Louisiana Regulators Face Scrutiny Over $4.1 Billion Gas Plant Proposal

The Louisiana Public Service Commission is considering Entergy Louisiana's request to build two new gas-fired power plants, Waterford 6 and Westlake, at an estimated cost of $4.1 billion.

Energy planning expert Dr. Maria Roumpani testified that Entergy has not demonstrated these plants are the lowest-cost, lowest-risk option for customers and that regulators should require a more rigorous evaluation before committing ratepayers to decades of costs.

Roumpani stated that Entergy's demand forecasts rely heavily on projected large industrial customers without adequately accounting for uncertainty, changing customer plans, or the possibility that some projects never materialize.

The proposal shifts substantial risk onto customers, who could remain responsible for paying for infrastructure they may not need and face decades of exposure to natural gas price volatility because fuel costs are passed directly through on electric bills.