ENTERGY MISSISSIPPI LLC
For the period ended Mar 31, 2024. Filed May 2, 2024.
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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
Extracted filing text, with the paragraph anchors used by the comparison.
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Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
| ENTERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES | ||
|---|---|---|
| CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME | ||
| For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 | ||
| (Unaudited) | ||
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| (In Thousands) | ||
| Net Income | $76,536 | $312,299 |
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | ||
| Pension and other postretirement adjustment (net of tax expense (benefit) of ($1,202) and $731) | (3,668) | 2,027 |
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | (3,668) | 2,027 |
| Comprehensive Income | 72,868 | 314,326 |
| Preferred dividend requirements of subsidiaries and noncontrolling interests | 1,255 | 1,364 |
| Comprehensive Income Attributable to Entergy Corporation | $71,613 | $312,962 |
| See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||
| ENTERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES | ||
|---|---|---|
| CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS | ||
| For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 | ||
| (Unaudited) | ||
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| (In Thousands) | ||
| OPERATING ACTIVITIES | ||
| Consolidated net income | $76,536 | $312,299 |
| Adjustments to reconcile consolidated net income to net cash flow provided by operating activities: | ||
| Depreciation, amortization, and decommissioning, including nuclear fuel amortization | 600,412 | 553,224 |
| Deferred income taxes, investment tax credits, and non-current taxes accrued | (20,656) | (98,244) |
| Asset write-offs, impairments, and related charges | 131,775 | — |
| Changes in working capital: | ||
| Receivables | 107,921 | 272,533 |
| Fuel inventory | 5,387 | (29,484) |
| Accounts payable | (287,418) | (339,963) |
| Taxes accrued | (64,085) | (66,717) |
| Interest accrued | 29,615 | 30,627 |
| Deferred fuel costs | 92,685 | 442,598 |
| Other working capital accounts | (73,315) | (67,971) |
| Changes in provisions for estimated losses | 9,283 | 25 |
| Changes in regulatory assets | 237,098 | 542,694 |
| Changes in other regulatory liabilities | 205,587 | 136,685 |
| Effect of securitization on regulatory asset | — | (491,150) |
| Changes in pension and other postretirement funded status | (76,343) | (64,088) |
| Other | (453,390) | (173,525) |
| Net cash flow provided by operating activities | 521,092 | 959,543 |
| INVESTING ACTIVITIES | ||
| Construction/capital expenditures | (961,152) | (1,175,657) |
| Allowance for equity funds used during construction | 26,794 | 23,146 |
| Nuclear fuel purchases | (133,315) | (90,809) |
| Payment for purchase of plant and assets | (172,614) | — |
| Changes in securitization account | (8,934) | (3,904) |
| Payments to storm reserve escrow accounts | (5,269) | (4,196) |
| Increase in other investments | (1,562) | (3,462) |
| Proceeds from nuclear decommissioning trust fund sales | 489,417 | 204,128 |
| Investment in nuclear decommissioning trust funds | (521,237) | (232,837) |
| Net cash flow used in investing activities | (1,287,872) | (1,283,591) |
| See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||
| ENTERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES | ||
|---|---|---|
| CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS | ||
| For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 | ||
| (Unaudited) | ||
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| (In Thousands) | ||
| FINANCING ACTIVITIES | ||
| Proceeds from the issuance of: | ||
| Long-term debt | 2,206,338 | 1,614,522 |
| Treasury stock | 6,759 | 4,017 |
| Retirement of long-term debt | (835,740) | (834,530) |
| Changes in commercial paper - net | 775,333 | 37,995 |
| Proceeds received by storm trust related to securitization | — | 1,457,676 |
| Other | 21,940 | 21,490 |
| Dividends paid: | ||
| Common stock | (240,959) | (226,194) |
| Preferred stock | (4,580) | (4,580) |
| Net cash flow provided by financing activities | 1,929,091 | 2,070,396 |
| Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | 1,162,311 | 1,746,348 |
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 132,548 | 224,164 |
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $1,294,859 | $1,970,512 |
| SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION: | ||
| Cash paid (received) during the period for: | ||
| Interest - net of amount capitalized | $237,931 | $215,082 |
| Income taxes | ($316) | ($5,352) |
| Noncash investing activities: | ||
| Accrued construction expenditures | $509,046 | $428,459 |
| See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||
| ENTERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES | ||
|---|---|---|
| CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS | ||
| ASSETS | ||
| March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 | ||
| (Unaudited) | ||
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| (In Thousands) | ||
| CURRENT ASSETS | ||
| Cash and cash equivalents: | ||
| Cash | $64,949 | $71,609 |
| Temporary cash investments | 1,229,910 | 60,939 |
| Total cash and cash equivalents | 1,294,859 | 132,548 |
| Accounts receivable: | ||
| Customer | 670,812 | 699,411 |
| Allowance for doubtful accounts | (21,889) | (25,905) |
| Other | 209,929 | 225,334 |
| Accrued unbilled revenues | 426,682 | 494,615 |
| Total accounts receivable | 1,285,534 | 1,393,455 |
| Deferred fuel costs | 123,796 | 169,967 |
| Fuel inventory - at average cost | 187,412 | 192,799 |
| Materials and supplies - at average cost | 1,495,201 | 1,418,969 |
| Deferred nuclear refueling outage costs | 139,801 | 140,115 |
| Prepayments and other | 231,163 | 213,016 |
| TOTAL | 4,757,766 | 3,660,869 |
| OTHER PROPERTY AND INVESTMENTS | ||
| Decommissioning trust funds | 5,165,779 | 4,863,710 |
| Non-utility property - at cost (less accumulated depreciation) | 417,730 | 418,546 |
| Storm reserve escrow accounts | 328,475 | 323,206 |
| Other | 70,281 | 69,494 |
| TOTAL | 5,982,265 | 5,674,956 |
| PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT | ||
| Electric | 67,626,345 | 66,850,474 |
| Natural gas | 724,113 | 717,503 |
| Construction work in progress | 2,281,938 | 2,109,703 |
| Nuclear fuel | 707,034 | 707,852 |
| TOTAL PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT | 71,339,430 | 70,385,532 |
| Less - accumulated depreciation and amortization | 26,837,531 | 26,551,203 |
| PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT - NET | 44,501,899 | 43,834,329 |
| DEFERRED DEBITS AND OTHER ASSETS | ||
| Regulatory assets: | ||
| Other regulatory assets (includes securitization property of $244,804 as of March 31, 2024 and $250,830 as of December 31, 2023) | 5,432,306 | 5,669,404 |
| Deferred fuel costs | 172,201 | 172,201 |
| Goodwill | 374,099 | 374,099 |
| Accumulated deferred income taxes | 13,622 | 16,367 |
| Other | 395,698 | 301,171 |
| TOTAL | 6,387,926 | 6,533,242 |
| TOTAL ASSETS | $61,629,856 | $59,703,396 |
| See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||
| ENTERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES | ||
|---|---|---|
| CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS | ||
| LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | ||
| March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 | ||
| (Unaudited) | ||
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| (In Thousands) | ||
| CURRENT LIABILITIES | ||
| Currently maturing long-term debt | $2,177,072 | $2,099,057 |
| Notes payable and commercial paper | 1,913,504 | 1,138,171 |
| Accounts payable | 1,187,454 | 1,566,745 |
| Customer deposits | 455,707 | 446,146 |
| Taxes accrued | 370,128 | 434,213 |
| Interest accrued | 243,812 | 214,197 |
| Deferred fuel costs | 265,442 | 218,927 |
| Pension and other postretirement liabilities | 57,390 | 59,508 |
| Other | 214,018 | 219,528 |
| TOTAL | 6,884,527 | 6,396,492 |
| NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES | ||
| Accumulated deferred income taxes and taxes accrued | 4,236,410 | 4,245,982 |
| Accumulated deferred investment tax credits | 201,910 | 205,973 |
| Regulatory liability for income taxes - net | 1,021,395 | 1,033,242 |
| Other regulatory liabilities | 3,334,360 | 3,116,926 |
| Decommissioning and asset retirement cost liabilities | 4,575,811 | 4,505,782 |
| Accumulated provisions | 471,853 | 462,570 |
| Pension and other postretirement liabilities | 574,188 | 648,413 |
| Long-term debt (includes securitization bonds of $263,159 as of March 31, 2024 and $263,007 as of December 31, 2023) | 24,309,439 | 23,008,839 |
| Other | 1,226,187 | 1,116,661 |
| TOTAL | 39,951,553 | 38,344,388 |
| Commitments and Contingencies | ||
| Subsidiaries’ preferred stock without sinking fund | 219,410 | 219,410 |
| EQUITY | ||
| Preferred stock, no par value, authorized 1,000,000 shares in 2024 and 2023; issued shares in 2024 and 2023 - none | — | — |
| Common stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 499,000,000 shares in 2024 and 2023; issued 280,975,348 shares in 2024 and 2023 | 2,810 | 2,810 |
| Paid-in capital | 7,769,569 | 7,795,411 |
| Retained earnings | 11,774,706 | 11,940,384 |
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (166,128) | (162,460) |
| Less - treasury stock, at cost (67,701,927 shares in 2024 and 68,126,778 shares in 2023) | 4,922,617 | 4,953,498 |
| Total shareholders’ equity | 14,458,340 | 14,622,647 |
| Subsidiaries’ preferred stock without sinking fund and noncontrolling interests | 116,026 | 120,459 |
| TOTAL | 14,574,366 | 14,743,106 |
| TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | $61,629,856 | $59,703,396 |
| See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||
| ENTERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY | |||||||
| For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 | |||||||
| (Unaudited) | |||||||
| Shareholders’ Equity | |||||||
| Subsidiaries’ Preferred Stock and Noncontrolling Interests | CommonStock | TreasuryStock | Paid-inCapital | Retained Earnings | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | Total | |
| (In Thousands) | |||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2022 | $97,907 | $2,797 | ($4,978,994) | $7,632,895 | $10,502,041 | ($191,754) | $13,064,892 |
| Consolidated net income (a) | 1,364 | — | — | — | 310,935 | — | 312,299 |
| Other comprehensive income | — | — | — | — | — | 2,027 | 2,027 |
| Common stock issuances related to stock plans | — | — | 19,599 | (15,118) | — | — | 4,481 |
| Common stock dividends declared | — | — | — | — | (226,194) | — | (226,194) |
| Beneficial interest in storm trust | 14,577 | — | — | — | — | — | 14,577 |
| Distributions to noncontrolling interests | (574) | — | — | — | — | — | (574) |
| Preferred dividend requirements of subsidiaries (a) | (4,580) | — | — | — | — | — | (4,580) |
| Balance at March 31, 2023 | $108,694 | $2,797 | ($4,959,395) | $7,617,777 | $10,586,782 | ($189,727) | $13,166,928 |
| Balance at December 31, 2023 | $120,459 | $2,810 | ($4,953,498) | $7,795,411 | $11,940,384 | ($162,460) | $14,743,106 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Consolidated net income (a) | 1,255 | — | — | — | 75,281 | — | 76,536 |
| Other comprehensive loss | — | — | — | — | — | (3,668) | (3,668) |
| Common stock issuances related to stock plans | — | — | 30,881 | (25,842) | — | — | 5,039 |
| Common stock dividends declared | — | — | — | — | (240,959) | — | (240,959) |
| Distributions to noncontrolling interests | (1,108) | — | — | — | — | — | (1,108) |
| Preferred dividend requirements of subsidiaries (a) | (4,580) | — | — | — | — | — | (4,580) |
| Balance at March 31, 2024 | $116,026 | $2,810 | ($4,922,617) | $7,769,569 | $11,774,706 | ($166,128) | $14,574,366 |
| See Notes to Financial Statements. | |||||||
| (a) Consolidated net income and preferred dividend requirements of subsidiaries for first quarter 2024 and first quarter 2023 each includes $4 million of preferred dividends on subsidiaries’ preferred stock without sinking fund that is not presented as equity. | |||||||
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
NOTE 1. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)
Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries are involved in a number of legal, regulatory, and tax proceedings before various courts, regulatory authorities, and governmental agencies in the ordinary course of business. While management is unable to predict with certainty the outcome of such proceedings, management does not believe that the ultimate resolution of these matters will have a material adverse effect on Entergy’s results of operations, cash flows, or financial condition, except as otherwise discussed in the Form 10-K or in this report. Entergy discusses regulatory proceedings in Note 2 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K and herein and discusses tax proceedings in Note 3 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K and Note 10 to the financial statements herein.
Vidalia Purchased Power Agreement
See Note 8 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for information on Entergy Louisiana’s Vidalia purchased power agreement.
Spent Nuclear Fuel Litigation
See Note 8 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for information on Entergy’s spent nuclear fuel litigation.
