Risk Factors Dashboard
Once a year, publicly traded companies issue a comprehensive report of their business, called a 10-K. A component mandated in the 10-K is the ‘Risk Factors’ section, where companies disclose any major potential risks that they may face. This dashboard highlights all major changes and additions in new 10K reports, allowing investors to quickly identify new potential risks and opportunities.
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Risk Factors - ETR
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$ETR Risk Factor changes from 00/02/24/23/2023 to 00/02/23/24/2024
Item 1A. Risk Factors, (b) those factors discussed or incorporated by reference in Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis, and (c) the following factors (in addition to others described elsewhere in this combined report and in subsequent securities filings):•resolution of pending and future rate cases and related litigation, formula rate proceedings and related negotiations, including various performance-based rate discussions, Entergy’s utility supply plan, and recovery of fuel and purchased power costs, as well as delays in cost recovery resulting from these proceedings;•regulatory and operating challenges and uncertainties and economic risks associated with the Utility operating companies’ participation in MISO, including the benefits of continued MISO participation, the effect of current or projected MISO market rules, market design and market and system conditions in the MISO markets, the absence of a minimum capacity obligation for load serving entities in MISO and the consequent ability of some load serving entities to “free ride” on the energy market without paying appropriate compensation for the capacity needed to produce that energy, the allocation of MISO system transmission upgrade costs, delays in developing or interconnecting new generation or other resources or other adverse effects arising from the volume of requests in the MISO transmission interconnection queue, the MISO-wide base rate of return on equity allowed or any MISO-related charges and credits required by the FERC, and the effect of planning decisions that MISO makes with respect to future transmission investments by the Utility operating companies;•changes in utility regulation, including, with respect to retail and wholesale competition, the ability to recover net utility assets and other potential stranded costs, and the application of more stringent return on equity criteria, transmission reliability requirements, or market power criteria by the FERC or the U. Risk Factors, (b) those factors discussed or incorporated by reference in Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis, and (c) the following factors (in addition to others described elsewhere in this combined report and in subsequent securities filings):•resolution of pending and future rate cases and related litigation, formula rate proceedings and related negotiations, including various performance-based rate discussions, Entergy’s utility supply plan, and recovery of fuel and purchased power costs, as well as delays in cost recovery resulting from these proceedings;•regulatory and operating challenges and uncertainties and economic risks associated with the Utility operating companies’ participation in MISO, including the benefits of continued MISO participation, the effect of current or projected MISO market rules and market and system conditions in the MISO markets, the absence of a minimum capacity obligation for load serving entities in MISO and the consequent ability of some load serving entities to “free ride” on the energy market without paying appropriate compensation for the capacity needed to produce that energy, the allocation of MISO system transmission upgrade costs, the MISO-wide base rate of return on equity allowed or any MISO-related charges and credits required by the FERC, and the effect of planning decisions that MISO makes with respect to future transmission investments by the Utility operating companies;•changes in utility regulation, including with respect to retail and wholesale competition, the ability to recover net utility assets and other potential stranded costs, and the application of more stringent return on equity criteria, transmission reliability requirements or market power criteria by the FERC or the U. S. Department of Justice;•changes in the regulation or regulatory oversight of Entergy’s owned or operated nuclear generating facilities, nuclear materials and fuel, and the effects of new or existing safety or environmental concerns regarding nuclear power plants and fuel;•resolution of pending or future applications, and related regulatory proceedings and litigation, for license modifications or other authorizations required of nuclear generating facilities and the effect of public and political opposition on these applications, regulatory proceedings, and litigation;•the performance of and deliverability of power from Entergy’s generation resources, including the capacity factors at Entergy’s nuclear generating facilities;•increases in costs and capital expenditures that could result from changing regulatory requirements, changing economic conditions, and emerging operating and industry issues, and the risks related to recovery of these costs and capital expenditures from Entergy’s customers (especially in an increasing cost environment);•the commitment of substantial human and capital resources required for the safe and reliable operation and maintenance of Entergy’s utility system, including its nuclear generating facilities;ivTable of ContentsFORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION (Continued)•Entergy’s ability to develop and execute on a point of view regarding future prices of electricity, natural gas, and other energy-related commodities;•the prices and availability of fuel and power Entergy must purchase for its Utility customers, particularly given the recent and ongoing significant growth in liquified natural gas exports and the associated significantly increased demand for natural gas and resulting increase in natural gas prices, and Entergy’s ability to meet credit support requirements for fuel and power supply contracts;•volatility and changes in markets for electricity, natural gas, uranium, emissions allowances, and other energy-related commodities, and the effect of those changes on Entergy and its customers;•changes in law resulting from federal or state energy legislation or legislation subjecting energy derivatives used in hedging and risk management transactions to governmental regulation;•changes in environmental laws and regulations, agency positions, or associated litigation, including requirements for reduced emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, greenhouse gases, mercury, particulate matter and other regulated air emissions, heat and other regulated discharges to water, waste management and disposal, remediation of contaminated sites, wetlands protection and permitting, and reporting, and changes in costs of compliance with environmental laws and regulations;•changes in laws and regulations, agency positions, or associated litigation related to protected species and associated critical habitat designations;•the effects of changes in federal, state, or local laws and regulations, and other governmental actions or policies, including changes in monetary, fiscal, tax, environmental, trade/tariff, domestic purchase requirements, or energy policies and related laws, regulations, and other governmental actions, including as a result of prolonged litigation over proposed legislation or regulatory actions;•the effects of full or partial shutdowns of the federal government or delays in obtaining government or regulatory actions or decisions;•uncertainty regarding the establishment of interim or permanent sites for spent nuclear fuel and nuclear waste storage and disposal and the level of spent fuel and nuclear waste disposal fees charged by the U. Department of Justice;•changes in the regulation or regulatory oversight of Entergy’s owned or operated nuclear generating facilities, nuclear materials and fuel, and the effects of new or existing safety or environmental concerns regarding nuclear power plants and fuel;•resolution of pending or future applications, and related regulatory proceedings and litigation, for license modifications or other authorizations required of nuclear generating facilities and the effect of public and political opposition on these applications, regulatory proceedings, and litigation;•the performance of and deliverability of power from Entergy’s generation resources, including the capacity factors at Entergy’s nuclear generating facilities;•increases in costs and capital expenditures that could result from changing regulatory requirements, changing economic conditions, and emerging operating and industry issues, and the risks related to recovery of these costs and capital expenditures from Entergy’s customers (especially in an increasing cost environment);•the commitment of substantial human and capital resources required for the safe and reliable operation and maintenance of Entergy’s nuclear generating facilities;•Entergy’s ability to develop and execute on a point of view regarding future prices of electricity, natural gas, and other energy-related commodities;ivTable of ContentsFORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION (Continued)•the prices and availability of fuel and power Entergy must purchase for its Utility customers, and Entergy’s ability to meet credit support requirements for fuel and power supply contracts;•volatility and changes in markets for electricity, natural gas, uranium, emissions allowances, and other energy-related commodities, and the effect of those changes on Entergy and its customers;•changes in law resulting from federal or state energy legislation or legislation subjecting energy derivatives used in hedging and risk management transactions to governmental regulation;•changes in environmental laws and regulations, agency positions or associated litigation, including requirements for reduced emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, greenhouse gases, mercury, particulate matter and other regulated air emissions, heat and other regulated discharges to water, waste management and disposal, remediation of contaminated sites, wetlands protection and permitting, and reporting, and changes in costs of compliance with environmental laws and regulations;•changes in laws and regulations, agency positions, or associated litigation related to protected species and associated critical habitat designations;•the effects of changes in federal, state, or local laws and regulations, and other governmental actions or policies, including changes in monetary, fiscal, tax, environmental, trade/tariff, domestic purchase requirements, or energy policies and related laws, regulations, and other governmental actions;•the effects of full or partial shutdowns of the federal government or delays in obtaining government or regulatory actions or decisions;•uncertainty regarding the establishment of interim or permanent sites for spent nuclear fuel and nuclear waste storage and disposal and the level of spent fuel and nuclear waste disposal fees charged by the U. S. government or other providers related to such sites;•variations in weather and the occurrence of hurricanes and other storms and disasters, including uncertainties associated with efforts to remediate the effects of hurricanes, ice storms, wildfires, or other weather events and the recovery of costs associated with restoration, including the ability to access funded storm reserves, federal and local cost recovery mechanisms, securitization, and insurance, as well as any related unplanned outages;•effects of climate change, including the potential for increases in extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, drought or wildfires, and sea levels or coastal land and wetland loss;•the risk that an incident at any nuclear generation facility in the U. government or other providers related to such sites;•variations in weather and the occurrence of hurricanes and other storms and disasters, including uncertainties associated with efforts to remediate the effects of hurricanes, ice storms, or other weather events and the recovery of costs associated with restoration, including accessing funded storm reserves, federal and local cost recovery mechanisms, securitization, and insurance, as well as any related unplanned outages;•effects of climate change, including the potential for increases in extreme weather events and sea levels or coastal land and wetland loss;•the risk that an incident at any nuclear generation facility in the U. S. could lead to the assessment of significant retrospective assessments and/or retrospective insurance premiums as a result of Entergy’s participation in a secondary financial protection system and a utility industry mutual insurance company;•changes in the quality and availability of water supplies and the related regulation of water use and diversion;•Entergy’s ability to manage its capital projects, including by completing projects timely and within budget, to obtain the anticipated performance or other benefits of such capital projects, and to manage its capital and operation and maintenance costs;•the effects of supply chain disruptions, including those driven by geopolitical developments or trade-related governmental actions, on Entergy’s ability to complete its capital projects in a timely and cost-effective manner;•Entergy’s ability to purchase and sell assets at attractive prices and on other attractive terms;•the economic climate, and particularly economic conditions in Entergy’s Utility service area and events and circumstances that could influence economic conditions in those areas, including power prices and inflation, and the risk that anticipated load growth may not materialize;•changes to federal income tax laws, regulations, and interpretive guidance, including the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 and the continued impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, and any related intended or unintended consequences on financial results and future cash flows;•the effects of Entergy’s strategies to reduce tax payments;vTable of ContentsFORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION (Continued)•the effect of increased interest rates and other changes in the financial markets and regulatory requirements for the issuance of securities, particularly as they affect access to and cost of capital and Entergy’s ability to refinance existing securities and fund investments and acquisitions;•actions of rating agencies, including changes in the ratings of debt and preferred stock, changes in general corporate ratings, and changes in the rating agencies’ ratings criteria;•changes in inflation and interest rates and the impacts of inflation or a recession on our customers;•the effects of litigation, including the outcome and resolution of the proceedings involving System Energy currently before the FERC and any appeals of FERC decisions in those proceedings;•the effects of government investigations, proceedings, or audits;•changes in technology, including (i) Entergy’s ability to effectively assess, implement, and manage new or emerging technologies, including its ability to maintain and protect personally identifiable information while doing so, (ii) the emergence of artificial intelligence (including machine learning), which may present ethical, security, legal, operational, or regulatory challenges, (iii) the impact of changes relating to new, developing, or alternative sources of generation such as distributed energy and energy storage, renewable energy, energy efficiency, demand side management, and other measures that reduce load and government policies incentivizing development or utilization of the foregoing, and (iv) competition from other companies offering products and services to Entergy’s customers based on new or emerging technologies or alternative sources of generation;•Entergy’s ability to effectively formulate and implement plans to increase its carbon-free energy capacity and to reduce its carbon emission rate and aggregate carbon emissions, including its commitment to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and the related increasing investment in renewable power generation sources, and the potential impact on its business and financial condition of attempting to achieve such objectives;•the effects, including increased security costs, of threatened or actual terrorism, cyber attacks or data security breaches, physical attacks on or other interference with facilities or infrastructure, natural or man-made electromagnetic pulses that affect transmission or generation infrastructure, accidents, and war or a catastrophic event such as a nuclear accident or a natural gas pipeline explosion;•impacts of perceived or actual cybersecurity or data security threats or events on Entergy and its subsidiaries, its vendors, suppliers or other third parties interconnected through the grid, which could, among other things, result in disruptions to its operations, including but not limited to, the loss of operational control, temporary or extended outages, or loss of data, including but not limited to, sensitive customer, employee, financial or operations data;•the effects of a catastrophe, pandemic (or other health-related event), or a global or geopolitical event such as the military activities between Russia and Ukraine, or Israel and Hamas, including resultant economic and societal disruptions; fuel procurement disruptions; volatility in the capital markets (and any related increased cost of capital or any inability to access the capital markets or draw on available bank credit facilities); reduced demand for electricity, particularly from commercial and industrial customers; increased or unrecoverable costs; supply chain, vendor, and contractor disruptions, including as a result of trade-related sanctions; delays in completion of capital or other construction projects, maintenance, and other operations activities, including prolonged or delayed outages; impacts to Entergy’s workforce availability, health, or safety; increased cybersecurity risks as a result of many employees telecommuting; increased late or uncollectible customer payments; regulatory delays; executive orders affecting, or increased regulation of, Entergy’s business; changes in credit ratings or outlooks as a result of any of the foregoing; or other adverse impacts on Entergy’s ability to execute on its business strategies and initiatives or, more generally, on Entergy’s results of operations, financial condition, and liquidity;•Entergy’s ability to attract and retain talented management, directors, and employees with specialized skills;•Entergy’s ability to attract, retain, and manage an appropriately qualified workforce;•changes in accounting standards and corporate governance best practices;•declines in the market prices of marketable securities and resulting funding requirements and the effects on benefits costs for Entergy’s defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefits plans;viTable of ContentsFORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION (Concluded)•future wage and employee benefits costs, including changes in discount rates and returns on benefit plan assets;•changes in decommissioning trust fund values or earnings or in the timing of, requirements for, or cost to decommission Entergy’s nuclear plant sites and the implementation of decommissioning of such sites following shutdown;•the effectiveness of Entergy’s risk management policies and procedures and the ability and willingness of its counterparties to satisfy their financial and performance commitments; and•Entergy and its subsidiaries’ ability to successfully execute on their business strategies, including their ability to complete strategic transactions that they may undertake. could lead to the assessment of significant retrospective assessments and/or retrospective insurance premiums as a result of Entergy’s participation in a secondary financial protection system and a utility industry mutual insurance company;•changes in the quality and availability of water supplies and the related regulation of water use and diversion;•Entergy’s ability to manage its capital projects, including by completing projects timely and within budget, to obtain the anticipated performance or other benefits of such capital projects, and to manage its operation and maintenance costs;•the effects of supply chain disruptions, including those driven by the COVID-19 global pandemic or by trade-related governmental actions, on Entergy’s ability to complete its capital projects in a timely and cost-effective manner;•Entergy’s ability to purchase and sell assets at attractive prices and on other attractive terms;•the economic climate, and particularly economic conditions in Entergy’s Utility service area and events and circumstances that could influence economic conditions in those areas, including power prices and inflation, and the risk that anticipated load growth may not materialize;•changes to federal income tax laws, regulations, and interpretive guidance, including the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, and the continued impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 and the CARES Act of 2020, and any related intended or unintended consequences on financial results and future cash flows;•the effects of Entergy’s strategies to reduce tax payments;•changes in the financial markets and regulatory requirements for the issuance of securities, particularly as they affect access to and cost of capital and Entergy’s ability to refinance existing securities and fund investments and acquisitions;vTable of ContentsFORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION (Concluded)•actions of rating agencies, including changes in the ratings of debt and preferred stock, changes in general corporate ratings, and changes in the rating agencies’ ratings criteria;•changes in inflation and interest rates and the impacts of inflation or a recession on our customers;•the effects of litigation, including the outcome and resolution of the proceedings involving System Energy currently before the FERC and any appeals of FERC decisions in those proceedings;•the effects of government investigations or proceedings;•changes in technology, including (i) Entergy’s ability to implement new or emerging technologies, (ii) the impact of changes relating to new, developing, or alternative sources of generation such as distributed energy and energy storage, renewable energy, energy efficiency, demand side management and other measures that reduce load and government policies incentivizing development or utilization of the foregoing, and (iii) competition from other companies offering products and services to Entergy’s customers based on new or emerging technologies or alternative sources of generation;•Entergy’s ability to effectively formulate and implement plans to reduce its carbon emission rate and aggregate carbon emissions, including its commitment to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, and the potential impact on its business and financial condition of attempting to achieve such objectives;•the effects, including increased security costs, of threatened or actual terrorism, cyber attacks or data security breaches, physical attacks on or other interference with facilities or infrastructure, natural or man-made electromagnetic pulses that affect transmission or generation infrastructure, accidents, and war or a catastrophic event such as a nuclear accident or a natural gas pipeline explosion;•the effects of a global or geopolitical event or pandemic, such as the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic and the military activities between Russia and Ukraine, including economic and societal disruptions; volatility in the capital markets (and any related increased cost of capital or any inability to access the capital markets or draw on available bank credit facilities); reduced demand for electricity, particularly from commercial and industrial customers; increased or unrecoverable costs; supply chain, vendor, and contractor disruptions, including as a result of trade-related sanctions; delays in completion of capital or other construction projects, maintenance, and other operations activities, including prolonged or delayed outages; impacts to Entergy’s workforce availability, health, or safety; increased cybersecurity risks as a result of many employees telecommuting; increased late or uncollectible customer payments; regulatory delays; executive orders affecting, or increased regulation of, Entergy’s business; changes in credit ratings or outlooks as a result of any of the foregoing; or other adverse impacts on Entergy’s ability to execute on its business strategies and initiatives or, more generally, on Entergy’s results of operations, financial condition, and liquidity;•Entergy’s ability to attract and retain talented management, directors, and employees with specialized skills;•Entergy’s ability to attract, retain, and manage an appropriately qualified workforce;•changes in accounting standards and corporate governance best practices;•declines in the market prices of marketable securities and resulting funding requirements and the effects on benefits costs for Entergy’s defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans;•future wage and employee benefit costs, including changes in discount rates and returns on benefit plan assets;•changes in decommissioning trust fund values or earnings or in the timing of, requirements for, or cost to decommission Entergy’s nuclear plant sites and the implementation of decommissioning of such sites following shutdown;•the effectiveness of Entergy’s risk management policies and procedures and the ability and willingness of its counterparties to satisfy their financial and performance commitments; and•Entergy and its subsidiaries’ ability to successfully execute on their business strategies, including their ability to complete strategic transactions that they may undertake. viiTable of ContentsDEFINITIONSCertain abbreviations or acronyms used in the text and notes are defined below:viiiTable of ContentsDEFINITIONS (Continued)ixTable of ContentsDEFINITIONS (Concluded)xTable of ContentsENTERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIESMANAGEMENT’S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSISEntergy operates primarily through a single reportable segment, Utility.viTable of ContentsDEFINITIONSCertain abbreviations or acronyms used in the text and notes are defined below:viiTable of ContentsDEFINITIONS (Continued)viiiTable of ContentsDEFINITIONS (Concluded)ixTable of ContentsENTERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIESMANAGEMENT’S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSISEntergy operates primarily through two business segments: Utility and Entergy Wholesale Commodities. The Utility segment 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 business segment 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. See “Planned Sale of Gas Distribution Businesses” below for discussion of the planned sale of the Entergy New Orleans and Entergy Louisiana gas distribution businesses.Entergy completed its multi-year strategy to exit the merchant nuclear power business in 2022 and upon completion of all transition activities, effective January 1, 2023, Entergy Wholesale Commodities is no longer a reportable segment. Remaining business activity previously reported under Entergy Wholesale Commodities is now included under Parent & Other. Historical segment financial information presented herein has been restated for 2022 and 2021 to reflect the change in reportable segments. The change in reportable segments had no effect on Entergy’s consolidated financial statements or historical segment financial information for the Utility reportable segment. The details surrounding implementation of these targets are not finalized, and the impacts to Entergy of any potential related legislation cannot be predicted. See Note 13 to the financial statements for discussion of and financial information regarding Entergy’s business segment. See Note 15 to the financial statements for discussion of financial transmission rights. Results of Operations2023 Compared to 2022Following are income statement variances for Utility, Parent & Other, and Entergy comparing 2023 to 2022 showing how much the line item increased or (decreased) in comparison to the prior period.(a)Parent & Other includes eliminations, which are primarily intersegment activity.1Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisResults of operations for 2023 include: (1) a $568 million reduction, recorded at Utility, and a $275 million reduction, recorded at Parent & Other, in income tax expense as a result of the resolution of the 2016-2018 IRS audit, partially offset by $98 million ($72 million net-of-tax) of regulatory charges, recorded at Utility, to reflect credits expected to be provided to customers by Entergy Louisiana and Entergy New Orleans as a result of the resolution of the 2016-2018 IRS audit; (2) the reversal of a $106 million regulatory liability, associated with the Hurricane Isaac securitization, recognized in 2017 as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, recorded at Utility, as part of the settlement of Entergy Louisiana’s test year 2017 formula rate plan filing; (3) a $129 million reduction in income tax expense as a result of the Hurricane Ida securitization in March 2023, which also resulted in a $103 million ($76 million net-of-tax) regulatory charge, recorded at Utility, to reflect Entergy Louisiana’s obligation to provide credits to its customers as described in an LPSC ancillary order issued as part of the securitization regulatory proceeding; and (4) write-offs of $78 million ($59 million net-of-tax), recorded at Utility, as a result of Entergy Arkansas’s approved motion to forgo recovery of identified costs resulting from the 2013 ANO stator incident. See Note 3 to the financial statements for further discussion of the resolution of the 2016-2018 IRS audit. See Note 3 to the financial statements for further discussion of the IRS audit resolution. See Note 2 to the financial statements for further discussion of the Entergy Louisiana formula rate plan global settlement. See Note 2 to the financial statements for further discussion of the formula rate plan filing. See Notes 2 and 3 to the financial statements for further discussion of the Entergy Louisiana March 2023 storm cost securitization. See Notes 2 and 3 to the financial statements for further discussion of the Entergy Louisiana securitization. See Note 8 to the financial statements for further discussion of the ANO stator incident and the approved motion to forgo recovery. See Note 2 to the financial statements for further discussion of storm restoration costs and requested recovery. Results of operations for 2022 include: (1) a regulatory charge of $551 million ($413 million net-of-tax), recorded at Utility, as a result of System Energy’s partial settlement agreement and offer of settlement related to pending proceedings before the FERC; (2) a $283 million reduction in income tax expense as a result of the Hurricane Laura, Hurricane Delta, Hurricane Zeta, Winter Storm Uri, and Hurricane Ida May 2022 securitization financing, which also resulted in a $224 million ($165 million net-of-tax) regulatory charge, recorded at Utility, to reflect Entergy Louisiana’s obligation to provide credits to its customers as described in an LPSC ancillary order issued as part of the securitization regulatory proceeding; and (3) a gain of $166 million ($130 million net-of-tax), reflected in “Asset write-offs, impairments, and related charges (credits),” as a result of the sale of the Palisades plant in June 2022.Results of operations for 2022 include: 1) a regulatory charge of $551 million ($413 million net-of-tax), recorded at Utility, as a result of System Energy’s partial settlement agreement and offer of settlement related to pending proceedings before the FERC; 2) a $283 million reduction in income tax expense as a result of the Hurricane Laura, Hurricane Delta, Hurricane Zeta, Winter Storm Uri, and Hurricane Ida securitization financing, which also resulted in a $224 million ($165 million net-of-tax) regulatory charge, recorded at Utility, to reflect Entergy Louisiana’s obligation to provide credits to its customers in recognition of obligations related to an LPSC ancillary order issued as part of the securitization regulatory proceeding; and 3) a gain of $166 million ($130 million net-of-tax), reflected in “Asset write-offs, impairments, and related charges (credits),” as a result of the sale of the Palisades plant in June 2022. See Note 2 to the financial statements for further discussion of the System Energy settlement agreement with the MPSC. See Notes 2 and 3 to the financial statements for further discussion of the Entergy Louisiana May 2022 storm cost securitization. See Notes 2 and 3 to the financial statements for further discussion of the Entergy Louisiana securitization. See Note 14 to the financial statements for discussion of the sale of the Palisades plant.Operating RevenuesUtilityFollowing is an analysis of the change in operating revenues comparing 2023 to 2022:2Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisThe Utility operating companies’ results include revenues from rate mechanisms designed to recover fuel, purchased power, and other costs such that the revenues and expenses associated with these items generally offset and do not affect net income.Operating RevenuesUtilityFollowing is an analysis of the change in operating revenues comparing 2022 to 2021:The Utility operating companies’ results include revenues from rate mechanisms designed to recover fuel, purchased power, and other costs such that the revenues and expenses associated with these items generally offset and do not affect net income. “Fuel, rider, and other revenues that do not significantly affect net income” includes the revenue variance associated with these items.Storm restoration carrying costs, representing the equity component of storm restoration carrying costs, includes $22 million recognized by Entergy Texas as part of its April 2022 storm cost securitization, $37 million recognized by Entergy Louisiana as part of its May 2022 storm cost securitization, $31 million recognized by Entergy Louisiana as part of its March 2023 storm cost securitization, and $5 million recognized by Entergy New Orleans as part of the City Council’s approval of the Entergy New Orleans storm cost certification report in December 2023. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of storm cost securitizations.The volume/weather variance is primarily due to the effect of more favorable weather on commercial sales and an increase in industrial usage, substantially offset by the effect of less favorable weather on residential sales.The volume/weather variance is primarily due to the effect of more favorable weather on residential sales and an increase in commercial usage. The increase in industrial usage is primarily due to an increase in demand from new customers and expansion projects, primarily in the primary metals, industrial gases, and chemicals industries, and an increase in demand from small industrial customers, substantially offset by a decrease in demand from cogeneration customers.The retail one-time bill credit represents the disbursement of settlement proceeds in the form of a one-time bill credit provided to Entergy Mississippi’s retail customers during the September 2022 billing cycle as a result of the System Energy settlement agreement with the MPSC. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of the settlement agreement and the MPSC directive related to the disbursement of settlement proceeds.The return of unprotected excess accumulated deferred income taxes to customers resulted from activity at the Utility operating companies in response to the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The return of unprotected excess accumulated deferred income taxes began in second quarter 2018. In 2022, $53 million was returned to customers through reductions in operating revenues. In 2022, $53 million was returned to customers through reductions in operating revenues as compared to $87 million in 2021. There was no return of unprotected excess accumulated deferred income taxes for Entergy or the Utility operating companies for 2023. There was no effect on net income as the reductions in operating revenues were offset by reductions in income tax expense. See Note 2 to the financial statements for further discussion of regulatory activity regarding the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.The retail electric price variance is primarily due to:•an increase in Entergy Arkansas’s formula rate plan rates effective January 2023;•increases in Entergy Louisiana’s formula rate plan revenues, including increases in the distribution and transmission recovery mechanisms, effective September 2022 and September 2023;•increases in Entergy Mississippi’s formula rate plan rates effective August 2022, April 2023, and July 2023;•an increase in Entergy New Orleans’s formula rate plan rates effective September 2022; and•an increase in base rates, including the realignment of the costs previously being collected through the distribution and transmission cost recovery factor riders and the generation cost recovery rider to base rates, effective June 2023, at Entergy Texas.See Note 2 to the financial statements for further discussion of the regulatory proceedings discussed above.3Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisTotal electric energy sales for Utility for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:See Note 19 to the financial statements for additional discussion of operating revenues.317Table of ContentsEntergy Arkansas, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisTotal electric energy sales for Entergy Arkansas for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:See Note 19 to the financial statements for additional discussion of Entergy Arkansas’s operating revenues. Other Income Statement ItemsUtilityOther operation and maintenance expenses decreased from $2,900 million for 2022 to $2,838 million for 2023 primarily due to:•a decrease of $59 million in compensation and benefits costs primarily due to lower health and welfare costs, including higher prescription drug rebates in second quarter 2023, a decrease in net periodic pension and other postretirement benefits service costs as a result of an increase in the discount rates used to value the benefits liabilities, and a revision to estimated incentive compensation expense in first quarter 2023. See “Critical Accounting Estimates” below and Note 11 to the financial statements for further discussion of pension and other postretirement benefits costs;•a decrease of $51 million in transmission costs allocated by MISO. See “Critical Accounting Estimates” below and Note 11 to the financial statements for a discussion of qualified pension and other postretirement benefits funding; and•a decrease of $16. See Note 2 to the financial statements for further information on the recovery of these costs;•a decrease of $21 million in non-nuclear generation expenses primarily due to a lower scope of work, including during plant outages, performed in 2023 as compared to 2022;•a decrease of $17 million in nuclear generation expenses primarily due to a lower scope of work performed in 2023 as compared to 2022 and lower nuclear labor costs;•a decrease of $11 million in customer service center support costs primarily due to lower contract costs; and•the effects of recording a final judgment in first quarter 2023 to resolve claims in the ANO damages case against the DOE related to spent nuclear fuel storage costs. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of regulatory activity associated with the COVID-19 pandemic;•an increase of $19 million in non-nuclear generation expenses primarily due to higher costs associated with materials and supplies in 2022 as compared to 2021;•an increase of $18 million in customer service center support costs primarily due to higher contract costs;•an increase of $16 million in energy efficiency expenses primarily due to the timing of recovery from customers;•an increase of $10 million due to a $15 million gain on the sale of a pipeline recorded in 2021 as compared to a $5 million contingent gain recorded on the 2021 sale in 2022; and•several individually insignificant items. The damages awarded include the reimbursement of approximately $10 million of spent nuclear fuel storage costs previously recorded as other operation and maintenance expenses. See Note 8 to the financial statements for discussion of the spent nuclear fuel litigation. See Note 8 to the financial statements for discussion of spent nuclear fuel litigation. The decrease was partially offset by:•an increase of $43 million in contract costs related to operational performance, customer service, and organizational health initiatives;•an increase of $15 million in power delivery expenses primarily due to higher vegetation maintenance costs;•an increase of $11 million in insurance expenses primarily due to lower nuclear insurance refunds received in 2023; and•several individually insignificant items.4Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisAsset write-offs, impairments, and related charges (credits) includes the effects of Entergy Arkansas forgoing recovery of identified costs resulting from the 2013 ANO stator incident.327Table of ContentsEntergy Arkansas, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisIn March 2017, Entergy Arkansas filed its annual redetermination of its energy cost rate pursuant to the energy cost recovery rider, which reflected an increase in the rate from $0. In third quarter 2023, Entergy Arkansas recorded write-offs of its regulatory asset for deferred fuel of $68.9 million and the undepreciated balance of $9.5 million in capital costs related to the ANO stator incident. See Note 8 to the financial statements for further discussion of the ANO stator incident and the approved motion to forgo recovery. See Note 2 to the financial statements for further discussion of storm restoration costs and requested recovery. Taxes other than income taxes increased primarily due to increases in ad valorem taxes resulting from higher assessments.Taxes other than income taxes increased primarily due to increases in ad valorem taxes resulting from higher assessments and millage rate increases. Depreciation and amortization expenses increased primarily due to:•additions to plant in service;•an increase in depreciation rates at Entergy Texas, effective in June 2023.Depreciation and amortization expenses increased primarily due to additions to plant in service, including the Searcy Solar facility, which was placed in service in December 2021. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of the 2022 base rate case at Entergy Texas; and•a reduction in depreciation expense at System Energy in 2022 related to the Grand Gulf sale-leaseback property, which resulted from the FERC order on the Grand Gulf sale-leaseback renewal complaint in December 2022. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of Entergy Mississippi’s formula rate plan filings; and•a regulatory charge of $551 million, recorded by System Energy in second quarter 2022, to reflect the effects of the partial settlement agreement and offer of settlement related to pending proceedings before the FERC. See Note 2 to the financial statements for further discussion of the Grand Gulf sale-leaseback renewal complaint. See Note 2 to the financial statements for further discussion of the formula rate plan filings. The increase was partially offset by a reduction in depreciation expense of $41 million in 2023 at System Energy as a result of the approval by the FERC in August 2023 of the settlement establishing updated depreciation rates used in calculating Grand Gulf plant depreciation and amortization expenses under the Unit Power Sales Agreement. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of the Unit Power Sales Agreement depreciation amendment proceeding. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of the partial settlement agreement. Other regulatory charges (credits) - net includes:•a regulatory charge of $103 million, recorded by Entergy Louisiana in first quarter 2023, to reflect its obligation to provide credits to its customers as described in an LPSC ancillary order issued in the Hurricane Ida securitization regulatory proceeding. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of the Entergy Louisiana March 2023 storm cost securitization;•a regulatory charge of $224 million, recorded by Entergy Louisiana in second quarter 2022, to reflect its obligation to provide credits to its customers as described in an LPSC ancillary order issued in the Hurricane Laura, Hurricane Delta, Hurricane Zeta, Winter Storm Uri, and Hurricane Ida securitization regulatory proceeding. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of the 2020 formula rate plan filing;•a regulatory charge of $224 million, recorded by Entergy Louisiana in second quarter 2022, to reflect its obligation to provide credits to its customers in recognition of obligations related to an LPSC ancillary order issued in the Hurricane Laura, Hurricane Delta, Hurricane Zeta, Winter Storm Uri, and Hurricane Ida securitization regulatory proceeding. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of the Entergy Louisiana May 2022 storm cost securitization;•a regulatory charge of $38 million, recorded by Entergy Louisiana in fourth quarter 2023, to reflect credits expected to be provided to customers as a result of the resolution of the 2016-2018 IRS audit. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of the storm cost securitization;•regulatory credits of $20 million, recorded by Entergy Mississippi in the second quarter 2021, to reflect the effects of the joint stipulation reached in the 2021 formula rate plan filing proceeding. See Note 3 to the financial statements for discussion of the resolution of the 2016-2018 IRS audit;•regulatory credits of $23 million, recorded by Entergy Mississippi in third quarter 2022, to reflect the effects of the joint stipulation reached in the 2022 formula rate plan filing proceeding. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of Entergy Mississippi’s formula rate plan filings;•regulatory credits of $23 million, recorded by Entergy Mississippi in the third quarter 2022, to reflect the effects of the joint stipulation reached in the 2022 formula rate plan filing proceeding. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of the Entergy Mississippi 2022 formula rate plan filing;•regulatory credits of $18 million, recorded by Entergy Mississippi in fourth quarter 2022, to reflect that the 2022 estimated earned return was below the formula bandwidth. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of the 2022 formula rate plan filing;•regulatory credits of $18 million, recorded by Entergy Mississippi in the fourth quarter 2022, to reflect that the 2022 estimated earned return was below the formula bandwidth. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of Entergy Mississippi’s formula rate plan filings;•a regulatory charge of $60 million, recorded by Entergy New Orleans in fourth quarter 2023, to reflect credits expected to be provided to customers as a result of the resolution of the 2016-2018 IRS audit. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of Entergy Mississippi’s formula rate plan filings;•regulatory credits of $23 million, recorded by Entergy Mississippi in the third quarter 2022, to reflect the effects of the joint stipulation reached in the 2022 formula rate plan filing proceeding. See Note 3 to the financial statements for discussion of the resolution of the 2016-2018 IRS audit;•the reversal in third quarter 2023 of $22 million of regulatory liabilities to reflect the recognition of certain receipts by Entergy Texas under affiliated PPAs that have been resolved. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of Entergy Mississippi’s formula rate plan filings;•regulatory credits of $23 million, recorded by Entergy Mississippi in the third quarter 2022, to reflect the effects of the joint stipulation reached in the 2022 formula rate plan filing proceeding. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of Entergy Texas’s 2022 base rate case; and5Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysis•a regulatory charge of $551 million, recorded by System Energy in second quarter 2022, to reflect the effects of the partial settlement agreement and offer of settlement related to pending proceedings before the FERC. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of Entergy Mississippi’s formula rate plan filings; and•a regulatory charge of $551 million, recorded by System Energy in second quarter 2022, to reflect the effects of the partial settlement agreement and offer of settlement related to pending proceedings before the FERC. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of the partial settlement agreement with the MPSC.In addition, Entergy records a regulatory charge or credit for the difference between asset retirement obligation-related expenses and nuclear decommissioning trust earnings plus asset retirement obligation-related costs collected in revenue.Other income increased primarily due to:•an increase of $113 million in intercompany dividend income from affiliated preferred membership interests related to storm cost securitizations. The intercompany dividend income on the affiliate preferred membership interests is eliminated for consolidation purposes and has no effect on net income since the investment is in another Entergy subsidiary;•an increase in the allowance for equity funds used during construction due to higher construction work in progress in 2023, including the Orange County Advanced Power Station project at Entergy Texas;•a $32 million charge, recorded by Entergy Louisiana in second quarter 2022, for the LURC’s 1% beneficial interest in the storm trust I established as part of the May 2022 storm cost securitization as compared to a $15 million charge, recorded by Entergy Louisiana in first quarter 2023, for the LURC’s 1% beneficial interest in the storm trust II established as part of the March 2023 storm cost securitization; and•changes in decommissioning trust fund activity, including portfolio rebalancing of decommissioning trust funds in 2022.This increase was partially offset by:•a decrease of $21 million in the amount of storm restoration carrying costs recognized in 2023 as compared to 2022, primarily related to Hurricane Ida; and•lower interest income from carrying costs related to deferred fuel balances.See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of the Entergy Louisiana storm cost securitizations.See Note 2 to the financial statements for a discussion of the Entergy Louisiana securitization. Interest expense increased primarily due to:•the issuance by Entergy Arkansas of $425 million of 5.15% Series mortgage bonds in January 2023;•the issuance by Entergy Louisiana of $500 million of 4.75% Series mortgage bonds in August 2022;•the issuance by Entergy Mississippi of $200 million of 3. 75% Series mortgage bonds in August 2022;•the issuance by Entergy Texas of $325 million of 5.75% Series mortgage bonds in August 2022;•the issuance by Entergy Mississippi of $200 million of 3. 00% Series mortgage bonds in August 2022;•the issuance by Entergy Texas of $350 million of 5.00% Series mortgage bonds in August 2022;•the issuance of $290. 80% Series mortgage bonds in August 2023; and•the issuance by System Energy of $325 million of 6.35% Series mortgage bonds in March 2021;•the issuance by Entergy Arkansas of $200 million of 4. 00% Series mortgage bonds in March 2023.The increase was partially offset by the repayment by Entergy Louisiana of $200 million of 3.The increase was partially offset by the repayment by Entergy Arkansas of $350 million of 3. 30% Series mortgage bonds in December 2022 and the repayment by System Energy of $250 million of 4.10% Series mortgage bonds in April 2023.10% Series mortgage bonds in September 2021. See Note 5 to the financial statements for a discussion of long-term debt.Noncontrolling interests reflects the earnings or losses attributable to the noncontrolling partner of Entergy Arkansas’s tax equity partnership for the Searcy Solar facility and Entergy Mississippi’s tax equity partnership for the Sunflower Solar facility, both under HLBV accounting, and to the LURC’s beneficial interest in the Entergy Louisiana storm trusts.Noncontrolling interests reflects the earnings or losses attributable to the noncontrolling interest partner of Entergy Arkansas’s tax equity partnership for the Searcy Solar facility and Entergy Mississippi’s tax equity partnership for the Sunflower Solar facility, both under HLBV accounting, and to the LURC’s beneficial interest in the Entergy Louisiana storm trust. Entergy Mississippi recorded regulatory charges of $9 million in 2023 compared to $21 million in 2022 to defer the difference between the losses allocated to the tax equity partner under the HLBV method of accounting and the earnings/loss that would have been allocated to the tax equity partner under its 6Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysisrespective ownership percentage in the partnership. See Note 1 to the financial statements for discussion of the HLBV method of accounting.Parent and OtherOperating revenues decreased primarily due to the absence of revenues from Palisades, after it was shut down in May 2022.Other operation and maintenance expenses decreased primarily due to the absence of expenses from Palisades, after it was shut down in May 2022.Asset write-offs, impairments, and related charges (credits) includes a gain of $166 million as a result of the sale of the Palisades plant in June 2022 and the effects of recording a final judgment of $40 million in third quarter 2023 to resolve claims in the Indian Point 2 fourth round and Indian Point 3 third round combined damages case against the DOE. See Note 8 to the financial statements for discussion of the spent nuclear fuel litigation. See Note 8 to the financial statements for discussion of spent nuclear fuel litigation. Taxes other than income taxes decreased primarily due to decreases in employment taxes due to the absence of expenses from Palisades, after its sale in June 2022.Taxes other than income taxes increased primarily due to increases in ad valorem taxes resulting from higher assessments and millage rate increases. Depreciation and amortization expenses decreased primarily due to the absence of depreciation expense from Palisades, after it was shut down in May 2022.Depreciation and amortization expenses decreased primarily due to the absence of depreciation expense from Indian Point 3, after it was shut down in April 2021, and Palisades, after it was shut down in May 2022. Other income decreased primarily due to the elimination for consolidation purposes of intercompany dividend income of $113 million from affiliated preferred membership interests, as discussed above, substantially offset by losses on Palisades decommissioning trust fund investments in 2022, the timing of charitable donations, and higher non-service pension income. See “Critical Accounting Estimates – Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits” below and Note 11 to the financial statements for discussion of pension and other postretirement benefits costs. See “Critical Accounting Estimates - Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits” below and Note 11 for a discussion of qualified pension and other postretirement benefits funding. Interest expense increased primarily due to higher variable interest rates on commercial paper and credit facilities in 2023 and higher commercial paper balances, partially offset by the redemption by Entergy of $650 million of 4.Interest expense increased primarily due to higher variable interest rates on commercial paper in 2022. 00% Series senior notes in June 2022.00% Series mortgage bonds in August 2022. See Note 4 to the financial statements for discussion of Entergy’s commercial paper program and credit facilities. See Note 4 to the financial statements for discussion of Entergy’s commercial paper program. See Note 5 to the financial statements for a discussion of long-term debt. See Note 2 to the financial statements for a discussion of these proceedings. Other expenses decreased primarily due to the absence of decommissioning expense and nuclear refueling outage expense as a result of the shutdown and sale of Palisades in second quarter 2022.See Note 14 to the financial statements for a discussion of the shutdown and sale of the Palisades plant.See Note 2 to the financial statements for a discussion of the Entergy Louisiana securitization. Income TaxesThe effective income tax rates were (41.3%) for 2023 and (3.1% for 2022 and (1. 7%) for 2022.7% for 2021. See Note 3 to the financial statements for a reconciliation of the federal statutory rate of 21% to the effective income tax rates and for additional discussion regarding income taxes.2022 Compared to 2021See “MANAGEMENT’S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - Results of Operations” in Item 7 of Entergy’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on February 24, 2023, for discussion of results of operations for 2022 compared to 2021.2021 Compared to 2020See “MANAGEMENT’S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - Results of Operations” in Item 7 of System Energy’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, filed with the SEC on February 25, 2022, for discussion of results of operations for 2021 compared to 2020. 7Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisIncome Tax Legislation and RegulationThe Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA), signed into law on August 16, 2022, significantly expanded federal tax incentives for clean energy production, including the extension of production tax credits to solar projects and certain qualified nuclear power plants.36Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisCosts and SensitivitiesThe estimated 2023 and actual 2022 qualified pension and other postretirement costs and related underlying assumptions and sensitivities are shown below:(a) In 2022, qualified pension cost included settlement costs of $230. Additionally, the IRA enacted a 1% excise tax on the buyback of public company stock and a new corporate alternative minimum tax (CAMT). Additionally, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 enacted a 1% excise tax on the buyback of public company stock and a new corporate alternative minimum tax (CAMT). Effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2022, the CAMT imposes a 15% tax on the Adjusted Financial Statement Income (AFSI) on each corporation in a group of corporations that averages greater than $1 billion in AFSI over a three-year period. Taxpayers subject to the CAMT regime must pay the greater of 15% of AFSI or their regular federal tax liability. In December 2022 the IRS issued a notice which provided guidance regarding the application of the CAMT. Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries are closely monitoring any potential impact associated with the expansion of federal tax incentives, the 1% excise tax, and CAMT. Based on initial guidance and current internal forecasts, Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries may be subject to the CAMT beginning in the next two to four years. Based on this initial guidance and current internal forecasts, Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries may be subject to the CAMT beginning in the next two to three years. The United States Treasury Department is expected to issue further guidance that will clarify how the tax credit provisions and CAMT provisions will be interpreted and applied. This guidance will determine the amount of tax credits and incremental cash tax payments Entergy expects in the future as a result of the legislation. Prior to receiving this guidance, Entergy cannot adequately assess the expected future effects on its results of operations, financial position, and cash flows. There are no effects on the financial statements of Entergy or the Registrant Subsidiaries as of and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. There are no effects on the financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2022 related to the enactment of the law. In June 2023 the IRS issued temporary and proposed regulations related to applicable tax credit transferability and direct pay provisions of the IRA. In August 2023 the IRS issued proposed regulations related to the prevailing wage and apprenticeship requirements under the IRA. Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries are closely monitoring any potential effects associated with such federal tax incentives to assess the expected future effects on their results of operations, cash flows, and financial condition. Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries are closely monitoring any potential impact associated with the expansion of federal tax incentives, the 1% excise tax, and CAMT. There are no effects on the financial statements of Entergy or the Registrant Subsidiaries as of and for the year ended December 31, 2023. There are no effects on the financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2022 related to the enactment of the law. In April 2023 the IRS issued Revenue Procedure 2023-15, which provides a safe harbor method of accounting that taxpayers may use to determine whether expenses to repair, maintain, replace, or improve natural gas transmission and distribution property must be capitalized and provides procedures for taxpayers to obtain automatic consent to change their method of accounting. Entergy intends to adopt this new method of income tax accounting under the safe harbor in accordance with Revenue Procedure 2023-15, which is not expected to have a significant effect on the results of operations, cash flows, or financial condition of Entergy or the Registrant Subsidiaries.Entergy Wholesale Commodities Exit from the Merchant Power BusinessEntergy completed its multi-year strategy to exit the merchant nuclear power business in 2022.Entergy Wholesale Commodities Exit from the Merchant Power BusinessIn 2022, management completed its multi-year strategy to manage and reduce the risk of the Entergy Wholesale Commodities business, including exiting the merchant nuclear power business. See Note 13 to the financial statements for discussion of the exit from the merchant nuclear power business. See Note 14 to the financial statements for discussion of the Sunflower Solar facility purchase. Shutdown and Sale of PalisadesIn July 2018, Entergy entered into a purchase and sale agreement with Holtec International to sell to a Holtec subsidiary 100% of the equity interests in the subsidiary that owns Palisades and the Big Rock Point Site, with a subsequent amendment to the purchase and sale agreement in February 2020. In December 2020, Entergy and Holtec submitted a license transfer application to the NRC requesting approval to transfer the Palisades and Big Rock Point licenses from Entergy to Holtec. In February 2021 several parties filed with the NRC petitions to intervene and requests for hearing challenging the license transfer application. In March 2021, Entergy and Holtec filed answers opposing the petitions to intervene and hearing requests, and the petitioners filed replies. In March 2021 an additional party also filed a petition to intervene and request for hearing. Entergy and Holtec filed an answer to the March 2021 petition in April 2021. The NRC issued an order approving the application in December 2021, subject to the NRC’s authority to condition, revise, or rescind the approval order based on the resolution of 8Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysisfour pending requests for hearing. The NRC issued an order approving the application in December 2021, subject to the NRC’s authority to condition, revise, or rescind the approval order based on the resolution of four pending requests for hearing. These petitions and requests for hearing remained pending with the NRC at the time of the closing of the Palisades transaction in June 2022. In July 2022 the NRC issued an order granting the Michigan Attorney General’s petition hearing request. The hearing was held in February 2023. A decision from the NRC is pending. See Note 14 to the financial statements for discussion of the sale of the Palisades plant.Planned Sale of Gas Distribution BusinessesOn October 28, 2023, Entergy New Orleans and Entergy Louisiana each entered into separate purchase and sale agreements with respect to the sale of their respective regulated natural gas local distribution company businesses to two separate affiliates of Bernhard Capital Partners Management LP. Under the purchase and sale agreements, Entergy New Orleans has agreed to sell its regulated natural gas local distribution company business serving customers in the Parish of Orleans, Louisiana, and Entergy Louisiana has agreed to sell its regulated natural gas local distribution company business serving customers in the Parish of East Baton Rouge, Louisiana.The base purchase price to be paid by the buyer of the Entergy New Orleans gas business is $285.5 million, and the base purchase price to be paid by the buyer of the Entergy Louisiana gas business is $198 million, in each case subject to certain adjustments at the closing of the transactions. Each purchase and sale agreement contains customary representations, warranties, and covenants related to the applicable business and the respective transactions. Between the date of the purchase and sale agreements and the completion of the transactions, Entergy New Orleans and Entergy Louisiana have each agreed to operate the respective gas businesses in the ordinary course of business and subject to certain operating covenants.The transactions will proceed in two phases: (1) an “Initial Phase” prior to regulatory approvals in connection with both transactions; and (2) a “Second Phase” following regulatory approvals in connection with both transactions to the extent that certain conditions are satisfied or, where permissible, waived for both transactions. Required regulatory approvals include the approval of the City Council for the sale of the Entergy New Orleans gas business and the approval of the LPSC and the Metropolitan Council for the City of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge for the sale of the Entergy Louisiana gas business. Additionally, while approval of the transactions is generally not required from the FERC, the parties will seek a waiver of the FERC’s capacity release rules, as applicable. In December 2023, Entergy New Orleans and Entergy Louisiana and the respective buyers filed their joint applications with the City Council and the LPSC, respectively, seeking approval for the proposed transactions. The applications request a decision by June 2024. In February 2024 the City Council adopted a procedural schedule in which the hearing officer shall certify the record of the proceeding for City Council consideration no later than September 2024.The purchase and sale agreements may be terminated by any party if the Second Phase does not start within 15 months of October 28, 2023, or within 18 months if the only remaining conditions to starting the Second Phase are obtaining the regulatory approvals. The consummation of each of the transactions is subject to satisfaction of certain customary closing conditions, including the receipt of the regulatory approvals, clearance under the Hart-Scott Rodino Act, and the concurrent closing of the other transaction. Under the purchase and sale agreements, the closing of the transactions is not required to occur earlier than the later of six months following the initiation of the Second Phase and July 28, 2025, and the purchase and sale agreements may be terminated by either party in the event the closing has not occurred prior to October 28, 2025. Neither transaction is subject to a financing condition for the applicable buyer.The purchase and sale agreements are subject to customary termination provisions. If the purchase and sale agreements are terminated in certain circumstances, each seller may be liable to the applicable buyer for a portion of the buyer’s transition costs incurred in connection with transitioning the applicable business. Until a federal site is available, however, nuclear plant operators must provide for interim spent fuel storage on the nuclear plant site, which can require the construction and maintenance of dry cask storage sites or other facilities. Entergy New Orleans’s and Entergy Louisiana’s aggregate liability for such transaction costs shall not exceed $7.5 million if termination occurs during the Initial Phase or $12.5 million if termination occurs during the Second Phase, with responsibility allocated between the sellers pro rata based on the relative purchase price. If the purchase and sale agreements are terminated in certain circumstances, each buyer may be liable to the corresponding seller for a 9Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysisreverse termination fee, equal to 7% of the applicable base purchase price if termination occurs during the Initial Phase, or 10% of the applicable base purchase price if the termination occurs in the Second Phase.Liquidity and Capital ResourcesThis section discusses Entergy’s capital structure, capital spending plans and other uses of capital, sources of capital, and the cash flow activity presented in the cash flow statement.Capital StructureEntergy’s debt to capital ratio is shown in the following table. The decrease in the debt to capital ratio is primarily due to net income in 2023. The decrease in the debt to capital ratio is primarily due to an increase in equity resulting from retained earnings in 2022. (a)Calculation excludes the New Orleans and Texas securitization bonds, which are non-recourse to Entergy New Orleans and Entergy Texas, respectively.(a)Calculation excludes the Entergy New Orleans and Entergy Texas securitization bonds, which are non-recourse to Entergy New Orleans and Entergy Texas, respectively. As of December 31, 2023, 19.6% of the debt outstanding is at the parent company, Entergy Corporation, and 79.9% is at the Utility.9% is at the Utility, and 0. The remaining 0.5% of the debt outstanding relates to the Vermont Yankee credit facility, as discussed in Note 4 to the financial statements herein. Net debt consists of debt less cash and cash equivalents. Debt consists of notes payable and commercial paper, finance lease obligations, and long-term debt, including the currently maturing portion. Capital consists of debt, equity, and subsidiaries’ preferred stock without sinking fund. Capital consists of debt, common shareholders’ equity, and subsidiaries’ preferred stock without sinking fund. Net capital consists of capital less cash and cash equivalents. The debt to capital ratio excluding securitization bonds and net debt to net capital ratio excluding securitization bonds are non-GAAP measures. Entergy uses the debt to capital ratios excluding securitization bonds in analyzing its financial condition and believes they provide useful information to its investors and creditors in evaluating Entergy’s financial condition because the securitization bonds are non-recourse to Entergy, as more fully described in Note 5 to the financial statements. Entergy also uses the net debt to net capital ratio excluding securitization bonds in analyzing its financial condition and believes it provides useful information to its investors and creditors in evaluating Entergy’s financial condition because net debt indicates Entergy’s outstanding debt position that could not be readily satisfied by cash and cash equivalents on hand.The Utility operating companies and System Energy seek to optimize their capital structures in accordance with regulatory requirements and to control their cost of capital while also maintaining equity capitalization at a level consistent with investment-grade debt ratings.Entergy Louisiana seeks to optimize its capital structure in accordance with its regulatory requirements and to control its cost of capital while also maintaining equity capitalization at a level consistent with investment-grade debt ratings. To the extent that their operating cash flows are in excess of planned investments, cash may be used to reduce outstanding debt or may be paid as a dividend to their parent, to the extent funds are legally available to do so, or both, in appropriate amounts to maintain the capital structure. To the extent that their operating cash flows are insufficient to support planned investments, the Utility operating companies and System Energy may issue incremental debt or reduce dividends, or both, to maintain their capital structures. In addition, Entergy may make equity contributions to the Utility operating companies and System Energy to maintain their capital structures in certain circumstances such as financing of large transactions or payments that would materially alter the capital structure if financed entirely with debt and reduced dividends.Long-term debt, including the currently maturing portion, makes up most of Entergy’s total debt outstanding. Following are Entergy’s long-term debt principal maturities and estimated interest payments as of 10Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisDecember 31, 2023. Following are Entergy’s long-term debt principal maturities and estimated interest payments as of December 31, 2022. To estimate future interest payments for variable rate debt, Entergy used the rate as of December 31, 2023. The amounts below include payments on System Energy’s Grand Gulf sale-leaseback transaction, which are included in long-term debt on the balance sheet.Note 5 to the financial statements provides more detail concerning long-term debt outstanding.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. The weighted-average interest rate for the year ended December 31, 2023 was 6.52% on the drawn portion of the facility. The following is a summary of the amounts outstanding and capacity available under the credit facility as of December 31, 2023: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. The calculation of this debt ratio under Entergy Corporation’s credit facility is different than the calculation of the debt to capital ratio above. Entergy is currently in compliance with the covenant and expects to remain 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. If Entergy fails to meet this ratio, or if Entergy Corporation or one of the Registrant Subsidiaries (except Entergy New Orleans) defaults on other indebtedness or is in bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, an acceleration of the facility maturity date may occur. Entergy Corporation has a commercial paper program with a Board-approved program limit of $2 billion. As of December 31, 2023, Entergy Corporation had $1,138.1 million of commercial paper outstanding. The weighted-average interest rate for the year ended December 31, 2023 was 5.44%.Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, and Entergy Texas each had credit facilities available as of December 31, 2023 as follows:11Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysis(a)The interest rate is the estimated interest rate as of December 31, 2023 that would have been applied to outstanding borrowings under the facility.Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, and Entergy Texas each had credit facilities available as of December 31, 2022 as follows:(a)The interest rate is the estimated interest rate as of December 31, 2022 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.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 have an uncommitted standby letter of credit facility as a means to post collateral to support their obligations to MISO and for other purposes.In addition, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, and Entergy Texas each entered into an uncommitted standby letter of credit facility as a means to post collateral to support its obligations to MISO. The following is a summary of the uncommitted standby letter of credit facilities as of December 31, 2023:(a)As of December 31, 2023, letters of credit posted with MISO covered financial transmission rights exposure of $1. Following is a summary of the uncommitted standby letter of credit facilities as of December 31, 2022:(a)As of December 31, 2022, letters of credit posted with MISO covered financial transmission rights exposure of $0. 2 million for Entergy Arkansas, $0.5 million for Entergy Louisiana, $0.3 million for Entergy Mississippi, and $0.1 million for Entergy Texas. See Note 15 to the financial statements for discussion of financial transmission rights.(b)As of December 31, 2023, in addition to the $20 million in MISO letters of credit, Entergy Mississippi has $1 million in non-MISO letters of credit outstanding under this facility.Finance lease obligations are a minimal part of Entergy’s overall capital structure. Following are Entergy’s payment obligations under those leases.Finance leases are discussed in Note 10 to the financial statements.(b)Lease obligations are discussed in Note 10 to the financial statements. Operating Lease Obligations and Guarantees of Unconsolidated ObligationsEntergy has a minimal amount of operating lease obligations and guarantees in support of unconsolidated obligations. Entergy’s guarantees in support of unconsolidated obligations are not likely to have a material effect on Entergy’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. Following are Entergy’s payment obligations as of December 31, 2023 on non-cancelable operating leases with a term over one year:12Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisOperating leases are discussed in Note 10 to the financial statements.Other ObligationsEntergy currently expects to contribute approximately $270 million to its qualified pension plans and approximately $45.Other ObligationsEntergy currently expects to contribute approximately $267 million to its pension plans and approximately $42. 9 million to its other postretirement plans in 2024, although the 2024 required pension contributions will be known with more certainty when the January 1, 2024 valuations are completed, which is expected by April 1, 2024.5 million to other postretirement plans in 2023, although the 2023 required pension contributions will be known with more certainty when the January 1, 2023 valuations are completed, which is expected by April 1, 2023. See “Critical Accounting Estimates - Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits” below and Note 11 to the financial statements for a discussion of qualified pension and other postretirement benefits funding. See “Critical Accounting Estimates - Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits” below and Note 11 for a discussion of qualified pension and other postretirement benefits funding. Entergy has $279 million of unrecognized tax benefits net of unused tax attributes plus interest for which the timing of payments beyond 12 months cannot be reasonably estimated due to uncertainties in the timing of effective settlement of tax positions.Entergy has $745 million of unrecognized tax benefits net of unused tax attributes plus interest for which the timing of payments beyond 12 months cannot be reasonably estimated due to uncertainties in the timing of effective settlement of tax positions. See Note 3 to the financial statements for additional information regarding unrecognized tax benefits.In addition, the Registrant Subsidiaries enter into fuel and purchased power agreements that contain minimum purchase obligations. The Registrant Subsidiaries each have rate mechanisms in place to recover fuel, purchased power, and associated costs incurred under these purchase obligations.Capital Expenditure Plans and Other Uses of CapitalFollowing are the amounts of Entergy’s planned construction and other capital investments for 2024 through 2026.Planned construction and capital investments refer to amounts Entergy plans to spend on routine capital projects that are necessary to support reliability of its service, equipment, or systems and to support normal customer growth. In addition to routine capital projects, they also refer to amounts Entergy plans to spend on non-routine capital investments for which Entergy is either contractually obligated, has Board approval, or otherwise expects to make to satisfy regulatory or legal requirements. Amounts include the following types of construction and capital investments:•Investments in generation projects to modernize, decarbonize, and diversify Entergy’s portfolio, including Walnut Bend Solar, West Memphis Solar, Driver Solar, Orange County Advanced Power Station, and potential construction of additional generation;•Investments in Entergy’s Utility nuclear fleet;•Transmission spending to improve reliability and resilience while also supporting renewables expansion and customer growth; and•Distribution and Utility support spending to improve reliability, resilience, and customer experience through projects focused on asset renewals and enhancements and grid stability. Amounts include the following types of construction and capital investments:•Investments in generation projects to modernize, decarbonize, and diversify Entergy’s portfolio, including Walnut Bend Solar, West Memphis Solar, Driver Solar, Orange County Advanced Power Station, the St. For the next several years, the Utility’s owned and contracted generating capacity is projected to be adequate to meet MISO reserve requirements; however, MISO recently implemented changes to its resource adequacy 13Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysisconstruct, and continues to pursue other changes, that generally move from an annual to a seasonal design and that change the way that resources are assigned capacity credit.For the next several years, the Utility’s owned and contracted generating capacity is projected to be adequate to meet MISO reserve requirements; however, MISO recently implemented changes to its resource adequacy construct that generally move from an annual to a seasonal design and that change the way that resources are assigned capacity credit. As a result of these changes, there may be seasonal variations in the capacity credit afforded to the Utility operating companies’ resources by MISO. Entergy is monitoring the evolution and application of these rules, which may require the Utility operating companies to procure additional capacity credits from the MISO market and in the longer-term may impact the incremental additional supply resources needed. The Utility’s supply plan initiative will continue to seek to transform its generation portfolio with new generation resources. Opportunities resulting from the supply plan initiative, including new projects or the exploration of alternative financing sources, could result in increases or decreases in the capital expenditure estimates given above. Estimated capital expenditures are subject to periodic review and modification and may vary based on the ongoing effects of business restructuring, regulatory constraints and requirements, government actions, environmental regulations, business opportunities, market volatility, economic trends, changes in project plans, and the ability to access capital. Estimated capital expenditures are subject to periodic review and modification and may vary based on the ongoing effects of regulatory constraints and requirements, government actions, environmental compliance, business opportunities, market volatility, economic trends, business restructuring, changes in project plans, and the ability to access capital. RenewablesWalnut Bend SolarIn October 2020, Entergy Arkansas filed a petition with the APSC seeking a finding that the purchase of the 100 MW Walnut Bend Solar facility is in the public interest. Entergy Arkansas primarily requested cost recovery through the formula rate plan rider. In July 2021 the APSC granted Entergy Arkansas’s petition and approved the acquisition of the resource and cost recovery through the formula rate plan rider. In addition, the APSC directed Entergy Arkansas to file a report within 180 days detailing its efforts to obtain a tax equity partnership. In January 2022, Entergy Arkansas filed its tax equity partnership status report and will file subsequent reports until a tax equity partnership is obtained or a tax equity partnership is no longer sought. The counterparty notified Entergy Arkansas that it was terminating the project, though it was willing to consider an alternative for the site. Entergy Arkansas disputed the right of termination. Negotiations were conducted, including with respect to cost and schedule and to updates arising as a result of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. In April 2023, Entergy Arkansas filed an application for an amended certificate of environmental compatibility and public need with the APSC seeking approval by June 2023 for the updates to the cost and schedule that were previously approved by the APSC. In June 2023, Entergy Arkansas, the APSC general staff, and the Arkansas Attorney General filed a unanimous settlement supporting that the approval of the Walnut Bend Solar facility is in the public interest based on the terms in the settlement, including the treatment for the production tax credits associated with the facility. In July 2023, after requesting further testimony and purporting to modify several terms in the settlement and upon rehearing, the APSC approved the settlement largely on the terms submitted, including a 30-year amortization period for the production tax credits. In February 2024, Entergy Arkansas made an initial payment of approximately $169.7 million to acquire the facility. The project will achieve commercial operation once testing is completed and the project has achieved substantial completion. Entergy Arkansas currently expects the project to achieve commercial operation in the first half of 2024, at which time a substantial completion payment of approximately $20 million is expected.West Memphis SolarIn January 2021, Entergy Arkansas filed a petition with the APSC seeking a finding that the purchase of the 180 MW West Memphis Solar facility is in the public interest. In October 2021 the APSC granted Entergy Arkansas’s petition and approved the acquisition of the West Memphis Solar facility and cost recovery through the formula rate plan rider. In addition, the APSC directed Entergy Arkansas to file a report within 180 days detailing its efforts to obtain a tax equity partnership. In April 2022, Entergy Arkansas filed its tax equity partnership status report and will file subsequent reports until a tax equity partnership is obtained or a tax equity partnership is no longer sought. In March 2022 the counterparty notified Entergy Arkansas that it was seeking changes to certain terms of the build-own-transfer agreement, including both cost and schedule. In January 2023, Entergy Arkansas filed a supplemental application with the APSC seeking approval for a change in the transmission route and updates to the cost and schedule that were previously approved by the APSC. In March 2023 the APSC approved Entergy 14Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisArkansas’s supplemental application. The project is currently expected to achieve commercial operation by the end of 2024. The project is expected to achieve commercial operation in 2024. Driver SolarIn April 2022, Entergy Arkansas filed a petition with the APSC seeking a finding that the purchase of the 250 MW Driver Solar facility is in the public interest and requested cost recovery through the formula rate plan rider. The APSC established a procedural schedule with a hearing scheduled in June 2022, but the parties later agreed to waive the hearing and submit the matter to the APSC for a decision consistent with the filed record. In August 2022 the APSC granted Entergy Arkansas’s petition and approved the acquisition of Driver Solar and cost recovery through the formula rate plan rider. In addition, the APSC directed Entergy Arkansas to inform the APSC as to the status of a tax equity partnership once construction is commenced. The parties are evaluating the effects of certain matters related to the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, including the viability of a tax equity partnership. The project is expected to achieve commercial operation as early as mid-2024. The project is expected to achieve commercial operation in 2024. 2021 Solar Certification and the Geaux Green OptionIn November 2021, Entergy Louisiana filed an application with the LPSC seeking certification of and approval for the addition of four new solar photovoltaic resources with a combined nameplate capacity of 475 megawatts (the 2021 Solar Portfolio) and the implementation of a new green tariff, the Geaux Green Option (Rider GGO). The 2021 Solar Portfolio consists of four resources that are expected to provide $242 million in net benefits to Entergy Louisiana’s customers. These resources, all of which would be constructed in Louisiana, include (i) the Vacherie Facility, a 150 megawatt resource in St. James Parish; (ii) the Sunlight Road Facility, a 50 megawatt resource in Washington Parish; (iii) the St. Jacques Facility, a 150 megawatt resource in St. James Parish; and (iv) the Elizabeth Facility, a 125 megawatt resource in Allen Parish. The St. Jacques Facility would be acquired through a build-own-transfer agreement; the remaining resources involve power purchase agreements. The Sunlight Road Facility and the Elizabeth Facility have estimated in service dates in 2024, and the Vacherie Facility and the St. Jacques Facility originally had estimated in service dates in 2025, but are now expected to be no sooner than 2027. The filing proposed to recover the costs of the power purchase agreements through the fuel adjustment clause and the formula rate plan and the acquisition costs through the formula rate plan.The proposed Rider GGO is a voluntary rate schedule that will enhance Entergy Louisiana’s ability to help customers meet their sustainability goals by allowing customers to align some or all of their electricity requirements with renewable energy from the resources. Because subscription fees from Rider GGO participants are expected to help offset the cost of the resources, the design of Rider GGO also preserves the benefits of the 2021 Solar Portfolio for non-participants by providing them with the reliability and capacity benefits of locally-sited solar generation at a discounted price. Because subscription fees from Rider GGO participants would help to offset the cost of the resources, the design of Rider GGO also preserves the benefits of the 2021 Solar Portfolio for non-participants by providing them with the reliability and capacity benefits of locally-sited solar generation at a discounted price. In March 2022 direct testimony from Walmart, the Louisiana Energy Users Group (LEUG), and the LPSC staff was filed. Each party recommended that the LPSC approve the resources proposed in Entergy Louisiana’s application, and the LPSC staff witness indicated that the process through which Entergy Louisiana solicited or obtained the proposals for the resources complied with applicable LPSC orders. The LPSC staff and LEUG’s witnesses made recommendations to modify the proposed Rider GGO and Entergy Louisiana’s proposed rate relief. In April 2022 the LPSC staff and LEUG filed cross-answering testimony concerning each other’s proposed modifications to Rider GGO and the proposed rate recovery. Entergy Louisiana filed rebuttal testimony in June 2022. In August 2022 the parties reached a settlement certifying the 2021 Solar Portfolio and approving implementation of Rider GGO. In September 2022 the LPSC approved the settlement. Following the LPSC approval, the St. James Parish council issued a moratorium on new land use permits for solar facilities until the later of March 2023 or the completion of an environmental and economic impact study. In November 2023, St. In November 2020 the D. James Parish lifted the moratorium and adopted an ordinance modifying the parish’s land use plan to establish solar as an approved land use and defining corresponding solar regulations. Entergy Louisiana is in discussions with the counterparties to the Vacherie and St. Jacques facilities regarding amendments to the respective agreements to 15Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysisaddress the impact of the St. James Parish ordinance, and the facilities are expected to reach commercial operation no sooner than 2027, depending upon agreement by the parties on the terms of the amendments. In September 2023, Entergy Louisiana reported to the LPSC that it also entered into amended agreements related to the Sunlight Road and Elizabeth facilities. Both facilities are still expected to achieve commercial operation in 2024.2022 Solar Portfolio and Expansion of the Geaux Green OptionIn February 2023, Entergy Louisiana filed an application with the LPSC seeking certification of the Iberville/Coastal Prairie facility, which will provide 175 MW of capacity through a PPA with a third party, and the Sterlington facility, a 49 MW self-build project located near the deactivated Sterlington power plant (the 2022 Solar Portfolio). Entergy Louisiana is seeking to include these resources within the portfolio supporting the Rider GGO rate schedule to help fulfill customer interest in access to renewable energy. Entergy Louisiana has requested the costs of these facilities, as offset by Rider GGO revenues, be deemed eligible for recovery in accordance with the terms of the formula rate plan and fuel adjustment clause rate mechanisms that exist at the time the facilities are placed into service. In January 2024, the parties filed an uncontested stipulated settlement agreement on the key issues in the case, which stated that the 2022 Solar Portfolio should be constructed, found that Entergy Louisiana’s proposed cost recovery mechanisms were appropriate, and confirmed the resources’ eligibility for inclusion in Rider GGO. The settlement was approved by the LPSC in January 2024. The settlement was approved by the LPSC in November 2022. The Sterlington facility is expected to achieve commercial operation in January 2026. The facility is expected to reach commercial operation as early as June 2026. Alternative RFP and CertificationIn March 2023, Entergy Louisiana made the first phase of a bifurcated filing to seek approval from the LPSC for an alternative to the requests for proposals (RFP) process that would enable the acquisition of up to 3 GW of solar resources on a faster timeline than the current RFP and certification process allows. The initial phase of the filing established the need for the acquisition of additional resources and the need for an alternative to the RFP process. The second phase of the filing, which contains the details of the proposal for the alternative competitive procurement process and the information necessary to support certification, was filed in May 2023. In addition to the acquisition of up to 3 GW of solar resources, the filing also seeks approval of a new renewable energy credits-based tariff, Rider Geaux ZERO. Several parties have intervened, and a procedural schedule was established in May 2023 with a hearing scheduled for March 2024. In October 2023 the LPSC staff and intervenors filed testimony, with the LPSC staff supporting the amount of solar resources to be acquired and the alternative RFP process. The LPSC staff also supported, subject to certain recommendations, the proposed framework for evaluation and certification of the solar resources by the LPSC and the proposed tariff.Other GenerationOrange County Advanced Power StationIn September 2021, Entergy Texas filed an application seeking PUCT approval to amend Entergy Texas’s certificate of convenience and necessity to construct, own, and operate the Orange County Advanced Power Station, a new 1,215 MW combined-cycle combustion turbine facility to be located in Bridge City, Texas at an initially-estimated expected total cost of $1.2 billion inclusive of the estimated costs of the generation facilities, transmission upgrades, contingency, an allowance for funds used during construction, and necessary regulatory expenses, among others. The project includes combustion turbine technology with dual fuel capability, able to co-fire up to 30% hydrogen by volume upon commercial operation and upgradable to support 100% hydrogen operations in the future. In December 2021 the PUCT referred the proceeding to the State Office of Administrative Hearings. In March 2022 certain intervenors filed testimony opposing the hydrogen co-firing component of the proposed project and others filed testimony opposing the project outright. Also in March 2022 the PUCT staff filed testimony opposing the hydrogen co-firing component of the proposed project, but otherwise taking no specific position on the merits of the project. The PUCT staff also proposed that the PUCT establish a maximum amount that Entergy Texas may recover in rates attributable to the project. In April 2022, Entergy Texas filed rebuttal testimony addressing and 16Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysisrebutting these various arguments. The hearing on the merits was held in June 2022, and post-hearing briefs were submitted in July 2022. In September 2022 the ALJs with the State Office of Administrative Hearings issued a proposal for decision recommending the PUCT approve Entergy Texas’s application for certification of Orange County Advanced Power Station subject to certain conditions, including a cap on cost recovery at $1.37 billion, the exclusion of investment associated with co-firing hydrogen, weatherization requirements, and customer receipt of any contractual benefits associated with the facility’s guaranteed heat rate. In October 2022 the parties in the proceeding filed exceptions and replies to exceptions to the proposal for decision. Also in October 2022, Entergy Texas filed with the PUCT information regarding a new fixed pricing option for an estimated project cost of approximately $1.55 billion associated with Entergy Texas’s issuance of limited notice to proceed by mid-November 2022. In November 2022 the PUCT issued a final order approving the requested amendment to Entergy Texas’s certificate of convenience and necessity to construct, own, and operate the Orange County Advanced Power Station without the investment associated with hydrogen co-firing capability, without a cap on cost recovery, and subject to certain conditions, including weatherization requirements and customer receipt of any contractual benefits associated with the facility’s guaranteed heat rate.In December 2022, Texas Industrial Energy Consumers and Sierra Club filed motions for rehearing of the PUCT’s final order alleging the PUCT erred in granting the certification of the Orange County Advanced Power Station, in not imposing a cost cap, in including certain findings related to the reasonableness of Entergy Texas’s request for proposals from which the Orange County Advanced Power Station was selected, and in other regards. Also in December 2022, Entergy Texas filed a response to the motions for rehearing refuting the points raised therein. In January 2023 the PUCT issued letters noting that it voted to consider Texas Industrial Energy Consumers’ motion for rehearing at its upcoming January 2023 open meeting and voted not to consider Sierra Club’s motion for rehearing at an open meeting. At the January 2023 open meeting, the PUCT voted to grant Texas Industrial Energy Consumers’ motion for rehearing for the limited purpose of issuing an order on rehearing that excludes three findings related to Entergy Texas’s request for proposals. The order on rehearing does not change the PUCT’s certification of the Orange County Advanced Power Station or the conditions placed thereon in the PUCT’s November 2022 final order. Construction is in progress, and subject to receipt of required permits, the facility is expected to be in service by mid-2026. Subject to receipt of required regulatory approvals, permits, and other conditions, the facility is expected to be in service by mid-2026. System Resilience and Storm HardeningEntergy LouisianaIn December 2022, Entergy Louisiana filed an application with the LPSC seeking a public interest finding regarding Phase I of Entergy Louisiana’s Future Ready resilience plan and approval of a rider mechanism to recover the program’s costs.System Resilience and Storm HardeningEntergy LouisianaIn December 2022, Entergy Louisiana filed an application seeking a public interest finding regarding Phase I of Entergy Louisiana’s Future Ready resilience plan and approval of a rider mechanism to recover the program’s costs. Phase I reflects the first five years of a ten-year resilience plan and includes investment of approximately $5 billion, including hardening investment, transmission dead-end structures, enhanced vegetation management, and telecommunications improvement. In April 2023 a procedural schedule was established with a hearing scheduled for January 2024. The LPSC staff and certain intervenors filed direct testimony in August, September, and October 2023. The LPSC staff filed cross-answering testimony in October 2023. The testimony largely supports implementation of some level of accelerated investment in resilience, but raises various issues related to the magnitude of the investment, the cost recovery mechanism applicable to the investment, and the ratemaking for the investment. In January 2024 the hearing in this matter was rescheduled to April 2024.The LPSC had previously opened a formal rulemaking proceeding in December 2021 to investigate efforts to improve resilience of electric utility infrastructure. In April 2023 the LPSC staff issued a draft rule in the rulemaking proceeding related to a requirement to file a grid resilience plan. The procedural schedule entered in the rulemaking proceeding contemplated adoption of a final rule in October 2023, but this did not occur, and a new date has not been set. The LPSC also has pending rulemakings addressing issues related to pole viability and grid maintenance practices. In December 2023, in those rulemakings, the LPSC staff issued a report and recommendation proposing to impose significant new reporting and compliance obligations related to jurisdictional utilities’ distribution and transmission operations, including new obligations related to grid hardening plans, pole 17Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysisinspections, pole replacement, vegetation management, storm restoration plans, new reliability metrics, software for handling customer complaints and complaint resolution, required use of drone technology, and new penalties and incentives for reliability performance and for compliance with the new obligations. In February 2024, Entergy Louisiana and other parties filed comments on the LPSC staff’s report.Entergy New OrleansIn October 2021 the City Council passed a resolution and order establishing a docket and procedural schedule with respect to system resiliency and storm hardening. The docket will identify a plan for storm hardening and resiliency projects with other stakeholders. In July 2022, Entergy New Orleans filed with the City Council a response identifying a preliminary plan for storm hardening and resiliency projects, including microgrids, to be implemented over ten years at an approximate cost of $1.5 billion. In February 2023 the City Council approved a revised procedural schedule requiring Entergy New Orleans to make a filing in April 2023 containing a narrowed list of proposed hardening projects, with final comments on that filing due July 2023. In April 2023, Entergy New Orleans filed the required application and supporting testimony seeking City Council approval of the first phase (five years and $559 million) of a ten-year infrastructure hardening plan totaling approximately $1 billion. Entergy New Orleans also sought, among other relief, City Council approval of a rider to recover from customers the costs of the infrastructure hardening plan. In July 2023, Entergy New Orleans filed comments in support of its application. In February 2024 the City Council approved a resolution authorizing Entergy New Orleans to implement a resilience project to be partially funded by $55 million of matching funding through the Department of Energy’s Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships program. In February 2023 the City Council approved a revised procedural schedule requiring Entergy New Orleans to make a filing in April 2023 containing a narrowed list of proposed hardening projects, with final comments on that filing due July 2023. The resolution also requires Entergy New Orleans to submit, no later than July 2024, a revised resilience plan consisting of projects in three-year intervals. Entergy New Orleans continues to seek approval of its application.Dividends and Stock RepurchasesDeclarations of dividends on Entergy’s common stock are made at the discretion of the Board. Among other things, the Board evaluates the level of Entergy’s common stock dividends based upon earnings per share from the Utility segment and the Parent and Other portion of the business, financial strength, and future investment opportunities. Among other things, the Board evaluates the level of Entergy’s common stock dividends based upon earnings per share from the Utility operating segment and the Parent and Other portion of the business, financial strength, and future investment opportunities. At its January 2024 meeting, the Board declared a dividend of $1.13 per share.07 per share. Entergy paid $918 million in 2023, $842 million in 2022, and $775 million in 2021 in cash dividends on its common stock. Entergy paid $842 million in 2022, $775 million in 2021, and $748 million in 2020 in cash dividends on its common stock. In accordance with Entergy’s stock-based compensation plans, Entergy periodically grants stock options, restricted stock, performance units, and restricted stock unit awards to key employees, which may be exercised to obtain shares of Entergy’s common stock. According to the plans, these shares can be newly issued shares, treasury stock, or shares purchased on the open market. Entergy’s management has been authorized by the Board to repurchase on the open market shares up to an amount sufficient to fund the exercise of grants under the plans.In addition to the authority to fund grant exercises, the Board has authorized share repurchase programs to enable opportunistic purchases in response to market conditions. In October 2010 the Board granted authority for a $500 million share repurchase program. As of December 31, 2023, $350 million of authority remains under the $500 million share repurchase program. The amount of repurchases may vary as a result of material changes in business results or capital spending or new investment opportunities, or if limitations in the credit markets continue for a prolonged period.Sources of CapitalEntergy’s sources to meet its capital requirements and to fund potential investments include:•internally generated funds;•cash on hand ($133 million as of December 31, 2023);•storm reserve escrow accounts;18Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysis•debt and equity issuances in the capital markets, including debt issuances to refund or retire currently outstanding or maturing indebtedness;•bank financing under new or existing facilities or commercial paper; and•sales of assets.20Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisSources of CapitalEntergy’s sources to meet its capital requirements and to fund potential investments include:•internally generated funds;•cash on hand ($224 million as of December 31, 2022);•storm reserve escrow accounts;•debt and equity issuances in the capital markets, including debt issuances to refund or retire currently outstanding or maturing indebtedness;•bank financing under new or existing facilities or commercial paper; and•sales of assets. Circumstances such as weather patterns, fuel and purchased power price fluctuations, and unanticipated expenses, including unscheduled plant outages and storms, could affect the timing and level of internally generated funds in the future. In addition to the financings necessary to meet capital requirements and contractual obligations, the Registrant Subsidiaries expect to continue, when economically feasible, to retire higher-cost debt and replace it with lower-cost debt if market conditions permit.Provisions within the organizational documents relating to preferred stock or membership interests of certain of Entergy Corporation’s subsidiaries could restrict the payment of cash dividends or other distributions on their common and preferred equity. All debt and preferred equity issuances by the Registrant Subsidiaries require prior regulatory approval and their debt issuances are also subject to issuance tests set forth in bond indentures and other agreements. Entergy believes that the Registrant Subsidiaries have sufficient capacity under these tests to meet foreseeable capital needs for the next twelve months and beyond.The FERC has jurisdiction over securities issuances by the Utility operating companies and System Energy. The City Council has concurrent jurisdiction over Entergy New Orleans’s securities issuances with maturities longer than one year. The APSC has concurrent jurisdiction over Entergy Arkansas’s issuances of securities secured by Arkansas property, including first mortgage bond issuances. No regulatory approvals are necessary for Entergy Corporation to issue securities. The current FERC-authorized short-term borrowing limits and long-term financing authorization for Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, and Entergy Texas are effective through April 2025. The current FERC-authorized short-term borrowing limits and long-term financing authorization for Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy are effective through October 2023. The FERC-authorized short-term borrowing limit for System Energy is effective through March 2025. Entergy Arkansas has obtained first mortgage bond/secured financing authorization from the APSC that extends through December 2025. Entergy New Orleans also has obtained long-term financing authorization from the City Council that extends through December 2025. Entergy Arkansas and Entergy Louisiana each has obtained long-term financing authorization from the FERC that extends through April 2025 for issuances by the nuclear fuel company variable interest entities. Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, and System Energy each has obtained long-term financing authorization from the FERC that extends through October 2023 for issuances by the nuclear fuel company variable interest entities. System Energy has obtained long-term financing authorization from the FERC that extends through March 2025 for issuances by its nuclear fuel company variable interest entity. In addition to borrowings from commercial banks, the Registrant Subsidiaries may also borrow from the Entergy system money pool and from other internal short-term borrowing arrangements. In addition to borrowings from commercial banks, the Registrant Subsidiaries 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 Entergy’s subsidiaries’ dependence on external short-term borrowings. Borrowings from internal and external short-term borrowings combined may not exceed the FERC-authorized limits. See Notes 4 and 5 to the financial statements for further discussion of Entergy’s borrowing limits, authorizations, and amounts outstanding.Equity Issuances and Equity Distribution ProgramIn 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.Equity Issuances and Equity Distribution ProgramIn January 2021, Entergy entered into an equity distribution sales agreement with several counterparties establishing an at the market equity distribution program, pursuant to which Entergy 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 sales agreement provides that, in addition to the issuance and sale of shares of Entergy common stock, Entergy may also 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. Initially, 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 $1 billion. Through 2021, 2022, and 2023, Entergy Corporation utilized the equity distribution program either to sell or to enter into forward sale agreements with respect to shares of common stock with an aggregate gross sales price of approximately $1.5 billion, of which approximately $1.54 billion, including approximately $1. 3 billion of aggregate gross sales price was the subject of forward sale agreements and was subject to adjustment pursuant to the forward sale agreements. Entergy Corporation settled the forward sales agreements for cash proceeds of $853 million in November 2022, $48 million 19Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysisin November 2023, and $83 million in December 2023. Entergy Corporation currently expects to issue approximately $1. Entergy Corporation currently expects to issue approximately $130 million of equity through 2024. 4 billion of equity through 2026 under the at the market equity distribution program, with approximately $280 million already contracted under forward sales agreements as of December 31, 2023. See Note 7 to the financial statements for discussion of the forward sales agreements and common stock issuances and sales under the equity distribution program.Hurricane Ida (Entergy Louisiana)As discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements, in August 2020 and October 2020, Hurricane Laura, Hurricane Delta, and Hurricane Zeta caused significant damage to portions of Entergy Louisiana’s service area. In February 2021 two winter storms (collectively, Winter Storm Uri) brought freezing rain and ice to Louisiana.In February 2021 two winter storms (collectively, Winter Storm Uri) brought freezing rain and ice to Louisiana. In August 2021, Hurricane Ida caused extensive damage to Entergy Louisiana’s distribution and, to a lesser extent, transmission systems resulting in widespread power outages.In August 2021, Hurricane Ida caused extensive damage to Entergy Louisiana’s distribution and, to a lesser extent, transmission systems resulting in widespread power outages. In April 2022, Entergy Louisiana filed an application with the LPSC relating to Hurricane Ida restoration costs. Total restoration costs for the repair and/or replacement of Entergy Louisiana’s electric facilities damaged by Hurricane Ida were estimated to be approximately $2. Total restoration costs for the repair and/or replacement of Entergy Louisiana’s electric facilities damaged by Hurricane Ida currently are estimated to be approximately $2. 54 billion, including approximately $1.96 billion in capital costs and approximately $586 million in non-capital costs. Including carrying costs of $57 million through December 2022, Entergy Louisiana was seeking an LPSC determination that $2.60 billion was prudently incurred and, therefore, eligible for recovery from customers.60 billion was prudently incurred and, therefore, is eligible for recovery from customers. As part of this filing, Entergy Louisiana also was seeking an LPSC determination that an additional $32 million in costs associated with the restoration of Entergy Louisiana’s electric facilities damaged by Hurricane Laura, Hurricane Delta, and Hurricane Zeta as well as Winter Storm Uri was prudently incurred. As part of this filing, Entergy Louisiana also is seeking an LPSC determination that an additional $32 million in costs associated with the restoration of Entergy Louisiana’s electric facilities damaged by Hurricane Laura, Hurricane Delta, and Hurricane Zeta as well as Winter Storm Uri was prudently incurred. This amount was exclusive of the requested $3 million in carrying costs through December 2022. In total, Entergy Louisiana was requesting an LPSC determination that $2.64 billion was prudently incurred and, therefore, eligible for recovery from customers.64 billion was prudently incurred and, therefore, is eligible for recovery from customers. As discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements, in March 2022 the LPSC approved financing of a $1 billion storm escrow account from which funds were withdrawn to finance costs associated with Hurricane Ida restoration. As discussed above, in March 2022 the LPSC approved financing of a $1 billion storm escrow account from which funds were withdrawn to finance costs associated with Hurricane Ida restoration. In June 2022, Entergy Louisiana supplemented the application with a request regarding the financing and recovery of the recoverable storm restoration costs. Specifically, Entergy Louisiana requested approval to securitize its restoration costs pursuant to Louisiana Act 55 financing, as supplemented by Act 293 of the Louisiana Legislature’s Regular Session of 2021. In October 2022 the LPSC staff recommended a finding that the requested storm restoration costs of $2.64 billion, including associated carrying costs of $59.1 million, were prudently incurred and eligible for recovery from customers.1 million, were prudently incurred and are eligible for recovery from customers. The LPSC staff further recommended approval of Entergy Louisiana’s plans to securitize these costs, net of the $1 billion in funds withdrawn from the storm escrow account described above. The parties negotiated and executed an uncontested stipulated settlement which was filed with the LPSC in December 2022. The settlement agreement contains the following key terms: $2.57 billion of restoration costs from Hurricane Ida, Hurricane Laura, Hurricane Delta, Hurricane Zeta, and Winter Storm Uri were prudently incurred and eligible for recovery; carrying costs of $59.2 million were recoverable; and Entergy Louisiana was authorized to finance $1.657 billion utilizing the securitization process authorized by Act 55, as supplemented by Act 293. A procedural motion to consider the uncontested settlement at the December 2022 LPSC meeting did not pass and the settlement was not voted on. In January 2023 an ALJ with the LPSC conducted a settlement hearing to receive the uncontested settlement and supporting testimony into evidence and issued a report of proceedings, which allows the LPSC to consider the uncontested settlement without the procedural motion that did not pass in December. In January 2023, the LPSC approved the stipulated settlement subject to certain modifications. In January 2023, the LPSC staff approved the stipulated settlement subject to certain modifications. These modifications include the recognition of accumulated deferred income tax benefits related to damaged assets and system restoration costs as a reduction of the amount authorized to be financed utilizing the securitization process authorized by Act 55, as supplemented by Act 293, from $1.657 billion to $1.491 billion. These modifications did not affect the LPSC’s conclusion that all system restoration costs sought by Entergy Louisiana were reasonable and prudent. These modifications do not affect the staff’s conclusion that all system restoration costs sought by Entergy Louisiana were reasonable and prudent. In February 2023 the Louisiana Bond Commission voted to authorize the Louisiana Local Government Facilities and Community Development Authority (LCDA) to issue the bonds authorized in the LPSC’s financing order. In February 2023 the Louisiana Bond Commission voted to authorize the LCDA to issue the bonds authorized in the LPSC’s financing order; the bond rating and marketing process has yet to occur. 20Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisIn March 2023 the Hurricane Ida securitization financing closed, resulting in the issuance of approximately $1.6Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisSee Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of the securitization. 491 billion principal amount of bonds by the LCDA and a remaining regulatory asset of $180 million to be recovered through the exclusion of the accumulated deferred income taxes related to damaged assets and system restoration costs from the determination of future rates. The securitization was authorized pursuant to the Louisiana Utilities Restoration Corporation Act, Part VIII of Chapter 9 of Title 45 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes, as supplemented by Act 293 of the Louisiana Legislature’s Regular Session of 2021. The LCDA loaned the proceeds to the LURC. Pursuant to Act 293, the LURC contributed the net bond proceeds to a State legislatively authorized and LURC-sponsored trust, Restoration Law Trust II (the storm trust II).Pursuant to Act 293, the net proceeds of the bonds were used by the storm trust II to purchase 14,576,757.Pursuant to Act 293, the net proceeds of the bonds were used by the storm trust to purchase 31,635,718. 48 Class B preferred, non-voting membership interest units (the preferred membership interests) issued by Entergy Finance Company, LLC, a majority owned indirect subsidiary of Entergy. Entergy Finance Company is required to make annual distributions (dividends) commencing on December 15, 2023 on the preferred membership interests issued to the storm trust II. These annual dividends received by the storm trust II will be distributed to Entergy Louisiana and the LURC, as beneficiaries of the storm trust II. These annual dividends received by the storm trust will be distributed to Entergy Louisiana and the LURC, as beneficiaries of the storm trust. Specifically, 1% of the annual dividends received by the storm trust II will be distributed to the LURC for the benefit of customers, and 99% will be distributed to Entergy Louisiana, net of storm trust expenses. The preferred membership interests have a stated annual cumulative cash dividend rate of 7. The preferred membership interests have a stated annual cumulative cash dividend rate of 7% and a liquidation price of $100 per unit. 5% and a liquidation price of $100 per unit. The terms of the preferred membership interests include certain financial covenants to which Entergy Finance Company is subject. Semi-annual redemptions of the preferred membership interests, subject to certain conditions, are expected to occur over the next 15 years.Entergy and Entergy Louisiana do not report the bonds issued by the LCDA on their balance sheets because the bonds are the obligation of the LCDA. The bonds are secured by system restoration property, which is the right granted by law to the LURC to collect a system restoration charge from customers. The system restoration charge is adjusted at least semi-annually to ensure that it is sufficient to service the bonds. Entergy Louisiana collects the system restoration charge on behalf of the LURC and remits the collections to the bond indenture trustee. Entergy Louisiana began collecting the system restoration charge effective with the first billing cycle of April 2023 and the system restoration charge is expected to remain in place for up to 15 years. Entergy Louisiana began collecting the system restoration charge effective with the first billing cycle of June 2022 and the system restoration charge is expected to remain in place up to 15 years. Entergy and Entergy Louisiana do not report the collections as revenue because Entergy Louisiana is merely acting as a billing and collection agent for the LCDA and the LURC. In the remote possibility that the system restoration charge, as well as any funds in the excess subaccount and funds in the debt service reserve account, are insufficient to service the bonds resulting in a payment default, the storm trust II is required to liquidate Entergy Finance Company preferred membership interests in an amount equal to what would be required to cure the default. In the remote possibility that the system restoration charge, as well as any funds in the excess subaccount and funds in the debt service reserve account, are insufficient to service the bonds resulting in a payment default, the storm trust is required to liquidate Entergy Finance Company preferred membership interests in an amount equal to what would be required to cure the default. The estimated value of this indirect guarantee is immaterial.From the proceeds from the issuance of the preferred membership interests, Entergy Finance Company loaned approximately $1.From the proceeds from the issuance of the preferred membership interests, Entergy Finance Company distributed $1. 5 billion to Entergy, which was indirectly contributed to Entergy Louisiana as a capital contribution.As discussed in Note 3 to the financial statements, the securitization resulted in recognition of a net reduction of income tax expense of approximately $133 million, after taking into account a provision for uncertain tax positions, by Entergy Louisiana.As discussed in Note 3 to the financial statements, the securitization resulted in recognition of a reduction of income tax expense of approximately $290 million by Entergy Louisiana. Entergy’s recognition of reduced income tax expense was offset by other tax charges resulting in a net reduction of income tax expense of $129 million, after taking into account a provision for uncertain tax positions. Entergy’s recognition of reduced income tax expense was partially offset by other tax charges resulting in a net reduction of income tax expense of $283 million. In recognition of its obligations described in an LPSC ancillary order issued as part of the securitization regulatory proceeding, Entergy Louisiana recorded in first quarter 2023 a $103 million ($76 million net-of-tax) regulatory charge and a corresponding regulatory liability to reflect its obligation to provide credits to its customers. In recognition of obligations related to an LPSC ancillary order issued as part of the securitization regulatory proceeding, Entergy Louisiana recorded a $224 million ($165 million net-of-tax) regulatory charge and a corresponding regulatory liability to reflect its obligation to share the benefits of the securitization with customers. As discussed in Note 6 and Note 17 to the financial statements, Entergy Louisiana consolidates the storm trust II as a variable interest entity and the LURC’s 1% beneficial interest is presented as noncontrolling interest in 21Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysisthe financial statements. In first quarter 2023, Entergy Louisiana recorded a charge of $14. In second quarter 2022, Entergy Louisiana recorded a charge of $31. 6 million in other income to reflect the LURC’s beneficial interest in the storm trust II.Cash Flow ActivityAs shown in Entergy’s Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 were as follows:2023 Compared to 2022Operating ActivitiesNet cash flow provided by operating activities increased $1,709 million in 2023 primarily due to:•lower fuel costs and the timing of recovery of fuel and purchased power costs. See Note 2 to the financial statements for a discussion of fuel and purchased power cost recovery;•a decrease of $210 million in storm spending primarily due to Hurricane Ida restoration efforts in 2022;•a decrease of $203 million in pension contributions in 2023. See Note 2 to the financial statements for a discussion of fuel and purchased power cost recovery;•payments to vendors, including timing and an increase in cost of operations;•an increase of $19. See “Critical Accounting Estimates – Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits” below and Note 11 to the financial statements for a discussion of qualified pension and other postretirement benefits funding;•an increase of $57 million in interest received, including shorter-term financing interest earnings at Entergy Louisiana and interest on storm reserve escrow accounts. See Note 2 to the financial statements for a discussion of Entergy Louisiana’s shorter-term financing interest earnings; and•severance and retention payments of $40 million in 2022 related to Entergy’s exit from the merchant power business. See Note 2 to the financial statements for a discussion of fuel and purchased power cost recovery and the System Energy settlement agreement with the MPSC;•higher collections from customers; and•a decrease of $23. See Note 13 to the financial statements for further discussion of Entergy’s exit from the merchant power business. See Note 4 to the financial statements for further discussion of Entergy Texas’s short-term borrowing limits. The increase was partially offset by:•lower collections from Utility customers;•net proceeds of $202 million received from the LURC in December 2022 from the Entergy New Orleans storm cost securitization. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of recent storms;•proceeds of $202 million received from the LURC in December 2022 from the Entergy New Orleans securitization. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of the Entergy New Orleans storm cost securitization; and•an increase of $85 million in interest paid. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of the Entergy New Orleans securitization;•a decrease of $80 million in severance and retention payments in 2022 as compared to 2021. 22Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisInvesting ActivitiesNet cash flow used in investing activities decreased $1,081 million in 2023 primarily due to:•a decrease of $595 million in distribution construction expenditures primarily due to lower capital expenditures for storm restoration in 2023.16Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisRenewablesSunflower SolarIn November 2018, Entergy Mississippi announced that it signed an agreement for the purchase of an approximately 100 MW solar photovoltaic facility to be sited on approximately 1,000 acres in Sunflower County, Mississippi. The decrease in storm restoration expenditures is primarily due to Hurricane Ida restoration efforts in 2022;•net receipts from storm reserve escrow accounts of $79 million in 2023 compared to net payments to storm reserve escrow accounts of $369 million in 2022;•a decrease of $86 million in information technology capital expenditures primarily due to decreased spending on various technology projects in 2023;•the initial payment of approximately $105 million in 2022 as compared to the substantial completion and final payments totaling approximately $35 million in 2023 for the purchase of the Sunflower Solar facility by the Entergy Mississippi tax equity partnership. See Note 14 to the financial statements for discussion of the Sunflower Solar facility purchase; and•a decrease of $57 million in transmission construction expenditures primarily due to lower capital expenditures for storm restoration in 2023. See Note 14 to the financial statements for discussion of the Sunflower Solar facility purchase; and•money pool activity. The decrease in storm restoration expenditures is primarily due to Hurricane Ida restoration efforts in 2022. The decrease in storm restoration spending is primarily due to Hurricane Zeta and Hurricane Ida restoration efforts. The decrease was partially offset by:•an increase of $98 million in non-nuclear generation construction expenditures primarily due to higher spending at Entergy Texas on the Orange County Advanced Power Station project, partially offset by a lower scope of work on projects performed, including during plant outages, in 2023 as compared to 2022;•an increase of $47 million in nuclear fuel purchases due to variations from year to year in the timing and pricing of fuel reload requirements, materials and services deliveries, and the timing of cash payments during the nuclear fuel cycle; and•an increase of $30 million in decommissioning trust fund investment activity.Financing ActivitiesNet cash flow provided by financing activities decreased $2,662 million in 2023 primarily due to:•proceeds from securitization of $1.Financing ActivitiesNet cash flow provided by financing activities increased $1,630 million in 2022 primarily due to:•proceeds from securitization of $3. 5 billion received by the storm trust II at Entergy Louisiana in 2023 compared to proceeds from securitization of $3.2 billion received by the storm trust I at Entergy Louisiana in 2022;•long-term debt activity using approximately $862 million of cash in 2023 compared to providing approximately $24 million of cash in 2022;•a decrease of $722 million in net proceeds from the issuance of common stock under the at the market equity distribution program in 2023 as compared to 2022; and•an increase of $77 million in common stock dividends paid in 2023 as a result of an increase in the dividend paid per share and an increase in the number of shares outstanding.The decrease was partially offset by net issuances of $311 million of commercial paper in 2023 as compared to net repayments of $374 million of commercial paper in 2022 and an increase of $110 million in prepaid deposits related to contributions-in-aid-of-construction primarily for customer and generator interconnection agreements.See Note 2 to the financial statements for a discussion of the Entergy Louisiana storm cost securitizations.See Note 2 to the financial statements for a discussion of the Entergy Louisiana securitization. See Note 4 to the financial statements for details of Entergy’s commercial paper program. See Note 5 to the financial statements for details of long-term debt. See Note 7 to the financial statements for discussion of the equity distribution program. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of the securitization.
23Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysis2022 Compared to 2021See “MANAGEMENT’S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - Liquidity and Capital Resources - Cash Flow Activity” in Item 7 of Entergy’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on February 24, 2023, for discussion of operating, investing, and financing cash flow activities for 2022 compared to 2021.28Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysis2021 Compared to 2020See “MANAGEMENT’S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - Liquidity and Capital Resources - Cash Flow Activity” in Item 7 of Entergy’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 filed with the SEC on February 25, 2022 for discussion of operating, investing, and financing cash flow activities for 2021 compared to 2020. Rate, Cost-recovery, and Other RegulationState and Local Rate Regulation and Fuel-Cost RecoveryThe rates that the Utility operating companies charge for their services significantly influence Entergy’s financial position, results of operations, and liquidity. These companies are regulated, and the rates charged to their customers are determined in regulatory proceedings. Governmental agencies, including the APSC, the LPSC, the MPSC, the City Council, and the PUCT, are primarily responsible for approval of the rates charged to customers. Following is a summary of the Utility operating companies’ authorized returns on common equity:Rate regulation and related regulatory proceedings and fuel and purchased power cost recovery proceedings for the Utility operating companies are discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements. Following is a summary of the Utility operating companies’ authorized returns on common equity:The Utility operating companies’ base rate, fuel and purchased power cost recovery, and storm cost recovery proceedings are discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements. Federal RegulationThe FERC regulates wholesale sales of electricity rates and interstate transmission of electricity, including rates for System Energy’s sales of capacity and energy from Grand Gulf to Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy New Orleans pursuant to the Unit Power Sales Agreement. The current return on equity and capital structure of System Energy are currently the subject of complaints filed by certain of the Utility operating companies’ retail regulators. The current return on equity under the Unit Power Sales Agreement is 10.94% for Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, and Entergy New Orleans and 9.94% for Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, and Entergy New Orleans, while Entergy Mississippi’s return on equity under the Unit Power Sales Agreement is 9. 65% for Entergy Mississippi as a result of the System Energy settlement with the MPSC. If the System Energy settlement with the APSC is approved by the FERC, the authorized rate of return on equity under the Unit Power Sales Agreement for Entergy Arkansas will be adjusted to 9.65% in accordance with the settlement terms. Prior to each Utility operating companies’ termination of participation in the System Agreement (Entergy Arkansas in December 2013, Entergy Mississippi in November 2015, and Entergy Louisiana, Entergy New Orleans, and Entergy Texas, each in August 2016), the Utility operating companies engaged in the coordinated planning, construction, and operation of generating and bulk transmission facilities under the terms of the System Agreement, which was a rate schedule approved by the FERC. Prior to each operating company’s termination of participation in the System Agreement (Entergy Arkansas in December 2013, Entergy Mississippi in November 2015, and Entergy Louisiana, Entergy New Orleans, and Entergy Texas, each in August 2016), the Utility operating companies engaged in the coordinated planning, construction, and operation of generating and bulk transmission facilities under the terms of the System Agreement, which was a rate schedule approved by the FERC. Certain of the Utility operating companies’ retail regulators are pursuing or have settled litigation involving the System Agreement at the FERC and in federal courts. Certain of the Utility operating companies’ retail regulators are pursuing litigation involving the System Agreement at the FERC and in federal courts. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of the complaints filed with the FERC, including challenges with respect to System Energy’s authorized return on equity and capital structure, renewal of System Energy’s 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, as well as System Energy formula rate annual protocols formal challenges 24Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysisconcerning 2020 and 2021 calendar year bills and discussion of the System Energy settlements with the MPSC and the APSC.Market and Credit Risk Sensitive InstrumentsMarket risk is the risk of changes in the value of commodity and financial instruments, or in future net income or cash flows, in response to changing market conditions. Entergy holds commodity and financial instruments that are exposed to the following significant market risks.•The commodity price risk associated with the sale of electricity by Entergy’s non-utility operations business.•The commodity price risk associated with the sale of electricity by the Entergy Wholesale Commodities business. •The interest rate and equity price risk associated with Entergy’s investments in qualified pension and other postretirement benefits trust funds.•The interest rate and equity price risk associated with Entergy’s investments in pension and other postretirement benefit trust funds. See Note 11 to the financial statements for details regarding Entergy’s qualified pension and other postretirement benefits trust funds. See Note 11 to the financial statements for details regarding Entergy’s pension and other postretirement benefit trust funds. •The interest rate and equity price risk associated with Entergy’s investments in nuclear plant decommissioning trust funds. See Note 16 to the financial statements for details regarding Entergy’s decommissioning trust funds.•The interest rate risk associated with changes in interest rates as a result of Entergy’s outstanding indebtedness. Entergy manages its interest rate exposure by monitoring current interest rates and its debt outstanding in relation to total capitalization. See Notes 4 and 5 to the financial statements for the details of Entergy’s debt outstanding.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 commodity and financial instruments are also exposed to credit risk. Credit risk is the risk of loss from nonperformance by suppliers, customers, or financial counterparties to a contract or agreement. Entergy is also exposed to a potential demand on liquidity due to credit support requirements within its supply or sales agreements.Some of the agreements to sell the power produced by the non-utility operations business contain provisions that require an Entergy subsidiary to provide credit support to secure its obligations under the agreements. The primary form of credit support to satisfy these requirements is an Entergy Corporation guarantee. Cash and letters of credit are also acceptable forms of credit support. At December 31, 2023, based on power prices at that time, Entergy had liquidity exposure of $9 million under the guarantees in place supporting its non-utility operations business transactions and $8 million of posted cash collateral. At December 31, 2022, based on power prices at that time, Entergy had liquidity exposure of $8 million under the guarantees in place supporting Entergy Wholesale Commodities transactions and $8 million of posted cash collateral. Nuclear MattersEntergy’s Utility business includes the ownership and operation of nuclear generating plants and is, therefore, subject to the risks related to such ownership and operation. These include risks related to: the use, storage, and handling and disposal of high-level and low-level radioactive materials; the substantial financial requirements, both for capital investments and operational needs, including the financial requirements to address emerging issues related to equipment reliability, to position Entergy’s nuclear fleet to meet its operational goals; the performance and capacity factors of these nuclear plants; the risk of an adverse outcome to a challenge to the prudence of operations at Grand Gulf; regulatory requirements and potential future regulatory changes, including changes affecting the regulations governing nuclear plant ownership, operations, license amendments, and decommissioning; the availability of interim or permanent sites for the disposal of spent nuclear fuel and nuclear waste, including the fees charged for such disposal; the sufficiency of nuclear decommissioning trust fund assets 25Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysisand earnings to complete decommissioning of each site when required; and limitations on the amounts of insurance recoveries for losses in connection with nuclear plant operations and catastrophic events such as a nuclear accident.NRC Reactor Oversight ProcessThe NRC’s Reactor Oversight Process is a program to collect information about plant performance, assess the information for its safety significance, and provide for appropriate licensee and NRC response. The NRC evaluates plant performance by analyzing two distinct inputs: inspection findings resulting from the NRC’s inspection program and performance indicators reported by the licensee. The evaluations result in the placement of each plant in one of the NRC’s Reactor Oversight Process Action Matrix columns: “licensee response column,” or Column 1, “regulatory response column,” or Column 2, “degraded cornerstone column,” or Column 3, “multiple/repetitive degraded cornerstone column,” or Column 4, and “unacceptable performance,” or Column 5. Plants in Column 1 are subject to normal NRC inspection activities. Plants in Column 2, Column 3, or Column 4 are subject to progressively increasing levels of inspection by the NRC with, in general, progressively increasing levels of associated costs. Continued plant operation is not permitted for plants in Column 5. All of the nuclear generating plants owned and operated by Entergy’s Utility business are currently in Column 1, except River Bend, which is in Column 2. All of the nuclear generating plants owned and operated by Entergy’s Utility business are currently in Column 1, except Waterford 3, which is in Column 2. In July 2023 the NRC placed River Bend in Column 2, effective April 2023, based on failure to inspect wiring associated with the high pressure core spray system. In August 2023 the NRC issued a finding and notice of violation related to a radiation monitor calibration issue at River Bend. In December 2023, River Bend successfully completed the inspection on the high pressure core spray system issue and in February 2024, River Bend successfully completed the supplemental inspection for the radiation monitor calibration issue involving radiation monitor calibrations. River Bend will remain in Column 2 pending receipt of the formal report on the inspection, which is expected in first quarter 2024.Critical Accounting EstimatesThe preparation of Entergy’s financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to apply appropriate accounting policies and to make estimates and judgments that can have a significant effect on reported financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.Critical Accounting EstimatesThe preparation of Entergy’s financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to apply appropriate accounting policies and to make estimates and judgments that can have a significant effect on reported financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. Management has identified the following accounting estimates as critical because they are based on assumptions and measurements that involve a high degree of uncertainty, and the potential for future changes in these assumptions and measurements could produce estimates that would have a material effect on the presentation of Entergy’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.Nuclear Decommissioning CostsCertain of the Utility operating companies and System Energy own nuclear generation facilities.Nuclear Decommissioning CostsEntergy subsidiaries own nuclear generation facilities in the Utility operating segment. Regulations require these Entergy subsidiaries to decommission the nuclear power plants after each facility is taken out of service, and cash is deposited in trust funds during the facilities’ operating lives in order to provide for this obligation. Regulations require Entergy subsidiaries to decommission the nuclear power plants after each facility is taken out of service, and cash is deposited in trust funds during the facilities’ operating lives in order to provide for this obligation. Entergy conducts periodic decommissioning cost studies to estimate the costs that will be incurred to decommission the facilities. The following key assumptions have a significant effect on these estimates.•Timing - In projecting decommissioning costs, two assumptions must be made to estimate the timing of plant decommissioning. First, the date of the plant’s retirement must be estimated for those plants that do not have an announced shutdown date. The estimate may include assumptions regarding the possibility that the plant may have an operating life shorter than the operating license expiration. Second, an assumption must be made regarding whether all decommissioning activity will proceed immediately upon plant retirement, or whether the plant will be placed in SAFSTOR status. SAFSTOR is decommissioning a facility by placing it in a safe, stable condition that is maintained until it is subsequently decontaminated and dismantled to levels that permit license termination, normally within 60 years from permanent cessation 26Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysisof operations. SAFSTOR is decommissioning a facility by placing it in a safe, stable condition that is maintained until it is subsequently decontaminated and dismantled to levels that permit license termination, normally within 60 years from permanent cessation of operations. A change of assumption regarding either the period of continued operation, the use of a SAFSTOR period, or whether Entergy will continue to hold the plant or the plant is held for sale can change the present value of the asset retirement obligation.•Cost Escalation Factors - Entergy’s current decommissioning cost studies include an assumption that decommissioning costs will escalate over present cost levels by factors ranging from approximately 2% to 3% annually. A 50-basis point change in this assumption could change the estimated present value of the decommissioning liabilities by approximately 10% to 17%. The timing assumption influences the significance of the effect of a change in the estimated inflation or cost escalation rate because the effect increases with the length of time assumed before decommissioning activity ends.•Spent Fuel Disposal - Federal law requires the DOE to provide for the permanent storage of spent nuclear fuel, and legislation has been passed by Congress to develop a repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. The DOE has not yet begun accepting spent nuclear fuel and is in non-compliance with federal law. The DOE continues to delay meeting its obligation and Entergy’s nuclear plant owners are continuing to pursue damage claims against the DOE for its failure to provide timely spent fuel storage. Until a federal site is available, however, nuclear plant operators must provide for interim spent fuel storage on the nuclear plant site, which can require the construction and maintenance of dry cask storage sites or other facilities. The costs of developing and maintaining these facilities during the decommissioning period can have a significant effect (as much as an average of 20% to 30% of total estimated decommissioning costs). Entergy’s decommissioning studies include cost estimates for spent fuel storage. These estimates could change in the future, however, based on the expected timing of when the DOE begins to fulfill its obligation to receive and store spent nuclear fuel. See Note 8 to the financial statements for further discussion of Entergy’s spent nuclear fuel litigation.•Technology and Regulation - Over the past several years, more practical experience with the actual decommissioning of nuclear facilities has been gained and that experience has been incorporated into Entergy’s current decommissioning cost estimates. Given the long duration of decommissioning projects, additional experience, including technological advancements in decommissioning, could be gained and affect current cost estimates. In addition, if regulations regarding nuclear decommissioning were to change, this could affect cost estimates.•Interest Rates - The estimated decommissioning costs that are the basis for the recorded decommissioning liability are discounted to present value using a credit-adjusted risk-free rate. When the decommissioning liability is revised, increases in cash flows are discounted using the current credit-adjusted risk-free rate. Decreases in estimated cash flows are discounted using the credit-adjusted risk-free rate used previously in estimating the decommissioning liability that is being revised. Therefore, to the extent that a revised cost study results in an increase in estimated cash flows, a change in interest rates from the time of the previous cost estimate will affect the calculation of the present value of the revised decommissioning liability.Revisions of estimated decommissioning costs that decrease the liability also result in a decrease in the asset retirement cost asset. Revisions of estimated decommissioning costs that increase the liability result in an increase in the asset retirement cost asset, which is then depreciated over the asset’s remaining economic life. See Note 9 to the financial statements for further discussion of asset retirement obligations.Utility Regulatory AccountingEntergy’s Utility operating companies and System Energy are subject to retail regulation by their respective state and local regulators and to wholesale regulation by the FERC. Because these regulatory agencies set the rates the Utility operating companies and System Energy are allowed to charge customers based on allowable costs, including a reasonable return on equity, the Utility operating companies and System Energy apply accounting standards that require the financial statements to reflect the effects of rate regulation, including the recording of regulatory assets and liabilities. Regulatory assets represent incurred costs that have been deferred because they are probable of future recovery from customers through regulated rates. Regulatory liabilities represent (1) revenue or gains that have been deferred because it is probable such amounts will be credited to customers through future regulated rates or (2) billings in advance of expenditures for approved regulatory programs. See Note 2 to the 27Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysisfinancial statements for a discussion of rate and regulatory matters, including details of Entergy’s and the Registrant Subsidiaries’ regulatory assets and regulatory liabilities.For each regulatory jurisdiction in which they conduct business, the Utility operating companies and System Energy assess whether the regulatory assets and regulatory liabilities continue to meet the criteria for probable future recovery or settlement at each balance sheet date and when regulatory events occur. The length of these base rate proceedings can cause the Utility operating companies and System Energy to experience regulatory lag in recovering costs through rates, such that the Utility operating companies may not fully recover all costs during the rate effective period and may, therefore, earn less than their allowed returns. This assessment includes consideration of recent rate orders, historical regulatory treatment for similar costs, and factors such as changes in applicable regulatory and political environments. If the assessments made by the Utility operating companies and System Energy are ultimately different than actual regulatory outcomes, it could materially affect the results of operations, financial position, and cash flows of Entergy or the Registrant Subsidiaries.Taxation and Uncertain Tax PositionsManagement exercises significant judgment in evaluating the potential tax effects of Entergy’s operations, transactions, and other events. Entergy accounts for uncertain income tax positions using a recognition model under a two-step approach with a more likely-than-not recognition threshold and a measurement approach based on the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement. Management evaluates each tax position based on the technical merits and facts and circumstances of the position, assuming the position will be examined by a taxing authority having full knowledge of all relevant information. Significant judgment is required to determine whether available information supports the assertion that the recognition threshold has been met. Additionally, measurement of unrecognized tax benefits to be recorded in the consolidated financial statements is based on the probability of different potential outcomes. Income tax expense and tax positions recorded could be significantly affected by events such as additional transactions contemplated or consummated by Entergy as well as audits by taxing authorities of the tax positions taken in transactions. Management believes that the financial statement tax balances are accounted for and adjusted appropriately each quarter, as necessary, in accordance with applicable authoritative guidance; however, the ultimate outcome of tax matters could result in favorable or unfavorable effects on the consolidated financial statements.Certain Entergy subsidiaries have elected to apply the mark-to-market method of accounting for income tax return purposes to wholesale power purchase agreements as appropriate under the Internal Revenue Code and U.S. Treasury Regulations. The mark-to-market tax gain or loss computed each year is based on an estimated fair market valuation which includes analyses of market prices and conditions. Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries’ mark-to-market gain or loss could be affected by federal and state income tax audits should taxing authorities challenge such valuations. Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries use assumptions or market input data that market participants would use in pricing assets or liabilities at fair value. Entergy’s income taxes, including unrecognized tax benefits, open audits, and other significant tax matters, are discussed in Note 3 to the financial statements. Entergy’s income taxes, including unrecognized tax benefits, open audits, and other significant tax matters are discussed in Note 3 to the financial statements. See “Income Tax Legislation and Regulation” above for discussion of income tax legislation and regulation.Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement BenefitsEntergy sponsors qualified, defined benefit pension plans, including cash balance plans and final average pay plans. Generally, plan participation is determined based on the employee’s most recent date of hire and collective bargaining agreement, where applicable. Additionally, Entergy currently provides other postretirement health care and life insurance benefits for full-time employees whose most recent date of hire or rehire is before July 1, 2014, and who reach retirement age and meet certain eligibility requirements while still working for Entergy. Additionally, Entergy currently provides other postretirement health care and life insurance benefits for substantially all full-time employees whose most recent date of hire or rehire is before July 1, 2014 and who reach retirement age and meet certain eligibility requirements while still working for Entergy. Entergy’s reported costs of providing these benefits, as described in Note 11 to the financial statements, are affected by numerous factors including the provisions of the plans, changing employee demographics, and various actuarial calculations, assumptions, and accounting mechanisms. Because of the complexity of these calculations, 28Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysisthe long-term nature of these obligations, and the importance of the assumptions utilized, Entergy’s estimate of these costs is a critical accounting estimate for Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries.AssumptionsKey actuarial assumptions utilized in determining qualified pension and other postretirement health care and life insurance costs include discount rates, projected healthcare cost rates, expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, rate of increase in future compensation levels, retirement rates, expected timing and form of payments, and mortality rates.Annually, Entergy reviews and, when necessary, adjusts the assumptions for the qualified pension and other postretirement plans.Annually, Entergy reviews and, when necessary, adjusts the assumptions for the pension and other postretirement plans. Every three-to-five years, a formal actuarial assumption experience study that compares assumptions to the actual experience of the qualified pension and other postretirement health care and life insurance plans is conducted. Every three-to-five years, a formal actuarial assumption experience study that compares assumptions to the actual experience of the pension and other postretirement health care and life insurance plans is conducted. The interest rate environment over the past few years and volatility in the financial equity markets have affected Entergy’s funding and reported costs for these benefits.Discount ratesIn selecting an assumed discount rate to calculate benefit obligations, Entergy uses a yield curve based on high-quality corporate debt with cash flows matching the expected plan benefit payments. In estimating the service cost and interest cost components of net periodic benefit cost, Entergy discounts the expected cash flows by the applicable spot rates.Projected health care cost trend ratesEntergy’s health care cost trend is affected by both medical cost inflation and, with respect to capped costs under the plan, the effects of general inflation. Entergy reviews actual recent cost trends and projected future trends in establishing its health care cost trend rates.Expected long-term rate of return on plan assetsIn determining its expected long-term rate of return on plan assets used in the calculation of benefit plan costs, Entergy reviews past performance, current and expected future asset allocations, and capital market assumptions of its investment consultant and some of its investment managers. Entergy conducts periodic asset/liability studies in order to set its target asset allocations.In 2023, Entergy implemented a new asset allocation strategy for its pension assets, based on the funded status of each plan within the trust.In 2017, Entergy implemented a new asset allocation strategy for its non-taxable and taxable other postretirement assets, based on the funded status of each sub-account within each trust. The new strategy no longer focuses on targeting an overall asset allocation for the trust, but rather a target asset allocation for each plan within the trust that adjusts dynamically based on the funded status. The new strategy no longer focuses on targeting an overall asset allocation for each trust, but rather a target asset allocation for each sub-account within each trust that adjusts dynamically based on the funded status. The ultimate asset allocation for each plan is expected to be attained when the plan is 110% funded. The ultimate asset allocation is expected to be attained when the plan is 110% funded. The 2023 weighted-average target pension asset allocation is 49% equity and 51% fixed income securities, of which 43% is long duration fixed income.In 2017, Entergy implemented a new asset allocation strategy for its non-taxable and taxable other postretirement assets, based on the funded status of each sub-account within each trust. The new strategy no longer focuses on targeting an overall asset allocation for each trust, but rather a target asset allocation for each sub-account within each trust that adjusts dynamically based on the funded status. The 2023 weighted-average target postretirement asset allocation is 42% equity and 58% fixed income securities. The 2022 weighted average target postretirement asset allocation is 42% equity and 58% fixed income securities. See Note 11 to the financial statements for discussion of the current asset allocations for Entergy’s pension and other postretirement assets. See Note 11 to the financial statements for discussion of the current asset allocations for Entergy’s pension and other postretirement assets. 29Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisCosts and SensitivitiesThe estimated 2024 and actual 2023 qualified pension and other postretirement costs and related underlying assumptions and sensitivities are shown below:(a) In 2023, qualified pension cost included settlement costs of $160.36Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisCosts and SensitivitiesThe estimated 2023 and actual 2022 qualified pension and other postretirement costs and related underlying assumptions and sensitivities are shown below:(a) In 2022, qualified pension cost included settlement costs of $230. 4 million.Actual asset returns have an effect on Entergy’s qualified pension and other postretirement costs. In 2023, Entergy’s actual annual return on qualified pension assets was approximately 15% and on other postretirement assets was approximately 13%, as compared to the 2023 expected long-term rates of return discussed above. In 2022, Entergy’s actual annual return on qualified pension assets was approximately (18%) and for other postretirement assets was approximately (15%), as compared with the 2022 expected long-term rates of return discussed above. 30Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisThe following chart reflects the sensitivity of qualified pension cost and qualified pension projected benefit obligation to changes in certain actuarial assumptions (dollars in millions):The following chart reflects the sensitivity of postretirement benefits cost and accumulated postretirement benefit obligation to changes in certain actuarial assumptions (dollars in millions):Each fluctuation above assumes that the other components of the calculation are held constant.37Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisThe following chart reflects the sensitivity of qualified pension cost and qualified pension projected benefit obligation to changes in certain actuarial assumptions (dollars in millions):The following chart reflects the sensitivity of postretirement benefit cost and accumulated postretirement benefit obligation to changes in certain actuarial assumptions (dollars in millions):Each fluctuation above assumes that the other components of the calculation are held constant. Accounting MechanismsIn accordance with pension accounting standards, Entergy utilizes a number of accounting mechanisms that reduce the volatility of reported pension costs. Differences between actuarial assumptions and actual plan results are deferred and are amortized into expense only when the accumulated differences exceed 10% of the greater of the projected benefit obligation or the market-related value of plan assets. If necessary, the excess is amortized over the average remaining service period of active employees. If almost all of the plan participants are inactive, as is the case for certain qualified pension plans, the excess is amortized over the remaining life expectancy of plan participants. Additionally, accounting standards allow for the deferral of prior service costs/credits arising from plan amendments that attribute an increase or decrease in benefits to employee service in prior periods. Prior service costs/credits are then amortized into expense over the average future working life of active employees. Certain decisions, including workforce reductions, plan amendments, and plant shutdowns, may significantly reduce the expense amortization period and result in immediate recognition of certain previously-deferred costs and gains/losses in the form of curtailment gains or losses. Similarly, payments made to settle benefit obligations, including lump sum benefit payments, can also result in accelerated recognition in the form of settlement losses or gains. Several Entergy subsidiaries received regulatory approval to defer the expense portion of settlement charges and amortize into expense over time. See Note 11 to the financial statements for further discussion.Entergy calculates the expected return on pension and other postretirement benefits plan assets by multiplying the long-term expected rate of return on assets by the market-related value (MRV) of plan assets.Entergy calculates the expected return on pension and other postretirement benefit plan assets by multiplying the long-term expected rate of return on assets by the market-related value (MRV) of plan assets. Entergy determines the MRV of its pension plan assets, except for the long duration fixed income assets, by calculating a value that uses a 20-quarter phase-in of the difference between actual and expected returns. For the long duration fixed income assets in the pension trust and for its other postretirement benefits plan assets, Entergy uses fair value as the MRV.Accounting standards require an employer to recognize in its balance sheet the funded status of its benefit plans. See Note 11 to the financial statements for further discussion of Entergy’s funded status. See Note 13 to the financial statements for further discussion of these costs. 31Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisEmployer ContributionsEntergy contributed $267 million to its qualified pension plans in 2023. Entergy estimates pension contributions will be approximately $270 million in 2024, although the 2024 required pension contributions will be known with more certainty when the January 1, 2024, valuations are completed, which is expected by April 1, 2024. Entergy estimates pension contributions will be approximately $267 million in 2023; although the 2023 required pension contributions will be known with more certainty when the January 1, 2023 valuations are completed, which is expected by April 1, 2023. Minimum required funding calculations as determined under Pension Protection Act guidance, as amended by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, are performed annually as of January 1 of each year and are based on measurements of the assets and funding liabilities as measured at that date. Any excess of the funding liability over the calculated fair market value of assets results in a funding shortfall that must be funded over a fifteen-year rolling period. The Pension Protection Act also imposes certain plan limitations if the funded percentage, which is based on calculated fair market values of assets divided by funding liabilities, does not meet certain thresholds. For funding purposes, asset gains and losses are smoothed into the calculated fair market value of assets. The funding liability is based upon a weighted-average 24-month corporate bond rate published by the U. The funding liability is based upon a weighted average 24-month corporate bond rate published by the U. S. Treasury which is generally subject to a corridor of the 25-year average of prior segment rates. Periodic changes in asset returns and interest rates can affect funding shortfalls and future cash contributions.Entergy contributed $49.Entergy contributed $52. 1 million to its postretirement plans in 2023 and plans to contribute $45.9 million in 2024.Other ContingenciesAs a company with multi-state utility operations, Entergy is subject to a number of federal and state laws and regulations and other factors and conditions in the areas in which it operates, which potentially subjects it to environmental, litigation, and other risks. Entergy periodically evaluates its exposure for such risks and records a provision for those matters which are considered probable and estimable in accordance with GAAP. Entergy periodically evaluates its exposure for such risks and records a provision for those matters which are considered probable and estimable in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. EnvironmentalEntergy must comply with environmental laws and regulations applicable to air emissions, water discharges, solid waste (including coal combustion residuals), hazardous waste, toxic substances, protected species, and other environmental matters. Under these various laws and regulations, Entergy could incur substantial costs to comply or address any impacts to the environment. Entergy conducts studies to determine the extent of any required remediation and has recorded liabilities based upon its evaluation of the likelihood of loss and expected dollar amount for each issue. Additional sites or issues could be identified which require environmental remediation or corrective action for which Entergy could be liable. The amounts of environmental liabilities recorded can be significantly affected by the following external events or conditions.•Changes to existing federal, state, or local regulation by governmental authorities having jurisdiction over air quality, water quality, control of toxic substances and hazardous and solid wastes, and other environmental matters.•The identification of additional impacts, sites, issues, or the filing of other complaints in which Entergy may be asserted to be a potentially responsible party.•The resolution or progression of existing matters through the court system or resolution by the EPA or relevant state or local authority.LitigationEntergy is regularly named as a defendant in a number of lawsuits involving employment, customers, and injuries and damages issues, among other matters. Entergy periodically reviews the cases in which it has been named as defendant and assesses the likelihood of loss in each case as probable, reasonably possible, or remote and records liabilities for cases that have a probable likelihood of loss and the loss can be estimated. Entergy periodically reviews the cases in which it has been named as defendant and assesses the likelihood of loss in each case as probable, reasonably possible, or remote and 39Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysisrecords liabilities for cases that have a probable likelihood of loss and the loss can be estimated. Given the 32Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysisenvironment in which Entergy operates, and the unpredictable nature of many of the cases in which Entergy is named as a defendant, the ultimate outcome of the litigation to which Entergy is exposed has the potential to materially affect the results of operations, financial position, and cash flows of Entergy or the Registrant Subsidiaries.Complaints Against System EnergySystem Energy’s operating revenues are derived from the allocation of the capacity, energy, and related costs associated with its 90% ownership/leasehold interest in Grand Gulf. System Energy sells its Grand Gulf capacity and energy to Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy New Orleans pursuant to the Unit Power Sales Agreement. 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). See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of these proceedings.New Accounting PronouncementsSee Note 1 to the financial statements for discussion of new accounting pronouncements.33Table of ContentsENTERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIESREPORT OF MANAGEMENTManagement of Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries has prepared and is responsible for the financial statements and related financial information included in this document. To meet this responsibility, management establishes and maintains a system of internal controls over financial reporting designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. This system includes communication through written policies and procedures, an employee Code of Entegrity, and an organizational structure that provides for appropriate division of responsibility and training of personnel. This system is also tested by a comprehensive internal audit program.Entergy management assesses the design and effectiveness of Entergy’s internal control over financial reporting on an annual basis. In making this assessment, management uses the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control - Integrated Framework. The 2013 COSO Framework was utilized for management’s assessment. Management acknowledges, however, that all internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations and can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.Entergy Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm, Deloitte & Touche LLP, has issued an attestation report on the effectiveness of Entergy Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023.In addition, the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, composed solely of independent Directors, meets with the independent auditors, internal auditors, management, and internal accountants periodically to discuss internal controls, and auditing and financial reporting matters. The Audit Committee appoints the independent auditors annually, seeks shareholder ratification of the appointment, and reviews with the independent auditors the scope and results of the audit effort. The Audit Committee also meets periodically with the independent auditors and the chief internal auditor without management present, providing free access to the Audit Committee.Based on management’s assessment of internal controls using the 2013 COSO criteria, management believes that Entergy and each of the Registrant Subsidiaries maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023. Management further believes that this assessment, combined with the policies and procedures noted above, provides reasonable assurance that Entergy’s and each of the Registrant Subsidiaries’ financial statements are fairly and accurately presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.34Table of ContentsREPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRMTo the shareholders and Board of Directors ofEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesOpinion on the Financial StatementsWe have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries (the “Corporation”) as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, cash flows, and changes in equity for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, and the related notes (collectively, referred to as the “financial statements”).41Table of ContentsREPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRMTo the Shareholders and Board of Directors ofEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesOpinion on the Financial StatementsWe have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries (the “Corporation”) as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, cash flows, and changes in equity for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2022, and the related notes (collectively, referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Corporation as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 23, 2024, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting.Basis for OpinionThese financial statements are the responsibility of the Corporation’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Corporation’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Corporation in accordance with the US federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.Critical Audit MattersThe critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.Rate and Regulatory Matters — Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries — Refer to Note 2 to the financial statementsCritical Audit Matter DescriptionThe Corporation is subject to rate regulation by their respective state utility regulatory agencies and wholesale regulation by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (collectively, the “Commissions”). Management has determined it meets the requirements under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America to prepare its financial statements applying the specialized rules to account for the effects of cost-based rate regulation. Accounting for the economics of rate regulation impacts multiple financial statement line items and disclosures.35Table of ContentsThe Corporation’s rates are subject to regulatory rate-setting processes and annual earnings oversight.338Table of ContentsThe Company’s rates are subject to regulatory rate-setting processes and annual earnings oversight. Because the Commissions set the rates, the Corporation is allowed to charge customers based on allowable costs, including a reasonable return on equity, and the Corporation applies accounting standards that require the financial statements to reflect the effects of rate regulation, including the recording of regulatory assets and liabilities. Because the Commissions and the FERC set the rates, the Corporation is allowed to charge customers based on allowable costs, including a reasonable return on equity, and the Corporation applies accounting standards that require the financial statements to reflect the effects of rate regulation, including the recording of regulatory assets and liabilities. The Corporation assesses whether the regulatory assets and regulatory liabilities continue to meet the criteria for probable future recovery or settlement at each balance sheet date and when regulatory events occur. This assessment includes consideration of recent rate orders, historical regulatory treatment for similar costs, and factors such as changes in applicable regulatory and political environments. While the Corporation has indicated it expects to recover costs from customers through regulated rates, there is a risk that the Commissions will not approve: (1) full recovery of the costs of providing utility service or (2) full recovery of amounts invested in the utility business and a reasonable return on that investment. While the Corporation has indicated it expects to recover costs from customers through regulated rates, there is a risk that the Commissions and the FERC will not approve: (1) full recovery of the costs of providing utility service or (2) full recovery of amounts invested in the utility business and a reasonable return on that investment. We identified the impact of rate regulation as a critical audit matter due to the judgments made by management to support its assertions about impacted account balances and disclosures and the high degree of subjectivity involved in assessing the impact of future regulatory orders on the financial statements.We identified the impact of rate regulation as a critical audit matter due to the significant judgments made by management to support its assertions about impacted account balances and disclosures and the high degree of subjectivity involved in assessing the impact of future regulatory orders on the financial statements. Management judgments include assessing the (1) likelihood of recovery in future rates of incurred costs and the (2) likelihood of refunds to customers. Management judgments include assessing the (1) likelihood of recovery in future rates of incurred costs, (2) likelihood of refunds to customers, and (3) ongoing complaints filed with the FERC against the Company. Auditing management’s judgments regarding the outcome of future decisions by the Commissions, recovery in future rates of regulatory assets and refunds or future reductions in rates related to regulatory liabilities involved specialized knowledge of accounting for rate regulation and the rate-setting process due to its inherent complexities and auditor judgment to evaluate management estimates and the subjectivity of audit evidence. Auditing management’s judgments regarding the outcome of future decisions by the Commissions and the FERC involved specialized knowledge of accounting for rate regulation and the rate-setting process due to its inherent complexities and significant auditor judgment to evaluate management estimates and the subjectivity of audit evidence. How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the AuditOur audit procedures related to the uncertainty of future decisions by the Commissions, recovery in future rates of regulatory assets and refunds or future reductions in rates related to regulatory liabilities included the following, among others:•We tested the effectiveness of management’s controls over the evaluation of the likelihood of (1) the recovery in future rates of regulatory assets; and (2) a refund or a future reduction in rates that should be reported as regulatory liabilities.How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the AuditOur audit procedures related to the uncertainty of future decisions by the Commissions and the FERC included the following, among others:•We tested the effectiveness of management’s controls over the evaluation of the likelihood of (1) the recovery in future rates of costs incurred as property, plant, and equipment and deferred as regulatory assets; and (2) a refund or a future reduction in rates that should be reported as regulatory liabilities. We also tested the effectiveness of management’s controls over the initial recognition of amounts as regulatory assets or liabilities and the monitoring and evaluation of regulatory developments that may affect the likelihood of recovering costs in future rates or of a future reduction in rates. We also tested the effectiveness of management’s controls over the initial recognition of amounts as property, plant, and equipment; regulatory assets or liabilities; and the monitoring and evaluation of regulatory developments that may affect the likelihood of recovering costs in future rates or of a future reduction in rates. •We evaluated the Corporation’s disclosures related to the impacts of rate regulation, including the balances recorded and regulatory developments.•We read relevant regulatory orders issued by the Commissions for the Corporation to assess the likelihood of recovery in future rates or of a future reduction in rates based on precedents of the Commissions’ treatment of similar costs under similar circumstances.•We read relevant regulatory orders issued by the FERC for the Company, filings made by intervenors, and other publicly available information to assess the likelihood of recovery in future rates or of a future reduction in rates based on precedents of the FERC’s treatment of similar costs under similar circumstances. We evaluated the external information and compared to management’s recorded regulatory asset and liability balances for completeness.•For regulatory matters in process, we inspected the Corporation’s and intervenors’ filings with the Commissions, initial Administrative Law Judge decisions and orders issued, and settlement offers and agreements with the Commissions for any evidence that might contradict management’s assertions.•We obtained an analysis from management and support from the Corporation’s internal and external legal counsel, as appropriate, regarding probability of recovery for regulatory assets or refund or future reduction in rates for regulatory liabilities not yet addressed in a regulatory order, to assess management’s assertion that amounts are probable of recovery or a future reduction in rates.•We obtained an analysis from management and support from the Corporation’s internal and external legal counsel, as appropriate, regarding probability of recovery for regulatory assets or refund or future reduction in rates for regulatory liabilities not yet addressed in a regulatory order, including the complaints filed with 43Table of Contentsthe FERC against SERI, to assess management’s assertion that amounts are probable of recovery or a future reduction in rates. •We obtained representation from management regarding probability of recovery for regulatory assets or refund or future reduction in rates for regulatory liabilities to assess management’s assertion that amounts are probable of recovery, refund, or a future reduction in rates.36Table of ContentsSecuritization Financing — Storm Cost Recovery Filings with Retail Regulators — Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries — Refer to Note 2 to the financial statementsCritical Audit Matter DescriptionHurricane Ida in 2021 caused significant damage to portions of the Corporation’s service area within the state of Louisiana. In January 2023, the Louisiana Public Service Commission (“LPSC”) issued a Financing Order authorizing financing of $1. In March 2022, the Louisiana Public Service Commission (“LPSC”) issued a Financing Order authorizing financing of $3. 491 billion of system restoration costs utilizing the securitization process authorized by Louisiana Act 55 financing, as supplemented by Act 293 of the Louisiana Legislature’s Regular Session of 2021 (“Act 55, as supplemented by Act 293”). In March 2023, the securitization financing closed, resulting in the issuance of $1. In May 2022, the securitization financing closed, resulting in the issuance of $3. 491 billion principal amount bonds by Louisiana Local Government Environmental Facilities and Community Development Authority (“LCDA”), a political subdivision of the State of Louisiana. The LCDA loaned the proceeds to the Louisiana Utilities Restoration Corporation (“LURC”), and the LURC contributed the net bond proceeds to a State legislatively authorized and LURC-sponsored trust, Restoration Law Trust II (the “storm trust II”). The Corporation and the LURC each hold beneficial interests in the storm trust II.The Corporation does not report the bonds issued by the LCDA on its balance sheet because the bonds are the obligation of the LCDA. The bonds are secured by system restoration property, which is the right granted by law to the LURC to collect a system restoration charge from customers. The Corporation collects the system restoration charge on behalf of the LURC and remits the collections to the bond indenture trustee. The Corporation does not report the collection of system restoration charges as revenue because the Corporation is merely acting as a billing and collection agent for the LCDA and the LURC. In the remote possibility that the system restoration charge, as well as any funds in the excess subaccount and funds in the debt service reserve account, are insufficient to service the bonds resulting in a payment default, the storm trust II is required to liquidate Entergy Finance Company preferred interests in an amount equal to what would be required to cure the default. In the remote possibility that the system restoration charge, as well as any funds in the excess subaccount and funds in the debt service reserve account, are insufficient to service the bonds resulting in a payment default, the storm trust is required to liquidate Entergy Finance Company preferred membership interests in an amount equal to what would be required to cure the default. The estimated value of this indirect guarantee is immaterial. The Corporation consolidates the storm trust II as a variable interest entity and the LURC’s 1% beneficial interest is shown as a noncontrolling interest in the financial statements. The Corporation consolidates the storm trust as a variable interest entity and the LURC’s 1% beneficial interest is shown as a noncontrolling interest in the financial statements. We identified management’s conclusion that the bonds issued by the LCDA are the obligation of the LCDA as a critical audit matter due to the judgments made by management to support its conclusion.We identified management’s conclusion that the bonds issued by the LCDA are the obligation of the LCDA as a critical audit matter due to the significant judgments made by management to support its conclusion. Auditing management’s judgments involved especially subjective judgment and specialized knowledge of accounting for securitization financing transactions.How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the AuditOur audit procedures related to the Act 55, as supplemented by Act 293, securitization financing included the following, among others:•We tested the effectiveness of management’s controls over the evaluation of the accounting impact of this securitization financing transaction, including the conclusion that the bonds issued by the LCDA are the obligation of the LCDA.•We evaluated the Corporation’s disclosures related to the impacts of the Act 55, as supplemented by Act 293, securitization financing, including the balances recorded.•We read relevant regulatory and financing orders issued by the LPSC for the Corporation, the LURC, and the LCDA, and evaluated external information to compare to management’s conclusions.•We obtained an analysis from management and support from the Corporation’s internal and external legal counsel regarding the legal status of the bonds issued by the LCDA and the system restoration property granted to the LURC to assess management’s assertion that the bonds issued by the LCDA are the obligation of the LCDA.•With the assistance of professionals in our firm having expertise and experience in addressing the accounting for securitization financing transactions by regulated utilities, we evaluated the Company’s conclusion, including the conclusion that the bonds issued by the LCDA are the obligation of the LCDA.37Table of ContentsUncertain Tax Positions — Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries — Refer to Note 3 to the financial statementsCritical Audit Matter DescriptionThe Corporation accounts for uncertain income tax positions under a two-step approach with a more likely-than-not recognition threshold and a measurement approach based on the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than fifty percent likely of being realized upon settlement.44Table of ContentsUncertain Tax Positions—Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries—Refer to Note 3 to the financial statementsCritical Audit Matter DescriptionThe Corporation accounts for uncertain income tax positions under a two-step approach with a more likely-than-not recognition threshold and a measurement approach based on the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than fifty percent likely of being realized upon settlement. The Corporation has uncertain tax positions which require management to make judgments and assumptions to determine whether available information supports the assertion that the recognition threshold is met, particularly related to the technical merits and facts and circumstances of each position, as well as the probability of different potential outcomes. The Corporation has uncertain tax positions which require management to make significant judgments and assumptions to determine whether available information supports the assertion that the recognition threshold is met, particularly related to the technical merits and facts and circumstances of each position, as well as the probability of different potential outcomes. These uncertain tax positions could be significantly affected by audits by taxing authorities of the tax positions and changes to relevant tax law. These uncertain tax positions could be significantly affected by events such as additional transactions contemplated or consummated by the Company as well as audits by taxing authorities of the tax positions. There is an uncertain tax position related to the March 2023 securitization financing that provided for a tax benefit in the first quarter of 2023 of approximately $129 million.Given the judgments made by management, we identified management’s conclusion that the securitization uncertain tax position met the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold as a critical audit matter.Given the significant judgments made by management, we identified management’s conclusion that these uncertain tax positions met the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold as a critical audit matter. Auditing management’s judgments regarding this uncertain tax position involved specialized knowledge of uncertain tax positions and auditor judgment to evaluate the subjectivity of audit evidence. Auditing management’s judgments regarding these uncertain tax positions involved specialized knowledge of uncertain tax positions and significant auditor judgment to evaluate the subjectivity of audit evidence. How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the AuditOur audit procedures related to the securitization uncertain tax position included the following, among others:•We tested the effectiveness of controls related to the securitization uncertain tax position, including those over the recognition and measurement of the income tax benefit.How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the AuditOur audit procedures related to the uncertain tax positions included the following, among others:•We tested the effectiveness of controls related to uncertain tax positions, including those over the recognition and measurement of the income tax benefits. •We evaluated the Corporation’s disclosures, and the balances recorded, related to the securitization uncertain tax position.•We evaluated the Corporation’s disclosures, and the balances recorded, related to uncertain tax positions. •We evaluated the methods and assumptions used by management to estimate the securitization uncertain tax position by testing the underlying data that served as the basis for the uncertain tax position.•We evaluated the methods and assumptions used by management to estimate the uncertain tax positions by testing the underlying data that served as the basis for the uncertain tax position. •With the assistance of our income tax specialists, we tested the technical merits of the securitization uncertain tax position and management’s key estimates and judgments made by:•Assessing the technical merits of the uncertain tax position by comparing to similar cases filed with the Internal Revenue Service.•With the assistance of our income tax specialists, we tested the technical merits of the uncertain tax positions and management’s key estimates and judgments made by:•Assessing the technical merits of the uncertain tax positions by comparing to similar cases filed with the Internal Revenue Service. •Obtaining an opinion from the Corporation’s external legal counsel regarding certain federal income tax consequences related to the Act 55, as supplemented by Act 293, securitization financing and evaluating whether the analysis was consistent with our interpretation of the relevant laws and circumstances.•Considering the impact of changes or settlements in the tax environment on management’s methods and assumptions used to estimate the uncertain tax position./s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLPNew Orleans, LouisianaFebruary 23, 2024We have served as the Corporation’s auditor since 2001.38Table of Contents39Table of Contents(Page left blank intentionally)40Table of Contents41Table of Contents42Table of Contents43Table of Contents44Table of Contents45Table of Contents46Table of ContentsENTERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIESNOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTSNOTE 1.45Table of Contents46Table of Contents47Table of Contents48Table of Contents49Table of Contents50Table of Contents51Table of Contents52Table of ContentsENTERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIESNOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTSNOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries. As required by GAAP in the United States of America, all intercompany transactions have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements.
