common shareholder's equity3,116,1383,079,912
Preferred stock without sinking fund38,75038,750
TOTAL3,154,8883,118,662
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY$8,106,198$8,056,572
See Notes to Financial Statements.
ENTERGY TEXAS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 and 2023
(Unaudited)
Common Equity
Preferred StockCommonStockPaid-inCapitalRetainedEarningsTotal
(In Thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2022$38,750$49,452$1,050,125$1,541,134$2,679,461
Net income———41,67341,673
Preferred stock dividends———(518)(518)
Balance at March 31, 2023$38,750$49,452$1,050,125$1,582,289$2,720,616
Balance at December 31, 2023$38,750$49,452$1,200,125$1,830,335$3,118,662
Net income———36,74436,744
Preferred stock dividends———(518)(518)
Balance at March 31, 2024$38,750$49,452$1,200,125$1,866,561$3,154,888
See Notes to Financial Statements.

SYSTEM ENERGY RESOURCES, INC.

System Energy’s principal asset consists of an ownership interest and a leasehold interest in Grand Gulf. The capacity and energy from its 90% interest is sold under the Unit Power Sales Agreement to its only four customers, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy New Orleans. System Energy’s operating revenues are derived from the allocation of the capacity, energy, and related costs associated with its 90% interest in Grand Gulf pursuant to the Unit Power Sales Agreement. Payments under the Unit Power Sales Agreement are System Energy’s only source of operating revenues. As discussed in “Complaints Against System Energy” below and in Note 2 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K, System Energy and the Unit Power Sales Agreement are currently the subject of several litigation proceedings at the FERC (or on appeal from the FERC to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit).

Net income increased $3.6 million primarily due to an increase in operating revenues resulting from changes in rate base, partially offset by the lower authorized rate of return on equity and capital structure limitations on monthly bills issued to Entergy Arkansas per the November 2023 settlement agreement with the APSC. See Note 2 to the financial statements herein and in the Form 10-K for discussion of the settlement with the APSC.

The effective income tax rates were 20.5% for the first quarter 2024 and 23.5% for the first quarter 2023. The difference in the effective income tax rate for the first quarter 2023 versus the federal statutory rate of 21% was primarily due to the accrual for state income taxes and provisions, partially offset by book and tax differences related to the allowance for equity funds used during construction.

20242023
(In Thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period$60$2,940
Net cash provided by (used in):
Operating activities70,339(32,839)
Investing activities(188,259)48,231
Financing activities229,361241,671
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents111,441257,063
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$111,501$260,003

System Energy’s operating activities provided $70.3 million of cash for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to using $32.8 million of cash for the three months ended March 31, 2023 primarily due to aggregate refunds of $103.5 million made in January 2023 related to the sale-leaseback renewal costs and depreciation litigation as calculated in System Energy’s January 2023 compliance report filed with the FERC. See Note 2 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for further discussion of the refunds and the related proceedings.

System Energy’s investing activities used $188.3 million of cash for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to providing $48.2 million of cash for the three months ended March 31, 2023 primarily due to:

an increase of $114.9 million as a result of fluctuations in nuclear fuel activity due to variations from year to year in the timing and pricing of fuel reload requirements, material and services deliveries, and the timing of cash payments during the nuclear fuel cycle; and

Increases in System Energy’s receivable from the money pool are a use of cash flow and System Energy’s receivable from the money pool increased $31.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to decreasing by $76.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The money pool is an intercompany cash management program that makes possible intercompany borrowing and lending arrangements, and the money pool and other borrowing arrangements are designed to reduce the Registrant Subsidiaries’ dependence on external short-term borrowings.

Net cash flow provided by financing activities decreased $12.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023 primarily due to the issuance of $325 million of 6.00% Series mortgage bonds in March 2023 and money pool activity. The decrease was partially offset by:

a capital contribution of $150 million received from Entergy Corporation in January 2024 in order to maintain System Energy’s capital structure;

net long-term borrowings of $91.7 million in 2024 compared to net repayments of $16.7 million in 2023 on the nuclear fuel company variable interest entity’s credit facility; and

the repayment, prior to maturity, in March 2023 of a $50 million term loan due in November 2023.