Nuclear Insurance
See Note 8 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for information on nuclear liability and property insurance associated with Entergy’s nuclear power plants.
Non-Nuclear Property Insurance
See Note 8 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for information on Entergy’s non-nuclear property insurance program.
Employment and Labor-related Proceedings
See Note 8 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for information on Entergy’s employment and labor-related proceedings.
Asbestos Litigation (Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy New Orleans, and Entergy Texas)
See Note 8 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for information regarding asbestos litigation.
Grand Gulf - Related Agreements
See Note 8 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for information regarding Grand Gulf-related agreements.
Nelson Industrial Steam Company (Entergy Louisiana)
See Note 8 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for information on Entergy Louisiana’s Nelson Industrial Steam Company partnership.
NOTE 2. RATE AND REGULATORY MATTERS (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)
Regulatory Assets and Regulatory Liabilities
See Note 2 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for information regarding regulatory assets and regulatory liabilities in the Utility business presented on the balance sheets of Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries. The following are updates to that discussion.
Fuel and purchased power cost recovery
Energy Cost Recovery Rider
In March 2024 Entergy Arkansas filed its annual redetermination of its energy cost rate pursuant to the energy cost recovery rider, which reflected a decrease in the rate from $0.01883 per kWh to $0.00882 per kWh. Due to a change in law in the state of Arkansas, the annual redetermination included $9 million, recorded as a credit to fuel expense in first quarter 2024, for recovery attributed to net metering costs in 2023. The primary reason for the rate decrease is a large over-recovered balance as a result of lower natural gas prices in 2023. To mitigate the effect of projected increases in natural gas prices in 2024, Entergy Arkansas adjusted the over-recovered balance included in the March 2024 annual redetermination filing by $43.7 million. This adjustment is expected to reduce the rate change that will be reflected in the 2025 energy cost rate redetermination. The redetermined rate of $0.00882 per kWh became effective with the first billing cycle in April 2024 through the normal operation of the tariff.
Retail Rate Proceedings
See Note 2 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for information regarding retail rate proceedings involving the Utility operating companies. The following are updates to that discussion.
Filings with the LPSC (Entergy Louisiana)
Retail Rates - Electric
2023 Entergy Louisiana Rate Case and Formula Rate Plan Extension Request
As discussed in the Form 10-K, in August 2023, Entergy Louisiana filed an application for approval of a regulatory blueprint necessary for it to strengthen the electric grid for the State of Louisiana, which contains a dual-path request to update rates through either: (1) extension of Entergy Louisiana’s current formula rate plan (with certain modifications) for three years (the Rate Mitigation Proposal), which is Entergy Louisiana’s recommended path; or (2) implementation of rates resulting from a cost-of-service study (the Rate Case path). The application complies with Entergy Louisiana’s previous formula rate plan extension order requiring that for Entergy Louisiana to obtain another extension of its formula rate plan that included a rate reset, Entergy Louisiana would need to submit a full cost-of-service/rate case. Entergy Louisiana’s filing supports the need to extend Entergy Louisiana’s formula rate plan with credit supportive mechanisms needed to facilitate investment in the distribution, transmission, and generation functions.
A status conference was held in October 2023 at which a procedural schedule was adopted that included three technical conferences and a hearing date of August 2024. In March 2024 the parties agreed to an eight week extension of all deadlines to allow for continuation of settlement negotiations, and the ALJ issued an order with an amended procedural schedule that includes hearing dates commencing in October 2024.
Filings with the MPSC (Entergy Mississippi)
In March 2024, Entergy Mississippi submitted its formula rate plan 2024 test year filing and 2023 look-back filing showing Entergy Mississippi’s earned return on rate base for the historical 2023 calendar year to be within the formula rate plan bandwidth and projected earned return for the 2024 calendar year to be below the formula rate plan bandwidth. The 2024 test year filing showed a $63.4 million rate increase was necessary to reset Entergy Mississippi’s earned return on rate base to the specified point of adjustment of 7.10%, within the formula rate plan bandwidth. The 2023 look-back filing compared actual 2023 results to the approved benchmark return on rate base and reflected no change in formula rate plan revenues. In accordance with the provisions of the formula rate plan, Entergy Mississippi implemented a $32.6 million interim rate increase, reflecting a cap equal to 2% of 2023 retail revenues, effective April 2024. A final order is expected in second quarter 2024, with the resulting rates, including amounts above the 2% cap of 2023 retail revenues, effective July 2024.
In December 2014 the MPSC ordered Entergy Mississippi to file an updated depreciation study at least once every four years. Pursuant to this order and Entergy Mississippi’s filing cycle, Entergy Mississippi would have filed an updated depreciation report with its formula rate plan filing in 2023. However, in July 2022 the MPSC directed Entergy Mississippi to file its next depreciation study in connection with its 2024 formula rate plan filing notwithstanding the MPSC’s prior order. Accordingly, Entergy Mississippi filed a depreciation study in February 2024. The study showed a need for an increase in annual depreciation expense of $55.2 million. The calculated increase in annual depreciation expense was excluded from Entergy Mississippi’s 2024 formula rate plan revenue increase request as the $63.4 million rate increase determined in the formula rate plan 2024 test year filing was just lower than the cap on changes to formula rate plan revenues, set at 4% of retail revenues. Entergy Mississippi expects to engage in further discussions with the MPSC regarding the timing of implementing changes to depreciation rates and for recovery of the depreciation expense.
Filings with the City Council (Entergy New Orleans)
In April 2024, Entergy New Orleans submitted to the City Council its formula rate plan 2023 test year filing. Without the requested rate change in 2024, the 2023 test year evaluation report produced an electric earned return on equity of 8.66% and a gas earned return on equity of 5.87% compared to the authorized return on equity for each of 9.35%. Entergy New Orleans seeks approval of a $12.6 million rate increase based on the formula set in the 2018 rate case, which was approved again by the City Council in 2023. The formula results in an increase in authorized electric revenues of $7.0 million and an increase in authorized gas revenues of $5.6 million. The filing is subject to review by the City Council and other parties over a 75-day review period, followed by a 25-day period to resolve any disputes among the parties. Resulting rates will be effective with the first billing cycle of September
2024 pursuant to the formula rate plan tariff. For any disputed rate adjustments, however, the City Council would set a procedural schedule that would extend the process for City Council approval of disputed rate adjustments.
Entergy Arkansas Opportunity Sales Proceeding
See Note 2 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for discussion of the Entergy Arkansas opportunity sales proceeding. As discussed in the Form 10-K, in September 2020, Entergy Arkansas filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas challenging the APSC’s denial of recovery of $135 million of payments to other Utility operating companies in December 2018 relating to off-system sales of electricity from 2002-2009, as ordered by the FERC. The complaint also involved a challenge to the $13.7 million, plus interest, of related refunds ordered by the APSC and paid by Entergy Arkansas in August 2020. The trial was held in February 2023. Following the trial, Entergy Arkansas filed a motion with the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth District to expedite the appeal filed by Arkansas Electric Energy Consumers, Inc. The United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth District granted Entergy Arkansas’s request, and oral arguments were held in June 2023. In August 2023 the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth District affirmed the order of the court denying Arkansas Electric Energy Consumers, Inc.’s motion to intervene.
In March 2024 the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas issued a judgment in favor of the APSC and against Entergy Arkansas. In March 2024 Entergy Arkansas filed a notice of appeal and a motion to expedite oral arguments with the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth District and the court granted the motion to expedite and issued an order establishing that the briefing will occur in May 2024 through July 2024. As a result of the adverse decision by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas, Entergy Arkansas concluded that it could no longer support the recognition of its $131.8 million regulatory asset reflecting the previously-expected recovery of a portion of the costs at issue in the opportunity sales proceeding and recorded a $131.8 million ($99.1 million net-of-tax) charge to earnings in first quarter 2024.
Complaints Against System Energy
See Note 2 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for information regarding pending complaints against System Energy. 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), including challenges with respect to System Energy’s authorized return on equity and capital structure, renewal of its sale-leaseback arrangement, treatment of uncertain tax positions, a broader investigation of rates under the Unit Power Sales Agreement, and two prudence complaints, one challenging the extended power uprate completed at Grand Gulf in 2012 and the operation and management of Grand Gulf, particularly in the 2016-2020 time period, and the second challenging the operation and management of Grand Gulf in the 2021-2022 time period. The settlements with the MPSC and the APSC and the settlement in principle with the City Council, described in “System Energy Settlement with the City Council” below, if approved by the FERC, substantially reduce the aggregate amount of exposure resulting from these claims. 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 2023. 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 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 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 the 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.
Storm Cost Recovery Filings with Retail Regulators
See Note 2 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for discussion regarding storm cost recovery filings. The following is an update to that discussion.
Entergy Mississippi
As discussed in the Form 10-K, Entergy Mississippi has approval from the MPSC to collect a storm damage provision of $1.75 million per month. If Entergy Mississippi’s accumulated storm damage provision balance exceeds $15 million, the collection of the storm damage provision ceases until such time that the accumulated storm damage provision becomes less than $10 million.
In December 2023, Entergy Mississippi filed a Notice of Storm Escrow Disbursement and Request for Interim Relief notifying the MPSC that Entergy Mississippi had requested disbursement of approximately $34.5 million of storm escrow funds from its restricted storm escrow account. The filing also requested authorization from the MPSC, on a temporary basis, that the $34.5 million of storm escrow funds be credited to
Entergy Mississippi’s storm damage provision, pending the MPSC’s review of Entergy Mississippi’s storm-related costs, and that Entergy Mississippi continue to bill its monthly storm damage provision without suspension in the event the storm damage provision balance exceeds $15 million, in anticipation of a subsequent filing by Entergy Mississippi in this proceeding. The storm damage reserve exceeded $15 million upon receipt of the storm escrow funds. Because the MPSC had not entered an order on Entergy Mississippi’s filing on the requested relief to continue billing this provision, Entergy Mississippi suspended billing the monthly storm damage provision effective with February 2024 bills.
In March 2024, Entergy Mississippi made a combined dual filing which included a Notice of Intent to Make Routine Change in Rates and Schedules and a Motion for Determination relating to the above-described Notice of Storm Escrow Disbursement. The Notice of Intent proposed a new storm damage mitigation and restoration rider to supersede both the current storm damage rate schedule and the vegetation management rider schedule, in which the collection of both expenses would be combined. The proposal requests that the MPSC authorize Entergy Mississippi to collect a storm damage provision of $5.2 million per month. Furthermore, if Entergy Mississippi’s accumulated storm damage provision balance exceeds $70 million, collection of the storm damage provision would cease until such time that the accumulated storm damage provision becomes less than $60 million. The new storm damage mitigation and restoration rider will go into effect July 2024 if the notice is not suspended by the MPSC. Should the proposal not go into effect and the collection of both expenses not be combined, Entergy Mississippi proposed to collect a storm damage provision of $3.5 million per month, inwhich the storm damage reserve balance is not to exceed$50 million or become less than $40 million.
NOTE 3. EQUITY (Entergy Corporation and Entergy Louisiana)
Common Stock
Earnings per Share
The following table presents Entergy’s basic and diluted earnings per share calculations included on the consolidated income statements:
| For the Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 · 2023 | |||||
| (Dollars In Thousands, Except Per Share Data; Shares in Millions) | |||||
| $/share · $/share | |||||
| Consolidated net income | $76,536 | $312,299 | |||
| Less: Preferred dividend requirements of subsidiaries and noncontrolling interests | 1,255 | 1,364 | |||
| Net income attributable to Entergy Corporation | $75,281 | $310,935 | |||
| Basic shares and earnings per average common share | 213.1 | $0.35 | 211.4 | $1.47 | |
| Average dilutive effect of: | |||||
| Stock options | 0.3 | — | 0.3 | — | |
| Other equity plans | 0.5 | — | 0.4 | — | |
| Equity forwards | — | — | — | — | |
| Diluted shares and earnings per average common shares | 213.9 | $0.35 | 212.1 | $1.47 | |
The number of stock options not included in the calculation of diluted common shares outstanding due to their antidilutive effect was 1,141,259 options for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 1,181,919 options for the three months ended March 31, 2023.
Entergy’s stock options and other equity compensation plans are discussed in Note 5 to the financial statements herein and in Note 12 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K.
Dividends declared per common share were $1.13 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and $1.07 for the three months ended March 31, 2023.
Equity Distribution Program
In January 2021, Entergy Corporation entered into an equity distribution sales agreement with several counterparties establishing an at the market equity distribution program, pursuant to which Entergy Corporation may offer and sell from time to time shares of its common stock. The sales agreement provides that, in addition to the issuance and sale of shares of Entergy Corporation common stock, Entergy Corporation may enter into forward sale agreements for the sale of its common stock. The aggregate number of shares of common stock sold under this sales agreement and under any forward sale agreement may not exceed an aggregate gross sales price of $2 billion. As of March 31, 2024, an aggregate gross sales price of approximately $1.6 billion has been sold under the at the market equity distribution program.