Entergy’s Registrant Subsidiaries (Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy) also include their separate financial statements in this Form 10-K. Certain previously reported amounts in the financial statements have been reclassified to conform to current classification, with no effect on results of operations, financial positions, or cash flows. The Registrant Subsidiaries and many other Entergy subsidiaries also maintain accounts in accordance with FERC and other regulatory guidelines.Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial StatementsIn conformity with GAAP in the United States of America, the preparation of Entergy Corporation’s consolidated financial statements and the separate financial statements of the Registrant Subsidiaries requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities.Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial StatementsIn conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, the preparation of Entergy Corporation’s consolidated financial statements and the separate financial statements of the Registrant Subsidiaries requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Adjustments to the reported amounts of assets and liabilities may be necessary in the future to the extent that future estimates or actual results are different from the estimates used.Revenues and Fuel CostsSee Note 19 to the financial statements for a discussion of Entergy’s and the Registrant Subsidiaries’ revenues and fuel costs.Property, Plant, and EquipmentProperty, plant, and equipment is stated at original cost less regulatory disallowances and impairments. Depreciation is computed on the straight-line basis at rates based on the applicable estimated service lives of the various classes of property. For the Registrant Subsidiaries, the original cost of plant retired or removed, less salvage, is charged to accumulated depreciation. Normal maintenance, repairs, and minor replacement costs are charged to operating expenses. Certain combined-cycle gas turbine generating units are maintained under long-term service agreements with third-party service providers. The costs under these agreements are split between operating expenses and capital additions based upon the nature of the work performed. Substantially all of the Registrant Subsidiaries’ plant is subject to mortgage liens.Electric plant includes the portion of Grand Gulf that was sold and leased back in a prior period. For financial reporting purposes, this sale and leaseback arrangement is reported as a financing transaction.47Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsNet property, plant, and equipment (including property under lease and associated accumulated amortization) for Entergy by functional category, as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, is shown below:Depreciation rates on average depreciable property for Entergy approximated 2.53Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsNet property, plant, and equipment for Entergy (including property under lease and associated accumulated amortization) by business segment and functional category, as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, is shown below:Depreciation rates on average depreciable property for Entergy approximated 2. 9% in 2023, 2.9% in 2022. 8% in 2022, and 2.8% in 2022, 2. 7% in 2021.7% in 2020. Entergy amortizes nuclear fuel using a units-of-production method. Nuclear fuel amortization is included in fuel expense in the income statements.Non-utility property - at cost (less accumulated depreciation) for Entergy is reported net of accumulated depreciation of $193 million as of December 31, 2023 and $208 million as of December 31, 2022.Non-utility property - at cost (less accumulated depreciation) for Entergy is reported net of accumulated depreciation of $208 million as of December 31, 2022 and $200 million as of December 31, 2021. Net property, plant, and equipment (including property under lease and associated accumulated amortization) for the Registrant Subsidiaries by functional category, as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, is shown below:48Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsDepreciation rates on average depreciable property for the Registrant Subsidiaries are shown below:Non-utility property - at cost (less accumulated depreciation) for Entergy Arkansas is reported net of accumulated depreciation of $0.Net property, plant, and equipment for the Registrant Subsidiaries (including property under lease and associated accumulated amortization) by company and functional category, as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, is shown below:Depreciation rates on average depreciable property for the Registrant Subsidiaries are shown below:Non-utility property - at cost (less accumulated depreciation) for Entergy Louisiana is reported net of accumulated depreciation of $202. 1 million as of December 31, 2023 and $0.1 million as of December 31, 2022. Non-utility property - at cost (less accumulated depreciation) for Entergy Louisiana is reported net of accumulated depreciation of $187. Non-utility property - at cost (less accumulated depreciation) for Entergy Mississippi is reported net of accumulated depreciation of $0. 2 million as of December 31, 2023 and $202.5 million as of December 31, 2022 and $0. 2 million as of December 31, 2022. Non-utility property - at cost (less accumulated depreciation) for Entergy Mississippi is reported net of accumulated depreciation of $0.5 million as of December 31, 2023 and $0.5 million as of December 31, 2022 and $0. 5 million as of December 31, 2022.49Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsJointly-Owned Generating StationsCertain Entergy subsidiaries jointly own electric generating facilities with affiliates or third parties.60Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsInvestmentsEntergy records decommissioning trust funds on the balance sheet at their fair value. All parties are required to provide their own financing. The investments, fuel expenses, and other operation and maintenance expenses associated with these generating stations are recorded by the Entergy subsidiaries to the extent of their respective undivided ownership interests. As of December 31, 2023, the subsidiaries’ investment and accumulated depreciation in each of these generating stations were as follows:(a)“Total Megawatt Capability” is the dependable summer load carrying capability as demonstrated under actual operating conditions based on the primary fuel (assuming no curtailments) that each station was designed to utilize. As of December 31, 2022, the subsidiaries’ investment and accumulated depreciation in each of these generating stations were as follows:56Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statements(a)“Total Megawatt Capability” is the dependable load carrying capability as demonstrated under actual operating conditions based on the primary fuel (assuming no curtailments) that each station was designed to utilize. 50Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statements(b)Ouachita Units 1 and 2 are owned 100% by Entergy Arkansas and Ouachita Unit 3 is owned 100% by Entergy Louisiana. The investment and accumulated depreciation numbers above are only for the common facilities and not for the generating units.(c)Union Unit 1 is owned 100% by Entergy New Orleans, Union Unit 2 is owned 100% by Entergy Arkansas, Union Units 3 and 4 are owned 100% by Entergy Louisiana. The investment and accumulated depreciation numbers above are only for the specified common facilities and not for the generating units.(d)Includes a leasehold interest held by System Energy. System Energy’s Grand Gulf lease obligations are discussed in Note 5 to the financial statements.Nuclear Refueling Outage CostsNuclear refueling outage costs are deferred during the outage and amortized over the estimated period to the next outage because these refueling outage expenses are incurred to prepare the units to operate for the next operating cycle without having to be taken off line.Allowance for Funds Used During Construction (AFUDC)AFUDC represents the approximate net composite interest cost of borrowed funds and a reasonable return on the equity funds used for construction by the Registrant Subsidiaries. AFUDC increases both the plant balance and earnings and is realized in cash through depreciation provisions included in the rates charged to customers.Income TaxesEntergy Corporation and the majority of its subsidiaries file a United States consolidated federal income tax return. Each tax-paying entity records income taxes as if it were a separate taxpayer and consolidating adjustments are allocated to the tax filing entities in accordance with Entergy’s intercompany income tax allocation agreements. Deferred income taxes are recorded for temporary differences between the book and tax basis of assets and liabilities, and for certain losses and credits available for carryforward.Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effects of changes in tax laws and rates in the period in which the tax or rate was enacted. See the “Other Tax Matters - Tax Cuts and Jobs Act” section in Note 3 to the financial statements for discussion of the effects of the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in December 2017.The benefits of investment tax credits are deferred and amortized over the average useful life of the related property, as a reduction of income tax expense, for such credits associated with rate-regulated operations in accordance with ratemaking treatment.51Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsEarnings per ShareThe following table presents Entergy’s basic and diluted earnings per share calculations included on the consolidated income statements:The calculation of diluted earnings per share excluded 1,179,962 options outstanding at December 31, 2023, 931,453 options outstanding at December 31, 2022, and 1,013,320 options outstanding at December 31, 2021 because they were antidilutive.58Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsEarnings per ShareThe following table presents Entergy’s basic and diluted earnings per share calculation included on the consolidated income statements:The calculation of diluted earnings per share excluded 931,453 options outstanding at December 31, 2022, 1,013,320 options outstanding at December 31, 2021, and 523,999 options outstanding at December 31, 2020 because they were antidilutive. In addition, as discussed further in Note 7 to the financial statements, at December 31, 2023, 1,762,709 shares under a forward sale agreement were not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share because their effect would have been antidilutive, and at December 31, 2021, 1,158,917 shares under then-outstanding forward sale agreements were not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share because their effect would have been antidilutive.Stock-based Compensation PlansEntergy grants stock options, restricted stock, performance units, and restricted stock unit awards to key employees of the Entergy subsidiaries under its Equity Ownership Plans, which are shareholder-approved stock-based compensation plans. These plans are described more fully in Note 12 to the financial statements. The cost of the stock-based compensation is charged to income over the vesting period. Awards under Entergy’s plans generally vest over three years. Entergy accounts for forfeitures of stock-based compensation when they occur. Entergy recognizes all income tax effects related to share-based payments through the income statement.Accounting for the Effects of RegulationEntergy’s Utility operating companies and System Energy are rate-regulated entities that are required to reflect the effects of rate regulation in their financial statements, including the recording of regulatory assets and liabilities, as the Utility operating companies and System Energy have rates that meet the following three criteria: (1) are approved by a third-party regulator; (2) are designed to recover the entities’ cost of providing the regulated services or products; and (3) can reasonably be assumed will be charged to and collected from customers.Accounting for the Effects of RegulationEntergy’s Utility operating companies and System Energy are rate-regulated entities that are required to reflect the effects of rate regulation in their financial statements, including the recording of regulatory assets and liabilities, as the Utility operating companies and System Energy have rates that meet the following three criteria: (i) are approved by a third-party regulator; (ii) are designed to recover the entities’ cost of providing the regulated services or products; and (iii) can reasonably be assumed will be charged to and collected from customers. These criteria may also be applied to separable portions of a utility’s business, such as the generation or transmission functions, or to specific classes of customers.Regulatory assets represent incurred costs that have been deferred because they are probable of future recovery from customers through regulated rates. Regulatory liabilities represent (1) revenue or gains that have 52Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsbeen deferred because it is probable such amounts will be credited to customers through future regulated rates or (2) billings in advance of expenditures for approved regulatory programs. Regulatory liabilities represent (1) revenue or gains that have been deferred because it is probable such amounts will be returned to customers through future regulated rates or (2) billings in advance of expenditures for approved regulatory programs. To the extent that all or portions of the Utility operating companies or System Energy’s operations cease to be subject to rate regulation, or future recovery or settlement is no longer probable as a result of changes in regulation or other reasons, the related regulatory assets and liabilities are eliminated from the balance sheet and the impact is recognized on the income statement. To the extent that all or portions of the Utility operating companies or System Energy’s operations cease to be subject to rate regulation, or future recovery 59Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsor settlement is no longer probable as a result of changes in regulation or other reasons, the related regulatory assets and liabilities are eliminated from the balance sheet and the impact is recognized on the income statement. In addition, regulatory accounting requires recognition of an impairment loss if it becomes probable that part of the cost of a recently completed plant asset will be disallowed for rate-making purposes and a reasonable estimate of the amount of the disallowance can be made.Entergy Louisiana does not apply regulatory accounting standards to the Louisiana retail deregulated portion of River Bend, the 30% interest in River Bend formerly owned by Cajun unless specific cost recovery is provided for in tariff rates.Entergy Louisiana does not apply regulatory accounting standards to the Louisiana retail deregulated portion of River Bend, the 30% interest in River Bend formerly owned by Cajun, or its steam business, unless specific cost recovery is provided for in tariff rates. The Louisiana retail deregulated portion of River Bend is operated under a deregulated asset plan representing a portion (approximately 15%) of River Bend plant costs, generation, revenues, and expenses established under a 1992 LPSC order. The plan allows Entergy Louisiana to sell the electricity from the deregulated assets to Louisiana retail customers at 4.6 cents per kWh or off-system at higher prices, with certain provisions for sharing incremental revenue above 4.6 cents per kWh between customers and shareholders.Regulatory Asset or Liability for Income TaxesAccounting standards for income taxes provide that a regulatory asset or liability be recorded if it is probable that the currently determinable future increase or decrease in regulatory income tax expense will be recovered from or credited to customers through future rates. There are two main sources of Entergy’s regulatory asset or liability for income taxes. There is a regulatory asset related to the ratemaking treatment of the tax effects of book depreciation for the equity component of AFUDC that has been capitalized to property, plant, and equipment but for which there is no corresponding tax basis. Equity-AFUDC is a component of property, plant, and equipment that is included in rate base when the plant is placed in service. There is a regulatory liability related to the adjustment of Entergy’s net deferred income taxes that was required by the enactment in December 2017 of a change in the federal corporate income tax rate, which is discussed in Note 2 and 3 to the financial statements.Cash and Cash EquivalentsEntergy considers all unrestricted highly liquid debt instruments with an original maturity of three months or less at date of purchase to be cash equivalents.Securitization Recovery Trust AccountsThe funds that Entergy New Orleans and Entergy Texas hold in their securitization recovery trust accounts are not classified as cash and cash equivalents or restricted cash and cash equivalents because of their nature, uses, and restrictions. These funds are classified as part of other current assets and other investments, depending on the timeframe within which the Registrant Subsidiary expects to use the funds.Allowance for Doubtful AccountsThe allowance for doubtful accounts reflects Entergy’s best estimate of expected losses on its accounts receivable balances. 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. Although the rate of customer write-offs has historically experienced minimal variation, management monitors the current condition of individual customer accounts to manage collections and ensure bad debt expense is recorded in a timely manner. The Utility operating companies’ customer accounts receivable are written off consistent with approved regulatory requirements. Utility operating company customer accounts receivable are written off consistent with approved regulatory requirements. See Note 19 to the financial statements for further details on the allowance for doubtful accounts.53Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsInvestmentsEntergy 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. 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, the Registrant Subsidiaries have recorded an offsetting amount of unrealized gains/(losses) on investment securities 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. Decommissioning trust funds for the nuclear plants previously owned by Entergy’s non-utility operations, all of which have been sold as of June 2022, did not meet the criteria for regulatory accounting treatment. Accordingly, unrealized gains/(losses) recorded on the equity securities in the trust funds for these plants were recognized in earnings with no offsetting regulatory liability/asset amount. Accordingly, unrealized gains/(losses) recorded on the equity securities in the trust funds were recognized in earnings. Unrealized gains/(losses) recorded on the available-for-sale debt securities in the trust funds were recognized in the accumulated other comprehensive income component of shareholders’ equity. Unrealized gains recorded on the available-for-sale debt securities in the trust funds were recognized in the accumulated other comprehensive income component of shareholders’ equity. Entergy’s trusts are managed by third parties who operate in accordance with agreements that define investment guidelines and place restrictions on the purchases and sales of investments. See Note 16 to the financial statements for details on the decommissioning trust funds.Partnerships with Disproportionate Allocation of Earnings and Losses in Relation to an Investor’s Ownership InterestEntergy Arkansas and Entergy Mississippi, as managing members, each control a tax equity partnership with a third party tax equity investor and consolidate the partnerships for financial reporting purposes. For each respective partnership, the limited liability company agreement with the tax equity investor stipulates a disproportionate allocation of tax attributes, earnings, and cash flows between the Registrant Subsidiary and the tax equity investor with the tax equity investor being allocated a significant portion of the tax attributes, earnings, and cash flows until it receives its target return, at which point the earnings and cash flows will primarily be allocated to the Registrant Subsidiary. For each respective partnership, the limited liability company agreement with the tax equity investor stipulates a disproportionate allocation of tax attributes, earnings, and cash flows between the Registrant Subsidiary and the tax equity investor with the tax equity investor being allocated a significant portion of the tax attributes, earnings, and cash flows until it receives its target return, at which point the earnings and cash flows will primarily be allocated to 61Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsthe Registrant Subsidiary. Each Registrant Subsidiary has the option to purchase, at a future date specified in their respective partnership agreement, the tax equity investor’s interests at the then-current fair market value, plus an amount that results in the tax equity investor reaching its target return, if needed.Because of this disproportionate allocation, each Registrant Subsidiary accounts for its earnings in the partnership using the HLBV method of accounting. Under the HLBV method, the amounts of income and loss attributable to both the Registrant Subsidiary and the tax equity investor reflect changes in the amount each would hypothetically receive at the balance sheet date under the respective liquidation provisions of the limited liability company agreement, assuming the net assets of the partnership were liquidated at book value, after consideration of contributions and distributions, between the Registrant Subsidiary and the tax equity investor. Once the tax equity investor reaches its target return in the hypothetical liquidation, the remaining proceeds are primarily allocated to the Registrant Subsidiary. This allocation may result in fluctuations of income on a periodic basis that differ significantly from what would otherwise be recognized if the earnings were allocated under the relative ownership percentages between the Registrant Subsidiary and the tax equity investor. Entergy Arkansas and Entergy Mississippi have determined these differences are primarily due to timing, and both the APSC and the MPSC have approved that, for purposes of ratemaking, each Registrant Subsidiary reflect its interest in its respective partnership using its relative ownership percentage and disregard the effects of the HLBV method of accounting. Because of this, each Registrant Subsidiary has recorded a regulatory liability for the difference between the earnings allocated to it under the HLBV method of accounting and the earnings that would have been allocated to it under its respective ownership percentage in the partnership.Derivative Financial Instruments and Commodity DerivativesThe accounting standards for derivative instruments and hedging activities require that all derivatives be recognized at fair value on the balance sheet, either as assets or liabilities, unless they meet various exceptions 54Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsincluding the normal purchase/normal sale criteria.Derivative Financial Instruments and Commodity DerivativesThe accounting standards for derivative instruments and hedging activities require that all derivatives be recognized at fair value on the balance sheet, either as assets or liabilities, unless they meet various exceptions including the normal purchase/normal sale criteria. The changes in the fair value of recognized derivatives are recorded each period in current earnings or other comprehensive income, depending on whether a derivative is designated as part of a hedge transaction and the type of hedge transaction. Due to regulatory treatment, an offsetting regulatory asset or liability is recorded for changes in fair value of recognized derivatives for the Registrant Subsidiaries.Contracts for commodities that will be physically delivered in quantities expected to be used or sold in the ordinary course of business, including certain purchases and sales of power and fuel, meet the normal purchase, normal sales criteria and are not recognized on the balance sheet. Revenues and expenses from these contracts are reported on a gross basis in the appropriate revenue and expense categories as the commodities are received or delivered.For other contracts for commodities in which Entergy is hedging the variability of cash flows related to a variable-rate asset, liability, or forecasted transactions that qualify as cash flow hedges, the changes in the fair value of such derivative instruments are reported in other comprehensive income. To qualify for hedge accounting, the relationship between the hedging instrument and the hedged item must be documented to include the risk management objective and strategy and, at inception and on an ongoing basis, the effectiveness of the hedge in offsetting the changes in the cash flows of the item being hedged. Gains or losses accumulated in other comprehensive income are reclassified to earnings in the periods when the underlying transactions actually occur. Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments that are not designated as cash flow hedges are recorded in current-period earnings on a mark-to-market basis.Entergy has determined that contracts to purchase uranium do not meet the definition of a derivative under the accounting standards for derivative instruments because they do not provide for net settlement and the uranium markets are not sufficiently liquid to conclude that forward contracts are readily convertible to cash. If the uranium markets do become sufficiently liquid in the future and Entergy begins to account for uranium purchase contracts as derivative instruments, the fair value of these contracts would be accounted for consistent with Entergy’s other derivative instruments. If the uranium markets do become sufficiently liquid in the future and Entergy begins to account for uranium purchase contracts as derivative instruments, the fair value of these contracts would be accounted for consistent with Entergy’s other 62Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsderivative instruments. See Note 15 to the financial statements for further details on Entergy’s derivative instruments and hedging activities.Fair ValuesThe 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. See Note 15 to the financial statements for further discussion of fair value.Impairment of Long-lived AssetsEntergy periodically reviews long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that recoverability of these assets is uncertain.Impairment of Long-lived AssetsEntergy periodically reviews long-lived assets held in all of its business segments whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that recoverability of these assets is uncertain. Generally, the determination of recoverability is based on the undiscounted net cash flows expected to result from such operations and assets. Projected net cash flows depend on the expected operating life of the assets, the future operating costs associated with the assets, the efficiency and availability of the assets and generating units, and the future market and price for energy and capacity over the remaining life of the assets.55Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsReacquired DebtThe premiums and costs associated with reacquired debt of Entergy’s Utility operating companies and System Energy (except that portion allocable to the deregulated operations of Entergy Louisiana) are included in regulatory assets and are being amortized over the life of the related new issuances, or over the life of the original debt issuance if the debt is not refinanced, in accordance with ratemaking treatment.217Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsThe effects of Entergy’s derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the consolidated income statements for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020 are as follows:(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. Taxes Imposed on Revenue-Producing TransactionsGovernmental authorities assess taxes that are both imposed on and concurrent with a specific revenue-producing transaction between a seller and a customer, including, but not limited to, sales, use, value added, and some excise taxes. Entergy presents these taxes on a net basis, excluding them from revenues, unless required to report them differently by a regulatory authority.New Accounting PronouncementsThe accounting standard-setting process is ongoing, and the FASB is currently working on several projects that have not yet resulted in final pronouncements. Final pronouncements that result from these projects could have a material effect on Entergy’s future results of operations, financial positions, or cash flows.In November 2023 the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, “Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures.” The ASU is intended to improve reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. In addition, the ASU requires enhanced interim disclosures, provides new segment disclosure requirements for entities with a single reportable segment, and contains other new disclosure requirements. ASU 2023-07 is effective for Entergy for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and for interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Entergy does not expect ASU 2023-07 to materially affect its results of operations, financial positions, or cash flows.In December 2023 the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures.” The ASU is intended to enhance the transparency and decision usefulness of income tax disclosures. The amendments in the ASU require enhanced income tax disclosures, primarily related to consistent categorization and disaggregation of information in the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid disaggregated by jurisdiction. The ASU also removes certain disclosures that are no longer considered cost beneficial or relevant. ASU 2023-09 is effective for Entergy for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Entergy does not expect ASU 2023-09 to materially affect its results of operations, financial positions, or cash flows.56Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsNOTE 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 LiabilitiesRegulatory assets represent incurred costs that have been deferred because they are probable of future recovery from customers through regulated rates. Regulatory liabilities represent (1) revenue or gains that have been deferred because it is probable such amounts will be credited to customers through future regulated rates or (2) billings in advance of expenditures for approved regulatory programs. In addition to the regulatory assets and liabilities that are specifically disclosed on the face of the balance sheets, the tables below provide detail of “Other regulatory assets” and “Other regulatory liabilities” that are included on Entergy’s and the Registrant Subsidiaries’ balance sheets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022:Other Regulatory AssetsEntergy57Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsEntergy ArkansasEntergy Louisiana58Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsEntergy MississippiEntergy New Orleans59Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsEntergy TexasSystem Energy(a)Does not earn a return on investment, but is offset by related liabilities. In addition to the regulatory assets and liabilities that are specifically disclosed on the face of the balance sheets, the tables below provide detail of “Other regulatory assets” and “Other regulatory liabilities” that are included on Entergy’s and the Registrant Subsidiaries’ balance sheets as of December 31, 2022 and 2021:Other Regulatory AssetsEntergy65Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsEntergy ArkansasEntergy Louisiana66Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsEntergy MississippiEntergy New Orleans67Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsEntergy TexasSystem Energy(a)Does not earn a return on investment, but is offset by related liabilities. (b)Does not earn a return on investment.60Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsOther Regulatory LiabilitiesEntergyEntergy Arkansas61Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New Orleans62Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsEntergy TexasSystem Energy(a)Offset by related asset.68Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsOther Regulatory LiabilitiesEntergyEntergy ArkansasEntergy Louisiana69Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsEntergy MississippiEntergy TexasSystem Energy(a)Offset by related asset. (b)As discussed in “Complaints Against System Energy” below, there was an additional $103.5 million classified as a current regulatory liability as of December 31, 2022.Regulatory activity regarding the Tax Cuts and Jobs ActSee the “Other Tax Matters - Tax Cuts and Jobs Act” section in Note 3 to the financial statements for discussion of the effects of the December 2017 enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (Tax Act), including its effects on Entergy’s and the Registrant Subsidiaries’ regulatory asset/liability for income taxes.Entergy ArkansasConsistent with its previously stated intent to return unprotected excess accumulated deferred income taxes to customers as expeditiously as possible, Entergy Arkansas initiated a tariff proceeding in February 2018 proposing to establish a tax adjustment rider to provide retail customers with certain tax benefits of $467 million associated with the Tax Act. For the residential customer class, unprotected excess accumulated deferred income taxes were returned to customers over a 21-month period from April 2018 through December 2019. For all other customer classes, unprotected excess accumulated deferred income taxes were returned to customers over a nine-month period from April 2018 through December 2018. A true-up provision also was included in the rider, with any over- or under-returned unprotected excess accumulated deferred income taxes credited or billed to customers during the billing month of January 2020, with any residual amounts of over- or under-returned unprotected excess accumulated deferred income taxes to be flowed through Entergy Arkansas’s energy cost recovery rider. In March 2018 the APSC approved the tax adjustment rider effective with the first billing cycle of April 2018.In July 2018, Entergy Arkansas made its formula rate plan filing to set its formula rate for the 2019 calendar year. A hearing was held in May 2018 regarding the APSC’s inquiries into the effects of the Tax Act, including Entergy Arkansas’s proposal to utilize its formula rate plan rider for its customers to realize the remaining benefits 63Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsof the Tax Act. A hearing was held in May 2018 regarding the APSC’s inquiries into the effects of the Tax Act, including Entergy Arkansas’s proposal to utilize its formula rate plan rider for its customers to realize the remaining benefits of the Tax Act. Entergy Arkansas’s formula rate plan rider included a netting adjustment that compared actual annual results to the allowed rate of return on common equity. In July 2018 the APSC issued an order agreeing with Entergy Arkansas’s proposal to have the effects of the Tax Act on current income tax expense flow through Entergy Arkansas’s formula rate plan rider and with Entergy Arkansas’s treatment of protected and unprotected excess accumulated deferred income taxes. The APSC also directed Entergy Arkansas to submit in the tax adjustment rider proceeding, discussed above, the adjustments to all other riders affected by the Tax Act and to include an amendment for a true up mechanism where a rider affected by the Tax Act does not already contain a true-up mechanism. Pursuant to a 2018 settlement agreement in Entergy Arkansas’s formula rate plan proceeding, Entergy Arkansas also removed the net operating loss accumulated deferred income tax asset caused by the Tax Act from Entergy Arkansas’s tax adjustment rider. Entergy Arkansas’s compliance tariff filings were accepted by the APSC in October 2018. In February 2021, pursuant to its 2020 formula rate plan evaluation report settlement, Entergy Arkansas flowed $5.6 million in credits to customers through the tax adjustment rider based on the outcome of certain federal tax positions and a decrease in the state tax rate. In the October 2023 settlement agreement filed in the 2023 formula rate plan proceeding, discussed below in “Retail Rate Proceedings - Filings with the APSC (Entergy Arkansas) - Retail Rates - 2023 Formula Rate Plan Filing”, Entergy Arkansas included recovery of $34.9 million related to the resolution of the 2016 and 2017 IRS audits from previous tax positions that are no longer uncertain, partially offset by $24.7 million in excess accumulated deferred income taxes from reductions in state income tax rates, each before consideration of their respective tax gross-up. The settlement was approved by the APSC in December 2023. The settlement was approved by the LPSC in November 2022. See Note 3 to the financial statements for further discussion of the resolution of the 2016-2018 IRS audit and the State of Arkansas corporate income tax rate changes. See Note 3 to the financial statements for further discussion of the IRS audit resolution. Entergy LouisianaIn an electric formula rate plan settlement approved by the LPSC in April 2018, the parties agreed that Entergy Louisiana would return to customers one-half of its eligible unprotected excess deferred income taxes from May 2018 through December 2018 and return to customers the other half from January 2019 through August 2022. In addition, the settlement provided that in order to flow back to customers certain other tax benefits created by the Tax Act, Entergy Louisiana established a regulatory liability effective January 1, 2018 in the amount of $9.1 million per month to reflect these tax benefits already included in retail rates until new base rates under the formula rate plan were established in September 2018, and this regulatory liability was returned to customers over the September 2018 through August 2019 formula rate plan rate-effective period. The LPSC staff and intervenors in the settlement reserved the right to obtain data from Entergy Louisiana to confirm the determination of excess accumulated deferred income taxes resulting from the Tax Act and the analysis thereof as part of the formula rate plan review proceeding for the 2017 test year filing. The LPSC staff and intervenors in the settlement reserved the right to obtain data from Entergy Louisiana to confirm the determination of excess accumulated deferred income taxes resulting from the Tax Act and the analysis thereof as part of the formula rate plan review proceeding for the 2017 test year filing which, as discussed below, Entergy Louisiana filed in June 2018. As discussed below in “Retail Rate Proceedings - Filings with the LPSC (Entergy Louisiana) - Retail Rates - Electric - Formula Rate Plan Global Settlement”, a global settlement resolving the outstanding issues related to the 2017 formula rate plan filing was reached in October 2023 and approved by the LPSC in November 2023.Entergy New OrleansAfter enactment of the Tax Act the City Council passed a resolution ordering Entergy New Orleans to, effective January 1, 2018, record deferred regulatory liabilities to account for the Tax Act’s effect on Entergy New Orleans’s revenue requirement and to make a filing by mid-March 2018 regarding the Tax Act’s effects on Entergy New Orleans’s operating income and rate base and potential mechanisms for customers to receive benefits of the Tax Act.71Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsEntergy New OrleansAfter enactment of the Tax Act the City Council passed a resolution ordering Entergy New Orleans to, effective January 1, 2018, record deferred regulatory liabilities to account for the Tax Act’s effect on Entergy New Orleans’s revenue requirement and to make a filing by mid-March 2018 regarding the Tax Act’s effects on Entergy New Orleans’s operating income and rate base and potential mechanisms for customers to receive benefits of the Tax Act. The City Council’s resolution also directed Entergy New Orleans to request that Entergy Services file with the FERC for revisions of the Unit Power Sales Agreement and MSS-4 replacement tariffs to address the return of excess accumulated deferred income taxes. Entergy submitted filings of this type to the FERC.In March 2018, Entergy New Orleans filed its response to the resolution stating that the Tax Act reduced income tax expense from what was then reflected in rates by approximately $8.2 million annually for electric operations and by approximately $1.3 million annually for gas operations. In the filing, Entergy New Orleans proposed to return to customers from June 2018 through August 2019 the benefits of the reduction in income tax 64Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsexpense and its unprotected excess accumulated deferred income taxes through a combination of bill credits and investments in energy efficiency programs, grid modernization, and Smart City projects. In the filing, Entergy New Orleans proposed to return to customers from June 2018 through August 2019 the benefits of the reduction in income tax expense and its unprotected excess accumulated deferred income taxes through a combination of bill credits and investments in energy efficiency programs, grid modernization, and Smart City projects. Entergy New Orleans submitted supplemental information in April 2018 and May 2018. Shortly thereafter, Entergy New Orleans and the City Council’s advisors reached an agreement in principle that provides for benefits that will be realized by Entergy New Orleans customers through bill credits that started in July 2018 and offsets to future investments in energy efficiency programs, grid modernization, and Smart City projects, as well as additional benefits related to the filings made at the FERC. The agreement in principle was approved by the City Council in June 2018. In April 2023, Entergy New Orleans completed the bill credits necessary to comply with the 2018 agreement in principle. Entergy New Orleans expects to complete the bill credits necessary to comply with the agreement in principle by April 2023. Entergy TexasAfter enactment of the Tax Act the PUCT issued an order requiring most utilities, including Entergy Texas, beginning January 25, 2018, to record a regulatory liability for the difference between revenues collected under existing rates and revenues that would have been collected had existing rates been set using the new federal income tax rates and also for the balance of excess accumulated deferred income taxes. Entergy TexasAfter enactment of the Tax Act the PUCT issued an order requiring most utilities, including Entergy Texas, beginning January 25, 2018, to record a regulatory liability for the difference between revenues collected under existing rates and revenues that would have been collected had existing rates been set using the new federal income tax rates and also for the balance of excess accumulated deferred income taxes. Entergy Texas had previously provided information to the PUCT staff and stated that it expected the PUCT to address the lower tax expense as part of Entergy Texas’s rate case expected to be filed in May 2018.In May 2018, Entergy Texas filed its 2018 base rate case with the PUCT. Entergy Texas’s proposed rates and revenues reflected the inclusion of the federal income tax reductions due to the Tax Act. The PUCT issued an order in December 2018 establishing that (1) $25 million be credited to customers through a rider to reflect the lower federal income tax rate applicable to Entergy Texas from January 2018 through the date new rates were implemented; (2) $242.5 million of protected excess accumulated deferred income taxes be returned to customers through base rates under the average rate assumption method over the lives of the associated assets; and (3) $185.2 million of unprotected excess accumulated deferred income taxes be returned to customers through a rider. The unprotected excess accumulated deferred income taxes rider included carrying charges and was in effect over a period of 12 months for larger customers and over a period of four years for other customers.System EnergyIn a filing made with the FERC in March 2018, System Energy proposed revisions to the Unit Power Sales Agreement to reflect the effects of the Tax Act. In the filing System Energy proposed to return identified quantities of unprotected excess accumulated deferred income taxes to its customers by the end of 2018. In May 2018 the FERC accepted System Energy’s proposed tax revisions with an effective date of June 1, 2018, subject to refund and the outcome of settlement and hearing procedures. Settlement discussions were terminated in April 2019, and a hearing was held in March 2020. The retail regulators of the Utility operating companies that are parties to the Unit Power Sales Agreement challenged the treatment and amount of excess accumulated deferred income tax liabilities associated with uncertain tax positions related to nuclear decommissioning. In July 2020 the presiding ALJ in the proceeding issued an initial decision finding that there is an additional $147 million in unprotected excess accumulated deferred income taxes related to System Energy’s uncertain decommissioning tax deduction. The initial decision determined that System Energy should have included the $147 million in its March 2018 filing. System Energy had not included credits related to the effect of the Tax Act on the uncertain decommissioning tax position because it was uncertain whether the IRS would allow the deduction. The initial decision rejected both System Energy’s alternative argument that any crediting should occur over a ten-year period and the retail regulators’ argument that any crediting should occur over a two-year period. Instead, the initial decision concluded that System Energy should credit the additional unprotected excess accumulated deferred income taxes in a single lump sum revenue requirement reduction following a FERC order addressing the initial decision.In September 2020, System Energy filed a brief on exceptions with the FERC, re-urging its positions and requesting the reversal of the ALJ’s initial decision. In December 2020, the LPSC, APSC, MPSC, City Council, and FERC trial staff filed briefs opposing exceptions.65Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsAs discussed below in “Grand Gulf Sale-leaseback Renewal Complaint and Uncertain Tax Position Rate Base Issue,” in September 2020 the IRS issued a Notice of Proposed Adjustment (NOPA) and Entergy executed it.215Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsThe fair values of Entergy’s derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 are shown in the table below. In September 2020, System Energy filed a motion to lodge the NOPA into the record in the FERC proceeding. In October 2020 the LPSC, APSC, MPSC, City Council, and FERC trial staff filed oppositions to System Energy’s motion. As a result of the NOPA, System Energy filed, in October 2020, a new Federal Power Act section 205 filing at the FERC to credit the excess accumulated deferred income taxes resulting from the decommissioning uncertain tax position. System Energy proposed to credit the entire amount of the excess accumulated deferred income taxes arising from the successful portion of the decommissioning uncertain tax position by issuing a one-time credit of $17.8 million. In November 2020, the LPSC, APSC, MPSC, and City Council filed a protest to the filing, and System Energy responded.In November 2020 the IRS issued the Revenue Agent’s Report (RAR) for the 2014-2015 tax years and in December 2020 Entergy executed it. In December 2020, System Energy filed a motion to lodge the RAR into the record in the FERC proceeding addressing the Tax Act. In January 2021 the LPSC, APSC, MPSC, and City Council filed a joint answer opposing System Energy’s motion, and the FERC trial staff also filed an answer opposing System Energy’s motion.As a result of the RAR, in December 2020, System Energy also filed an amendment to its Federal Power Act section 205 filing to credit excess accumulated deferred income taxes arising from the successful portion of the decommissioning uncertain tax position. The amendment proposed the inclusion of the RAR as support for the filing. In December 2020 the LPSC, APSC, and City Council filed a protest in response to the amendment, reiterating objections to the filing to credit excess accumulated deferred income taxes arising from the successful portion of the decommissioning uncertain tax position. In February 2021 the FERC issued an order accepting System Energy’s Federal Power Act section 205 filing subject to refund, setting it for hearing, and holding the hearing in abeyance.In November 2020, System Energy filed a motion to vacate the ALJ’s decision, arguing that it had been overtaken by changed circumstances because of the IRS’s determination resulting from the NOPA and RAR. In January 2021 the LPSC, APSC, MPSC, and City Council filed a joint answer opposing System Energy’s motion, and the FERC trial staff also filed an answer opposing System Energy’s motion. Additional responsive pleadings were filed in February and March 2021.In December 2022 the FERC issued an order addressing the ALJ’s initial decision and denying System Energy’s motion to vacate the initial decision. The FERC disagreed with the ALJ’s determination that $147 million should be credited to customers in the same manner as the excess accumulated deferred income taxes addressed in System Energy’s March 2018 filing, which had included a stated amount of excess accumulated deferred income taxes to be returned pursuant to a specified methodology and had not included any excess accumulated deferred income taxes associated with the decommissioning tax position. Instead, the FERC ordered System Energy to compute the amount of excess accumulated deferred income taxes associated with the decommissioning tax position with consideration for the resolution of the tax position by the IRS. System Energy had previously issued a one-time credit for the excess accumulated deferred income taxes associated with the decommissioning tax position, and System Energy believes no further refunds are required under the methodology provided in the order. The FERC further ordered System Energy to submit a compliance filing within 60 days addressing the justness and reasonableness of the Unit Power Sales Agreement, with respect to its provisions for excess accumulated deferred income taxes. In February 2023, System Energy filed the compliance filing with the FERC, which provided the calculation of the excess accumulated deferred income taxes associated with the decommissioning tax position with consideration for the resolution of the tax position by the IRS. System Energy confirmed that this amount of excess accumulated deferred income taxes had already been credited to customers, and therefore concluded that no further modifications to the Unit Power Sales Agreement are needed to address excess accumulated deferred income taxes associated with the Tax Act.66Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsIn June 2023 the FERC issued a deficiency letter requesting additional information about the IRS’s resolution of the tax position for 2016 and 2017.78Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsIn July 2020, Entergy Texas filed an application with the PUCT to implement an interim fuel refund of $25. In July 2023, System Energy provided the additional information.Fuel and purchased power cost recoveryThe Utility operating companies are allowed to recover fuel and purchased power costs through fuel mechanisms included in electric and gas rates that are recorded as fuel cost recovery revenues. The difference between revenues collected and the current fuel and purchased power costs is generally recorded as “Deferred fuel costs” on the Utility operating companies’ financial statements. The table below shows the amount of deferred fuel costs as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 that each Utility operating company expects to recover (or return to customers) through fuel mechanisms, subject to subsequent regulatory review. The table below shows the amount of deferred fuel costs as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 that Entergy expects to recover (or return to customers) through fuel mechanisms, subject to subsequent regulatory review. (a)Includes $68.9 million in 2022 of fuel and purchased power costs whose recovery period was indeterminate but was expected to be recovered over a period greater than twelve months.8 million in 2021 of fuel and purchased power costs whose recovery periods are indeterminate but are expected to be recovered over a period greater than twelve months. In 2023, Entergy Arkansas recorded a write-off of its regulatory asset for deferred fuel of $68.9 million as a result of Entergy Arkansas’s approved motion to forgo recovery of identified costs resulting from the 2013 ANO stator incident. See Note 8 to the financial statements for further discussion of the 2013 ANO stator incident. See Note 2 to the financial statements for further discussion of the securitization. (b)Includes $168.1 million in both years for Entergy Louisiana and $4.1 million in both years for Entergy New Orleans of fuel, purchased power, and capacity costs, which do not currently earn a return on investment and whose recovery periods are indeterminate but are expected to be recovered over a period greater than twelve months.Entergy ArkansasEnergy Cost Recovery RiderEntergy Arkansas’s retail rates include an energy cost recovery rider to recover fuel and purchased energy costs in monthly customer bills. The rider utilizes the prior calendar-year energy costs and projected energy sales for the twelve-month period commencing on April 1 of each year to develop an energy cost rate, which is redetermined annually and includes a true-up adjustment reflecting the over- or under-recovery, including carrying charges, of the energy costs for the prior calendar year. The energy cost recovery rider tariff also allows an interim rate request depending upon the level of over- or under-recovery of fuel and purchased energy costs.In January 2014, Entergy Arkansas filed a motion with the APSC relating to its upcoming energy cost rate redetermination filing that was made in March 2014. In that motion, Entergy Arkansas requested that the APSC authorize Entergy Arkansas to exclude from the redetermination of its 2014 energy cost rate $65.9 million of incremental fuel and replacement energy costs incurred in 2013 as a result of the ANO stator incident. Entergy Arkansas requested that the APSC authorize Entergy Arkansas to retain that amount in its deferred fuel balance, with recovery to be reviewed in a later period after more information was available regarding various claims associated with the ANO stator incident. In February 2014 the APSC approved Entergy Arkansas’s request to retain that amount in its deferred fuel balance. In July 2017, Entergy Arkansas filed for a change in rates pursuant to its formula rate plan rider. In that proceeding, the APSC approved a settlement agreement agreed upon by the parties, including a provision that requires Entergy Arkansas to initiate a regulatory proceeding for the purpose of 67Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsrecovering funds currently withheld from rates and related to the stator incident, including the $65. In that proceeding, the APSC approved a settlement agreement agreed upon by the parties, including a provision that requires Entergy Arkansas to initiate a regulatory proceeding for the purpose of recovering funds currently withheld from rates and related to the stator incident, including the $65. 9 million of deferred fuel and purchased energy costs and costs related to the incremental oversight previously noted, subject to certain timelines and conditions set forth in the settlement agreement.9 million of deferred fuel and purchased energy costs and costs related to the incremental oversight previously noted, subject to certain timelines and conditions set forth in the settlement agreement, including the resolution of civil litigation currently pending regarding the stator incident by the Circuit Court of Pope County, Arkansas. In October 2023, Entergy Arkansas made a commitment to the APSC to make a filing to forgo its opportunity to seek recovery of the incremental fuel and purchased energy expense, among other identified costs, resulting from the ANO stator incident. As a result, in third quarter 2023, Entergy Arkansas recorded a write-off of its regulatory asset for deferred fuel of $68.9 million, which includes interest, related to the ANO stator incident. Consistent with its October 2023 commitment, Entergy Arkansas filed a motion to forgo recovery in November 2023, and the motion was approved by the APSC in December 2023. See the “ANO Damage, Outage, and NRC Reviews” section in Note 8 to the financial statements for further discussion of the ANO stator incident and the approved motion to forgo recovery. See the “ANO Damage, Outage, and NRC Reviews” section in Note 8 to the financial statements for further discussion of the ANO stator incident. In March 2017, Entergy Arkansas filed its annual redetermination of its energy cost rate pursuant to the energy cost recovery rider, which reflected an increase in the rate from $0.01164 per kWh to $0.01547 per kWh. The APSC staff filed testimony in March 2017 recommending that the redetermined rate be implemented with the first billing cycle of April 2017 under the normal operation of the tariff. Accordingly, the redetermined rate went into effect on March 31, 2017 pursuant to the tariff. In July 2017 the Arkansas Attorney General requested additional information to support certain of the costs included in Entergy Arkansas’s 2017 energy cost rate redetermination.In March 2018, Entergy Arkansas filed its annual redetermination of its energy cost rate pursuant to the energy cost recovery rider, which reflected an increase in the rate from $0.01547 per kWh to $0.01882 per kWh. The Arkansas Attorney General filed a response to Entergy Arkansas’s annual redetermination filing requesting that the APSC suspend the proposed tariff to investigate the amount of the redetermination or, alternatively, to allow recovery subject to refund. Among the reasons the Attorney General cited for suspension were questions pertaining to how Entergy Arkansas forecasted sales and potential implications of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Entergy Arkansas replied to the Attorney General’s filing and stated that, to the extent there are questions pertaining to its load forecasting or the operation of the energy cost recovery rider, those issues exceed the scope of the instant rate redetermination. Entergy Arkansas also stated that potential effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act are appropriately considered in the APSC’s separate proceeding regarding potential implications of the tax law. The APSC general staff filed a reply to the Attorney General’s filing and agreed that Entergy Arkansas’s filing complied with the terms of the energy cost recovery rider. The redetermined rate became effective with the first billing cycle of April 2018. Subsequently in April 2018 the APSC issued an order declining to suspend Entergy Arkansas’s energy cost recovery rider rate and declining to require further investigation at that time of the issues suggested by the Attorney General in the proceeding. Following a period of discovery, the Attorney General filed a supplemental response in October 2018 raising new issues with Entergy Arkansas’s March 2018 rate redetermination and asserting that $45.7 million of the increase should be collected subject to refund pending further investigation. Entergy Arkansas filed to dismiss the Attorney General’s supplemental response, the APSC general staff filed a motion to strike the Attorney General’s filing, and the Attorney General filed a supplemental response disputing Entergy Arkansas and the APSC staff’s filing. Applicable APSC rules and processes authorize its general staff to initiate periodic audits of Entergy Arkansas’s energy cost recovery rider. In late-2018 the APSC general staff notified Entergy Arkansas it has initiated an audit of the 2017 fuel costs. The time in which the audit will be complete is uncertain at this time.In March 2021, Entergy Arkansas filed its annual redetermination of its energy cost rate pursuant to the energy cost recovery rider, which reflected a decrease from $0.01052 per kWh to $0.00959 per kWh. The redetermined rate calculation also included an adjustment to account for a portion of the increased fuel costs resulting from the February 2021 winter storms. The redetermined rate became effective with the first billing cycle in April 2021 through the normal operation of the tariff.In March 2022, Entergy Arkansas filed its annual redetermination of its energy cost rate pursuant to the energy cost recovery rider, which reflected an increase from $0.00959 per kWh to $0.01785 per kWh. The primary reason for the rate increase was a large under-recovered balance as a result of higher natural gas prices in 2021, particularly in the fourth quarter 2021. At the request of the APSC general staff, Entergy Arkansas deferred its 68Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsrequest for recovery of $32 million from the under-recovery related to the February 2021 winter storms until the 2023 energy cost rate redetermination, unless a request for an interim adjustment to the energy cost recovery rider is necessary. At the request of the APSC general staff, Entergy Arkansas deferred its request for recovery of $32 million from the under-recovery related to the 2021 February winter storms until the 2023 energy cost rate redetermination, unless a request for an interim adjustment to the energy cost recovery rider is necessary. This resulted in a redetermined rate of $0.016390 per kWh, which became effective with the first billing cycle in April 2022 through the normal operation of the tariff. In February 2023 the APSC issued orders initiating proceedings with the utilities under its jurisdiction to address the prudence of costs incurred and appropriate cost allocation of the February 2021 winter storms. In February 2023 the APSC issued orders initiating proceedings with the utilities to address the prudence of costs incurred and appropriate cost allocation of the 2021 February winter storms. With respect to any prudence review of Entergy Arkansas fuel costs, as part of the APSC’s draft report issued in its February 2021 winter storms investigation docket, the APSC included findings that the load shedding plans of the investor-owned utilities and some cooperatives were appropriate and comprehensive, and, further, that Entergy Arkansas’s emergency plan was comprehensive and had a multilayered approach supported by a system-wide response plan, which is considered an industry standard. With respect to any prudence review of Entergy Arkansas fuel costs, as part of the APSC’s draft report issued in its 2021 February winter storm investigation docket, the APSC included findings that the load shedding plans of the investor-owned utilities and some cooperatives were appropriate and comprehensive, and, further, that Entergy Arkansas’s emergency plan was comprehensive and had a multilayered approach supported by a system-wide response plan, which is considered an industry standard. In September 2023 the APSC issued an order in Entergy Arkansas's company-specific proceeding and found that Entergy Arkansas’s practices during the winter storms were prudent.In March 2023, Entergy Arkansas filed its annual redetermination of its energy cost rate pursuant to the energy cost recovery rider, which reflected an increase from $0.01639 per kWh to $0.01164 per kWh to $0. 01883 per kWh.01882 per kWh. The primary reason for the rate increase is a large under-recovered balance as a result of higher natural gas prices in 2022 and a $32 million deferral related to the February 2021 winter storms consistent with the APSC general staff’s request in 2022. The primary reason for the rate increase is a large under-recovered balance as a result of higher natural gas prices in 2021, particularly in the fourth quarter 2021. The under-recovered balance included in the filing was partially offset by the proceeds of the $41.7 million refund that System Energy made to Entergy Arkansas in January 2023 related to the sale-leaseback renewal costs and depreciation litigation as calculated in System Energy’s January 2023 compliance report filed with the FERC. See “Complaints Against System Energy - Grand Gulf Sale-leaseback Renewal Complaint and Uncertain Tax Position Rate Base Issue” below for discussion of the compliance report filed by System Energy with the FERC in January 2023. The redetermined rate of $0.01883 per kWh became effective with the first billing cycle in April 2023 through the normal operation of the tariff.016390 per kWh, which became effective with the first billing cycle in April 2022 through the normal operation of the tariff. Entergy LouisianaEntergy Louisiana recovers electric fuel and purchased power costs for the billing month based upon the level of such costs incurred two months prior to the billing month. Entergy Louisiana’s purchased gas adjustments include estimates for the billing month adjusted by a surcharge or credit that arises from an annual reconciliation of fuel costs incurred with fuel cost revenues billed to customers, including carrying charges. In February 2021, Entergy Louisiana incurred extraordinary fuel costs associated with the February 2021 winter storms. To mitigate the effect of these costs on customer bills, in March 2021, Entergy Louisiana requested and the LPSC approved the deferral and recovery of $166 million in incremental fuel costs over five months beginning in April 2021. The incremental fuel costs remain subject to review for reasonableness and eligibility for recovery through the fuel adjustment clause mechanism. The final amount of incremental fuel costs is subject to change through the resettlement process. At its April 2021 meeting, the LPSC authorized its staff to review the prudence of the February 2021 fuel costs incurred by all LPSC-jurisdictional utilities, including both gas and electric utilities. At its June 2021 meeting, the LPSC approved the hiring of consultants to assist its staff in this review. In May 2022 the LPSC staff issued an audit report regarding Entergy Louisiana’s fuel adjustment clause charges (for its electric operations) recommending no financial disallowances, but including several prospective recommendations. Responsive testimony was filed by one intervenor and the parties agreed to suspend any procedural schedule and move toward settlement discussions to close the matter. Also in May 2022 the LPSC staff issued an audit report regarding Entergy Louisiana’s purchased gas adjustment charges (for its gas operations) that did not propose any financial disallowances. The LPSC staff and Entergy Louisiana submitted a joint report on the audit report and draft order to the LPSC concluding that Entergy Louisiana’s gas distribution operations and fuel costs were not significantly adversely affected by the February 2021 winter storms and the resulting increase in natural gas prices. The LPSC issued an order approving the joint report in October 2022.In March 2021 the LPSC staff provided notice of an audit of Entergy Louisiana’s purchased gas adjustment clause filings covering the period January 2018 through December 2020. The audit included a review of the 69Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsreasonableness of charges flowed through Entergy Louisiana’s purchased gas adjustment clause for that period. In August 2023 the LPSC submitted its audit report and found that materially all costs recovered through the purchased gas adjustment filings were reasonable and eligible for recovery through the purchased gas adjustment clause. The LPSC approved the report in December 2023. The PUCT approved the settlement in August 2020. To mitigate high electric bills, primarily driven by high summer usage and elevated gas prices, Entergy Louisiana deferred approximately $225 million of fuel expense incurred in April, May, June, July, August, and September 2022 (as reflected on June, July, August, September, October, and November 2022 bills).To mitigate high electric bills, primarily driven by high summer usage and elevated gas prices, Entergy Louisiana has deferred approximately $225 million of fuel expense incurred in April, May, June, July, August, and September 2022 (as reflected on June, July, August, September, October, and November 2022 bills). These deferrals were included in the over/under calculation of the fuel adjustment clause, which is intended to recover the full amount of the costs included on a rolling twelve-month basis.In January 2023 the LPSC staff provided notice of an audit of Entergy Louisiana’s purchased gas adjustment clause filings. The audit includes a review of the reasonableness of charges flowed through Entergy Louisiana’s purchased gas adjustment clause for the period from 2021 through 2022. The audit includes a review of the reasonableness of charges flowed through Entergy Louisiana’s purchased gas adjustment clause for that period. Discovery is ongoing, and no audit report has been filed.In January 2023 the LPSC staff provided notice of an audit of Entergy Louisiana’s fuel adjustment clause filings. The audit includes a review of the reasonableness of charges flowed through Entergy Louisiana’s fuel adjustment clause for the period from 2020 through 2022. The audit includes a review of the reasonableness of charges flowed through Entergy Louisiana’s purchased gas adjustment clause for that period. Discovery is ongoing, and no audit report has been filed.Entergy MississippiEntergy Mississippi’s rate schedules include an energy cost recovery rider and a power management rider, both of which are adjusted annually to reflect accumulated over- or under-recoveries.Entergy MississippiEntergy Mississippi’s rate schedules include an energy cost recovery rider that is adjusted annually to reflect accumulated over- or under-recoveries. Entergy Mississippi recovers fuel and purchased energy costs through its energy cost recovery rider and recovers costs associated with natural gas hedging and capacity payments through its power management rider. Entergy Mississippi’s fuel cost recoveries are subject to annual audits conducted pursuant to the authority of the MPSC.In November 2020, Entergy Mississippi filed its annual redetermination of the annual factor to be applied under the energy cost recovery rider. The calculation of the annual factor included an over-recovery of approximately $24.4 million as of September 30, 2020. In January 2021 the MPSC approved the proposed energy cost factor effective for February 2021 bills.In November 2021, Entergy Mississippi filed its annual redetermination of the annual factor to be applied under the energy cost recovery rider. The calculation of the annual factor included an under-recovery of approximately $80.6 million as of September 30, 2021. In December 2021, at the request of the MPSC, Entergy Mississippi submitted a proposal to mitigate the impact of rising fuel costs on customer bills during 2022. Entergy Mississippi proposed that the deferred fuel balance as of December 31, 2021, which was $121.9 million, be amortized over three years and that the MPSC authorize Entergy Mississippi to apply its weighted-average cost of capital as the carrying cost for the unamortized fuel balance. In January 2022 the MPSC approved the amortization of $100 million of the deferred fuel balance over two years and authorized Entergy Mississippi to apply its weighted-average cost of capital as the carrying cost for the unamortized fuel balance. The MPSC approved the proposed energy cost factor effective for February 2022 bills.See “Complaints Against System Energy - System Energy Settlement with the MPSC” below for discussion of the settlement agreement filed with the FERC in June 2022. The settlement, which was approved by the FERC in November 2022, provided for a refund of $235 million from System Energy to Entergy Mississippi. The settlement, which was contingent upon FERC approval, provides for a refund of $235 million from System Energy to Entergy Mississippi. In July 2022 the MPSC directed the disbursement of settlement proceeds, ordering Entergy Mississippi to provide a one-time $80 bill credit to each of its approximately 460,000 retail customers to be effective during the September 2022 billing cycle and to apply the remaining proceeds to Entergy Mississippi’s under-recovered deferred fuel balance. In accordance with the MPSC’s directive, Entergy Mississippi provided approximately $36.7 million in customer bill credits as a result of the settlement. In November 2022, Entergy Mississippi applied the remaining 70Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementssettlement proceeds in the amount of approximately $198. In November 2022, Entergy Mississippi applied the remaining settlement proceeds in the amount of approximately $198. 3 million to Entergy Mississippi’s under-recovered deferred fuel balance.Entergy Mississippi had a deferred fuel balance of approximately $291.7 million under the energy cost recovery rider as of July 31, 2022, along with an over-recovery balance of $51.1 million under the power management rider. Without further action, Entergy Mississippi anticipated a year-end deferred fuel balance of approximately $200 million after application of a portion of the System Energy settlement proceeds, as discussed above. In September 2022, Entergy Mississippi filed for interim adjustments under both the energy cost recovery rider and the power management rider. Entergy Mississippi proposed five monthly incremental adjustments to the net energy cost factor designed to collect the under-recovered fuel balance as of July 31, 2022 and to reflect the recovery of a higher natural gas price. Entergy Mississippi also proposed five monthly incremental adjustments to the power management adjustment factor designed to flow through to customers the over-recovered power management rider balance as of July 31, 2022. In October 2022 the MPSC approved modified interim adjustments to Entergy Mississippi’s energy cost recovery rider and power management rider. The MPSC approved dividing the energy cost recovery rider interim adjustment into two components that would allow Entergy Mississippi to (1) recover a natural gas fuel rate that is better aligned with current prices; and (2) recover the estimated under-recovered deferred fuel balance as of September 30, 2022 over a period of 20 months. The MPSC approved six monthly incremental adjustments to the net energy cost factor designed to reflect the recovery of a higher natural gas price. The MPSC also approved six monthly incremental adjustments to the power management adjustment factor designed to flow through to customers the over-recovered power management rider balance. In accordance with the order of the MPSC, Entergy Mississippi did not file an annual redetermination of the energy cost recovery rider or the power management rider in November 2022.In June 2023 the MPSC approved the joint stipulation agreement between Entergy Mississippi and the Mississippi Public Utilities Staff for Entergy Mississippi’s 2023 formula rate plan filing. The stipulation directed Entergy Mississippi to make a compliance filing to revise its power management cost adjustment factor, to revise its grid modernization cost adjustment factor, and to include a revision to reduce the net energy cost factor to a level necessary to reflect an average natural gas price of $4.50 per MMBtu. The MPSC approved the compliance filing in June 2023, effective for July 2023 bills. See “Retail Rate Proceedings - Filings with the MPSC (Entergy Mississippi) - Retail Rates - 2023 Formula Rate Plan Filing” below for further discussion of the 2023 formula rate plan filing and the joint stipulation agreement.In November 2023 Entergy Mississippi filed its annual redeterminations of the energy cost factor and the power management cost adjustment factor.In November 2020, Entergy Mississippi filed its annual redetermination of the annual factor to be applied under the energy cost recovery rider. The calculation of the annual factor for the energy cost recovery rider included a projected over-recovery balance of approximately $142 million at the end of January 2024. The calculation of the annual factor for the power management rider included a projected under-recovery of $47 million at the end of January 2024. In January 2024 the MPSC approved the proposed energy cost factor and the proposed power management cost factor effective for February 2024 bills. In January 2021 the MPSC approved the proposed energy cost factor effective for February 2021 bills. Entergy New OrleansEntergy New Orleans’s electric rate schedules include a fuel adjustment tariff designed to reflect no more than targeted fuel and purchased power costs, adjusted by a surcharge or credit for deferred fuel expense arising from the monthly reconciliation of actual fuel and purchased power costs incurred with fuel cost revenues billed to customers, including carrying charges.Entergy New Orleans’s gas rate schedules include a purchased gas adjustment to reflect estimated gas costs for the billing month, adjusted by a surcharge or credit similar to that included in the electric fuel adjustment clause, including carrying charges.71Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsEntergy TexasEntergy Texas’s rate schedules include a fixed fuel factor to recover fuel and purchased power costs, including interest, not recovered in base rates.147Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statements(b)Pursuant to the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, Entergy’s nuclear owner/licensee subsidiaries have contracts with the DOE for spent nuclear fuel disposal service. Historically, semi-annual revisions of the fixed fuel factor have been made in March and September based on the market price of natural gas and changes in fuel mix. Semi-annual revisions of the fixed fuel factor are made in March and September based on the market price of natural gas and changes in fuel mix. The amounts collected under Entergy Texas’s fixed fuel factor and any interim surcharge or refund are subject to fuel reconciliation proceedings before the PUCT. In 2023 the Texas legislature modified the Texas Utilities Code to provide that material over- and under-recovered fuel balances are to be refunded or surcharged through interim fuel adjustments and that fuel reconciliations must be filed at least once every two years. Entergy Texas expects the PUCT to undertake a rulemaking to effectuate the new legislation by the end of 2024.In May 2022, Entergy Texas filed an application with the PUCT to implement an interim fuel surcharge to collect the cumulative under-recovery of approximately $51.7 million, including interest, of fuel and purchased power costs incurred from May 1, 2020 through December 31, 2021. The under-recovery balance is primarily attributable to the impacts of Winter Storm Uri, including historically high natural gas prices, partially offset by settlements received by Entergy Texas from MISO related to Hurricane Laura. Entergy Texas proposed that the interim fuel surcharge be assessed over a period of six months beginning with the first billing cycle after the PUCT issues a final order, but no later than the first billing cycle of September 2022. Also in May 2022, the PUCT referred the proceeding to the State Office of Administrative Hearings. In July 2022, Entergy Texas filed on behalf of the parties an unopposed settlement resolving all issues in the proceeding. In addition, Entergy Texas filed on behalf of the parties a motion to admit evidence, to approve interim rates as requested in the initial application, and to remand the proceeding to the PUCT to consider the unopposed settlement. In August 2022 the ALJ with the State Office of Administrative Hearings issued an order granting Entergy Texas’s motion, approving interim rates effective with the first billing cycle of September 2022, and remanding the case to the PUCT for final approval. The interim fuel surcharge was approved by the PUCT in January 2023.In September 2022, Entergy Texas filed an application with the PUCT to reconcile its fuel and purchased power costs for the period from April 2019 through March 2022. During the reconciliation period, Entergy Texas incurred approximately $1.7 billion in eligible fuel and purchased power expenses, net of certain revenues credited to such expenses and other adjustments. As of the end of the reconciliation period, Entergy Texas’s cumulative under-recovery balance was approximately $103.1 million, including interest, which Entergy Texas requested authority to carry over as the beginning balance for the subsequent reconciliation period beginning April 2022, pending future surcharges or refunds as approved by the PUCT. In November 2022 the PUCT referred the proceeding to the State Office of Administrative Hearings. In December 2021 the PUCT referred the proceeding to the State Office of Administrative Hearings. In May 2023, Entergy Texas filed, and the ALJ with the State Office of Administrative Hearings granted, a joint motion to abate the proceeding to give parties additional time to finalize a settlement. In July 2023, Entergy Texas filed an unopposed settlement, supporting testimony, and an agreed motion to admit evidence and remand the proceeding to the PUCT. Pursuant to the unopposed settlement, Entergy Texas would receive no disallowance of fuel costs incurred over the three-year reconciliation period and retain $9.3 million in margins from off-system sales made during the reconciliation period, resulting in a cumulative under-recovery balance of approximately $99.7 million, including interest, as of the end of the reconciliation period. In July 2023 the ALJ with the State Office of Administrative Hearings granted the motion to admit evidence and remanded the proceeding to the PUCT for consideration of the unopposed settlement. In July 2021 the ALJ with the State Office of Administrative Hearings adopted a procedural schedule setting a hearing on the merits for September 2021. The PUCT approved the settlement in September 2023. The PUCT approved the settlement in August 2020. 72Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsRetail Rate ProceedingsFilings with the APSC (Entergy Arkansas)Retail Rates2020 Formula Rate Plan FilingIn July 2020, Entergy Arkansas filed with the APSC its 2020 formula rate plan filing to set its formula rate for the 2021 calendar year.80Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statements2022 Formula Rate Plan FilingIn July 2022, Entergy Arkansas filed with the APSC its 2022 formula rate plan filing to set its formula rate for the 2023 calendar year. The filing contained an evaluation of Entergy Arkansas’s earnings for the projected year 2021, as amended through subsequent filings in the proceeding, and a netting adjustment for the historical year 2019. The filing showed that Entergy Arkansas’s earned rate of return on common equity for the 2021 projected year was 8.22% resulting in a revenue deficiency of $64.3 million. The earned rate of return on common equity for the 2019 historical year was 9.07% resulting in a $23.9 million netting adjustment. The total proposed revenue change for the 2021 projected year and 2019 historical year netting adjustment was $88.2 million. By operation of the formula rate plan, Entergy Arkansas’s recovery of the revenue requirement is subject to a four percent annual revenue constraint. Because Entergy Arkansas’s revenue requirement in this filing exceeded the constraint, the resulting increase was limited to $74.3 million. As part of the formula rate plan tariff the calculation for the revenue constraint was updated based on actual revenues which had the effect of reducing the initially-proposed $74.3 million revenue requirement increase to $72.6 million. In October 2020, Entergy Arkansas filed with the APSC a unanimous settlement agreement reached with the other parties that resolved all but one issue. As a result of the settlement agreement, Entergy Arkansas’s requested revenue increase was $68.4 million, including a $44.5 million increase for the projected 2021 year and a $23.9 million netting adjustment. The remaining issue litigated concerned the methodology used to calculate the netting adjustment within the formula rate plan. In December 2020 the APSC issued an order rejecting the netting adjustment method used by Entergy Arkansas. Applying the approach ordered by the APSC changed the netting adjustment for the 2019 historical year from a $23.9 million deficiency to $43.5 million excess. Overall, the decision reduced Entergy Arkansas’s revenue adjustment for 2021 to $1 million. In December 2020, Entergy Arkansas filed a petition for rehearing of the APSC’s decision in the 2020 formula rate plan proceeding regarding the 2019 netting adjustment, and in January 2021 the APSC granted further consideration of Entergy Arkansas’s petition. Based on the progress of the proceeding at that point, in December 2020, Entergy Arkansas recorded a regulatory liability of $43.5 million to reflect the netting adjustment for 2019, as included in the APSC’s December 2020 order, which would be returned to customers in 2021. Entergy Arkansas also requested an extension of the formula rate plan rider for a second five-year term. In March 2021 the Arkansas Governor signed HB1662 into law (Act 404). Act 404 clarified aspects of the original formula rate plan legislation enacted in 2015, including with respect to the extension of a formula rate plan, the methodology for the netting adjustment, and debt and equity levels; it also reaffirmed the customer protections of the original formula rate plan legislation, including the cap on annual formula rate plan rate changes. Pursuant to Act 404, Entergy Arkansas’s formula rate plan rider was extended for a second five-year term. Entergy Arkansas filed a compliance tariff in its formula rate plan docket in April 2021 to effectuate the netting provisions of Act 404, which reflected a net change in required formula rate plan rider revenue of $39.8 million, effective with the first billing cycle of May 2021. In April 2021 the APSC issued an order approving the compliance tariff and recognizing the formula rate plan extension. Also in April 2021, Entergy Arkansas filed for approval of modifications to the formula rate plan tariff incorporating the provisions in Act 404, and the APSC approved the tariff modifications in April 2021. Given the APSC general staff’s support for the expedited approval of these filings by the APSC, Entergy Arkansas supported an amendment to Act 404 to achieve a reduced return on equity from 9.75% to 9.65% to apply for years applicable to the extension term; that amendment was signed by the Arkansas Governor in April 2021 and is now Act 894. Based on the APSC’s order issued in April 2021, in the first quarter 2021, Entergy Arkansas reversed the remaining regulatory liability for the netting adjustment for 2019. In June 2021, Entergy Arkansas filed another compliance tariff in its formula rate plan proceeding to effectuate the additional provisions of Act 894, and the APSC approved the second compliance tariff filing in July 2021.73Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statements2021 Formula Rate Plan FilingIn July 2021, Entergy Arkansas filed with the APSC its 2021 formula rate plan filing to set its formula rate for the 2022 calendar year.80Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statements2022 Formula Rate Plan FilingIn July 2022, Entergy Arkansas filed with the APSC its 2022 formula rate plan filing to set its formula rate for the 2023 calendar year. The filing contained an evaluation of Entergy Arkansas’s earnings for the projected year 2022 and a netting adjustment for the historical year 2020. The filing showed that Entergy Arkansas’s earned rate of return on common equity for the 2022 projected year was 7.65% resulting in a revenue deficiency of $89.2 million. The earned rate of return on common equity for the 2020 historical year was 7.92% resulting in a $19.4 million netting adjustment. The total proposed revenue change for the 2022 projected year and 2020 historical year netting adjustment was $108.7 million. By operation of the formula rate plan, Entergy Arkansas’s recovery of the revenue requirement is subject to a four percent annual revenue constraint. Because Entergy Arkansas’s revenue requirement in this filing exceeded the constraint, the resulting increase was limited to $72.4 million. In October 2021, Entergy Arkansas filed with the APSC a settlement agreement reached with other parties resolving all issues in the proceeding. As a result of the settlement agreement, the total proposed revenue change was $82.2 million, including a $62.8 million increase for the projected 2022 year and a $19.4 million netting adjustment. Because Entergy Arkansas’s revenue requirement exceeded the constraint, the resulting increase was limited to $72.1 million. In December 2021 the APSC approved the settlement as being in the public interest and approved Entergy Arkansas’s compliance tariff effective with the first billing cycle of January 2022.2022 Formula Rate Plan FilingIn July 2022, Entergy Arkansas filed with the APSC its 2022 formula rate plan filing to set its formula rate for the 2023 calendar year. The filing contained an evaluation of Entergy Arkansas’s earnings for the projected year 2023 and a netting adjustment for the historical year 2021. The filing showed that Entergy Arkansas’s earned rate of return on common equity for the 2023 projected year was 7.40% resulting in a revenue deficiency of $104.8 million. The earned rate of return on common equity for the 2021 historical year was 8.38% resulting in a $15.2 million netting adjustment. The total proposed revenue change for the 2023 projected year and 2021 historical year netting adjustment was $119.9 million. By operation of the formula rate plan, Entergy Arkansas’s recovery of the revenue requirement is subject to a four percent annual revenue constraint. Because Entergy Arkansas’s revenue requirement in this filing exceeded the constraint, the resulting increase was limited to $79.3 million. In October 2022 other parties filed their testimony recommending various adjustments to Entergy Arkansas’s overall proposed revenue deficiency, and Entergy Arkansas filed a response including an update to actual revenues through August 2022, which raised the constraint to $79.8 million. In November 2022, Entergy Arkansas filed with the APSC a settlement agreement reached with other parties resolving all issues in the proceeding. As a result of the settlement agreement, the total revenue change was $102.8 million, including a $87.7 million increase for the 2023 projected year and a $15.2 million netting adjustment. Because Entergy Arkansas’s revenue requirement exceeded the constraint, the resulting increase was limited to $79.8 million. In December 2022 the APSC approved the settlement agreement as being in the public interest and approved Entergy Arkansas’s compliance tariff effective with the first billing cycle of January 2023.2023 Formula Rate Plan FilingIn July 2023, Entergy Arkansas filed with the APSC its 2023 formula rate plan filing to set its formula rate for the 2024 calendar year. The filing contained an evaluation of Entergy Arkansas’s earnings for the projected year 2024 and a netting adjustment for the historical year 2022. The filing showed that Entergy Arkansas’s earned rate of return on common equity for the 2024 projected year was 8.11% resulting in a revenue deficiency of $80.5 million. The earned rate of return on common equity for the 2022 historical year was 7.29% resulting in a $49.8 million netting adjustment. The total proposed revenue change for the 2024 projected year and 2022 historical year netting adjustment is $130. The total proposed revenue change for the 2023 projected year and 2021 historical year netting adjustment is $119. 3 million. By operation of the formula rate plan, Entergy Arkansas’s recovery of the revenue requirement is subject to a four percent annual revenue constraint. Because Entergy Arkansas’s revenue requirement in this filing exceeded the constraint, the resulting increase was limited to $88.6 million. The APSC general staff and intervenors filed their errors and objections in October 2023, proposing certain adjustments, including the APSC general staff’s update to annual filing year revenues which lowers the 74Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsconstraint to $87.7 million. Entergy Arkansas filed its rebuttal in October 2023. Entergy Arkansas contributed $1. In October 2023, Entergy Arkansas filed with the APSC a settlement agreement reached with other parties resolving all issues in the proceeding, none of which affected Entergy Arkansas’s requested recovery up to the cap constraint of $87. In October 2021, Entergy Arkansas filed with the APSC a settlement agreement reached with other parties resolving all issues in the proceeding. 7 million. The settlement agreement provided for amortization of the approximately $39 million regulatory asset for costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic over a 10-year period as well as recovery of $34.9 million related to the resolution of the 2016 and 2017 IRS audits from previous tax positions that are no longer uncertain, partially offset by $24.7 million in excess accumulated deferred income taxes from reductions in state income tax rates, each before consideration of their respective tax gross-up. See Note 3 to the financial statements for further discussion of the resolution of the 2016-2018 IRS audit and the State of Arkansas corporate income tax rate changes. See Note 3 to the financial statements for further discussion of the IRS audit resolution. In December 2023 the APSC approved the settlement agreement as being in the public interest and approved Entergy Arkansas’s compliance tariff effective with the first billing cycle of January 2024.Filings with the LPSC (Entergy Louisiana)Retail Rates - Electric2017 Formula Rate Plan FilingIn June 2018, Entergy Louisiana filed its formula rate plan evaluation report for its 2017 calendar year operations. The 2017 test year evaluation report produced an earned return on equity of 8.16%, due in large part to revenue-neutral realignments to other recovery mechanisms. Without these realignments, the evaluation report produces an earned return on equity of 9.88% and a resulting base rider formula rate plan revenue increase of $4.8 million. Excluding the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act credits provided for by the tax reform adjustment mechanisms, total formula rate plan revenues were further increased by a total of $98 million as a result of the evaluation report due to adjustments to the additional capacity and MISO cost recovery mechanisms of the formula rate plan, and implementation of the transmission recovery mechanism. In August 2018, Entergy Louisiana filed a supplemental formula rate plan evaluation report to reflect changes from the 2016 test year formula rate plan proceedings, a decrease to the transmission recovery mechanism to reflect lower actual capital additions, and a decrease to evaluation period expenses to reflect the terms of a new power sales agreement. Based on the August 2018 update, Entergy Louisiana recognized a total decrease in formula rate plan revenue of approximately $17.6 million. Results of the updated 2017 evaluation report filing were implemented with the September 2018 billing month subject to refund and review by the LPSC staff and intervenors. In accordance with the terms of the formula rate plan, in September 2018 the LPSC staff filed its report of objections/reservations and intervenors submitted their responses to Entergy Louisiana’s original formula rate plan evaluation report and supplemental compliance updates. In accordance with the terms of the formula rate plan, in September 2018 the LPSC staff and intervenors submitted their responses to Entergy Louisiana’s original formula rate plan evaluation report and supplemental compliance updates. In August 2021 the LPSC staff issued a letter updating its objections/reservations for the 2017 test year formula rate plan evaluation report. In its letter, the LPSC staff reiterated its original objections/reservations. The LPSC staff further reserved its rights for future proceedings and to dispute future proposed adjustments to the 2017 test year formula rate plan evaluation report. The LPSC staff withdrew all other objections/reservations.In November 2023 the LPSC approved a global settlement which resolved all outstanding issues related to the 2017, 2018, and 2019 formula rate plan filings and resolved certain issues with respect to the 2020 and 2021 formula rate plan filings. See “Formula Rate Plan Global Settlement” below for further discussion of the settlement.2018 Formula Rate Plan FilingIn May 2019, Entergy Louisiana filed its formula rate plan evaluation report for its 2018 calendar year operations. The 2018 test year evaluation report produced an earned return on common equity of 10.61% leading to a base rider formula rate plan revenue decrease of $8.9 million. While base rider formula rate plan revenue decreased as a result of this filing, overall formula rate plan revenues increased by approximately $118.7 million. This outcome was primarily driven by a reduction to the credits previously flowed through the tax reform adjustment mechanism and an increase in the transmission recovery mechanism, partially offset by reductions in the 75Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsadditional capacity mechanism revenue requirements and extraordinary cost items. This outcome was primarily driven by a reduction to the credits previously flowed through the tax reform adjustment mechanism and an increase in the transmission recovery mechanism, partially offset by reductions in the additional capacity mechanism revenue requirements and extraordinary cost items. The filing was subject to review by the LPSC. Resulting rates were implemented in September 2019, subject to refund.Several parties intervened in the proceeding and the LPSC staff filed its report of objections/reservations in accordance with the applicable provisions of the formula rate plan. In August 2021 the LPSC staff issued a letter updating its objections/reservations for the 2018 test year formula rate plan evaluation report. In its letter, the LPSC staff reiterated its original objection/reservation pertaining to test year expenses billed from Entergy Services to Entergy Louisiana and outstanding issues from the 2017 test year formula rate plan evaluation report. The LPSC staff withdrew all other objections/reservations.Commercial operation at Lake Charles Power Station commenced in March 2020. In March 2020, Entergy Louisiana filed an update to its 2018 formula rate plan evaluation report to include the estimated first-year revenue requirement of $108 million associated with the Lake Charles Power Station. The resulting interim adjustment to rates became effective with the first billing cycle of April 2020.In November 2023 the LPSC approved a global settlement which resolved all outstanding issues related to the 2017, 2018, and 2019 formula rate plan filings and resolved certain issues with respect to the 2020 and 2021 formula rate plan filings. See “Formula Rate Plan Global Settlement” below for further discussion of the settlement.2019 Formula Rate Plan FilingIn May 2020, Entergy Louisiana filed with the LPSC its formula rate plan evaluation report for its 2019 calendar year operations. The 2019 test year evaluation report produced an earned return on common equity of 9.66%. As such, no change to base rider formula rate plan revenue is required. Although base rider formula rate plan revenue did not change as a result of this filing, overall formula rate plan revenues increased by approximately $103 million. This outcome is driven by the removal of prior year credits associated with the sale of the Willow Glen Power Station and an increase in the transmission recovery mechanism. Also contributing to the overall change was an increase in legacy formula rate plan revenue requirements driven by legacy Entergy Louisiana capacity cost true-ups and higher annualized legacy Entergy Gulf States Louisiana revenues due to higher billing determinants, offset by reductions in MISO cost recovery mechanism and tax reform adjustment mechanism revenue requirements. In August 2020 the LPSC staff submitted a list of items for which it needs additional information to confirm the accuracy and compliance of the 2019 test year evaluation report. The LPSC staff objected to a proposed revenue neutral adjustment regarding a certain rider as being beyond the scope of permitted formula rate plan adjustments. Rates reflected in the May 2020 filing, with the exception of a revenue neutral rider adjustment, and as updated in an August 2020 filing, were implemented in September 2020, subject to refund. In August 2021 the LPSC staff issued a letter updating its objections/reservations for the 2019 test year formula rate plan filing. In its letter, the LPSC staff disputed Entergy Louisiana’s exclusion of approximately $251 thousand of interest income allocated from Entergy Operations and Entergy Services to Entergy Louisiana to the extent that there are other adjustments that would move Entergy Louisiana out of the formula rate plan deadband. The LPSC staff reserved the right to further contest the issue in future proceedings. The LPSC staff further reserved outstanding issues from the 2017 and 2018 formula rate plan evaluation reports and withdrew all other remaining objections/reservations.In November 2023 the LPSC approved a global settlement which resolved all outstanding issues related to the 2017, 2018, and 2019 formula rate plan filings and resolved certain issues with respect to the 2020 and 2021 formula rate plan filings. See “Formula Rate Plan Global Settlement” below for further discussion of the settlement.76Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsRequest for Extension and Modification of Formula Rate PlanIn May 2020, Entergy Louisiana filed with the LPSC its application for authority to extend its formula rate plan.97Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsReturn on Equity and Capital Structure ComplaintsIn January 2017 the APSC and MPSC filed a complaint with the FERC against System Energy. In its application, Entergy Louisiana sought to maintain a 9.8% return on equity, with a bandwidth of 60 basis points above and below the midpoint, with a first-year midpoint reset. The parties reached a settlement in April 2021 regarding Entergy Louisiana’s proposed formula rate plan extension. In May 2021 the LPSC approved the uncontested settlement. Key terms of the settlement include: a three year term (test years 2020, 2021, and 2022) covering a rate-effective period of September 2021 through August 2024; a 9.50% return on equity, with a smaller, 50 basis point deadband above and below (9.0%-10.0%); elimination of sharing if earnings are outside the deadband; a $63 million rate increase for test year 2020 (exclusive of riders); continuation of existing riders (transmission, additional capacity, etc.); addition of a distribution recovery mechanism permitting $225 million per year of distribution investment above a baseline level to be recovered dollar for dollar; modification of the tax mechanism to allow timely rate changes in the event the federal corporate income tax rate is changed from 21%; a cumulative rate increase limit of $70 million (exclusive of riders) for test years 2021 and 2022; and deferral of up to $7 million per year in 2021 and 2022 of expenditures on vegetation management for outside of right of way hazard trees.2020 Formula Rate Plan FilingIn June 2021, Entergy Louisiana filed its formula rate plan evaluation report for its 2020 calendar year operations. The 2020 test year evaluation report produced an earned return on common equity of 8.45%, with a base formula rate plan revenue increase of $63 million. Certain reductions in formula rate plan revenue driven by lower sales volumes, reductions in capacity cost and net MISO cost, and higher credits resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act offset the base formula rate plan revenue increase, leading to a net increase in formula rate plan revenue of $50.7 million. The report also included multiple new adjustments to account for, among other things, the calculation of distribution recovery mechanism revenues. The effects of the changes to total formula rate plan revenue were different for each legacy company, primarily due to differences in the legacy companies’ capacity cost changes, including the effect of true-ups. Legacy Entergy Louisiana formula rate plan revenues increased by $27 million and legacy Entergy Gulf States Louisiana formula rate plan revenues increased by $23.7 million. Subject to LPSC review, the resulting changes became effective for bills rendered during the first billing cycle of September 2021, subject to refund. Subject to refund and LPSC review, the resulting changes became effective for bills rendered during the first billing cycle of September 2021. Discovery commenced in the proceeding. In August 2021, Entergy Louisiana submitted an update to its evaluation report to account for various changes. Relative to the June 2021 filing, the total formula rate plan revenue increased by $14.2 million to an updated total of $64.9 million. Legacy Entergy Louisiana formula rate plan revenues increased by $32.8 million and legacy Entergy Gulf States Louisiana formula rate plan revenues increased by $32.1 million. The results of the 2020 test year evaluation report bandwidth calculation were unchanged as there was no change in the earned return on common equity of 8.45%. In September 2021 the LPSC staff filed a letter with a general statement of objections/reservations because it had not completed its review and indicated it would update the letter once its review was complete. Should the parties be unable to resolve any objections, those issues will be set for hearing, with recovery of the associated costs subject to refund.In November 2023 the LPSC approved a global settlement which resolved all outstanding issues related to the 2017, 2018, and 2019 formula rate plan filings and resolved certain issues with respect to the 2020 and 2021 formula rate plan filings. See “Formula Rate Plan Global Settlement” below for further discussion of the settlement.2021 Formula Rate Plan FilingIn May 2022, Entergy Louisiana filed its formula rate plan evaluation report for its 2021 calendar year operations. The 2021 test year evaluation report produced an earned return on common equity of 8.33%, with a base formula rate plan revenue increase of $65.3 million. Other increases in formula rate plan revenue driven by reductions in Tax Cut and Jobs Act credits and additions to transmission and distribution plant in service reflected through the transmission recovery mechanism and distribution recovery mechanism are partly offset by an increase 77Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsin net MISO revenues, leading to a net increase in formula rate plan revenue of $152. Other increases in formula rate plan revenue driven by reductions in Tax Cut and Jobs Act credits and additions to transmission and distribution plant in service reflected through the transmission recovery mechanism and distribution recovery mechanism are partly offset by an increase in net MISO revenues, leading to a net increase in formula rate plan revenue of $152. 