Decreases in System Energy’s payable to the money pool are a use of cash flow, and System Energy’s payable to the money pool decreased $12.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024.

See Note 4 to the financial statements herein and Note 5 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for more details on long-term debt.

System Energy’s debt to capital ratio is shown in the following table. The decrease in the debt to capital ratio is primarily due to the capital contribution of $150 million received from Entergy Corporation in 2024, partially offset by the net issuance of long-term debt in 2024.

March 31, 2024December 31, 2023
Debt to capital43.7%45.4%
Effect of subtracting cash(3.5%)—%
Net debt to net capital (non-GAAP)40.2%45.4%

Net debt consists of debt less cash and cash equivalents. Debt consists of short-term borrowings and long-term debt, including the currently maturing portion. Capital consists of debt and common equity. Net capital consists of capital less cash and cash equivalents. System Energy uses the debt to capital ratio in analyzing its financial condition and believes it provides useful information to its investors and creditors in evaluating System Energy’s financial condition. The net debt to net capital ratio is a non-GAAP measure. System Energy uses the net debt to net capital ratio in analyzing its financial condition and believes it provides useful information to its investors and creditors in evaluating System Energy’s financial condition because net debt indicates System Energy’s outstanding debt position that could not be readily satisfied by cash and cash equivalents on hand.

See “MANAGEMENT’S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS -Liquidity and Capital Resources” in the Form 10-K for a discussion of System Energy’s uses and sources of capital. The following are updates to the information provided in the Form 10-K.

System Energy’s receivables from or (payables to) the money pool were as follows:

March 31, 2024December 31, 2023March 31, 2023December 31,2022
(In Thousands)
$31,456($12,246)$18,590$94,981

The System Energy nuclear fuel company variable interest entity has a credit facility in the amount of $120 million scheduled to expire in June 2025. As of March 31, 2024, $113.2 million in loans were outstanding under the System Energy nuclear fuel company variable interest entity credit facility. See Note 4 to the financial statements herein for additional discussion of the variable interest entity credit facility.

See the “Rate, Cost-recovery, and Other Regulation -Federal Regulation” section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis in the Form 10-K and Note 2 to the financial statements herein and in the Form 10-K for a discussion of federal regulation.

Complaints Against System Energy

See Note 2 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for information regarding pending complaints against System Energy. The following are updates to that discussion.

Return on Equity and Capital Structure Complaints

As discussed in the Form 10-K, in March 2021 the FERC ALJ issued an initial decision in the proceeding initiated by the LPSC, the MPSC, the APSC, and the City Council against System Energy regarding the return on equity component of the Unit Power Sales Agreement. With regard to System Energy’s authorized return on equity, the ALJ determined that the existing return on equity of 10.94% is no longer just and reasonable, and that the replacement authorized return on equity, based on application of the FERC’s Opinion No. 569-A methodology, should be 9.32%. The ALJ further determined that System Energy should pay refunds for a fifteen-month refund period (January 2017-April 2018) based on the difference between the current return on equity and the replacement authorized return on equity. The ALJ determined that the April 2018 complaint concerning the authorized return on equity should be dismissed, and that no refunds for a second fifteen-month refund period should be due. With regard to System Energy’s capital structure, the ALJ determined that System Energy’s actual equity ratio is excessive and that the just and reasonable equity ratio is 48.15% equity, based on the average equity ratio of the proxy group used to evaluate the return on equity for the second complaint. The ALJ further determined that System Energy should pay refunds for a fifteen-month refund period (September 2018-December 2019) based on the difference between the actual equity ratio and the 48.15% equity ratio. If the ALJ’s initial decision is upheld, the estimated refund for this proceeding is approximately $24.8 million, which includes interest through March 31, 2024, and the estimated resulting annual rate reduction would be approximately $14.1 million. As a result of the settlement agreements with the MPSC and the APSC, both the estimated refund and rate reduction exclude Entergy Mississippi's and Entergy Arkansas’s portions. See “System Energy Settlement with the MPSC” in the Form 10-K and see “System Energy Settlement with the APSC” below and in the Form 10-K for discussion of the settlements. The estimated refund will continue to accrue interest until a final FERC decision is issued.