During the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, there wereno shares of common stock issued under the at the market equity distribution program.
In March 2024, Entergy Corporation entered into two separate forward sale agreements for 284,922 shares and 1,160,415 shares of common stock, respectively. No amounts have been or will be recorded on Entergy’s balance sheet with respect to the equity offerings until settlements of the equity forward sale agreements occur. The forward sale agreements require Entergy Corporation to, at its election prior to May 30, 2025, either (i) physically settle the transactions by issuing the total of 284,922 shares and 1,160,415 shares, respectively, of its common stock to the forward counterparties in exchange for net proceeds at the then-applicable forward sale price specified by the agreements (initially approximately $101.92 and $101.74 per share, respectively) or (ii) net settle the transactions in whole or in part through the delivery or receipt of cash or shares. Each forward sale price is subject to adjustment on a daily basis based on a floating interest rate factor and will decrease by other fixed amounts specified in the agreements. In connection with the forward sale agreements, the forward seller, or its affiliates, borrowed from third parties and sold 284,922 shares and 1,160,415 shares, respectively, of Entergy Corporation’s common stock. The gross sales price of these shares totaled approximately $29.3 million and $119.2 million, respectively. In connection with the sales of these shares, Entergy Corporation paid the forward sellers fees of approximately $0.3 million and $1.2 million, respectively, which have not been deducted from the gross sales price. Entergy Corporation did not receive any proceeds from such sales of borrowed shares.
Until settlement of the forward sale agreements, earnings per share dilution resulting from the agreements, if any, will be determined under the treasury stock method. Share dilution occurs when the average market price of Entergy Corporation’s common stock is higher than the average forward sales price. For the three months ended March 31, 2024,1,910,255 shares under the forward sale agreements were not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share because their effect would have been antidilutive.
Treasury Stock
During the three months ended March 31, 2024, Entergy Corporation reissued 30,437 shares of its previously repurchased common stock to satisfy stock option exercises, vesting of shares of restricted stock, and other stock-based awards. Entergy Corporation did not repurchase any of its common stock during the three months ended March 31, 2024.
Retained Earnings
On April 8, 2024, Entergy Corporation’s Board of Directors declared a common stock dividend of $1.13 per share, payable on June 3, 2024 to holders of record as of May 2, 2024.
Comprehensive Income
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) is included in the equity section of the balance sheets of Entergy and Entergy Louisiana. The following table presents changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for Entergy for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023:
| Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| (In Thousands) | ||
| Beginning balance, January 1, | ($162,460) | ($191,754) |
| Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | (3,668) | 2,027 |
| Net other comprehensive income (loss) for the period | (3,668) | 2,027 |
| Ending balance, March 31, | ($166,128) | ($189,727) |
The following table presents changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for Entergy Louisiana for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023:
| Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| (In Thousands) | ||
| Beginning balance, January 1, | $54,798 | $55,370 |
| Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | (2,024) | (786) |
| Net other comprehensive income (loss) for the period | (2,024) | (786) |
| Ending balance, March 31, | $52,774 | $54,584 |
Total reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (AOCI) for Entergy for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 are as follows:
| Amounts reclassified from AOCI · Income Statement Location | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 · 2023 | |||
| (In Thousands) | |||
| Pension and other postretirement benefit plans | |||
| Amortization of prior-service credit | $3,473 | $3,397 | (a) |
| Amortization of net gain | 1,397 | 1,661 | (a) |
| Settlement loss | — | (7,816) | (a) |
| Total amortization and settlement loss | 4,870 | (2,758) | |
| Income taxes | (1,202) | 731 | Income taxes |
| Total amortization and settlement loss (net of tax) | $3,668 | ($2,027) | |
| Total reclassifications for the period (net of tax) | $3,668 | ($2,027) | |
(a)These accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) components are included in the computation of net periodic pension and other postretirement cost. See Note 6 to the financial statements herein for additional details.
Total reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (AOCI) for Entergy Louisiana for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 are as follows:
| Amounts reclassifiedfrom AOCI · Income Statement Location | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 · 2023 | |||
| (In Thousands) | |||
| Pension and other postretirement benefit plans | |||
| Amortization of prior-service credit | $1,136 | $951 | (a) |
| Amortization of gain | 1,634 | 1,565 | (a) |
| Settlement loss | — | (1,440) | (a) |
| Total amortization and settlement loss | 2,770 | 1,076 | |
| Income taxes | (746) | (290) | Income taxes |
| Total amortization and settlement loss (net of tax) | 2,024 | 786 | |
| Total reclassifications for the period (net of tax) | $2,024 | $786 | |
(a)These accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) components are included in the computation of net periodic pension and other postretirement cost. See Note 6 to the financial statements herein for additional details.
NOTE 4. REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITIES, LINES OF CREDIT, SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS, AND LONG-TERM DEBT (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)
Entergy Corporation has in place a credit facility that has a borrowing capacity of $3.5 billion and expires in June 2028. The facility includes fronting commitments for the issuance of letters of credit against $20 million of the total borrowing capacity of the credit facility. The commitment fee is currently 0.225% of the undrawn commitment amount. Commitment fees and interest rates on loans under the credit facility can fluctuate depending on the senior unsecured debt ratings of Entergy Corporation. As there were no borrowings under the facility for the three months ended March 31, 2024, the estimated interest rate as of March 31, 2024 that would have been applied to outstanding borrowings under the facility was 6.93%. The following is a summary of the amounts outstanding and capacity available under the credit facility as of March 31, 2024.
| Capacity | Borrowings | Lettersof Credit | CapacityAvailable |
|---|---|---|---|
| (In Millions) | |||
| $3,500 | $— | $4 | $3,496 |
Entergy Corporation’s credit facility includes a covenant requiring Entergy to maintain a consolidated debt ratio, as defined, of 65% or less of its total capitalization. Entergy is in compliance with this covenant. If Entergy fails to meet this ratio, or if Entergy Corporation or one of the Registrant Subsidiaries (except Entergy New Orleans and System Energy) defaults on other indebtedness or is in bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, an acceleration of the Entergy Corporation credit facility’s maturity date may occur.
Entergy Corporation has a commercial paper program with a Board-approved program limit of $2 billion. As of March 31, 2024, Entergy Corporation had $1,913.5 million of commercial paper outstanding. The weighted-average interest rate for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was 5.69%.
Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, and Entergy Texas each had credit facilities available as of March 31, 2024 as follows:
| Company | ExpirationDate | Amount ofFacility | Interest Rate (a) | Amount Drawnas ofMarch 31, 2024 | Letters of CreditOutstanding as of March 31, 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entergy Arkansas | April 2024 (d) | $25 million (b) | 7.27% | $— | $— |
| Entergy Arkansas | June 2028 | $150 million (c) | 6.55% | $— | $— |
| Entergy Louisiana | June 2028 | $350 million (c) | 6.68% | $— | $— |
| Entergy Mississippi | July 2025 | $150 million | 6.55% | $100 million | $— |
| Entergy New Orleans | June 2024 | $25 million (c) | 7.05% | $— | $— |
| Entergy Texas | June 2028 | $150 million (c) | 6.68% | $— | $1.1 million |
(a)The interest rate is the estimated interest rate as of March 31, 2024 that would have been applied to outstanding borrowings under the facility.
(b)Borrowings under this Entergy Arkansas credit facility may be secured by a security interest in its accounts receivable at Entergy Arkansas’s option.
(c)The credit facility includes fronting commitments for the issuance of letters of credit against a portion of the borrowing capacity of the facility as follows: $5 million for Entergy Arkansas; $15 million for Entergy Louisiana; $10 million for Entergy New Orleans; and $30 million for Entergy Texas.
(d)In April 2024, Entergy Arkansas renewed and extended the expiration of the credit facility to April 2026.
The commitment fees on the credit facilities range from 0.075% to 0.375% of the undrawn commitment amount for Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy Texas, and of the entire facility amount for Entergy New Orleans. Each of the credit facilities requires the Registrant Subsidiary borrower to maintain a debt ratio, as defined, of 65% or less of its total capitalization. Each Registrant Subsidiary is in compliance with this covenant.
In addition, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, and Entergy Texas each has an uncommitted standby letter of credit facility as a means to post collateral to support its obligations to MISO and for other purposes. The following is a summary of the uncommitted standby letter of credit facilities as of March 31, 2024:
| Company | Amount of Uncommitted Facility | Letter of Credit Fee | Letters of CreditIssued as ofMarch 31, 2024 (a) (b) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entergy Arkansas | $25 million | 0.78% | $2.1 million |
| Entergy Louisiana | $125 million | 0.78% | $11.8 million |
| Entergy Mississippi | $65 million | 0.78% | $27.6 million |
| Entergy New Orleans | $15 million | 1.625% | $0.5 million |
| Entergy Texas | $80 million | 1.250% | $76.5 million |
(a)As of March 31, 2024, letters of credit posted with MISO covered financial transmission rights exposure of $0.6 million for Entergy Arkansas, $0.5 million for Entergy Louisiana, $0.5 million for Entergy Mississippi, and $0.2 million for Entergy Texas. See Note 8 to the financial statements herein for discussion of financial transmission rights.
(b)As of March 31, 2024, the letters of credit issued for Entergy Mississippi include $17.4 million in MISO letters of credit and $10.2 million in non-MISO letters of credit outstanding under this facility.
The short-term borrowings of the Registrant Subsidiaries are limited to amounts authorized by the FERC. Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, and Entergy Texas have FERC-authorized short-term borrowing limits effective through April 2025. The FERC-authorized short-term borrowing limit for System Energy is effective through March 2025. In addition to borrowings from commercial banks, these companies may also borrow from the Entergy system money pool and from other internal short-term borrowing arrangements. The money pool is an intercompany cash management program that makes possible intercompany borrowing and lending arrangements, and the money pool and the other internal borrowing arrangements are designed to reduce the Registrant Subsidiaries’ dependence on external short-term borrowings. Borrowings from internal and external short-term borrowings combined may not exceed the FERC-authorized limits. The following are the FERC-authorized limits for short-term borrowings and the outstanding short-term borrowings as of March 31, 2024 (aggregating both internal and external short-term borrowings) for the Registrant Subsidiaries:
| Authorized | Borrowings | |
|---|---|---|
| (In Millions) | ||
| Entergy Arkansas | $250 | $— |
| Entergy Louisiana | $450 | $— |
| Entergy Mississippi | $200 | $56 |
| Entergy New Orleans | $150 | $50 |
| Entergy Texas | $200 | $— |
| System Energy | $200 | $— |
Vermont Yankee Credit Facility (Entergy Corporation)
In January 2019, Entergy Nuclear Vermont Yankee was transferred to NorthStar and its credit facility was assumed by Entergy Assets Management Operations, LLC (formerly Vermont Yankee Asset Retirement, LLC), Entergy Nuclear Vermont Yankee’s parent company that remains an Entergy subsidiary after the transfer. The credit facility has a borrowing capacity of $139 million and expires in December 2024. The commitment fee is currently 0.20% of the undrawn commitment amount. As of March 31, 2024, $139 million in cash borrowings were outstanding under the credit facility. The weighted-average interest rate for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was 6.97% on the drawn portion of the facility.
Variable Interest Entities (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, and System Energy)
See Note 17 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for a discussion of the consolidation of the nuclear fuel company variable interest entities (VIEs). To finance the acquisition and ownership of nuclear fuel, the nuclear fuel company VIEs have credit facilities and three of the four VIEs also issue commercial paper, details of which follow as of March 31, 2024:
| Company | ExpirationDate | AmountofFacility | Weighted- Average Interest Rate on Borrowings (a) | AmountOutstanding as ofMarch 31, 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Dollars in Millions) | ||||
| Entergy Arkansas VIE | June 2025 | $80 | 6.44% | $— |
| Entergy Louisiana River Bend VIE | June 2025 | $105 | 6.44% | $38.9 |
| Entergy Louisiana Waterford VIE | June 2025 | $105 | 6.44% | $31.2 |
| System Energy VIE | June 2025 | $120 | 6.43% | $113.2 |
(a)Includes letter of credit fees and bank fronting fees on commercial paper issuances by the nuclear fuel company VIEs for Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, and System Energy. The nuclear fuel company VIE for Entergy Louisiana River Bend does not issue commercial paper, but borrows directly on its bank credit facility.
The commitment fees on the credit facilities are 0.100% of the undrawn commitment amount for the Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, and System Energy VIEs. Each credit facility requires the respective lessee of nuclear fuel (Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, or Entergy Corporation as guarantor for System Energy) to maintain a consolidated debt ratio, as defined, of 70% or less of its total capitalization. Each lessee and guarantor is in compliance with this covenant.