9 million. The effects of the changes to total formula rate plan revenue are different for each legacy company, primarily due to differences in the legacy companies’ capacity cost changes, including the effect of true-ups. Legacy Entergy Louisiana formula rate plan revenues increased by $86 million and legacy Entergy Gulf States Louisiana formula rate plan revenues increased by $66.9 million. In August 2022 the LPSC staff filed a list of objections/reservations, including outstanding issues from the test years 2017-2020 formula rate plan filings, utilizing the extraordinary cost mechanism to address one-time changes such as state tax rate changes, and failing to include an adjustment for revenues not received as a result of Hurricane Ida. Subject to LPSC review, the resulting changes to formula rate plan revenues became effective for bills rendered during the first billing cycle of September 2022, subject to refund. Subject to refund and LPSC review, the resulting changes to formula rate plan revenues became effective for bills rendered during the first billing cycle of September 2022. In November 2023 the LPSC approved a global settlement which resolved all outstanding issues related to the 2017, 2018, and 2019 formula rate plan filings and resolved certain issues with respect to the 2020 and 2021 formula rate plan filings. See “Formula Rate Plan Global Settlement” below for further discussion of the settlement.2022 Formula Rate Plan FilingIn May 2023, Entergy Louisiana filed its formula rate plan evaluation report for its 2022 calendar year operations. The 2022 test year evaluation report produced an earned return on common equity of 8.33%, requiring an approximately $70.7 million increase to base rider revenue.7 billion in cost recovery riders. Due to a cap for the 2021 and 2022 test years, however, base rider formula rate plan revenues are only being increased by approximately $4.9 million, resulting in a revenue deficiency of approximately $65.9 million and providing for prospective return on common equity opportunity of approximately 8.38%. Other changes in formula rate plan revenue driven by increases in capacity costs, primarily legacy capacity costs, additions eligible for recovery through the transmission recovery mechanism and distribution recovery mechanism, and higher sales during the test period are offset by reductions in net MISO costs as well as credits for FERC-ordered refunds. Also included in the 2022 test year distribution recovery mechanism revenue requirement is a $6 million credit relating to the distribution recovery mechanism performance accountability standards and requirements. In total, the net increase in formula rate plan revenues, including base formula rate plan revenues inside the formula rate plan bandwidth and subject to the cap, as well as other formula rate plan revenues outside of the bandwidth, is $85.2 million. In August 2023 the LPSC staff filed a list of objections/reservations, including outstanding issues from the test years 2017-2021 formula rate plan filings, the calculation of certain refunds from System Energy, and certain calculations relating to the tax reform adjustment mechanism. Subject to LPSC review, the resulting net increase in formula rate plan revenues of $85.2 million became effective for bills rendered during the first billing cycle of September 2023, subject to refund.2023 Entergy Louisiana Rate Case and Formula Rate Plan Extension RequestIn 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 to facilitate investment in the distribution, transmission, and generation functions. To the extent that operating cash flows are insufficient to support planned investments, Entergy Louisiana may issue incremental debt or reduce distributions, or both, to maintain its capital structure. The Rate Case path proposes a 2024-2026 test year formula rate plan with an initial revenue requirement increase of $430 million, net of $17 million of one-time credits, and a return on common equity of 10.5%. Depreciation rates would be updated for all asset classes. The Rate Mitigation Proposal proposes a 2023-2025 test year formula rate plan with an expected initial revenue requirement increase of $173 million, also net of $17 million 78Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsof one-time credits, based on a 2023 formula rate plan test year, and a return on common equity of 10.0%.0%-10. Depreciation rates would be updated only for nuclear assets and would be phased in over three years.Under both paths, Entergy Louisiana’s filing proposes removing the cap on amounts allowed to be recovered through the distribution recovery mechanism and continuing the distribution recovery mechanism performance accountability targets, which tie Entergy Louisiana’s ability to fully recover its distribution recovery mechanism investments to its reliability performance. Entergy Louisiana’s filing also includes new customer-centric programs specifically focused on affordability, including reducing late fees and certain other fees assessed to customers, lowering additional facilities charge rates, providing eligible low-income seniors with monthly discounts on their electric bill, and adding new voluntary customer options to support new transportation electrification technologies. A status conference was held in October 2023 at which a procedural schedule was adopted that includes three technical conferences, the last of which is in March 2024, and a hearing date in August 2024.Formula Rate Plan Global SettlementIn October 2023 the LPSC staff and Entergy Louisiana reached a global settlement which resolved all outstanding issues related to the 2017, 2018, and 2019 formula rate plan filings and resolved certain issues with respect to the 2020 and 2021 formula rate plan filings. The settlement was approved by the LPSC in November 2023. The settlement resulted in a one-time cost of service credit to customers of $5.8 million, allowed Entergy Louisiana to retain approximately $6.2 million of securitization over-collection as recovery of a regulatory asset associated with late fees related to the 2016 Baton Rouge flood, and resulted in Entergy Louisiana recording the reversal of a $105.6 million regulatory liability, associated with the Hurricane Isaac securitization, recognized in 2017 as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. See Note 3 to the financial statements for further discussion of the reversal of the regulatory liability. See Note 2 to the financial statements for further discussion of the formula rate plan filings. Investigation of Costs Billed by Entergy ServicesIn November 2018 the LPSC issued a notice of proceeding initiating an investigation into costs incurred by Entergy Services that are included in the retail rates of Entergy Louisiana. As stated in the notice of proceeding, the LPSC observed an increase in capital construction-related costs incurred by Entergy Services. Discovery was issued and included efforts to seek highly detailed information on a broad range of matters unrelated to the scope of the audit. There has been no further activity in the investigation since May 2019.COVID-19 OrdersIn April 2020 the LPSC issued an order authorizing utilities to record as a regulatory asset expenses incurred from the suspension of disconnections and collection of late fees imposed by LPSC orders associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, utilities may seek future recovery, subject to LPSC review and approval, of losses and expenses incurred due to compliance with the LPSC’s COVID-19 orders. The suspension of late fees and disconnects for non-pay was extended until the first billing cycle after July 16, 2020. In January 2021, Entergy Louisiana resumed disconnections for customers in all customer classes with past-due balances that had not made payment arrangements. Utilities seeking to recover the regulatory asset must formally petition the LPSC to do so, identifying the direct and indirect costs for which recovery is sought. Any such request is subject to LPSC review and approval. In April 2023, Entergy Louisiana filed an application proposing to utilize approximately $1.6 billion in certain low interest debt to generate earnings to apply toward the reduction of the COVID-19 regulatory asset, as well as to conduct additional outside right-of-way vegetation management activities and fund the minor storm reserve account. In that filing, Entergy Louisiana proposed to delay repayment of certain shorter-term first mortgage bonds that were issued to finance storm restoration costs until the costs could be securitized, and to invest the funds that otherwise would be used to repay those bonds in the money pool to take advantage of the spread between prevailing interest rates on investments in the money pool and the interest rates on the bonds. The LPSC approved Entergy Louisiana’s requested relief in June 2023. A subsequent filing will be required to permit the LPSC to review the COVID-19 regulatory asset. As of December 31, 2023, Entergy Louisiana had a regulatory 79Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsasset of $47.8 million for costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and a regulatory liability of $36.8 million for costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. 8 million for the deferred earnings related to the approximately $1.6 billion in low interest debt.6 million in settlement costs. Filings with the MPSC (Entergy Mississippi)Retail Rates2021 Formula Rate Plan FilingIn March 2021, Entergy Mississippi submitted its formula rate plan 2021 test year filing and 2020 look-back filing showing Entergy Mississippi’s earned return for the historical 2020 calendar year to be below the formula rate plan bandwidth and projected earned return for the 2021 calendar year to be below the formula rate plan bandwidth.Filings with the MPSC (Entergy Mississippi)Retail Rates2020 Formula Rate Plan FilingIn March 2020, Entergy Mississippi submitted its formula rate plan 2020 test year filing and 2019 look-back filing showing Entergy Mississippi’s earned return for the historical 2019 calendar year to be below the formula rate plan bandwidth and projected earned return for the 2020 calendar year to be below the formula rate plan bandwidth. The 2021 test year filing showed a $95.4 million rate increase was necessary to reset Entergy Mississippi’s earned return on common equity to the specified point of adjustment of 6.69% return on rate base, within the formula rate plan bandwidth. The change in formula rate plan revenues, however, was capped at 4% of retail revenues, which equated to a revenue change of $44. The change in formula rate plan revenues, however, is capped at 4% of retail revenues, which equates to a revenue change of $44. 3 million. The 2021 evaluation report also included $3.9 million in demand side management costs for which the MPSC approved realignment of recovery from the energy efficiency rider to the formula rate plan. These costs were not subject to the 4% cap and resulted in a total change in formula rate plan revenues of $48. These costs are not subject to the 4% cap and result in a total change in formula rate plan revenues of $48. 2 million. The 2020 look-back filing compared actual 2020 results to the approved benchmark return on rate base and reflected the need for a $16.8 million interim increase in formula rate plan revenues. In addition, the 2020 look-back filing included an interim capacity adjustment true-up for the Choctaw Generating Station, which increased the look-back interim rate adjustment by $1. In addition, the 2020 look-back filing includes an interim capacity adjustment true-up for the Choctaw Generating Station, which increases the look-back interim rate adjustment by $1. 7 million. These interim rate adjustments totaled $18.5 million. In accordance with the provisions of the formula rate plan, Entergy Mississippi implemented a $22.1 million interim rate increase, reflecting a cap equal to 2% of 2020 retail revenues, effective with the April 2021 billing cycle, subject to refund, pending a final MPSC order. The $3.9 million of demand side management costs and the Choctaw Generating Station true-up of $1.7 million, which were not subject to the 2% cap of 2020 retail revenues, were included in the April 2021 rate adjustments.7 million, which are not subject to the 2% cap of 2020 retail revenues, were included in the April 2021 rate adjustments. In June 2021, Entergy Mississippi and the Mississippi Public Utilities Staff entered into a joint stipulation that confirmed the 2021 test year filing that resulted in a total rate increase of $48.2 million. Pursuant to the joint stipulation, Entergy Mississippi’s 2020 look-back filing reflected an earned return on rate base of 6.12% in calendar year 2020, which was below the look-back bandwidth, resulting in a $17.12% in calendar year 2020, which is below the look-back bandwidth, resulting in a $17. 5 million increase in formula rate plan revenues on an interim basis through June 2022. This included $1.7 million related to the Choctaw Generating Station and $3.7 million of COVID-19 non-bad debt expenses. The joint stipulation also included Entergy Mississippi’s quantification and methodology for calculating incremental COVID-19 bad debt expenses and provided for Entergy Mississippi to continue to defer these incremental COVID-19 bad debt expenses through December 2021. In the order, the MPSC also adopted Entergy Mississippi’s quantification and methodology for calculating COVID-19 incremental bad debt expenses and authorized Entergy Mississippi to continue deferring these bad debt expenses through December 2021. In June 2021 the MPSC approved the joint stipulation with rates effective for the first billing cycle of July 2021. In June 2021, Entergy Mississippi recorded regulatory credits of $19.9 million to reflect the effects of the joint stipulation.2022 Formula Rate Plan FilingIn March 2022, Entergy Mississippi submitted its formula rate plan 2022 test year filing and 2021 look-back filing showing Entergy Mississippi’s earned return for the historical 2021 calendar year to be below the formula rate plan bandwidth and projected earned return for the 2022 calendar year to be below the formula rate plan bandwidth. The 2022 test year filing showed a $69 million rate increase was necessary to reset Entergy Mississippi’s earned return on common equity to the specified point of adjustment of 6. The 2022 test year filing shows a $69 million rate increase is necessary to reset Entergy Mississippi’s earned return on common equity to the specified point of adjustment of 6. 70% return on rate base, within the formula rate plan bandwidth. The change in formula rate plan revenues, however, was capped at 4% of retail revenues, which equated to a revenue change of $48. The change in formula rate plan revenues, however, is capped at 4% of retail revenues, which equates to a revenue change of $48. 6 million. The 2021 look-back filing compared actual 2021 results to the approved benchmark return on rate base and reflected the need for a $34.5 million interim increase in formula rate plan revenues. In fourth quarter 2021, Entergy Mississippi recorded a regulatory asset of $19 million to reflect the then-current estimate in connection with the look-back feature of the formula rate plan. In 80Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsaccordance with the provisions of the formula rate plan, Entergy Mississippi implemented a $24.12 for 206Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsawards earned and dividends accrued under the 2018-2020 Long-Term Performance Unit Program. 3 million interim rate increase, reflecting a cap equal to 2% of 2021 retail revenues, effective in April 2022. With the implementation of the interim formula rate plan rates, Entergy Mississippi began recovery of the bad debt expense deferral resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic over a three-year period. Entergy Mississippi began recovery of the bad debt expense deferral resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic over a three-year period with implementation of the interim formula rate plan rates in April 2022. In June 2022, Entergy Mississippi and the Mississippi Public Utilities Staff entered into a joint stipulation that confirmed the 2022 test year filing that resulted in a total rate increase of $48.6 million. Pursuant to the joint stipulation, Entergy Mississippi’s 2021 look-back filing reflected an earned return on rate base of 5.99% in calendar year 2021, which was below the look-back bandwidth, resulting in a $34.99% in calendar year 2021, which is below the look-back bandwidth, resulting in a $34. 3 million increase in the formula rate plan revenues on an interim basis through June 2023. In July 2022 the MPSC approved the joint stipulation with rates effective in August 2022. In July 2022, Entergy Mississippi recorded regulatory credits of $22.6 million to reflect the effects of the joint stipulation. In August 2022 an intervenor filed a statutorily-authorized direct appeal to the Mississippi Supreme Court seeking review of the MPSC’s July 2022 order approving the joint stipulation confirming Entergy Mississippi’s 2022 formula rate plan filing. Formula rate plan rates are not stayed or otherwise impacted while the appeal is pending.In July 2022 the MPSC directed Entergy Mississippi to flow $14.1 million of the power management rider over-recovery balance to customers beginning in August 2022 through December 2022 to mitigate the bill impact of the increase in formula rate plan revenues.2023 Formula Rate Plan FilingIn March 2023, Entergy Mississippi submitted its formula rate plan 2023 test year filing and 2022 look-back filing showing Entergy Mississippi’s earned return on rate base for the historical 2022 calendar year to be below the formula rate plan bandwidth and projected earned return for the 2023 calendar year to be below the formula rate plan bandwidth.2021 Formula Rate Plan FilingIn March 2021, Entergy Mississippi submitted its formula rate plan 2021 test year filing and 2020 look-back filing showing Entergy Mississippi’s earned return for the historical 2020 calendar year to be below the formula rate plan bandwidth and projected earned return for the 2021 calendar year to be below the formula rate plan bandwidth. The 2023 test year filing showed a $39. The 2021 test year filing shows a $95. 8 million rate increase was necessary to reset Entergy Mississippi’s earned return on rate base to the specified point of adjustment of 6.8 million rate increase is necessary to reset Entergy Mississippi’s earned return on common equity to the specified point of adjustment of 6. 67%, within the formula rate plan bandwidth. The 2022 look-back filing compared actual 2022 results to the approved benchmark return on rate base and reflected the need for a $19. The 2020 look-back filing compares actual 2020 results to the approved benchmark return on rate base and reflects the need for a $16. 8 million temporary increase in formula rate plan revenues, including the refund of a $1.3 million over-recovery resulting from the demand-side management costs true-up for 2022. In fourth quarter 2022, Entergy Mississippi recorded a regulatory asset of $18.2 million in connection with the look-back feature of the formula rate plan to reflect that the 2022 estimated earned return was below the formula rate plan bandwidth. In accordance with the provisions of the formula rate plan, Entergy Mississippi implemented a $27.9 million interim rate increase, reflecting a cap equal to 2% of 2022 retail revenues, effective in April 2023.3 million interim rate increase, reflecting a cap equal to 2% of 2021 retail revenues, effective in April 2022. In May 2023, Entergy Mississippi and the Mississippi Public Utilities Staff entered into a joint stipulation that confirmed a 2023 test year filing resulting in a total revenue increase of $26.In June 2021, Entergy Mississippi and the Mississippi Public Utilities Staff entered into a joint stipulation that confirmed the 2021 test year filing that resulted in a total rate increase of $48. 5 million for 2023.5 million for 2023 and $6. Pursuant to the joint stipulation, Entergy Mississippi’s 2022 look-back filing reflected an earned return on rate base of 6.10% in calendar year 2022, which was below the look-back bandwidth, resulting in a $19.12% in calendar year 2020, which is below the look-back bandwidth, resulting in a $17. 0 million increase in the formula rate plan revenues on an interim basis through June 2024. Entergy Mississippi recorded a regulatory credit of $0. Entergy Mississippi recorded regulatory charges of $21. 8 million in June 2023 to reflect the increase in the look-back regulatory asset. In addition, certain long-term service agreement and conductor handling costs were authorized for realignment from the formula rate plan to the annual power management and grid modernization riders effective January 2023, resulting in regulatory credits recorded in June 2023 of $4.1 million and $4.3 million, respectively. Also, the amortization of Entergy Mississippi’s COVID-19 bad debt expense deferral was suspended for calendar year 2023 and will resume in 2024. In June 2023 the MPSC approved the joint stipulation with rates effective in July 2023. In June 2020 the MPSC approved the joint stipulation with rates effective for the first billing cycle of July 2020. 81Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsFilings with the City Council (Entergy New Orleans)Retail Rates2021 Formula Rate Plan FilingIn July 2021, Entergy New Orleans submitted to the City Council its formula rate plan 2020 test year filing.80Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statements2022 Formula Rate Plan FilingIn July 2022, Entergy Arkansas filed with the APSC its 2022 formula rate plan filing to set its formula rate for the 2023 calendar year. The 2020 test year evaluation report produced an earned return on equity of 6.26% compared to the authorized return on equity of 9.35%. Entergy New Orleans sought approval of a $64 million rate increase based on the formula set by the City Council in the 2018 rate case. The formula resulted in an increase in authorized electric revenues of $40 million and an increase in authorized gas revenues of $18.8 million. Entergy New Orleans also sought to commence collecting $5.2 million in electric revenues and $0.3 million in gas revenues that were previously approved by the City Council for collection through the formula rate plan. The filing was 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. In October 2021 the City Council’s advisors filed a 75-day report recommending a reduction of $10 million for electric revenues and a reduction of $4.5 million for gas revenues, along with one-time credits funded by certain electric regulatory liabilities currently held by Entergy New Orleans for customers. On October 26, 2021, Entergy New Orleans provided notice to the City Council that it intends to implement rates effective with the first billing cycle of November 2021, with such rates reflecting an amount agreed-upon by Entergy New Orleans including adjustments filed in the City Council’s 75-day report, per the approved process for formula rate plan implementation. The total formula rate plan increase implemented was $49.5 million, with an increase of $34.9 million in electric revenues and $14.6 million in gas revenues. Also, credits of $17.4 million funded by certain regulatory liabilities currently held by Entergy New Orleans for customers will be issued over a five-month period from November 2021 through March 2022. Resulting rates went into effect with the first billing cycle of November 2021 pursuant to the formula rate plan tariff.2022 Formula Rate Plan FilingIn April 2022, Entergy New Orleans submitted to the City Council its formula rate plan 2021 test year filing. The 2021 test year evaluation report, subsequently updated in a July 2022 filing, produced an earned return on equity of 6.88% compared to the authorized return on equity of 9.35%. Entergy New Orleans sought approval of a $42.1 million rate increase based on the formula set by the City Council in the 2018 rate case. The formula resulted in an increase in authorized electric revenues of $34. The formula results in an increase in authorized electric revenues of $34. 1 million and an increase in authorized gas revenues of $3.3 million. Entergy New Orleans also sought to commence collecting $4.7 million in electric revenues that were previously approved by the City Council for collection through the formula rate plan. In July 2022 the City Council’s advisors issued a report seeking a reduction to Entergy New Orleans’s proposed increase of approximately $17.1 million in total for electric and gas revenues. Effective with the first billing cycle of September 2022, Entergy New Orleans implemented rates reflecting an amount agreed upon by Entergy New Orleans and the City Council including adjustments filed in the City Council’s advisors’ report, per the approved process for formula rate plan implementation. The total formula rate plan increase implemented was $24.7 million, which includes an increase of $18.2 million in electric revenues, $4.7 million in previously approved electric revenues, and an increase of $1.8 million in gas revenues. Additionally, credits of $13.9 million funded by certain regulatory liabilities currently held by Entergy New Orleans for customers were issued over an eight-month period beginning September 2022.9 million funded by certain regulatory liabilities currently held by Entergy New Orleans for customers will be issued over an eight-month period beginning September 2022. 2023 Formula Rate Plan FilingIn April 2023, Entergy New Orleans submitted to the City Council its formula rate plan 2022 test year filing.2022 Formula Rate Plan FilingIn April 2022, Entergy New Orleans submitted to the City Council its formula rate plan 2021 test year filing. The 2022 test year evaluation report produced an electric earned return on equity of 7. The 2020 test year evaluation report produced an earned return on equity of 6. 34% and a gas earned return on equity of 3.52% compared to the authorized return on equity for each of 9.26% compared to the authorized return on equity of 9. 35%. Entergy New Orleans sought approval of a $25.6 million rate increase based on the formula set by the City Council in the 2018 rate case. The formula would result in an increase in authorized electric revenues of $17. The formula results in an increase in authorized electric revenues of $34. 4 million and an increase in 82Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsauthorized gas revenues of $8.2 million. Entergy New Orleans also sought to commence collecting $3.4 million in electric revenues that were previously approved by the City Council for collection through the formula rate plan. In July 2023, Entergy New Orleans filed a report to decrease its requested formula rate plan revenues by approximately $0.5 million to account for minor errors discovered after the filing. The City Council advisors issued a report seeking a reduction in the requested formula rate plan revenues of approximately $8.3 million, combined for electric and gas, due to alleged errors. The City Council advisors proposed additional rate mitigation in the amount of $12 million through offsets to the formula rate plan rate increase by certain regulatory liabilities. In September 2023 the City Council approved an agreement to settle the 2023 formula rate plan filing. Effective with the first billing cycle of September 2023, Entergy New Orleans implemented rates reflecting an amount agreed upon by Entergy New Orleans and the City Council, per the approved process for formula rate plan implementation. Effective with the first billing cycle of September 2022, Entergy New Orleans implemented rates reflecting an amount agreed upon by Entergy New Orleans and the City Council including adjustments filed in the City Council’s advisors’ report, per the approved process for formula rate plan implementation. The agreement provides for a total increase in electric revenues of $10.5 million and a total increase in gas revenues of $6.1 million and an increase in authorized gas revenues of $3. 9 million. The agreement also provides for a minor storm accrual of $0.5 million per year and the distribution of $8.9 million of currently held customer credits to implement the City Council advisors’ mitigation recommendations.Request for Extension and Modification of Formula Rate PlanIn September 2023, Entergy New Orleans filed a motion seeking City Council approval of a three-year extension of Entergy New Orleans’s electric and gas formula rate plans. In October 2023 the City Council granted Entergy New Orleans’s request for an extension, subject to minor modifications which included a 55% fixed capital structure for rate setting purposes.Filings with the PUCT and Texas Cities (Entergy Texas)Retail Rates2022 Base Rate CaseIn July 2022, Entergy Texas filed a base rate case with the PUCT seeking a net increase in base rates of approximately $131.4 million. The base rate case was based on a 12-month test year ending December 31, 2021. Key drivers of the requested increase were changes in depreciation rates as the result of a depreciation study and an increase in the return on equity. In addition, Entergy Texas included capital additions placed into service for the period of January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2021, including those additions reflected in the then-effective distribution and transmission cost recovery factor riders and the generation cost recovery rider, all of which have been reset to zero as a result of this proceeding. In addition, Entergy Texas included capital additions placed into service for the period of January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2021, including those additions currently reflected in the distribution and transmission cost recovery factor riders and the generation cost recovery rider, all of which would be reset to zero as a result of this proceeding. In July 2022 the PUCT referred the proceeding to the State Office of Administrative Hearings. In October 2022 intervenors filed direct testimony challenging and supporting various aspects of Entergy Texas’s rate case application. The key issues addressed included the appropriate return on equity, generation plant deactivations, depreciation rates, and proposed tariffs related to electric vehicles. In November 2022 the PUCT staff filed direct testimony addressing a similar set of issues and recommending a reduction of $50.7 million to Entergy Texas’s overall cost of service associated with the requested net increase in base rates of approximately $131.4 million. Entergy Texas filed rebuttal testimony in November 2022. In December 2022 the ALJs with the State Office of Administrative Hearings issued two orders, one adopting the parties’ joint proposal that issues related to electric vehicle charging infrastructure be decided exclusively on written evidence and briefing, and one adopting a joint proposed briefing outline and schedule with deadlines in January 2023 for the parties to submit briefing on issues related to electric vehicle charging infrastructure and admitting evidence related to electric vehicle charging infrastructure issues. In December 2022 the ALJs with the State Office of Administrative Hearings issued an order adopting the parties’ joint proposals that the issue of rate case expenses be addressed at a separate hearing and at a later date, if requested by the parties, from the hearing on the merits initially scheduled for December 2022 and that issues related to electric vehicle charging infrastructure be decided exclusively on written evidence and briefing. In January 2023 the parties filed initial and reply briefs addressing issues related to electric vehicle charging infrastructure.In May 2023, Entergy Texas filed on behalf of the parties an unopposed settlement resolving all issues in the proceeding, except for issues related to electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and Entergy Texas filed an agreed motion for interim rates, subject to refund or surcharge to the extent that the interim rates differ from the final approved rates. The unopposed settlement reflected a net base rate increase to be effective and relate back to 83Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsDecember 2022 of $54 million, exclusive of, and incremental to, the costs being realigned from the distribution and transmission cost recovery factor riders and the generation cost recovery rider and $4.8 million of rate case expenses to be recovered through a rider over a period of 36 months. The net base rate increase of $54 million includes updated depreciation rates and a total annual revenue requirement of $14.5 million for the accrual of a self-insured storm reserve and the recovery of the regulatory assets for the pension and postretirement benefits expense deferral, costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, and retired non-advanced metering system electric meters. In May 2023 the ALJ with the State Office of Administrative Hearings granted the motion for interim rates, which became effective in June 2023. Additionally, the ALJ remanded the proceeding, except for the issues related to electric vehicle charging infrastructure, to the PUCT to consider the settlement. In June 2023 the ALJ issued a proposal for decision related to the electric vehicle charging infrastructure issues and which noted recent legislation enacted which permits electric utilities to own and operate such infrastructure. The ALJ’s proposal for decision deferred to the PUCT regarding whether it is appropriate for any vertically integrated electric utility, or Entergy Texas specifically, to own electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and in the event that the PUCT decided ownership is permissible, the ALJ recommended approval of the proposed tariff to charge host customers for utility-owned and operated electric vehicle charging infrastructure sited on customer premises and denial of the proposed tariff to temporarily adjust billing demand charges for separately metered electric vehicle charging infrastructure, citing cost-shifting concerns. In July 2023 the parties filed exceptions and replies to exceptions to the proposal for decision. In August 2023 the PUCT issued an order approving the unopposed settlement and also issued an order severing the issues related to electric vehicle charging infrastructure addressed in the ALJ’s proposal for decision to a separate proceeding. Concurrently, Entergy Texas recorded the reversal of $21.9 million of regulatory liabilities to reflect the recognition of certain receipts by Entergy Texas under affiliated PPAs that have been resolved.Following the PUCT’s approval of the unopposed settlement in August 2023, Entergy Texas recorded a regulatory liability of $10.3 million, which reflects the net effects of higher depreciation and amortizations for the relate back period, partially offset by the relate back of base rate revenues that would have been collected had the approved rates been in effect for the period from December 2022 through June 2023, the date the new base rates were implemented on an interim basis. In October 2023, Entergy Texas filed a relate back surcharge rider to collect over six months beginning in January 2024 an additional approximately $24. In September 2022, Entergy Texas filed a relate-back rider designed to collect over three months an additional approximately $5. 6 million, which is the revenue requirement associated with the relate back of rates from December 2022 through June 2023, including carrying costs, as authorized by the PUCT’s August 2023 order. In November 2023, Entergy Texas filed an amended relate back surcharge rider to collect approximately $24.1 million based on a revised carrying cost rate. The amended relate back surcharge rider was approved by the PUCT in December 2023. The higher depreciation and amortizations for the relate back period will also be recognized over the six months beginning in January 2024, resulting in no effect on net income from the collection of the relate back surcharge rider.In December 2023 the PUCT referred the separate proceeding to resolve issues related to electric vehicle charging infrastructure to the State Office of Administrative Hearings. In January 2024, the ALJ with the State Office of Administrative Hearings adopted a procedural schedule setting a hearing on the merits for April 2024. In February 2021 the ALJ with the State Office of Administrative Hearings approved Entergy Texas's agreed motion for interim rates, which went into effect in March 2021. Distribution Cost Recovery Factor (DCRF) RiderIn October 2020, Entergy Texas filed with the PUCT a request to amend its DCRF rider.Distribution Cost Recovery Factor (DCRF) RiderIn March 2020, Entergy Texas filed with the PUCT a request to amend its DCRF rider. The amended rider was designed to collect from Entergy Texas’s retail customers approximately $26.3 million annually, or $6.8 million in incremental annual revenues beyond Entergy Texas’s then-effective DCRF rider based on its capital invested in distribution between January 1, 2020 and August 31, 2020. In February 2021 the ALJ with the State Office of Administrative Hearings approved Entergy Texas's agreed motion for interim rates, which went into effect in March 2021. In March 2021 the parties filed an unopposed settlement recommending that Entergy Texas be allowed to collect its full requested DCRF revenue requirement and resolving all issues in the proceeding. In May 2021 the PUCT issued an order approving the settlement.In August 2021, Entergy Texas filed with the PUCT a request to amend its DCRF rider. The amended rider was designed to collect from Entergy Texas’s retail customers approximately $40.2 million annually, or 84Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statements$13.9 million in incremental annual revenues beyond Entergy Texas’s then-effective DCRF rider based on its capital invested in distribution between September 1, 2020 and June 30, 2021. In September 2021 the PUCT referred the proceeding to the State Office of Administrative Hearings. A procedural schedule was established with a hearing scheduled in December 2021. In December 2021 the parties filed an unopposed settlement recommending that Entergy Texas be allowed to collect its full requested DCRF revenue requirement and resolving all issues in the proceeding, including a motion for interim rates to take effect for usage on and after January 24, 2022. Also, in December 2021, the ALJ with the State Office of Administrative Hearings issued an order granting the motion for interim rates, which went into effect in January 2022, admitting evidence, and remanding the proceeding to the PUCT to consider the settlement. In March 2022 the PUCT issued an order approving the settlement.Transmission Cost Recovery Factor (TCRF) RiderIn December 2018, Entergy Texas filed with the PUCT a request to set a new TCRF rider. The new TCRF rider was designed to collect approximately $2.7 million annually from Entergy Texas’s retail customers based on its capital invested in transmission between January 1, 2018 and September 30, 2018. In April 2019 parties filed testimony proposing a load growth adjustment, which would fully offset Entergy Texas’s proposed TCRF revenue requirement. In July 2019 the PUCT granted Entergy Texas’s application as filed to begin recovery of the requested $2.7 million annual revenue requirement, rejecting opposing parties’ proposed adjustment; however, the PUCT found that the question of prudence of the actual investment costs should be determined in Entergy Texas’s next rate case similar to the procedure used for the costs recovered through the DCRF rider. In October 2019 the PUCT issued an order on a motion for rehearing, clarifying and affirming its prior order granting Entergy Texas’s application as filed. Also in October 2019 a second motion for rehearing was filed, and Entergy Texas filed a response in opposition to the motion. The second motion for rehearing was overruled by operation of law. In December 2019, Texas Industrial Energy Consumers filed an appeal to the PUCT order in district court alleging that the PUCT erred in declining to apply a load growth adjustment.In October 2020, Entergy Texas filed with the PUCT a request to amend its TCRF rider. The amended rider was designed to collect from Entergy Texas’s retail customers approximately $51 million annually, or $31.6 million in incremental annual revenues beyond Entergy Texas’s then-effective TCRF rider based on its capital invested in transmission between July 1, 2019 and August 31, 2020. In March 2021 the parties filed an unopposed settlement recommending that Entergy Texas be allowed to collect its full requested TCRF revenue requirement with interim rates effective March 2021 and resolving all issues in the proceeding. In March 2021 the ALJ granted the motion for interim rates, admitted evidence, and remanded the case to the PUCT for consideration of a final order at a future open meeting. In June 2021 the PUCT issued an order approving the settlement.In October 2021, Entergy Texas filed with the PUCT a request to amend its TCRF rider. The amended rider was designed to collect from Entergy Texas’s retail customers approximately $66.1 million annually, or $15.1 million in incremental annual revenues beyond Energy Texas’s then-effective TCRF rider based on its capital invested in transmission between September 1, 2020 and July 31, 2021 and changes in approved transmission charges. In January 2022 the PUCT referred the proceeding to the State Office of Administrative Hearings. In February 2022 the parties filed an unopposed settlement recommending that Entergy Texas be allowed to collect its full requested TCRF revenue requirement with interim rates effective March 2022. In February 2022 the ALJ granted the motion for interim rates, admitted evidence, and remanded the case to the PUCT for consideration of a final order at a future open meeting. In June 2022 the PUCT issued an order approving the settlement.Generation Cost Recovery RiderIn October 2020, Entergy Texas filed an application to establish a generation cost recovery rider with an initial annual revenue requirement of approximately $91 million to begin recovering a return of and on its generation capital investment in the Montgomery County Power Station through August 31, 2020. In December 2020, Entergy Texas filed an unopposed settlement supporting a generation cost recovery rider with an annual revenue requirement of approximately $86 million. The settlement revenue requirement was based on a 85Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsdepreciation rate intended to fully depreciate Montgomery County Power Station over 38 years and the removal of certain costs from Entergy Texas’s request. The settlement revenue requirement was based on a depreciation rate intended to fully depreciate Montgomery County Power Station over 38 years and the removal of certain costs from Entergy Texas’s request. Under the settlement, Entergy Texas retained the right to propose a different depreciation rate and seek recovery of a majority of the costs removed from its request in its next base rate proceeding, and such depreciation rate was revised to fully depreciate Montgomery County Power Station over 40 years and all requested capital additions were approved as prudent in the 2022 base rate case proceeding discussed above. Under the settlement, Entergy Texas retained the right to propose a different depreciation rate and seek recovery of a majority of the costs removed from its request in its next base rate proceeding, which proceeding commenced in June 2022. On January 14, 2021, the PUCT approved the generation cost recovery rider settlement rates on an interim basis and abated the proceeding. In March 2021, Entergy Texas filed to update its generation cost recovery rider to include its generation capital investment in Montgomery County Power Station after August 31, 2020. In April 2021 the ALJ issued an order unabating the proceeding and in May 2021 the ALJ issued an order finding Entergy Texas’s application and notice of the application to be sufficient. In May 2021, Entergy Texas filed an amendment to the application to reflect the PUCT’s approval of the sale of a 7.56% partial interest in the Montgomery County Power Station to East Texas Electric Cooperative, Inc., which closed in June 2021. In June 2021 the PUCT referred the proceeding to the State Office of Administrative Hearings. In July 2021 the ALJ with the State Office of Administrative Hearings adopted a procedural schedule setting a hearing on the merits for September 2021. In July 2021 the parties filed a motion to abate the procedural schedule noting they had reached an agreement in principle and to allow the parties time to finalize a settlement agreement, which motion was granted by the ALJ. In October 2021, Entergy Texas filed on behalf of the parties an unopposed settlement agreement that would adjust its generation cost recovery rider to recover an annual revenue requirement of approximately $88.3 million related to Entergy Texas’s investment in the Montgomery County Power Station through January 1, 2021, with Entergy Texas able to seek recovery of the remainder of its investment in its next base rate case, and all requested capital additions were approved as prudent in the 2022 base rate case proceeding discussed above.3 million related to Entergy Texas’s investment in the Montgomery County Power Station through January 1, 2021, with Entergy Texas able to seek recovery of the remainder of its investment in its next base rate case. Also in October 2021 the ALJ granted a motion to admit evidence and remand the proceeding to the PUCT. In January 2022 the PUCT issued an order approving the unopposed settlement. In February 2022, Entergy Texas filed a relate-back rider to collect over five months an additional approximately $5 million, which is the difference between the interim revenue requirement approved in January 2021 and the revenue requirement approved in January 2022 that reflects Entergy Texas’s full generation capital investment and ownership in Montgomery County Power Station on January 1, 2021, plus carrying costs from January 2021 through January 2022 when the updated revenue requirement took effect. In April 2022, Entergy Texas and the PUCT staff filed a joint proposed order supporting approval of Entergy Texas’s as-filed request. The PUCT approved the relate-back rider consistent with Entergy Texas’s as-filed request, and rates became effective over a five-month period, in August 2022.In December 2020, Entergy Texas also filed an application to amend its generation cost recovery rider to reflect its acquisition of the Hardin County Peaking Facility, which closed in June 2021. Because Hardin was to be acquired in the future, the initial generation cost recovery rider rates proposed in the application represented no change from the generation cost recovery rider rates established in Entergy Texas’s previous generation cost recovery rider proceeding. In July 2021 the PUCT issued an order approving the application. In August 2021, Entergy Texas filed an update application to recover its actual investment in the acquisition of the Hardin County Peaking Facility. In September 2021 the PUCT referred the proceeding to the State Office of Administrative Hearings. A procedural schedule was established with a hearing scheduled in April 2022. In January 2022, Entergy Texas filed an update to its application to align the requested revenue requirement with the terms of the generation cost recovery rider settlement approved by the PUCT in January 2022. In March 2022, Entergy Texas filed on behalf of the parties an unopposed motion, which motion was granted by the ALJ with the State Office of Administrative Hearings, to abate the procedural schedule indicating that the parties had reached an agreement in principle. In April 2022, Entergy Texas filed on behalf of the parties a unanimous settlement agreement that would adjust its generation cost recovery rider to recover an annual revenue requirement of approximately $92.8 million, which is $4.5 million in incremental annual revenue above the $88.3 million approved in January 2022, related to Entergy Texas’s actual investment in the acquisition of the Hardin County Peaking Facility. Concurrently with filing of the unanimous settlement agreement, Entergy Texas submitted an agreed motion to admit evidence and remand the case to the PUCT for review and consideration of the settlement agreement, which motion was granted by the ALJ with the State Office of Administrative Hearings. The PUCT approved the settlement agreement and rates became effective in August 2022. In September 2022, Entergy Texas filed a relate-back rider designed to collect over three months an additional approximately $5.7 million, which is the revenue requirement, plus carrying 86Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementscosts, associated with Entergy Texas’s acquisition of Hardin County Peaking Facility from June 2021 through August 2022 when the updated revenue requirement took effect. Entergy’s recognition of reduced income tax expense 137Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementswas offset by other tax charges resulting in a net reduction of income tax expense of $283 million, after taking into account a provision for uncertain tax positions. In April 2023 the PUCT approved Entergy Texas’s as-filed request with rates effective over three months beginning in May 2023. See Note 14 to the financial statements for discussion of the Hardin County Peaking Facility purchase. See Note 14 to the financial statements for discussion of the Hardin County Peaking Facility and the Searcy Solar facility purchases. Entergy Arkansas Opportunity Sales ProceedingIn June 2009 the LPSC filed a complaint requesting that the FERC determine that certain of Entergy Arkansas’s sales of electric energy to third parties: (a) violated the provisions of the System Agreement that allocated the energy generated by Entergy System resources; (b) imprudently denied the Entergy System and its ultimate consumers the benefits of low-cost Entergy System generating capacity; and (c) violated the provision of the System Agreement that prohibited sales to third parties by individual companies absent an offer of a right-of-first-refusal to other Utility operating companies.Opportunity Sales ProceedingIn June 2009 the LPSC filed a complaint requesting that the FERC determine that certain of Entergy Arkansas’s sales of electric energy to third parties: (a) violated the provisions of the System Agreement that allocated the energy generated by Entergy System resources; (b) imprudently denied the Entergy System and its ultimate consumers the benefits of low-cost Entergy System generating capacity; and (c) violated the provision of the System Agreement that prohibited sales to third parties by individual companies absent an offer of a right-of-first-refusal to other Utility operating companies. The LPSC’s complaint challenged sales made beginning in 2002 and requested refunds. In July 2009 the Utility operating companies filed a response to the complaint arguing among other things that the System Agreement contemplates that the Utility operating companies may make sales to third parties for their own account, subject to the requirement that those sales be included in the load (or load shape) for the applicable Utility operating company. The FERC subsequently ordered a hearing in the proceeding.After a hearing, the ALJ issued an initial decision in December 2010. The ALJ found that the System Agreement allowed for Entergy Arkansas to make the sales to third parties but concluded that the sales should be accounted for in the same manner as joint account sales. The ALJ concluded that “shareholders” should make refunds of the damages to the Utility operating companies, along with interest. Entergy disagreed with several aspects of the ALJ’s initial decision and in January 2011 filed with the FERC exceptions to the decision.The FERC issued a decision in June 2012 and held that, while the System Agreement is ambiguous, it does provide authority for individual Utility operating companies to make opportunity sales for their own account and Entergy Arkansas made and priced these sales in good faith. The FERC found, however, that the System Agreement does not provide authority for an individual Utility operating company to allocate the energy associated with such opportunity sales as part of its load but provides a different allocation authority. The FERC further found that the after-the-fact accounting methodology used to allocate the energy used to supply the sales was inconsistent with the System Agreement. The FERC in its decision established further hearing procedures to quantify the effect of repricing the opportunity sales in accordance with the FERC’s June 2012 decision. The hearing was held in May 2013 and the ALJ issued an initial decision in August 2013. The LPSC, the APSC, the City Council, and FERC staff filed briefs on exceptions and/or briefs opposing exceptions. Entergy filed a brief on exceptions requesting that the FERC reverse the initial decision and a brief opposing certain exceptions taken by the LPSC and FERC staff.In April 2016 the FERC issued orders addressing requests for rehearing filed in July 2012 and the ALJ’s August 2013 initial decision. The first order denied Entergy’s request for rehearing and affirmed the FERC’s earlier rulings that Entergy’s original methodology for allocating energy costs to the opportunity sales was incorrect and, as a result, Entergy Arkansas must make payments to the other Utility operating companies to put them in the same position that they would have been in absent the incorrect allocation. The FERC clarified that interest should be included with the payments. The second order affirmed in part, and reversed in part, the rulings in the ALJ’s August 2013 initial decision regarding the methodology that should be used to calculate the payments Entergy Arkansas is to make to the other Utility operating companies. The FERC affirmed the ALJ’s ruling that a full re-run of intra-system bills should be performed but required that methodology be modified so that the sales have the same priority for purposes of energy allocation as joint account sales. The FERC reversed the ALJ’s decision that any payments by Entergy Arkansas should be reduced by 20%. The FERC also reversed the ALJ’s decision that adjustments to other System Agreement service schedules and excess bandwidth payments should not be taken into account when calculating the payments to be made by Entergy Arkansas. The FERC held that such adjustments and excess bandwidth payments should be taken into account but ordered further proceedings before an ALJ to address 87Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementswhether a cap on any reduction due to bandwidth payments was necessary and to implement the other adjustments to the calculation methodology. The FERC held that such adjustments and excess bandwidth payments should be taken into account but ordered further proceedings before an ALJ to address 329Table of ContentsEntergy Arkansas, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysiswhether a cap on any reduction due to bandwidth payments was necessary and to implement the other adjustments to the calculation methodology. In May 2016, Entergy Services filed a request for rehearing of the FERC’s April 2016 order arguing that payments made by Entergy Arkansas should be reduced as a result of the timing of the LPSC’s approval of certain contracts. Entergy Services also filed a request for clarification and/or rehearing of the FERC’s April 2016 order addressing the ALJ’s August 2013 initial decision. The APSC and the LPSC also filed requests for rehearing of the FERC’s April 2016 order. In September 2017 the FERC issued an order denying the request for rehearing on the issue of whether any payments by Entergy Arkansas to the other Utility operating companies should be reduced due to the timing of the LPSC’s approval of Entergy Arkansas’s wholesale baseload contract with Entergy Louisiana. In November 2017 the FERC issued an order denying all of the remaining requests for rehearing of the April 2016 order. In November 2017, Entergy Services filed a petition for review in the D.C. Circuit of the FERC’s orders in the first two phases of the opportunity sales case. In December 2017 the D.C. Circuit granted Entergy Services’ request to hold the appeal in abeyance pending final resolution of the related proceeding before the FERC. In January 2018 the APSC and the LPSC filed separate petitions for review in the D.C. Circuit, and the D.C. Circuit consolidated the appeals with Entergy Services’ appeal.The hearing required by the FERC’s April 2016 order was held in May 2017. In July 2017 the ALJ issued an initial decision addressing whether a cap on any reduction due to bandwidth payments was necessary and whether to implement the other adjustments to the calculation methodology. In August 2017 the Utility operating companies, the LPSC, the APSC, and FERC staff filed individual briefs on exceptions challenging various aspects of the initial decision. In September 2017 the Utility operating companies, the LPSC, the APSC, the MPSC, the City Council, and FERC staff filed separate briefs opposing exceptions taken by various parties.Based on testimony previously submitted in the case and its assessment of the April 2016 FERC orders, in the first quarter 2016, Entergy Arkansas recorded a liability of $87 million, which included interest, for its estimated increased costs and payment to the other Utility operating companies, and a deferred fuel regulatory asset of $75 million. Following its assessment of the course of the proceedings, including the FERC’s denial of rehearing in November 2017 described above, in the fourth quarter 2017, Entergy Arkansas recorded an additional liability of $35 million and a regulatory asset of $31 million.In October 2018 the FERC issued an order addressing the ALJ’s July 2017 initial decision. The FERC reversed the ALJ’s decision to cap the reduction in Entergy Arkansas’s payment to account for the increased bandwidth payments that Entergy Arkansas made to the other operating companies. The FERC also reversed the ALJ’s decision that Grand Gulf sales from January through September 2000 should be included in the calculation of Entergy Arkansas’s payment. The FERC affirmed on other grounds the ALJ’s rejection of the LPSC’s claim that certain joint account sales should be accounted for as part of the calculation of Entergy Arkansas’s payment. In November 2018 the LPSC requested rehearing of the FERC’s October 2018 decision. In December 2019 the FERC denied the LPSC’s request for rehearing. In January 2020 the LPSC appealed the December 2019 decision to the D.C. Circuit.88Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsIn December 2018, Entergy made a compliance filing in response to the FERC’s October 2018 order.60Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsInvestmentsEntergy records decommissioning trust funds on the balance sheet at their fair value. The compliance filing provided a final calculation of Entergy Arkansas’s payments to the other Utility operating companies, including interest. No protests were filed in response to the December 2018 compliance filing. Refunds and interest in the following amounts were paid by Entergy Arkansas to the other operating companies in December 2018:Entergy Arkansas previously recognized a regulatory asset with a balance of $116 million as of December 31, 2018 for a portion of the payments due as a result of this proceeding.As described above, the FERC’s opportunity sales orders were appealed to the D.As described above, the FERC’s opportunity sales orders have been appealed to the D. C. Circuit. In February 2020 all of the appeals were consolidated and in April 2020 the D.C. Circuit established a briefing schedule. Briefing was completed in September 2020 and oral argument was heard in December 2020. In July 2021 the D.C. Circuit issued a decision denying all of the petitions for review filed in response to the FERC’s opportunity sales orders.In February 2019 the LPSC filed a new complaint relating to two issues that were raised in the opportunity sales proceeding, but that, in its October 2018 order, the FERC held were outside the scope of the proceeding. In March 2019, Entergy Services filed an answer and motion to dismiss the new complaint. In November 2019 the FERC issued an order denying the LPSC’s complaint. The order concluded that the settlement agreement approved by the FERC in December 2015 terminating the System Agreement barred the LPSC’s new complaint. In December 2019 the LPSC requested rehearing of the FERC’s November 2019 order, and in July 2020 the FERC issued an order dismissing the LPSC’s request for rehearing. In September 2020 the LPSC appealed to the D.C. Circuit the FERC’s orders dismissing the new opportunity sales complaint. In November 2020 the D.C. Circuit issued an order establishing that briefing will occur in January 2021 through April 2021. Oral argument was held in September 2021. In December 2021 the D.C. Circuit denied the LPSC’s Petition for Review of the new opportunity sales complaint. The opportunity sales cases are complete at FERC and at the D.C. Circuit and no additional refund amounts are owed by Entergy Arkansas.In May 2019, Entergy Arkansas filed an application and supporting testimony with the APSC requesting approval of a special rider tariff to recover the costs of these payments from its retail customers over a 24-month period. The application requested that the APSC approve the rider to take effect within 30 days or, if suspended by the APSC as allowed by commission rule, approve the rider to take effect in the first billing cycle of the first month occurring 30 days after issuance of the APSC’s order approving the rider. In June 2019 the APSC suspended Entergy Arkansas’s tariff and granted Entergy Arkansas’s motion asking the APSC to establish the proceeding as the single designated proceeding in which interested parties may assert claims related to the appropriate retail rate treatment of the FERC’s October 2018 order and related FERC orders in the opportunity sales proceeding. In January 2020 the APSC adopted a procedural schedule with a hearing in April 2020. In January 2020 the Attorney General and Arkansas Electric Energy Consumers, Inc. filed a joint motion seeking to dismiss Entergy Arkansas’s application alleging that the APSC, in a prior proceeding, ruled on the issues addressed in the application and determined that Entergy Arkansas’s requested relief violates the filed rate doctrine and the prohibition against retroactive ratemaking. Entergy Arkansas responded to the joint motion in February 2020 rebutting these 89Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsarguments, including demonstrating that the claims in this proceeding differ substantially from those the APSC addressed previously and that the payment resulting from a FERC tariff violation for which Entergy Arkansas seeks retail cost recovery in this proceeding differs materially from the refunds resulting from a FERC tariff amendment that the APSC previously rejected on filed rate doctrine and the retroactive ratemaking grounds. Entergy Arkansas responded to the joint motion in February 2020 rebutting these 331Table of ContentsEntergy Arkansas, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysisarguments, including demonstrating that the claims in this proceeding differ substantially from those the APSC addressed previously and that the payment resulting from a FERC tariff violation for which Entergy Arkansas seeks retail cost recovery in this proceeding differs materially from the refunds resulting from a FERC tariff amendment that the APSC previously rejected on filed rate doctrine and the retroactive ratemaking grounds. In addition, in January 2020 the Attorney General and Arkansas Electric Energy Consumers, Inc. filed testimony opposing the recovery by Entergy Arkansas of the opportunity sales payment but also claiming that certain components of the payment should be segregated and refunded to customers. In March 2020, Entergy Arkansas filed rebuttal testimony.In July 2020 the APSC issued a decision finding that Entergy Arkansas’s application is not in the public interest. The order also directed Entergy Arkansas to refund to its retail customers within 30 days of the order the FERC-determined over-collection of $13.7 million, plus interest, associated with a recalculated bandwidth remedy. In addition to these primary findings, the order also denied the Attorney General’s request for Entergy Arkansas to prepare a compliance filing detailing all of the retail impacts from the opportunity sales and denied a request by the Arkansas Electric Energy Consumers to recalculate all costs using the revised responsibility ratio. Entergy Arkansas filed a motion for temporary stay of the 30-day requirement to allow Entergy Arkansas a reasonable opportunity to seek rehearing of the APSC order, but in July 2020 the APSC denied Entergy Arkansas’s request for a stay and directed Entergy Arkansas to refund to its retail customers the component of the total FERC-determined opportunity sales payment that was associated with increased bandwidth remedy payments of $13.7 million, plus interest. The refunds were issued in the August 2020 billing cycle. While the APSC denied Entergy Arkansas’s stay request, Entergy Arkansas believes its actions were prudent and, therefore, the costs, including the $13.7 million, plus interest, are recoverable. In July 2020, Entergy Arkansas requested rehearing of the APSC order, which rehearing was denied by the APSC in August 2020. In September 2020, Entergy Arkansas filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas challenging the APSC’s order denying Entergy Arkansas’s request to recover the costs of these payments. In October 2020 the APSC filed a motion to dismiss Entergy Arkansas’s complaint, to which Entergy Arkansas responded. Also in December 2020, Entergy Arkansas and the APSC held a pre-trial conference, and filed a report with the court in January 2021. The court held a hearing in February 2021 regarding issues addressed in the pre-trial conference report, and in June 2021 the court stayed all discovery until it rules on pending motions, after which the court will issue an amended schedule if necessary. In March 2022 the court denied the APSC’s motion to dismiss, and, in April 2022, issued a scheduling order including a trial date in February 2023. In June 2022, Entergy Arkansas filed a motion asserting that it is entitled to summary judgment because Entergy Arkansas’s position that the APSC’s order is pre-empted by the filed rate doctrine and violates the Dormant Commerce Clause is premised on facts that are not subject to genuine dispute. In July 2022, Arkansas Electric Energy Consumers, Inc., an industrial customer association, filed a motion to intervene and to hold Entergy Arkansas’s motion for summary judgment in abeyance pending a ruling on the motion to intervene. Entergy Arkansas filed a consolidated opposition to both motions. In August 2022 the APSC filed a motion for summary judgment arguing that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and the APSC is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. In September 2022, Entergy Arkansas filed an opposition to the motion. In October 2022 the APSC filed a motion asking the court to hold further proceedings in abeyance pending a decision on the motions for summary judgment filed by Entergy Arkansas and the APSC. Also in October 2022, Entergy Arkansas filed an opposition to the motion, and the APSC filed a reply in support of its motion for summary judgment. In January 2023 the judge assigned to the case, on her own motion, identified facts that may present a conflict and recused herself; a new judge was assigned to the case, but he also recused due to a conflict. The case again was reassigned to a new judge. In January 2023 the court denied all pending motions (including those described above) except for a motion by the APSC to exclude certain testimony and further ruled that the matter would proceed to trial. In January 2023, Arkansas Electric Energy Consumers, Inc. filed a notice of appeal of the court’s order denying its motion to intervene to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit and a motion with the district court to stay the proceedings pending the appeal, which was denied. In February 2023, Arkansas Electric Energy Consumers, Inc. filed a motion with the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth District to stay the proceedings pending the appeal, which also was denied. 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 90Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsthe 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. An order from the district court is pending and is anticipated in 2024.Complaints Against System EnergySystem Energy’s operating revenues are derived from the allocation of the capacity, energy, and related costs associated with its 90% ownership/leasehold interest in Grand Gulf. System Energy sells its Grand Gulf capacity and energy to Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy New Orleans pursuant to the Unit Power Sales Agreement. 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. System Energy and the Unit Power Sales Agreement are currently the subject of several litigation proceedings at the FERC, including challenges with respect to System Energy’s authorized return on equity and capital structure, renewal of the sale-leaseback arrangement, treatment of uncertain tax positions, a broader investigation of rates under the Unit Power Sales Agreement, and a prudence complaint 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. The settlement with the MPSC described in “System Energy Settlement with the MPSC” below, and the settlement in principle with the APSC described in “System Energy Settlement with the APSC” below, if approved by the FERC, substantially reduce the aggregate amount of exposure resulting from these claims. The claims in these proceedings include claims for refunds and claims for rate adjustments; the aggregate amount of refunds claimed in these proceedings, after reduction for settlements reached with the MPSC and the APSC (subject in the latter case to approval by the FERC), exceeds the current net book value of System Energy. The claims in these proceedings include claims for refunds and claims for rate adjustments; the aggregate amount of refunds claimed in these proceedings substantially exceeds the net book value of System Energy. Following are discussions of the proceedings.Return on Equity and Capital Structure ComplaintsIn January 2017 the APSC and MPSC filed a complaint with the FERC against System Energy. The complaint seeks a reduction in the return on equity component of the Unit Power Sales Agreement pursuant to which System Energy sells its Grand Gulf capacity and energy to Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy New Orleans. Entergy Arkansas also sells some of its Grand Gulf capacity and energy to Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy New Orleans under separate agreements. The current return on equity under the Unit Power Sales Agreement is 10.94%, which was established in a rate proceeding that became final in July 2001. As discussed below in “System Energy Settlement with the MPSC,” beginning with the July 2022 service month, bills issued to Entergy Mississippi under the Unit Power Sales Agreement reflect a return on equity of 9.65%.The APSC and MPSC complaint alleges that the return on equity is unjust and unreasonable because capital market and other considerations indicate that it is excessive. The complaint requests proceedings to investigate the return on equity and establish a lower return on equity, and also requests that the FERC establish January 23, 2017 as a refund effective date. The complaint includes return on equity analysis that purports to establish that the range of reasonable return on equity for System Energy is between 8.37% and 8.67%. System Energy answered the complaint in February 2017 and disputes that a return on equity of 8.37% to 8.67% is just and reasonable. The LPSC and the City Council intervened in the proceeding expressing support for the complaint. In September 2017 the FERC established a refund effective date of January 23, 2017 and directed the parties to engage in settlement proceedings before an ALJ. The parties were unable to settle the return on equity issue and a FERC hearing judge was assigned in July 2018. The 15-month refund period in connection with the APSC/MPSC complaint expired on April 23, 2018.In April 2018 the LPSC filed a complaint with the FERC against System Energy seeking an additional 15-month refund period. The LPSC complaint requests similar relief from the FERC with respect to System Energy’s return on equity and also requests the FERC to investigate System Energy’s capital structure. The APSC, MPSC, 91Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsand City Council intervened in the proceeding, filed an answer expressing support for the complaint, and asked the FERC to consolidate this proceeding with the proceeding initiated by the complaint of the APSC and MPSC in January 2017. System Energy answered the LPSC complaint in May 2018 and also filed a motion to dismiss the complaint. In August 2018 the FERC issued an order dismissing the LPSC’s request to investigate System Energy’s capital structure and setting for hearing the return on equity complaint, with a refund effective date of April 27, 2018. The 15-month refund period in connection with the LPSC return on equity complaint expired on July 26, 2019.The portion of the LPSC’s complaint dealing with return on equity was subsequently consolidated with the APSC and MPSC complaint for hearing. The parties addressed an order (issued in a separate FERC proceeding involving New England transmission owners) that proposed modifying the FERC’s standard methodology for determining return on equity. In September 2018, System Energy filed a request for rehearing and the LPSC filed a request for rehearing or reconsideration of the FERC’s August 2018 order. The LPSC’s request referenced an amended complaint that it filed on the same day raising the same capital structure claim the FERC had earlier dismissed. The FERC initiated a new proceeding for the amended capital structure complaint, and System Energy submitted a response in October 2018. In January 2019 the FERC set the amended complaint for settlement and hearing proceedings. Settlement proceedings in the capital structure proceeding commenced in February 2019. As noted below, in June 2019, settlement discussions were terminated and the amended capital structure complaint was consolidated with the ongoing return on equity proceeding. The 15-month refund period in connection with the capital structure complaint was from September 24, 2018 to December 23, 2019.In January 2019 the LPSC, the APSC, and the MPSC filed direct testimony in the return on equity proceeding.In January 2019 the LPSC and the APSC and MPSC filed direct testimony in the return on equity proceeding. For the refund period January 23, 2017 through April 23, 2018, the LPSC argues for an authorized return on equity for System Energy of 7.81% and the APSC and the MPSC argue for an authorized return on equity for System Energy of 8.81% and the APSC and MPSC argue for an authorized return on equity for System Energy of 8. 24%. For the refund period April 27, 2018 through July 27, 2019, and for application on a prospective basis, the LPSC argues for an authorized return on equity for System Energy of 7.97% and the APSC and the MPSC argue for an authorized return on equity for System Energy of 8.97% and the APSC and MPSC argue for an authorized return on equity for System Energy of 8. 41%. In March 2019, System Energy submitted answering testimony. For the first refund period, System Energy’s testimony argues for a return on equity of 10.10% (median) or 10.70% (midpoint). For the second refund period, System Energy’s testimony shows that the calculated returns on equity for the first period fall within the range of presumptively just and reasonable returns on equity, and thus the second complaint should be dismissed (and the first period return on equity used going forward). If the FERC nonetheless were to set a new return on equity for the second period (and going forward), System Energy argues the return on equity should be either 10.32% (median) or 10.69% (midpoint).In May 2019 the FERC trial staff filed its direct and answering testimony in the return on equity proceeding. For the first refund period, the FERC trial staff calculates an authorized return on equity for System Energy of 9.89% based on the application of FERC’s proposed methodology. The FERC trial staff’s direct and answering testimony noted that an authorized return on equity of 9.89% for the first refund period was within the range of presumptively just and reasonable returns on equity for the second refund period, as calculated using a study period ending January 31, 2019 for the second refund period.In June 2019, System Energy filed testimony responding to the testimony filed by the FERC trial staff. Among other things, System Energy’s testimony rebutted arguments raised by the FERC trial staff and provided updated calculations for the second refund period based on the study period ending May 31, 2019. For that refund period, System Energy’s testimony shows that strict application of the return on equity methodology proposed by the FERC staff indicates that the second complaint would not be dismissed, and the new return on equity would be set at 9.65% (median) or 9.74% (midpoint). System Energy’s testimony argues that these results are insufficient in light of benchmarks such as state returns on equity and treasury bond yields, and instead proposes that the calculated returns on equity for the second period should be either 9.91% (median) or 10.3% (midpoint). System Energy’s testimony also argues that, under application of its proposed modified methodology, the 10.10% return on equity calculated for the first refund period would fall within the range of presumptively just and reasonable returns on equity for the second refund period.92Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsAlso in June 2019, the FERC’s Chief ALJ issued an order terminating settlement discussions in the amended complaint addressing System Energy’s capital structure.243Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsMost of Entergy’s contracts, except in a few cases where there are defined minimums or stated terms, are on demand. The ALJ consolidated the amended capital structure complaint with the ongoing return on equity proceeding and set new procedural deadlines for the consolidated hearing.In August 2019 the LPSC, the APSC, and the MPSC filed rebuttal testimony in the return on equity proceeding and direct and answering testimony relating to System Energy’s capital structure.In August 2019 the LPSC and the APSC and MPSC filed rebuttal testimony in the return on equity proceeding and direct and answering testimony relating to System Energy’s capital structure. The LPSC re-argues for an authorized return on equity for System Energy of 7.81% for the first refund period and 7.97% for the second refund period. The APSC and the MPSC argue for an authorized return on equity for System Energy of 8. The APSC and MPSC argue for an authorized return on equity for System Energy of 8. 26% for the first refund period and 8.32% for the second refund period. With respect to capital structure, the LPSC proposes that the FERC establish a hypothetical capital structure for System Energy for ratemaking purposes. Specifically, the LPSC proposes that System Energy’s common equity ratio be set to Entergy Corporation’s equity ratio of 37% equity and 63% debt. In the alternative, the LPSC argues that the equity ratio should be no higher than 49%, the composite equity ratio of System Energy and the other Entergy operating companies who purchase under the Unit Power Sales Agreement. The APSC and the MPSC recommend that 35. The APSC and MPSC recommend that 35. 98% be set as the common equity ratio for System Energy. As an alternative, the APSC and the MPSC propose that System Energy’s common equity be set at 46. As an alternative, the APSC and MPSC propose that System Energy’s common equity be set at 46. 75% based on the median equity ratio of the proxy group for setting the return on equity.In September 2019 the FERC trial staff filed its rebuttal testimony in the return on equity proceeding. For the first refund period, the FERC trial staff calculates an authorized return on equity for System Energy of 9.40% based on the application of the FERC’s proposed methodology and an updated proxy group. For the second refund period, based on the study period ending May 31, 2019, the FERC trial staff rebuttal testimony argues for a return on equity of 9.63%. In September 2019 the FERC trial staff also filed direct and answering testimony relating to System Energy’s capital structure. The FERC trial staff argues that the average capital structure of the proxy group used to develop System Energy’s return on equity should be used to establish the capital structure. Using this approach, the FERC trial staff calculates the average capital structure for its proposed proxy group of 46.74% common equity, and 53.26% debt.In October 2019, System Energy filed answering testimony disputing the FERC trial staff’s, the LPSC’s, and the APSC’s and MPSC’s arguments for the use of a hypothetical capital structure and arguing that the use of System Energy’s actual capital structure is just and reasonable.In November 2019, in a proceeding that did not involve System Energy, the FERC issued an order addressing the methodology for determining the return on equity applicable to transmission owners in MISO. Thereafter, the procedural schedule in the System Energy proceeding was amended to allow the participants to file supplemental testimony addressing the order in the MISO transmission owner proceeding (Opinion No. 569).In February 2020 the LPSC, the MPSC and APSC, and the FERC trial staff filed supplemental testimony addressing Opinion No. 569 and how it would affect the return on equity evaluation for the two complaint periods concerning System Energy. For the first refund period, based on their respective interpretations and applications of the Opinion No. 569 methodology, the LPSC argues for an authorized return on equity for System Energy of 8.44%; the MPSC and APSC argue for an authorized return on equity of 8.41%; and the FERC trial staff argues for an authorized return on equity of 9.22%. For the second refund period and on a prospective basis, based on their respective interpretations and applications of the Opinion No. 569 methodology, the LPSC argues for an authorized return on equity for System Energy of 7.89%; the MPSC and APSC argue that an authorized return on equity of 8.01% may be appropriate; and the FERC trial staff argues for an authorized return on equity of 8.66%.In April 2020, System Energy filed supplemental answering testimony addressing Opinion No. 569. System Energy argues that the Opinion No. 569 methodology is conceptually and analytically defective for purposes of establishing just and reasonable authorized return on equity determinations and proposes an alternative approach. As its primary recommendation, System Energy continues to support the return on equity determinations 93Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsin its March 2019 testimony for the first refund period and its June 2019 testimony for the second refund period. As its primary recommendation, System Energy continues to support the return on equity determinations in its March 2019 testimony for the first refund period and its June 2019 testimony for the second refund period. Under the Opinion No. 569 methodology, System Energy calculates a “presumptively just and reasonable range” for the authorized return on equity for the first refund period of 8.57% to 9.52%, and for the second refund period of 8.28% to 9.11%. System Energy argues that these ranges are not just and reasonable results. Under its proposed alternative methodology, System Energy calculates an authorized return on equity of 10.26% for the first refund period, which also falls within the presumptively just and reasonable range calculated for the second refund period and prospectively.In May 2020 the FERC issued an order on rehearing of Opinion No. 569 (Opinion No. 569-A). In June 2020 the procedural schedule in the System Energy proceeding was further revised in order to allow parties to address the Opinion No. 569-A methodology. Pursuant to the revised schedule, in June 2020, the LPSC, MPSC and APSC, and the FERC trial staff filed supplemental testimony addressing Opinion No. 569-A and how it would affect the return on equity evaluation for the two complaint periods concerning System Energy. For the first refund period, based on their respective interpretations and applications of the Opinion No. 569-A methodology, the LPSC argues for an authorized return on equity for System Energy of 7.97%; the MPSC and APSC argue for an authorized return on equity of 9.24%; and the FERC trial staff argues for an authorized return on equity of 9.49%. For the second refund period and on a prospective basis, based on their respective interpretations and applications of the Opinion No. 569-A methodology, the LPSC argues for an authorized return on equity for System Energy of 7.78%; the MPSC and APSC argue that an authorized return on equity of 9.15% may be appropriate if the second complaint is not dismissed; and the FERC trial staff argues for an authorized return on equity of 9.09% if the second complaint is not dismissed.Pursuant to the revised procedural schedule, in July 2020, System Energy filed supplemental testimony addressing Opinion No. 569-A. System Energy argues that strict application of the Opinion No. 569-A methodology produces results inconsistent with investor requirements and does not provide a sound basis on which to evaluate System Energy’s authorized return on equity. As its primary recommendation, System Energy argues for the use of a methodology that incorporates four separate financial models, including the constant growth form of the discounted cash flow model and the empirical capital asset pricing model. Based on application of its recommended methodology, System Energy argues for an authorized return on equity of 10.12% for the first refund period, which also falls within the presumptively just and reasonable range calculated for the second refund period and prospectively. Under the Opinion No. 569-A methodology, System Energy calculates an authorized return on equity of 9.44% for the first refund period, which also falls within the presumptively just and reasonable range calculated for the second refund period and prospectively.The parties and FERC trial staff filed final rounds of testimony in August 2020. The hearing before a FERC ALJ occurred in late-September through early-October 2020, post-hearing briefing took place in November and December 2020.In March 2021 the FERC ALJ issued an initial decision. 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 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 $41 million, which includes interest through December 31, 2023, and the estimated resulting annual rate reduction would be approximately $25 million. If the ALJ’s initial decision is upheld, the estimated refund for this proceeding is approximately $63 million, which includes interest through December 31, 2022, and the estimated resulting annual rate reduction would be approximately $35 million. As a result of the 94Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statements2022 settlement agreement with the MPSC, both the estimated refund and rate reduction exclude Entergy Mississippi's portion. See “System Energy Settlement with the MPSC” below for discussion of the settlement. See “System Energy Settlement with the MPSC” below for discussion of the regulatory charge and corresponding regulatory liability recorded in June 2022 related to these proceedings. 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. Also in April 2021 the LPSC, APSC, MPSC, 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.As discussed in “System Energy Settlement with the MPSC” below, beginning with the July 2022 service month, bills issued to Entergy Mississippi under the Unit Power Sales Agreement were adjusted to reflect a capital structure not to exceed 52% equity.In August 2022 the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals issued an order addressing appeals of FERC’s Opinion No. 569 and 569-A, which established the methodology applied in the ALJ’s initial decision in the proceeding against System Energy discussed above. The appellate order addressed the methodology for determining the return on equity applicable to transmission owners in MISO. The D.C. Circuit found the FERC’s use of the Risk Premium model as part of the methodology to be arbitrary and capricious, and remanded the case back to the FERC. The remanded case is pending FERC action.Grand Gulf Sale-leaseback Renewal Complaint and Uncertain Tax Position Rate Base IssueIn 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 complaint alleges that System Energy violated the filed rate and the FERC’s ratemaking and accounting requirements when it included in Unit Power Sales Agreement billings the cost of capital additions associated with the sale-leaseback interest, and that System Energy is double-recovering costs by including both the lease payments and the capital additions in Unit Power Sales Agreement billings. The complaint also claims that System Energy was imprudent in entering into the sale-leaseback renewal because the Utility operating companies that purchase Grand Gulf’s output from System Energy could have obtained cheaper capacity and energy in the MISO markets. The complaint further alleges that System Energy violated various other reporting and accounting requirements and should have sought prior FERC approval of the lease renewal. The complaint seeks various forms of relief from the FERC. The complaint seeks refunds for capital addition costs for all years in which they were recorded in allegedly non-formula accounts or, alternatively, the disallowance of the return on equity for the capital additions in those years plus interest. The complaint also asks that the FERC disallow and refund the lease costs of the sale-leaseback renewal on grounds of imprudence, investigate System Energy’s treatment of a DOE litigation payment, and impose certain forward-looking procedural protections, including audit rights for retail regulators of the Unit Power Sales Agreement formula rates. The APSC, the MPSC, and the City Council intervened in the proceeding. The APSC, MPSC, and City Council intervened in the proceeding. In June 2018, System Energy and Entergy Services filed a motion to dismiss and an answer to the LPSC complaint denying that System Energy’s treatment of the sale-leaseback renewal and capital additions violated the terms of the filed rate or any other FERC ratemaking, accounting, or legal requirements or otherwise constituted double recovery. The response also argued that the complaint is inconsistent with a FERC-approved settlement to which the LPSC is a party and that explicitly authorizes System Energy to recover its lease payments. Finally, the response argued that both the capital additions and the sale-leaseback renewal were prudent investments and the LPSC complaint fails to justify any disallowance or refunds. The response also offered to submit formula rate protocols for the Unit Power Sales Agreement similar to the procedures used for reviewing transmission rates under 95Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsthe MISO tariff. The response also offered to submit formula rate protocols for the Unit Power Sales Agreement similar to the procedures used for reviewing transmission rates under the MISO tariff. In September 2018 the FERC issued an order setting the complaint for hearing and settlement proceedings. The FERC established a refund effective date of May 18, 2018.In February 2019 the presiding ALJ ruled that the hearing ordered by the FERC includes the issue of whether specific subcategories of accumulated deferred income tax should be included in, or excluded from, System Energy’s formula rate. In March 2019 the LPSC, the MPSC, the APSC and the City Council filed direct testimony. In March 2019 the LPSC, MPSC, APSC and City Council filed direct testimony. The LPSC testimony sought refunds that include the renewal lease payments (approximately $17.2 million per year since July 2015), rate base reductions for accumulated deferred income tax associated with uncertain tax positions, and the cost of capital additions associated with the sale-leaseback interest, as well as interest on those amounts.In June 2019 System Energy filed answering testimony arguing that the FERC should reject all claims for refunds. Among other things, System Energy argued that claims for refunds of the costs of lease renewal payments and capital additions should be rejected because those costs were recovered consistent with the Unit Power Sales Agreement formula rate, System Energy was not over or double recovering any costs, and ratepayers will save costs over the initial and renewal terms of the leases. System Energy argued that claims for refunds associated with liabilities arising from uncertain tax positions should be rejected because the liabilities do not provide cost-free capital, the repayment timing of the liabilities is uncertain, and the outcome of the underlying tax positions is uncertain. System Energy’s testimony also challenged the refund calculations supplied by the other parties.In August 2019 the FERC trial staff filed direct and answering testimony seeking refunds for rate base reductions for liabilities associated with uncertain tax positions. The FERC trial staff also argued that System Energy recovered $32 million more than it should have in depreciation expense for capital additions. In September 2019, System Energy filed cross-answering testimony disputing the FERC trial staff’s arguments for refunds, stating that the FERC trial staff’s position regarding depreciation rates for capital additions is not unreasonable, but explaining that any change in depreciation expense is only one element of a Unit Power Sales Agreement re-billing calculation. Adjustments to depreciation expense in any re-billing under the Unit Power Sales Agreement formula rate will also involve changes to accumulated depreciation, accumulated deferred income taxes, and other formula elements as needed. In October 2019 the LPSC filed rebuttal testimony increasing the amount of refunds sought for liabilities associated with uncertain tax positions. The LPSC seeks approximately $512 million plus interest, which is approximately $310 million through December 31, 2023. The LPSC seeks approximately $512 million plus interest, which is approximately $248 million through December 31, 2022. The FERC trial staff also filed rebuttal testimony in which it seeks refunds of a similar amount as the LPSC for the liabilities associated with uncertain tax positions. The LPSC testimony also argued that adjustments to depreciation rates should affect rate base on a prospective basis only.A hearing was held before a FERC ALJ in November 2019. In April 2020 the ALJ issued the initial decision. Among other things, the ALJ determined that refunds were due on three main issues. First, with regard to the lease renewal payments, the ALJ determined that System Energy is recovering an unjust acquisition premium through the lease renewal payments, and that System Energy’s recovery from customers through rates should be limited to the cost of service based on the remaining net book value of the leased assets, which is approximately $70 million. The ALJ found that the remedy for this issue should be the refund of lease payments (approximately $17.2 million per year since July 2015) with interest determined at the FERC quarterly interest rate, which would be offset by the addition of the net book value of the leased assets in the cost of service. The ALJ did not calculate a value for the refund expected as a result of this remedy. In addition, System Energy would no longer recover the lease payments in rates prospectively. Second, with regard to the liabilities associated with uncertain tax positions, the ALJ determined that the liabilities are accumulated deferred income taxes and that System Energy’s rate base should have been reduced for those liabilities. The ALJ also found that System Energy should include liabilities associated with uncertain tax positions as a rate base reduction going forward. Third, with regard to the depreciation expense adjustments, the ALJ found that System Energy should correct for the error in re-billings retroactively and prospectively, but that System Energy should not be permitted to recover interest on any retroactive return on enhanced rate base resulting from such corrections.96Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsIn June 2020, System Energy, the LPSC, and the FERC trial staff filed briefs on exceptions, challenging several of the initial decision’s findings.78Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsIn July 2020, Entergy Texas filed an application with the PUCT to implement an interim fuel refund of $25. System Energy’s brief on exceptions challenged the initial decision’s limitations on recovery of the lease renewal payments, its proposed rate base refund for the liabilities associated with uncertain tax positions, and its proposal to asymmetrically treat interest on bill corrections for depreciation expense adjustments. The LPSC’s and the FERC trial staff’s briefs on exceptions each challenged the initial decision’s allowance for recovery of the cost of service associated with the lease renewal based on the remaining net book value of the leased assets, its calculation of the remaining net book value of the leased assets, and the amount of the initial decision’s proposed rate base refund for the liabilities associated with uncertain tax positions. The LPSC’s brief on exceptions also challenged the initial decision’s proposal that depreciation expense adjustments include retroactive adjustments to rate base and its finding that section 203 of the Federal Power Act did not apply to the lease renewal. The FERC trial staff’s brief on exceptions also challenged the initial decision’s finding that the FERC need not institute a formal investigation into System Energy’s tariff. In October 2020, System Energy, the LPSC, the MPSC, the APSC, and the City Council filed briefs opposing exceptions. System Energy opposed the exceptions filed by the LPSC and the FERC trial staff. The LPSC, the MPSC, the APSC, the City Council, and the FERC trial staff opposed the exceptions filed by System Energy. The LPSC, MPSC, APSC, City Council, and the FERC trial staff opposed the exceptions filed by System Energy. Also in October 2020 the MPSC, the APSC, and the City Council filed briefs adopting the exceptions of the LPSC and the FERC trial staff. Also in October 2020 the MPSC, APSC, and the City Council filed briefs adopting the exceptions of the LPSC and the FERC trial staff. In addition, in September 2020, the IRS issued a Notice of Proposed Adjustment (NOPA) and Entergy executed it. The NOPA memorializes the IRS’s decision to adjust the 2015 consolidated federal income tax return of Entergy Corporation and certain of its subsidiaries, including System Energy, with regard to the uncertain decommissioning tax position. Pursuant to the audit resolution documented in the NOPA, the IRS allowed System Energy’s inclusion of $102 million of future nuclear decommissioning costs in System Energy’s cost of goods sold for the 2015 tax year, roughly 10% of the requested deduction, but disallowed the balance of the position. In September 2020, System Energy filed a motion to lodge the NOPA into the record in the FERC proceeding. In October 2020 the LPSC, the APSC, the MPSC, the City Council, and the FERC trial staff filed oppositions to System Energy’s motion. As a result of the NOPA issued by the IRS in September 2020, System Energy filed, in October 2020, a new Federal Power Act section 205 filing at FERC to establish an ongoing rate base credit for the accumulated deferred income taxes resulting from the decommissioning uncertain tax position. On a prospective basis beginning with the October 2020 bill, System Energy proposes to include the accumulated deferred income taxes arising from the successful portion of the decommissioning uncertain tax position as a credit to rate base under the Unit Power Sales Agreement. In November 2020 the LPSC, the APSC, the MPSC, and the City Council filed a protest to the filing, and System Energy responded. In November 2020 the LPSC, APSC, MPSC, and City Council filed a protest to the filing, and System Energy responded. In November 2020 the IRS issued a Revenue Agent’s Report (RAR) for the 2014/2015 tax year and in December 2020 Entergy executed it. The RAR contained the same adjustment to the uncertain nuclear decommissioning tax position as that which the IRS had announced in the NOPA. In December 2020, System Energy filed a motion to lodge the RAR into the record in the FERC proceeding addressing the uncertain tax position rate base issue. In January 2021 the LPSC, the APSC, the MPSC, and the City Council filed a protest to the motion. In January 2021 the LPSC, APSC, MPSC, and City Council filed a protest to the motion. As a result of the RAR, in December 2020, System Energy filed amendments to its new Federal Power Act section 205 filings to establish an ongoing rate base credit for the accumulated deferred income taxes resulting from the decommissioning uncertain tax position and to credit excess accumulated deferred income taxes arising from the successful portion of the decommissioning uncertain tax position. The amendments both propose the inclusion of the RAR as support for the filings. In December 2020 the LPSC, the APSC, and the City Council filed a protest in response to the amendments, reiterating their prior objections to the filings. In December 2020 the LPSC, APSC, and City Council filed a protest in response to the amendments, reiterating their prior objections to the filings. In February 2021 the FERC issued an order accepting System Energy’s Federal Power Act section 205 filings subject to refund, setting them for hearing, and holding the hearing in abeyance.In December 2020, System Energy filed a new Federal Power Act section 205 filing to provide a one-time, historical credit of $25.2 million for the accumulated deferred income taxes that would have been created by the decommissioning uncertain tax position if the IRS’s decision had been known in 2016. In January 2021 the LPSC, 97Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsAPSC, MPSC, and City Council filed a protest to the filing. In February 2021 the FERC issued an order accepting System Energy’s Federal Power Act section 205 filing subject to refund, setting it for hearing, and holding the hearing in abeyance. The one-time credit was made during the first quarter 2021.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.As a result of the FERC order’s directives regarding the recovery of the sale-leaseback transaction, in December 2022 System Energy reduced the Grand Gulf sale-leaseback regulatory liability by $56 million, reduced the related accumulated deferred income tax asset by $94 million, and reduced the Grand Gulf sale-leaseback accumulated deferred income tax regulatory liability by $25 million, resulting in an increase in income tax expense of $13 million. In addition, the FERC determined that System Energy recognized excess depreciation expense related to property subject to the sale-leaseback. As a result, in December 2022, System Energy recorded a reduction in depreciation expense and the related accumulated depreciation of $33 million.In January 2023, System Energy filed its compliance report with the FERC. 