The ALJ initial decision is an interim step in the FERC litigation process, and an ALJ’s determinations made in an initial decision are not controlling on the FERC. In April 2021, System Energy filed its brief on exceptions, in which it challenged the initial decision’s findings on both the return on equity and capital structure issues. Also in April 2021 the LPSC, the APSC, the MPSC, the City Council, and the FERC trial staff filed briefs on exceptions. Reply briefs opposing exceptions were filed in May 2021 by System Energy, the FERC trial staff, the LPSC, the APSC, the MPSC, and the City Council. Refunds, if any, that might be required will only become due after the FERC issues its order reviewing the initial decision.

Grand Gulf Sale-leaseback Renewal Complaint and Uncertain Tax Position Rate Base Issue

As discussed in the Form 10-K, in May 2018 the LPSC filed a complaint against System Energy and Entergy Services related to System Energy’s renewal of a sale-leaseback transaction originally entered into in December 1988 for an 11.5% undivided interest in Grand Gulf Unit 1. The APSC, the MPSC, and the City Council subsequently intervened in the proceeding. A hearing was held before a FERC ALJ in November 2019. In April 2020 the ALJ issued the initial decision, and in December 2022 the FERC issued an order on the ALJ’s initial decision, which affirmed it in part and modified it in part. The FERC’s order directed System Energy to calculate refunds on three issues, and to provide a compliance report detailing the calculations. The FERC’s order also disallows the future recovery of sale-leaseback renewal costs, which is estimated at approximately $11.5 million annually for purchases from Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, and Entergy New Orleans through July 2036. The three refund issues are rental expenses related to the renewal of the sale-leaseback arrangements; refunds, if any, for the revenue requirement impact of including accumulated deferred income taxes resulting from the decommissioning uncertain tax positions from 2004 through the present; and refunds for the net effect of correcting the depreciation inputs for capital additions attributable to the portion of plant subject to the sale-leaseback.

In January 2023, System Energy filed its compliance report with the FERC. With respect to the sale-leaseback renewal costs, System Energy calculated a refund of $89.8 million, which represented all of the sale-leaseback renewal rental costs that System Energy recovered in rates, with interest. With respect to the decommissioning uncertain tax position issue, System Energy calculated that no additional refunds are owed because it had already provided a one-time historical credit (for the period January 2016 through September 2020) of $25.2 million based on the accumulated deferred income taxes that resulted from the IRS’s partial acceptance of the decommissioning tax position, and because it has been providing an ongoing rate base credit for the accumulated deferred income taxes that resulted from the IRS’s partial acceptance of the decommissioning tax position since October 2020. With respect to the depreciation refund, System Energy calculated a refund of $13.7 million, which is the net total of a refund to customers for excess depreciation expense previously collected, plus interest, offset by the additional return on rate base that System Energy previously did not collect, without interest.

In January 2023, System Energy filed a request for rehearing of the FERC’s determinations in the December 2022 order on sale-leaseback refund issues and future lease cost disallowances, the FERC’s prospective policy on uncertain tax positions, and the proper accounting of System Energy’s accumulated deferred income taxes adjustment for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017; and a motion for confirmation of its interpretation of the December 2022 order’s remedy concerning the decommissioning tax position. In January 2023 the retail regulators filed a motion for confirmation of their interpretation of the refund requirement in the December 2022 FERC order and a provisional request for rehearing. In February 2023 the FERC issued a notice that the rehearing requests have been deemed denied by operation of law. The deemed denial of the rehearing request initiates a sixty-day period in which aggrieved parties may petition for federal appellate court review of the underlying FERC orders; however, the FERC may issue a substantive order on rehearing as long as it continues to have jurisdiction over the case. In March 2023, System Energy filed in the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit a petition for review of the December 2022 order. In March 2023, System Energy also filed an unopposed motion to stay the proceeding in the Fifth Circuit pending the FERC’s disposition of the pending motions, and the court granted the motion to stay.

In August 2023 the FERC issued an order addressing arguments raised on rehearing and partially setting aside the prior order (rehearing order). The rehearing order addresses rehearing requests that were filed in January 2023 separately by System Energy and the LPSC, the APSC, and the City Council.