The nuclear fuel company VIEs had notes payable that were included in debt on the respective balance sheets as of March 31, 2024 as follows:
| Company | Description | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Entergy Arkansas VIE | 1.84% Series N due July 2026 | $90 million |
| Entergy Arkansas VIE | 5.54% Series O due May 2029 | $70 million |
| Entergy Louisiana River Bend VIE | 2.51% Series V due June 2027 | $70 million |
| Entergy Louisiana Waterford VIE | 5.94% Series J due September 2026 | $70 million |
| System Energy VIE | 2.05% Series K due September 2027 | $90 million |
In accordance with regulatory treatment, interest on the nuclear fuel company VIEs’ credit facilities, commercial paper, and long-term notes payable is reported in fuel expense.
As of March 31, 2024, Entergy Arkansas and Entergy Louisiana each has obtained financing authorization from the FERC that extends through April 2025 for issuances by its nuclear fuel company VIEs. System Energy has obtained financing authorization from the FERC that extends through March 2025 for issuances by its nuclear fuel company VIE.
Debt Issuances and Retirements
(Entergy Louisiana)
In March 2024, Entergy Louisiana issued $500 million of 5.35% Series mortgage bonds due March 2034 and $700 million of 5.70% Series mortgage bonds due March 2054. Entergy Louisiana used a portion of the proceeds, together with other funds, to repay in March 2024 debt outstanding under its $350 million long-term revolving credit facility and to repay in April 2024, prior to maturity, its $400 million of 5.40% Series mortgage bonds due November 2024. Entergy Louisiana expects to use the remaining proceeds, together with other funds, to repay, at or prior to maturity, its $1 billion of 0.95% Series mortgage bonds due October 2024, for capital expenditures, and for general corporate purposes.
(Entergy New Orleans)
In April 2024, Entergy New Orleans entered into a bond purchase agreement related to the sale of $150 million of mortgage bonds expected to be issued in May 2024. The bond purchase agreement provides for the issuance of (1) $35 million of 6.25% Series mortgage bonds due June 2029, (2) $65 million of 6.41% Series mortgage bonds due June 2031, and (3) $50 million of 6.54% Series mortgage bonds due June 2034. Entergy New Orleans expects to use the proceeds, together with other funds, to repay, at or prior to maturity, its $85 million unsecured term loan due June 2024 and for general corporate purposes.
Fair Value
The book value and the fair value of long-term debt for Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries as of March 31, 2024 were as follows:
| Book Valueof Long-Term Debt | Fair Valueof Long-Term Debt (a) | |
|---|---|---|
| (In Thousands) | ||
| Entergy | $26,486,511 | $23,696,386 |
| Entergy Arkansas | $4,675,636 | $4,111,424 |
| Entergy Louisiana | $10,602,315 | $9,552,049 |
| Entergy Mississippi | $2,329,695 | $2,036,859 |
| Entergy New Orleans | $677,554 | $644,862 |
| Entergy Texas | $3,225,444 | $2,873,952 |
| System Energy | $830,998 | $797,623 |
(a)Fair values were classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy discussed in Note 8 to the financial statements herein.
The book value and the fair value of long-term debt for Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2023 were as follows:
| Book Valueof Long-Term Debt | Fair Valueof Long-Term Debt (a) | |
|---|---|---|
| (In Thousands) | ||
| Entergy | $25,107,896 | $22,489,174 |
| Entergy Arkansas | $4,673,080 | $4,166,941 |
| Entergy Louisiana | $9,420,689 | $8,414,512 |
| Entergy Mississippi | $2,229,510 | $1,969,334 |
| Entergy New Orleans | $677,450 | $602,716 |
| Entergy Texas | $3,225,092 | $2,936,130 |
| System Energy | $738,459 | $696,168 |
(a)Fair values were classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy discussed in Note 8 to the financial statements herein.
NOTE 5. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Entergy Corporation)
Entergy grants stock and stock-based awards, which are described more fully in Note 12 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K. Awards under Entergy’s plans generally vest over three years.
Stock Options
In January 2024 the Board approved and Entergy granted long-term incentive awards in the form of options on 352,199 shares of its common stock under the 2019 Omnibus Incentive Plan with a fair value of $18.61 per option. As of March 31, 2024, there were options on 3,155,183 shares of common stock outstanding with a weighted-average exercise price of $97.98. The intrinsic value, which has no effect on net income, of the outstanding stock options is calculated by the positive difference between the weighted-average exercise price of the stock options granted and Entergy Corporation’s common stock price as of March 31, 2024. The aggregate intrinsic value of the stock options outstanding as of March 31, 2024 was $38.8 million.
The following table includes financial information for stock options for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023:
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| (In Millions) | ||
| Compensation expense included in Entergy’s consolidated net income | $1.1 | $1.1 |
| Tax benefit recognized in Entergy’s consolidated net income | $0.3 | $0.3 |
| Compensation cost capitalized as part of fixed assets and materials and supplies | $0.5 | $0.5 |
Other Equity Awards
In January 2024 the Board approved and Entergy granted long-term incentive awards in the form of 409,947 restricted stock awards and 158,176 performance units under the 2019 Omnibus Incentive Plan. The restricted stock awards were made effective on January 25, 2024 and were valued at $99.08 per share, which was the closing price of Entergy Corporation’s common stock on that date. Shares of restricted stock have the same dividend and voting rights as other common stock, are considered issued and outstanding shares of Entergy upon vesting, and are expensed ratably over the three-year vesting period. One-third of the restricted stock awards and accrued dividends will vest upon each anniversary of the grant date.
The performance units represent the value of, and are settled with, one share of Entergy Corporation common stock at the end of the three-year performance period, plus dividends accrued during the performance period on the number of performance units earned. To emphasize the importance of environmental stewardship, specifically of carbon-free generation and resilience, an environmental achievement measure was selected as one of the performance measures for the 2024-2026 performance period. Performance will be based eighty percent on relative total shareholder return andtwenty percent on the environmental achievement measure. The performance units were granted on January 25, 2024 andeighty percent were valued at $124.65 per share based on various factors, primarily market conditions; andtwenty percent were valued at $99.08 per share, the closing price of Entergy Corporation’s common stock on that date. Performance units have the same dividend and voting rights as other common stock and are considered issued and outstanding shares of Entergy upon vesting, and are expensed ratably over the three-year vesting period, and compensation cost for the portion of the award based on the selected environmental achievement measure will be adjusted based on the number of units that ultimately vest. See Note 12 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for a description of the Long-Term Performance Unit Program.
The following table includes financial information for other outstanding equity awards for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023:
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| (In Millions) | ||
| Compensation expense included in Entergy’s consolidated net income | $9.9 | $7.7 |
| Tax benefit recognized in Entergy’s consolidated net income | $2.5 | $2.0 |
| Compensation cost capitalized as part of fixed assets and materials and supplies | $4.5 | $3.2 |
NOTE 6. RETIREMENT AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)
Components of Qualified Net Pension Cost
Entergy’s qualified pension costs, including amounts capitalized, for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, included the following components:
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| (In Thousands) | ||
| Service cost - benefits earned during the period | $23,376 | $25,678 |
| Interest cost on projected benefit obligation | 70,626 | 75,701 |
| Expected return on assets | (95,980) | (98,133) |
| Recognized net loss | 15,120 | 22,347 |
| Settlement charges | — | 138,427 |
| Net pension cost | $13,142 | $164,020 |
The Registrant Subsidiaries’ qualified pension costs, including amounts capitalized, for their current and former employees for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, included the following components:
| 2024 | EntergyArkansas | EntergyLouisiana | Entergy Mississippi | EntergyNew Orleans | EntergyTexas | SystemEnergy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Thousands) | ||||||
| Service cost - benefits earned during the period | $4,099 | $5,551 | $1,284 | $440 | $961 | $1,384 |
| Interest cost on projected benefit obligation | 13,217 | 13,961 | 3,521 | 1,569 | 2,831 | 3,391 |
| Expected return on assets | (18,155) | (19,447) | (5,113) | (2,204) | (4,077) | (4,648) |
| Recognized net loss | 5,746 | 2,602 | 1,140 | 470 | 393 | 1,165 |
| Net pension cost | $4,907 | $2,667 | $832 | $275 | $108 | $1,292 |
| 2023 | EntergyArkansas | EntergyLouisiana | Entergy Mississippi | EntergyNew Orleans | EntergyTexas | SystemEnergy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Thousands) | ||||||
| Service cost - benefits earned during the period | $4,749 | $6,280 | $1,482 | $491 | $1,107 | $1,467 |
| Interest cost on projected benefit obligation | 14,280 | 15,379 | 3,930 | 1,715 | 3,242 | 3,528 |
| Expected return on assets | (18,076) | (19,233) | (4,884) | (2,267) | (4,152) | (4,538) |
| Recognized net loss | 6,969 | 4,964 | 1,765 | 513 | 990 | 1,461 |
| Settlement charges | 22,174 | 35,999 | 11,655 | 1,693 | 9,678 | 4,799 |
| Net pension cost | $30,096 | $43,389 | $13,948 | $2,145 | $10,865 | $6,717 |
Non-Qualified Net Pension Cost
Entergy recognized $2.7 million and $9.2 million in pension cost for its non-qualified pension plans for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2024, there wereno settlement charges related to the payment of lump sum benefits out of the plan. Included in the pension cost for non-qualified pension plans for the three months ended March 31, 2023 were settlement charges of $4.8 million related to the payment of lump sum benefits out of the plans.
The Registrant Subsidiaries recognized the following pension cost for their current and former employees for their non-qualified pension plans for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023:
| EntergyArkansas · EntergyLouisiana · EntergyMississippi · EntergyNew Orleans · EntergyTexas | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Thousands) | |||||
| 2024 | $68 | $51 | $83 | $31 | $62 |
| 2023 | $450 | $27 | $552 | $33 | $63 |
For the three months ended March 31, 2024, there wereno settlement charges for the Registrant Subsidiaries related to the payment of lump sum benefits out of the plan. Included in the non-qualified pension costs above for the three months ended March 31, 2023 were settlement charges of $379 thousand and $453 thousand for Entergy Arkansas and Entergy Mississippi, respectively, related to the payment of lump sum benefits out of the plan.
Components of Net Other Postretirement Benefits Cost (Income)
Entergy’s other postretirement benefits income, including amounts capitalized, for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, included the following components:
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| (In Thousands) | ||
| Service cost - benefits earned during the period | $3,126 | $3,664 |
| Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO) | 9,852 | 10,568 |
| Expected return on assets | (10,569) | (9,183) |
| Amortization of prior service credit | (5,720) | (5,640) |
| Recognized net gain | (2,761) | (2,862) |
| Net other postretirement benefits income | ($6,072) | ($3,453) |
The Registrant Subsidiaries’ other postretirement benefits cost (income), including amounts capitalized, for their current and former employees for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, included the following components:
| 2024 | EntergyArkansas | EntergyLouisiana | EntergyMississippi | EntergyNew Orleans | EntergyTexas | SystemEnergy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Thousands) | ||||||
| Service cost - benefits earned during the period | $642 | $700 | $184 | $51 | $168 | $175 |
| Interest cost on APBO | 1,833 | 1,999 | 486 | 253 | 603 | 398 |
| Expected return on assets | (4,384) | — | (1,372) | (1,479) | (2,539) | (728) |
| Amortization of prior service cost/(credit) | 524 | (1,136) | (239) | (229) | (1,093) | (73) |
| Recognized net (gain)/loss | — | (1,738) | 15 | 19 | 148 | — |
| Net other postretirement benefits income | ($1,385) | ($175) | ($926) | ($1,385) | ($2,713) | ($228) |
| 2023 | EntergyArkansas | EntergyLouisiana | EntergyMississippi | EntergyNew Orleans | EntergyTexas | SystemEnergy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Thousands) | ||||||
| Service cost - benefits earned during the period | $741 | $845 | $220 | $59 | $202 | $189 |
| Interest cost on APBO | 2,001 | 2,233 | 543 | 290 | 649 | 432 |
| Expected return on assets | (3,778) | — | (1,179) | (1,316) | (2,194) | (634) |
| Amortization of prior service cost/(credit) | 524 | (951) | (239) | (229) | (1,093) | (73) |
| Recognized net (gain)/loss | 43 | (1,764) | 21 | 117 | 229 | — |
| Net other postretirement benefits (income)/cost | ($469) | $363 | ($634) | ($1,079) | ($2,207) | ($86) |
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Entergy and Entergy Louisiana reclassified the following costs out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (before taxes and including amounts capitalized) for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023:
| 2024 | QualifiedPensionCosts | OtherPostretirementCosts | Non-QualifiedPension Costs | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Thousands) | ||||
| Entergy | ||||
| Amortization of prior service (cost) credit | $— | $3,513 | ($40) | $3,473 |
| Amortization of net gain (loss) | (1,138) | 2,615 | (80) | 1,397 |
| ($1,138) | $6,128 | ($120) | $4,870 | |
| Entergy Louisiana | ||||
| Amortization of prior service credit | $— | $1,136 | $— | $1,136 |
| Amortization of net gain (loss) | (104) | 1,738 | — | 1,634 |
| ($104) | $2,874 | $— | $2,770 | |
| 2023 | QualifiedPensionCosts | OtherPostretirementCosts | Non-QualifiedPension Costs | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Thousands) | ||||
| Entergy | ||||
| Amortization of prior service (cost) credit | $— | $3,510 | ($113) | $3,397 |
| Amortization of net gain (loss) | (1,040) | 2,898 | (197) | 1,661 |
| Settlement loss | (6,647) | — | (1,169) | (7,816) |
| ($7,687) | $6,408 | ($1,479) | ($2,758) | |
| Entergy Louisiana | ||||
| Amortization of prior service credit | $— | $951 | $— | $951 |
| Amortization of net gain (loss) | (199) | 1,764 | — | 1,565 |
| Settlement loss | (1,440) | — | — | (1,440) |
| ($1,639) | $2,715 | $— | $1,076 | |
Accounting for Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
In accordance with accounting standards, the other components of net benefit cost are required to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside a subtotal of income from operations and are presented by Entergy in miscellaneous - net in other income.
