Entergy Proposes to Join MISO

CARMEL, Ind., April 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Entergy Corporation announced today its intent to join the MISO as a fully integrated transmission owning member. Entergy's integration, if approved by regulators, would expand the MISO footprint to Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.  The Entergy region will add about 15,000 miles of transmission lines and 30,000 megawatts of generation capacity to the MISO footprint. The new MISO footprint will extend from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico.  

"We are pleased and humbled that Entergy has chosen to join MISO," said MISO President and CEO John Bear.  "We look forward to working with Entergy, their regulators and others in the region to deliver the same value that our current members and their customers enjoy."

Independent analysis, as well as analysis completed by MISO, show that the Entergy region will benefit from joining MISO.  These benefits flow from improved transmission reliability, more efficient use of existing electric system assets and a reduced need for future generation assets.  

"Entergy's decision is largely based on the success of MISO's existing markets which will bring clear, measurable benefits to the combined region," said Mr. Bear.  

The combined footprint also will benefit from increased electrical generation diversity.  The MISO will feature an improved mix of generation assets, including coal, natural gas, nuclear, wind, biomass and other sources." The addition of Entergy's generation portfolio will bring more options to the region for the commitment and dispatch of energy," said Mr. Bear.

The move will need to be approved by elected officials and regulators in each of Entergy's jurisdictions.  The Entergy operating companies are Entergy Arkansas, Inc., Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, L.L.C., Entergy Louisiana, LLC, Entergy Mississippi, Inc., Entergy New Orleans, Inc. and Entergy Texas, Inc.  The integration has a targeted implementation data of December 2013.

About MISO

MISO ensures reliable operation of and equal access to high-voltage power lines in 13 U.S. states and the Canadian province of Manitoba. MISO manages one of the world's largest energy markets, clearing over $27 billion in energy transactions in 2010.  MISO was approved as the nation's first regional transmission organization in 2001. The non-profit 501(C)(4) organization is governed by an independent Board of Directors and is headquartered in Carmel, Ind., with operations centers in Carmel and St. Paul, Minn.  Membership is voluntary.

SOURCE Midwest ISO