In the rehearing order, the FERC directs System Energy to recalculate refunds for two issues: (1) refunds of rental expenses related to the renewal of the sale-leaseback arrangements and (2) refunds for the net effect of correcting the depreciation inputs for capital additions associated with the sale-leaseback. With regard to the sale-leaseback renewal rental expenses, the rehearing order allows System Energy to recover an implied return of and on the depreciated cost of the portion of the plant subject to the sale-leaseback as of the expiration of the initial lease term. With regard to the depreciation input issue, the rehearing order allows System Energy to offset refunds so that System Energy may collect interest on the rate base recalculations that were part of the overall depreciation rate recalculations. The rehearing order further directs System Energy to submit within 60 days of the date of the rehearing order an additional compliance filing to revise the total refunds for these two issues. As discussed above, System Energy’s January 2023 compliance filing calculated $103.5 million in total refunds, and the refunds were paid in January 2023. In October 2023, System Energy filed its compliance report with the FERC as directed in the August 2023 rehearing order. The October 2023 compliance report reflected recalculated refunds totaling $35.7 million for the two issues resulting in $67.8 million in refunds that could be recouped by System Energy. As discussed below in “System Energy Settlement with the APSC,” System Energy reached a settlement in principle with the APSC to resolve several pending cases under the FERC’s jurisdiction, including this one, pursuant to which it has agreed not to recoup the $27.3 million calculated for Entergy Arkansas in the compliance filing. Consistent with the compliance filing, in October 2023, Entergy Louisiana and Entergy New Orleans paid recoupment amounts of $18.2 million and $22.3 million, respectively, to System Energy.

On the third refund issue identified in the rehearing requests, concerning the decommissioning uncertain tax positions, the rehearing order denied all rehearing requests, re-affirmed the remedy contained in the December 2022 order, and did not direct System Energy to recalculate refunds or to submit an additional compliance filing. On this issue, as reflected in its January 2023 compliance filing, System Energy believes it has already paid the refunds due under the remedy that the FERC outlined for the uncertain tax positions issue in its December 2022 order. In August 2023 the LPSC issued a media release in which it stated that it disagrees with System Energy’s determination that the rehearing order requires no further refunds to be made on this issue.

In September 2023, System Energy filed a protective appeal of the rehearing order with the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. The appeal was consolidated with System Energy’s prior appeal of the December 2022 order.

In September 2023 the LPSC filed with the FERC a request for rehearing and clarification of the rehearing order. The LPSC requests that the FERC reverse its determination in the rehearing order that System Energy may collect an implied return of and on the depreciated cost of the portion of the plant subject to the sale-leaseback, as of the expiration of the initial lease term, as well as its determination in the rehearing order that System Energy may offset the refunds for the depreciation rate input issue and collect interest on the rate base recalculations that were part of the overall depreciation rate recalculations. In addition, the LPSC requests that the FERC either confirm the LPSC’s interpretation of the refund associated with the decommissioning uncertain tax positions or explain why it is not doing so. In October 2023 the FERC issued a notice that the rehearing request has been deemed denied by operation of law. In November 2023 the FERC issued a further notice stating that it would not issue any further order addressing the rehearing request. Also in November 2023 the LPSC filed with the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit a petition for review of the FERC’s August 2023 rehearing order and denials of the September 2023 rehearing request.

In December 2023 the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit lifted the abeyance on the consolidated System Energy appeals and it also consolidated the LPSC’s appeal with the System Energy appeals. In March 2024, separate petition briefs were filed by System Energy and by the LPSC. Also in March 2024, the City Council filed an intervenor brief supporting the LPSC. Briefing will continue through July 2024.

LPSC Additional Complaints

As discussed in the Form 10-K, in May 2020 the LPSC authorized its staff to file additional complaints at the FERC related to the rates charged by System Energy for Grand Gulf energy and capacity supplied to Entergy Louisiana under the Unit Power Sales Agreement. The following are updates to that discussion.