Qualified Pension Settlement Costs
First quarter 2023 lump sum benefit payments from the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Bargaining Employees and the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Non-Bargaining Employees exceeded the sum of the Plans’ 2023 service and interest cost, resulting in settlement costs. In accordance with accounting standards, settlement accounting requires immediate recognition of the portion of previously unrecognized losses associated with the settled portion of the plan’s pension liability. Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy each participate in one or both of the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Bargaining Employees and the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Non-Bargaining Employees and incurred settlement costs. Similar to other pension costs, the settlement costs were included with employee labor costs and charged to expense and capital in the same manner that labor costs were charged. Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy New Orleans each received regulatory approval to defer the expense portion of the settlement costs, with future amortization of the deferred settlement expense over the period in which the expense otherwise would be recorded had the immediate recognition not occurred. In September 2020, Entergy Texas elected to establish a reserve, in accordance with PUCT regulations, to track the surplus or deficit in the annual amount of actuarially determined pension and other postretirement benefits chargeable to Entergy Texas’s expense. The reserve amounts recorded are evaluated in each rate case filed by Entergy Texas and an amortization period is determined at that time.
Employer Contributions
Based on current assumptions, Entergy expects to contribute $270 million to its qualified pension plans in 2024. As of March 31, 2024, Entergy had contributed $58 million to its pension plans. Based on current assumptions, the Registrant Subsidiaries expect to contribute the following to qualified pension plans for their current and former employees in 2024:
| EntergyArkansas | EntergyLouisiana | EntergyMississippi | EntergyNew Orleans | EntergyTexas | SystemEnergy | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Thousands) | ||||||
| Expected 2024 pension contributions | $55,112 | $48,401 | $14,980 | $4,931 | $8,272 | $16,650 |
| Pension contributions made through March 2024 | $12,008 | $10,349 | $4,660 | $355 | $1,292 | $3,338 |
| Remaining estimated pension contributions to be made in 2024 | $43,104 | $38,052 | $10,320 | $4,576 | $6,980 | $13,312 |
NOTE 7. BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)
Entergy has a single reportable segment, Utility, which includes the generation, transmission, distribution, and sale of electric power in portions of Arkansas, Mississippi, Texas, and Louisiana, including the City of New Orleans; and operation of a small natural gas distribution business in portions of Louisiana. The Utility segment reflects management’s primary basis of organization with a predominant focus on its utility operations in the Gulf South. Parent & Other includes the parent company, Entergy Corporation, and other business activity, including Entergy’s non-utility operations business which owns interests in non-nuclear power plants that sell the electric power produced by those plants to wholesale customers and also provides decommissioning services to nuclear power plants owned by non-affiliated entities in the United States.
Entergy’s segment financial information for the first quarters of 2024 and 2023 was as follows:
| Utility | Parent & Other | Eliminations | Consolidated | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Thousands) | ||||
| Operating revenues | $2,772,173 | $22,476 | ($21) | $2,794,628 |
| Income taxes | $34,548 | ($13,554) | $— | $20,994 |
| Consolidated net income (loss) | $195,980 | ($39,883) | ($79,561) | $76,536 |
| Total assets as of March 31, 2024 | $65,760,486 | $892,773 | ($5,023,403) | $61,629,856 |
| Operating revenues | $2,947,992 | $33,070 | ($3) | $2,981,059 |
| Income taxes | ($66,126) | ($12,849) | $— | ($78,975) |
| Consolidated net income (loss) | $398,167 | ($30,394) | ($55,474) | $312,299 |
| Total assets as of December 31, 2023 | $63,887,038 | $836,598 | ($5,020,240) | $59,703,396 |
Eliminations are primarily intersegment activity. All of Entergy’s goodwill is related to the Utility segment.
Registrant Subsidiaries
Each of the Registrant Subsidiaries has one reportable segment, which is an integrated utility business, except for System Energy, which is an electricity generation business. Each of the Registrant Subsidiaries’ operations are managed on an integrated basis by that company because of the substantial effect of cost-based rates and regulatory oversight on the business process, cost structures, and operating results. Management allocates resources and assesses financial performance on a consolidated basis.
NOTE 8. RISK MANAGEMENT AND FAIR VALUES (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)
Market Risk
In the normal course of business, Entergy is exposed to a number of market risks. Market risk is the potential loss that Entergy may incur as a result of changes in the market or fair value of a particular commodity or instrument. All financial and commodity-related instruments, including derivatives, are subject to market risk including commodity price risk, equity price, and interest rate risk. Entergy uses derivatives primarily to mitigate commodity price risk, particularly power price and fuel price risk.
The Utility has limited exposure to the effects of market risk because it operates primarily under cost-based rate regulation. To the extent approved by their retail regulators, the Utility operating companies use commodity and financial instruments to hedge the exposure to price volatility inherent in their purchased power, fuel, and gas purchased for resale costs, that are recovered from customers.
Entergy’s exposure to market risk is determined by a number of factors, including the size, term, composition, and diversification of positions held, as well as market volatility and liquidity. For instruments such as options, the time period during which the option may be exercised and the relationship between the current market price of the underlying instrument and the option’s contractual strike or exercise price also affects the level of market risk. A significant factor influencing the overall level of market risk to which Entergy is exposed is its use of hedging techniques to mitigate such risk. Hedging instruments and volumes are chosen based on ability to mitigate risk associated with future energy and capacity prices; however, other considerations are factored into hedge product and volume decisions including corporate liquidity, corporate credit ratings, counterparty credit risk, hedging costs, firm settlement risk, and product availability in the marketplace. Entergy manages market risk by actively monitoring compliance with stated risk management policies as well as monitoring the effectiveness of its hedging policies and strategies. Entergy’s risk management policies limit the amount of total net exposure and rolling net exposure during the stated periods. These policies, including related risk limits, are regularly assessed to ensure their appropriateness given Entergy’s objectives.
Derivatives
Entergy designates a significant portion of its derivative instruments as normal purchase/normal sale transactions due to their physical settlement provisions, including power purchase and sales agreements, fuel purchase agreements, and capacity contracts. Certain derivative instruments do not qualify for designation as normal purchase/normal sale transactions due to their financial settlement provisions. See further discussion below regarding the accounting for these derivative instruments.
Entergy manages fuel price volatility for its Louisiana jurisdictions (Entergy Louisiana and Entergy New Orleans) and Entergy Mississippi through the purchase of natural gas swaps and options that financially settle against either the average Henry Hub Gas Daily prices or the NYMEX Henry Hub. These swaps and options are marked-to-market through fuel expense with offsetting regulatory assets or liabilities. All benefits or costs of the program are recorded in fuel costs. The notional volumes of these swaps are based on a portion of projected annual exposure to gas price volatility for electric generation at Entergy Louisiana and Entergy Mississippi and projected winter purchases for gas distribution at Entergy New Orleans. The maximum length of time over which Entergy has executed natural gas swaps and options as of March 31, 2024 is 7 months for Entergy Mississippi. The total volume of natural gas swaps and options outstanding as of March 31, 2024 is 15,113,600 MMBtu for Entergy and Entergy Mississippi. As of March 31, 2024, Entergy Louisiana and Entergy New Orleans had no outstanding natural gas swaps or options. Credit support for these natural gas swaps and options is covered by master agreements that do not require Entergy to provide collateral based on mark-to-market value, but do carry adequate assurance language that may lead to requests for collateral.
During the second quarter 2023, Entergy participated in the annual financial transmission rights auction process for the MISO planning year of June 1, 2023 through May 31, 2024. Financial transmission rights are derivative instruments that represent economic hedges of future congestion charges that will be incurred in serving Entergy’s customer load. They are not designated as hedging instruments. Entergy initially records financial transmission rights at their estimated fair value and subsequently adjusts the carrying value to their estimated fair value at the end of each accounting period prior to settlement. Unrealized gains or losses on financial transmission rights held by the non-utility operations are included in operating revenues. The Utility operating companies recognize regulatory liabilities or assets for unrealized gains or losses on financial transmission rights. The total volume of financial transmission rights outstanding as of March 31, 2024 is 25,095 GWh for Entergy, including 6,056 GWh for Entergy Arkansas,10,928 GWh for Entergy Louisiana,3,294 GWh for Entergy Mississippi,1,002 GWh for Entergy New Orleans, and 3,772 GWh for Entergy Texas. Credit support for financial transmission rights held by the Utility operating companies is covered by cash and/or letters of credit issued by each Utility operating company as required by MISO. Credit support for financial transmission rights held by the non-utility operations business is covered by cash. No cash or letters of credit were required to be posted for financial transmission rights exposure for the non-utility operations business as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. Letters of credit posted with MISO covered the financial transmission rights exposure for Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy Texas as of March 31, 2024 and for Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, and Entergy Texas as of December 31, 2023.
The fair values of Entergy’s derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 are shown in the table below. Certain investments, including those not designated as hedging instruments, are subject to master netting agreements and are presented in the balance sheet on a net basis in accordance with accounting guidance for derivatives and hedging.
| Instrument | Balance Sheet Location | Gross Fair Value (a) | Offsetting Position (b) | Net Fair Value (c) (d) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Millions) | ||||
| Assets: | ||||
| Financial transmission rights | Prepayments and other | $9 | $— | $9 |
| Liabilities: | ||||
| Natural gas swaps and options | Other current liabilities | $6 | $— | $6 |
| Assets: | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Financial transmission rights | Prepayments and other | $21 | $— | $21 |
| Liabilities: | ||||
| Natural gas swaps and options | Other current liabilities | $11 | $— | $11 |
(a)Represents the gross amounts of recognized assets/liabilities
(b)Represents the netting of fair value balances with the same counterparty
(c)Represents the net amounts of assets/liabilities presented on the Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries’ Consolidated Balance Sheets
(d)Excludes letters of credit in the amount of $2 million posted as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023
The effects of Entergy’s derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the consolidated income statements for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 are as follows:
| Instrument · Income Statementlocation · Amount of gain (loss)recorded in the income statement | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| (In Millions) | |||
| Natural gas swaps and options | Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale | (a) | ($6) |
| Financial transmission rights | Purchased power expense | (b) | $53 |
| Natural gas swaps and options | Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale | (a) | ($37) |
| Financial transmission rights | Purchased power expense | (b) | $16 |
(a)Due to regulatory treatment, the natural gas swaps and options are marked-to-market through fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale and then such amounts are simultaneously reversed and recorded as an offsetting regulatory asset or liability. The gains or losses recorded as fuel expenses when the swaps and options are settled are recovered or refunded through fuel cost recovery mechanisms.
(b)Due to regulatory treatment, the changes in the estimated fair value of financial transmission rights for the Utility operating companies are recorded through purchased power expense and then such amounts are simultaneously reversed and recorded as an offsetting regulatory asset or liability. The gains or losses recorded as purchased power expense when the financial transmission rights for the Utility operating companies are settled are recovered or refunded through fuel cost recovery mechanisms.