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. See “System Energy Settlement with the MPSC” below for discussion of the regulatory charge and corresponding regulatory liability recorded in June 2022 related to these proceedings. The $103.5 million in total refunds calculated in the compliance filing were reclassified from long-term other regulatory liabilities to a current regulatory liability as of December 31, 2022. In January 2023, System Energy paid the refunds of $103.5 million, which included refunds of $41.7 million to Entergy Arkansas, $27.8 million to Entergy Louisiana, and $34 million to Entergy New Orleans.In February 2023 the LPSC, the APSC, and the City Council filed protests to System Energy’s January 2023 compliance report, in which they challenged System Energy’s calculation of the refunds associated with the decommissioning tax position but did not protest the other components of the compliance report. Each of them argued that System Energy should have paid additional refunds for the decommissioning tax position issue, and the City Council estimated the total additional refunds owed to customers of Entergy Louisiana, Entergy New Orleans, and Entergy Arkansas for that issue as $493 million, including interest (and without factoring in the $25.2 million refund that System Energy already paid in 2021).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 98Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsDecember 2022 order’s remedy concerning the decommissioning tax position.In January 2023, System Energy also 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. The deemed denial of the rehearing request initiates the 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 February 2023, System Energy submitted a tariff compliance filing with the FERC to clarify that, consistent with the releases provided in the MPSC settlement, Entergy Mississippi will continue to be charged for its allocation of the sale-leaseback renewal costs under the Unit Power Sales Agreement. See “System Energy Settlement with the MPSC” below for discussion of the settlement. See “System Energy Settlement with the MPSC” below for discussion of the regulatory charge and corresponding regulatory liability recorded in June 2022 related to these proceedings. In March 2023 the MPSC filed a protest to System Energy’s tariff compliance filing. The MPSC argues that the settlement did not specifically address post-settlement sale-leaseback renewal costs and that the sale-leaseback renewal costs may not be recovered under the Unit Power Sales Agreement. Entergy Mississippi’s allocated sale-leaseback renewal costs are estimated at $5.7 million annually for the remaining term of the sale-leaseback renewal.In August 2023 the FERC issued an order addressing arguments raised on rehearing and partially setting aside the prior order (rehearing order).In August 2021 the FERC issued an order addressing System Energy’s and the complainants’ rehearing requests. 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. As a result of the FERC’s rulings on the sale-leaseback and depreciation input issues in the August 2023 rehearing order, in third quarter 2023, System Energy recorded a regulatory asset and corresponding regulatory credit of $40 million to reflect the portion of the January 2023 refunds to be recouped from Entergy Louisiana and Entergy New Orleans. Consistent with the compliance filing, in October 2023, Entergy Louisiana and Entergy New Orleans paid recoupment amounts of $18.2 million and $22.4 million and $2. 3 million, respectively, to System Energy.4 million, respectively. 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.99Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsIn September 2023, System Energy filed a protective appeal of the rehearing order with the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.75Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsIn March 2021, Entergy Arkansas filed its annual redetermination of its energy cost rate pursuant to the energy cost recovery rider, which reflected a decrease from $0. 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 February 2023 the FERC issued a notice that the rehearing requests have 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. In November 2017 the FERC issued an order denying all of the remaining requests for rehearing of the April 2016 order. 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 February 2024 the parties filed a proposed briefing schedule under which briefing will occur from March 2024 through July 2024.LPSC Additional ComplaintsIn 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 LPSC directive noted that the initial decision issued by the presiding ALJ in the Grand Gulf sale-leaseback complaint proceeding did not address, for procedural reasons, certain rate issues raised by the LPSC and declined to order further investigation of rates charged by System Energy. The LPSC directive authorized its staff to file complaints at the FERC “necessary to address these rate issues, to request a full investigation into the rates charged by System Energy for Grand Gulf power, and to seek rate refund, rate reduction, and such other remedies as may be necessary and appropriate to protect Louisiana ratepayers.” The LPSC directive further stated that the LPSC has seen “information suggesting that the Grand Gulf plant has been significantly underperforming compared to other nuclear plants in the United States, has had several extended and unexplained outages, and has been plagued with serious safety concerns.” The LPSC expressed concern that the costs paid by Entergy Louisiana's retail customers may have been detrimentally impacted, and authorized “the filing of a FERC complaint to address these performance issues and to seek appropriate refund, rate reduction, and other remedies as may be appropriate.”Unit Power Sales Agreement ComplaintThe 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. The 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. Several of the filed rate allegations overlap with the previous complaints. The filed rate allegations not previously raised are that System Energy: failed to provide a rate base credit to customers for the “time value” of sale-leaseback lease payments collected from customers in advance of the time those payments were due to the owner-lessors; improperly included certain sale-leaseback transaction costs in rate base as prepayments; improperly included nuclear refueling outage costs in rate base; wrongly included categories of accumulated deferred income taxes as increases to rate base; charged customers based on a higher equity ratio than would be 100Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsappropriate due to excessive retained earnings; and did not correctly reflect money pool investments and imprudently invested cash into the money pool. The filed rate allegations not previously raised are that System Energy: failed to provide a rate base credit to customers for the “time value” of sale-leaseback lease payments collected from customers in advance of the time those payments were due to the owner-lessors; improperly included certain lease refinancing costs in rate base as prepayments; improperly included nuclear decommissioning outage costs in rate base; failed to include categories of accumulated deferred income taxes as a reduction to rate base; charged customers based on a higher equity ratio than would be appropriate due to excessive retained earnings; and did not correctly reflect money pool investments and imprudently invested cash into the money pool. The elements of the Unit Power Sales Agreement that the complaint alleges are unjust and unreasonable include: the current cash working capital allowance of zero, uncapped recovery of incentive and executive compensation, lack of an equity re-opener, and recovery of lobbying and private airplane travel expenses. The elements of the Unit Power Sales Agreement that the complaint alleges are unjust and unreasonable include: incentive and executive compensation, lack of an equity re-opener, lobbying, and private airplane travel. The complaint also requests a rate investigation into the Unit Power Sales Agreement and System Energy’s billing practices pursuant to section 206 of the Federal Power Act, including any issue relevant to the Unit Power Sales Agreement and its inputs. System Energy filed its answer opposing the complaint in November 2020. In its answer, System Energy argued that all of the claims raised in the complaint should be dismissed and agreed that bill adjustment with respect to two discrete issues were justified. System Energy argued that dismissal is warranted because all claims fall into one or more of the following categories: the claims have been raised and are being litigated in another proceeding; the claims do not present a prima facie case and do not satisfy the threshold burden to establish a complaint proceeding; the claims are premised on a theory or request relief that is incompatible with federal law or FERC policy; the claims request relief that is inconsistent with the filed rate; the claims are barred or waived by the legal doctrine of laches; and/or the claims have been fully addressed and do not warrant further litigation. In December 2020, System Energy filed a bill adjustment report indicating that $3.4 million had been credited to customers in connection with the two discrete issues concerning the inclusion of certain accumulated deferred income taxes balances in rates. In January 2021 the complainants filed a response to System Energy’s November 2020 answer, and in February 2021, System Energy filed a response to the complainant’s response.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 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 FERC’s review of the initial decision in the Grand Gulf sale-leaseback renewal complaint discussed above. System Energy agreed that the hearing should be held in abeyance but sought rehearing of FERC’s decision as related to matters set for hearing that were beyond the scope of FERC’s jurisdiction or authority. The complainants sought rehearing of FERC’s decision to hold the hearing in abeyance and filed a motion to proceed, which motion System Energy subsequently opposed. In June 2021, System Energy’s request for rehearing was denied by operation of law, and System Energy filed an appeal of FERC’s orders in the Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. The appeal was initially stayed for a period of 90 days, but the stay expired. In November 2021 the Fifth Circuit dismissed the appeal as premature.In August 2021 the FERC issued an order addressing System Energy’s and the complainants’ rehearing requests. The FERC dismissed part of the complaint seeking an equity re-opener, maintained the abeyance for issues related to the proceeding addressing the sale-leaseback renewal and uncertain tax positions, lifted the abeyance for issues unrelated to that proceeding, and clarified the scope of the hearing.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. The LPSC’s refund claims include, among other things, allegations that: (1) System Energy should not have included certain sale-leaseback transaction costs in prepayments; (2) System Energy should have credited rate base to reflect the time value of money associated with the advance collection of lease payments; (3) System Energy incorrectly included refueling outage costs that were recorded in account 174 in rate base; and (4) System Energy should have excluded several accumulated deferred income tax balances in account 190 from rate base. The LPSC is also seeking a retroactive adjustment to retained earnings and capital structure in conjunction with the implementation of its proposed refunds. In addition, the LPSC seeks amendments to the Unit Power Sales Agreement going forward to address below-the-line costs, incentive compensation, the working capital allowance, litigation expenses, and the 2019 termination of the capital funds agreement. The APSC argues that: (1) System Energy should have included borrowings from the Entergy system money pool in its determination of short-term debt in its cost of capital; and (2) System Energy should credit customers with System Energy’s allocation of earnings on money pool investments. The City Council alleges that System Energy has maintained excess cash on hand in the money pool and that retention of excess cash was imprudent. Based on this allegation, the City Council’s witness recommends a refund of approximately $98.8 million for the period 2004-September 2021 or other alternative relief. The City Council 101Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsfurther recommends that the FERC impose a hypothetical equity ratio such as 48.15% equity to capital on a prospective basis.In January 2022, System Energy filed answering testimony arguing that the FERC should not order refunds for prior periods or any prospective amendments to the Unit Power Sales Agreement. In response to the LPSC’s refund claims, System Energy argues, among other things, that: (1) the inclusion of sale-leaseback transaction costs in prepayments was correct; (2) that the filed rate doctrine bars the request for a retroactive credit to rate base for the time value of money associated with the advance collection of lease payments; (3) that an accounting misclassification for deferred refueling outage costs has been corrected, caused no harm to customers, and requires no refunds; and (4) that its accounting and ratemaking treatment of specified accumulated deferred income tax balances in account 190 has been correct. System Energy further responds that no retroactive adjustment to retained earnings or capital structure should be ordered because there is no general policy requiring such a remedy, and there was no showing that the retained earnings element of the capital structure was incorrectly implemented. Further, System Energy presented evidence that all of the costs that are being challenged were long known to the retail regulators and were approved by them for inclusion in retail rates, and the attempt to retroactively challenge these costs, some of which have been included in rates for decades, is unjust and unreasonable. In response to the LPSC’s proposed going-forward adjustments, System Energy presents evidence to show that none of the proposed adjustments are needed. On the issue of below-the-line expenses, during discovery procedures System Energy identified a historical allocation error in certain months and agreed to provide a bill credit to customers to correct the error. In response to the APSC’s claims, System Energy argues that the Unit Power Sales Agreement does not include System Energy’s borrowings from the Entergy system money pool or earnings on deposits to the Entergy system money pool in the determination of the cost of capital; and accordingly, no refunds are appropriate on those issues. In response to the APSC’s claims, System Energy argues that the Unit Power Sales Agreement does not include System Energy’s borrowings from the Entergy System money pool or earnings on deposits to the Entergy System money pool in the determination of the cost of capital; and accordingly, no refunds are appropriate on those issues. In response to the City Council’s claims, System Energy argues that it has reasonably managed its cash and that the City Council’s theory of cash management is defective because it fails to adequately consider the relevant cash needs of System Energy and it makes faulty presumptions about the operation of the Entergy system money pool. System Energy further points out that the issue of its capital structure is already subject to pending FERC litigation.In March 2022 the FERC trial staff filed direct and answering testimony in response to the LPSC, the APSC, and the City Council’s direct testimony. In its testimony, the FERC trial staff recommends refunds for two primary reasons: (1) it concluded that System Energy should have excluded specified accumulated deferred income tax balances in account 190 associated with rate refunds; and (2) it concluded that System Energy should have excluded specified accumulated deferred income tax balances in account 190 associated with a deemed contract satisfaction and reissuance that occurred in 2005. The FERC trial staff recommends refunds of $84.1 million, exclusive of any tax gross-up or FERC interest. In addition, the FERC trial staff recommends the following prospective modifications to the Unit Power Sales Agreement: (1) inclusion of a rate base credit to recognize the time value of money associated with the advance collection of lease payments; (2) exclusion of executive incentive compensation costs for members of the Office of the Chief Executive and long-term performance unit costs where awards are based solely or primarily on financial metrics; and (3) exclusion of unvested, accrued amounts for stock options, performance units, and restricted stock awards. With respect to issues that ultimately concern the reasonableness of System Energy’s rate of return, the FERC trial staff states that it is unnecessary to consider such issues in this proceeding, in light of the pending case concerning System Energy’s return on equity and capital structure. On all other material issues raised by the LPSC, the APSC, and the City Council, the FERC trial staff recommends either no refunds or no modification to the Unit Power Sales Agreement.In April 2022, System Energy filed cross-answering testimony in response to the FERC trial staff’s recommendations of refunds for the accumulated deferred income taxes issues and proposed modifications to the Unit Power Sales Agreement for the executive incentive compensation issues. 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 associated with a deemed contract satisfaction and reissuance that occurred in 2005. Based on the testimony revisions, the FERC trial staff’s recommended refunds total $106.6 million, exclusive of any tax gross-up or FERC awarded interest. Also in June 2022, System Energy 102Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsfiled 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. The LPSC’s testimony asserts new claims, including that: (1) certain of the sale-leaseback transaction costs may have been imprudently incurred; (2) accumulated deferred income taxes associated with sale-leaseback transaction costs should have been included in rate base; (3) accumulated deferred income taxes associated with federal investment tax credits should have been excluded from rate base; (4) monthly net operating loss accumulated deferred income taxes should have been excluded from rate base; and (5) several categories of proposed rate changes, including executive incentive compensation, air travel, industry dues, and legal costs, also warrant historical refunds. The LPSC’s rebuttal testimony argues that refunds for the alleged tariff violations and other claims must be calculated by rerunning the Unit Power Sales Agreement formula rate; however, it includes estimates of refunds associated with some, but not all, of its claims, totaling $286 million without interest. The City Council’s rebuttal testimony also proposes a new, alternate theory and claim for relief regarding System Energy’s participation in the Entergy system money pool, under which it calculates estimated refunds of approximately $51.7 million. The APSC’s rebuttal testimony agrees with the LPSC’s direct testimony that retained earnings should be adjusted in a comprehensive refund calculation. The testimony quantifies the estimated impacts of three issues: (1) a $1.5 million reduction in the revenue requirement under the Unit Power Sales Agreement if System Energy’s borrowings from the money pool are included in short-term debt; (2) a $1.9 million reduction in the revenue requirement if System Energy’s allocated share of money pool earnings are credited through the Unit Power Sales Agreement; and (3) a $1.9 million reduction in the revenue requirement for every $50 million of refunds ordered in a given year, without interest. In total, excluding the settled issues noted below, the claims seek more than $700 million in refunds and interest, based on charges to all Unit Power Sales Agreement purchasers including Entergy Mississippi.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.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 provides that System Energy will 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 (discussed below), 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 Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, and Entergy New Orleans would total approximately $116 million plus $152 million of interest through December 31, 2023. 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.4 million, respectively. 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 103Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementswhich the complainants sought refunds or changes to the Unit Power Sales Agreement, the initial decision ruled against the complainants. Beneficial interest from these 183Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsinvestments is allocated to the plans and participating Registrant Subsidiary based on their portion of net assets in the pooled accounts. 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.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. 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.Grand Gulf Prudence ComplaintThe second of the additional complaints was filed at the FERC in March 2021 by the LPSC, the APSC, and the City Council against System Energy, Entergy Services, Entergy Operations, and Entergy Corporation. The second complaint contains two primary allegations. First, it alleges that, based on the plant’s capacity factor and alleged safety performance, System Energy and the other respondents imprudently operated Grand Gulf during the period 2016-2020, and it seeks refunds of at least $360 million in alleged replacement energy costs, in addition to other costs, including those that can only be identified upon further investigation. Second, it alleges that the performance and/or management of the 2012 extended power uprate of Grand Gulf was imprudent, and it seeks refunds of all costs of the 2012 uprate that are determined to result from imprudent planning or management of the project. In addition to the requested refunds, the complaint asks that the FERC modify the Unit Power Sales Agreement to provide for full cost recovery only if certain performance indicators are met and to require pre-authorization of capital improvement projects in excess of $125 million before related costs may be passed through to customers in rates. In April 2021, System Energy and the other respondents filed their motion to dismiss and answer to the complaint. System Energy requested that the FERC dismiss the claims within the complaint. With respect to the claim concerning operations, System Energy argues that the complaint does not meet its legal burden because, among other reasons, it fails to allege any specific imprudent conduct. With respect to the claim concerning the uprate, System Energy argues that the complaint fails because, among other reasons, the complainants’ own conduct prevents them from raising a serious doubt as to the prudence of the uprate. System Energy also requests that the FERC dismiss other elements of the complaint, including the proposed modifications to the Unit Power Sales Agreement, because they are not warranted. Additional responsive pleadings were filed by the complainants and System Energy during the period from March through July 2021. In November 2022 the FERC issued an order setting the complaint for settlement and hearing procedures. In February 2023 the FERC issued an order denying rehearing and thereby affirming its order setting the complaint for settlement and hearing procedures. In July 2023 the FERC chief ALJ terminated settlement procedures and appointed a presiding ALJ to oversee hearing procedures. In September 2023 a procedural schedule for hearing procedures was established. Pursuant to that schedule, the complainant’s testimony was filed in December 2023. System Energy’s answering testimony is due April 2024, and additional rounds of testimony are due through October 2024. The hearing is scheduled to begin in January 2025, with the presiding ALJ’s initial decision due in July 2025.In September 2023 the LPSC authorized its staff to file an additional complaint concerning the prudence of System Energy’s operation and management of Grand Gulf in the year 2022. In October 2023 the LPSC, the 104Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsAPSC, and the City Council filed what they styled as an amended and supplemental complaint with the FERC against System Energy, Entergy Services, and Entergy Operations. As discussed below in “System Energy Settlement with the APSC”, the APSC has settled all of its claims related to this proceeding. The amended complaint states that it is being filed for three primary purposes: (1) to include System Energy’s performance in 2021-2022 in the scope of the hearing; (2) to explicitly allege that System Energy’s inadequate performance, excessive costs, unplanned outages, and costs attributable to safety violations violate the contractual obligation to maintain and operate the plant in accordance with “good utility practice”; and (3) to provide and substantiate allegations concerning the damages attributable to the alleged breach of contractual obligations. The amended complaint alleges that potentially more than $1 billion in damages may be due. In November 2023, System Energy and the other Entergy respondents filed an answer and motion to dismiss the amended and supplemental complaint.System Energy Settlement with the MPSCIn June 2022, System Energy, Entergy Mississippi, and additional named Entergy parties involved in thirteen docketed proceedings before the FERC filed with the FERC a partial settlement agreement and offer of settlement. The settlement memorializes the Entergy parties’ agreement with the MPSC to globally resolve all actual and potential claims between the Entergy parties and the MPSC associated with those FERC proceedings and with System Energy’s past implementation of the Unit Power Sales Agreement. 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. Entergy Mississippi purchases the greatest single amount, nearly 40% of System Energy’s share of Grand Gulf, after its additional purchases from affiliates are considered. The settlement therefore limits System Energy’s overall refund exposure associated with the identified proceedings because they will be resolved completely as between the Entergy parties and the MPSC.The settlement provided for a black-box refund of $235 million from System Energy to Entergy Mississippi, which was to be paid within 120 days of the settlement’s effective date (either the date of the FERC approval of the settlement without material modification, or the date that all settling parties agree to accept modifications or otherwise modify the settlement in response to a proposed material modification by the FERC). In addition, beginning with the July 2022 service month, the settlement provided for Entergy Mississippi’s bills from System Energy to be adjusted to reflect: an authorized rate of return on equity of 9.65%, a capital structure not to exceed 52% equity, a rate base reduction for the advance collection of sale-leaseback rental costs, and the exclusion of certain long-term incentive plan performance unit costs from rates. The settlement was approved by the MPSC in June 2022 and the FERC in November 2022. The settlement was approved by the LPSC in November 2022. System Energy previously recorded a provision and associated liability of $37 million for elements of the applicable litigation. In June 2022, System Energy recorded a regulatory charge of $551 million ($413 million net-of-tax), increasing the regulatory liability to $588 million, which consisted of $235 million for the settlement with the MPSC and $353 million for potential future refunds to Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, and Entergy New Orleans. System Energy paid the black-box refund of $235 million to Entergy Mississippi in November 2022. See “System Energy Regulatory Liability for Pending Complaints” below for discussion of the regulatory liability related to complaints against System Energy as of December 31, 2023.System Energy Settlement with the APSCIn 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 above in “Grand Gulf Prudence Complaint,” filed 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 105Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsrate 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. 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 in “System Energy Settlement with the MPSC,” System Energy previously settled with the MPSC with respect to these complaints before the FERC. Entergy Mississippi has nearly 40% of System Energy’s share of Grand Gulf’s output, after its additional purchases from affiliates are considered. Entergy Mississippi purchases the greatest single amount, nearly 40% of System Energy’s share of Grand Gulf, after its additional purchases from affiliates are considered. The settlements with both the APSC and the MPSC represent almost 65% of System Energy’s share of the output of Grand Gulf.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. If the FERC approves the filed settlement in accordance with its terms, it will become binding upon the Entergy parties and the APSC.System Energy Regulatory Liability for Pending ComplaintsPrior to June 2022, System Energy recorded a provision and associated liability of $37 million for elements of the complaints against System Energy. In June 2022, as discussed in “System Energy Settlement with the MPSC” above, System Energy recorded a regulatory charge of $551 million ($413 million net-of-tax), increasing System Energy’s regulatory liability to $588 million, which consisted of $235 million for the settlement with the MPSC and $353 million for potential future refunds to Entergy Arkansas, Entergy New Orleans, and Entergy Louisiana. The $142 million of refunds for Entergy Arkansas, discussed above in “System Energy Settlement with the APSC” is covered within the $353 million previously recorded. System Energy paid the black-box refund of $235 million to Entergy Mississippi in November 2022. As discussed above in “Grand Gulf Sale-leaseback Renewal Complaint and Uncertain Tax Position Rate Base Issue,” in January 2023 System Energy paid refunds of $103.5 million as a result of the FERC’s order in December 2022 in that proceeding and recouped $40.5 million of the $103.5 million, $1. 5 million from Entergy Louisiana and Entergy New Orleans in October 2023.8 million to Entergy Louisiana, and $34 million to Entergy New Orleans. In addition, as discussed above in “Unit Power Sales Agreement Complaint,” a black-box refund of $18 million was made by System Energy in 2023 in connection with a partial settlement in that proceeding.Based on analysis of the pending complaints against System Energy and potential future settlement negotiations with the LPSC and the City Council, in third quarter 2023, System Energy recorded a regulatory charge of $40 million to increase System Energy’s regulatory liability related to complaints against System Energy. As discussed above, in December 2023 the $93 million black box refund to Entergy Arkansas 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 December 31, 2023 is $178 million. This regulatory liability is consistent with the settlement agreements reached with the MPSC and the APSC, as described above, taking into account amounts already or expected to be refunded.106Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsUnit Power Sales AgreementSystem Energy Formula Rate Annual Protocols Formal Challenge Concerning 2020 Calendar Year BillsSystem Energy’s Unit Power Sales Agreement includes formula rate protocols that provide for the disclosure of cost inputs, an opportunity for informal discovery procedures, and a challenge process.158Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsTotal reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (AOCI) for Entergy Louisiana for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:(a)These accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) components are included in the computation of net periodic pension and other postretirement cost. In February 2022, pursuant to the protocols procedures, the LPSC, the APSC, the MPSC, the City Council, and the Mississippi Public Utilities Staff filed with the FERC a formal challenge to System Energy’s implementation of the formula rate during calendar year 2020. The formal challenge alleges: (1) that it was imprudent for System Energy to accept the IRS’s partial acceptance of a previously uncertain tax position; (2) that System Energy should have delayed recording the result of the IRS’s partial acceptance of the previously uncertain tax position until after internal tax allocation payments were made; (3) that the equity ratio charged in rates was excessive; (4) that sale-leaseback rental payments should have been excluded from rates; and (5) that all issues in the ongoing Unit Power Sales Agreement complaint proceeding should also be reflected in calendar year 2020 bills. While System Energy disagrees that any refunds are owed for the 2020 calendar year bills, the formal challenge estimates that the financial impact of the first through fourth allegations is approximately $53 million; it does not provide an estimate of the financial impact of the fifth allegation. However, $17 million of the $53 million is attributable to the sale-leaseback rental payments. These were refunded to Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, and Entergy New Orleans in January 2023 as a result of the FERC order received in the Grand Gulf sale-leaseback renewal complaint and uncertain tax position rate base issue. Entergy Mississippi’s portion of the refund was included within the settlement with the MPSC, as discussed below.In March 2022, 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.System Energy Formula Rate Annual Protocols Formal Challenge Concerning 2021 Calendar Year BillsIn March 2023, pursuant to the protocols procedures discussed above, the LPSC, the APSC, and the City Council filed with the FERC a formal challenge to System Energy’s implementation of the formula rate during calendar year 2021.System Energy Formula Rate Annual Protocols Formal Challenge Concerning 2020 Calendar Year BillsSystem Energy’s Unit Power Sales Agreement includes formula rate protocols that provide for the disclosure of cost inputs, an opportunity for informal discovery procedures, and a challenge process. The formal challenge alleges: (1) that it was imprudent for System Energy to accept the IRS’s partial acceptance of a previously uncertain tax position; (2) that System Energy used incorrect inputs for retained earnings that are used to determine the capital structure; (3) that the equity ratio charged in rates was excessive; and (4) that all issues in the ongoing Unit Power Sales Agreement complaint proceeding should also be reflected in calendar year 2021 bills. The formal challenge alleges: (1) that it was imprudent for System Energy to accept the IRS’s partial acceptance of a previously uncertain tax position; (2) that System Energy should have delayed recording the result of the IRS’s partial acceptance of the previously uncertain tax position until after internal tax allocation payments were made; (3) that the equity ratio charged in rates was excessive; (4) that sale-leaseback rental payments should have been excluded from rates; and (5) that all issues in the ongoing Unit Power Sales Agreement complaint proceeding should also be reflected in calendar year 2020 bills. The first, third, and fourth allegations are identical to issues that were raised in the formal challenge to the calendar year 2020 bills. The formal challenge to the calendar year 2021 bills states that the impact of the first allegation is “tens of millions of dollars,” but it does not provide an estimate of the financial impact of the remaining allegations.In May 2023, 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.In March 2022, 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. Depreciation Amendment ProceedingIn December 2021, System Energy submitted to the FERC proposed amendments to the Unit Power Sales Agreement to adopt updated rates for use in calculating Grand Gulf plant depreciation and amortization expenses.Unit Power Sales AgreementIn December 2021, System Energy submitted to the FERC proposed amendments to the Unit Power Sales Agreement to adopt updated rates for use in calculating Grand Gulf plant depreciation and amortization expenses. The proposed amendments would result in higher charges to the Utility operating companies that buy capacity and energy from System Energy under the Unit Power Sales Agreement. In February 2022 the FERC accepted System Energy’s proposed increased depreciation rates with an effective date of March 1, 2022, subject to refund pending the outcome of the settlement and/or hearing procedures. In February 2022 the FERC accepted System Entergy’s proposed increased depreciation rates with an effective date of March 1, 2022, subject to refund pending the outcome of the settlement and/or hearing procedures. In June 2023 System Energy filed with the FERC an unopposed offer of settlement that it had negotiated with intervenors to the proceeding. In August 2023 the FERC 107Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsapproved the settlement, which resolves the proceeding. In third quarter 2023, System Energy recorded a reduction in depreciation expense of $41 million representing the cumulative difference in depreciation expense resulting from the depreciation rates used from March 2022 through June 2023 and the depreciation rates included in the settlement filing approved by the FERC. In October 2023, System Energy filed a refund report with the FERC. The refund provided for in the refund report was included in the September 2023 service month bills under the Unit Power Sales Agreement. No comments or protests to the refund report were filed.Pension Costs Amendment ProceedingIn October 2021, System Energy submitted to the FERC proposed amendments to the Unit Power Sales Agreement to include in rate base the prepaid and accrued pension costs associated with System Energy’s qualified pension plans. Based on data ending in 2020, the increased annual revenue requirement associated with the filing is approximately $8.9 million. In March 2022 the FERC accepted System Energy’s proposed amendments with an effective date of December 1, 2021, subject to refund pending the outcome of the settlement and/or hearing procedures. In February 2022 the FERC accepted System Entergy’s proposed increased depreciation rates with an effective date of March 1, 2022, subject to refund pending the outcome of the settlement and/or hearing procedures. In August 2023 the FERC chief ALJ terminated settlement procedures and designated a presiding ALJ to oversee hearing procedures. In October 2023, System Energy filed direct testimony in support of its proposed amendments. Under the procedural schedule, testimony will be filed through April 2024, and the hearing is scheduled to begin in May 2024. The presiding ALJ’s initial decision is expected to be due in September 2024.Storm Cost Recovery Filings with Retail RegulatorsEntergy LouisianaHurricane Laura, Hurricane Delta, Hurricane Zeta, Winter Storm Uri, and Hurricane IdaIn August 2020 and October 2020, Hurricane Laura, Hurricane Delta, and Hurricane Zeta caused significant damage to portions of Entergy Louisiana’s service area. The storms resulted in widespread outages, significant damage to distribution and transmission infrastructure, and the loss of sales during the outages. Additionally, as a result of Hurricane Laura’s extensive damage to the grid infrastructure serving the impacted area, large portions of the underlying transmission system required nearly a complete rebuild.In October 2020, Entergy Louisiana filed an application at the LPSC seeking approval of certain ratemaking adjustments in connection with the issuance of shorter-term mortgage bonds to provide interim financing for restoration costs associated with Hurricane Laura, Hurricane Delta, and Hurricane Zeta. Subsequently, Entergy Louisiana and the LPSC staff filed a joint motion seeking approval to exclude from the derivation of Entergy Louisiana’s capital structure and cost rate of debt for ratemaking purposes, including the allowance for funds used during construction, shorter-term debt up to $1.1 billion issued by Entergy Louisiana to fund costs associated with Hurricane Laura, Hurricane Delta, and Hurricane Zeta costs on an interim basis. In November 2020 the LPSC issued an order approving the joint motion, and Entergy Louisiana issued $1.1 billion of 0.62% Series mortgage bonds due November 2023. Also in November 2020, Entergy Louisiana withdrew $257 million from its funded storm reserves.In February 2021 two winter storms (collectively, Winter Storm Uri) brought freezing rain and ice to Louisiana. Ice accumulation sagged or downed trees, limbs, and power lines, causing damage to Entergy Louisiana’s transmission and distribution systems. The additional weight of ice caused trees and limbs to fall into power lines and other electric equipment. When the ice melted, it affected vegetation and electrical equipment, causing additional outages. As discussed above in “Fuel and purchased power cost recovery,” Entergy Louisiana recovered the incremental fuel costs associated with Winter Storm Uri over a five-month period from April 2021 through August 2021. As discussed above in “Fuel and purchased power recovery,” Entergy Louisiana recovered the incremental fuel costs associated with Winter Storm Uri over a five-month period from April 2021 through August 2021. In April 2021, Entergy Louisiana filed an application with the LPSC relating to Hurricane Laura, Hurricane Delta, Hurricane Zeta, and Winter Storm Uri restoration costs and in July 2021, Entergy Louisiana made a 108Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementssupplemental filing updating the total restoration costs.In April 2021, Entergy Louisiana filed an application with the LPSC relating to Hurricane Laura, Hurricane Delta, Hurricane Zeta, and Winter Storm Uri restoration costs and in July 2021, Entergy Louisiana made a supplemental filing updating the total restoration costs. Total restoration costs for the repair and/or replacement of Entergy Louisiana’s electric facilities damaged by these storms were estimated to be approximately $2.06 billion, including approximately $1.68 billion in capital costs and approximately $380 million in non-capital costs. Including carrying costs through January 2022, Entergy Louisiana sought an LPSC determination that $2.11 billion was prudently incurred and, therefore, was eligible for recovery from customers. Additionally, Entergy Louisiana requested that the LPSC determine that re-establishment of a storm escrow account to the previously authorized amount of $290 million was appropriate. In July 2021, Entergy Louisiana supplemented the application with a request regarding the financing and recovery of the recoverable storm restoration costs. Specifically, Entergy Louisiana requested approval to securitize its restoration costs pursuant to Louisiana Act 55 financing, as supplemented by Act 293 of the Louisiana Legislature’s Regular Session of 2021.In August 2021, Hurricane Ida caused extensive damage to Entergy Louisiana’s distribution and, to a lesser extent, transmission systems resulting in widespread power outages. In September 2021, Entergy Louisiana filed an application at the LPSC seeking approval of certain ratemaking adjustments in connection with the issuance of approximately $1 billion of shorter-term mortgage bonds to provide interim financing for restoration costs associated with Hurricane Ida, which bonds were issued in October 2021. Also in September 2021, Entergy Louisiana sought approval for the creation and funding of a $1 billion restricted escrow account for Hurricane Ida related restoration costs, subject to a subsequent prudence review.After filing of testimony by the LPSC staff and intervenors, which generally supported or did not oppose Entergy Louisiana’s requests in regard to Hurricane Laura, Hurricane Delta, Hurricane Zeta, Winter Storm Uri, and Hurricane Ida, the parties negotiated and executed an uncontested stipulated settlement which was filed with the LPSC in February 2022. The settlement agreement contained the following key terms: $2.1 billion of restoration costs from Hurricane Laura, Hurricane Delta, Hurricane Zeta, and Winter Storm Uri were prudently incurred and eligible for recovery; carrying costs of $51 million were recoverable; a $290 million cash storm reserve should be re-established; a $1 billion reserve should be established to partially pay for Hurricane Ida restoration costs; and Entergy Louisiana was authorized to finance $3.1 billion of restoration costs from Hurricane Laura, Hurricane Delta, Hurricane Zeta, and Winter Storm Uri were prudently incurred and were eligible for recovery; carrying costs of $51 million were recoverable; a $290 million cash storm reserve should be re-established; a $1 billion reserve should be established to partially pay for Hurricane Ida restoration costs; and Entergy Louisiana was authorized to finance $3. 186 billion utilizing the securitization process authorized by Act 55, as supplemented by Act 293. The LPSC issued an order approving the settlement in March 2022. As a result of the financing order, Entergy Louisiana reclassified $1.942 billion from utility plant to other regulatory assets.In May 2022 the securitization financing closed, resulting in the issuance of $3.194 billion principal amount of bonds by Louisiana Local Government Environmental Facilities and Community Development Authority (LCDA), a political subdivision of the State of Louisiana. The securitization was authorized pursuant to the Louisiana Utilities Restoration Corporation Act, Part VIII of Chapter 9 of Title 45 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes, as supplemented by Act 293 of the Louisiana legislature approved in 2021. The LCDA loaned the proceeds to the LURC. Pursuant to Act 293, the LURC contributed the net bond proceeds to a State legislatively authorized and LURC-sponsored trust, Restoration Law Trust I (the storm trust I).Pursuant to Act 293, the net proceeds of the bonds were used by the storm trust I to purchase 31,635,718.7221 Class A preferred, non-voting membership interest units (the preferred membership interests) issued by Entergy Finance Company.7221 Class A preferred, non-voting membership interest units (the preferred membership interests) issued by Entergy Finance Company, LLC, a majority-owned indirect subsidiary of Entergy. Entergy Finance Company is required to make annual distributions (dividends) commencing on December 15, 2022 on the preferred membership interests issued to the storm trust I. These annual dividends received by the storm trust I will be distributed to Entergy Louisiana and the LURC, as beneficiaries of the storm trust I. These annual dividends received by the storm trust will be distributed to Entergy Louisiana and the LURC, as beneficiaries of the storm trust. Specifically, 1% of the annual dividends received by the storm trust I will be distributed to the LURC, for the benefit of customers, and 99% will be distributed to Entergy Louisiana, net of storm trust expenses. Specifically, 1% of the annual dividends received by the storm trust will be distributed to the LURC, for the benefit of customers, and 99% will be distributed to Entergy Louisiana, net of storm trust expenses. The preferred membership interests have a stated annual cumulative cash dividend rate of 7% and a liquidation price of $100 per unit. The terms of the preferred membership interests include certain financial covenants to which Entergy Finance Company is subject. Semi-annual redemptions of the preferred membership interests, subject to certain conditions, are expected to occur over the next 15 years.Entergy and Entergy Louisiana do not report the bonds issued by the LCDA on their balance sheets because the bonds are the obligation of the LCDA. The bonds are secured by system restoration property, which is the right 109Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsgranted by law to the LURC to collect a system restoration charge from customers. The bonds are secured by system restoration property, which is the right granted by law to the LURC to collect a system restoration charge from customers. The system restoration charge is adjusted at least semi-annually to ensure that it is sufficient to service the bonds. Entergy Louisiana collects the system restoration charge on behalf of the LURC and remits the collections to the bond indenture trustee. Entergy Louisiana began collecting the system restoration charge effective with the first billing cycle of June 2022 and the system restoration charge is expected to remain in place for up to 15 years. Entergy and Entergy Louisiana do not report the collections as revenue because Entergy Louisiana is merely acting as a billing and collection agent for the LCDA and the LURC. In the remote possibility that the system restoration charge, as well as any funds in the excess subaccount and funds in the debt service reserve account, are insufficient to service the bonds resulting in a payment default, the storm trust I is required to liquidate Entergy Finance Company preferred membership interests in an amount equal to what would be required to cure the default. In the remote possibility that the system restoration charge, as well as any funds in the excess subaccount and funds in the debt service reserve account, are insufficient to service the bonds resulting in a payment default, the storm trust is required to liquidate Entergy Finance Company preferred membership interests in an amount equal to what would be required to cure the default. The estimated value of this indirect guarantee is immaterial.From the proceeds from the issuance of the preferred membership interests, Entergy Finance Company distributed $1.4 billion to its parent, Entergy Holdings Company, LLC, a company wholly-owned and consolidated by Entergy. Subsequently, Entergy Holdings Company liquidated, distributing the $1.4 billion it received from Entergy Finance Company to Entergy Louisiana as holder of 6,843,780.24 units of Class A, 4,126,940.15 units of Class B, and 2,935,152.69 units of Class C preferred membership interests. Entergy Louisiana had acquired these preferred membership interests with proceeds from previous securitizations of storm restoration costs. Entergy Finance Company loaned the remaining $1.7 billion from the preferred membership interests proceeds to Entergy which used the cash to redeem $650 million of 4.00% Series senior notes due July 2022 and indirectly contributed $1 billion to Entergy Louisiana as a capital contribution.Entergy Louisiana used the $1 billion capital contribution to fund its Hurricane Ida escrow account and subsequently withdrew the $1 billion from the escrow account. With a portion of the $1 billion withdrawn from the escrow account and the $1.4 billion from the Entergy Holdings Company liquidation, Entergy Louisiana deposited $290 million in a restricted escrow account as a storm damage reserve for future storms, used $1.2 billion to repay its unsecured term loan due June 2023, and used $435 million to redeem a portion of its 0.62% Series mortgage bonds due November 2023.As discussed in Note 3 to the financial statements, the securitization resulted in recognition of a reduction of income tax expense of approximately $290 million by Entergy Louisiana. Entergy’s recognition of reduced income tax expense was partially offset by other tax charges resulting in a net reduction of income tax expense of $283 million. In recognition of obligations described in an LPSC ancillary order issued as part of the securitization regulatory proceeding, Entergy Louisiana recorded a $224 million ($165 million net-of-tax) regulatory charge and a corresponding regulatory liability to reflect its obligation to provide credits to its customers. In recognition of obligations related to an LPSC ancillary order issued as part of the securitization regulatory proceeding, Entergy Louisiana recorded a $224 million ($165 million net-of-tax) regulatory charge and a corresponding regulatory liability to reflect its obligation to share the benefits of the securitization with customers. As discussed in Note 17 to the financial statements, Entergy Louisiana consolidates the storm trust I as a variable interest entity and the LURC’s 1% beneficial interest is presented as noncontrolling interest in the financial statements.As discussed in Note 17 to the financial statements, Entergy Louisiana consolidates the storm trust as a variable interest entity and the LURC’s 1% beneficial interest is shown as noncontrolling interest in the financial statements. In second quarter 2022, Entergy Louisiana recorded a charge of $31.6 million in other income to reflect the LURC’s beneficial interest in the storm trust I.In April 2022, Entergy Louisiana filed an application with the LPSC relating to Hurricane Ida restoration costs. Total restoration costs for the repair and/or replacement of Entergy Louisiana’s electric facilities damaged by Hurricane Ida were estimated to be approximately $2. Total restoration costs for the repair and/or replacement of Entergy Louisiana’s electric facilities damaged by Hurricane Ida currently are estimated to be approximately $2. 54 billion, including approximately $1.96 billion in capital costs and approximately $586 million in non-capital costs. Including carrying costs of $57 million through December 2022, Entergy Louisiana was seeking an LPSC determination that $2.60 billion was prudently incurred and, therefore, eligible for recovery from customers.60 billion was prudently incurred and, therefore, is eligible for recovery from customers. As part of this filing, Entergy Louisiana also was seeking an LPSC determination that an additional $32 million in costs associated with the restoration of Entergy Louisiana’s electric facilities damaged by Hurricane Laura, Hurricane Delta, and Hurricane Zeta as well as Winter Storm Uri was prudently incurred. As part of this filing, Entergy Louisiana also is seeking an LPSC determination that an additional $32 million in costs associated with the restoration of Entergy Louisiana’s electric facilities damaged by Hurricane Laura, Hurricane Delta, and Hurricane Zeta as well as Winter Storm Uri was prudently incurred. This amount was exclusive of the requested $3 million in carrying costs through December 2022. In total, Entergy Louisiana was requesting an LPSC determination that $2.64 billion was prudently incurred and, therefore, eligible for recovery from customers.64 billion was prudently incurred and, therefore, is eligible for recovery from customers. As discussed above, in March 2022 the LPSC approved 110Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsfinancing of a $1 billion storm escrow account from which funds were withdrawn to finance costs associated with Hurricane Ida restoration. In June 2022, Entergy Louisiana supplemented the application with a request regarding the financing and recovery of the recoverable storm restoration costs. Specifically, Entergy Louisiana requested approval to securitize its restoration costs pursuant to Louisiana Act 55 financing, as supplemented by Act 293 of the Louisiana Legislature’s Regular Session of 2021. In October 2022 the LPSC staff recommended a finding that the requested storm restoration costs of $2.64 billion, including associated carrying costs of $59.1 million, were prudently incurred and eligible for recovery from customers.1 million, were prudently incurred and are eligible for recovery from customers. The LPSC staff further recommended approval of Entergy Louisiana’s plans to securitize these costs, net of the $1 billion in funds withdrawn from the storm escrow account described above. The parties negotiated and executed an uncontested stipulated settlement which was filed with the LPSC in December 2022. The settlement agreement contains the following key terms: $2.57 billion of restoration costs from Hurricane Ida, Hurricane Laura, Hurricane Delta, Hurricane Zeta, and Winter Storm Uri were prudently incurred and eligible for recovery; carrying costs of $59.2 million were recoverable; and Entergy Louisiana was authorized to finance $1.657 billion utilizing the securitization process authorized by Act 55, as supplemented by Act 293. A procedural motion to consider the uncontested settlement at the December 2022 LPSC meeting did not pass and the settlement was not voted on. In January 2023 an ALJ with the LPSC conducted a settlement hearing to receive the uncontested settlement and supporting testimony into evidence and issued a report of proceedings, which allows the LPSC to consider the uncontested settlement without the procedural motion that did not pass in December. In January 2023, the LPSC approved the stipulated settlement subject to certain modifications. In January 2023, the LPSC staff approved the stipulated settlement subject to certain modifications. These modifications include the recognition of accumulated deferred income tax benefits related to damaged assets and system restoration costs as a reduction of the amount authorized to be financed utilizing the securitization process authorized by Act 55, as supplemented by Act 293, from $1.657 billion to $1.491 billion. These modifications did not affect the LPSC’s conclusion that all system restoration costs sought by Entergy Louisiana were reasonable and prudent. These modifications do not affect the staff’s conclusion that all system restoration costs sought by Entergy Louisiana were reasonable and prudent. In February 2023 the Louisiana Bond Commission voted to authorize the LCDA to issue the bonds authorized in the LPSC’s financing order. In February 2023 the Louisiana Bond Commission voted to authorize the LCDA to issue the bonds authorized in the LPSC’s financing order; the bond rating and marketing process has yet to occur. In March 2023 the Hurricane Ida securitization financing closed, resulting in the issuance of approximately $1.491 billion principal amount of bonds by the LCDA and a remaining regulatory asset of $180 million to be recovered through the exclusion of the accumulated deferred income taxes related to damaged assets and system restoration costs from the determination of future rates. The securitization was authorized pursuant to the Louisiana Utilities Restoration Corporation Act, Part VIII of Chapter 9 of Title 45 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes, as supplemented by Act 293 of the Louisiana Legislature’s Regular Session of 2021. The LCDA loaned the proceeds to the LURC. Pursuant to Act 293, the LURC contributed the net bond proceeds to a State legislatively authorized and LURC-sponsored trust, Restoration Law Trust II (the storm trust II).Pursuant to Act 293, the net proceeds of the bonds were used by the storm trust II to purchase 14,576,757.Pursuant to Act 293, the net proceeds of the bonds were used by the storm trust to purchase 31,635,718. 48 Class B preferred, non-voting membership interest units (the preferred membership interests) issued by Entergy Finance Company.7221 Class A preferred, non-voting membership interest units (the preferred membership interests) issued by Entergy Finance Company, LLC, a majority-owned indirect subsidiary of Entergy. Entergy Finance Company is required to make annual distributions (dividends) commencing on December 15, 2023 on the preferred membership interests issued to the storm trust II. These annual dividends received by the storm trust II will be distributed to Entergy Louisiana and the LURC, as beneficiaries of the storm trust II. These annual dividends received by the storm trust will be distributed to Entergy Louisiana and the LURC, as beneficiaries of the storm trust. Specifically, 1% of the annual dividends received by the storm trust II will be distributed to the LURC for the benefit of customers, and 99% will be distributed to Entergy Louisiana, net of storm trust expenses. The preferred membership interests have a stated annual cumulative cash dividend rate of 7. The preferred membership interests have a stated annual cumulative cash dividend rate of 7% and a liquidation price of $100 per unit. 5% and a liquidation price of $100 per unit. The terms of the preferred membership interests include certain financial covenants to which Entergy Finance Company is subject. Semi-annual redemptions of the preferred membership interests, subject to certain conditions, are expected to occur over the next 15 years.Entergy and Entergy Louisiana do not report the bonds issued by the LCDA on their balance sheets because the bonds are the obligation of the LCDA. The bonds are secured by system restoration property, which is the right granted by law to the LURC to collect a system restoration charge from customers. The system restoration charge is adjusted at least semi-annually to ensure that it is sufficient to service the bonds. Entergy Louisiana collects the system restoration charge on behalf of the LURC and remits the collections to the bond indenture trustee. Entergy Louisiana began collecting the system restoration charge effective with the first billing cycle of April 2023 and the 111Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementssystem restoration charge is expected to remain in place for up to 15 years. Entergy Louisiana began collecting the system restoration charge effective with the first billing cycle of June 2022 and the system restoration charge is expected to remain in place up to 15 years. Entergy and Entergy Louisiana do not report the collections as revenue because Entergy Louisiana is merely acting as a billing and collection agent for the LCDA and the LURC. In the remote possibility that the system restoration charge, as well as any funds in the excess subaccount and funds in the debt service reserve account, are insufficient to service the bonds resulting in a payment default, the storm trust II is required to liquidate Entergy Finance Company preferred membership interests in an amount equal to what would be required to cure the default. In the remote possibility that the system restoration charge, as well as any funds in the excess subaccount and funds in the debt service reserve account, are insufficient to service the bonds resulting in a payment default, the storm trust is required to liquidate Entergy Finance Company preferred membership interests in an amount equal to what would be required to cure the default. The estimated value of this indirect guarantee is immaterial.From the proceeds from the issuance of the preferred membership interests, Entergy Finance Company loaned approximately $1.From the proceeds from the issuance of the preferred membership interests, Entergy Finance Company distributed $1. 5 billion to Entergy, which was indirectly contributed to Entergy Louisiana as a capital contribution.As discussed in Note 3 to the financial statements, the securitization resulted in recognition of a net reduction of income tax expense of approximately $133 million, after taking into account a provision for uncertain tax positions, by Entergy Louisiana.As discussed in Note 3 to the financial statements, the securitization resulted in recognition of a reduction of income tax expense of approximately $290 million by Entergy Louisiana. Entergy’s recognition of reduced income tax expense was offset by other tax charges resulting in a net reduction of income tax expense of $129 million, after taking into account a provision for uncertain tax positions. Entergy’s recognition of reduced income tax expense was partially offset by other tax charges resulting in a net reduction of income tax expense of $283 million. In recognition of its obligations described in an LPSC ancillary order issued as part of the securitization regulatory proceeding, Entergy Louisiana recorded in first quarter 2023 a $103 million ($76 million net-of-tax) regulatory charge and a corresponding regulatory liability to reflect its obligation to provide credits to its customers. In recognition of obligations related to an LPSC ancillary order issued as part of the securitization regulatory proceeding, Entergy Louisiana recorded a $224 million ($165 million net-of-tax) regulatory charge and a corresponding regulatory liability to reflect its obligation to share the benefits of the securitization with customers. As discussed in Note 6 and Note 17 to the financial statements, Entergy Louisiana consolidates the storm trust II as a variable interest entity and the LURC’s 1% beneficial interest is presented as noncontrolling interest in the financial statements.As discussed in Note 17 to the financial statements, Entergy Louisiana consolidates the storm trust as a variable interest entity and the LURC’s 1% beneficial interest is shown as noncontrolling interest in the financial statements. In first quarter 2023, Entergy Louisiana recorded a charge of $14. In second quarter 2022, Entergy Louisiana recorded a charge of $31. 6 million in other income to reflect the LURC’s beneficial interest in the storm trust II.Hurricane IsaacIn August 2012, Hurricane Isaac caused extensive damage to Entergy Louisiana’s service area. In June 2014 the LPSC authorized Entergy Louisiana to utilize Louisiana Act 55 financing for Hurricane Isaac system restoration costs. Entergy Louisiana committed to pass on to customers a minimum of $30.8 million of customer benefits through annual customer credits of approximately $6.2 million for five years. Approvals for the Act 55 financings were obtained from the LURC and the Louisiana State Bond Commission.In August 2014 the LCDA issued $314.85 million in bonds under Louisiana Act 55. From the $309 million of bond proceeds loaned by the LCDA to the LURC, the LURC deposited $16 million in a restricted escrow account as a storm damage reserve for Entergy Louisiana and transferred $293 million directly to Entergy Louisiana. Entergy Louisiana used the $293 million received from the LURC to acquire 2,935,152.69 Class C preferred, non-voting, membership interest units of Entergy Holdings Company that carry a 7.5% annual distribution rate. Distributions were payable quarterly commencing on September 15, 2014, and the membership interests had a liquidation price of $100 per unit. The preferred membership interests were callable at the option of Entergy Holdings Company after ten years under the terms of the LLC agreement. The terms of the membership interests included certain financial covenants to which Entergy Holdings Company was subject, including the requirement to maintain a net worth of at least $1.75 billion. As discussed above in “Hurricane Laura, Hurricane Delta, Hurricane Zeta, Winter Storm Uri, and Hurricane Ida”, in May 2022, Entergy Holdings Company liquidated and distributed cash to Entergy Louisiana as holder of the 2,935,152.69 units of Class C preferred membership interests.Entergy and Entergy Louisiana do not report the bonds issued by the LCDA on their balance sheets because the bonds are the obligation of the LCDA and there is no recourse against Entergy or Entergy Louisiana in the event of a bond default.Entergy and Entergy Louisiana do not report the bonds issued by the LCDA on their balance sheets because the bonds are the obligation of the LCDA and there is no recourse against Entergy or Entergy Louisiana in the event 114Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsof a bond default. To service the bonds, Entergy Louisiana collects a system restoration charge on behalf of the 112Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsLURC and remits the collections to the bond indenture trustee. To service the bonds, Entergy Louisiana collected a system restoration charge on behalf of the LURC and remitted the collections to the bond indenture 115Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementstrustee. Entergy and Entergy Louisiana do not report the collections as revenue because Entergy Louisiana is merely acting as the billing and collection agent for the state.Hurricane Gustav and Hurricane IkeIn September 2008, Hurricane Gustav and Hurricane Ike caused catastrophic damage to Entergy Louisiana’s service territory. In December 2009, Entergy Louisiana entered into a stipulation agreement with the LPSC staff regarding its storm costs. In March and April 2010, Entergy Louisiana and other parties to the proceeding filed with the LPSC an uncontested stipulated settlement that included Entergy Louisiana’s proposal to utilize Act 55 financing, which included a commitment to pass on to customers a minimum of $43.3 million of customer benefits through a prospective annual rate reduction of $8.7 million for five years. In April 2010 the LPSC approved the settlement and subsequently issued financing orders and a ratemaking order intended to facilitate the implementation of the Act 55 financings. In June 2010 the Louisiana State Bond Commission approved the Act 55 financing. The settlement agreement allowed for an adjustment to the credits if there was a change in the applicable federal or state income tax rate. As a result of the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, in December 2017, and the lowering of the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%, the Louisiana Act 55 financing savings obligation regulatory liability related to Hurricane Gustav and Hurricane Ike was reduced by $2.7 million, with a corresponding increase to Other regulatory credits on the income statement. The effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act are discussed further in Note 3 to the financial statements.In July 2010 the LCDA issued two series of bonds totaling $713.0 million under Act 55. From the $702.7 million of bond proceeds loaned by the LCDA to the LURC, the LURC deposited $290 million in a restricted escrow account as a storm damage reserve for Entergy Louisiana and transferred $412.7 million directly to Entergy Louisiana. From the bond proceeds received by Entergy Louisiana from the LURC, Entergy Louisiana used $412.7 million to acquire 4,126,940.15 Class B preferred, non-voting, membership interest units of Entergy Holdings Company that carry a 9% annual distribution rate. Distributions were payable quarterly commencing on September 15, 2010, and the membership interests had a liquidation price of $100 per unit. The preferred membership interests were callable at the option of Entergy Holdings Company after ten years under the terms of the LLC agreement. The terms of the membership interests included certain financial covenants to which Entergy Holdings Company was subject, including the requirement to maintain a net worth of at least $1 billion. As discussed above in “Hurricane Laura, Hurricane Delta, Hurricane Zeta, Winter Storm Uri, and Hurricane Ida”, in May 2022, Entergy Holdings Company liquidated and distributed cash to Entergy Louisiana as holder of the 4,126,940.15 units of Class B preferred membership interests.The bonds were repaid in 2022. Entergy and Entergy Louisiana did not report the bonds issued by the LCDA on their balance sheets because the bonds were the obligation of the LCDA, and there was no recourse against Entergy or Entergy Louisiana in the event of a bond default. To service the bonds, Entergy Louisiana collected a system restoration charge on behalf of the LURC and remitted the collections to the bond indenture trustee. To service the bonds, Entergy Louisiana collected a system restoration charge on behalf of the LURC and remitted the collections to the bond indenture 115Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementstrustee. Entergy and Entergy Louisiana do not report the collections as revenue because Entergy Louisiana is merely acting as the billing and collection agent for the state.Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane RitaIn August and September 2005, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita caused catastrophic damage to Entergy Louisiana’s service territory. In March 2008, Entergy Louisiana and the LURC filed at the LPSC an application requesting that the LPSC grant a financing order authorizing the financing of Entergy Louisiana storm costs, storm reserves, and issuance costs pursuant to Louisiana Act 55. Entergy Louisiana also filed an application requesting LPSC approval for ancillary issues including the mechanism to flow charges and savings to customers via a storm cost offset rider. In April 2008 the Louisiana Public Facilities Authority (LPFA), which is the issuer of the bonds pursuant to the Act 55 financing, approved requests for the Act 55 financing. Also in April 2008, Entergy Louisiana and the LPSC staff filed with the LPSC an uncontested stipulated settlement that included Entergy Louisiana’s proposal under the Act 55 financing, which included a commitment to pass on to customers a minimum 113Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsof $40 million of customer benefits through a prospective annual rate reduction of $8 million for five years. Also in April 2008, Entergy Louisiana and the LPSC staff filed with the LPSC an uncontested stipulated settlement that included Entergy Louisiana’s proposal under the Act 55 financing, which included a commitment to pass on to customers a minimum of $40 million of customer benefits through a prospective annual rate reduction of $8 million for five years. The LPSC subsequently approved the settlement and issued two financing orders and one ratemaking order intended to facilitate implementation of the Act 55 financing. In May 2008 the Louisiana State Bond Commission granted final approval of the Act 55 financing. The settlement agreement allowed for an adjustment to the credits if there was a change in the applicable federal or state income tax rate. As a result of the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, in December 2017, and the lowering of the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%, the Louisiana Act 55 financing savings obligation regulatory liability related to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita was reduced by $22.3 million, with a corresponding increase to Other regulatory credits on the income statement. The effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act are discussed further in Note 3 to the financial statements.In July 2008 the LPFA issued $687.7 million in bonds under the aforementioned Act 55. From the $679 million of bond proceeds loaned by the LPFA to the LURC, the LURC deposited $152 million in a restricted escrow account as a storm damage reserve for Entergy Louisiana and transferred $527 million directly to Entergy Louisiana. From the bond proceeds received by Entergy Louisiana from the LURC, Entergy Louisiana invested $545 million, including $17.8 million that was withdrawn from the restricted escrow account as approved by the April 16, 2008 LPSC orders, in exchange for 5,449,861.85 Class A preferred, non-voting, membership interest units of Entergy Holdings Company that carry a 10% annual distribution rate. In August 2008 the LPFA issued $278.4 million in bonds under the aforementioned Act 55. From the $274.7 million of bond proceeds loaned by the LPFA to the LURC, the LURC deposited $87 million in a restricted escrow account as a storm damage reserve for Entergy Louisiana and transferred $187.7 million directly to Entergy Louisiana. From the bond proceeds received by Entergy Louisiana from the LURC, Entergy Louisiana invested $189.4 million, including $1.7 million that was withdrawn from the restricted escrow account as approved by the April 16, 2008 LPSC orders, in exchange for 1,893,918.39 Class A preferred, non-voting, membership interest units of Entergy Holdings Company that carry a 10% annual distribution rate. Distributions were payable quarterly commencing on September 15, 2008 and had a liquidation price of $100 per unit. The preferred membership interests were callable at the option of Entergy Holdings Company after ten years under the terms of the LLC agreement. The terms of the membership interests included certain financial covenants to which Entergy Holdings Company was subject, including the requirement to maintain a net worth of at least $1 billion. In February 2012, Entergy Louisiana sold 500,000 of its Class A preferred membership units in Entergy Holdings Company to a third party. In February 2012, Entergy Louisiana sold 500,000 of its Class A preferred membership units in Entergy Holdings Company LLC, a wholly-owned Entergy subsidiary, to a third party. Those preferred membership units were subsequently repurchased by Entergy Holdings Company in March 2019. As discussed above in “Hurricane Laura, Hurricane Delta, Hurricane Zeta, Winter Storm Uri, and Hurricane Ida”, in May 2022, Entergy Holdings Company liquidated and distributed cash to Entergy Louisiana as holder of the remaining 6,843,780.24 units of Class A preferred membership interests.The bonds were repaid in 2018. Entergy and Entergy Louisiana did not report the bonds issued by the LPFA on their balance sheets because the bonds were the obligation of the LPFA, and there was no recourse against Entergy or Entergy Louisiana in the event of a bond default. To service the bonds, Entergy Louisiana collected a system restoration charge on behalf of the LURC and remitted the collections to the bond indenture trustee. To service the bonds, Entergy Louisiana collected a system restoration charge on behalf of the LURC and remitted the collections to the bond indenture 115Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementstrustee. Entergy and Entergy Louisiana did not report the collections as revenue because Entergy Louisiana was merely acting as the billing and collection agent for the state.Entergy MississippiEntergy 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. Entergy Mississippi’s storm damage provision balance has been less than $10 million since May 2019, and Entergy Mississippi has been billing the monthly storm damage provision since July 2019.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 114Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsauthorization 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. Entergy New OrleansHurricane ZetaIn October 2020, Hurricane Zeta caused significant damage to Entergy New Orleans’s service area.Entergy New OrleansHurricane ZetaIn October 2020, Hurricane Zeta caused significant damage to Entergy New Orleans’s service area. The storm resulted in widespread power outages, significant damage to distribution and transmission infrastructure, and the loss of sales during the power outages. In March 2021, Entergy New Orleans withdrew $44 million from its funded storm reserves. In May 2021, Entergy New Orleans filed an application with the City Council requesting approval and certification that its system restoration costs associated with Hurricane Zeta of approximately $36 million, which included $7 million in estimated costs, were reasonable and necessary to enable Entergy New Orleans to restore electric service to its customers and Entergy New Orleans’s electric utility infrastructure. In May 2022 the City Council advisors issued a report recommending that the City Council find that Entergy New Orleans acted prudently in restoring service following Hurricane Zeta and approximately $33 million in storm restoration costs were prudently incurred and recoverable. Additionally, the advisors concluded that approximately $7 million of the $44 million withdrawn from its funded storm reserve was in excess of Entergy New Orleans’s costs and should be considered in Entergy New Orleans’s application for certification of costs related to Hurricane Ida. In September 2022 the City Council issued a resolution finding that Entergy New Orleans’s system restoration costs were reasonable and necessary, and that Entergy New Orleans acted prudently in restoring electricity following Hurricane Zeta. The City Council also found that approximately $33 million in storm costs were recoverable.Hurricane IdaIn August 2021, Hurricane Ida caused significant damage to Entergy New Orleans’s service area, including Entergy’s electrical grid. The storm resulted in widespread power outages, including the loss of 100% of Entergy New Orleans’s load and damage to distribution and transmission infrastructure, including the loss of connectivity to the eastern interconnection. In September 2021, Entergy New Orleans withdrew $39 million from its funded storm reserves. In June 2022, Entergy New Orleans filed an application with the City Council requesting approval and certification that storm restoration costs associated with Hurricane Ida of approximately $170 million, which included $11 million in estimated costs, were reasonable, necessary, and prudently incurred to enable Entergy New Orleans to restore electric service to its customers and to repair Entergy New Orleans’s electric utility infrastructure. In addition, estimated carrying costs through December 2022 related to Hurricane Ida restoration costs were $9 million. Also, Entergy New Orleans is requesting approval that the $39 million withdrawal from its funded storm reserve in September 2021 and $7 million in excess storm reserve escrow withdrawals related to Hurricane Zeta and prior miscellaneous storms are properly applied to Hurricane Ida storm restoration costs, the application of which reduces the amount to be recovered from Entergy New Orleans customers by $46 million.Additionally, in February 2022, Entergy New Orleans and the LURC filed with the City Council a securitization application requesting that the City Council review Entergy New Orleans’s storm reserve and increase the storm reserve funding level to $150 million, to be funded through securitization. In August 2022 the City Council’s advisors recommended that the City Council authorize a single securitization bond issuance to fund Entergy New Orleans’s storm recovery reserves to an amount sufficient to: (1) allow recovery of all of Entergy New Orleans’s unrecovered storm recovery costs following Hurricane Ida, subject to City Council review and certification; (2) provide initial funding of storm recovery reserves for future storms to a level of $75 million; and 115Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statements(3) fund the storm recovery bonds’ upfront financing costs. In August 2022 the City Council’s advisors recommended that the City Council authorize a single securitization bond issuance to fund Entergy New Orleans’s storm recovery reserves to an amount sufficient to: (1) allow recovery of all of Entergy New Orleans’s unrecovered storm recovery costs following Hurricane Ida, subject to City Council review and certification; (2) provide initial funding of storm recovery reserves for future storms to a level of $75 million; and (3) fund the storm recovery bonds’ upfront financing costs. In September 2022, Entergy New Orleans and the City Council’s advisors entered into an agreement in principle, which was approved by the City Council along with a financing order in October 2022, authorizing Entergy New Orleans and the LURC to proceed with a single securitization bond issuance of approximately $206 million (subject to further adjustment and review pursuant to the Final Issuance Advice Letter process set forth in the financing order), with $125 million of that total to be used for interim recovery, subject to City Council review and certification, to be allocated to unrecovered Hurricane Ida storm recovery costs; $75 million of that total to provide for a storm recovery reserve for future storms; and the remainder to fund the recovery of the storm recovery bonds’ upfront financing costs.In December 2022, Entergy New Orleans and the LURC filed with the City Council the Final Issuance Advice Letter for a securitization bond issuance in the amount of $209.3 million, the final structuring, terms, and pricing of which were approved by the City Council in accordance with the financing order. Also in December 2022 the LCDA issued $209.3 million in bonds pursuant to the Louisiana Electric Utility Storm Recovery Securitization Act, Part V-B of Chapter 9 of Title 45 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes, as supplemented by Act 293 of the Louisiana Regular Session of 2021. The LCDA loaned $201.8 million of bond proceeds, net of certain debt service and issuance costs, to the LURC. The LURC used the proceeds to purchase from Entergy New Orleans the storm recovery property, which is the right to collect storm recovery charges sufficient to pay the storm recovery bonds and associated financing costs, and Entergy New Orleans deposited $200 million in a restricted storm reserve escrow account as a storm damage reserve for Entergy New Orleans and received directly $1.8 million in estimated upfront financing costs. Subsequently, Entergy New Orleans withdrew $125 million from the newly securitized storm reserve to cover Hurricane Ida storm recovery costs, subject to a final determination from the City Council regarding the prudency of the storm recovery costs.Entergy and Entergy New Orleans do not report the bonds issued by the LCDA on their balance sheets because the bonds are the obligation of the LCDA, and there is no recourse against Entergy or Entergy New Orleans in the event of a bond default. To service the bonds, Entergy New Orleans collects a storm recovery charge on behalf of the LURC and remits the collections to the bond indenture trustee. Entergy and Entergy New Orleans do not report the collections as revenue because Entergy New Orleans is merely acting as the billing and collection agent for the LURC.In August 2023 the City Council advisors issued a report recommending that the City Council find that Entergy New Orleans prudently incurred approximately $164.1 million in storm restoration costs and $7.5 million in carrying charges and that such costs have already been properly recovered by Entergy New Orleans through withdrawals from the storm reserve escrow account. The City Council advisors also recommended that the City Council find that approximately $1.2 million in storm restoration costs had already been recovered through Entergy New Orleans’s base rates and that approximately $0.9 million in unused credits be applied against future storm costs. In August 2023 the City Council hearing officer certified the evidentiary record. In December 2023 the City Council approved a resolution adopting the advisors’ report and recommendations.Entergy TexasHurricane Laura, Hurricane Delta, and Winter Storm UriIn August 2020 and October 2020, Hurricane Laura and Hurricane Delta caused extensive damage to Entergy Texas’s service area. In February 2021, Winter Storm Uri also caused damage to Entergy Texas’s service area. The storms resulted in widespread power outages, significant damage primarily to distribution and transmission infrastructure, and the loss of sales during the power outages. In April 2021, Entergy Texas filed an application with the PUCT requesting a determination that approximately $250 million of system restoration costs associated with Hurricane Laura, Hurricane Delta, and Winter Storm Uri, including approximately $200 million in capital costs and approximately $50 million in non-capital costs, were reasonable and necessary to enable Entergy Texas to restore electric service to its customers and Entergy Texas’s electric utility infrastructure. The filing also included the projected balance of approximately $13 million of a regulatory asset containing previously approved 116Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementssystem restoration costs related to Hurricane Harvey. The filing also included the projected balance of approximately $13 million of a regulatory asset containing previously approved system restoration costs related to Hurricane Harvey. In September 2021 the parties filed an unopposed settlement agreement, pursuant to which Entergy Texas removed from the amount to be securitized approximately $4.3 million that will instead be charged to its storm reserve, $5 million related to no particular issue, of which Entergy Texas would be permitted to seek recovery in a future proceeding, and approximately $300 thousand related to attestation costs. In December 2021 the PUCT issued an order approving the unopposed settlement and determining system restoration costs of $243 million related to Hurricane Laura, Hurricane Delta, and Winter Storm Uri and the $13 million projected remaining balance of the Hurricane Harvey system restoration costs were eligible for securitization. The order also determines that Entergy Texas can recover carrying costs on the system restoration costs related to Hurricane Laura, Hurricane Delta, and Winter Storm Uri.In July 2021, Entergy Texas filed with the PUCT an application for a financing order to approve the securitization of the system restoration costs that are the subject of the April 2021 application. In November 2021 the parties filed an unopposed settlement agreement supporting the issuance of a financing order consistent with Entergy Texas’s application and with minor adjustments to certain upfront and ongoing costs to be incurred to facilitate the issuance and serving of system restoration bonds. In January 2022 the PUCT issued a financing order consistent with the unopposed settlement. As a result of the financing order, Entergy Texas reclassified $153 million from utility plant to other regulatory assets.In April 2022, Entergy Texas Restoration Funding II, LLC, a company wholly-owned and consolidated by Entergy Texas, issued $290.85 million of senior secured system restoration bonds (securitization bonds). With the proceeds, Entergy Texas Restoration Funding II purchased from Entergy Texas the transition property, which is the right to recover from customers through a system restoration charge amounts sufficient to service the securitization bonds. Entergy Texas began cost recovery through the system restoration charge effective with the first billing cycle of May 2022 and the system restoration charge is expected to remain in place up to 15 years. See Note 5 to the financial statements for a discussion of the April 2022 issuance of the securitization bonds.NOTE 3. INCOME TAXES (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)Income taxes for Entergy for 2023, 2022, and 2021 consist of the following:117Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsIncome taxes for the Registrant Subsidiaries for 2023, 2022, and 2021 consist of the following:118Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsTotal income taxes for Entergy differ from the amounts computed by applying the statutory income tax rate to income before income taxes. INCOME TAXES (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)Income taxes for 2022, 2021, and 2020 for Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries consist of the following:119Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsIncome taxes for 2022, 2021, and 2020 for Entergy’s Registrant Subsidiaries consist of the following:120Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsTotal income taxes for Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries differ from the amounts computed by applying the statutory income tax rate to income before income taxes. The reasons for the differences for the years 2023, 2022, and 2021 are:(a)See “Other Tax Matters - Tax Cuts and Jobs Act” below for discussion of the amortization of excess accumulated deferred income taxes (ADIT) in 2023, 2022, and 2021 and the tax legislation enactment in 2017.(b)See “Other Tax Matters - Arkansas and Louisiana Corporate Income Tax Rate Changes” below for details.(b)See “Arkansas and Louisiana Corporate Income Tax Rate Changes” below for details. (c)See “Income Tax Audits - 2016-2018 IRS Audit” below for discussion of the resolution of the 2016-2018 IRS audit in 2023.(c)See “Income Tax Audits - 2014-2015 IRS Audit” below for discussion of the resolution of the audit in 2020. (d)See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of Entergy Louisiana’s reversal of a regulatory liability, associated with the Hurricane Isaac securitization, recognized in 2017 as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.(e)See “Other Tax Matters – Act 293 Securitizations” below for discussion of the Entergy Louisiana May 2022 and March 2023 storm cost securitizations.(f)See “Other Tax Matters – Act 293 Securitization” below for discussion of the Entergy Louisiana securitization in 2022. (f)See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of the December 2022 FERC order related to the Grand Gulf sale-leaseback renewal complaint.119Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsTotal income taxes for the Registrant Subsidiaries differ from the amounts computed by applying the statutory income tax rate to income before taxes. The reasons for the differences for the years 2023, 2022, and 2021 are:120Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statements121Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statements(a)See “Income Tax Audits - 2016-2018 IRS Audit” below for discussion of the resolution of the 2016-2018 IRS audit in 2023. The reasons for the differences for the years 2022, 2021, and 2020 are:122Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statements123Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statements(a)See “Other Tax Matters - Tax Cuts and Jobs Act” below for discussion of the amortization of excess ADIT in 2022, 2021, and 2020 and the tax legislation enactment in 2017. (b)See “Other Tax Matters - Tax Cuts and Jobs Act” below for discussion of the amortization of excess ADIT in 2023, 2022, 2021 and the tax legislation enactment in 2017.(c)See “Other Tax Matters - Act 293 Securitizations” below for discussion of the Entergy Louisiana May 2022 and March 2023 storm cost securitizations.(e)See “Other Tax Matters - Act 293 Securitization” below for discussion of the Entergy Louisiana securitization in 2022. (d)See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of Entergy Louisiana’s reversal of a regulatory liability, associated with the Hurricane Isaac securitization, recognized in 2017 as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.(e)See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of the December 2022 FERC order related to the Grand Gulf sale-leaseback renewal complaint.(f)See “Other Tax Matters - Arkansas and Louisiana Corporate Income Tax Rate Changes” below for details.122Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsSignificant components of accumulated deferred income taxes and taxes accrued for Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:Entergy’s estimated tax attributes carryovers and their expiration dates as of December 31, 2023 are as follows:As a result of the accounting for uncertain tax positions, the amount of the deferred tax assets reflected in the financial statements is less than the amount of the tax effect of the federal and state net operating loss carryovers, tax credit carryovers, and other tax attributes generated and reflected on income tax returns.124Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsSignificant components of accumulated deferred income taxes and taxes accrued for Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:125Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsEntergy’s estimated tax attributes carryovers and their expiration dates as of December 31, 2022 are as follows:As a result of the accounting for uncertain tax positions, the amount of the deferred tax assets reflected in the financial statements is less than the amount of the tax effect of the federal and state net operating loss carryovers, tax credit carryovers, and other tax attributes reflected on income tax returns. Entergy evaluates the available positive and negative evidence to estimate whether sufficient future taxable income of the appropriate character will be generated to realize the benefits of existing deferred tax assets. When the evaluation 123Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsindicates that Entergy will not be able to realize the existing benefits, a valuation allowance is recorded to reduce deferred tax assets to the realizable amount.Because it is more likely than not that the benefits from certain state net operating losses and other deferred tax assets will not be utilized, valuation allowances totaling $372 million as of December 31, 2023 and $372 million as of December 31, 2022 have been provided on the deferred tax assets related to federal and state jurisdictions in which Entergy does not currently expect to be able to utilize certain separate company tax return attributes, preventing realization of such deferred tax assets. Certain accelerated tax deductions which generated taxable losses in various taxing jurisdictions, and which have a limited term carryover period, have resulted in the impairment of the realizability of such carryovers and are reflected in the valuation allowance disclosed above.Significant components of accumulated deferred income taxes and taxes accrued for the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows: 124Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statements125Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsThe Registrant Subsidiaries’ estimated tax attributes carryovers and their expiration dates as of December 31, 2023 are as follows:Unrecognized tax benefitsAccounting standards establish a “more-likely-than-not” recognition threshold that must be met before a tax benefit can be recognized in the financial statements. If a tax deduction is taken on a tax return but does not meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, an increase in income tax liability, above what is payable on the tax return, is required to be recorded. A reconciliation of Entergy’s beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:(a)Amounts in 2023 are primarily related to the resolution of the 2016-2018 IRS audit as discussed in “Income Tax Audits - 2016-2018 IRS Audit” below.(b)Potential tax liability above what is payable on tax returns.The balances of unrecognized tax benefits include $1,899 million, $3,254 million, and $2,256 million as of December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively, which, if recognized, would lower the effective income tax rates. Because of the effect of deferred tax accounting, the remaining balances of unrecognized tax benefits of $541 million, $3,140 million, and $3,504 million as of December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively, if 126Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsdisallowed, would not affect the annual effective income tax rate but would accelerate the payment of cash to the taxing authority to an earlier period. Because of the effect of deferred tax accounting, the remaining balances of unrecognized tax benefits of $3,140 million, $3,504 million, and $3,491 million as of December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively, if disallowed, would not affect the annual effective income tax rate but would accelerate the payment of cash to the taxing authority to an earlier period. Entergy accrues interest expense, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. Entergy’s December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 accrued balance for the possible payment of interest is approximately $39 million, $50 million, and $52 million, respectively. Entergy’s December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020 accrued balance for the possible payment of interest is approximately $50 million, $52 million, and $44 million, respectively. Interest (net-of-tax) of ($11) million, $8 million, and ($4) million was recorded in 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively. Interest (net-of-tax) of ($2) million, $8 million, and ($4) million was recorded in 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively. A reconciliation of the Registrant Subsidiaries’ beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits for 2023, 2022, and 2021 is as follows:127Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statements(a)The primary additions for Entergy Louisiana in 2022 and 2023 are related to the Entergy Louisiana securitizations as discussed in “Other Tax Matters - Act 293 Securitizations” below.A reconciliation of the Registrant Subsidiaries’ beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits for 2022, 2021, and 2020 is as follows:130Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statements(a)The primary additions for Entergy Texas in 2020 are related to the mark-to-market treatment discussed in “Other Tax Matters - Tax Accounting Methods” below. (b)Amounts in 2023 are primarily related to the resolution of the 2016-2018 IRS audit as discussed in “Income Tax Audits - 2016-2018 IRS Audit” below.The Registrant Subsidiaries’ balances of unrecognized tax benefits included amounts which, if recognized, would have reduced income tax expense as follows:Accrued balances for the possible payment of interest related to unrecognized tax benefits for the Registrant Subsidiaries are as follows:128Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsThe Registrant Subsidiaries record interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.The Registrant Subsidiaries’ balances of unrecognized tax benefits included amounts which, if recognized, would have reduced income tax expense as follows:Accrued balances for the possible payment of interest related to unrecognized tax benefits are as follows:131Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsThe Registrant Subsidiaries record interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. No penalties were recorded in 2023, 2022, and 2021. No penalties were recorded in 2022, 2021, and 2020. Interest (net-of-tax) was recorded as follows:Income Tax AuditsEntergy and its subsidiaries file U.S. federal and various state income tax returns. IRS examinations are complete for years before 2019. All state taxing authorities’ examinations are complete for years before 2014. Entergy regularly defends its positions and works with the IRS to resolve audits. The resolution of audit issues could result in significant changes to the amounts of unrecognized tax benefits in the next twelve months.2016-2018 IRS AuditThe IRS completed its examination of the 2016 through 2018 tax years and issued a Revenue Agent Report (RAR) for each federal filer under audit in November 2023. Entergy agreed to all adjustments contained in the RARs. Entergy agreed to all proposed adjustments contained in the RAR. Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries recorded all the material effects resulting from the RARs in the fourth quarter of 2023. Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries recorded the effects of the adjustments associated with the audit in 2020. Utility RestructuringsIn 2017, Entergy New Orleans undertook an internal restructuring, and in 2018, Entergy Arkansas and Entergy Mississippi also participated in internal restructurings under which these three Utility operating companies joined Entergy Louisiana as wholly-owned subsidiaries of Entergy Utility Holding Company, LLC. The change in ownership required Entergy to recognize Entergy Arkansas’s nuclear decommissioning liabilities for income tax purposes, which resulted in recognition of a gain for income tax purposes and a corresponding increase in the tax basis of assets, in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code and Treasury Regulations. Entergy determined that there was uncertainty regarding the treatment of certain aspects of the restructurings and recorded provisions for uncertain tax positions which are now considered to be effectively settled in accordance with accounting standards. The reversal of such provisions for uncertain tax positions results in a reduction of income tax expense of $156 million for Entergy Arkansas, $1 million for Entergy Mississippi, and $6 million for Entergy New Orleans.The IRS also required Entergy New Orleans to reverse a tax gain associated with the 2017 restructuring that had been previously recognized, allowing Entergy New Orleans to reduce its tax expense by $39 million.After the restructuring, Entergy Arkansas adopted a new method of accounting for income tax purposes in which its nuclear decommissioning costs are treated as production costs of electricity includable in cost of goods sold, which resulted in a $1.8 billion reduction in taxable income on its 2018 tax return that was treated as an unrecognized tax benefit.8 billion reduction in taxable income on its 2018 tax return. In conjunction with the audit, Entergy agreed with the IRS adjustments concerning the nuclear decommissioning tax position allowing Entergy Arkansas to include $102 million of its decommissioning liability in cost of goods sold.129Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsMark-to-Market Method of AccountingIn 2016, Entergy Louisiana elected mark-to-market income tax treatment for various wholesale electric power purchase and sale agreements, including Entergy Louisiana’s contract to purchase electricity from the Vidalia hydroelectric facility and from System Energy under the Unit Power Sales Agreement as well as other intercompany power purchase agreements. The election resulted in a $2 billion deductible temporary difference. The election resulted in a $2. The IRS allowed the mark-to-market tax method of accounting associated with the Vidalia contract and various other third-party and intercompany wholesale electric power purchase and sale agreements. The IRS disallowed the net deductions associated with the Unit Power Sales Agreement, which did not have an effect on net tax expense. The net allowance resulted in a reversal of a provision for uncertain tax positions of $132 million and a corresponding reduction of income tax expense primarily associated with the effect of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act rate reduction discussed below.In 2017, Entergy New Orleans also elected mark-to-market income tax treatment for the Unit Power Sales Agreement and various intercompany wholesale electric contracts which resulted in a $1 billion deductible temporary difference. The IRS allowed the mark-to-market tax method of accounting associated with various intercompany and third-party wholesale electric contracts. The IRS disallowed the net deductions associated with the Unit Power Sales Agreement, which did not have an effect on net tax expense. The net allowance resulted in a reversal of a provision for uncertain tax positions of $139 million and a corresponding reduction of income tax expense.In 2018, Entergy Arkansas and Entergy Mississippi each accrued approximately $2 billion in deductible temporary differences related to mark-to-market tax accounting for the Unit Power Sales Agreement and various wholesale electric contracts. The IRS allowed the mark-to-market tax method of accounting associated with various intercompany and third-party wholesale electric contracts. The IRS disallowed the net deductions associated with the Unit Power Sales Agreement, which did not have an effect on net tax expense. The effective settlement of the mark-to-market tax position for Entergy Arkansas resulted in the accrual of an increase to tax expense of $40 million, which was offset by approximately $5 million of miscellaneous excess ADIT recognized as a result of the 2016-2018 IRS audit resolution. The net increase to tax expense is deferred as a regulatory asset, as discussed within the “Regulatory and Other Matters” section below.Restructuring of Entergy’s Non-Utility Operations BusinessDuring the 2016 to 2018 audit period, the ownership of certain of Entergy’s non-utility operations business nuclear power plants (previously reported as part of Entergy Wholesale Commodities) was restructured. Such restructuring transactions required Entergy to recognize the plants’ nuclear decommissioning liabilities for income tax purposes. The accrual of the nuclear decommissioning liabilities also required Entergy to recognize a gain for income tax purposes, a significant portion of which resulted in an increase in the tax basis of the assets. The accrual of the nuclear decommissioning liability also required Entergy to recognize a gain for income tax purposes, a portion of which resulted in an increase in the tax basis of the assets. Because certain aspects of the restructuring transactions involved uncertainty, Entergy recorded a provision for uncertain tax positions. The IRS did not propose adjustments to the tax treatment of the restructuring transactions resulting in a net decrease to income tax expense of $288 million from the reversal of the provision for uncertain tax positions in fourth quarter 2023.Reduction of Net Operating Loss CarryoversThe IRS audit reduced Entergy’s net operating loss carryover by $8 billion. A portion of Entergy’s audit adjustments were not offset by losses which resulted in a tax liability of $79 million, which was fully offset by prior deposits made by Entergy. Entergy received an assessment of interest in excess of prior deposits of $13 million in December 2023, and such interest was paid in January 2024.Net operating loss carryovers were reduced by $4 billion for Entergy Arkansas, $1 billion for Entergy Louisiana, $2 billion for Entergy Mississippi, $1 billion for Entergy New Orleans, and $40 million for System 130Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsEnergy. The IRS audit adjustments were also factored into the settle-up required under Entergy’s intercompany income tax allocation agreement, and such amounts were settled in the fourth quarter of 2023.Regulatory and Other MattersAdditional customer credits related to the audit outcome may be due in accordance with prior regulatory agreements associated with the Entergy Louisiana and Entergy Gulf States Louisiana business combination and Entergy New Orleans restructuring and general rate-making principles. A regulatory liability and associated regulatory charge of $38 million and $60 million ($28 million and $44 million net-of-tax) were recorded for Entergy Louisiana and Entergy New Orleans, respectively. The inclusion of the effects of the audit on customer rates is subject to the review and approval of the retail regulators. Additionally, a regulatory asset for income tax associated with deficient ADIT of $35 million, $2 million, and $3 million, was recorded for Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, and Entergy Mississippi, respectively. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of Entergy Arkansas’s regulatory activity related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and for discussion of the settlement of Entergy Arkansas’s 2023 formula rate plan. See Note 7 to the financial statements for discussion of the forward sales agreements and Note 5 to the financial statements for a discussion of long-term debt. As noted above, Entergy accrues interest expense related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.Entergy accrues interest expense, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. As a result of the IRS audit resolution, Entergy reversed approximately $24 million of interest related to the allowance of previously unrecognized tax benefits.Reversal of net deferred credits associated with the accounting for income taxes upon the resolution of the IRS audit resulted in a reduction/(increase) of income tax expense of $9 million, $42 million, ($2) million, $2 million, $2 million, and $1 million for Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy, respectively.Included in the effect of the IRS audit on the results of operations was the measurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities influenced by the 2017 enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act income tax rate change discussed below. With the conclusion of the audit, there are no remaining federal unrecognized tax benefits affected by the rate differential which could impact income tax expense and the regulatory liability for income taxes in future periods.State Income Tax AuditsAs a result of income tax audit adjustments proposed by the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, an Entergy subsidiary in the non-utility operations business recorded a provision in third quarter 2022 for uncertain tax positions of approximately $21 million, which includes interest expense.State Income Tax AuditsAs a result of income tax audit adjustments proposed by the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, an Entergy Wholesale Commodities subsidiary recorded a provision in third quarter 2022 for uncertain tax positions of approximately $21 million, which includes interest expense. Other Tax MattersTax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA)The most significant effect of the TCJA for Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries was the change in the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%, effective January 1, 2018. Entergy had remaining regulatory liabilities of $1.0 billion and $1.3 billion as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, mainly associated with the re-measurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities from the income tax rate change, subsequent amortization of excess ADIT, and payments to customers since the enactment of the TCJA. In addition to the protected and unprotected excess ADIT amounts, the net regulatory liability for income taxes includes other regulatory assets and liabilities for income taxes mainly for AFUDC, which is described in Note 1 to the financial statements. In addition to the financings necessary to meet capital requirements and contractual obligations, Entergy Texas expects to continue, when economically feasible, to retire higher-cost debt and replace it with lower-cost debt if market conditions permit. Entergy’s regulatory liability for income taxes includes a gross-up at the applicable tax rate because of the effect that excess ADIT has on the ratemaking formula. The regulatory liability for income taxes includes the effect 131Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsof (1) the reduction of the net deferred tax liability resulting in excess ADIT, and (2) the tax gross-up of excess ADIT. The Registrant Subsidiaries’ December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 balance sheets reflect net regulatory liabilities for income taxes as follows:Excess ADIT is generally classified into two categories: (1) the portion that is subject to the normalization requirements of the TCJA, referred to as “protected”, and (2) the portion that is not subject to such normalization provisions, referred to as “unprotected”. The Registrant Subsidiaries’ December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 balance sheets reflect net regulatory liabilities for income taxes as follows:Excess ADIT is generally classified into two categories: 1) the portion that is subject to the normalization requirements of the TCJA, referred to as “protected”, and 2) the portion that is not subject to such normalization provisions, referred to as “unprotected”. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of Entergy Louisiana’s $106 million reversal of a regulatory liability, associated with the Hurricane Isaac securitization, recognized in 2017 as a result of the TCJA, recorded in fourth quarter 2023. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of the 2021 formula rate plan filing;•regulatory credits of $19 million, recorded by Entergy Mississippi in the fourth quarter 2021, to reflect that the 2021 earned return was below the formula bandwidth. The majority of the remaining unamortized Excess ADIT as of December 31, 2023 is classified as protected. The TCJA provides that the normalization method of accounting for income taxes is required for excess ADIT associated with public utility property. The TCJA provides for the use of the average rate assumption method (ARAM) for the determination of the timing of the return of excess ADIT associated with such property. Under ARAM, the excess ADIT is reduced over the remaining life of the asset. Remaining asset lives vary for each Registrant Subsidiary, but the average life of public utility property is typically 30 years or longer. Entergy will amortize the protected portion of the excess ADIT in conformity with the normalization requirements.During the second quarter 2018, the Registrant Subsidiaries began returning unprotected excess accumulated deferred income taxes, associated with the effects of the TCJA, to their customers through rate riders and other means approved by their respective regulatory authorities. Return of the unprotected excess accumulated deferred income taxes results in a reduction in the regulatory liability for income taxes and a corresponding reduction in income tax expense. This manner of regulatory accounting affects the effective tax rate for the period as compared to the statutory tax rate. This has a significant effect on the effective tax rate for the period as compared to the statutory tax rate. There was no return of unprotected excess accumulated deferred income taxes for Entergy or the Registrant Subsidiaries for the year ended December 31, 2023. For the year ended December 31, 2022, the return of unprotected excess accumulated deferred income taxes reduced the regulatory liability for income taxes by $53 million for Entergy, including $25 million for Entergy Louisiana, $1 million for Entergy New Orleans, and $27 million for Entergy Texas.Inflation Reduction Act of 2022The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, signed into law on August 16, 2022, significantly expanded federal tax incentives for clean energy production, including the extension of production tax credits to solar projects and certain qualified nuclear power plants. Additionally, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 enacted a 1% excise tax on the buyback of public company stock and a new corporate alternative minimum tax. There are no effects on the financial statements of Entergy or the Registrant Subsidiaries as of and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 related to the enactment of the law. There are no effects on the financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2022 related to the enactment of the law. See the “Income Tax Legislation and Regulation” section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis for additional discussion of the effects of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.Income Tax LegislationSee the “Income Tax Legislation” section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis for discussion of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. 132Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statements Restructuring of Entergy’s Non-Utility Operations Business in 2020In the fourth quarter 2020, Entergy’s ownership of Palisades was restructured.60Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsInvestmentsEntergy records decommissioning trust funds on the balance sheet at their fair value. The restructuring required Entergy to recognize Palisades’ nuclear decommissioning liability for income tax purposes resulting in a tax accounting permanent difference that reduced income tax expense, net of unrecognized tax benefits, by $9.2 million. The accrual of the nuclear decommissioning liability also required Entergy to recognize a gain for income tax purposes, a portion of which resulted in an increase in the tax basis of the assets. Recognition of the gain and the increase in the tax basis of the assets represents a tax accounting temporary difference.Tax Accounting MethodsCertain Entergy subsidiaries have elected to apply the mark-to-market method of accounting for income tax return purposes to wholesale power purchase agreements as appropriate under the Internal Revenue Code and U.S. Treasury Regulations. The mark-to-market tax gain or loss computed each year is based on an estimated fair market valuation which includes analyses of market prices and conditions.In 2020, Entergy Texas elected mark-to-market income tax treatment for wholesale electric power purchase and sale agreements which resulted in a $2.5 billion deductible temporary difference.Arkansas and Louisiana Corporate Income Tax Rate ChangesSince 2019, the State of Arkansas has enacted corporate income tax law changes that phased in rate reductions from the former rate of 6.Arkansas and Louisiana Corporate Income Tax Rate ChangesIn April 2019, December 2021, and August 2022 the State of Arkansas enacted corporate income tax law changes that phased in rate reductions from the former rate of 6. 5% to 6.2% in 2021, 5.2% in 2021, and 5. 9% in 2022, 5.9% in 2022. 1% in 2023, and 4.7% in 2021, and 2. 8% in 2024.8% in 2020. Legislation in 2022 accelerated the rate reduction to 5.3% for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2023, accelerating the rate reductions that were originally scheduled to take effect in the 2025 tax year. As a result of the rate reductions, Entergy Arkansas has recorded regulatory liabilities for income taxes of approximately $26 million, $15 million, $11 million, and $21 million in 2023, 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively. The regulatory liabilities include a tax gross-up related to the treatment of income taxes in the retail and wholesale ratemaking formulas and have been or are scheduled to be included in the approved rate mechanisms. The Arkansas tax law enactment also phases in an increase to the net operating loss carryover period from five to ten years.Pursuant to legislation enacted in 2021 and approved by Louisiana citizens by amendment to the state constitution, beginning January 1, 2022, federal income taxes paid are no longer deductible for state income tax purposes, and the top Louisiana corporate income tax rate has been reduced from 8% to 7.Pursuant to legislation enacted in 2021 and approved by Louisiana citizens by amendment to the state constitution, beginning January 1, 2022, federal income taxes paid will no longer be deductible for state income tax purposes, and the top Louisiana corporate income tax rate will be reduced from 8% to 7. 5%. As a result of this change in Louisiana tax law, the Louisiana applicable tax rate increased by 0.85%. Accordingly, deferred tax assets and liabilities were adjusted to reflect the new applicable federal and state rates. In fourth quarter 2021, Entergy recorded a net increase to its deferred tax asset of $27 million. Entergy Louisiana and Entergy New Orleans recorded net increases to their deferred tax liabilities before consideration of the tax gross-up of $77 million and $8 million, respectively, which were offset by regulatory assets for income taxes. Therefore, these increases had no effect on tax expense. However, the increase of deferred tax assets associated with certain assets reduced tax expense for Entergy Louisiana and Entergy New Orleans by $6 million and $2 million, respectively. The legislation enacted in 2021 also provided that Louisiana net operating losses generally have an indefinite carryover period. Legislation enacted in 2021 also provides that Louisiana net operating losses generally have an indefinite carryover period. Act 293 SecuritizationsAs described in Note 2 to the financial statements, Entergy Louisiana has implemented two separate securitization transactions authorized under Act 293 of the Louisiana Legislature’s Regular Session of 2021. The first transaction occurred in May of 2022 and the second occurred in March of 2023. Act 293 provides that the LURC contribute the net bond proceeds to a LURC-sponsored trust. Over the 15-year term of the Act 293 bonds, the respective storm trusts will make distributions to Entergy Louisiana, a beneficiary of the storm trusts, that will not be taxable to Entergy Louisiana. Over the 15-year term of the Act 293 bonds, the storm trust will make distributions to Entergy Louisiana, a beneficiary of the storm trust, that will not be taxable to Entergy Louisiana. Additionally, Entergy Louisiana will not include the receipt of the system 133Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsrestoration charges in taxable income because the right to receive the system restoration charges has been granted directly to the LURC, and Entergy Louisiana only acts as an agent to collect those charges on behalf of the LURC. Additionally, Entergy Louisiana will not include the receipt of the system restoration charges in taxable income because the right to receive the system restoration charges has been granted directly to the LURC, and Entergy Louisiana only acts as an agent to collect those charges on behalf of the LURC. Accordingly, the securitizations provided for a tax accounting permanent difference resulting in net reductions of income tax expense for Entergy Louisiana of approximately $133 million in March 2023 and $290 million in May 2022, both after taking into account a provision for uncertain tax positions.Accordingly, the securitization provides for a tax accounting permanent difference resulting in a net reduction of income tax expense in second quarter 2022 of approximately $290 million, after taking into account a provision for uncertain tax positions, by Entergy Louisiana. Entergy’s recognition of reduced income tax expense was offset by other tax changes resulting in a net reduction of income tax expense for Entergy of approximately $129 million in March 2023 and $283 million in May 2022, both after taking into account a provision for uncertain tax positions. Entergy’s recognition of reduced income tax expense 137Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementswas offset by other tax charges resulting in a net reduction of income tax expense of $283 million, after taking into account a provision for uncertain tax positions. In recognition of its obligations described in LPSC ancillary orders issued as part of the securitization regulatory proceedings, Entergy Louisiana recorded regulatory liabilities of $103 million ($76 million net-of-tax) in first quarter 2023 and $224 million ($165 million net-of-tax) in second quarter 2022 to reflect its obligation to provide credits to its customers.In recognition of its obligations related to an LPSC ancillary order issued as part of the securitization regulatory proceeding, Entergy Louisiana recorded in second quarter 2022 a $224 million ($165 million net-of-tax) regulatory charge and a corresponding regulatory liability to reflect its obligation to share the benefits of the securitization with customers. See Note 2 to the financial statements for further discussion of the Entergy Louisiana March 2023 and May 2022 storm cost securitizations. See Note 2 to the financial statements for further discussion of regulatory activity regarding the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. NOTE 4. REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITIES, LINES OF CREDIT, AND SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS (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. The weighted-average interest rate for the year ended December 31, 2023 was 6.52% on the drawn portion of the facility. The following is a summary of the amounts outstanding and capacity available under the credit facility as of December 31, 2023: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. If Entergy fails to meet this ratio, or if Entergy Corporation or one of the Registrant Subsidiaries (except Entergy New Orleans) defaults on other indebtedness or is in bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, an acceleration of the facility maturity date may occur. Entergy Corporation has a commercial paper program with a Board-approved program limit of $2 billion. As of December 31, 2023, Entergy Corporation had $1,138.1 million of commercial paper outstanding. The weighted-average interest rate for the year ended December 31, 2023 was 5.44%.134Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsEntergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, and Entergy Texas each had credit facilities available as of December 31, 2023 as follows:(a)The interest rate is the estimated interest rate as of December 31, 2023 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.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.In addition, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, and Entergy Texas each entered into an uncommitted standby letter of credit facility as a means to post collateral to support its obligations to MISO. The following is a summary of the uncommitted standby letter of credit facilities as of December 31, 2023:(a)As of December 31, 2023, letters of credit posted with MISO covered financial transmission rights exposure of $1. Following is a summary of the uncommitted standby letter of credit facilities as of December 31, 2022:(a)As of December 31, 2022, letters of credit posted with MISO covered financial transmission rights exposure of $0. 2 million for Entergy Arkansas, $0.5 million for Entergy Louisiana, $0.3 million for Entergy Mississippi, and $0.1 million for Entergy Texas. See Note 15 to the financial statements for discussion of financial transmission rights.(b)As of December 31, 2023, in addition to the $20 million MISO letters of credit, Entergy Mississippi had $1 million in a non-MISO letter 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. Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy participate in one or both of Non-Bargaining I and Bargaining I and incurred settlement costs. The FERC-authorized short-term borrowing 135Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementslimit 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. 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 December 31, 2023 (aggregating both internal and external short-term borrowings) for the Registrant Subsidiaries: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 December 31, 2023, $139 million in cash borrowings were outstanding under the credit facility. The weighted-average interest rate for the year ended December 31, 2023 was 6.61% 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 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 December 31, 2023:(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 136Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsof 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 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 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 December 31, 2023 as follows: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.The nuclear fuel company VIEs had notes payable that are included in debt on the respective balance sheets as of December 31, 2022 as follows: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 December 31, 2023, 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.Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, and System Energy each has obtained financing authorization from the FERC that extend through October 2023 for issuances by their 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 VIEs.137Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsNOTE 5. LONG - TERM DEBT (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)Long-term debt for Entergy as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 consisted of:138Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statements(a)Consists of pollution control revenue bonds and environmental revenue bonds, some of which are secured by collateral mortgage bonds. LONG - TERM DEBT (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)Long-term debt for Entergy Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 consisted of:142Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statements(a)Consists of pollution control revenue bonds and environmental revenue bonds, some of which are secured by collateral mortgage bonds. (b)The debt is secured by a series of collateral mortgage bonds.(c)The debt is secured by a series of collateral mortgage bonds. (c)Pursuant to the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, Entergy’s nuclear owner/licensee subsidiaries have contracts with the DOE for spent nuclear fuel disposal service.(b)Pursuant to the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, Entergy’s nuclear owner/licensee subsidiaries have contracts with the DOE for spent nuclear fuel disposal service. The contracts include a one-time fee for generation prior to April 7, 1983. Entergy Arkansas is the only Entergy company that generated electric power with nuclear fuel prior to that date and includes the one-time fee, plus accrued interest, in long-term debt.The annual long-term debt maturities (excluding lease obligations and long-term DOE obligations) for debt outstanding as of December 31, 2023, for the next five years are as follows:Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, and Entergy Texas have obtained long-term financing authorizations from the FERC that extend through April 2025.The annual long-term debt maturities (excluding lease obligations and long-term DOE obligations) for debt outstanding as of December 31, 2022, for the next five years are as follows:Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy have obtained long-term financing authorizations from the FERC that extend through October 2023. The FERC-authorized long-term borrowing limit for System Energy is effective through March 2025. Entergy New Orleans has obtained long-term financing authorization from the City Council that extends through December 2025. Entergy Arkansas has also obtained first mortgage bond/secured financing authorization from the APSC that extends through December 2025.139Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsLong-term debt for the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 consisted of:140Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statements141Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statements142Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statements(a)Consists of pollution control revenue bonds.143Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsLong-term debt for the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 consisted of:144Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statements145Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statements146Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statements(a)Consists of pollution control revenue bonds. 143Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statements(b)Pursuant to the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, Entergy’s nuclear owner/licensee subsidiaries have contracts with the DOE for spent nuclear fuel disposal service. The contracts include a one-time fee for generation prior to April 7, 1983. Entergy Arkansas is the only Entergy company that generated electric power with nuclear fuel prior to that date and includes the one-time fee, plus accrued interest, in long-term debt.(c)The debt is secured by a series of collateral mortgage bonds.The annual long-term debt maturities (excluding lease obligations and long-term DOE obligations) for debt outstanding as of December 31, 2023, for the next five years are as follows:Securitization BondsEntergy Louisiana Securitization Bonds – Little GypsyIn August 2011 the LPSC issued a financing order authorizing the issuance of bonds to recover Entergy Louisiana’s investment recovery costs associated with the canceled Little Gypsy repowering project.The annual long-term debt maturities (excluding lease obligations and long-term DOE obligations) for debt outstanding as of December 31, 2022, for the next five years are as follows:Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy have obtained long-term financing authorizations from the FERC that extend through October 2023. In September 2011, Entergy Louisiana Investment Recovery Funding I, L.L.C., a company wholly-owned and consolidated by Entergy Louisiana, issued $207.2 million of senior secured investment recovery bonds. The bonds had an interest rate of 2.04%. Although the principal amount was not due until September 2023, Entergy Louisiana Investment Recovery Funding made principal payments on the bonds in the amount of $11 million in 2021, after which the bonds were fully repaid.Entergy New Orleans Securitization Bonds - Hurricane IsaacIn May 2015 the City Council issued a financing order authorizing the issuance of securitization bonds to recover Entergy New Orleans’s Hurricane Isaac storm restoration costs of $31. Entergy New Orleans Securitization Bonds - Hurricane IsaacIn May 2015 the City Council issued a financing order authorizing the issuance of securitization bonds to recover Entergy New Orleans’s Hurricane Isaac storm restoration costs of $31. 8 million, including carrying costs, the costs of funding and replenishing the storm recovery reserve in the amount of $63.9 million, and approximately $3 million of up-front financing costs associated with the securitization. In July 2015, Entergy New Orleans Storm Recovery Funding I, L.L.C., a company wholly owned and consolidated by Entergy New Orleans, issued $98.7 million of storm cost recovery bonds. The bonds have a coupon of 2.67%. Although the principal amount is not due until June 2027, Entergy New Orleans Storm Recovery Funding expects to make principal payments on the bonds in 2024 in the amount of $6. Although the principal amount is not due until June 2027, Entergy New Orleans Storm Recovery Funding expects to make principal payments on the bonds over the next two years in the amounts of $12. 2 million, after which the bonds will be fully repaid.2 million for 2024, after which the bonds will be fully repaid. With the proceeds, Entergy New Orleans Storm Recovery Funding purchased from Entergy New Orleans the storm recovery property, which is the right to recover from customers through a storm recovery charge amounts sufficient to service the securitization bonds. The storm recovery property is reflected as a regulatory asset on the consolidated Entergy New Orleans balance sheet. The creditors of Entergy New Orleans do not have recourse to the assets or revenues of Entergy New Orleans Storm Recovery Funding, including the storm recovery property, and the creditors of Entergy New Orleans Storm Recovery Funding do not have recourse to the assets or revenues of Entergy New Orleans. Entergy New Orleans has no payment obligations to Entergy New Orleans Storm Recovery Funding except to remit storm recovery charge collections.144Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsEntergy Texas Securitization Bonds - Hurricane RitaIn April 2007 the PUCT issued a financing order authorizing the issuance of securitization bonds to recover $353 million of Entergy Texas’s Hurricane Rita reconstruction costs and up to $6 million of transaction costs, offset by $32 million of related deferred income tax benefits. In June 2007, Entergy Gulf States Reconstruction Funding I, LLC, a company that is now wholly-owned and consolidated by Entergy Texas, issued $329.5 million of senior secured transition bonds (securitization bonds). Although the principal amount was not due until June 2022, Entergy Gulf States Reconstruction Funding made principal payments on the bonds in the amount of $17.5 million in 2021, after which the bonds were fully repaid.Entergy Texas Securitization Bonds - Hurricane Ike and Hurricane GustavIn September 2009 the PUCT authorized the issuance of securitization bonds to recover $566.4 million of Entergy Texas’s Hurricane Ike and Hurricane Gustav restoration costs, plus carrying costs and transaction costs, offset by insurance proceeds. In November 2009, Entergy Texas Restoration Funding, LLC (Entergy Texas Restoration Funding), a company wholly-owned and consolidated by Entergy Texas, issued $545.9 million of senior secured transition bonds (securitization bonds). Although the principal amount was not due until November 2023, Entergy Texas Restoration Funding made principal payments on the bonds in the amount of $54.3 million in 2022, after which the bonds were fully repaid.Entergy Texas Securitization Bonds - Hurricane Laura, Hurricane Delta, and Winter Storm UriIn January 2022 the PUCT authorized the issuance of securitization bonds to recover $242.9 million of Entergy Texas’s Hurricane Laura, Hurricane Delta, and Winter Storm Uri restoration costs, plus carrying costs, plus approximately $13.3 million relating to a system restoration regulatory asset related to Hurricane Harvey, plus up-front qualified costs. In April 2022, Entergy Texas Restoration Funding II, LLC, a company wholly-owned and consolidated by Entergy Texas, issued $290.85 million of senior secured system restoration bonds (securitization bonds), as follows:Although the principal amount of each tranche is not due until the dates given above, Entergy Texas Restoration Funding II expects to make principal payments on the securitization bonds over the next four years in the amounts of $18.3 million for 2024, $18.8 million for 2025, $19.4 million for 2026, and $13.4 million for 2027 for Tranche A-1, after which Tranche A-1 will be fully repaid.4 million for 2027 for Tranche A-1. Entergy Texas Restoration Funding II expects to begin principal payments for Tranche A-2 in 2027 with payments of $6.6 million in 2027 and $20.6 million in 2021, and $18. 5 million in 2028.With the proceeds, Entergy Texas Restoration Funding II purchased from Entergy Texas the transition property, which is the right to recover from customers through a system restoration charge amounts sufficient to service the securitization bonds. Entergy Texas expects to use the proceeds to reduce its outstanding debt. The creditors of Entergy Texas do not have recourse to the assets or revenues of Entergy Texas Restoration Funding II, including the transition property, and the creditors of Entergy Texas Restoration Funding II do not have recourse to the assets or revenues of Entergy Texas. The creditors of Entergy Texas do not have recourse to the assets or revenues of Entergy Texas Restoration Funding II, including the transition property, and the creditors of Entergy Texas Restoration Funding II do not have recourse to 149Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsthe assets or revenues of Entergy Texas. Entergy Texas has no payment obligations to Entergy Texas Restoration Funding II except to remit system restoration charge collections.145Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsGrand Gulf Sale-Leaseback TransactionsIn 1988, in two separate but substantially identical transactions, System Energy sold and leased back undivided ownership interests in Grand Gulf for the aggregate sum of $500 million.215Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsThe fair values of Entergy’s derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 are shown in the table below. The initial term of the leases expired in July 2015. System Energy renewed the leases in December 2013 for fair market value with renewal terms expiring in July 2036. System Energy renewed the leases for fair market value with renewal terms expiring in July 2036. At the end of the new lease renewal terms, System Energy has the option to repurchase the leased interests in Grand Gulf or renew the leases at fair market value. In the event that System Energy does not renew or purchase the interests, System Energy would surrender such interests and their associated entitlement of Grand Gulf’s capacity and energy.System Energy is required to report the sale-leaseback as a financing transaction in its financial statements. As such, it has recognized debt for the lease obligation and retained the portion of the plant subject to the sale-leaseback on its balance sheet. For financial reporting purposes, System Energy has recognized interest expense on the debt balance and depreciation on the applicable plant balance. The lease payments are recognized as principal and interest payments on the debt balance.As of December 31, 2023, System Energy, in connection with the Grand Gulf sale and leaseback transactions, had future minimum lease payments that are recorded as long-term debt, as follows, which reflects the effect of the December 2013 renewal:NOTE 6. PREFERRED EQUITY AND NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy Texas)In May 2021, Entergy’s certificate of incorporation was amended and restated to provide authority to issue up to 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, no par value per share, and to decrease from 500,000,000 to 499,000,000 the number of shares of common stock, par value of $0. PREFERRED EQUITY AND NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy Texas)In May 2021, Entergy’s certificate of incorporation was amended and restated to provide authority to issue up to 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, no par value per share, and to decrease from 500,000,000 to 499,000,000 150Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsthe number of shares of common stock, par value of $0. 01 per share, authorized for issuance. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, no preferred stock has been issued.146Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsThe number of shares and units authorized and outstanding and dollar value of preferred stock, preferred membership interests, and noncontrolling interests for Entergy Corporation subsidiaries as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are presented below.215Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsThe fair values of Entergy’s derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 are shown in the table below. (a)In October 2015, Entergy Utility Holding Company, LLC issued 110,000 units of $1,000 liquidation value 7.5% Series A Preferred Membership Interests, all of which are outstanding as of December 31, 2023. The distributions are cumulative and payable quarterly. These units are redeemable on or after January 1, 2036, at Entergy Utility Holding Company, LLC’s option, at the fixed redemption price of $1,000 per unit. Dollar amount outstanding is net of $2,575 thousand of preferred stock issuance costs.(b)In November 2017, Entergy Utility Holding Company, LLC issued 15,000 units of $1,000 liquidation value 6.25% Series B Preferred Membership Interests, all of which are outstanding as of December 31, 2023. The distributions are cumulative and payable quarterly. These units are redeemable on or after February 28, 2038, at Entergy Utility Holding Company, LLC’s option, at the fixed redemption price of $1,000 per unit. Dollar amount outstanding is net of $634 thousand of preferred stock issuance costs.(c)In November 2018, Entergy Utility Holding Company, LLC issued 75,000 units of $1,000 liquidation value 6.75% Series C Preferred Membership Interests, all of which are outstanding as of December 31, 2023. The distributions are cumulative and payable quarterly. These units are redeemable on or after February 28, 2039, at Entergy Utility Holding Company, LLC’s option, at the fixed redemption price of $1,000 per unit. Dollar amount outstanding is net of $1,630 thousand of preferred stock issuance costs.147Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statements(d)In December 2013, Entergy Finance Holding, Inc.64Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsNOTE 2. issued 250,000 shares of $100 par value 8.75% Series Preferred Stock, all of which are outstanding as of December 31, 2023. The dividends are cumulative and payable quarterly. The preferred stock is redeemable on or after December 16, 2023, at Entergy Finance Holding, Inc.’s option, at the fixed redemption price of $100 per share. Dollar amount outstanding is net of $751 thousand of preferred stock issuance costs.(e)Currently, all shares are held by Entergy Corporation.(d)Currently, all shares are held by Entergy Corporation. The number of shares authorized and outstanding and dollar value of preferred stock for Entergy Texas as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are presented below.(a)In September 2019, Entergy Texas issued $35 million of 5.375% Series A Preferred Stock, a total of 1,400,000 shares with a liquidation value of $25 per share, all of which are outstanding as of December 31, 2023. The dividends are cumulative and payable quarterly. The preferred stock is redeemable on or after October 15, 2024 at Entergy Texas’s option, at a fixed redemption price of $25 per share.(b)In November 2021, Entergy Texas issued $3.75 million of 5.10% Series B Preferred Stock, a total of 150,000 shares with a liquidation value of $25 per share, all of which are outstanding and held by Entergy Corporation as of December 31, 2023. The dividends are cumulative and payable quarterly. The preferred stock is redeemable at Entergy Texas’s option at a fixed redemption price of $25.50 per share prior to November 1, 2026 and at a fixed redemption price of $25 per share on or after November 1, 2026.Dividends and distributions paid on all of Entergy Corporation’s subsidiaries’ preferred stock and membership interests series may be eligible for the dividends received deduction.The dollar value of noncontrolling interest for Entergy Arkansas as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 is presented below.(a)AR Searcy Partnership, LLC is a tax equity partnership between Entergy Arkansas and a tax equity investor which was formed to acquire and own the Searcy Solar facility. Entergy Arkansas, as the managing member, consolidates AR Searcy Partnership, LLC and the tax equity investor’s interest is presented as noncontrolling interest in the financial statements. Entergy Arkansas, as the managing member, consolidates AR Searcy Partnership, LLC and the tax equity investor’s interest is shown as noncontrolling interest in the financial statements. Entergy Arkansas uses the HLBV method of accounting for income or loss allocation to the tax equity investor’s noncontrolling interest. See Note 1 to the financial statements for further discussion on the presentation of the tax equity investor’s noncontrolling interest and the HLBV method of accounting.148Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsThe dollar value of noncontrolling interests for Entergy Louisiana as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are presented below.174Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsThe assets of the seven defined benefit qualified pension plans are held in a master trust established by Entergy. (a)Restoration Law Trust I (the storm trust I) was established in 2022 as part of the Act 293 securitization of Entergy Louisiana’s Hurricane Laura, Hurricane Delta, Hurricane Zeta, and Winter Storm Uri restoration costs, as well as to establish a storm reserve to fund a portion of Hurricane Ida storm restoration costs.(a)Restoration Law Trust I was established as part of the Act 293 securitization of Entergy Louisiana’s Hurricane Laura, Hurricane Delta, Hurricane Zeta, and Winter Storm Uri restoration costs, as well as to establish a storm reserve to fund a portion of Hurricane Ida storm restoration costs. The storm trust I holds preferred membership interests issued by Entergy Finance Company, and Entergy Finance Company is required to make annual distributions (dividends) on the preferred membership interests. Restoration Law Trust I holds preferred membership interests issued by Entergy Finance Company and Entergy Finance Company is required to make annual distributions (dividends) on the preferred membership interests. These annual dividends paid on the Entergy Finance Company preferred membership interests are distributed 1% to the LURC and 99% to Entergy Louisiana. Entergy Louisiana, as the primary beneficiary, consolidates the storm trust I and the LURC’s 1% beneficial interest is presented as noncontrolling interest in the consolidated financial statements for Entergy Louisiana and Entergy. Entergy Louisiana, as the primary beneficiary, consolidates Restoration Law Trust I and the LURC’s 1% beneficial interest is shown as noncontrolling interest in the consolidated financial statements for Entergy Louisiana and Entergy. See Note 2 to the financial statements for a discussion of the Entergy Louisiana May 2022 storm cost securitization. See Note 2 to the financial statements for a discussion of the Entergy Louisiana securitization. (b)Restoration Law Trust II (the storm trust II) was established in 2023 as part of the Act 293 securitization of Entergy Louisiana’s remaining Hurricane Ida storm restoration costs. The storm trust II holds preferred membership interests issued by Entergy Finance Company, and Entergy Finance Company is required to make annual distributions (dividends) on the preferred membership interests. Restoration Law Trust I holds preferred membership interests issued by Entergy Finance Company and Entergy Finance Company is required to make annual distributions (dividends) on the preferred membership interests. These annual dividends paid on the Entergy Finance Company preferred membership interests are distributed 1% to the LURC and 99% to Entergy Louisiana. Entergy Louisiana, as the primary beneficiary, consolidates the storm trust II and the LURC’s 1% beneficial interest is presented as noncontrolling interest in the consolidated financial statements for Entergy Louisiana and Entergy. Entergy Louisiana, as the primary beneficiary, consolidates Restoration Law Trust I and the LURC’s 1% beneficial interest is shown as noncontrolling interest in the consolidated financial statements for Entergy Louisiana and Entergy. See Note 2 to the financial statements for a discussion of the Entergy Louisiana March 2023 storm cost securitization. See Note 2 to the financial statements for a discussion of the Entergy Louisiana securitization. The dollar value of noncontrolling interest for Entergy Mississippi as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 is presented below.(a)MS Sunflower Partnership, LLC is a tax equity partnership between Entergy Mississippi and a tax equity investor which was formed to acquire and own the Sunflower Solar facility.(a)In May 2022, MS Sunflower Partnership, LLC, a tax equity partnership between Entergy Mississippi and a tax equity investor, made the initial payment for the purchase of the Sunflower Solar facility. Entergy Mississippi, as the managing member, consolidates MS Sunflower Partnership, LLC and the tax equity investor’s interest is presented as noncontrolling interest in the consolidated financial statements for Entergy Mississippi and Entergy. Entergy Mississippi, as the managing member, consolidates MS Sunflower Partnership, LLC and the tax equity investor’s interest is shown as noncontrolling interest in the consolidated financial statements for Entergy Mississippi and Entergy. Entergy Mississippi uses the HLBV method of accounting for income or loss allocation to the tax equity investor’s noncontrolling interest. See Note 1 to the financial statements for further discussion on the presentation of the tax equity investor’s noncontrolling interest and the HLBV method of accounting.Presentation of Preferred Stock without Sinking FundAccounting standards regarding noncontrolling interests and the classification and measurement of redeemable securities require the classification of preferred securities between liabilities and shareholders’ equity on the balance sheet if the holders of those securities have protective rights that allow them to gain control of the board 149Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsof directors in certain circumstances.Presentation of Preferred Stock without Sinking FundAccounting standards regarding noncontrolling interests and the classification and measurement of redeemable securities require the classification of preferred securities between liabilities and shareholders’ equity on the balance sheet if the holders of those securities have protective rights that allow them to gain control of the board of directors in certain circumstances. These rights would have the effect of giving the holders the ability to potentially redeem their securities, even if the likelihood of occurrence of these circumstances is considered remote. The outstanding preferred stock of Entergy Texas has protective rights with respect to unpaid dividends but provides for the election of board members that would not constitute a majority of the board, and the preferred stock of Entergy Texas is therefore classified as a component of equity. The outstanding preferred stock of Entergy Texas has protective rights with respect to unpaid dividends but 153Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsprovides for the election of board members that would not constitute a majority of the board, and the preferred stock of Entergy Texas is therefore classified as a component of equity. The outstanding preferred securities of Entergy Utility Holding Company, LLC (a Utility subsidiary) and Entergy Finance Holding, Inc. (an Entergy subsidiary in the non-utility operations business), whose preferred holders have protective rights, are presented between liabilities and equity on Entergy’s consolidated balance sheets. The preferred dividends or distributions paid by all subsidiaries are reflected for all periods presented outside of consolidated net income.NOTE 7. COMMON EQUITY (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)Common StockCommon stock and treasury stock shares activity for Entergy for 2023, 2022, and 2021 is as follows:Entergy Corporation reissues treasury shares to meet the requirements of the Stock Plan for Outside Directors (Directors’ Plan), the three equity plans of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries, and certain other stock benefit plans. The Directors’ Plan awards to non-employee directors a portion of their compensation in the form of a fixed dollar value of shares of Entergy Corporation common stock.In October 2010 the Board granted authority for a $500 million share repurchase program. As of December 31, 2023, $350 million of authority remains under the $500 million share repurchase program.Dividends declared per common share were $4.34 in 2023, $4.74 in 2020. 10 in 2022, and $3.10 in 2022, $3. 86 in 2021.8% in 2020. Equity Distribution ProgramIn 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.Equity Distribution ProgramIn January 2021, Entergy entered into an equity distribution sales agreement with several counterparties establishing an at the market equity distribution program, pursuant to which Entergy 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 150Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementssale agreements for the sale of its common stock. The sales agreement provides that, in addition to the issuance and sale of shares of Entergy common stock, Entergy may also 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. Initially, 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 $1 billion. As of December 31, 2023, an aggregate gross sales price of approximately $1. As of December 31, 2022, Entergy Texas had a regulatory asset of $10. 5 billion has been sold under the at market equity distribution program.During the year ended December 31, 2021, Entergy Corporation issued 1,930,330 shares of common stock under the at the market equity distribution program. The net sales proceeds from these shares totaled $200.8 million, which includes the gross sales price of $204.2 million received by Entergy Corporation less $1.4 million of general issuance costs and $2.0 million of aggregate compensation to the agents with respect to such sales. During the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, there were no shares of common stock issued under the at the market equity distribution program.In June, August, and October 2021, Entergy Corporation entered into forward sale agreements for 416,853 shares, 1,692,555 shares, and 250,743 shares of common stock, respectively.In June, August, and October 2021, Entergy entered into forward sale agreements for 416,853 shares, 1,692,555 shares, and 250,743 shares of common stock, respectively. No amounts were recorded on Entergy’s balance sheet with respect to the equity offerings until settlements of the equity forward sale agreements occurred in November 2022. No amounts were recorded on Entergy’s balance sheet with respect to the equity offering until settlements of the equity forward sale agreements occurred in November 2022. The forward sale agreements required Entergy Corporation to, at its election prior to September 29, 2023, either (i) physically settle the transactions by issuing the total of 416,853 shares, 1,692,555 shares, and 250,743 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 $106. The forward sale agreements required Entergy to, at its election prior to September 29, 2023, either (i) physically settle the transactions by issuing the total of 416,853 shares, 1,692,555 shares, and 250,743 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 $106. 87, $111.16, and $100.35 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 was subject to adjustment on a daily basis based on a floating interest rate factor and decreased by other fixed amounts specified in the agreements. The forward sale price was subject to adjustment on a daily basis based on a floating interest rate factor and decreased 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 416,853 shares, 1,692,555 shares, and 250,743 shares, respectively, of Entergy Corporation’s common stock. The gross sales price of these shares totaled approximately $45 million, $190. The gross sales price of these shares totaled $45 million, $190. 1 million, and $25.4 million, respectively. In connection with the sales of these shares, Entergy Corporation paid to the forward sellers fees of approximately $0. In connection with the sales of these shares, Entergy paid to the agents fees of $0. 5 million, $1.9 million, and $0.3 million, respectively, which have not been deducted from the gross sales prices. Entergy Corporation did not receive any proceeds from such sales of borrowed shares. Entergy did not receive any proceeds from such sales of borrowed shares. In March, June, and September 2022, Entergy Corporation entered into forward sale agreements for 1,538,010 shares, 2,124,086 shares, and 1,666,172 shares of common stock, respectively.In March, June, and September 2022, Entergy entered into forward sale agreements for 1,538,010 shares, 2,124,086 shares, and 1,666,172 shares of common stock, respectively. No amounts were recorded on Entergy’s balance sheet with respect to the equity offerings until settlements of the equity forward sale agreements occurred in November 2022. No amounts were recorded on Entergy’s balance sheet with respect to the equity offering until settlements of the equity forward sale agreements occurred in November 2022. The forward sale agreements required Entergy Corporation to, at its election prior to September 29, 2023 for the March 2022 agreements and prior to December 29, 2023 for the June and September 2022 agreements, either (i) physically settle the transactions by issuing the total of 1,538,010 shares, 2,124,086 shares, and 1,666,172 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 $108. The forward sale agreements required Entergy to, at its election prior to September 29, 2023 for the March 2022 agreements and prior to December 29, 2023 for the June and September agreements, either (i) physically settle the transactions by issuing the total of 1,538,010 shares, 2,124,086 shares, and 1,666,172 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 $108. 12, $116.94, and $115.46 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 was subject to adjustment on a daily basis based on a floating interest rate factor and decreased by other fixed amounts specified in the agreements. The forward sale price was subject to adjustment on a daily basis based on a floating interest rate factor and decreased 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 1,538,010 shares, 2,124,086 shares, and 1,666,172 shares, respectively, of Entergy Corporation’s common stock. The gross sales price of these shares totaled approximately $168 million, $250. The gross sales price of these shares totaled $168 million, $250. 9 million, and $194.2 million, respectively. In connection with the sales of these shares, Entergy Corporation paid the forward sellers fees of approximately $1. In connection with the sales of these shares, Entergy paid to the agents fees of $1. 7 million, $2.5 million, and $1.9 million, respectively, which have not been deducted from the gross sales prices. Entergy Corporation did not receive any proceeds from such sales of borrowed shares. Entergy did not receive any proceeds from such sales of borrowed shares. In November 2022, Entergy Corporation physically settled its obligations under the then-outstanding forward sale agreements by delivering 7,688,419 shares of common stock in exchange for cash proceeds of $853.In November 2022, Entergy physically settled its obligations under the forward sale agreements by delivering 7,688,419 shares of common stock in exchange for cash proceeds of $853. 3 million. The forward sale price used to determine the cash proceeds received by Entergy Corporation was calculated based on the initial forward sale price of $112. The forward sale price used to determine the cash proceeds received by Entergy was calculated based on the initial forward sale price 155Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsof $112. 50 per share as adjusted in accordance with the forward sale agreements. Entergy Corporation incurred an aggregate amount of approximately $0.7 million of general 151Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsissuance costs with the settlement. Entergy Corporation used the net proceeds for general corporate purposes, which included repayment of commercial paper, outstanding loans under Entergy Corporation’s revolving credit facility, and other debt.Entergy used the net proceeds for general corporate purposes, which included repayment of commercial paper, outstanding loans under Entergy’s revolving credit facility, and other debt. In June 2023, Entergy Corporation entered into forward sale agreements for 102,995 shares and 365,307 shares of common stock, and in November 2023, Entergy Corporation entered into a forward sale agreement for 853,117 shares of common stock. No amounts were recorded on Entergy’s balance sheet with respect to the equity offerings until settlements of the equity forward sale agreements occurred in November and December 2023. No amounts were recorded on Entergy’s balance sheet with respect to the equity offering until settlements of the equity forward sale agreements occurred in November 2022. The forward sale agreements required Entergy Corporation to, at its election prior to May 31, 2024 and June 28, 2024, respectively, for the June 2023 agreements and prior to August 11, 2024 for the November 2023 agreement, either (i) physically settle the transactions by issuing the total of 102,995 shares, 365,307 shares, and 853,117 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. The forward sale agreements required Entergy to, at its election prior to September 29, 2023 for the March 2022 agreements and prior to December 29, 2023 for the June and September agreements, either (i) physically settle the transactions by issuing the total of 1,538,010 shares, 2,124,086 shares, and 1,666,172 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 $108. 36, $101.39, and $97.94, and $115. 48 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 was subject to adjustment on a daily basis based on a floating interest rate factor and decreased by other fixed amounts specified in the agreements. The forward sale price was subject to adjustment on a daily basis based on a floating interest rate factor and decreased 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 102,995 shares, 365,307 shares, and 853,117 shares, respectively, of Entergy Corporation’s common stock. In connection with the forward sale agreements, the forward seller, or its affiliates, borrowed from third parties and sold 416,853 shares, 1,692,555 shares, and 250,743 shares, respectively, of Entergy Corporation’s common stock. The gross sales price of these shares totaled approximately $10. The gross sales price of these shares totaled $45 million, $190. 5 million, $37.5 million, $1. 4 million, and $84 million, respectively. In connection with the sales of these shares, Entergy Corporation paid the forward sellers fees of approximately $0. In connection with the sales of these shares, Entergy paid to the agents fees of $0. 1 million, $0.1 million, $2. 4 million, and $0.8 million, respectively, which have not been deducted from the gross sales prices. Entergy Corporation did not receive any proceeds from such sales of borrowed shares. Entergy did not receive any proceeds from such sales of borrowed shares. In November 2023, Entergy Corporation physically settled its obligations under the June 2023 forward sale agreements, and in December 2023, Entergy Corporation physically settled its obligations under the November 2023 forward sale agreement, by delivering 468,302 shares and 853,117 shares of common stock, respectively, in exchange for cash proceeds of $47.8 million and $83.3 million, respectively. The forward sale price used to determine the cash proceeds received by Entergy was calculated based on the initial forward sale price of $101. The forward sale price used to determine the cash proceeds received by Entergy was calculated based on the initial forward sale price 155Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsof $112. 38 and $97.48 per share, respectively, as adjusted in accordance with the forward sale agreements.50 per share as adjusted in accordance with the forward sale agreements. Entergy Corporation incurred an aggregate amount of approximately $0.4 million of general issuance costs with the settlements. Entergy Corporation used the net proceeds for general corporate purposes, which included repayment of commercial paper, outstanding loans under Entergy Corporation’s revolving credit facility, and other debt.Entergy used the net proceeds for general corporate purposes, which included repayment of commercial paper, outstanding loans under Entergy’s revolving credit facility, and other debt. In December 2023, Entergy Corporation entered into a forward sale agreement for 2,753,246 shares of common stock. No amounts have been or will be recorded on Entergy’s balance sheet with respect to the equity offering until settlement of the equity forward sale agreement occurs. No amounts were recorded on Entergy’s balance sheet with respect to the equity offering until settlements of the equity forward sale agreements occurred in November 2022. The forward sale agreement requires Entergy Corporation to, at its election prior to May 30, 2025, either (i) physically settle the transaction by issuing the total of 2,753,246 shares of its common stock to the forward counterparty in exchange for net proceeds at the then-applicable forward sale price specified by the agreement (initially approximately $101. The forward sale agreements required Entergy to, at its election prior to September 29, 2023, either (i) physically settle the transactions by issuing the total of 416,853 shares, 1,692,555 shares, and 250,743 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 $106. 11 per share) or (ii) net settle the transaction in whole or in part through the delivery or receipt of cash or shares.35 per share, respectively) or (ii) net settle the transactions in whole or in part through the delivery or receipt of cash or shares. The 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 agreement. In connection with the forward sale agreement, the forward seller, or its affiliates, borrowed from third parties and sold 2,753,246 shares of Entergy Corporation’s common stock. In connection with the forward sale agreements, the forward seller, or its affiliates, borrowed from third parties and sold 416,853 shares, 1,692,555 shares, and 250,743 shares, respectively, of Entergy Corporation’s common stock. The gross sales price of these shares totaled approximately $280. The gross sales price of these shares totaled $168 million, $250. 5 million. In connection with the sale of these shares, Entergy Corporation paid the forward sellers fees of approximately $2. In connection with the sales of these shares, Entergy paid to the agents fees of $0. 8 million which have not been deducted from the gross sales price.3 million, respectively, which have not been deducted from the gross sales prices. Entergy Corporation did not receive any proceeds from such sales of borrowed shares. Entergy 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, were 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. Share dilution occurs when the average market price of Entergy’s common stock is higher than the average forward sales price. At December 31, 2023, 1,762,709 shares under the forward sale agreement were not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share because their effect would have been antidilutive, and at December 31, 2021, 1,158,917 shares under the then-152Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsoutstanding forward sale agreements were not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share because their effect would have been antidilutive. At December 31, 2022, there were no forward share agreements outstanding.Retained Earnings and DividendsEntergy Corporation received dividend payments and distributions from subsidiaries totaling $189 million in 2023, $301 million in 2022, and $136 million in 2021.Retained Earnings and DividendsEntergy Corporation received dividend payments and distributions from subsidiaries totaling $301 million in 2022, $136 million in 2021, and $113 million in 2020. Comprehensive IncomeAccumulated 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 year ended December 31, 2023:The following table presents changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for Entergy for the year ended December 31, 2022 by component:153Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsThe following table presents changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for Entergy Louisiana for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:Total reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (AOCI) for Entergy for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:(a)These accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) components are included in the computation of net periodic pension and other postretirement cost. The following table presents changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for Entergy for the year ended December 31, 2022 by component:The following table presents changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for Entergy for the year ended December 31, 2021 by component:156Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsThe following table presents changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for Entergy Louisiana for the year ended December 31, 2022:The following table presents changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for Entergy Louisiana for the year ended December 31, 2021:157Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsTotal reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (AOCI) for Entergy for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:(a)These accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) components are included in the computation of net periodic pension and other postretirement cost. See Note 11 to the financial statements for additional details.154Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsTotal reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (AOCI) for Entergy Louisiana for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:(a)These accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) components are included in the computation of net periodic pension and other postretirement cost. See Note 11 to the financial statements for additional details. NOTE 8. 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. Entergy discusses regulatory proceedings in Note 2 to the financial statements and discusses tax proceedings in Note 3 to the financial statements.Vidalia Purchased Power AgreementEntergy Louisiana has an agreement extending through the year 2031 to purchase energy generated by a hydroelectric facility known as the Vidalia project. Entergy Louisiana made payments under the contract of approximately $100.4 million in 2023, $117.2 million in 2022, $17. 2 million in 2022, and $128.5 million in 2021. If the maximum percentage (94%) of the energy is made available to Entergy Louisiana, current production projections would require estimated payments of approximately $137.4 million in 2024 and a total of $958.9 million in 2023, and a total of $1. 8 million for the years 2025 through 2031. Entergy Louisiana currently recovers the costs of the purchased energy through its fuel adjustment clause.In an LPSC-approved settlement related to tax benefits from the tax treatment of the Vidalia contract, Entergy Louisiana agreed to credit rates by $11 million each year for up to 10 years, beginning in October 2002. In October 2011 the LPSC approved a settlement under which Entergy Louisiana agreed to provide credits to customers by crediting billings an additional $20.235 million per year for 15 years beginning January 2012. Entergy Louisiana recorded a regulatory charge and a corresponding regulatory liability to reflect this obligation. The settlement agreement allowed for an adjustment to the credits if, among other things, there was a change in the applicable federal or state income tax rate. As a result of the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, in December 2017, and the lowering of the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%, the Vidalia purchased power regulatory liability was reduced by $30.5 million, with a corresponding increase to Other regulatory credits on the income statement. See Note 3 to the financial statements for discussion of the effects of 155Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsthe Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and discussion of the resolution of the 2016-2018 IRS audit, which included the tax treatment of the Vidalia contract.ANO Damage, Outage, and NRC ReviewsIn March 2013, during a scheduled refueling outage at ANO 1, a contractor-owned and operated heavy-lifting apparatus collapsed while moving the generator stator out of the turbine building. The collapse resulted in the death of an ironworker and injuries to several other contract workers, caused ANO 2 to shut down, and damaged the ANO turbine building. The total cost of assessment, restoration of off-site power, site restoration, debris removal, and replacement of damaged property and equipment was approximately $95 million. Entergy Arkansas pursued its options for recovering damages that resulted from the stator drop, including its insurance coverage and legal action. Entergy Arkansas collected $50 million in 2014 from Nuclear Electric Insurance Limited (NEIL), a mutual insurance company that provides property damage coverage to the members’ nuclear generating plants. Entergy Arkansas also collected a total of $21 million in 2018 as a result of stator-related settlements.In addition, Entergy Arkansas incurred replacement power costs for ANO 2 power during its outage and incurred incremental replacement power costs for ANO 1 power because the outage extended beyond the originally-planned duration of the refueling outage. In February 2014 the APSC authorized Entergy Arkansas to retain the $65.9 million in its deferred fuel balance with recovery to be reviewed in a later period after more information regarding various claims associated with the ANO stator incident was available.In March 2015, after several NRC inspections and regulatory conferences, arising from the stator incident, the NRC placed ANO into the “multiple/repetitive degraded cornerstone column,” or Column 4, of the NRC’s Reactor Oversight Process Action Matrix. Entergy Arkansas incurred incremental costs of approximately $53 million in 2015 to prepare for the NRC inspections that began in early 2016 in order to address the issues required to move ANO back to “licensee response” or Column 1 of the NRC’s Reactor Oversight Process Action Matrix. Excluding remediation and response costs that resulted from the additional NRC inspection activities, Entergy Arkansas incurred approximately $44 million in 2016 and $7 million in 2017 in support of NRC inspection activities and to implement Entergy Arkansas’s performance improvement initiatives developed in 2015. In June 2018 the NRC moved ANO 1 and 2 into the “licensee response column,” or Column 1, of the NRC’s Reactor Oversight Process Action Matrix.In July 2017, Entergy Arkansas filed for a change in rates pursuant to its formula rate plan rider. In that proceeding, the APSC approved a settlement agreement agreed upon by the parties, including a provision that requires Entergy Arkansas to initiate a regulatory proceeding for the purpose of recovering funds currently withheld from rates and related to the stator incident, including the $65.9 million of deferred fuel and purchased energy costs and costs related to the incremental oversight previously noted, subject to certain timelines and conditions set forth in the settlement agreement.9 million of deferred fuel and purchased energy costs and costs related to the incremental oversight previously noted, subject to certain timelines and conditions set forth in the settlement agreement, including the resolution of civil litigation currently pending regarding the stator incident by the Circuit Court of Pope County, Arkansas. In October 2023, Entergy Arkansas made a commitment to the APSC to make a filing to forgo its opportunity to seek recovery of the identified costs resulting from the ANO stator incident, specifically all incremental fuel and purchased energy expense, capital and incremental non-fuel operations and maintenance costs, and costs of any judgment that may be rendered against Entergy Arkansas in civil litigation that is not covered by insurance. As a result, in third quarter 2023, Entergy Arkansas recorded write-offs of its regulatory asset for deferred fuel of $68.9 million, which includes interest, and the undepreciated balance of $9.5 million in capital costs related to the ANO stator incident. Consistent with its October 2023 commitment, Entergy Arkansas filed a motion to forgo recovery in November 2023, and the motion was approved by the APSC in December 2023.Spent Nuclear Fuel LitigationUnder the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, the DOE is required, for a specified fee, to construct storage facilities for, and to dispose of, all spent nuclear fuel and other high-level radioactive waste generated by domestic 156Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsnuclear power reactors.Spent Nuclear Fuel LitigationUnder the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, the DOE is required, for a specified fee, to construct storage facilities for, and to dispose of, all spent nuclear fuel and other high-level radioactive waste generated by domestic nuclear power reactors. Entergy’s nuclear owner/licensee subsidiaries have been charged fees for the estimated future disposal costs of spent nuclear fuel in accordance with the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982. The affected Entergy companies entered into contracts with the DOE, whereby the DOE is to furnish disposal services at a cost of one mill per net kWh generated and sold after April 7, 1983, plus a one-time fee for generation prior to that date. Entergy considers all costs incurred for the disposal of spent nuclear fuel, except accrued interest, to be proper components of nuclear fuel expense. Provisions to recover such costs have been or will be made in applications to regulatory authorities for the Utility plants. Following the defunding of the Yucca Mountain spent fuel repository program, the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners and others sued the government seeking cessation of collection of the one mill per net kWh generated and sold after April 7, 1983 fee. In November 2013 the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ordered the DOE to submit a proposal to Congress to reset the fee to zero until the DOE complies with the Nuclear Waste Policy Act or Congress enacts an alternative waste disposal plan. In January 2014 the DOE submitted the proposal to Congress under protest, and also filed a petition for rehearing with the D.C. Circuit. The petition for rehearing was denied. The zero spent fuel fee went into effect prospectively in May 2014.Because the DOE has not begun accepting spent fuel, it is in non-compliance with the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 and is in partial breach of its spent fuel disposal contracts.Because the DOE has not begun accepting spent fuel, it is in non-compliance with the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 and has breached its spent fuel disposal contracts. As a result of the DOE’s failure to begin disposal of spent nuclear fuel in 1998 pursuant to the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 and the spent fuel disposal contracts, Entergy’s nuclear owner/licensee subsidiaries have incurred and will continue to incur damages. Beginning in November 2003 these subsidiaries have pursued litigation to recover the damages caused by the DOE’s delay in performance. Following are details of final judgments recorded by Entergy in 2021, 2022, and 2023 related to Entergy’s nuclear owner/licensee subsidiaries’ litigation with the DOE. Following are details of final judgments recorded by Entergy in 2020, 2021, and 2022 related to Entergy’s nuclear owner licensee subsidiaries’ litigation with the DOE. In January 2021 the U.S. Court of Federal Claims issued a final judgment in the amount of $23 million in favor of Entergy Nuclear Palisades and against the DOE in the second round Palisades damages case. Court of Federal Claims issued a final judgment in the amount of $33 million in favor of Entergy Louisiana against the DOE in the second round Waterford 3 damages case. Entergy received payment from the U.S. Treasury in February 2021. The effects of recording the judgment were reductions to plant, other operation and maintenance expenses, and taxes other than income taxes. The Palisades damages awarded included $16 million related to costs previously recorded as plant and $7 million related to costs previously recorded as other operation and maintenance expenses. The Waterford 3 damages awarded included $20 million related to costs previously recorded as nuclear fuel expense, $8 million related to costs previously recorded as other operation and maintenance expenses, and $5 million in costs previously recorded as plant. Of the $16 million previously capitalized, Entergy recorded $9 million as a reduction to previously-recorded depreciation expense.In August 2021 the U.S. Court of Federal Claims issued a final judgment in the amount of $37.6 million in favor of Holtec Pilgrim, LLC against the DOE in the third round Pilgrim damages case. Holtec Pilgrim, LLC received the payment from the U.S. Treasury in September 2021. The judgment proceeds were subsequently transferred to Entergy pursuant to the terms of the Pilgrim sale. The receipt of the proceeds was recorded as a deferred credit because Entergy has an indemnity obligation to Holtec related to pre-sale DOE litigation involving Pilgrim that remains outstanding.In August 2021 the U.S. Court of Federal Claims issued a final judgment in the amount of $21 million in favor of Entergy Louisiana against the DOE in the third round River Bend damages case. Entergy Louisiana received the payment from the U.S. Treasury in September 2021. The effects of recording the judgment were reductions to plant, nuclear fuel expense, and other operation and maintenance expenses. The River Bend damages awarded included $9 million in costs previously recorded as plant, $8 million related to costs previously recorded as nuclear fuel expense, and $4 million related to costs previously recorded as other operation and maintenance expenses. The River Bend damages awarded included $9 million in costs previously capitalized, $8 million related to costs previously recorded as nuclear fuel expense, and $4 million related to costs previously recorded as other operation and maintenance expense. In October 2021 the U.S. Court of Federal Claims issued a final judgment in the amount of $83 million in favor of Entergy Nuclear Indian Point 2, LLC and Entergy Nuclear Indian Point 3, LLC against the DOE in the Indian Point 2 third round and Indian Point 3 second round combined damages case. Entergy received payment from the U.S. Treasury in January 2022. The effect in 2021 of recording the judgment was a reduction to asset write-offs, impairments, and related charges (credits). The damages awarded included $32 million related to costs previously recorded as plant, $47 million related to costs previously recorded as other operation and maintenance expenses, and $4 million related to costs previously recorded as taxes other than income taxes.157Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsIn March 2023 the DOE submitted an offer of judgment to resolve claims in the fourth round ANO damages case.78Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsIn July 2020, Entergy Texas filed an application with the PUCT to implement an interim fuel refund of $25. The $41 million offer was accepted by Entergy Arkansas, and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims issued a judgment in that amount in favor of Entergy Arkansas and against the DOE. Entergy Arkansas received payment from the U.S. Treasury in April 2023. Treasury in September 2021. The effects of recording the judgment were reductions to plant, nuclear fuel expense, other operation and maintenance expenses, materials and supplies, and taxes other than income taxes. The effects of recording the judgment were reductions to plant, nuclear fuel expense, and other operation and maintenance expense. The ANO damages awarded included $18 million related to costs previously recorded as plant, $10 million related to costs previously recorded as other operation and maintenance expenses, $8 million related to costs previously recorded as nuclear fuel expense, $3 million related to costs previously recorded as materials and supplies, and $2 million related to costs previously recorded as taxes other than income taxes.In July 2023 the DOE submitted an offer of judgment to resolve claims in the Indian Point 2 fourth round and Indian Point 3 third round combined damages case. The $59 million offer was accepted by Entergy and Holtec International, as the current owner. The $80 million offer was accepted by Entergy Arkansas, and the U. The U. The D. S. Court of Federal Claims issued a final judgment in that amount in favor of Holtec Indian Point 2, LLC and Holtec Indian Point 3, LLC (previously Entergy Nuclear Indian Point 2, LLC and Entergy Nuclear Indian Point 3, LLC) and against the DOE. Court of Federal Claims issued a final judgment in the amount of $83 million in favor of Entergy Nuclear Indian Point 2, LLC and Entergy Nuclear Indian Point 3, LLC against the DOE in the Indian Point Unit 2 third round and Unit 3 second round combined damages case. Holtec received payment from the U. Entergy received payment from the U. S. Treasury in July 2023. Treasury in June 2020. Consistent with certain terms agreed upon in connection with the sale of Indian Point Energy Center in May 2021, Holtec transferred $40 million to Entergy for its pro-rata share of the litigation proceeds in August 2023. The remainder of the judgment was retained by Holtec. The effect of recording Entergy’s pro-rata share of the judgment was a reduction to asset write-offs, impairments, and related charges (credits). The effect in 2019 of recording the judgment was a reduction to asset write-offs, impairments, and related charges (credits). Entergy’s pro-rata share of the damages awarded included $18 million related to costs previously recorded as spending on the asset retirement obligation, $15 million related to costs previously recorded as other operation and maintenance expenses, $6 million related to costs previously recorded as plant, and $1 million related to costs previously recorded as taxes other than income taxes.Management cannot predict the timing or amount of any potential recoveries on other claims filed by Entergy subsidiaries and cannot predict the timing of any eventual receipt from the DOE of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims damage awards.Nuclear InsuranceThird Party Liability InsuranceThe Price-Anderson Act requires that reactor licensees purchase insurance and participate in a secondary insurance pool that provides insurance coverage for the public in the event of a nuclear power plant accident. The costs of this insurance are borne by the nuclear power industry. Congress amended and renewed the Price-Anderson Act in 2005 for a term through 2025. The Price-Anderson Act requires nuclear power plants to show evidence of financial protection in the event of a nuclear accident. This protection must consist of two layers of coverage:1.The primary level is private insurance underwritten by American Nuclear Insurers (ANI) and provides public liability insurance coverage of $500 million, as of January 1, 2024, for each operating reactor.The primary level is private insurance underwritten by American Nuclear Insurers (ANI) and provides public liability insurance coverage of $450 million for each operating reactor. If this amount is not sufficient to cover claims arising from an accident, the second level, Secondary Financial Protection, applies.2.Secondary Financial Protection: Currently, 95 nuclear reactors participate in the Secondary Financial Protection program, which provides approximately $15.Secondary Financial Protection: Currently, 96 nuclear reactors participate in the Secondary Financial Protection program, which provides approximately $13 billion in secondary layer insurance coverage to compensate the public in the event of a nuclear power reactor accident. 8 billion in secondary layer insurance coverage to compensate the public in the event of a nuclear power reactor accident. The Price-Anderson Act provides that all potential liability for a nuclear accident is limited to the amounts of insurance coverage available under the primary and secondary layers.158Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsWithin the Secondary Financial Protection program, each nuclear reactor has a contingent obligation to pay a retrospective premium, equal to its proportionate share of the loss in excess of the primary level, regardless of proximity to the incident or fault, up to a maximum of approximately $165.9 million per reactor per incident (Entergy’s maximum total contingent obligation per incident is $829.6 million). This retrospective premium is assessable at approximately $24. This retrospective premium is assessable at approximately $21 million per year per incident per nuclear power reactor. 7 million per year per incident per nuclear power reactor.3.Total insurance coverage available is approximately $16.3 billion, among the primary ANI coverage and the Secondary Financial Protection program, to respond to a nuclear power plant accident that causes third-party damages (e.g., off-site property and environmental damage, off-site bodily injury, and on-site third-party bodily injury (i.e., contractors)). These coverages also respond to an accident caused by terrorism.Entergy Arkansas and Entergy Louisiana each have two licensed reactors. System Energy has one licensed reactor (10% of Grand Gulf is owned by a non-affiliated company (Cooperative Energy) that would share on a pro-rata basis in any retrospective premium assessment to System Energy under the Price-Anderson Act).Property InsuranceEntergy’s nuclear owner/licensee subsidiaries are members of NEIL, a mutual insurance company that provides property damage coverage, including decontamination and reactor stabilization, to the members’ nuclear generating plants. The property damage insurance limits procured by Entergy for its Utility plants are in compliance with the financial protection requirements of the NRC. These coverage limits, deductibles, and weekly indemnity periods are subject to change based on results of NEIL loss control inspections.The Utility plants’ (ANO 1 and 2, Grand Gulf, River Bend, and Waterford 3) property damage insurance limits are $1.06 billion per occurrence at each plant. The property deductible is $20 million per site at the Utility plants, except for earth movement, flood, and windstorm. The nuclear property deductible is $20 million per site at the Utility plants, except for earth movement, flood, and windstorm. Property damage from earth movement is excluded from the first $500 million in coverage for all Utility plants. Property damage from flood is excluded from the first $500 million in coverage at ANO 1 and 2 and Grand Gulf. Property damage from flood for Waterford 3 and River Bend includes a deductible of $10 million plus an additional 10% of the amount of the loss in excess of $10 million, up to a maximum deductible of $50 million. Property damage from a windstorm for all of the Utility nuclear plants includes a deductible of $10 million plus an additional 10% of the amount of the loss in excess of $10 million, up to a total maximum deductible of $50 million.In addition, Waterford 3 and Grand Gulf are also covered under NEIL’s Accidental Outage Coverage program. Accidental outage coverage provides indemnification for the actual cost incurred in the event of an unplanned outage resulting from property damage covered under the NEIL Primary Property Insurance policy, subject to a deductible period. The indemnification for the actual cost incurred is based on market power prices at the time of the loss. After the deductible period has passed, weekly indemnities for an unplanned nuclear outage, covered under NEIL’s Accidental Outage Coverage program, would be paid according to the amounts listed below:•100% of the weekly indemnity for each week for the first payment period of 52 weeks (nuclear and non-nuclear loss); then•80% of the weekly indemnity for each week for the second payment period of 52 weeks (nuclear and non-nuclear loss); and thereafter•80% of the weekly indemnity for an additional 58 weeks for the third and final payment period (nuclear loss only). After the deductible period has passed, weekly indemnities for an unplanned nuclear outage, covered under NEIL’s Accidental Outage Coverage program, would be paid according to the amounts listed below:•100% of the weekly indemnity for each week for the first payment period of 52 weeks; then•80% of the weekly indemnity for each week for the second payment period of 52 weeks; and thereafter•80% of the weekly indemnity for an additional 58 weeks for the third and final payment period. 159Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsUnder the property damage and accidental outage insurance programs, all NEIL insured plants could be subject to assessments should losses exceed the accumulated funds available from NEIL. Effective April 1, 2023, the maximum amounts of such possible assessments per occurrence were as follows:NRC regulations provide that the proceeds of this insurance must be used, first, to render the reactor safe and stable, and second, to complete decontamination operations. Effective January 1, 2023, the maximum amounts of such possible assessments per occurrence were as follows:NRC regulations provide that the proceeds of this insurance must be used, first, to render the reactor safe and stable, and second, to complete decontamination operations. Only after proceeds are dedicated for such use and regulatory approval is secured would any remaining proceeds be made available for the benefit of plant owners or their creditors.In the event that one or more acts of terrorism causes property damage from a nuclear event under one or more or all nuclear insurance policies issued by NEIL (including, but not limited to, those described above) within 12 months from the date the first property damage occurs, the maximum recovery under all such nuclear insurance policies shall be an aggregate not exceeding $3.24 billion plus the additional amounts recovered for such losses from reinsurance, indemnity, and any other sources applicable to such losses.Non-Nuclear Property InsuranceEntergy’s non-nuclear property insurance program provides coverage on a system-wide basis for Entergy’s non-nuclear assets. The insurance program provides coverage for property damage up to $400 million per occurrence in excess of a $20 million self-insured retention except for property damage caused by the following: earthquake shock, flood, and named windstorm, including associated storm surge. For earthquake shock and flood, the insurance program provides coverage up to $400 million on an annual aggregate basis in excess of a $40 million self-insured retention. For named windstorm and associated storm surge, the insurance program provides coverage up to $125 million on an annual aggregate basis in excess of a $40 million self-insured retention. The coverage provided by the insurance program for the Entergy New Orleans gas distribution system is limited to $50 million per occurrence and is subject to the same annual aggregate limits and retentions listed above for earthquake shock, flood, and named windstorm, including associated storm surge.Covered property generally includes power plants, substations, facilities, inventories, and gas distribution-related properties. Excluded property generally includes transmission and distribution lines, poles, and towers. For substations valued at $5 million or less, coverage for named windstorm and associated storm surge is excluded. This coverage is in place for Entergy Corporation, the Registrant Subsidiaries, and certain other Entergy subsidiaries. Entergy also purchases $400 million in terrorism insurance coverage for its conventional property.Employment and Labor-related ProceedingsThe Registrant Subsidiaries and other Entergy subsidiaries and related entities are responding to various lawsuits in both state and federal courts and to other labor-related proceedings filed by current and former employees, recognized bargaining representatives, and certain third parties. Generally, the amount of damages being sought is not specified in these proceedings. These actions may include, but are not limited to, allegations of wrongful employment actions; wage disputes and other claims under the Fair Labor Standards Act or its state 160Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementscounterparts; claims of race, gender, age, and disability discrimination; disputes arising under collective bargaining agreements; unfair labor practice proceedings and other administrative proceedings before the National Labor Relations Board or concerning the National Labor Relations Act; claims of retaliation; claims of harassment and hostile work environment; and claims for or regarding benefits under various Entergy Corporation-sponsored employee benefit plans. Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries and related entities are responding to these lawsuits and proceedings and deny liability to the claimants. Management believes that loss exposure has been and will continue to be handled so that the ultimate resolution of these matters will not be material, in the aggregate, to the financial position, results of operation, or cash flows of Entergy or the Registrant Subsidiaries.Asbestos Litigation (Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy New Orleans, and Entergy Texas)Numerous lawsuits have been filed in state courts against primarily Entergy Texas and Entergy Louisiana by individuals alleging exposure to asbestos while working at Entergy facilities between 1955 and 1980. Entergy is being sued as a premises owner. Many other defendants are named in these lawsuits as well. Currently, there are approximately 195 lawsuits involving approximately 345 claimants. Management believes that adequate provisions have been established to cover any exposure. Additionally, negotiations continue with insurers to recover reimbursements. Management believes that loss exposure has been and will continue to be handled so that the ultimate resolution of these matters will not be material, in the aggregate, to the financial position, results of operation, or cash flows of the Utility operating companies.Grand Gulf - Related AgreementsUnit Power Sales Agreement (Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, and System Energy)System Energy has agreed to sell all of its share of capacity and energy from Grand Gulf to Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy New Orleans in accordance with specified percentages (Entergy Arkansas - 36%, Entergy Louisiana - 14%, Entergy Mississippi - 33%, and Entergy New Orleans - 17%) as ordered by the FERC. Charges under this agreement are paid in consideration for the purchasing companies’ respective entitlement to receive capacity and energy and are payable irrespective of the quantity of energy delivered. In December 2016 the NRC granted the extension of Grand Gulf’s operating license to 2044. Monthly obligations are based on actual capacity and energy costs. The average monthly payments for 2023 under the agreement were approximately $17.9 million for Entergy Arkansas, $6.7 million for Entergy Louisiana, $16.3 million for Entergy Mississippi, and $8.1 million for Entergy New Orleans. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of the complaints filed with the FERC against System Energy seeking a reduction in the return on equity component of the Unit Power Sales Agreement and other complaints filed with the FERC regarding the rates charged by System Energy under the System Agreement.Availability Agreement (Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, and System Energy)Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy New Orleans are individually obligated to make payments or subordinated advances to System Energy in accordance with stated percentages (Entergy Arkansas - 17.1%, Entergy Louisiana - 26.9%, Entergy Mississippi - 31.3%, and Entergy New Orleans - 24.7%) in amounts that, when added to amounts received under the Unit Power Sales Agreement or otherwise, are adequate to cover all of System Energy’s operating expenses as defined, including expenses incurred in connection with a permanent shutdown of Grand Gulf.7%) in amounts that, when added to amounts received under the Unit Power Sales Agreement or otherwise, are adequate to cover all of System Energy’s operating expenses as defined, including an amount sufficient to amortize the cost of Grand Gulf 2 over 27 years (See Reallocation Agreement terms below) and expenses incurred in connection with a permanent shutdown of Grand Gulf. System Energy has assigned its rights to payments and advances to certain creditors as security for certain of its debt obligations. Since commercial operation of Grand Gulf began, payments under the Unit Power Sales Agreement to System Energy have exceeded the amounts payable under the Availability Agreement and, therefore, no payments under the Availability Agreement have ever been required.Since commercial operation of Grand Gulf began, payments under the Unit Power Sales Agreement to System Energy have exceeded the amounts payable under the Availability Agreement and, therefore, no payments under the Availability Agreement have ever been required. However, if Entergy Arkansas or Entergy Mississippi fails to make its Unit Power Sales Agreement payments, and System Energy is unable to obtain funds from other sources, Entergy Louisiana and Entergy New Orleans could 161Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsbecome subject to claims or demands by System Energy or certain of its creditors for payments or advances under the Availability Agreement (or the assignments thereof) equal to the difference between their required Unit Power Sales Agreement payments and their required Availability Agreement payments because their allocated shares under the Availability Agreement exceed their allocated shares under the Unit Power Sales Agreement. If Entergy Arkansas or Entergy Mississippi fails to make its Unit Power Sales Agreement payments, and System Energy is unable to obtain funds from other sources, Entergy Louisiana and Entergy New Orleans could become subject to claims or demands by System Energy or certain of its creditors for payments or advances under the Availability Agreement (or the assignments thereof) equal to the difference between their required Unit Power Sales Agreement payments and their required Availability Agreement payments because their Availability Agreement obligations exceed their Unit Power Sales Agreement obligations. See discussion below of the Reallocation Agreement among System Energy, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy New Orleans, pursuant to which Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy New Orleans assumed all of Entergy Arkansas’s responsibilities and obligations with respect to Grand Gulf under the Availability Agreement.Reallocation Agreement (Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, and System Energy)System Energy, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy New Orleans entered into the Reallocation Agreement relating to the sale of capacity and energy from Grand Gulf and the related costs, in which Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy New Orleans agreed to assume all of Entergy Arkansas’s responsibilities and obligations with respect to Grand Gulf under the Availability Agreement. The FERC’s decision allocating a portion of Grand Gulf capacity and energy to Entergy Arkansas supersedes the Reallocation Agreement as it relates to Grand Gulf. However, the Reallocation Agreement does not affect Entergy Arkansas’s obligation to System Energy’s lenders under the assignments referred to in the preceding paragraph. Entergy Arkansas would be liable for its share of such amounts if Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy New Orleans were unable to meet their contractual obligations. No payments of any amortization amounts will be required so long as amounts paid to System Energy under the Unit Power Sales Agreement, including other funds available to System Energy, exceed amounts required under the Availability Agreement, which is expected to be the case for the foreseeable future.Nelson Industrial Steam Company (Entergy Louisiana)Entergy Louisiana is a partner in the Nelson Industrial Steam Company (NISCO) partnership which owns two petroleum coke generating units. In April 2023 these generating units suspended operations in the MISO market, and Entergy Louisiana currently is working to wind up the NISCO partnership, which will ultimately result in ownership of the generating units transferring to Entergy Louisiana. In November 2023 the FERC issued an order providing Section 203 of the Federal Power Act approval for any subsequent transfer of the facilities to Entergy Louisiana. Entergy Louisiana is evaluating the effect of the transaction on its results of operations, cash flows, and financial condition, but at this time does not expect the effect to be material.NOTE 9. ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)Accounting standards require companies to record liabilities for all legal obligations associated with the retirement of long-lived assets that result from the normal operation of the assets. For Entergy, substantially all of its asset retirement obligations consist of its liability for decommissioning its nuclear power plants. In addition, an insignificant amount of removal costs associated with non-nuclear power plants is also included in the decommissioning and asset retirement costs line item on the balance sheets.These liabilities are recorded at their fair values (which are the present values of the estimated future cash outflows) in the period in which they are incurred, with an accompanying addition to the recorded cost of the long-lived asset. The asset retirement obligation is accreted each year through a charge to expense, to reflect the time value of money for this present value obligation. The accretion will continue through the completion of the asset retirement activity. The amounts added to the carrying amounts of the long-lived assets will be depreciated over the useful lives of the assets. The application of accounting standards related to asset retirement obligations is earnings neutral to the rate-regulated business of the Registrant Subsidiaries.162Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsIn accordance with ratemaking treatment and as required by regulatory accounting standards, the depreciation provisions for the Registrant Subsidiaries include a component for removal costs that are not asset retirement obligations under accounting standards. In accordance with regulatory accounting principles, the Registrant Subsidiaries have recorded regulatory assets (liabilities) in the following amounts to reflect their estimates of the difference between estimated incurred removal costs and estimated removal costs expected to be recovered in rates:As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the regulatory asset for removal costs for the Utility operating companies includes amounts related to storm restoration costs. See Note 2 to the financial statements for further discussion of storm restoration costs and requested recovery.The cumulative decommissioning and retirement cost liabilities and expenses recorded in 2023 and 2022 by Entergy were as follows:163Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statements(a) See “Coal Combustion Residuals” below for additional discussion regarding the asset retirement obligations related to coal combustion residuals management.The cumulative decommissioning and retirement cost liabilities and expenses recorded in 2022 and 2021 by Entergy were as follows:167Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statements(a) See Note 14 to the financial statements for discussion of the sale of the Indian Point Energy Center in May 2021 and the sale of Palisades in June 2022. (b) See Note 14 to the financial statements for discussion of the sale of the Big Rock Point Site and Palisades in June 2022. See Note 1 to the financial statements for discussion of the HLBV method of accounting. Nuclear Plant DecommissioningEntergy periodically reviews and updates estimated decommissioning costs. The actual decommissioning costs may vary from the estimates because of the timing of plant decommissioning, regulatory requirements, changes in technology, and increased costs of labor, materials, and equipment.In third quarter 2023, Entergy Louisiana recorded a revision to its estimated decommissioning cost liability for River Bend as a result of a revised decommissioning cost study.In the third quarter 2022, System Energy recorded a revision to its estimated decommissioning cost liability for Grand Gulf as a result of a revised decommissioning cost study. The revised estimate resulted in a $10.8 million increase in its decommissioning cost liability, along with a corresponding increase in the related asset retirement cost asset that will be depreciated over the remaining useful life of the unit.4 million reduction in its decommissioning cost liability, along with a corresponding reduction in the related asset retirement obligation cost asset that will be depreciated over the remaining life of the unit. In the third quarter 2022, System Energy recorded a revision to its estimated decommissioning cost liability for Grand Gulf as a result of a revised decommissioning cost study. The revised estimate resulted in a $5.4 million reduction in its decommissioning cost liability, along with a corresponding reduction in the related asset retirement obligation cost asset that will be depreciated over the remaining life of the unit.NRC Filings Regarding Trust Funding LevelsPlant owners are required to provide the NRC with a biennial report (annually for units that have shut down or will shut down within five years), based on values as of December 31, addressing the owners’ ability to meet the NRC minimum funding levels. Depending on the value of the trust funds, plant owners may be required to take steps, such as providing financial guarantees through letters of credit or parent company guarantees or making additional contributions to the trusts, to ensure that the trusts are adequately funded and that NRC minimum funding requirements are met.164Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsAs nuclear plants individually approach and begin decommissioning, filings will be submitted to the NRC for planned shutdown activities. These filings with the NRC also determine whether financial assurance may be required in addition to the nuclear decommissioning trust fund.Coal Combustion ResidualsIn April 2015 the EPA published the final coal combustion residuals (CCR) rule regulating CCRs destined for disposal in landfills or surface impoundments as non-hazardous wastes regulated under Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Subtitle D. The final regulations create new compliance requirements including modified storage, new notification and reporting practices, product disposal considerations, and CCR unit closure criteria, but excluded CCRs that are beneficially reused in certain processes. The final regulations create new compliance requirements including modified storage, new notification and reporting practices, product disposal considerations, and CCR unit closure criteria. Entergy believes that on-site disposal options will be available at its facilities, to the extent needed. Entergy believes that on-site disposal options will be available at its facilities, to the extent needed for CCR that cannot be transferred for beneficial reuse. In the third quarter 2022, revisions to the Big Cajun 2 CCR asset retirement obligations were made as a result of revised closure and post-closure cost estimates.In the third quarter 2022, revisions to the Big Cajun 2 coal combustion residuals asset retirement obligations were made as a result of revised closure and post-closure cost estimates. The revised estimates resulted in increases of $2.8 million at Entergy Louisiana and $2.1 million at Entergy Texas in decommissioning cost liabilities, along with corresponding increases in related asset retirement obligations cost assets that will be depreciated over the remaining useful life of the unit.NOTE 10. LEASES (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries held operating and finance leases for fleet vehicles used in operations, real estate, and aircraft. Excluded are power purchase agreements not meeting the definition of a lease, nuclear fuel leases, and the Grand Gulf sale-leaseback which were determined not to be leases under the accounting standards.Leases have remaining terms of one year to 57 years. Real estate leases generally include at least one five-year renewal option; however, renewal is not typically considered reasonably certain unless Entergy or a Registrant Subsidiary makes significant leasehold improvements or other modifications that would hinder its ability to easily move. In certain of the lease agreements for fleet vehicles used in operations, Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries provide residual value guarantees to the lessor. Due to the nature of the agreements and Entergy’s continuing relationship with the lessor, however, Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries expect to renegotiate or refinance the leases prior to conclusion of the lease. As such, Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries do not believe it is probable that they will be required to pay anything pertaining to the residual value guarantee, and the lease liabilities and right-of-use assets are measured accordingly.Entergy incurred the following total lease costs for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:Of the lease costs disclosed above, Entergy had $5.0 million and $5.1 million, and $25. 4 million in short-term leases costs for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.165Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsThe Registrant Subsidiaries incurred the following lease costs for the year ended December 31, 2023:Of the lease costs disclosed above, Entergy Arkansas had $1.169Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsEntergy incurred the following total lease costs for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021:Of the lease costs disclosed above, Entergy had $5. 7 million, Entergy Louisiana had $1.6 million, Entergy Mississippi had $1.1 million, Entergy New Orleans had $0.1 million, and Entergy Texas had $0.4 million in short-term lease costs for the year ended December 31, 2023.The Registrant Subsidiaries incurred the following lease costs for the year ended December 31, 2022:Of the lease costs disclosed above, Entergy Arkansas had $1.7 million, Entergy Louisiana had $1.8 million, Entergy Mississippi had $0.9 million, Entergy New Orleans had $0.2 million, and Entergy Texas had $0.8 million in short-term lease costs for the year ended December 31, 2022.The lease costs for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 disclosed above materially approximate the cash flows used by the Registrant Subsidiaries for leases with all costs included within operating activities on the respective Statements of Cash Flows, except for the finance lease costs which are included in financing activities.Entergy has elected to account for short-term leases in accordance with policy options provided by accounting guidance; therefore, there are no related lease liabilities or right-of-use assets for the costs recognized above by Entergy or by its Registrant Subsidiaries in the table below.Included within Property, Plant, and Equipment on Entergy’s consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2023 and 2022 are $207 million and $191 million related to operating leases, respectively, and $84 million and $64 million related to finance leases, respectively.Included within Property, Plant, and Equipment on Entergy’s consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2022 and 2021 are $191 million and $212 million related to operating leases, respectively, and $64 million and $67 million related to finance leases, respectively. 166Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsIncluded within Utility Plant on the Registrant Subsidiaries’ respective balance sheets at December 31, 2023 and 2022 are the following amounts:The following lease-related liabilities are recorded within the respective Other lines on Entergy’s consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022:The following lease-related liabilities are recorded within the respective Other lines on the Registrant Subsidiaries’ respective balance sheets at December 31, 2023:167Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsThe following lease-related liabilities are recorded within the respective Other lines on the Registrant Subsidiaries’ respective balance sheets at December 31, 2022:The following information contains the weighted-average remaining lease term in years and the weighted-average discount rate for the operating and finance leases of Entergy at December 31, 2023 and 2022:The following information contains the weighted-average remaining lease term in years and the weighted-average discount rate for the operating and finance leases of the Registrant Subsidiaries at December 31, 2023:The following information contains the weighted-average remaining lease term in years and the weighted-average discount rate for the operating and finance leases of the Registrant Subsidiaries at December 31, 2022:168Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsMaturity of the lease liabilities for Entergy as of December 31, 2023 are as follows:Maturity of the lease liabilities for the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2023 are as follows:Operating LeasesFinance Leases169Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsIn allocating consideration in lease contracts to the lease and non-lease components, Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries have made the accounting policy election to combine lease and non-lease components related to fleet vehicles used in operations and to allocate the contract consideration to both lease and non-lease components for real estate leases.Included within Utility Plant on the Registrant Subsidiaries’ respective balance sheets at December 31, 2022 and 2021 are the following amounts:The following lease-related liabilities are recorded within the respective Other lines on Entergy’s consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2022 and 2021:The following lease-related liabilities are recorded within the respective Other lines on the Registrant Subsidiaries’ respective balance sheets at December 31, 2022:171Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsThe following lease-related liabilities are recorded within the respective Other lines on the Registrant Subsidiaries’ respective balance sheets at December 31, 2021:The following information contains the weighted average remaining lease term in years and the weighted average discount rate for the operating and finance leases of Entergy at December 31, 2022 and 2021:The following information contains the weighted average remaining lease term in years and the weighted average discount rate for the operating and finance leases of the Registrant Subsidiaries at December 31, 2022:172Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsThe following information contains the weighted average remaining lease term in years and the weighted average discount rate for the operating and finance leases of the Registrant Subsidiaries at December 31, 2021:Maturity of the lease liabilities for Entergy as of December 31, 2022 are as follows:Maturity of the lease liabilities for the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2022 are as follows:Operating Leases173Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsFinance LeasesIn allocating consideration in lease contracts to the lease and non-lease components, Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries have made the accounting policy election to combine lease and non-lease components related to fleet vehicles used in operations, fuel storage agreements, and purchased power agreements and to allocate the contract consideration to both lease and non-lease components for real estate leases. NOTE 11. RETIREMENT, OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS, AND DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)Qualified Pension PlansEntergy has defined benefit qualified pension plans, including the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Non-Bargaining Employees (Non-Bargaining Plan I), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Bargaining Employees (Bargaining Plan I), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan II for Non-Bargaining Employees (Non-Bargaining Plan II), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan II for Bargaining Employees (Bargaining Plan II), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan III (Plan III), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan IV for Bargaining Employees, and the Entergy Corporation Cash Balance Plan for Bargaining Employees (Bargaining Cash Balance Plan). RETIREMENT, OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS, AND DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)Qualified Pension PlansEntergy has seven defined benefit qualified pension plans, including the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Non-Bargaining Employees (Non-Bargaining Plan I), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan for Bargaining Employees (Bargaining Plan I), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan II for Non-Bargaining Employees, the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan II for Bargaining Employees, the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan III (Plan III), the Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan IV for Bargaining Employees, and the Entergy Corporation Cash Balance Plan for Bargaining Employees (Bargaining Cash Balance Plan). The Entergy Corporation Cash Balance Plan for Non-Bargaining Employees (Non-Bargaining Cash Balance Plan) was merged with and into Non-Bargaining Plan I effective January 1, 2022. Effective January 1, 2024, Non-Bargaining Plan I was amended to spin-off predominately inactive participants into a new qualified pension plan, Entergy Corporation Retirement Plan VI for Non-Bargaining Employees (Non-Bargaining Plan VI). The Registrant Subsidiaries participate in these plans: Non-Bargaining Plan I, Bargaining Plan I, Plan III, Non-Bargaining Plan VI, and Bargaining Cash Balance Plan. The Registrant Subsidiaries participate in these four plans: Non-Bargaining Plan I, Bargaining Plan I, Plan III, and Bargaining Cash Balance Plan. Non-bargaining and bargaining employees whose most recent date of hire was prior to June 30, 2014 (or such later date provided for in their applicable collective bargaining agreement) participate in a noncontributory final average pay formula that provides pension benefits based on the employee’s credited service and compensation during employment. Non-bargaining and bargaining employees whose most recent date of hire is after June 30, 2014 and before January 1, 2021 (or such later date provided for in their applicable collective bargaining agreement) do not participate in a final average pay formula, but instead participate in a cash balance formula. Effective January 1, 2021, the Non-Bargaining Cash Balance Plan and Bargaining Cash Balance Plan were amended to close participation in each plan to those employees whose most recent hire date is after December 31, 2020 (or such later date provided for in their applicable collective bargaining agreement). Effective January 1, 2021, the Non-Bargaining Cash Balance Plan and Bargaining Cash Balance Plan were amended to close participation in the plan to those employees whose most recent hire date is after December 31, 2020 (or such later date provided for in their applicable collective bargaining agreement). Employees hired after this date instead may be eligible to participate in and receive a discretionary employer contribution under an Entergy sponsored tax-qualified defined contribution plan that includes a 401(k) feature.The assets of the defined benefit qualified pension plans are held in a master trust established by Entergy. Each pension plan has an undivided beneficial interest in each of the investment accounts in the master trust that is maintained by a trustee. Use of the master trust permits the commingling of the trust assets of the pension plans of Entergy Corporation and its Registrant Subsidiaries for investment and administrative purposes. Although assets in the master trust are commingled, the trustee maintains supporting records for the purpose of allocating the trust level equity in net earnings (loss) and the administrative expenses of the investment accounts in the trust to the various participating pension plans in the trust. The fair value of the trust’s assets is determined by the trustee and certain investment managers. The trustee calculates a daily earnings factor, including realized and unrealized gains or losses, collected and accrued income, and administrative expenses, and allocates earnings to each plan in the master trust on a pro rata basis.Within each pension plan, the record of each Registrant Subsidiary’s beneficial interest in the plan assets is maintained by the plan’s actuary and is updated quarterly. Assets for each Registrant Subsidiary are increased for investment net income and contributions and are decreased for benefit payments. A plan’s investment net income/loss (i.e., interest and dividends, realized and unrealized gains and losses and expenses) is allocated to the Registrant Subsidiaries participating in that plan based on the value of assets for each Registrant Subsidiary at the beginning of the quarter adjusted for contributions and benefit payments made during the quarter.170Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsEntergy Corporation and its subsidiaries fund pension plans in an amount not less than the minimum required contribution under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.166Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsIn accordance with ratemaking treatment and as required by regulatory accounting standards, the depreciation provisions for the Registrant Subsidiaries include a component for removal costs that are not asset retirement obligations under accounting standards. The assets of the plans include common and preferred stocks, fixed-income securities, interest in a money market fund, and insurance contracts. The Registrant Subsidiaries’ pension costs are recovered from customers as a component of cost of service in each of their respective jurisdictions.Components of Qualified Net Pension Cost and Other Amounts Recognized as a Regulatory Asset and/or Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI)Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries’ total 2023, 2022, and 2021 qualified pension costs and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, including amounts capitalized, included the following components:171Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsThe Registrant Subsidiaries’ total 2023, 2022, and 2021 qualified pension costs and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, including amounts capitalized, for their current and former employees included the following components:172Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statements173Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statements174Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsQualified Pension Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, and Amounts Recognized in the Balance SheetQualified pension obligations, plan assets, funded status, and amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for Entergy Corporation and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:175Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsQualified pension obligations, plan assets, funded status, and amounts recognized in the Balance Sheets for the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:(a) Including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($68.175Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsComponents of Qualified Net Pension Cost and Other Amounts Recognized as a Regulatory Asset and/or Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI)Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries’ total 2022, 2021, and 2020 qualified pension costs and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, including amounts capitalized, included the following components:176Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsThe Registrant Subsidiaries’ total 2022, 2021, and 2020 qualified pension costs and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, including amounts capitalized, for their employees included the following components:177Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statements178Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statements179Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsQualified Pension Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, Amounts Recognized in the Balance SheetQualified pension obligations, plan assets, funded status, amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for Entergy Corporation and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:180Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsQualified pension obligations, plan assets, funded status, amounts recognized in the Balance Sheets for the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:(a) Including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($96) million at Entergy Arkansas, ($146. 7) million at Entergy Arkansas, ($103.4) million at Entergy Arkansas, ($166. 1) million at Entergy Louisiana, ($31.6) million at Entergy Louisiana, ($45. 4) million at Entergy Mississippi, ($5.3) million at Entergy New Orleans, ($29.4) million at Entergy Texas, and ($16.9) million at Entergy Texas, and ($23. 7) million at System Energy.176Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statements(a) Including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($96) million at Entergy Arkansas, ($146.181Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statements(a) Including settlement lump sum benefit payments of ($104. 6) million at Entergy Louisiana, ($48) million at Entergy Mississippi, ($16.2) million at Entergy New Orleans, ($48.9) million at Entergy Texas, and ($23.5) million at System Energy.The qualified pension plans incurred net actuarial gains during 2023 primarily due to asset gains resulting from an actual return on assets much higher than the expected return on assets, offset by liability losses due to a decline in bond yields that resulted in decreases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations.The qualified pension plans incurred a small actuarial loss during 2022 primarily due to asset losses resulting from an actual return on assets much lower than the expected return on assets, substantially offset by liability gains due to a rise in bond yields that resulted in increases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations. The qualified pension plans incurred a small net actuarial loss during 2022 primarily due to asset losses resulting from an actual return on assets much lower than the expected return on assets, substantially offset by liability gains due to a rise in bond yields that resulted in increases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations.The qualified pension plans incurred a small actuarial loss during 2022 primarily due to asset losses resulting from an actual return on assets much lower than the expected return on assets, substantially offset by liability gains due to a rise in bond yields that resulted in increases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations. Accumulated Pension Benefit ObligationThe accumulated benefit obligation for Entergy’s qualified pension plans was $5.6 billion and $5.3 billion and $1. 7 billion at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.8 billion at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. 177Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsThe qualified pension accumulated benefit obligation for each of the Registrant Subsidiaries for their current and former employees as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 was as follows:Other Postretirement BenefitsEntergy also currently offers retiree medical, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits (other postretirement benefits) for eligible retired employees.182Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsThe qualified pension accumulated benefit obligation for each of the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 was as follows:Other Postretirement BenefitsEntergy also currently offers retiree medical, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits (other postretirement benefits) for eligible retired employees. Employees who commenced employment before July 1, 2014 and who satisfy certain eligibility requirements (including retiring from Entergy after a certain age and/or years of service with Entergy and immediately commencing their Entergy pension benefit), may become eligible for other postretirement benefits.In March 2020, Entergy announced changes to its other postretirement benefits. Effective January 1, 2021, certain retired, former non-bargaining employees age 65 and older who are eligible for Entergy-sponsored retiree welfare benefits, and their eligible spouses who are age 65 and older (collectively, Medicare-eligible participants), are eligible to participate in an Entergy-sponsored retiree health plan, and are no longer eligible for retiree coverage under the Entergy Corporation Companies’ Benefits Plus Medical, Dental and Vision Plans. Under the Entergy-sponsored retiree health plan, Medicare-eligible participants are eligible to participate in a health reimbursement arrangement which they may use towards the purchase of various types of qualified insurance offered through a Medicare exchange provider and for other qualified medical expenses. The changes affecting active bargaining unit employees were negotiated with the unions prior to implementation, where necessary, and to the extent required by law. The changes affecting active bargaining unit employees will be negotiated with the unions prior to implementation, where necessary, and to the extent required by law. Effective January 1, 1993, Entergy adopted an accounting standard requiring a change from a cash method to an accrual method of accounting for postretirement benefits other than pensions. Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, and Entergy Texas have received regulatory approval to recover accrued other postretirement benefits costs through rates. The LPSC ordered Entergy Louisiana to continue the use of the pay-as-you-go method for ratemaking purposes for postretirement benefits other than pensions. However, the LPSC retains the flexibility to examine individual companies’ accounting for other postretirement benefits to determine if special exceptions to this order are warranted. Pursuant to regulatory directives, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy contribute the other postretirement benefits costs collected in rates into external trusts. System Energy is funding, on behalf of Entergy Operations, other postretirement benefits associated with employees who work or worked at Grand Gulf. System Energy is funding, on behalf of Entergy Operations, other postretirement benefits associated with Grand Gulf. Trust assets contributed by participating Registrant Subsidiaries are in master trusts, established by Entergy Corporation and maintained by a trustee. Each participating Registrant Subsidiary holds a beneficial interest in the trusts’ assets. The assets in the master trusts are commingled for investment and administrative purposes. Although assets are commingled, supporting records are maintained for the purpose of allocating the beneficial interest in net earnings/(losses) and the administrative expenses of the investment accounts to the various participating plans and participating Registrant Subsidiaries. Beneficial interest in an investment account’s net income/(loss) is comprised of interest and dividends, realized and unrealized gains and losses, and expenses. Beneficial interest from these 178Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsinvestments is allocated to the plans and participating Registrant Subsidiary based on their portion of net assets in the pooled accounts.Components of Net Other Postretirement Benefits Cost and Other Amounts Recognized as a Regulatory Asset and/or AOCIEntergy Corporation’s and its subsidiaries’ total 2023, 2022, and 2021 other postretirement benefits costs, including amounts capitalized and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, included the following components:179Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsTotal 2023, 2022, and 2021 other postretirement benefits costs of the Registrant Subsidiaries, including amounts capitalized and deferred, for their current and former employees included the following components:180Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statements181Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statements182Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsOther Postretirement Benefits Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, and Amounts Not Yet Recognized and Recognized in the Balance SheetOther postretirement benefits obligations, plan assets, funded status, and amounts not yet recognized and recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets of Entergy Corporation and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:183Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsOther postretirement benefits obligations, plan assets, funded status, and amounts not yet recognized and recognized in the Balance Sheets of the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:184Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsThe other postretirement plans incurred net actuarial gains during 2023 primarily due to updated demographic assumptions and census data coupled with an actual return on assets much higher than the expected return on assets, partially offset by liability losses due to a decline in bond yields that resulted in decreases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations.Components of Net Other Postretirement Benefit Cost and Other Amounts Recognized as a Regulatory Asset and/or AOCIEntergy Corporation’s and its subsidiaries’ total 2022, 2021, and 2020 other postretirement benefit costs, including amounts capitalized and amounts recognized as a regulatory asset and/or other comprehensive income, included the following components:184Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsTotal 2022, 2021, and 2020 other postretirement benefit costs of the Registrant Subsidiaries, including amounts capitalized and deferred, for their employees included the following components:185Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statements186Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statements187Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsOther Postretirement Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, and Amounts Not Yet Recognized and Recognized in the Balance SheetOther postretirement benefit obligations, plan assets, funded status, and amounts not yet recognized and recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets of Entergy Corporation and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:188Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsOther postretirement benefit obligations, plan assets, funded status, and amounts not yet recognized and recognized in the Balance Sheets of the Registrant Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:189Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsThe other postretirement plans incurred actuarial gains during 2022 primarily due to a rise in bond yields that resulted in increases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations, partially offset by asset losses due to an actual return on assets much lower than the expected return on assets during 2022. The other postretirement plans incurred net actuarial gains during 2022 primarily due to a rise in bond yields that resulted in increases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations, partially offset by asset losses due to an actual return on assets much lower than the expected return on assets during 2022.The qualified pension plans incurred a small actuarial loss during 2022 primarily due to asset losses resulting from an actual return on assets much lower than the expected return on assets, substantially offset by liability gains due to a rise in bond yields that resulted in increases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations. 185Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsNon-Qualified Pension PlansEntergy also sponsors non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans that provide benefits to certain key employees.174Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsThe assets of the seven defined benefit qualified pension plans are held in a master trust established by Entergy. Entergy recognized net periodic pension cost related to these plans of $43.8 million in 2023, $30.5 million in 2023. 9 million in 2022, and $28.6 million in 2021. In 2023, 2022, and 2021, Entergy recognized $27. In 2022 and 2021, Entergy recognized $12. 9 million, $12.5 million, $1. 2 million, and $10.9 million, respectively, in settlement charges related to the payment of lump sum benefits out of the plan that is included in the non-qualified pension plan cost above.The projected benefit obligation was $88.6 million as of December 31, 2023 of which $13.4 million as of December 31, 2022 of which $62. 8 million was a current liability and $74.3 million was a current liability and $155. 8 million was a non-current liability. The projected benefit obligation was $152.4 million as of December 31, 2022 of which $62.4 million was a current liability and $90 million was a non-current liability. The accumulated benefit obligation was $77. The accumulated benefit obligation was $140 million and $165. 9 million and $140 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The unamortized prior service cost and net loss are recognized in regulatory assets ($29.7 million at December 31, 2023 and $56.8 million at December 31, 2022 and $74. 8 million at December 31, 2022) and accumulated other comprehensive income before taxes ($3.9 million at December 31, 2023 and $8.8 million at December 31, 2022 and $74. 7 million at December 31, 2022).8 million at December 31, 2022 and $74. A Rabbi Trust was established for the benefit of certain participants in Entergy’s non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans.A Rabbi Trust has been established for the benefit of certain participants in Entergy’s non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans. The Rabbi Trust assets were invested in money-market funds which were recorded at fair value with all gains and losses recognized immediately in income. The Rabbi Trust assets are invested in money-market funds which are recorded at fair value with all gains and losses recognized immediately in income. All of the investments were classified as Level 1 investments for purposes of Fair Value Measurements. At December 31, 2022, the fair value of the assets held in the Rabbi Trust was $35 million. In August 2023 the Rabbi Trust assets were used to pay benefits due under the non-qualified pension plans.The following Registrant Subsidiaries participate in Entergy’s non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans that provide benefits to certain key employees. The net periodic pension cost for their current and former employees for the non-qualified plans for 2023, 2022, and 2021, was as follows:Included in the 2023 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $379 thousand and $453 thousand for Entergy Arkansas and Entergy Mississippi, respectively, related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan. The net periodic pension cost for their employees for the non-qualified plans for 2022, 2021, and 2020, was as follows:Included in the 2022 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $1 thousand, $2 thousand, and $1 million for Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy Texas, respectively, related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan. Included in the 2022 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $1 thousand, $2 thousand, and $1 million for Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy Texas, respectively, related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan. Included in the 2021 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $155 thousand and $172 thousand for Entergy Louisiana and Entergy Texas, respectively, related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan. Included in the 2021 net periodic pension cost above are settlement charges of $155 thousand and $172 thousand for Entergy Louisiana and Entergy Texas, respectively, related to the lump sum benefits paid out of the plan.The projected benefit obligation for their current and former employees for the non-qualified plans as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 was as follows:186Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsThe accumulated benefit obligation for their current and former employees for the non-qualified plans as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 was as follows:The following amounts were recorded on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2023 and 2022:The non-qualified pension plans incurred a small actuarial loss during 2023 primarily as a result of liability losses due to differences in recent retirement and lump sum experience relative to actuarial assumptions.191Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsThe projected benefit obligation for their employees for the non-qualified plans as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 was as follows:The accumulated benefit obligation for their employees for the non-qualified plans as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 was as follows:The following amounts were recorded on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2022 and 2021:The non-qualified pension plans incurred a small actuarial gain during 2022 primarily due to a rise in bond yields that resulted in increases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations, partially offset by differences in recent retirement and lump sum experience relative to actuarial assumptions. The non-qualified pension plans incurred a small actuarial gain during 2022 primarily due to a rise in bond yields that resulted in increases to the discount rates used to develop the benefit obligations, partially offset by differences in recent retirement and lump sum experience relative to actuarial assumptions.187Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsReclassification 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) as of December 31, 2023:Entergy and Entergy Louisiana reclassified the following costs out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (before taxes and including amounts capitalized) as of December 31, 2022:Accounting for Pension and Other Postretirement BenefitsAccounting standards require an employer to recognize in its balance sheet the funded status of its benefit plans.192Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsReclassification 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) as of December 31, 2022:Entergy and Entergy Louisiana reclassified the following costs out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (before taxes and including amounts capitalized) as of December 31, 2021:Accounting for Pension and Other Postretirement BenefitsAccounting standards require an employer to recognize in its balance sheet the funded status of its benefit plans. This is measured as the difference between plan assets at fair value and the benefit obligation. Entergy uses a December 31 measurement date for its pension and other postretirement plans. Employers are to record previously unrecognized gains and losses, prior service costs, and any remaining transition asset or obligation (that resulted from adopting prior pension and other postretirement benefits accounting standards) as comprehensive income and/or as a regulatory asset reflective of the recovery mechanism for pension and other postretirement benefits costs in the Registrant Subsidiaries’ respective regulatory jurisdictions. For the portion of Entergy Louisiana that is not regulated, the unrecognized prior service cost, gains and losses, and transition asset/obligation for its pension and other postretirement benefits obligations are recorded as other comprehensive income. Entergy Louisiana recovers other postretirement benefits costs on a pay-as-you-go basis and records the unrecognized prior 188Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsservice cost, gains and losses, and transition obligation for its other postretirement benefits obligation as other comprehensive income. Entergy Louisiana recovers other postretirement benefit costs on a pay-as-you-go basis and records the unrecognized prior 193Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsservice cost, gains and losses, and transition obligation for its other postretirement benefit obligation as other comprehensive income. Accounting standards also require that changes in the funded status be recorded as other comprehensive income and/or a regulatory asset in the period in which the changes occur.With regard to pension and other postretirement costs, Entergy calculates the expected return on pension and other postretirement benefits plan assets by multiplying the long-term expected rate of return on assets by the market-related value (MRV) of plan assets.With regard to pension and other postretirement costs, Entergy calculates the expected return on pension and other postretirement benefit plan assets by multiplying the long-term expected rate of return on assets by the market-related value (MRV) of plan assets. Entergy determines the MRV of its pension plan assets, except for the long duration fixed income assets, by calculating a value that uses a 20-quarter phase-in of the difference between actual and expected returns. For the long duration fixed income assets in the pension trust and for its other postretirement benefits plan assets Entergy uses fair value as the MRV.In accordance with ASU No. 2017-07, “Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost”, 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 CostYear-to-date lump sum benefit payments from Non-Bargaining Plan I, Bargaining Plan I, Non-Bargaining Plan II, and Bargaining Plan II exceeded the sum of the Plans’ service and interest cost, resulting in settlement costs during 2023, 2022, and 2021.Qualified Pension Settlement CostYear-to-date lump sum benefit payments from Non-Bargaining I, Bargaining I, Non-Bargaining II, and Bargaining II exceeded the sum of the Plans’ 2022 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 plans’ pension liability. Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy participate in one or both of Non-Bargaining Plan I and Bargaining Plan I 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 received regulatory approval to defer the expense portion of 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. Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy New Orleans 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. Entergy Texas ReserveIn 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 for 2020 and 2021 were included in the base rate case that was filed with the PUCT in July 2022, and amortization of that amount began in 2023 when interim rates became effective. The reserve amounts recorded for 2022 and through December 2023 will be evaluated in the next rate case filed by Entergy Texas, and an amortization period will be determined at that time. At December 31, 2023, the balance in this reserve was approximately $32.7 million.Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement Plans’ AssetsThe Plan Administrator’s trust asset investment strategy is to invest the assets in a manner whereby long-term earnings on the assets (plus cash contributions) provide adequate funding for retiree benefit payments. The mix of assets is based on an optimization study that identifies asset allocation targets in order to achieve the maximum return for an acceptable level of risk, while minimizing the expected contributions and pension and postretirement expense.In the optimization studies, the Plan Administrator formulates assumptions about characteristics, such as expected asset class investment returns, volatility (risk), and correlation coefficients among the various asset classes. The future market assumptions used in the optimization study are determined by examining historical 189Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsmarket characteristics of the various asset classes and making adjustments to reflect future conditions expected to prevail over the study period. The future market assumptions used in the optimization study are determined by examining historical market characteristics of the various asset classes and making adjustments to reflect future conditions expected to prevail over the study period. The target asset allocation for pension adjusts dynamically based on the funded status of each plan within the trust. The current targets are shown below. The expectation is that the allocation to fixed income securities will increase as the pension plans’ funded status increases. The following ranges were established to produce an acceptable, economically efficient plan to manage around the targets.For postretirement assets the target and range asset allocations (as shown below) reflect recommendations made in the latest optimization study. The target asset allocations for postretirement assets adjust dynamically based on the funded status of each sub-account within each trust. The current weighted-average targets shown below represent the aggregate of all targets for all sub-accounts within all trusts. The current weighted average targets shown below represent the aggregate of all targets for all sub-accounts within all trusts. Entergy’s qualified pension and postretirement weighted-average asset allocations by asset category at December 31, 2023 and 2022 and the target asset allocation and ranges for 2023 are as follows:In determining its expected long-term rate of return on plan assets used in the calculation of benefit plan costs, Entergy reviews past performance, current and expected future asset allocations, and capital market assumptions of its investment consultant and some investment managers.The expected long-term rate of return for the qualified pension plans’ assets is based primarily on the geometric average of the historical annual performance of a representative portfolio weighted by the target asset allocation defined in the table above, along with other indications of expected return on assets. The time period reflected is a long-dated period spanning several decades.The expected long-term rate of return for the non-taxable postretirement trust assets is determined using the same methodology described above for pension assets, but the aggregate asset allocation specific to the non-taxable postretirement assets is used.For the taxable postretirement trust assets, the investment allocation includes tax-exempt fixed income securities. This asset allocation, in combination with the same methodology employed to determine the expected return for other postretirement assets (as described above), and with a modification to reflect applicable taxes, is used to produce the expected long-term rate of return for taxable postretirement trust assets.190Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsConcentrations of Credit RiskEntergy’s investment guidelines mandate the avoidance of risk concentrations.60Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsInvestmentsEntergy records decommissioning trust funds on the balance sheet at their fair value. Types of concentrations specified to be avoided include, but are not limited to, investment concentrations in a single entity, type of industry, foreign country, geographic area, and individual security issuance. As of December 31, 2023, all investment managers and assets were materially in compliance with the approved investment guidelines, therefore there were no significant concentrations (defined as greater than 10 percent of plan assets) of credit risk in Entergy’s pension and other postretirement benefits plan assets. As of December 31, 2022, all investment managers and assets were materially in compliance with the approved investment guidelines, therefore there were 195Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsno significant concentrations (defined as greater than 10 percent of plan assets) of credit risk in Entergy’s pension and other postretirement benefit plan assets. Fair Value MeasurementsAccounting standards provide the framework for measuring fair value. That framework provides a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements).The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:•Level 1 - Level 1 inputs are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the Plan 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 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 an independent party that uses 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 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.If an asset or liability has a specified (contractual) term, the Level 2 input must be observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.•Level 3 - Level 3 refers to securities valued based on significant unobservable inputs.Assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The following tables set forth by level within the fair value hierarchy, measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, a summary of the investments held in the master trusts for Entergy’s qualified pension and other postretirement plans in which the Registrant Subsidiaries participate.191Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsQualified Defined Benefit Pension Plan Trusts192Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsOther Postretirement Trusts(a)Certain fixed income debt securities (corporate, government, and securitized) are stated at fair value as determined by broker quotes.196Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsQualified Defined Benefit Pension Plan Trusts197Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsOther Postretirement Trusts(a)Certain fixed income debt securities (corporate, government, and securitized) are stated at fair value as determined by broker quotes. (b)Common stocks, preferred stocks, and certain fixed income debt securities (government) are stated at fair value determined by quoted market prices.(c)The common collective trusts hold investments in accordance with stated objectives. The investment strategy of the trusts is to capture the growth potential of equity markets by replicating the performance of a specified index. The issuer of these funds allows daily trading at the net asset value and trades settle at a later date, with no other trading restrictions. Net asset value per share of common collective trusts estimate fair value. Common collective trusts 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, but are included in the total.193Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statements(d)Registered investment companies are money market mutual funds with a stable net asset value of one dollar per share. Registered investment companies may hold investments in domestic and international bond markets or domestic equities valued at the daily closing price as reported by the fund. These funds are required to publish their daily net asset value and to transact at that price. The money market mutual funds held by the trusts are deemed to be actively traded. Certain registered investment companies are recorded at contract value, which approximates fair value.(e)Certain of these registered investment companies are not publicly quoted and are valued by the fund administrators using net asset value as a practical expedient. The issuer of these funds allows daily trading at the net asset value and trades settle at a later date, with no other trading restrictions. Accordingly, these funds are not assigned a level in the fair value table, but are included in the total.(f)The other remaining assets are U.S. municipal and foreign government bonds stated at fair value as determined by broker quotes.(g)The unallocated insurance contract investments are recorded at contract value, which approximates fair value. The contract value represents contributions made under the contract, plus interest, less funds used to pay benefits and contract expenses, and less distributions to the master trust.Estimated Future Benefit PaymentsBased upon the assumptions used to measure Entergy’s qualified pension and other postretirement benefits obligations at December 31, 2023, and including pension and other postretirement benefits attributable to estimated future employee service, Entergy expects that benefits to be paid over the next ten years for Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries will be as follows:Based upon the same assumptions, Entergy expects that benefits to be paid over the next ten years for the Registrant Subsidiaries for their current and former employees will be as follows:194Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsContributionsEntergy currently expects to contribute approximately $270 million to its qualified pension plans and approximately $45.Estimated Future Benefit PaymentsBased upon the assumptions used to measure Entergy’s qualified pension and other postretirement benefit obligations at December 31, 2022, and including pension and other postretirement benefits attributable to estimated future employee service, Entergy expects that benefits to be paid and the Medicare Part D subsidies to be received over the next ten years for Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries will be as follows:Based upon the same assumptions, Entergy expects that benefits to be paid and the Medicare Part D subsidies to be received over the next ten years for the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees will be as follows:199Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsContributionsEntergy currently expects to contribute approximately $267 million to its qualified pension plans and approximately $42. 9 million to other postretirement plans in 2024. The expected 2024 pension and other postretirement plan contributions of the Registrant Subsidiaries for their employees are shown below. The 2024 required pension contributions will be known with more certainty when the January 1, 2024 valuations are completed, which is expected by April 1, 2024.The Registrant Subsidiaries expect to contribute approximately the following to the qualified pension and other postretirement plans for their current and former employees in 2024:195Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsActuarial AssumptionsThe significant actuarial assumptions used in determining the pension PBO and the other postretirement benefits APBO as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 were as follows:196Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsThe significant actuarial assumptions used in determining the net periodic pension and other postretirement benefits costs for 2023, 2022, and 2021 were as follows: With respect to the mortality assumptions, Entergy used the Pri-2012 Employee and Healthy Annuitant Table, projected generationally using Scale MP-2021 with Aon’s Endemic Adjustment, in determining its December 31, 2023 pension plans’ PBOs and the Pri.200Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsThe Registrant Subsidiaries expect to contribute approximately the following to the qualified pension and other postretirement plans for their employees in 2023:Actuarial AssumptionsThe significant actuarial assumptions used in determining the pension PBO and the other postretirement benefit APBO as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 were as follows:201Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsThe significant actuarial assumptions used in determining the net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit costs for 2022, 2021, and 2020 were as follows: With respect to the mortality assumptions, Entergy used the Pri-2012 Employee and Healthy Annuitant Tables with a fully generational MP-2020 projection scale, in determining its December 31, 2022 and 2021 pension plans’ PBOs and the Pri. H 2012 (headcount weighted) Employee and Healthy Annuitant Table, projected generationally using Scale MP-2021 with Aon’s Endemic Adjustment, in determining its December 31, 2023 other postretirement benefits APBO.H 2012 (headcount weighted) Employee and Healthy Annuitant Tables with a fully generational MP-2020 projection scale, in determining its December 31, 2022 and 2021 other postretirement benefit APBO. With respect to the mortality assumptions, Entergy used the Pri-2012 Employee and Healthy Annuitant Tables with a fully generational MP-2020 projection scale, in determining its December 31, 2022 pension plans’ PBOs and the Pri.H 2012 (headcount weighted) Employee and Healthy Annuitant Tables with a fully generational MP-2020 projection scale, in determining its December 31, 2022 other postretirement benefits APBO.Defined Contribution PlansEntergy sponsors the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries (System Savings Plan). The System Savings Plan is a defined contribution plan covering eligible employees of Entergy and certain of its subsidiaries. The participating Entergy subsidiary makes matching contributions to the System Savings Plan for all eligible participating employees in an amount equal to either 70% or 100% of the participants’ basic contributions, up to 6% of their eligible earnings per pay period. The matching contribution is allocated to investments as directed by the employee.Entergy also sponsors the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries VI (Savings Plan VI) (established in April 2007) and the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries VII (Savings Plan VII) 197Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statements(established in April 2007) to which matching contributions are also made.Entergy also sponsors the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries VIII (established January 2021) and the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries IX (established January 2021) to which 202Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementscompany contributions are made. The plans are defined contribution plans that cover eligible employees, as defined by each plan, of Entergy and certain of its subsidiaries. Effective December 31, 2023, employees participating in Savings Plan VI and Savings Plan VII were transferred into the System Savings Plan when Savings Plan VI and Savings Plan VII merged into the System Savings Plan.Entergy also sponsors the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries VIII (established January 2021) and the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries IX (established January 2021) to which company contributions are made.Entergy also sponsors the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries VIII (established January 2021) and the Savings Plan of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries IX (established January 2021) to which 202Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementscompany contributions are made. The participating Entergy subsidiary makes matching contributions to these defined contribution plans for all eligible participating employees in an amount equal to 100% of the participants’ basic contributions, up to 5% of their eligible earnings per pay period. Eligible participants may also receive a discretionary annual company contribution up to 4% of the participant’s eligible earnings (subject to vesting).Entergy’s subsidiaries’ contributions to defined contribution plans collectively were $65.1 million in 2023, $62.1 million in 2022, $62. 1 million in 2022, and $62.1 million in 2022, $62. 3 million in 2021. The majority of the contributions were to the System Savings Plan.The Registrant Subsidiaries’ 2023, 2022, and 2021 contributions to defined contribution plans for their employees were as follows:NOTE 12. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Entergy Corporation)Entergy grants stock options, restricted stock, performance units, and restricted stock units to key employees of the Entergy subsidiaries under its equity plans which are shareholder-approved stock-based compensation plans. Effective May 3, 2019, Entergy’s shareholders approved the 2019 Omnibus Incentive Plan (2019 Plan). The maximum number of common shares that can be issued from the 2019 Plan for stock-based awards is 12,200,000 all of which are available for incentive stock option grants. The 2019 Plan applies to awards granted on or after May 3, 2019 and awards expire ten years from the date of grant. As of December 31, 2023, there were 7,546,825 authorized shares remaining for stock-based awards.Stock OptionsStock options are granted at exercise prices that equal the closing market price of Entergy Corporation common stock on the date of grant. Generally, stock options granted will become exercisable in equal amounts on each of the first three anniversaries of the date of grant. Unless they are forfeited previously under the terms of the grant, options expire 10 years after the date of the grant if they are not exercised.198Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsThe following table includes financial information for stock options for each of the years presented:Entergy determines the fair value of the stock option grants by considering factors such as lack of marketability, stock retention requirements, and regulatory restrictions on exercisability in accordance with accounting standards.The following table includes financial information for stock options for each of the years presented:203Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsEntergy determines the fair value of the stock option grants by considering factors such as lack of marketability, stock retention requirements, and regulatory restrictions on exercisability in accordance with accounting standards. The stock option weighted-average assumptions used in determining the fair values are as follows:Stock price volatility is calculated based upon the daily public stock price volatility of Entergy Corporation common stock over a period equal to the expected term of the award. The expected term of the options is based upon historical option exercises and the weighted-average life of options when exercised and the estimated weighted-average life of all vested but unexercised options. The expected term of the options is based upon historical option exercises and the weighted average life of options when exercised and the estimated weighted average life of all vested but unexercised options. In 2008, Entergy implemented stock ownership guidelines for its senior executive officers. These guidelines require an executive officer to own shares of Entergy Corporation common stock equal to a specified multiple of his or her salary. Until an executive officer achieves this ownership position the executive officer is required to retain 75% of the net-of-tax net profit upon exercise of the option to be held in Entergy Corporation common stock. The reduction in fair value of the stock options due to this restriction is based upon an estimate of the call option value of the reinvested gain discounted to present value over the applicable reinvestment period.A summary of stock option activity for the year ended December 31, 2023 and changes during the year are presented below:The weighted-average grant-date fair value of options granted during the year was $16.25 for 2022 and $12.27 for 2021 and $11. 27 for 2021.7% for 2021. The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised was $2 million during 2023, $20 million during 2022, and $2 million during 2021. The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised was $20 million during 2022, $2 million during 2021, and $26 million during 2020. The intrinsic value, which has no effect on net income, of the outstanding stock options exercised is calculated by the positive difference between the weighted-average exercise price of the stock options 199Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsgranted and Entergy Corporation’s common stock price as of December 31, 2023. The intrinsic value, which has no effect on net income, of the outstanding stock options exercised 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 December 31, 2022. The aggregate intrinsic value of the stock options outstanding as of December 31, 2023 was $31.4 million. Stock options outstanding as of December 31, 2023 includes 1,153,596 out of the money options with an intrinsic value of zero. Entergy recognizes compensation cost over the vesting period of the options based on their grant-date fair value. The total fair value of options that vested was approximately $6 million during 2023, $6 million during 2022, and $5 million during 2021. The total fair value of options that vested was approximately $6 million during 2022, $5 million during 2021, and $5 million during 2020. Cash received from option exercises was $10 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The tax benefits realized from options exercised was $0. The tax benefits realized from options exercised was $5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. 5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023.The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding as of December 31, 2023:Stock-based compensation cost related to non-vested stock options outstanding as of December 31, 2023 not yet recognized is approximately $5 million and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.6 years.73 years. Restricted Stock AwardsEntergy grants restricted stock awards earned under its stock benefit plans in the form of stock units. One-third of the restricted stock awards will vest upon each anniversary of the grant date and are expensed ratably over the three-year vesting period. Shares of restricted stock have the same dividend and voting rights as other common stock and are considered issued and outstanding shares of Entergy upon vesting. In January 2023 the Board approved and Entergy granted 345,983 restricted stock awards under the 2019 Plan. In January 2022 the Board approved and Entergy granted 328,849 restricted stock awards under the 2019 Plan. The restricted stock awards were made effective on January 26, 2023 and were valued at $108.47 per share, which was the closing price of Entergy Corporation’s common stock on that date.The following table includes information about the restricted stock awards outstanding as of December 31, 2023:200Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsThe following table includes financial information for restricted stock for each of the years presented:The total fair value of the restricted stock awards granted was $41 million, $39 million, and $40 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively.The following table includes information about the restricted stock awards outstanding as of December 31, 2022:The following table includes financial information for restricted stock for each of the years presented:The total fair value of the restricted stock awards granted was $39 million, $40 million, and $44 million for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively. The total fair value of the restricted stock awards vested was $33 million, $34 million, and $32 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively.The total fair value of the restricted stock unit awards vested was $3 million, $3 million, and $4 million for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively. Long-Term Performance Unit ProgramEntergy grants long-term incentive awards earned under its stock benefit plans in the form of performance units, which represents 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. The Long-Term Performance Unit Program specifies a minimum, target, and maximum achievement level, the achievement of which will determine the number of performance units that may be earned. Entergy measures performance by assessing Entergy’s total shareholder return relative to the total shareholder return of the companies in the Philadelphia Utility Index. To emphasize the importance of strong cash generation for the long-term health of its business, a credit measure – adjusted funds from operations/debt ratio – was selected as one of the performance measures for the 2023-2025 performance period. To emphasize the importance of strong cash generation for the long-term health of its business, a credit measure – adjusted funds from operations/debt ratio – was selected for the 2022-2024 performance period. For the 2023-2025 performance period, performance will be measured based eighty percent on relative total shareholder return and twenty percent on the credit measure.In January 2023 the Board approved and Entergy granted 143,212 performance units under the 2019 Plan.In January 2022 the Board approved and Entergy granted 170,966 performance units under the 2019 Plan. The performance units were granted on January 26, 2023, and eighty percent were valued at $130. The performance units were granted on January 27, 2022, and eighty percent were valued at $138. 65 per share based on various factors, primarily market conditions; and twenty percent were valued at $108.47 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, are considered issued and outstanding shares of Entergy upon vesting, and are expensed ratably over the 3-year vesting period, and compensation cost for the portion of the award based on the selected credit measure will be adjusted based on the number of units that ultimately vest.The following table includes information about the long-term performance units outstanding at the target level as of December 31, 2023:201Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsThe following table includes financial information for the long-term performance units for each of the years presented:The total fair value of the long-term performance units granted was $20 million, $35 million, and $32 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively.The following table includes information about the long-term performance units outstanding at the target level as of December 31, 2022:The following table includes financial information for the long-term performance units for each of the years presented:The total fair value of the long-term performance units granted was $35 million, $32 million, and $40 million for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively. In January 2023, Entergy issued 38,150 shares of Entergy Corporation common stock at a share price of $107.In January 2022, Entergy issued 224,334 shares of Entergy Corporation common stock at a share price of $110. 59 for awards earned and dividends accrued under the 2020-2022 Long-Term Performance Unit Program. In January 2022, Entergy issued 224,334 shares of Entergy Corporation common stock at a share price of $110. In January 2020, Entergy issued 423,184 shares of Entergy Corporation common stock at a share price of $126. 35 for awards earned and dividends accrued under the 2019-2021 Long-Term Performance Unit Program. In January 2021, Entergy issued 235,983 shares of Entergy Corporation common stock at a share price of $95.12 for awards earned and dividends accrued under the 2018-2020 Long-Term Performance Unit Program.Restricted Stock Unit AwardsEntergy grants restricted stock unit awards earned under its stock benefit plans in the form of stock units that are subject to time-based restrictions. The restricted stock units may be settled in shares of Entergy Corporation common stock or the cash value of shares of Entergy Corporation common stock at the time of vesting. The costs of restricted stock unit awards are charged to income over the restricted period, which varies from grant to grant. The average vesting period for restricted stock unit awards granted is 38 months. As of December 31, 2023, there were 139,500 unvested restricted stock units that are expected to vest over an average period of 20 months.The following table includes information about the restricted stock unit awards outstanding as of December 31, 2023:The following table includes financial information for restricted stock unit awards for each of the years presented:202Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsThe total fair value of the restricted stock unit awards granted was $2 million, $8 million, and $4 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively.The following table includes information about the restricted stock unit awards outstanding as of December 31, 2022:The following table includes financial information for restricted stock unit awards for each of the years presented:The total fair value of the restricted stock unit awards granted was $8 million, $4 million, and $2 million for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively. The total fair value of the restricted stock unit awards vested was $1 million, $3 million, and $3 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively.The total fair value of the restricted stock unit awards vested was $3 million, $3 million, and $4 million for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively. NOTE 13. 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. 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. 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 was as follows:203Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsEliminations are primarily intersegment activity.Entergy’s segment financial information was as follows:208Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsThe Entergy Wholesale Commodities business is sometimes referred to as the “competitive businesses. As of December 31, 2023, all of Entergy’s goodwill is related to the Utility segment. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, almost all of Entergy’s goodwill was related to the Utility segment. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, Entergy had no long-lived assets located outside of the United States. Results of operations for 2023 include: (1) a $568 million reduction, recorded at Utility, and a $275 million reduction, recorded at Parent & Other, in income tax expense as a result of the resolution of the 2016-2018 IRS audit, partially offset by $98 million ($72 million net-of-tax) of regulatory charges, recorded at Utility, to reflect credits expected to be provided to customers by Entergy Louisiana and Entergy New Orleans as a result of the resolution of the 2016-2018 IRS audit; (2) the reversal of a $106 million regulatory liability, associated with the Hurricane Isaac securitization, recognized in 2017 as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, recorded at Utility, as part of the settlement of Entergy Louisiana’s test year 2017 formula rate plan filing; (3) a $129 million reduction in income tax expense as a result of the Hurricane Ida securitization in March 2023, which also resulted in a $103 million ($76 million net-of-tax) regulatory charge, recorded at Utility, to reflect Entergy Louisiana’s obligation to provide credits to its customers as described in an LPSC ancillary order issued as part of the securitization regulatory proceeding; and (4) write-offs of $78 million ($59 million net-of-tax), recorded at Utility, as a result of Entergy Arkansas’s approved motion to forgo recovery of identified costs resulting from the 2013 ANO stator incident. See Note 3 to the financial statements for discussion of the resolution of the 2016-2018 IRS audit. See Note 3 to the financial statements for discussion of the 2014-2015 IRS audit. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of the Entergy Louisiana formula rate plan global settlement. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of the Entergy Louisiana securitization. See Notes 2 and 3 to the financial statements for discussion of the Entergy Louisiana March 2023 storm cost securitization. See Notes 2 and 3 to the financial statements for further discussion of the Entergy Louisiana securitization. See Note 8 to the financial statements for discussion of the ANO stator incident and the approved motion to forgo recovery. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of the partial settlement agreement. Results of operations for 2022 include: (1) a regulatory charge of $551 million ($413 million net-of-tax), recorded at Utility, as a result of System Energy’s partial settlement agreement and offer of settlement related to pending proceedings before the FERC; (2) a $283 million reduction in income tax expense as a result of the Hurricane Laura, Hurricane Delta, Hurricane Zeta, Winter Storm Uri, and Hurricane Ida May 2022 securitization financing, which also resulted in a $224 million ($165 million net-of-tax) regulatory charge, recorded at Utility, to reflect Entergy Louisiana’s obligation to provide credits to its customers as described in an LPSC ancillary order issued as part of the securitization regulatory proceeding; and (3) a gain of $166 million ($130 million net-of-tax), reflected in “Asset write-offs, impairments, and related charges (credits),” as a result of the sale of the Palisades plant in June 2022.Results of operations for 2022 include: 1) a regulatory charge of $551 million ($413 million net-of-tax), recorded at Utility, as a result of System Energy’s partial settlement agreement and offer of settlement related to pending proceedings before the FERC; 2) a $283 million reduction in income tax expense as a result of the Hurricane Laura, Hurricane Delta, Hurricane Zeta, Winter Storm Uri, and Hurricane Ida securitization financing, which also resulted in a $224 million ($165 million net-of-tax) regulatory charge, recorded at Utility, to reflect Entergy Louisiana’s obligation to provide credits to its customers in recognition of obligations related to an LPSC ancillary order issued as part of the securitization regulatory proceeding; and 3) a gain of $166 million ($130 million net-of-tax), reflected in “Asset write-offs, impairments, and related charges (credits),” as a result of the sale of the Palisades plant in June 2022. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of the System Energy settlement agreement with the MPSC. See Note 2 to the financial statements for further discussion of the System Energy settlement with the MPSC. See Notes 2 and 3 to the financial statements for discussion of the Entergy Louisiana May 2022 storm cost securitization. See Notes 2 and 3 to the financial statements for further discussion of the Entergy Louisiana securitization. See Note 14 to the financial statements for discussion of the sale of the Palisades plant.204Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsResults of operations for 2021 include a charge of $340 million ($268 million net-of-tax), reflected in “Asset write-offs, impairments, and related charges (credits),” as a result of the sale of the Indian Point Energy Center in May 2021.Results of operations for 2021 include a charge of $340 million ($268 million net-of-tax), reflected in “Asset write-offs, impairments, and related charges (credits),” as a result of the sale of the Indian Point Energy 2Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisCenter in May 2021. See Note 14 to the financial statements for discussion of the sale of the Indian Point Energy Center. See Note 14 to the financial statements for discussion of the sale of the Palisades plant. Change in Reportable Segments Effective January 1, 2023Entergy completed its multi-year strategy to exit the merchant nuclear power business in 2022 and upon completion of all transition activities, effective January 1, 2023, Entergy Wholesale Commodities is no longer a reportable segment. Remaining business activity previously reported under Entergy Wholesale Commodities is now reported under Parent & Other. Historical segment financial information presented herein has been restated for 2022 and 2021 to reflect the change in reportable segments. The change in reportable segments had no effect on Entergy’s consolidated financial statements or historical segment financial information for the Utility reportable segment. The details surrounding implementation of these targets are not finalized, and the impacts to Entergy of any potential related legislation cannot be predicted. The Fitzpatrick plant was sold to Exelon in March 2017. The FitzPatrick plant was sold to Exelon in March 2017. The Vermont Yankee plant was sold to NorthStar in January 2019. The Pilgrim plant was sold to Holtec International in August 2019. The Indian Point 2 and Indian Point 3 plants were sold to Holtec International in May 2021. The Palisades plant was sold to Holtec International in June 2022.The decisions to shut down these plants and the related transactions resulted in asset impairments; employee retention and severance expenses and other benefits-related costs; and contracted economic development contributions. The employee retention and severance expenses and other benefits-related costs and contracted economic development contributions are included in "Other operation and maintenance" in Entergy’s consolidated income statements.As the exit from the merchant nuclear power business was completed in 2022, there were no restructuring charges recorded in 2023. Total restructuring charges in 2022 and 2021 were comprised of the following:In addition, a gain of $166 million was recorded in 2022 as a result of the sale of the Palisades plant and a charge of $340 million was recorded in 2021 as a result of the sale of the Indian Point Energy Center, both reflected in “Asset write-offs, impairments, and related charges (credits)” in Entergy’s consolidated income statements. See Note 14 to the financial statements for discussion of the sale of the Palisades plant and the Indian Point Energy Center. See Note 14 to the financial statements for discussion of the sale of the Palisades plant. 205Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsGeographic AreasFor the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, Entergy derived no revenue from outside of the United States.243Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsMost of Entergy’s contracts, except in a few cases where there are defined minimums or stated terms, are on demand. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, Entergy had no long-lived assets located outside of the United States.Registrant SubsidiariesEach 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. Each of the Registrant Subsidiaries’ operations is 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 14. ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy Texas)AcquisitionsWalnut Bend SolarIn June 2020, Entergy Arkansas signed an agreement for the purchase of an approximately 100 MW to-be-constructed solar photovoltaic energy facility, Walnut Bend Solar facility, to be sited on approximately 1,000 acres in Lee County, Arkansas. Acquisition of the Walnut Bend Solar facility was initially approved by the APSC in July 2021. The agreement was amended by the parties in February 2023 and the revised agreement was approved by the APSC in July 2023. In February 2024, Entergy Arkansas made an initial payment of $170 million to acquire the facility. The project will achieve commercial operation once testing is completed and the project has achieved substantial completion. Entergy Arkansas currently expects the project to achieve commercial operation in the first half of 2024, at which time a substantial completion payment of approximately $20 million is expected.Sunflower SolarIn November 2018, Entergy Mississippi entered into an agreement for the purchase of an approximately 100 MW solar photovoltaic facility to be sited on approximately 1,000 acres in Sunflower County, Mississippi.Sunflower SolarIn November 2018, Entergy Mississippi announced that it signed an agreement for the purchase of an approximately 100 MW solar photovoltaic facility to be sited on approximately 1,000 acres in Sunflower County, Mississippi. The project, Sunflower Solar facility, was being built by Sunflower County Solar Project, LLC, an indirect subsidiary of Recurrent Energy, LLC. In December 2018, Entergy Mississippi filed a joint petition with Sunflower County Solar Project with the MPSC for Sunflower County Solar Project to construct and for Entergy Mississippi to acquire and thereafter own, operate, improve, and maintain the solar facility. In March 2020, Entergy Mississippi filed supplemental testimony addressing questions and observations raised in August 2019 by consultants retained by the Mississippi Public Utilities Staff and proposing an alternative structure for the transaction that would reduce its cost. In April 2020 the MPSC issued an order approving certification of the Sunflower Solar facility, subject to certain conditions, including: (i) that Entergy Mississippi pursue a tax equity partnership structure through which the partnership would acquire and own the facility under the build-own-transfer agreement and (ii) that if Entergy Mississippi does not consummate the partnership structure under the terms of the order, there will be a cap of $136 million on the level of recoverable costs. In April 2022, Entergy Mississippi confirmed mechanical completion of the Sunflower Solar facility. Pursuant to the MPSC’s April 2020 order, MS Sunflower Partnership, LLC was formed for the tax equity partnership with Entergy Mississippi as its managing member. In May 2022 both Entergy Mississippi and the tax equity investor made capital contributions to the tax equity partnership that were then used to make an initial payment of $105 million for acquisition of the facility. Substantial completion of the Sunflower Solar facility was accepted by Entergy Mississippi in September 2022. Commercial operation at the Sunflower Solar facility commenced in September 2022. In April 2023 both Entergy Mississippi and the tax equity 206Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsinvestor made additional capital contributions to the tax equity partnership that were then used to make the substantial completion payment of $30 million for acquisition of the facility. The final payment of $5 million for acquisition of the facility was made in October 2023. See Note 1 to the financial statements for further discussion of the HLBV method of accounting used to account for the investment in MS Sunflower Partnership, LLC.Searcy SolarIn March 2019, Entergy Arkansas entered into a build-own-transfer agreement for the purchase of an approximately 100 MW solar energy facility to be sited on approximately 800 acres in White County near Searcy, Arkansas. The project, Searcy Solar facility, was being constructed by a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources. In April 2020 the APSC issued an order approving Entergy Arkansas’s acquisition of the Searcy Solar facility as being in the public interest. In May 2021, Entergy Arkansas filed with the APSC an application seeking to amend its certificate for the Searcy Solar facility to allow for the use of a tax equity partnership to acquire and own the facility. The tax equity partnership structure is expected to reduce costs and yield incremental net benefits to customers beyond those expected under the build-own-transfer structure alone. The APSC approved Entergy Arkansas’s tax equity partnership request in September 2021. AR Searcy Partnership, LLC was formed for the tax equity partnership with Entergy Arkansas as its managing member. In November 2021 both Entergy Arkansas and the tax equity investor made capital contributions to the tax equity partnership that were then used to acquire the facility. Upon substantial completion of the facility in December 2021, the tax equity partnership completed the purchase of the Searcy Solar facility. The purchase price for the Searcy Solar facility was approximately $133 million, which included a final payment of $1 million made in 2022. See Note 1 to the financial statements for further discussion of the HLBV method of accounting used to account for the investment in AR Searcy Partnership, LLC.Hardin County Peaking FacilityIn June 2021, Entergy Texas purchased the Hardin County Peaking Facility, an existing 147 MW simple-cycle gas-fired peaking power plant in Kountze, Texas, from East Texas Electric Cooperative, Inc. In addition, also in June 2021, Entergy Texas sold a 7.56% partial interest in the Montgomery County Power Station to East Texas Electric Cooperative, Inc. for approximately $68 million. The two interdependent transactions were approved by the PUCT in April 2021. The purchase price for the Hardin County Peaking Facility was approximately $37 million.DispositionsPalisadesIn July 2018, Entergy entered into a purchase and sale agreement with Holtec International to sell to a Holtec subsidiary 100% of the equity interests in the subsidiary that owns Palisades and the Big Rock Point Site. In December 2020, Entergy and Holtec submitted a license transfer application to the NRC requesting approval to transfer the Palisades and Big Rock Point licenses from Entergy to Holtec. The NRC issued an order approving the application in December 2021. Palisades was shut down in May 2022 and defueled in June 2022. The Palisades transaction closed in June 2022 for a purchase price of $1,000 (subject to adjustment for net liabilities and other amounts). The sale included the transfer of the Palisades nuclear decommissioning trust and the asset retirement obligation for spent fuel management and plant decommissioning. The transaction resulted in a gain of $166 million ($130 million net-of-tax) in the second quarter 2022. The disposition-date fair value of the nuclear decommissioning trust fund was approximately $552 million, and the disposition-date fair value of the asset retirement obligation was approximately $708 million. The transaction also included property, plant, and equipment with a net book value of zero and materials and supplies.207Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsIndian Point Energy CenterIn April 2019, Entergy entered into an agreement to sell, directly or indirectly, 100% of the equity interests in the subsidiaries that own Indian Point 1, Indian Point 2, and Indian Point 3, after Indian Point 3 had been shut down and defueled, to a Holtec International subsidiary. In November 2020 the NRC approved the sale of the plants to Holtec. Indian Point 3 was shut down in April 2021 and defueled in May 2021. In May 2021 the New York State Public Service Commission approved the sale of the plant to Holtec. The transaction closed in May 2021. The sale included the transfer of the licenses, spent fuel, decommissioning liabilities, and nuclear decommissioning trusts for the three units. The transaction resulted in a charge of $340 million ($268 million net-of-tax) in the second quarter of 2021. The disposition-date fair value of the nuclear decommissioning trust funds was approximately $2,387 million, and the disposition-date fair value of the asset retirement obligations was $1,996 million. The transaction also included materials and supplies and prepaid assets.NOTE 15. RISK MANAGEMENT AND FAIR VALUES (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)Market RiskIn 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 derivative 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 non-utility operations’ core business as a wholesale generator was selling energy, measured in MWh, to its customers. The non-utility operations business entered into forward contracts with its customers and also sold energy and capacity in the day ahead or spot markets. Entergy Wholesale Commodities entered into forward contracts with its customers and also sold energy and capacity in the day ahead or spot markets. In addition to its forward physical power and gas contracts, the non-utility operations business used a combination of financial contracts, including swaps, collars, and options, to mitigate commodity price risk. In addition to its forward physical power and gas contracts, Entergy Wholesale Commodities used a combination of financial contracts, including swaps, collars, and options, to mitigate commodity price risk. When the market price fell, the combination of financial contracts was expected to settle in gains that offset lower revenue from generation, which resulted in a more predictable cash flow. As a result of the completion of Entergy’s strategy to exit the merchant nuclear power business, which included the shut down and sale of all non-utility nuclear plants, the portfolio of derivative instruments held by Entergy’s non-utility operations business expired in April 2021, which was the settlement date for the last financial derivative contracts in the non-utility operations business’ portfolio.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 208Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsrolling net exposure during the stated periods. 