Unit Power Sales Agreement Complaint

As discussed in the Form 10-K, the first of the additional complaints was filed by the LPSC, the APSC, the MPSC, and the City Council in September 2020. The first complaint raises two sets of rate allegations: violations of the filed rate and a corresponding request for refunds for prior periods; and elements of the Unit Power Sales Agreement are unjust and unreasonable and a corresponding request for refunds for the 15-month refund period and changes to the Unit Power Sales Agreement prospectively. In May 2021 the FERC issued an order addressing the complaint, establishing a refund effective date of September 21, 2020, establishing hearing procedures, and holding those procedures in abeyance pending the FERC’s review of the initial decision in the Grand Gulf sale-leaseback renewal complaint discussed above.

In November 2021 the LPSC, the APSC, and the City Council filed direct testimony and requested the FERC to order refunds for prior periods and prospective amendments to the Unit Power Sales Agreement. System Energy filed answering testimony in January 2022. In March 2022 the FERC trial staff filed direct and answering testimony recommending refunds and prospective modifications to the Unit Power Sales Agreement.

In April 2022, System Energy filed cross-answering testimony in response to the FERC trial staff’s recommendations. In June 2022 the FERC trial staff submitted revised answering testimony, in which it recommended additional refunds associated with the accumulated deferred income tax balances in account 190. Also in June 2022, System Energy filed revised and supplemental cross-answering testimony to respond to the FERC trial staff’s testimony and oppose its revised recommendation.

In May 2022 the LPSC, the APSC, and the City Council filed rebuttal testimony and asserted new claims. In June 2022 a new procedural schedule was adopted, providing for additional rounds of testimony and for the hearing to begin in September 2022. The hearing concluded in December 2022. Also in December 2022, a motion to extend the briefing schedule and the May 2023 deadline for the initial decision was granted.

In November 2022, System Energy filed a partial settlement agreement with the APSC, the City Council, and the LPSC that resolved the following issues raised in the Unit Power Sales Agreement complaint: advance collection of lease payments, aircraft costs, executive incentive compensation, money pool borrowings, advertising expenses, deferred nuclear refueling outage costs, industry association dues, and termination of the capital funds agreement. The settlement provided that System Energy would provide a black-box refund of $18 million (inclusive of interest), plus additional refund amounts with interest to be calculated for certain issues to be distributed to Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, and Entergy New Orleans as the Utility operating companies other than Entergy Mississippi purchasing under the Unit Power Sales Agreement. The settlement further provided that if the APSC, the City Council, or the LPSC agrees to the global settlement System Energy entered into with the MPSC (see “System Energy Settlement with the MPSC” in the Form 10-K for discussion of the settlement), and such global settlement includes a black-box refund amount, then the black-box refund for this settlement agreement shall not be incremental or in addition to the global black-box refund amount. The settlement agreement addressed other matters as well, including adjustments to rate base beginning in October 2022, exclusion of certain other costs, and inclusion of money pool borrowings, if any, in short-term debt within the cost of capital calculation used in the Unit Power Sales Agreement. In April 2023 the FERC approved the settlement agreement. The refund provided for in the settlement agreement was included in the May 2023 service month bills under the Unit Power Sales Agreement.

In May 2023 the presiding ALJ issued an initial decision finding that System Energy should have excluded multiple identified categories of accumulated deferred income taxes from rate base when calculating Unit Power Sales Agreement bills. Based on this finding, the initial decision recommended refunds; System Energy estimates that those refunds for Entergy Louisiana and Entergy New Orleans would total approximately $69.7 million plus $94.3 million of interest through March 31, 2024. The initial decision also finds that the Unit Power Sales Agreement should be modified such that a cash working capital allowance of negative $36.4 million is applied prospectively. If the FERC ultimately orders these modifications to cash working capital be implemented, the estimated annual revenue requirement impact is expected to be immaterial. On the other non-settled issues for which the complainants sought refunds or changes to the Unit Power Sales Agreement, the initial decision ruled against the complainants.