The fair values of derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the Registrant Subsidiaries’ balance sheets as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 are shown in the tables below. Certain investments, including those not designated as hedging instruments, are subject to master netting agreements and are presented in the balance sheet on a net basis in accordance with accounting guidance for derivatives and hedging.
| Instrument | Balance Sheet Location | Gross Fair Value (a) | Offsetting Position (b) | Net Fair Value (c) (d) | Registrant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Millions) | |||||
| Assets: | |||||
| Financial transmission rights | Prepayments and other | $2.8 | $— | $2.8 | Entergy Arkansas |
| Financial transmission rights | Prepayments and other | $4.1 | $— | $4.1 | Entergy Louisiana |
| Financial transmission rights | Prepayments and other | $0.6 | $— | $0.6 | Entergy Mississippi |
| Financial transmission rights | Prepayments and other | $0.5 | $— | $0.5 | Entergy New Orleans |
| Financial transmission rights | Prepayments and other | $1.2 | $— | $1.2 | Entergy Texas |
| Liabilities: | |||||
| Natural gas swaps | Other current liabilities | $6.5 | $— | $6.5 | Entergy Mississippi |
| Instrument | Balance Sheet Location | Gross Fair Value (a) | Offsetting Position (b) | Net Fair Value (c) (d) | Registrant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Millions) | |||||
| Assets: | |||||
| Financial transmission rights | Prepayments and other | $6.0 | $— | $6.0 | Entergy Arkansas |
| Financial transmission rights | Prepayments and other | $9.8 | $— | $9.8 | Entergy Louisiana |
| Financial transmission rights | Prepayments and other | $1.4 | $— | $1.4 | Entergy Mississippi |
| Financial transmission rights | Prepayments and other | $1.1 | $— | $1.1 | Entergy New Orleans |
| Financial transmission rights | Prepayments and other | $2.7 | ($0.3) | $2.4 | Entergy Texas |
| Liabilities: | |||||
| Natural gas swaps and options | Other current liabilities | $0.4 | $— | $0.4 | Entergy Louisiana |
| Natural gas swaps | Other current liabilities | $10.1 | $— | $10.1 | Entergy Mississippi |
| Natural gas swaps | Other current liabilities | $0.6 | $— | $0.6 | Entergy New Orleans |
(a)Represents the gross amounts of recognized assets/liabilities
(b)Represents the netting of fair value balances with the same counterparty
(c)Represents the net amounts of assets/liabilities presented on the Registrant Subsidiaries’ balance sheets
(d)As of March 31, 2024, letters of credit posted with MISO covered financial transmission rights exposure of $0.6 million for Entergy Arkansas, $0.5 million for Entergy Louisiana, $0.5 million for Entergy Mississippi, and $0.2 million for Entergy Texas. As of December 31, 2023, letters of credit posted with MISO covered financial transmission rights exposure of $1.2 million for Entergy Arkansas, $0.5 million for Entergy Louisiana, $0.3 million for Entergy Mississippi, and $0.1 million for Entergy Texas.
The effects of derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the Registrant Subsidiaries’ income statements for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 are as follows:
| Instrument | Income Statement Location | Amount of gain(loss) recordedin the income statement | Registrant |
|---|---|---|---|
| (In Millions) | |||
| Natural gas swaps | Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale | $5.2(a) | Entergy Mississippi |
| Natural gas swaps | Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale | $0.5(a) | Entergy New Orleans |
| Financial transmission rights | Purchased power expense | $26.9(b) | Entergy Arkansas |
| Financial transmission rights | Purchased power expense | $16.2(b) | Entergy Louisiana |
| Financial transmission rights | Purchased power expense | $1.1(b) | Entergy Mississippi |
| Financial transmission rights | Purchased power expense | $1.1(b) | Entergy New Orleans |
| Financial transmission rights | Purchased power expense | $7.5(b) | Entergy Texas |
| Natural gas swaps and options | Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale | ($6.6)(a) | Entergy Louisiana |
| Natural gas swaps | Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale | ($28.6)(a) | Entergy Mississippi |
| Natural gas swaps | Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale | ($2.2)(a) | Entergy New Orleans |
| Financial transmission rights | Purchased power expense | $3.9(b) | Entergy Arkansas |
| Financial transmission rights | Purchased power expense | $8.8(b) | Entergy Louisiana |
| Financial transmission rights | Purchased power expense | $1.5(b) | Entergy Mississippi |
| Financial transmission rights | Purchased power expense | $0.9(b) | Entergy New Orleans |
| Financial transmission rights | Purchased power expense | $0.7(b) | Entergy Texas |
(a)Due to regulatory treatment, the natural gas swaps and options are marked-to-market through fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale and then such amounts are simultaneously reversed and recorded as an offsetting regulatory asset or liability. The gains or losses recorded as fuel expenses when the swaps and options are settled are recovered or refunded through fuel cost recovery mechanisms.
(b)Due to regulatory treatment, the changes in the estimated fair value of financial transmission rights for the Utility operating companies are recorded through purchased power expense and then such amounts are simultaneously reversed and recorded as an offsetting regulatory asset or liability. The gains or losses recorded as purchased power expense when the financial transmission rights for the Utility operating companies are settled are recovered or refunded through fuel cost recovery mechanisms.
Fair Values
The estimated fair values of Entergy’s financial instruments and derivatives are determined using historical prices, bid prices, market quotes, and financial modeling. Considerable judgment is required in developing the estimates of fair value. Therefore, estimates are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that Entergy could realize in a current market exchange. Gains or losses realized on financial instruments are reflected in future rates and therefore do not affect net income. Entergy considers the carrying amounts of most financial instruments classified as current assets and liabilities to be a reasonable estimate of their fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.
Accounting standards define fair value as an exit price, or the price that would be received to sell an asset or the amount that would be paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between knowledgeable market participants at the date of measurement. Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries use assumptions or market input data that market participants would use in pricing assets or liabilities at fair value. The inputs can be readily observable, corroborated by market data, or generally unobservable. Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries endeavor to use the best available information to determine fair value.
Accounting standards establish a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. The hierarchy establishes the highest priority for unadjusted market quotes in an active market for the identical asset or liability and the lowest priority for unobservable inputs.
The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are:
Level 1 - Level 1 inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity has the ability to access at the measurement date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. Level 1 primarily consists of individually owned common stocks, cash equivalents (temporary cash investments, securitization recovery trust account, and escrow accounts), debt instruments, and gas swaps traded on exchanges with active markets. Cash equivalents includes all unrestricted highly liquid debt instruments with an original or remaining maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase.
Level 2 - Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are, either directly or indirectly, observable for the asset or liability at the measurement date. Assets are valued based on prices derived by independent third parties that use inputs such as benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, and issuer spreads. Prices are reviewed and can be challenged with the independent parties and/or overridden by Entergy if it is believed such would be more reflective of fair value. Level 2 inputs include the following:
–quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;
–quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets;
–inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; or
–inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.
Level 2 consists primarily of individually-owned debt instruments and gas swaps and options valued using observable inputs.
Level 3 - Level 3 inputs are pricing inputs that are generally less observable or unobservable from objective sources. These inputs are used with internally developed methodologies to produce management’s best estimate of fair value for the asset or liability. Level 3 consists primarily of financial transmission rights.
The values of financial transmission rights are based on unobservable inputs, including estimates of congestion costs in MISO between applicable generation and load pricing nodes based on the 50th percentile of historical prices. They are classified as Level 3 assets and liabilities. The valuations of these assets and liabilities are performed by the Office of Corporate Risk Oversight. The values are calculated internally and verified against the data published by MISO. Entergy’s Accounting group reviews these valuations for reasonableness, with the assistance of others within the organization with knowledge of the various inputs and assumptions used in the valuation. The Office of Corporate Risk Oversight reports to the Vice President and Treasurer. The Accounting group reports to the Chief Accounting Officer.
The following tables set forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, Entergy’s assets and liabilities that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. The assessment of the significance of a particular input to a fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.
| 2024 | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Millions) | ||||
| Assets: | ||||
| Temporary cash investments | $1,230 | $— | $— | $1,230 |
| Decommissioning trust funds (a): | ||||
| Equity securities | 135 | — | — | 135 |
| Debt securities | 613 | 1,148 | — | 1,761 |
| Common trusts (b) | 3,270 | |||
| Securitization recovery trust account | 17 | — | — | 17 |
| Storm reserve escrow accounts | 328 | — | — | 328 |
| Financial transmission rights | — | — | 9 | 9 |
| $2,323 | $1,148 | $9 | $6,750 | |
| Liabilities: | ||||
| Gas hedge contracts | $6 | $— | $— | $6 |
| 2023 | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Millions) | ||||
| Assets: | ||||
| Temporary cash investments | $61 | $— | $— | $61 |
| Decommissioning trust funds (a): | ||||
| Equity securities | 24 | — | — | 24 |
| Debt securities | 611 | 1,159 | — | 1,770 |
| Common trusts (b) | 3,070 | |||
| Securitization recovery trust account | 8 | — | — | 8 |
| Storm reserve escrow accounts | 323 | — | — | 323 |
| Financial transmission rights | — | — | 21 | 21 |
| $1,027 | $1,159 | $21 | $5,277 | |
| Liabilities: | ||||
| Gas hedge contracts | $11 | $— | $— | $11 |
(a)The decommissioning trust funds hold equity and fixed income securities. Equity securities are invested to approximate the returns of major market indices. Fixed income securities are held in various governmental and corporate securities. See Note 9 to the financial statements herein for additional information on the investment portfolios.
(b)Common trust funds are not publicly quoted and are valued by the fund administrators using net asset value as a practical expedient. Accordingly, these funds are not assigned a level in the fair value table. The fund administrator of these investments allows daily trading at the net asset value and trades settle at a later date.
The following table sets forth a reconciliation of changes in the net assets for the fair value of financial transmission rights classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023:
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| (In Millions) | ||
| Balance as of January 1, | $21 | $19 |
| Total gains (losses) for the period | ||
| Included as a regulatory liability/asset | 41 | 4 |
| Settlements | (53) | (16) |
| Balance as of March 31, | $9 | $7 |
The fair values of the Level 3 financial transmission rights are based on unobservable inputs calculated internally and verified against historical pricing data published by MISO.
The following tables set forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, the Registrant Subsidiaries’ assets and liabilities that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. The assessment of the significance of a particular input to a fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.
| 2024 | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Millions) | ||||
| Assets: | ||||
| Temporary cash investments | $32.9 | $— | $— | $32.9 |
| Decommissioning trust funds (a): | ||||
| Equity securities | 88.1 | — | — | 88.1 |
| Debt securities | 137.7 | 361.1 | — | 498.8 |
| Common trusts (b) | 915.0 | |||
| Financial transmission rights | — | — | 2.8 | 2.8 |
| $258.7 | $361.1 | $2.8 | $1,537.6 | |
| 2023 | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Millions) | ||||
| Assets: | ||||
| Temporary cash investments | $3.1 | $— | $— | $3.1 |
| Decommissioning trust funds (a): | ||||
| Equity securities | 6.4 | — | — | 6.4 |
| Debt securities | 129.9 | 367.0 | — | 496.9 |
| Common trusts (b) | 910.7 | |||
| Financial transmission rights | — | — | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| $139.4 | $367.0 | $6.0 | $1,423.1 | |
| 2024 | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Millions) | ||||
| Assets: | ||||
| Temporary cash investments | $772.8 | $— | $— | $772.8 |
| Decommissioning trust funds (a): | ||||
| Equity securities | 43.0 | — | — | 43.0 |
| Debt securities | 269.4 | 511.0 | — | 780.4 |
| Common trusts (b) | 1,416.2 | |||
| Storm reserve escrow account | 247.1 | — | — | 247.1 |
| Financial transmission rights | — | — | 4.1 | 4.1 |
| $1,332.3 | $511.0 | $4.1 | $3,263.6 | |
| 2023 | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Millions) | ||||
| Assets: | ||||
| Temporary cash investments | $0.5 | $— | $— | $0.5 |
| Decommissioning trust funds (a): | ||||
| Equity securities | 14.6 | — | — | 14.6 |
| Debt securities | 271.7 | 516.4 | — | 788.1 |
| Common trusts (b) | 1,304.7 | |||
| Storm reserve escrow account | 243.8 | — | — | 243.8 |
| Financial transmission rights | — | — | 9.8 | 9.8 |
| $530.6 | $516.4 | $9.8 | $2,361.5 | |
| Liabilities: | ||||
| Gas hedge contracts | $0.4 | $— | $— | $0.4 |
Entergy Mississippi
| 2024 | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Millions) | ||||
| Assets: | ||||
| Temporary cash investments | $2.1 | $— | $— | $2.1 |
| Storm reserve escrow account | 0.7 | — | — | 0.7 |
| Financial transmission rights | — | — | 0.6 | 0.6 |
| $2.8 | $— | $0.6 | $3.4 | |
| Liabilities: | ||||
| Gas hedge contracts | $6.5 | $— | $— | $6.5 |
| 2023 | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Millions) | ||||
| Assets: | ||||
| Temporary cash investments | $6.6 | $— | $— | $6.6 |
| Storm reserve escrow account | 0.7 | — | — | 0.7 |
| Financial transmission rights | — | — | 1.4 | 1.4 |
| $7.3 | $— | $1.4 | $8.7 | |
| Liabilities: | ||||
| Gas hedge contracts | $10.1 | $— | $— | $10.1 |
Entergy New Orleans
| 2024 | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Millions) | ||||
| Assets: | ||||
| Securitization recovery trust account | $5.4 | $— | $— | $5.4 |
| Storm reserve escrow account | 80.6 | — | — | 80.6 |
| Financial transmission rights | — | — | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| $86.0 | $— | $0.5 | $86.5 | |
| 2023 | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Millions) | ||||
| Assets: | ||||
| Securitization recovery trust account | $2.4 | $— | $— | $2.4 |
| Storm reserve escrow account | 78.7 | — | — | 78.7 |
| Financial transmission rights | — | — | 1.1 | 1.1 |
| $81.1 | $— | $1.1 | $82.2 | |
| Liabilities: | ||||
| Gas hedge contracts | $0.6 | $— | $— | $0.6 |
Entergy Texas
| 2024 | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Millions) | ||||
| Assets: | ||||
| Temporary cash investments | $177.9 | $— | $— | $177.9 |
| Securitization recovery trust account | 11.2 | — | — | 11.2 |
| Financial transmission rights | — | — | 1.2 | 1.2 |
| $189.1 | $— | $1.2 | $190.3 | |
| 2023 | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Millions) | ||||
| Assets: | ||||
| Temporary cash investments | $20.5 | $— | $— | $20.5 |
| Securitization recovery trust account | 5.2 | — | — | 5.2 |
| Financial transmission rights | — | — | 2.4 | 2.4 |
| $25.7 | $— | $2.4 | $28.1 | |
System Energy
| 2024 | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Millions) | ||||
| Assets: | ||||
| Temporary cash investments | $111.4 | $— | $— | $111.4 |
| Decommissioning trust funds (a): | ||||
| Equity securities | 3.7 | — | — | 3.7 |
| Debt securities | 205.8 | 275.7 | — | 481.5 |
| Common trusts (b) | 939.0 | |||
| $320.9 | $275.7 | $— | $1,535.6 | |
| 2023 | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Millions) | ||||
| Assets: | ||||
| Decommissioning trust funds (a): | ||||
| Equity securities | $2.7 | $— | $— | $2.7 |
| Debt securities | 209.5 | 275.7 | — | 485.2 |
| Common trusts (b) | 854.4 | |||
| $212.2 | $275.7 | $— | $1,342.3 | |
(a)The decommissioning trust funds hold equity and fixed income securities. Equity securities are invested to approximate the returns of major market indices. Fixed income securities are held in various governmental and corporate securities. See Note 9 to the financial statements herein for additional information on the investment portfolios.
(b)Common trust funds are not publicly quoted and are valued by the fund administrators using net asset value as a practical expedient. Accordingly, these funds are not assigned a level in the fair value table. The fund administrator of these investments allows daily trading at the net asset value and trades settle at a later date.
The following table sets forth a reconciliation of changes in the net assets for the fair value of derivatives classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy for the three months ended March 31, 2024.
| Entergy Arkansas | Entergy Louisiana | Entergy Mississippi | Entergy New Orleans | Entergy Texas | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Millions) | |||||
| Balance as of January 1, | $6.0 | $9.8 | $1.4 | $1.1 | $2.4 |
| Gains (losses) included as a regulatory liability/asset | 23.7 | 10.5 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 6.3 |
| Settlements | (26.9) | (16.2) | (1.1) | (1.1) | (7.5) |
| Balance as of March 31, | $2.8 | $4.1 | $0.6 | $0.5 | $1.2 |
The following table sets forth a reconciliation of changes in the net assets (liabilities) for the fair value of derivatives classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy for the three months ended March 31, 2023.
| Entergy Arkansas | Entergy Louisiana | Entergy Mississippi | Entergy New Orleans | Entergy Texas | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Millions) | |||||
| Balance as of January 1, | $10.3 | $7.3 | $0.6 | $0.8 | $0.1 |
| Gains (losses) included as a regulatory liability/asset | (2.4) | 4.0 | 1.1 | 0.4 | 0.5 |
| Settlements | (3.9) | (8.8) | (1.5) | (0.9) | (0.7) |
| Balance as of March 31, | $4.0 | $2.5 | $0.2 | $0.3 | ($0.1) |
NOTE 9. DECOMMISSIONING TRUST FUNDS (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, and System Energy)
The NRC requires certain of the Utility operating companies and System Energy to maintain nuclear decommissioning trusts to fund the costs of decommissioning ANO 1, ANO 2, River Bend, Waterford 3, and Grand Gulf. Entergy’s nuclear decommissioning trust funds invest in equity securities, fixed-rate debt securities, and cash and cash equivalents.
Entergy records decommissioning trust funds on the balance sheet at their fair value. Because of the ability of the Registrant Subsidiaries to recover decommissioning costs in rates and in accordance with the regulatory treatment for decommissioning trust funds, for unrealized gains/(losses) on investment securities, the Registrant Subsidiaries record an offsetting amount in other regulatory liabilities/assets. For the 30% interest in River Bend formerly owned by Cajun, Entergy Louisiana records an offsetting amount in other deferred credits for the unrealized trust earnings not currently expected to be needed to decommission the plant. Generally, Entergy records gains and losses on its debt and equity securities using the specific identification method to determine the cost basis of its securities.
The unrealized gains/(losses) recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2024 on equity securities still held as of March 31, 2024 were $287 million. The equity securities are generally held in funds that are designed to approximate or somewhat exceed the return of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index. A relatively small percentage of the equity securities are held in funds intended to replicate the return of the Wilshire 4500 Index or the Russell 3000 Index. The debt securities are generally held in individual government and credit issuances.
The available-for-sale securities held as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 are summarized as follows:
| FairValue | TotalUnrealizedGains | TotalUnrealizedLosses | |
|---|---|---|---|
| (In Millions) | |||
| Debt Securities | $1,761 | $10 | $142 |
| Debt Securities | $1,770 | $19 | $134 |
As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, there wereno deferred taxes on unrealized gains/(losses). The amortized cost of available-for-sale debt securities was $1,893 million as of March 31, 2024 and $1,885 million as of December 31, 2023. As of March 31, 2024, available-for-sale debt securities had an average coupon rate of approximately 3.51%, an average duration of approximately 6.28 years, and an average maturity of approximately 10.63 years.
The fair value and gross unrealized losses of available-for-sale debt securities, summarized by length of time that the securities had been in a continuous loss position, were as follows as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023:
| March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FairValue | GrossUnrealizedLosses | FairValue | GrossUnrealizedLosses | |
| (In Millions) | ||||
| Less than 12 months | $335 | $5 | $134 | $6 |
| More than 12 months | 995 | 137 | 999 | 128 |
| Total | $1,330 | $142 | $1,133 | $134 |
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| (In Millions) | ||
| Less than 1 year | $71 | $82 |
| 1 year - 5 years | 503 | 517 |
| 5 years - 10 years | 526 | 504 |
| 10 years - 15 years | 132 | 121 |
| 15 years - 20 years | 168 | 179 |
| 20 years+ | 361 | 367 |
| Total | $1,761 | $1,770 |
During the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, proceeds from the dispositions of available-for-sale debt securities amounted to $169 million and $124 million, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, there wereno gross gains and gross losses of $7 million and $9 million, respectively, related to available-for-sale debt securities reclassified out of other regulatory liabilities/assets into earnings.
Entergy Arkansas holds equity securities and available-for-sale debt securities in nuclear decommissioning trust accounts. The available-for-sale securities held as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 are summarized as follows:
| FairValue | TotalUnrealizedGains | TotalUnrealizedLosses | |
|---|---|---|---|
| (In Millions) | |||
| Debt Securities | $498.8 | $1.4 | $57.5 |
| Debt Securities | $496.9 | $2.4 | $53.6 |
The amortized cost of available-for-sale debt securities was $555 million as of March 31, 2024 and $548.1 million as of December 31, 2023. As of March 31, 2024, the available-for-sale debt securities had an average coupon rate of approximately 2.83%, an average duration of approximately 6.12 years, and an average maturity of approximately 7.84 years.
The unrealized gains/(losses) recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2024 on equity securities still held as of March 31, 2024 were $84.1 million. The equity securities are generally held in funds that are designed to approximate the return of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index. A relatively small percentage of the equity securities are held in funds intended to replicate the return of the Wilshire 4500 Index.
The fair value and gross unrealized losses of available-for-sale debt securities, summarized by length of time that the securities had been in a continuous loss position, were as follows as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023:
| March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FairValue | GrossUnrealizedLosses | FairValue | GrossUnrealizedLosses | |
| (In Millions) | ||||
| Less than 12 months | $50.1 | $0.8 | $22.5 | $0.4 |
| More than 12 months | 392.5 | 56.7 | 403.4 | 53.2 |
| Total | $442.6 | $57.5 | $425.9 | $53.6 |
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| (In Millions) | ||
| Less than 1 year | $39.7 | $45.3 |
| 1 year - 5 years | 133.9 | 132.2 |
| 5 years - 10 years | 206.8 | 205.7 |
| 10 years - 15 years | 40.1 | 39.9 |
| 15 years - 20 years | 53.9 | 49.6 |
| 20 years+ | 24.4 | 24.2 |
| Total | $498.8 | $496.9 |
During the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, proceeds from the dispositions of available-for-sale debt securities amounted to $12.4 million and $15.7 million, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, there wereno gross gains and gross losses of $0.4 million and $1.6 million, respectively, related to available-for-sale debt securities reclassified out of other regulatory liabilities/assets into earnings.
Entergy Louisiana holds equity securities and available-for-sale debt securities in nuclear decommissioning trust accounts. The available-for-sale securities held as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 are summarized as follows:
| FairValue | TotalUnrealizedGains | TotalUnrealizedLosses | |
|---|---|---|---|
| (In Millions) | |||
| Debt Securities | $780.4 | $5.9 | $40.3 |
| Debt Securities | $788.1 | $11.7 | $37.4 |
The amortized cost of available-for-sale debt securities was $814.8 million as of March 31, 2024 and $813.9 million as of December 31, 2023. As of March 31, 2024, the available-for-sale debt securities had an average coupon rate of approximately 3.84%, an average duration of approximately 6.30 years, and an average maturity of approximately 12.59 years.
The unrealized gains/(losses) recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2024 on equity securities still held as of March 31, 2024 were $124.3 million. The equity securities are generally held in funds that are designed to approximate the return of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index. A relatively small percentage of the equity securities are held in funds intended to replicate the return of the Wilshire 4500 Index.
The fair value and gross unrealized losses of available-for-sale debt securities, summarized by length of time that the securities had been in a continuous loss position, were as follows as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023:
| March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FairValue | GrossUnrealizedLosses | FairValue | GrossUnrealizedLosses | |
| (In Millions) | ||||
| Less than 12 months | $158.3 | $2.6 | $69.8 | $0.9 |
| More than 12 months | 360.6 | 37.7 | 356.1 | 36.5 |
| Total | $518.9 | $40.3 | $425.9 | $37.4 |
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| (In Millions) | ||
| Less than 1 year | $26.8 | $31.4 |
| 1 year - 5 years | 172.7 | 181.6 |
| 5 years - 10 years | 181.7 | 170.0 |
| 10 years - 15 years | 80.8 | 70.2 |
| 15 years - 20 years | 76.0 | 90.2 |
| 20 years+ | 242.4 | 244.7 |
| Total | $780.4 | $788.1 |
During the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, proceeds from the dispositions of available-for-sale securities amounted to $48.4 million and $67.4 million, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, there were gross gains of $0.2 million and $0.4 million, respectively, and gross losses of $2.9 million and $4.9 million, respectively, related to available-for-sale debt securities reclassified out of other regulatory liabilities/assets into earnings.
System Energy
System Energy holds equity securities and available-for-sale debt securities in nuclear decommissioning trust accounts. The available-for-sale securities held as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 are summarized as follows:
| FairValue | TotalUnrealizedGains | TotalUnrealizedLosses | |
|---|---|---|---|
| (In Millions) | |||
| Debt Securities | $481.5 | $2.7 | $44.6 |
| Debt Securities | $485.2 | $4.5 | $42.5 |
The amortized cost of available-for-sale debt securities was $523.4 million as of March 31, 2024 and $523.2 million as of December 31, 2023. As of March 31, 2024, the available-for-sale debt securities had an average coupon rate of approximately 3.65%, an average duration of approximately 6.41 years, and an average maturity of approximately 10.21 years.