The initial decision is an interim step in the FERC litigation process, and an ALJ’s determination made in an initial decision is not controlling on the FERC. System Energy disagrees with the ALJ’s findings concerning the accumulated deferred income taxes issues and cash working capital. In July 2023, System Energy filed a brief on exceptions to the initial decision’s accumulated deferred income taxes findings. Also in July 2023, the APSC, the LPSC, the City Council, and the FERC trial staff filed separate briefs on exceptions. The APSC’s brief on exceptions challenges the ALJ’s determinations on the money pool interest and retained earnings issues. The LPSC’s brief on exceptions challenges the ALJ’s determinations regarding the sale-leaseback transaction costs, legal fees, and retained earnings issues. The City Council’s brief on exceptions challenges the ALJ’s determinations on the money pool and cash management issues. The FERC trial staff’s brief on exceptions challenges the ALJ’s determinations on the cash working capital issue as well as certain of the accumulated deferred income taxes issues. In August 2023 all parties filed separate briefs opposing exceptions. System Energy filed a brief opposing the exceptions of the APSC, the LPSC, and the City Council. The APSC, the LPSC, and the City Council filed separate briefs opposing the exceptions raised by System Energy and the FERC trial staff. The FERC trial staff filed its own brief opposing certain exceptions raised by System Energy, the APSC, the LPSC, and the City Council. The case is now pending a decision by the FERC. Refunds, if any, that might be required will become due only after the FERC issues its order reviewing the initial decision.

LPSC Petition for a Writ of Mandamus

In March 2024 the LPSC filed a petition for a writ of mandamus, requesting that the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit direct the FERC to take action on (1) System Energy’s pending compliance filings (and the LPSC’s protests) in response to the FERC’s orders on the uncertain tax position rate base issue, as discussed above; and (2) the ALJ’s pending initial decision in the return on equity and capital structure proceeding, also as discussed above. System Energy filed a notice of intervention in the proceeding.

In March 2024 the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit directed the FERC to respond to the LPSC’s petition. Also in March 2024, System Energy filed its response to the LPSC’s petition, in which it opposed the request for action on the compliance filing and took no position on the request for action on the return on equity and capital structure case. Later in March 2024, the FERC responded opposing both parts of the LPSC’s petition, and the LPSC filed an opposed motion for leave to answer and its answer to the FERC’s and System Energy’s responses.

System Energy Settlement with the APSC

As discussed in the Form 10-K, in October 2023, System Energy, Entergy Arkansas, and additional named Entergy parties involved in multiple docketed proceedings pending before the FERC reached a settlement in principle with the APSC to globally resolve all of their actual and potential claims in those dockets and with System Energy’s past implementation of the Unit Power Sales Agreement. The settlement also covers the amended and supplemental complaint, discussed in “Grand Gulf Prudence Complaint” above and in the Form 10-K, filed by the LPSC, the APSC, and the City Council at the FERC in October 2023. System Energy, Entergy Arkansas, additional Entergy parties, and the APSC filed the settlement agreement and supporting materials with the FERC in November

  1. The Unit Power Sales Agreement is a FERC-jurisdictional formula rate tariff for sales of energy and capacity from System Energy’s owned and leased share of Grand Gulf to Entergy Mississippi, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, and Entergy New Orleans. System Energy previously settled with the MPSC with respect to these complaints before the FERC.

The terms of the settlement with the APSC align with the $588 million global black box settlement reached between System Energy and the MPSC in June 2022 and provide for Entergy Arkansas to receive a black box refund of $142 million from System Energy, inclusive of $49.5 million already received by Entergy Arkansas from System Energy. In November 2022 the FERC approved the System Energy settlement with the MPSC and stated that the settlement “appears to be fair and reasonable and in the public interest.”

In addition to the black box refund of $142 million described above, beginning with the November 2023 service month, the settlement provides for Entergy Arkansas’s bills from System Energy to be adjusted to reflect an authorized rate of return on equity of 9.65% and a capital structure not to exceed 52% equity.

In December 2023 the FERC trial staff and the LPSC filed comments. The FERC trial staff commented that it “believes that the settlement is fair, and in the public interest,” and neither it nor the LPSC oppose the settlement. In December 2023 the $93 million black box refund to Entergy Arkansas was reclassified from long-term other regulatory liabilities to accounts payable - associated companies on System Energy’s balance sheet. In March 2024 the FERC approved the settlement “because it appears to be fair and reasonable and in the public interest.”

System Energy Settlement with the City Council

In April 2024, System Energy, Entergy New Orleans, and additional named Entergy parties involved in multiple docketed proceedings pending before the FERC reached a settlement in principle with the City Council to globally resolve all of their actual and potential claims in those dockets and with System Energy’s past implementation of the Unit Power Sales Agreement. The settlement also covers the amended and supplemental complaint, discussed above in “Grand Gulf Prudence Complaint,” filed at the FERC in October 2023. System Energy, Entergy New Orleans, additional Entergy parties, and the City Council intend to file the settlement agreement and supporting materials with the FERC no later than May 10, 2024. The Unit Power Sales Agreement is a FERC-jurisdictional formula rate tariff for sales of energy and capacity from System Energy’s owned and leased share of Grand Gulf to Entergy Mississippi, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, and Entergy New Orleans. As discussed above and in Note 2 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K, System Energy previously settled with the MPSC and APSC with respect to these complaints before the FERC. Entergy Mississippi and Entergy Arkansas have nearly 65% of System Energy’s share of Grand Gulf’s output, after purchases from affiliates are considered. The settlements with the APSC, the MPSC, and the City Council represent almost 85% of System Energy’s share of the output of Grand Gulf.

The terms of the settlement with the City Council align with the $588 million global black box settlement amount reflected in the prior settlements reached between System Energy and the MPSC in June 2022 and between System Energy and the APSC in November 2023. The settlement provides for Entergy New Orleans to receive a black box refund of $116 million from System Energy, inclusive of approximately $18 million already received by Entergy New Orleans from System Energy. In November 2022 the FERC approved the System Energy settlement with the MPSC, and in March 2024 the FERC approved the System Energy settlement with the APSC. In both settlements, the FERC stated that the settlements “appear to be fair and reasonable and in the public interest.” In March 2024 the $98 million black box refund to Entergy New Orleans was reclassified from long-term other regulatory liabilities to accounts payable - associated companies on System Entergy’s balance sheet.

In addition to the black box refund of $116 million described above, beginning with the June 2024 service month, the settlement provides for Entergy New Orleans’ bills from System Energy to be adjusted to reflect an authorized rate of return on equity of 9.65% and a capital structure not to exceed 52% equity.

System Energy Regulatory Liability for Pending Complaints

As discussed in the Form 10-K, System Energy had recorded a regulatory liability related to complaints against System Energy, which was consistent with the settlement agreements reached with the MPSC and the APSC, taking into account amounts already or expected to be refunded. As discussed above in “Settlement with the City Council,” in first quarter 2024 the $98 million black box refund to Entergy New Orleans was reclassified from the regulatory liability to accounts payable - associated companies on System Energy’s balance sheet. System Energy’s remaining regulatory liability related to complaints against System Energy as of March 31, 2024 is $80 million.

Unit Power Sales Agreement

System Energy Formula Rate Annual Protocols Formal Challenge Concerning 2022 Calendar Year Bills

In February 2024, pursuant to the protocols procedures discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K, the LPSC and the City Council filed with the FERC a formal challenge to System Energy’s implementation of the formula rate during calendar year 2022. The formal challenge alleges: (1) that the equity ratio charged in rates was excessive; and (2) that all issues in the pending Unit Power Sales Agreement complaint proceeding should also be reflected in calendar year 2022 bills. These allegations are identical to issues that were raised in the formal challenge to the calendar year 2020 and 2021 bills.

In March 2024, System Energy filed an answer to the formal challenge in which it requested that the FERC deny the formal challenge as a matter of law, or else hold the proceeding in abeyance pending the resolution of related dockets.

See “MANAGEMENT’S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS – Nuclear Matters” in the Form 10-K for a discussion of nuclear matters.

See “MANAGEMENT’S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS – Environmental Risks” in the Form 10-K for a discussion of environmental risks.

See “MANAGEMENT’S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - Critical Accounting Estimates” in the Form 10-K for a discussion of the estimates and judgments necessary in System Energy’s accounting for nuclear decommissioning costs, utility regulatory accounting, taxation and uncertain tax positions, qualified pension and other postretirement benefits, and other contingencies.

See the “New Accounting Pronouncements” section of Note 1 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for a discussion of new accounting pronouncements and the “New Accounting Pronouncements” section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis herein for updates to the discussion of new accounting pronouncements.

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