The unrealized gains/(losses) recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2024 on equity securities still held as of March 31, 2024 were $79.1 million. The equity securities are generally held in funds that are designed to approximate the return of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index. A relatively small percentage of the equity securities are held in funds intended to replicate the return of the Wilshire 4500 Index.
The fair value and gross unrealized losses of available-for-sale debt securities, summarized by length of time that the securities had been in a continuous loss position, were as follows as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023:
| March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FairValue | GrossUnrealizedLosses | FairValue | GrossUnrealizedLosses | |
| (In Millions) | ||||
| Less than 12 months | $126.4 | $1.8 | $42.1 | $4.5 |
| More than 12 months | 242.0 | 42.8 | 239.1 | 38.0 |
| Total | $368.4 | $44.6 | $281.2 | $42.5 |
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| (In Millions) | ||
| Less than 1 year | $4.1 | $5.3 |
| 1 year - 5 years | 196.6 | 203.4 |
| 5 years - 10 years | 137.1 | 128.6 |
| 10 years - 15 years | 11.5 | 10.7 |
| 15 years - 20 years | 37.9 | 38.8 |
| 20 years+ | 94.3 | 98.4 |
| Total | $481.5 | $485.2 |
During the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, proceeds from the dispositions of available-for-sale debt securities amounted to $108 million and $41.3 million, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2024, there were gross gains of $0.2 million and gross losses of $3.5 million related to available-for-sale debt securities reclassified out of other regulatory liabilities/assets into earnings. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, there wereno gross gains and gross losses of $2.3 million related to available-for-sale debt securities reclassified out of other regulatory liabilities/assets into earnings.
NOTE 10. INCOME TAXES (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)
See “Income Tax Audits” and “Other Tax Matters” in Note 3 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for a discussion of income tax audits, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and other income tax matters involving Entergy. The following is an update to that discussion.
Income Tax Audits
As discussed in Note 3 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K, in November 2023 the IRS completed its examination of the 2016 through 2018 tax years and issued a Revenue Agent Report for each federal filer under audit. Based on prior regulatory agreements and general rate-making principles, in fourth quarter 2023 Entergy New Orleans recorded a regulatory liability and associated regulatory charge of $60 million ($44 million net-of-tax). In April 2024, Entergy New Orleans and the City Council entered into a settlement in principle whereby Entergy New Orleans agreed to share with customers $138 million of income tax benefits from the resolution of the 2016–2018 IRS audit. Based on this settlement in principle, in first quarter 2024 Entergy New Orleans increased the associated regulatory liability from $60 million to $138 million and recorded a corresponding $78 million regulatory charge ($57 million net-of-tax). The settlement in principle requires that the regulatory liability be amortized over 25 years with the unamortized balance included in rate base and the amortization treated as a reduction to Entergy New Orleans’s retail revenue requirement.
NOTE 11. VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)
See Note 17 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for a discussion of variable interest entities (VIEs). See Note 4 to the financial statements herein for details of the nuclear fuel companies’ credit facilities, commercial paper borrowings, and long-term debt. See Note 6 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for discussion of noncontrolling interests.
Restoration Law Trust I (the storm trust I), a trust consolidated by Entergy Louisiana, is a VIE and Entergy Louisiana is the primary beneficiary. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the primary asset held by the storm trust I was $2.9 billion and $3 billion, respectively, of outstanding Entergy Finance Company preferred membership interests, which is reflected as an investment in affiliate preferred membership interests on the consolidated balance sheets of Entergy Louisiana. The LURC’s 1% beneficial interest in the storm trust I is recorded as noncontrolling interest on the consolidated balance sheets of Entergy and Entergy Louisiana, with balances of $30.1 million as of March 31, 2024 and $30.5 million as of December 31, 2023.
Restoration Law Trust II (the storm trust II), a trust consolidated by Entergy Louisiana, is a VIE and Entergy Louisiana is the primary beneficiary. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the primary asset held by the storm trust II was $1.5 billion of outstanding Entergy Finance Company preferred membership interests, which is reflected as an investment in affiliate preferred membership interests on the consolidated balance sheets of Entergy Louisiana. The LURC’s 1% beneficial interest in the storm trust II is recorded as noncontrolling interest on the consolidated balance sheets of Entergy and Entergy Louisiana, with balances of $14.9 million as of March 31, 2024 and $14.6 million as of December 31, 2023.
System Energy is considered to hold a variable interest in the lessor from which it leases an undivided interest in the Grand Gulf nuclear plant. System Energy is the lessee under this arrangement, which is described in more detail in Note 5 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K. System Energy made payments under this arrangement, including interest, of $8.6 million in each of the three months ended March 31, 2024 and the three months ended March 31, 2023.
AR Searcy Partnership, LLC is a tax equity partnership that qualifies as a VIE, which Entergy Arkansas is required to consolidate as it is the primary beneficiary. As of March 31, 2024, AR Searcy Partnership, LLC recorded assets equal to $133.1 million, primarily consisting of property, plant, and equipment, and the carrying value of Entergy Arkansas’s ownership interest in the partnership was approximately $111.9 million. As of December 31, 2023, AR Searcy Partnership, LLC recorded assets equal to $134 million, primarily consisting of property, plant, and equipment, and the carrying value of Entergy Arkansas’s ownership interest in the partnership was approximately $111.2 million. The tax equity investor’s ownership interest is recorded as noncontrolling interest on the consolidated balance sheets of Entergy and Entergy Arkansas.
MS Sunflower Partnership, LLC is a tax equity partnership that qualifies as a VIE, which Entergy Mississippi is required to consolidate as it is the primary beneficiary. As of March 31, 2024, MS Sunflower Partnership, LLC recorded assets equal to $165.9 million, primarily consisting of property, plant, and equipment, and the carrying value of Entergy Mississippi’s ownership interest in the partnership was approximately $130.3 million. As of December 31, 2023, MS Sunflower Partnership, LLC recorded assets equal to $163.2 million, primarily consisting of property, plant, and equipment, and the carrying value of Entergy Mississippi’s ownership interest in the partnership was approximately $128.4 million. The tax equity investor’s ownership interest is recorded as noncontrolling interest on the consolidated balance sheets of Entergy and Entergy Mississippi.
NOTE 12. REVENUE (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)
See Note 19 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for a discussion of revenue recognition. Entergy’s total revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 were as follows:
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| (In Thousands) | ||
| Utility: | ||
| Residential | $1,070,341 | $1,041,460 |
| Commercial | 691,851 | 714,300 |
| Industrial | 748,957 | 863,723 |
| Governmental | 65,310 | 67,337 |
| Total billed retail | 2,576,459 | 2,686,820 |
| Sales for resale (a) | 79,003 | 107,947 |
| Other electric revenues (b) | 36,035 | 44,457 |
| Revenues from contracts with customers | 2,691,497 | 2,839,224 |
| Other Utility revenues (c) | 15,009 | 44,187 |
| Electric revenues | 2,706,506 | 2,883,411 |
| Natural gas revenues | 65,667 | 64,581 |
| Other revenues (d) | 22,455 | 33,067 |
| Total operating revenues | $2,794,628 | $2,981,059 |
The Utility operating companies’ total revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 were as follows:
| 2024 | EntergyArkansas | EntergyLouisiana | EntergyMississippi | EntergyNewOrleans | EntergyTexas |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Thousands) | |||||
| Residential | $275,753 | $345,027 | $178,617 | $67,677 | $203,267 |
| Commercial | 141,307 | 256,696 | 132,318 | 53,226 | 108,304 |
| Industrial | 149,407 | 421,597 | 46,427 | 6,977 | 124,549 |
| Governmental | 4,698 | 21,821 | 13,330 | 18,354 | 7,107 |
| Total billed retail | 571,165 | 1,045,141 | 370,692 | 146,234 | 443,227 |
| Sales for resale (a) | 38,965 | 82,728 | 47,932 | 12,500 | 1,907 |
| Other electric revenues (b) | 9,342 | 37,945 | (6,202) | (3,219) | (488) |
| Revenues from contracts with customers | 619,472 | 1,165,814 | 412,422 | 155,515 | 444,646 |
| Other revenues (c) | 2,573 | 6,979 | 2,434 | 1,426 | (155) |
| Electric revenues | 622,045 | 1,172,793 | 414,856 | 156,941 | 444,491 |
| Natural gas revenues | — | 29,647 | — | 36,020 | — |
| Total operating revenues | $622,045 | $1,202,440 | $414,856 | $192,961 | $444,491 |
| 2023 | EntergyArkansas | EntergyLouisiana | EntergyMississippi | EntergyNewOrleans | EntergyTexas |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Thousands) | |||||
| Residential | $239,499 | $360,647 | $169,389 | $63,566 | $208,359 |
| Commercial | 125,336 | 278,178 | 133,676 | 54,069 | 123,041 |
| Industrial | 131,237 | 509,904 | 51,415 | 7,413 | 163,754 |
| Governmental | 4,660 | 23,074 | 13,883 | 17,798 | 7,922 |
| Total billed retail | 500,732 | 1,171,803 | 368,363 | 142,846 | 503,076 |
| Sales for resale (a) | 66,018 | 83,237 | 38,743 | 24,910 | 2,445 |
| Other electric revenues (b) | 13,718 | 26,567 | 2,874 | 417 | 2,224 |
| Revenues from contracts with customers | 580,468 | 1,281,607 | 409,980 | 168,173 | 507,745 |
| Other revenues (c) | 2,281 | 38,145 | 2,448 | 1,522 | (239) |
| Electric revenues | 582,749 | 1,319,752 | 412,428 | 169,695 | 507,506 |
| Natural gas revenues | — | 25,456 | — | 39,125 | — |
| Total operating revenues | $582,749 | $1,345,208 | $412,428 | $208,820 | $507,506 |
(a)Sales for resale includes day-ahead sales of energy in a market administered by an ISO. These sales represent financially binding commitments for the sale of physical energy the next day. These sales are adjusted to actual power generated and delivered in the real time market. Given the short duration of these transactions, Entergy does not consider them to be derivatives subject to fair value adjustments and includes them as part of customer revenues.
(b)Other electric revenues consist primarily of transmission and ancillary services provided to participants of an ISO-administered market and unbilled revenue.
(c)Other Utility revenues include the equity component of carrying costs related to securitization, occasional sales of inventory, alternative revenue programs, provisions for revenue subject to refund, and late fees.
(d)Other revenues include the sale of electric power and capacity to wholesale customers, day-ahead sales of energy in a market administered by an ISO, and operation and management services fees.
Allowance for doubtful accounts
The allowance for doubtful accounts reflects Entergy’s best estimate of expected losses on its accounts receivable balances. Due to the essential nature of utility services, Entergy has historically experienced a low rate of default on its accounts receivables. The following tables set forth a reconciliation of changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.
| Entergy | Entergy Arkansas | Entergy Louisiana | Entergy Mississippi | Entergy New Orleans | Entergy Texas | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Millions) | ||||||
| Balance as of December 31, 2023 | $25.9 | $7.2 | $6.1 | $3.3 | $7.8 | $1.5 |
| Provisions | 9.3 | 2.9 | 2.3 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 1.9 |
| Write-offs | (28.5) | (6.6) | (8.4) | (5.0) | (5.0) | (3.5) |
| Recoveries | 15.2 | 3.0 | 4.6 | 3.3 | 3.1 | 1.2 |
| Balance as of March 31, 2024 | $21.9 | $6.5 | $4.6 | $3.1 | $6.6 | $1.1 |
| Entergy | Entergy Arkansas | Entergy Louisiana | Entergy Mississippi | Entergy New Orleans | Entergy Texas | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Millions) | ||||||
| Balance as of December 31, 2022 | $30.9 | $6.5 | $7.6 | $2.5 | $11.9 | $2.4 |
| Provisions | 6.1 | 1.3 | 4.0 | 0.7 | (1.1) | 1.2 |
| Write-offs | (34.4) | (9.4) | (15.1) | (1.7) | (3.4) | (4.8) |
| Recoveries | 20.7 | 6.9 | 9.2 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 3.0 |
| Balance as of March 31, 2023 | $23.3 | $5.3 | $5.7 | $2.2 | $8.3 | $1.8 |
The allowance is calculated as the historical rate of customer write-offs multiplied by the current accounts receivable balance, taking into account the length of time the receivable balances have been outstanding. The rate of customer write-offs has historically experienced minimal variation, although general economic conditions can affect the rate of customer write-offs. Management monitors the current condition of individual customer accounts to manage collections and ensure bad debt expense is recorded in a timely manner.
The text of this filing, as the company filed it with the SEC, without its images or exhibits. This is not investment advice.