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.DerivativesSome derivative instruments are classified as cash flow hedges due to their financial settlement provisions while others are classified as normal purchase/normal sale transactions due to their physical settlement provisions. Normal purchase/normal sale risk management tools include power purchase and sales agreements, fuel purchase agreements, capacity contracts, and tolling agreements. Financially-settled cash flow hedges can include natural gas and electricity swaps and options. Entergy may enter into financially-settled swap and option contracts to manage market risk that may or may not be designated as hedging instruments.Entergy entered into derivatives to manage natural risks inherent in its physical or financial assets or liabilities. Electricity over-the-counter instruments and futures contracts that financially settled against day-ahead power pool prices were used to manage price exposure for the non-utility operations’ generation. Electricity over-the-counter instruments and futures contracts that financially settled against day-ahead power pool prices were used to manage price exposure for Entergy Wholesale Commodities generation. 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 December 31, 2023 is 3 months for Entergy Louisiana, 10 months for Entergy Mississippi, and 3 months for Entergy New Orleans.25 years for Entergy Louisiana and the maximum length of time over which Entergy has executed natural gas swaps as of December 31, 2022 is 10 months for Entergy Mississippi and 3 months for Entergy New Orleans. The total volume of natural gas swaps and options outstanding as of December 31, 2023 is 14,798,500 MMBtu for Entergy, including 1,820,000 MMBtu for Entergy Louisiana, 12,491,700 MMBtu for Entergy Mississippi, and 486,800 MMBtu for Entergy New Orleans. The total volume of natural gas swaps and options outstanding as of December 31, 2022 is 22,811,760 MMBtu for Entergy, including 9,120,000 MMBtu for Entergy Louisiana, 13,088,700 MMBtu for Entergy Mississippi, and 603,060 MMBtu for Entergy New Orleans. 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. Unrealized gains or losses on financial transmission rights held by Entergy Wholesale Commodities 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 December 31, 2023 is 62,809 GWh for Entergy, including 15,385 GWh for Entergy Arkansas, 26,990 GWh for Entergy Louisiana, 8,250 GWh for Entergy Mississippi, 2,478 GWh for Entergy New Orleans, and 9,611 GWh for Entergy Texas. The total volume of financial transmission rights outstanding as of December 31, 2022 is 60,163 GWh for Entergy, including 13,532 GWh for Entergy Arkansas, 27,264 GWh for Entergy Louisiana, 6,492 GWh for Entergy Mississippi, 2,596 GWh for Entergy New Orleans, and 10,202 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. Credit support for financial transmission rights held by Entergy Wholesale Commodities 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 December 31, 2023 and 2022. No cash or letters of credit were required to be posted for financial transmission rights exposure for Entergy Wholesale Commodities as of December 31, 2022 and 2021. Letters of credit posted with MISO covered the financial transmission rights exposure for Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy Texas as of December 31, 2023 and for Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, and Entergy Texas as of December 31, 2022. Letters of credit posted with MISO covered the financial transmission rights exposure for Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, and Entergy Texas as of December 31, 2022 and for Entergy Mississippi and Entergy Texas as of December 31, 2021. 209Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsThe fair values of Entergy’s derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 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.(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 cash collateral in the amount of $8 million posted as of December 31, 2022. Also excludes letters of credit in the amount of $2 million posted as of December 31, 2023 and $3 million posted as of December 31, 2022. Also excludes letters of credit in the amount of $3 million posted as of December 31, 2022. As discussed above, the non-utility operations business’ portfolio of derivative instruments expired in April 2021, which was the settlement date for the last financial derivative contract in the portfolio. Prior to the expiration of the non-utility operations business’ portfolio of derivative instruments, Entergy may have effectively liquidated a cash flow hedge instrument by entering into a contract offsetting the original hedge, and then de-designating the original hedge in this situation. Gains or losses accumulated in other comprehensive income prior to de-designation would have continued to be deferred in other comprehensive income until they were included in income as the original hedged transaction occurred. From the point of de-designation, the gains or losses on the original hedge and the offsetting contract were recorded as assets or liabilities on the balance sheet and offset as they flowed through to earnings. The non-utility operations business recognized a gain of $2 million in other comprehensive income and reclassified a gain of $40 million, before taxes of $8 million, from accumulated other comprehensive income into income, each resulting from the effect of Entergy’s derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges on the consolidated income statements for the year ended December 31, 2021.210Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsThe effects of Entergy’s derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the consolidated income statements for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 are as follows:(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.217Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsThe effects of Entergy’s derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the consolidated income statements for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020 are as follows:(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.(c)There were no gains (losses) recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income from electricity swaps and options prior to the expiration of the non-utility operations business’ portfolio of derivative instruments in April 2021.(c)There were no gains (losses) recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income from electricity swaps and options prior to the expiration of the Entergy Wholesale Commodities portfolio of derivative instruments in April 2021. 211Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsThe fair values of derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the Registrant Subsidiaries’ balance sheets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are shown in the table below.215Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsThe fair values of Entergy’s derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 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.212Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statements(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 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. As of December 31, 2022, letters of credit posted with MISO covered financial transmission rights exposure of $0.2 million for Entergy Mississippi, $0.2 million for Entergy New Orleans, and $2.4 million for Entergy Texas.213Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsThe effects of derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the Registrant Subsidiaries’ income statements for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 are as follows:(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 214Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsrecorded as an offsetting regulatory asset or liability.217Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsThe effects of Entergy’s derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the consolidated income statements for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020 are as follows:(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 ValuesThe 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 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; or222Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statements–inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means. 215Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsLevel 2 consists primarily of individually-owned debt instruments and gas swaps and options valued using observable inputs.168Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsAs nuclear plants individually approach and begin decommissioning, filings will be submitted to the NRC for planned shutdown activities. •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. Level 3 consists primarily of financial transmission rights and derivative power contracts used as cash flow hedges of power sales at merchant power plants. As a result of the completion of Entergy’s strategy to exit the merchant nuclear power business, which included the shut down and sale of all non-utility nuclear plants, the portfolio of derivative instruments held by Entergy’s non-utility operations business expired in April 2021, which was the settlement date for the last financial derivative contracts in the non-utility operations business’ portfolio.The values for power contract assets or liabilities prior to expiration in April 2021 were based on both observable inputs including public market prices and interest rates, and unobservable inputs such as implied volatilities, unit contingent discounts, expected basis differences, and credit adjusted counterparty interest rates. They were classified as Level 3 assets and liabilities. The valuations of these assets and liabilities were performed by the Office of Corporate Risk Oversight and the non-utility operations Accounting group. The valuations of these assets and liabilities were performed by the Office of Corporate Risk Oversight and the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Accounting group. The primary related functions of the Office of Corporate Risk Oversight included: gathering, validating, and reporting market data, providing market risk analyses and valuations in support of the non-utility operations commercial transactions, developing and administering protocols for the management of market risks, and implementing and maintaining controls around changes to market data in the energy trading and risk management system. The primary related functions of the Office of Corporate Risk Oversight included: gathering, validating and reporting market data, providing market risk analyses and valuations in support of Entergy Wholesale Commodities’ commercial transactions, developing and administering protocols for the management of market risks, and implementing and maintaining controls around changes to market data in the energy trading and risk management system. The Office of Corporate Risk Oversight was also responsible for managing the energy trading and risk management system, forecasting revenues, forward positions, and analysis. The non-utility operations Accounting group performed functions related to market and counterparty settlements, revenue reporting and analysis, and financial accounting. The Entergy Wholesale Commodities Accounting group performed functions related to market and counterparty settlements, revenue reporting and analysis, and financial accounting. The Office of Corporate Risk Oversight reports to the Vice President and Treasurer while the non-utility operations Accounting group reports to the Chief Accounting Officer. The Office of Corporate Risk Oversight reports to the Vice President and Treasurer while the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Accounting group reports to the Chief Accounting Officer. The amounts reflected as the fair value of electricity swaps were based on the estimated amount that the contracts were in-the-money at the balance sheet date (treated as an asset) or out-of-the-money at the balance sheet date (treated as a liability) and equaled the estimated amount receivable to or payable by Entergy if the contracts were settled at that date. These derivative contracts included cash flow hedges that swapped fixed for floating cash flows for sales of the output from the non-utility operations business. These derivative contracts included cash flow hedges that swapped fixed for floating cash flows for sales of the output from the Entergy Wholesale Commodities business. The fair values were based on the mark-to-market comparison between the fixed contract prices and the floating prices determined each period from quoted forward power market prices. The differences between the fixed price in the swap contract and these market-related prices multiplied by the volume specified in the contract and discounted at the counterparties’ credit adjusted risk free rate were recorded as derivative contract assets or liabilities. For contracts that had unit contingent terms, a further discount was applied based on the historical relationship between contract and market prices for similar contract terms.The amounts reflected as the fair values of electricity options were valued based on a Black Scholes model and were calculated at the end of each month for accounting purposes. Inputs to the valuation included end of day forward market prices for the period when the transactions settled, implied volatilities based on market volatilities provided by a third-party data aggregator, and U.S. Treasury rates for a risk-free return rate. As described further below, prices and implied volatilities were reviewed and could be adjusted if it was determined that there was a better representation of fair value.On a daily basis, the Office of Corporate Risk Oversight calculated the mark-to-market for electricity swaps and options. The Office of Corporate Risk Oversight also validated forward market prices by comparing them to other sources of forward market prices or to settlement prices of actual market transactions. The Office of Corporate Risk Oversight also validated forward market prices by comparing them to 223Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsother sources of forward market prices or to settlement prices of actual market transactions. Significant differences were analyzed and potentially adjusted based on these other sources of forward market prices or settlement prices of actual market transactions. Implied volatilities used to value options were also validated using actual counterparty 216Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsquotes for transactions by the non-utility operations business when available and compared with other sources of market implied volatilities. Implied volatilities used to value options were also validated using actual counterparty quotes for Entergy Wholesale Commodities transactions when available and compared with other sources of market implied volatilities. Moreover, on a quarterly basis, the Office of Corporate Risk Oversight confirmed the mark-to-market calculations and prepared price scenarios and credit downgrade scenario analysis. The scenario analysis was communicated to senior management within Entergy. The scenario analysis was communicated to senior management within Entergy and within Entergy Wholesale Commodities. Finally, for all proposed derivative transactions, an analysis was completed to assess the risk of adding the proposed derivative to the non-utility operations business’ portfolio. Finally, for all proposed derivative transactions, an analysis was completed to assess the risk of adding the proposed derivative to Entergy Wholesale Commodities’ portfolio. In particular, the credit and liquidity effects were calculated for this analysis. This analysis was communicated to senior management within Entergy. This analysis was communicated to senior management within Entergy and Entergy Wholesale Commodities. 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. Entergy’s Entergy Wholesale Commodities 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 December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022. 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. The assessment of the significance of a particular input to a fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect its placement within the fair value hierarchy levels. 217Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statements(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 16 to the financial statements 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 years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021: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 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 years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020:225Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statements(a)Change in unrealized gains or losses for the period included in earnings for derivatives held at the end of the reporting period is ($0. 218Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsThe following table sets forth an analysis of each of the types of unobservable inputs impacting the fair value of items classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy, and the sensitivity to changes to those inputs:The following table sets 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 December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.The following table sets forth an analysis of each of the types of unobservable inputs impacting the fair value of items classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy, and the sensitivity to changes to those inputs:The following table sets 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 December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021. 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. The assessment of the significance of a particular input to a fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect its placement within the fair value hierarchy levels. Entergy Arkansas219Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsEntergy LouisianaEntergy Mississippi220Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas221Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsSystem Energy(a)The decommissioning trust funds hold equity and fixed income securities.Entergy Arkansas226Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsEntergy LouisianaEntergy Mississippi227Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas228Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsSystem Energy(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 16 to the financial statements 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.222Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsThe 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 year ended December 31, 2023.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 year ended December 31, 2022.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 year ended December 31, 2021. NOTE 16. 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. DECOMMISSIONING TRUST FUNDS (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, and System Energy)The NRC requires Entergy subsidiaries 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. 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, the Registrant Subsidiaries have recorded an offsetting amount of unrealized gains/(losses) on investment securities 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. Decommissioning trust funds for the nuclear plants previously owned by Entergy’s non-utility operations, all of which have been sold as of June 2022, did not meet the criteria for regulatory accounting treatment. Accordingly, unrealized gains/(losses) recorded on the equity securities in the trust funds for these plants were recognized in earnings with no offsetting regulatory liability/asset amount. Accordingly, unrealized gains/(losses) recorded on the equity securities in the trust funds were recognized in earnings. Unrealized gains/(losses) recorded on the available-for-sale debt securities in the trust funds were recognized in the accumulated other comprehensive income component of shareholders’ equity. Unrealized gains recorded on the available-for-sale debt securities in the trust funds were recognized in the accumulated other comprehensive income component of shareholders’ equity. 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.223Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsAs discussed in Note 14 to the financial statements, in June 2022, Entergy completed the sale of Palisades to Holtec.60Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsInvestmentsEntergy records decommissioning trust funds on the balance sheet at their fair value. As part of the transaction, Entergy transferred the Palisades decommissioning trust fund to Holtec. The disposition-date fair value of the decommissioning trust fund was approximately $552 million.The unrealized gains/(losses) recognized during the year ended December 31, 2023 on equity securities still held as of December 31, 2023 were $591 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 December 31, 2023 and 2022 are summarized as follows:As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, there were no deferred taxes on unrealized gains/(losses).The available-for-sale securities held as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 are summarized as follows:The unrealized gains/(losses) above are reported before deferred taxes of $2 million as of December 31, 2021 for debt securities. The amortized cost of available-for-sale debt securities was $1,885 million as of December 31, 2023 and $1,852 million as of December 31, 2022. The amortized cost of available-for-sale debt securities was $1,852 million as of December 31, 2022 and $2,125 million as of December 31, 2021. As of December 31, 2023, available-for-sale debt securities had an average coupon rate of approximately 3.48%, an average duration of approximately 6.36 years, and an average maturity of approximately 10.82 years.81 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 December 31, 2023 and 2022:224Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsThe fair value of available-for-sale debt securities, summarized by contractual maturities, as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:During the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, proceeds from the dispositions of available-for-sale securities amounted to $661 million, $889 million, and $1,465 million, respectively.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 December 31, 2022 and 2021:231Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsThe fair value of available-for-sale debt securities, summarized by contractual maturities, as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:During the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020, proceeds from the dispositions of available-for-sale securities amounted to $889 million, $1,465 million, and $1,024 million, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2023, there were gross gains of $1 million and gross losses of $37 million related to available-for-sale securities reclassified out of other regulatory liabilities/assets into earnings. During the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, there were gross gains of $2 million and $29 million, respectively, and gross losses of $46 million and $17 million, respectively, related to available-for-sale securities reclassified out of other comprehensive income or other regulatory liabilities/assets into earnings. During the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020, gross gains of $2 million, $29 million, and $47 million, respectively, and gross losses of $46 million, $17 million, and $4 million, respectively, related to available-for-sale securities were reclassified out of other comprehensive income or other regulatory liabilities/assets into earnings. Entergy ArkansasEntergy Arkansas holds equity securities and available-for-sale debt securities in nuclear decommissioning trust accounts. The available-for-sale securities held as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are summarized as follows:The amortized cost of available-for-sale debt securities was $548.1 million as of December 31, 2023 and $539.8 million as of December 31, 2022. As of December 31, 2023, the available-for-sale debt securities had an average coupon rate of approximately 2.66%, an average duration of approximately 6.02 years, and an average maturity of approximately 7.64 years.04 years. The unrealized gains/(losses) recognized during the year ended December 31, 2023 on equity securities still held as of December 31, 2023 were $175 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.225Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsThe 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 December 31, 2023 and 2022:The fair value of available-for-sale debt securities, summarized by contractual maturities, as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:During the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, proceeds from the dispositions of available-for-sale securities amounted to $28.232Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsThe 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 December 31, 2022 and 2021:The fair value of available-for-sale debt securities, summarized by contractual maturities, as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:During the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020, proceeds from the dispositions of available-for-sale securities amounted to $42. 5 million, $42.5 million, $1. 1 million, and $57.6 million, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2023, there were gross gains of $0. During the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020, gross gains of $0. 1 million and gross losses of $2 million related to available-for-sale securities reclassified out of other regulatory liabilities/assets into earnings. During the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, there were gross gains of $0. During the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020, gross gains of $0. 1 million and $2.5 million, respectively, and gross losses of $2.6 million and $0.6 million, respectively, related to available-for-sale securities reclassified out of other comprehensive income or other regulatory liabilities/assets into earnings.6 million, respectively, related to available-for-sale securities were reclassified out of other regulatory liabilities/assets into earnings. Entergy LouisianaEntergy Louisiana holds equity securities and available-for-sale debt securities in nuclear decommissioning trust accounts. The available-for-sale securities held as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are summarized as follows:The amortized cost of available-for-sale debt securities was $813.9 million as of December 31, 2023 and $789.2 million as of December 31, 2022 and $188. 1 million as of December 31, 2022. As of December 31, 2023, the available-for-sale debt securities had an 226Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsaverage coupon rate of approximately 3. As of December 31, 2022, the available-for-sale debt securities had an average coupon rate of approximately 3. 91%, an average duration of approximately 6.53 years, and an average maturity of approximately 13.16 years.81 years. The unrealized gains/(losses) recognized during the year ended December 31, 2023 on equity securities still held as of December 31, 2023 were $251.3 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 December 31, 2023 and 2022:The fair value of available-for-sale debt securities, summarized by contractual maturities, as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:During the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, proceeds from the dispositions of available-for-sale securities amounted to $318.6 million, $362.7 million, $2. 2 million, and $303.2 million, $303. 4 million, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2023, there were gross gains of $0. During the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020, gross gains of $0. 5 million and gross losses of $20.9 million related to available-for-sale securities reclassified out of other regulatory liabilities/assets into earnings.2 million, respectively, related to available-for-sale securities were reclassified out of other regulatory liabilities/assets into earnings. During the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, there were gross gains of $1. During the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020, gross gains of $1. 3 million and $6.8 million, respectively, and gross losses of $23 million and $4.1 million, respectively, related to available-for-sale securities reclassified out of other comprehensive income or other regulatory liabilities/assets into earnings.2 million, respectively, related to available-for-sale securities were reclassified out of other regulatory liabilities/assets into earnings. 227Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsSystem EnergySystem Energy holds equity securities and available-for-sale debt securities in nuclear decommissioning trust accounts.60Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsInvestmentsEntergy records decommissioning trust funds on the balance sheet at their fair value. The available-for-sale securities held as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are summarized as follows:The amortized cost of available-for-sale debt securities was $523.2 million as of December 31, 2023 and $522.2 million as of December 31, 2022 and $188. 7 million as of December 31, 2022. As of December 31, 2023, the available-for-sale debt securities had an average coupon rate of approximately 3.63%, an average duration of approximately 6.44 years, and an average maturity of approximately 10.27 years.73 years. The unrealized gains/(losses) recognized during the year ended December 31, 2023 on equity securities still held as of December 31, 2023 were $164.2 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 December 31, 2023 and 2022:The fair value of available-for-sale debt securities, summarized by contractual maturities, as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:228Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsDuring the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, proceeds from the dispositions of available-for-sale securities amounted to $314.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 December 31, 2022 and 2021:The fair value of available-for-sale debt securities, summarized by contractual maturities, as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:During the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020, proceeds from the dispositions of available-for-sale securities amounted to $362. 3 million, $209.7 million, $2. 4 million, and $513.4 million, and $159. 8 million, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2023, there were gross gains of $0.6 million and gross losses of $14.8 million due to a $14. 2 million related to available-for-sale securities reclassified out of other regulatory liabilities/assets into earnings.2 million, respectively, related to available-for-sale securities were reclassified out of other regulatory liabilities/assets into earnings. During the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, there were gross gains of $0. During the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020, gross gains of $0. 2 million and $9.2 million and $10. 3 million, respectively, and gross losses of $10.7 million and $4 million, respectively, related to available-for-sale securities reclassified out of other comprehensive income or other regulatory liabilities/assets into earnings.NOTE 17. VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)Under applicable authoritative accounting guidance, a variable interest entity (VIE) is an entity that conducts a business or holds property that possesses any of the following characteristics: an insufficient amount of equity at risk to finance its activities, equity owners who do not have the power to direct the significant activities of the entity (or have voting rights that are disproportionate to their ownership interest), or where equity holders do not receive expected losses or returns. An entity may have an interest in a VIE through ownership or other contractual rights or obligations, and is required to consolidate a VIE if it is the VIE’s primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary of a VIE is the entity that has the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly affect the VIE’s economic performance and has the obligation to absorb losses or has the right to residual returns that would potentially be significant to the entity.Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, and System Energy consolidate the respective companies from which they lease nuclear fuel, usually in a sale and leaseback transaction. This is because Entergy directs the nuclear fuel companies with respect to nuclear fuel purchases, assists the nuclear fuel companies in obtaining financing, and, if financing cannot be arranged, the lessee (Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, or System Energy) is required to pay advance rent (Entergy Arkansas VIE, Entergy Louisiana Waterford VIE, and System Energy VIE) or special payments (Entergy Louisiana River Bend VIE) to allow the nuclear fuel company (the VIE) to meet its obligations. During the term of the arrangements, none of the Entergy operating companies have been required to provide financial support apart from their scheduled lease payments. See Note 4 to the financial statements for details of the nuclear fuel companies’ credit facility and commercial paper borrowings and long-term debt that are reported by Entergy, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, and System Energy. These amounts also represent Entergy’s and the respective Registrant Subsidiary’s maximum exposure to losses associated with their respective interests in the nuclear fuel companies.Entergy Texas Restoration Funding, LLC and Entergy Texas Restoration Funding II, LLC, companies wholly-owned and consolidated by Entergy Texas, are VIEs and Entergy Texas is the primary beneficiary. In November 2009, Entergy Texas Restoration Funding issued senior secured transition bonds (securitization bonds) to finance Entergy Texas’s Hurricane Ike and Hurricane Gustav restoration costs. Although the principal amount was not due until November 2023, Entergy Texas Restoration Funding made principal payments on the bonds in 2022, after which the bonds were fully repaid. In April 2022, Entergy Texas Restoration Funding II issued senior secured system restoration bonds (securitization bonds) to finance Entergy Texas’s Hurricane Laura, Hurricane Delta, and Winter Storm Uri restoration costs. With the proceeds, the VIEs purchased from Entergy Texas the transition property, which is the right to recover from customers through a system restoration charge amounts sufficient to service the securitization bonds. The transition property is reflected as a regulatory asset on the consolidated Entergy Texas balance sheet. The creditors of Entergy Texas do not have recourse to the assets or revenues of the VIEs, including the transition property, and the creditors of the VIEs do not have recourse to the assets or revenues of Entergy Texas. Entergy Texas has no payment obligations to the VIEs except to remit system restoration charge collections. See Note 5 to the financial statements for additional details regarding the securitization bonds.Entergy Louisiana Investment Recovery Funding I, L.L.C., a company wholly-owned and consolidated by Entergy Louisiana, is a VIE and Entergy Louisiana is the primary beneficiary. In September 2011, Entergy 229Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsLouisiana Investment Recovery Funding issued investment recovery bonds to recover Entergy Louisiana’s investment recovery costs associated with the canceled Little Gypsy repowering project. With the proceeds, Entergy Louisiana Investment Recovery Funding purchased from Entergy Louisiana the investment recovery property, which is the right to recover from customers through an investment recovery charge amounts sufficient to service the bonds. Although the principal amount was not due until September 2023, Entergy Louisiana Investment Recovery Funding made principal payments on the bonds in 2021, after which the bonds were fully repaid. See Note 5 to the financial statements for additional details regarding the investment recovery bonds.Entergy New Orleans Storm Recovery Funding I, L.L.C., a company wholly-owned and consolidated by Entergy New Orleans, is a VIE and Entergy New Orleans is the primary beneficiary. In July 2015, Entergy New Orleans Storm Recovery Funding issued storm cost recovery bonds to recover Entergy New Orleans’s Hurricane Isaac storm restoration costs, including carrying costs, the costs of funding and replenishing the storm recovery reserve, and up-front financing costs associated with the securitization. With the proceeds, Entergy New Orleans Storm Recovery Funding purchased from Entergy New Orleans the storm recovery property, which is the right to recover from customers through a storm recovery charge amounts sufficient to service the securitization bonds. The storm recovery property is reflected as a regulatory asset on the consolidated Entergy New Orleans balance sheet. The creditors of Entergy New Orleans do not have recourse to the assets or revenues of Entergy New Orleans Storm Recovery Funding, including the storm recovery property, and the creditors of Entergy New Orleans Storm Recovery Funding do not have recourse to the assets or revenues of Entergy New Orleans. Entergy New Orleans has no payment obligations to Entergy New Orleans Storm Recovery Funding except to remit storm recovery charge collections. See Note 5 to the financial statements for additional details regarding the securitization bonds.Restoration Law Trust I (the storm trust I), a trust consolidated by Entergy Louisiana, is a VIE and Entergy Louisiana is the primary beneficiary.Restoration Law Trust I (the storm trust), a trust consolidated by Entergy Louisiana, is a VIE and Entergy Louisiana is the primary beneficiary. The storm trust I was established as part of the Act 293 securitization of Entergy Louisiana’s Hurricane Laura, Hurricane Delta, Hurricane Zeta, and Winter Storm Uri restoration costs, as well as to establish a storm reserve to fund a portion of Hurricane Ida storm restoration costs. The storm trust was established as part of the Act 293 securitization of Entergy Louisiana’s Hurricane Laura, Hurricane Delta, Hurricane Zeta, and Winter Storm Uri restoration costs, as well as to establish a storm reserve to fund a portion of Hurricane Ida storm restoration costs. Entergy Louisiana is the primary beneficiary of the storm trust I because it was created to facilitate the financing of Entergy Louisiana’s storm restoration costs and Entergy Louisiana is entitled to receive a majority of the proceeds received by the storm trust I. Entergy Louisiana is the primary beneficiary of the storm trust because it was created to facilitate the financing of Entergy Louisiana’s storm restoration costs and Entergy Louisiana is entitled to receive a majority of the proceeds received by the storm trust. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the primary asset held by the storm trust I was $3 billion and $3. As of December 31, 2022, the primary asset held by the storm trust is the $3. 2 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.2 billion of outstanding Entergy Finance Company preferred membership interests, which is reflected as an investment in affiliate preferred membership interests on the consolidated balance sheet of Entergy Louisiana. The storm trust I’s investment in affiliate preferred membership interests was purchased with the net bond proceeds of the securitization bonds issued by the LCDA. The storm trust’s investment in affiliate preferred membership interests was purchased with the net bond proceeds of the securitization bonds issued by the LCDA. After the securitization bonds were issued, the LCDA loaned the net bond proceeds to the LURC, and pursuant to Act 293, the LURC contributed the net bond proceeds to the storm trust I. The holders of the securitization bonds do not have recourse to the assets or revenues of the trust or to any Entergy affiliate and the bonds are not reflected in the consolidated balance sheets of Entergy or Entergy Louisiana. The LURC’s 1% beneficial interest in the storm trust I is presented as noncontrolling interest on the consolidated balance sheets of Entergy and Entergy Louisiana, with balances of $30. The LURC’s 1% beneficial interest in the storm trust is presented as noncontrolling interest in the consolidated balance sheets of Entergy and Entergy Louisiana. 5 million and $31.7 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. See Note 2 to the financial statements for additional discussion of the securitization bonds and the preferred membership interests.Restoration Law Trust II (the storm trust II), a trust consolidated by Entergy Louisiana, is a VIE and Entergy Louisiana is the primary beneficiary.Restoration Law Trust I (the storm trust), a trust consolidated by Entergy Louisiana, is a VIE and Entergy Louisiana is the primary beneficiary. The storm trust II was established as part of the March 2023 Act 293 securitization of Entergy Louisiana’s Hurricane Ida restoration costs, less Hurricane Ida amounts previously financed in May 2022 in a prior securitization transaction. Entergy Louisiana is the primary beneficiary of the storm trust II because it was created to facilitate the financing of Entergy Louisiana’s storm restoration costs and Entergy Louisiana is entitled to receive a majority of the proceeds received by the storm trust II. Entergy Louisiana is the primary beneficiary of the storm trust because it was created to facilitate the financing of Entergy Louisiana’s storm restoration costs and Entergy Louisiana is entitled to receive a majority of the proceeds received by the storm trust. As of December 31, 2023, the primary asset held by the storm trust II is the $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 storm trust II’s investment in affiliate preferred membership interests was purchased with the net bond proceeds of the securitization bonds issued by the LCDA. The storm trust’s investment in affiliate preferred membership interests was purchased with the net bond proceeds of the securitization bonds issued by the LCDA. After the securitization bonds were issued, the LCDA loaned the net bond proceeds to the LURC, and pursuant to 230Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsAct 293, the LURC contributed the net bond proceeds to the storm trust II. After the securitization bonds were issued, the LCDA loaned the net bond proceeds to the LURC, and pursuant to Act 293, the LURC contributed the net bond proceeds to the storm trust. The holders of the securitization bonds do not have recourse to the assets or revenues of the storm trust II or to any Entergy affiliate and the bonds are not reflected in the consolidated balance sheets of Entergy or Entergy Louisiana. The holders of the securitization bonds do not have recourse to the assets or revenues of the trust or to any Entergy affiliate and the bonds are not reflected in the consolidated balance sheets of Entergy or Entergy Louisiana. The LURC’s 1% beneficial interest in the storm trust II is presented as noncontrolling interest on the consolidated balance sheets of Entergy and Entergy Louisiana, with a balance of $14. The LURC’s 1% beneficial interest in the storm trust is presented as noncontrolling interest in the consolidated balance sheets of Entergy and Entergy Louisiana. 6 million as of December 31, 2023. See Note 2 to the financial statements herein for additional discussion of the securitization bonds and the preferred membership interests. See Note 2 to the financial statements for additional discussion of the securitization bonds and the preferred membership interests. 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. System Energy made payments under this arrangement, including interest, of $17.2 million in 2023, $17.2 million in 2022, and $17.2 million in 2022, $17. 2 million in 2021. The lessor is a bank acting in the capacity of owner trustee for the benefit of equity investors in the transaction pursuant to trust agreement entered solely for the purpose of facilitating the lease transaction. It is possible that System Energy may be considered as the primary beneficiary of the lessor, but it is unable to apply the authoritative accounting guidance with respect to this VIE because the lessor is not required to, and could not, provide the necessary financial information to consolidate the lessor. Because System Energy accounts for this leasing arrangement as a capital financing, however, System Energy believes that consolidating the lessor would not materially affect the financial statements. In the event of default under a lease, remedies available to the lessor include payment by the lessee of the fair value of the undivided interest in the plant, payment of the present value of the basic rent payments, or payment of a predetermined casualty value. System Energy believes, however, that the obligations recorded on the balance sheet materially represent its potential exposure to loss.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. See Note 14 to the financial statements for additional discussion on the establishment of AR Searcy Partnership, LLC and the acquisition of the Searcy Solar facility. The entity is a VIE because the holders of the membership interests, as a group, lack the characteristics of a controlling financial interest, including substantive kick out rights. Entergy Arkansas is the primary beneficiary of the partnership because, as the managing member, it has the right to direct the operations and receive a majority of the operating income of the partnership. See Note 1 to the financial statements for discussion of the presentation of the third party tax equity partner’s noncontrolling interest and the HLBV method of accounting used to account for Entergy Arkansas’s investment in AR Searcy Partnership, LLC. 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. As of December 31, 2022, AR Searcy Partnership, LLC recorded assets equal to $138.3 million, primarily consisting of property, plant, and equipment, and the carrying value of Entergy Arkansas’s ownership interest in the partnership was approximately $109 million. The tax equity investor’s ownership interest is recorded as noncontrolling interest.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. See Note 14 to the financial statements for additional discussion on the establishment of MS Sunflower Partnership, LLC and the acquisition of the Sunflower Solar facility. The entity is a VIE because the holders of the membership interests, as a group, lack the characteristics of a controlling financial interest, including substantive kick out rights. Entergy Mississippi is the primary beneficiary of the partnership because, as the managing member, it has the right to direct the operations and receive a majority of the operating income of the partnership. See Note 1 to the financial statements for discussion of the presentation of the third party tax equity partner’s noncontrolling interest and the HLBV method of accounting used to account for Entergy Mississippi’s investment in MS Sunflower Partnership, LLC. 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. As of December 31, 2022, MS Sunflower Partnership, LLC recorded assets equal to $154.5 million, primarily consisting of property, plant, and equipment, and the carrying value of Entergy Mississippi’s ownership interest in the partnership was approximately $117.2 million. The tax equity investor’s ownership interest is recorded as noncontrolling interest.231Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsEntergy has also reviewed various lease arrangements, power purchase agreements, including agreements for renewable power, and other agreements that represent variable interests in other legal entities which have been determined to be VIEs.215Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsThe fair values of Entergy’s derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 are shown in the table below. In these cases, Entergy has determined that it is not the primary beneficiary of the related VIE because it does not have the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly affect the VIE’s economic performance, or it does not have the obligation to absorb losses or the right to residual returns that would potentially be significant to the entity, or both.NOTE 18. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES (Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)Each Registrant Subsidiary purchases electricity from or sells electricity to the other Registrant Subsidiaries, or both, under rate schedules filed with the FERC. The Registrant Subsidiaries receive management, technical, advisory, operating, and administrative services from Entergy Services; and receive management, technical, and operating services from Entergy Operations. These transactions are on an “at cost” basis.As described in Note 1 to the financial statements, all of System Energy’s operating revenues consist of billings to Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy New Orleans.As described in Note 4 to the financial statements, the Registrant Subsidiaries participate in the Entergy system money pool and earn interest income from the money pool. As described in Note 2 to the financial statements, Entergy Louisiana received preferred membership interest distributions from Entergy Holdings Company through May 2022, at which point Entergy Holdings Company was dissolved. As a result of storm securitizations at Entergy Louisiana in 2022 and 2023, the Entergy Louisiana storm trust I purchased preferred membership interests issued by Entergy Finance Company in May 2022 and the Entergy Louisiana storm trust II purchased preferred membership interests issued by Entergy Finance Company in March 2023. The Entergy Louisiana storm trust I and storm trust II receive annual dividends on their respective preferred membership interests.The tables below contain the various affiliate transactions of the Utility operating companies, System Energy, and other Entergy affiliates.Intercompany RevenuesIntercompany Operating Expenses232Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsIntercompany Interest and Investment IncomeNOTE 19. REVENUE (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)Revenues from electric service and the sale of natural gas are recognized when services are transferred to the customer in an amount equal to what Entergy has the right to bill the customer because this amount represents the value of services provided to customers. Entergy’s total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:233Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsThe Utility operating companies’ total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2023 were as follows:The Utility operating companies’ total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2022 were as follows:234Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsThe Utility operating companies’ total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2021 were as follows:(a)Sales for resale includes day-ahead sales of energy in a market administered by an ISO. Entergy’s total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 are as follows:240Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsThe Utility operating companies’ total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2022 were as follows:The Utility operating companies’ total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2021 were as follows:241Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsThe Utility operating companies’ total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2020 were as follows:(a)Sales for resale and competitive businesses sales include 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, unbilled revenue, and certain customer credits as directed by regulators.(c)Other Utility revenues include the equity component of carrying costs related to securitization, settlement of financial hedges, occasional sales of inventory, alternative revenue programs, provisions for revenue subject to refund, and late fees.(c)Other revenues include the equity component of carrying costs related to securitization, settlement of financial hedges, 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, operation and management services fees, and amortization of a below-market power purchase agreement.Electric RevenuesEntergy’s primary source of revenue is from retail electric sales sold under tariff rates approved by regulators in its various jurisdictions. Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, and Entergy Texas generate, transmit, and distribute electric power primarily to retail customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. Entergy’s Utility operating companies provide power to customers on demand throughout the month, measured by a meter located at the customer’s property. Approved rates vary by customer class due to differing requirements of the customers and market factors involved in fulfilling those requirements. Entergy issues monthly bills to customers at rates approved by regulators for power and related services provided during the previous billing cycle.To the extent that deliveries have occurred, but a bill has not been issued, Entergy’s Utility operating companies record an estimate for energy delivered since the latest billings. The Utility operating companies calculate the estimate based upon several factors including billings through the last billing cycle in a month, actual generation in the month, historical line loss factors, and market prices of power in the respective jurisdiction. The inputs are revised as needed to approximate actual usage and cost. Each month, estimated unbilled amounts are recorded as unbilled revenue and accounts receivable, and the prior month’s estimate is reversed. Price and volume 235Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsdifferences resulting from factors such as weather affect the calculation of unbilled revenues from one period to the other.Entergy may record revenue based on rates that are subject to refund. Such revenues are reduced by estimated refund amounts when Entergy believes refunds are probable based on the status of rate proceedings as of the date financial statements are prepared. Because these refunds will be made through a reduction in future rates, and not as a reduction in bills previously issued, they are presented as other revenues in the table above.System Energy’s only source of revenue is the sale of electric power and capacity generated from its 90% interest in the Grand Gulf nuclear plant to Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy New Orleans. System Energy issues monthly bills to its affiliated customers equal to its actual operating costs plus a return on common equity approved by the FERC.Entergy’s Utility operating companies also sell excess power not needed for their own customers, primarily through transactions with MISO, a regional transmission organization that maintains functional control over the combined transmission systems of its members and manages one of the largest energy markets in the U.Entergy’s Utility operating companies also sell excess power not needed for its own customers, primarily through transactions with MISO, a regional transmission organization that maintains functional control over the combined transmission systems of its members and manages one of the largest energy markets in the U. S. In the MISO market, Entergy offers its generation and bids its load into the market. MISO settles these offers and bids based on locational marginal prices. These represent pricing for energy at a given location based on a market clearing price that takes into account physical limitations on the transmission system, generation, and demand throughout the MISO region. MISO evaluates each market participant’s energy offers and demand bids to economically and reliably dispatch the entire MISO system. Entergy nets purchases and sales within the MISO market and reports in operating revenues when in a net selling position and in operating expenses when in a net purchasing position.Natural GasEntergy Louisiana and Entergy New Orleans also distribute natural gas to retail customers in and around Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and New Orleans, Louisiana, respectively. Gas transferred to customers is measured by a meter at the customer’s property. Entergy issues monthly invoices to customers at rates approved by regulators for the volume of gas transferred to date.Other RevenuesEntergy’s revenues from its non-utility operations include the sale of electric power and capacity to wholesale customers, day-ahead sales of energy in a market administered by an ISO, operation and management services fees, and amortization of a below-market PPA. In 2022 and 2021, the majority of revenues were from the Palisades nuclear power plant located in Michigan, which was shut down in May 2022 and subsequently sold in June 2022. The majority of Entergy Wholesale Commodities’ 2022 and 2021 revenues were from the Palisades nuclear power plant located in Michigan, which was shut down in May 2022 and subsequently sold in June 2022. Almost all of the Palisades nuclear plant output was sold under a 15-year PPA with Consumers Energy, which was executed as part of the acquisition of the plant in 2007 and expired in April 2022. Prices under the original PPA ranged from $43.50/MWh in 2007 to $61.50/MWh in 2022, and the average price under the PPA was $51/MWh. Entergy executed an additional PPA to cover the period from the expiration of the original PPA through final shutdown in May 2022 at a price of $24.14/MWh. Entergy issued monthly invoices to Consumers Energy for electric sales based on the actual output of electricity and related services provided during the previous month at the contract price. The PPA was at below-market prices at the time of the acquisition and Entergy amortized a liability to revenue over the life of the agreement. The amount amortized each period was based upon the present value, calculated at the date of acquisition, of each year’s difference between revenue under the agreement and revenue based on estimated market prices. Amounts amortized to revenue were $5 million in 2022 and $12 million in 2021. Amounts amortized to revenue were $5 million in 2022, $12 million in 2021, and $11 million in 2020. See Note 14 to the financial statements for discussion of the sale of the Palisades plant.236Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsPractical Expedients and ExceptionsEntergy has elected not to disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for contracts with an original expected term of one year or less, or for revenue recognized in an amount equal to what Entergy has the right to bill the customer for services performed.170Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsEntergy has elected to account for short-term leases in accordance with policy options provided by accounting guidance; therefore, there are no related lease liabilities or right-of-use assets for the costs recognized above by Entergy or by its Registrant Subsidiaries in the table below. Most of Entergy’s contracts, except in a few cases where there are defined minimums or stated terms, are on demand. This results in customer bills that vary each month based on an approved tariff and usage. Entergy imposes monthly or annual minimum requirements on some customers primarily as credit and cost recovery guarantees and not as pricing for unsatisfied performance obligations. These minimums typically expire after the initial term or when specified costs have been recovered. The minimum amounts are part of each month’s bill and recognized as revenue accordingly. Some Entergy subsidiaries in the non-utility operations business have services contracts that have fixed components and terms longer than one year. The total fixed consideration related to these unsatisfied performance obligations, however, is not material to Entergy revenues.Recovery of Fuel CostsEntergy’s Utility operating companies’ rate schedules include either fuel adjustment clauses or fixed fuel factors, which allow either current recovery in billings to customers or deferral of fuel costs until the costs are billed to customers. Where the fuel component of revenues is based on a pre-determined fuel cost (fixed fuel factor), the fuel factor remains in effect until changed as part of a general rate case, fuel reconciliation, or fixed fuel factor filing. System Energy’s operating revenues are intended to recover from Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy New Orleans operating expenses and capital costs attributable to Grand Gulf. The capital costs are based on System Energy’s common equity funds allocable to its net investment in Grand Gulf, plus System Energy’s effective interest cost for its debt allocable to its investment in Grand Gulf.Taxes Imposed on Revenue-Producing TransactionsGovernmental authorities assess taxes that are both imposed on and concurrent with a specific revenue-producing transaction between a seller and a customer, including, but not limited to, sales, use, value added, and some excise taxes. Entergy presents these taxes on a net basis, excluding them from revenues.Allowance for Doubtful AccountsThe 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 years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.237Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statements(a)Provisions include estimated incremental bad debt expenses, and revisions to those estimates, resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic of ($6.4) million for Entergy, $6.4 million for Entergy Arkansas, ($8.5) million for Entergy Louisiana, ($3.0) million for Entergy New Orleans, and ($1.3) million for Entergy Texas that have been deferred as regulatory assets. See Note 2 to the financial statements for information on regulatory assets recorded as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and orders issued by retail regulators. See Note 7 to the financial statements for discussion of the forward sales agreements and common stock issuances and sales under the equity distribution program. 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 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, such as the COVID-19 pandemic or other economic hardships, 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.238Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System EnergyItem 1. BusinessRISK FACTORS SUMMARYEntergy’s business is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties that could affect its ability to successfully implement its business strategy and affect its financial results. Carefully consider all of the information in this report and, in particular, the following principal risks and all of the other specific factors described in Part I, Item 1A of this report, “Risk Factors,” before deciding whether to invest in Entergy or the Registrant Subsidiaries. Carefully consider all of the information in this report and, in particular, the following principal risks and all of the other specific factors described in Item 1A. Utility Regulatory Risks•The terms and conditions of service, including electric and gas rates, of the Registrant Subsidiaries are determined through regulatory approval proceedings that can be lengthy and subject to appeal, potentially resulting in lengthy litigation, and uncertainty as to ultimate results.Utility Regulatory Risks•The terms and conditions of service, including electric and gas rates, of the Utility operating companies and System Energy are determined through regulatory approval proceedings that can be lengthy and subject to appeal, potentially resulting in lengthy litigation, and uncertainty as to ultimate results. •Entergy’s business could experience adverse effects related to changes to state or federal legislation or regulation, or experience risks associated with participation in the MISO markets and allocation of transmission upgrade costs.•Entergy’s business could experience adverse effects related to changes to state or federal legislation or regulation. •The Utility operating companies recover fuel, purchased power, and associated costs through rate mechanisms that are subject to risks of delay or disallowance in regulatory proceedings.•A delay or failure in recovering amounts for storm restoration costs incurred as a result of severe weather could have material effects on Entergy and its Utility operating companies affected by severe weather.•Weather, economic conditions, technological developments, and other factors may have a material impact on electricity and gas usage and otherwise materially affect the Utility operating companies’ results of operations.Nuclear Operating, Shutdown, and Regulatory Risks•The results of operations, financial condition, and liquidity of Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, and System Energy could be materially affected by the following:◦inability to consistently operate their nuclear power plants at high capacity factors;◦refueling outages that last materially longer than anticipated or unplanned outages;◦risks related to the purchase of uranium fuel (and its conversion, enrichment, and fabrication);◦the risk that the NRC will change or modify its regulations, suspend or revoke their licenses, or increase oversight of their nuclear plants;◦risks and costs related to operating and maintaining their nuclear power plants;◦the costs associated with the storage of the spent nuclear fuel, as well as the costs of and their ability to fully decommission their nuclear power plants;◦the potential requirement to pay substantial retrospective premiums and/or assessments imposed under the Price-Anderson Act and/or by Nuclear Electric Insurance Limited (NEIL) in the event of a nuclear incident, and losses not covered by insurance;◦the risk that the decommissioning trust fund assets may not be adequate to meet decommissioning obligations if market performance and other changes decrease the value of assets in the decommissioning trusts; and◦new or existing safety concerns regarding operating nuclear power plants and nuclear fuel.Nuclear Operating, Shutdown, and Regulatory Risks•The results of operations, financial condition, and liquidity of Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, and System Energy could be materially affected by the following:◦inability to consistently operate their nuclear power plants at high capacity factors;◦refueling outages that last materially longer than anticipated or unplanned outages;◦risks related to the purchase of uranium fuel (and its conversion, enrichment, and fabrication);◦the risk that the NRC will change or modify its regulations, suspend or revoke their licenses, or increase oversight of their nuclear plants;◦risks and costs related to operating and maintaining their nuclear power plants;◦the costs associated with the storage of the spent nuclear fuel, as well as the costs of and their ability to fully decommission their nuclear power plants;◦the potential requirement to pay substantial retrospective premiums imposed under the Price-Anderson Act and/or by Nuclear Electric Insurance Limited (NEIL) in the event of a nuclear incident, and losses not covered by insurance;◦the risk that the decommissioning trust fund assets for the nuclear power plants may not be adequate to meet decommissioning obligations if market performance and other changes decrease the value of assets in the decommissioning trusts; and◦new or existing safety concerns regarding operating nuclear power plants and nuclear fuel. Business Risks•Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries depend on access to the capital markets and, at times, may face potential liquidity constraints. Disruptions in the capital and credit markets or a downgrade in Entergy’s or its Registrant Subsidiaries’ credit ratings could, among other things, adversely affect their ability to meet liquidity needs, or to access capital to operate and grow their businesses, and the cost of capital. Disruptions in the capital and credit markets may adversely affect Entergy’s and its subsidiaries’ ability to meet liquidity needs, access capital and operate and grow their businesses, and the cost of capital. 239Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System Energy•The reputation of Entergy or its Registrant Subsidiaries may be materially adversely affected by negative publicity or the inability to meet their stated goals or commitments, among other potential causes.252Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System EnergyTo help stabilize electricity costs, Entergy Louisiana received approval from the LPSC to hedge its exposure to natural gas price volatility through the use of financial instruments. •Changes in tax legislation and taxation as well as the inherent difficulty in quantifying potential tax effects of business decisions could negatively impact Entergy’s and the Registrant Subsidiaries’ results of operations, financial condition, and liquidity.•Entergy and its subsidiaries’ ability to successfully execute on their business strategies, including their ability to complete capital projects, other capital improvements, and strategic transactions, is subject to significant risks, and, as a result, they may be unable to achieve some or all of the anticipated results of such strategies.•Failure to attract, retain, and manage an appropriately qualified workforce could negatively affect Entergy or its subsidiaries’ results of operations.•Entergy and its subsidiaries, including the Utility operating companies and System Energy, may incur substantial costs (i) to fulfill their obligations related to environmental and other matters or (ii) related to reliability standards.•Entergy and Entergy’s subsidiaries, including the Utility operating companies and System Energy, may incur substantial costs (i) to fulfill their obligations related to environmental and other matters or (ii) related to reliability standards. •Entergy could be negatively affected by the effects of climate change, including physical risks, such as increased frequency and intensity of hurricanes, availability of water, droughts, and other severe weather and wildfires, and transition risks, such as environmental and regulatory obligations intended to combat the effects of climate change, including by compelling greenhouse gas emission reductions or reporting, or increasing clean or renewable energy requirements, or placing a price on greenhouse gas emissions.•Entergy could be negatively affected by the effects of climate change, including physical risks, such as increased frequency and intensity of hurricanes and other severe weather, and transition risks, such as environmental and regulatory obligations intended to combat the effects of climate change, including by compelling greenhouse gas emission reductions or reporting, or increasing clean or renewable energy requirements, or placing a price on greenhouse gas emissions. •Market performance and other changes may decrease the value of benefit plan assets, which then could require additional funding of such benefit plans and result in increased benefit plan costs.•Market performance and other changes may decrease the value of benefit plan assets, which then could require additional funding and result in increased benefit plan costs. •The litigation environment in the states in which the Registrant Subsidiaries operate poses a significant risk to those businesses.•Terrorist attacks and sabotage, physical attacks, cyber attacks, system failures, data breaches or other disruptions of Entergy’s and its subsidiaries’ or their suppliers’ physical infrastructure or technology systems may adversely affect Entergy’s business and results of operations.•Terrorist attacks, physical attacks, cyber attacks, system failures, or data breaches of Entergy’s and its subsidiaries’ or their suppliers’ physical infrastructure or technology systems may adversely affect Entergy’s results of operations. •Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries are subject to risks associated with their ability to obtain adequate insurance at acceptable costs.•Significant increases in commodity prices, other materials and supplies, and operation and maintenance expenses may adversely affect Entergy’s results of operations, financial condition, and liquidity.•The effect of higher purchased gas cost charges to customers taking gas service may adversely affect Entergy New Orleans’s results of operations and liquidity.•System Energy owns and, through an affiliate, operates a single nuclear generating facility, and it is dependent on sales to affiliated companies for all of its revenues. Certain contractual arrangements relating to System Energy, the affiliated companies, and these revenues are the subject of ongoing litigation and regulatory proceedings. The aggregate amount of refunds claimed in these proceedings, after reduction for settlements reached with the MPSC and the APSC (subject in the latter case to approval by the FERC), exceeds the current net book value of System Energy. In the event of an adverse decision in one or more of these proceedings requiring the payment of substantial additional refunds, System Energy would be required to seek financing to pay such refunds, which financing may not be available on terms acceptable to System Energy when required.•As a holding company, Entergy Corporation depends on cash distributions from its subsidiaries to meet its debt service and other financial obligations and to pay dividends on its common stock, and has provided, and may continue to provide, capital contributions or debt financing to its subsidiaries, which would reduce the funds available to meet its other financial obligations.•The hazardous activities associated with power generation could adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition.240Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System EnergyENTERGY’S BUSINESSEntergy is an integrated energy company engaged primarily in electric power production and retail distribution operations. Entergy owns and operates power plants with approximately 24,000 MW of electric generating capacity. Entergy owns and operates power plants with approximately 24,000 MW of electric generating capacity, including approximately 5,000 MW of nuclear power. Entergy delivers electricity to approximately 3 million Utility customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. Entergy delivers electricity to 3 million utility customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. Entergy had annual revenues of $12.1 billion in 2023 and had approximately 12,000 employees as of December 31, 2023.8 billion in 2022 and had approximately 12,000 employees as of December 31, 2022. Entergy operates primarily through a single reportable segment, Utility.Entergy operates primarily through two business segments: Utility and Entergy Wholesale Commodities. The Utility segment 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 business segment 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. See “MANAGEMENT’S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - Planned Sale of Gas Distribution Businesses” for discussion of the planned sale of the Entergy New Orleans and Entergy Louisiana gas distribution businesses. Entergy completed its multi-year strategy to exit the merchant nuclear power business in 2022 and upon completion of all transition activities, effective January 1, 2023, Entergy Wholesale Commodities is no longer a reportable segment. See Note 13 to the financial statements for discussion of and financial information regarding Entergy’s business segments. See Note 15 to the financial statements for discussion of financial transmission rights. StrategyEntergy’s strategy is to operate and grow its utility business through a customer-centric approach designed to understand and meet customer needs, creating value for all of its key stakeholders, including customers, communities, employees, and owners. As part of its strategy, Entergy invests significant capital to support customer growth and its customers’ growing demands for greater reliability, resilience, and clean energy, while remaining focused on affordability. Entergy manages risks by ensuring its Utility investments are customer-driven, the result of robust analysis, supported by broad stakeholder outreach and progressive regulatory constructs, and executed with disciplined project management. Further, Entergy continues to integrate key sustainability elements, including social responsibility and good governance, into every decision it makes.UtilityThe Utility segment includes five retail electric utility subsidiaries: Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, and Entergy Texas.UtilityThe Utility business segment includes five retail electric utility subsidiaries: Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, and Entergy Texas. These companies generate, transmit, distribute, and sell electric power to retail and wholesale customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. Entergy Louisiana and Entergy New Orleans also provide natural gas utility services to customers in and around Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and New Orleans, Louisiana, respectively. See “MANAGEMENT’S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - Planned Sale of Gas Distribution Businesses” for discussion of the planned sale of the Entergy New Orleans and Entergy Louisiana gas distribution businesses. Also included in the Utility is System Energy, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Entergy Corporation that owns or leases 90 percent of Grand Gulf. System Energy sells its power and capacity from Grand Gulf at wholesale to Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy New Orleans. The five retail utility subsidiaries are each regulated by the FERC and by state utility commissions, or, in the case of Entergy New Orleans, the City Council. System Energy is regulated by the FERC because all of its transactions are at wholesale. The Utility has a diverse power generation portfolio, including increasingly carbon-free energy sources, which is consistent with Entergy’s strong support for the environment.241Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System EnergyCustomersAs of December 31, 2023, the Utility operating companies provided retail electric and gas service to customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, as follows:Electric and Natural Gas Energy SalesElectric Energy SalesThe total electric energy sales of the Utility operating companies are subject to seasonal fluctuations, with the peak sales period normally occurring during the third quarter of each year. On August 23, 2023, Entergy reached a 2023 peak demand of 23,319 MWh, compared to the 2022 peak of 22,301 MWh recorded on June 24, 2022. On June 24, 2022, Entergy reached a 2022 peak demand of 22,301 MWh, compared to the 2021 peak of 22,051 MWh recorded on August 23, 2021. Selected electric energy sales data for 2023 is shown in the table below:(a)Includes the effect of intercompany eliminations.The following table illustrates the Utility operating companies’ 2023 combined electric sales volume as a percentage of total electric sales volume, and 2023 combined electric revenues as a percentage of total 2023 electric revenue, each by customer class.The following table illustrates the Utility operating companies’ 2022 combined electric sales volume as a percentage of total electric sales volume, and 2022 combined electric revenues as a percentage of total 2022 electric revenue, each by customer class. (a)Major industrial customers are primarily in the petroleum refining and chemical industries.242Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System EnergyNatural Gas Energy SalesEntergy New Orleans and Entergy Louisiana provide both electric power and natural gas to retail customers. Entergy New Orleans and Entergy Louisiana sold 8,917,149 and 6,130,048 Mcf, respectively, of natural gas to retail customers in 2023. In 2023, 99% of Entergy Louisiana’s operating revenue was derived from the electric utility business and only 1% from the natural gas distribution business. For Entergy New Orleans, 87% of operating revenue was derived from the electric utility business and 13% from the natural gas distribution business in 2023.Following is data concerning Entergy New Orleans’s 2023 retail operating revenue sources:Retail Rate RegulationGeneral (Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, System Energy)Each Utility operating company regularly participates in retail rate proceedings. The status of material retail rate proceedings is described in Note 2 to the financial statements. Certain aspects of the Utility operating companies and System Energy’s retail rate mechanisms are discussed below. Certain aspects of the Utility operating companies’ retail rate mechanisms are discussed below. 243Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System Energy(a)Based on 2024 test year.(b)Based on $1.9 billion in accumulated deferred income taxes at a 0% cost rate included in the weighted-average cost of capital calculation.(c)Based on December 31, 2022 test year and excludes approximately $300 million of transmission plant investment included in the transmission recovery mechanism and approximately $200 million of distribution plant investment included in the distribution recovery mechanism, as well as approximately $400 million of net accumulated deferred tax liability items included in the tax reform adjustment mechanism.(c)Based on December 31, 2021 test year and includes approximately $800 million for the Lake Charles Power Station and excludes $250 million for the Washington Parish Energy Center included in the capacity rider, $400 million of transmission plant investment included in the transmission rider, and $200 million of distribution investment included in the distribution rider. (d)Based on September 30, 2022 test year.(e)Based on 2023 forward test year.(f)Based on December 31, 2022 test year and known and measurables through December 31, 2023.(g)In October 2023 the City Council approved a three-year extension of Entergy New Orleans’s formula rate plan, modified to reflect a 55% fixed capital structure for rate setting purposes.(h)Based on December 31, 2021 test year.(g)Based on December 31, 2017 test year and excludes $1. (i)Based on calculation as of December 31, 2023.(h)Based on calculation as of December 31, 2022. (j)Effective July 2022, Entergy Mississippi’s bills from System Energy reflect an authorized return on equity of 9.(i)Effective July 2022, Entergy Mississippi’s bills from System Energy reflect an authorized return on equity of 9. 65%, a capital structure not to exceed 52% equity, and a rate base reduction for the advance collection of sale-leaseback rental costs. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of ongoing proceedings at the FERC challenging System Energy’s authorized return on common equity and capital structure.Entergy ArkansasFormula Rate PlanBetween base rate cases, Entergy Arkansas is able to adjust base rates annually, subject to certain caps, through formula rate plans that utilize a forward test year. Entergy Arkansas is subject to a maximum rate change of 4% of the filing year total retail revenue. In addition, Entergy Arkansas is subject to a true-up of projection to actuals netted with future projection. In response to Entergy Arkansas’s application for a general change in rates in 244Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System Energy2015, the APSC approved the formula rate plan tariff proposed by Entergy Arkansas including its use of a projected year test period and an initial five-year term. In response to Entergy Arkansas’s application for a general change in rates in 2015, the APSC approved the formula rate plan tariff proposed by Entergy Arkansas including its use of a projected year test period and an initial five-year term. The initial five-year term expired in 2021. As granted by Arkansas law, Entergy Arkansas obtained APSC approval of the extension of the formula rate plan tariff for an additional five-year term, through 2026. As part of the settlement of the 2023 formula rate plan proceeding, Entergy Arkansas agreed to file its next base rate case no later than February 2026. If Entergy Arkansas’s formula rate plan were terminated, Entergy Arkansas could file an application for a general change in rates that may include a request for continued regulation under a formula rate review mechanism.Fuel and Purchased Power Cost RecoveryEntergy Arkansas’s rate schedules include an energy cost recovery rider to recover fuel and purchased power costs in monthly bills. The rider utilizes prior calendar year energy costs and projected energy sales for the twelve-month period commencing on April 1 of each year to develop an energy cost rate, which is redetermined annually and includes a true-up adjustment reflecting the over-recovery or under-recovery, including carrying charges, of the energy cost for the prior calendar year. The energy cost recovery rider tariff also allows an interim rate request depending upon the level of over- or under-recovery of fuel and purchased energy costs. In December 2007 the APSC issued an order stating that Entergy Arkansas’s energy cost recovery rider will remain in effect, and any future termination of the rider would be subject to eighteen months advance notice by the APSC, which would occur following notice and hearing.Production Cost Allocation RiderEntergy Arkansas has in place an APSC-approved production cost allocation rider for recovery from customers of the retail portion of the costs allocated to Entergy Arkansas as a result of System Agreement proceedings.OtherIn June 2022 the APSC approved Entergy Arkansas’s compliance tariff filing for a proposed green tariff designed to help participating customers meet their renewable and sustainability goals and to enhance economic development efforts in Arkansas.Green Promise Renewable TariffIn July 2021, Entergy Arkansas filed a proposed green tariff designed to help participating customers meet their renewable and sustainability goals and to enhance economic development efforts in Arkansas. The APSC approved an initial offering of 100 MW of solar capacity to be made available under this tariff.In June 2023 the APSC approved Entergy Arkansas’s Go ZERO tariff, which provides participating industrial and commercial customers the opportunity to chose from a number of clean energy options to help them achieve their sustainability goals.Entergy LouisianaFormula Rate PlanEntergy Louisiana historically sets electric base rates annually through a formula rate plan using a historic test year. The form of the formula rate plan, on a combined basis, was approved in connection with the business combination of Entergy Louisiana and Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and largely followed the formula rate plans that were approved by the LPSC in connection with the full electric base rate cases filed by those companies in February 2013. In 2021 the LPSC approved a settlement extending the formula rate plan for test years 2020, 2021 and 2022; certain modifications were made in that extension, including a decrease to the allowed return on equity, narrowing of the earnings “dead band” around the mid-point allowed return on equity, elimination of sharing above and below the earnings “dead band,” and the addition of a distribution cost recovery mechanism. The formula rate plan was most recently extended through the test year 2022; certain modifications were made in that extension, including a decrease to the allowed return on equity, narrowing of the earnings “dead band” around the mid-point allowed return on equity, elimination of sharing above and below the earnings “dead band,” and the addition of a distribution cost recovery mechanism. The formula rate plan continues to include exceptions from the rate cap and sharing requirements for certain large capital investment projects, including acquisition or construction of generating facilities and purchase power agreements approved by the LPSC, certain transmission investments, and certain distribution investments, among other items. In August 245Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System Energy2023, 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, test years 2023-2025, which is Entergy Louisiana’s recommended path; or (2) implementation of rates resulting from a cost-of-service study, with a 2024-2026 test year formula rate plan. 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. See Note 2 to the financial statements for a discussion of Entergy Louisiana’s application. See Note 2 to the financial statements for a discussion of the Entergy Louisiana securitization. Fuel and Purchased Power Cost RecoveryEntergy Louisiana’s rate schedules include a fuel adjustment clause designed to recover the cost of fuel and purchased power costs.Fuel RecoveryEntergy Louisiana’s rate schedules include a fuel adjustment clause designed to recover the cost of fuel and purchased power costs. The fuel adjustment clause contains a surcharge or credit for deferred fuel expense and related carrying charges arising from the monthly reconciliation of actual fuel costs incurred with fuel cost revenues billed to customers, including carrying charges. See Note 2 to the financial statements for a discussion of proceedings related to audits of Entergy Louisiana’s fuel adjustment clause filings.To help stabilize electricity costs, Entergy Louisiana received approval from the LPSC to hedge its exposure to natural gas price volatility through the use of financial instruments.To help stabilize electricity costs, Entergy Mississippi received approval from the MPSC to hedge its exposure to natural gas price volatility through the use of financial instruments. Entergy Louisiana historically hedged approximately one-third of the projected exposure to natural gas price changes for the gas used to serve its native electric load for all months of the year. The hedge quantity was reviewed on an annual basis. In January 2018, Entergy Louisiana filed an application with the LPSC to suspend these seasonal hedging programs and implement financial hedges with terms up to five years for a portion of its natural gas exposure, which was approved in November 2018.Entergy Louisiana’s gas rates include a purchased gas adjustment clause based on estimated gas costs for the billing month adjusted by a surcharge or credit that arises from an annual reconciliation of fuel costs incurred with fuel cost revenues billed to customers, including carrying charges.Retail Rates - GasIn accordance with the settlement of Entergy Gulf States Louisiana’s gas rate stabilization plan for the test year ended September 30, 2012, in August 2014, Entergy Gulf States Louisiana submitted for consideration a proposal for implementation of an infrastructure rider to recover expenditures associated with strategic plant investment and relocation projects mandated by local governments. After review by the LPSC staff and inclusion of certain customer safeguards required by the LPSC staff, in December 2014, Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and the LPSC staff submitted a joint settlement for implementation of an accelerated gas pipe replacement program providing for the replacement of approximately 100 miles of pipe over the next ten years, as well as relocation of certain existing pipe resulting from local government-related infrastructure projects, and for a rider to recover the investment associated with these projects. The rider allows for recovery of approximately $65 million over ten years. The rider recovery will be adjusted on a quarterly basis to include actual investment incurred for the prior quarter and is subject to the following conditions, among others: a ten-year term; application of any earnings in excess of the upper end of the earnings band as an offset to the revenue requirement of the infrastructure rider; adherence to a specified spending plan, within plus or minus 20% annually; annual filings comparing actual versus planned rider spending with actual spending and explanation of variances exceeding 10%; and an annual true-up. The joint settlement was approved by the LPSC in January 2015. Implementation of the infrastructure rider commenced with bills rendered on and after the first billing cycle of April 2015. In April 2022 Entergy Louisiana submitted for consideration a proposal to extend the infrastructure rider to address replacement of an additional 187 miles of pipe. In December 2022 Entergy Louisiana and the LPSC staff submitted an uncontested settlement that extends the rider for an additional ten years beginning after the end of the current term of the rider in 2025. The extension is subject to the same customer safeguards and conditions as the original term of the rider. The extension 246Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System Energyallows for recovery of approximately $95 million over ten years. In February 2023, the uncontested settlement was approved by the LPSC.Storm Cost RecoverySee Note 2 to the financial statements for a discussion of Entergy Louisiana’s filings to recover storm-related costs.OtherIn March 2016 the LPSC opened two dockets to examine, on a generic basis, issues that it identified in connection with its review of Cleco Corporation’s acquisition by third party investors. The first docket is captioned “In re: Investigation of double leveraging issues for all LPSC-jurisdictional utilities,” and the second is captioned “In re: Investigation of tax structure issues for all LPSC-jurisdictional utilities.” In April 2016 the LPSC clarified that the concerns giving rise to the two dockets arose as a result of its review of the structure of the Cleco-Macquarie transaction and that the specific intent of the directives is to seek more information regarding intra-corporate debt financing of a utility’s capital structure as well as the use of investment tax credits to mitigate the tax obligation at the parent level of a consolidated entity.” In April 2016 the LPSC clarified that the concerns giving rise to the two dockets arose as a result of its review of the structure of the Cleco-Macquarie transaction and that the specific intent of the directives is to seek more information regarding intra-corporate debt financing of a utility’s capital structure as well as the use of investment tax credits to mitigate the tax 253Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System Energyobligation at the parent level of a consolidated entity. No schedule has been set for either docket, and limited discovery has occurred.In December 2019 an LPSC commissioner issued an unopposed directive to staff to research customer-centered options for all customer classes, as well as other regulatory environments, and recommend a plan for how to ensure customers are the focus. There was no opposition to the directive from other commissioners but several remarked that the intent of the directive was not initiated to pursue retail open access. In furtherance of the directive, the LPSC issued a notice of the opening of a docket to conduct a rulemaking to research and evaluate customer-centered options for all electric customer classes as well as other regulatory environments in January 2020. To date, the LPSC staff has requested multiple rounds of comments from stakeholders and conducted one technical conference. Topics on which comments have been filed include full and limited retail access, demand response, sleeved power purchase agreements, and energy efficiency. Neither the LPSC or the LPSC staff have made recommendations or adopted any rules.Entergy MississippiFormula Rate PlanSince the conclusion in 2015 of Entergy Mississippi’s most recent base rate case, Entergy Mississippi has set electric base rates annually through a formula rate plan. Between base rate cases, Entergy Mississippi is able to adjust base rates annually, subject to certain caps, through formula rate plans that utilize forward-looking features. In addition, Entergy Mississippi is subject to an annual “look-back” evaluation. Entergy Mississippi is allowed a maximum rate increase of 4% of each test year’s retail revenue. Any increase above 4% requires a base rate case. If Entergy Mississippi’s formula rate plan were terminated without replacement, it would revert to the more traditional rate case environment or seek approval of a new formula rate plan.In August 2012 the MPSC opened inquiries to review whether the then-current formulaic methodology used to calculate the return on common equity in both Entergy Mississippi’s formula rate plan and Mississippi Power Company’s annual formula rate plan was still appropriate or could be improved to better serve the public interest.In August 2012 the MPSC opened inquiries to review whether the then current formulaic methodology used to calculate the return on common equity in both Entergy Mississippi’s formula rate plan and Mississippi Power Company’s annual formula rate plan was still appropriate or could be improved to better serve the public interest. The intent of this inquiry and review was for informational purposes only; the evaluation of any recommendations for changes to the existing methodology would take place in a general rate case or in the existing formula rate plan proceeding. In March 2013 the Mississippi Public Utilities Staff filed its consultant’s report which noted the return on common equity estimation methods used by Entergy Mississippi and Mississippi Power Company are commonly used throughout the electric utility industry. The report suggested ways in which the methods used by Entergy Mississippi and Mississippi Power Company might be improved, but did not recommend specific changes in the 247Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System Energyreturn on common equity formulas or calculations at that time. The report suggested ways in which the methods used by Entergy Mississippi and Mississippi Power Company might be improved, but did not recommend specific changes in the return on common equity formulas or calculations at that time. In June 2014 the MPSC expanded the scope of the August 2012 inquiry to study the merits of adopting a uniform formula rate plan that could be applied, where possible in whole or in part, to both Entergy Mississippi and Mississippi Power Company in order to achieve greater consistency in the plans. The MPSC directed the Mississippi Public Utilities Staff to investigate and review Entergy Mississippi’s formula rate plan rider schedule and Mississippi Power Company’s Performance Evaluation Plan by considering the merits and deficiencies and possibilities for improvement of each and then to propose a uniform formula rate plan that, where possible, could be applicable to both companies. No procedural schedule has been set. In October 2014 the Mississippi Public Utilities Staff conducted a public technical conference to discuss performance benchmarking and its potential application to the electric utilities’ formula rate plans. The docket remains open.In December 2019 the MPSC approved Entergy Mississippi’s proposed revisions to its formula rate plan to provide for a mechanism in the formula rate plan, the interim capacity rate adjustment mechanism, to recover the non-fuel related costs of additional owned capacity acquired by Entergy Mississippi as well as to allow similar cost recovery treatment for other capacity acquisitions that are approved by the MPSC. The MPSC must approve recovery through the interim capacity rate adjustment for each new resource. In addition, the MPSC approved revisions to the formula rate plan which allows Entergy Mississippi to begin billing rate adjustments effective April 1 of the filing year on a temporary basis subject to refund or credit to customers, subject to final MPSC order. In addition, the MPSC approved revisions to the formula rate plan which allows Entergy Mississippi to begin billing rate adjustments effective April 254Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System Energy1 of the filing year on a temporary basis subject to refund or credit to customers, subject to final MPSC order. The MPSC also authorized Entergy Mississippi to remove vegetation management costs from the formula rate plan and recover these costs through the establishment of a vegetation management rider.In November 2020 the MPSC approved Entergy Mississippi’s revisions to its formula rate plan providing for the realignment of energy efficiency costs to its formula rate plan, the deferral of energy efficiency expenditures into a regulatory asset, and the elimination of its energy efficiency cost recovery rider effective with the January 2022 billing cycle. In November 2020 the MPSC approved Entergy Mississippi’s revisions to its formula rate plan providing for the realignment of energy efficiency costs to its formula rate plan, the deferral of energy efficiency expenditures into a regulatory asset, and the elimination of its energy efficiency cost recovery rider effective with the January 2022 billing cycle. In June 2023 the MPSC approved Entergy Mississippi’s revisions to its formula rate plan to realign the recovery of certain long-term service agreement and conductor handling costs to the annual power management and grid modernization riders effective January 2023.Fuel and Purchased Power Cost RecoveryEntergy Mississippi’s rate schedules include energy cost recovery riders to recover fuel and purchased power costs.Fuel and Purchased Power Cost RecoveryEntergy Arkansas’s rate schedules include an energy cost recovery rider to recover fuel and purchased power costs in monthly bills. The energy cost rate for each calendar year is redetermined annually and includes a true-up adjustment reflecting the over-recovery or under-recovery of the energy costs as of the 12-month period ended September 30. Entergy Mississippi’s fuel cost recoveries are subject to annual audits conducted pursuant to the authority of the MPSC. The energy cost recovery riders allow interim rate adjustments depending on the level of over- or under-recovery of fuel and purchased energy costs.To help stabilize electricity costs, Entergy Mississippi received approval from the MPSC to hedge its exposure to natural gas price volatility through the use of financial instruments. Entergy Mississippi hedges approximately one-third of the projected exposure to natural gas price changes for the gas used to serve its native electric load for all months of the year. The hedge quantity is reviewed on an annual basis.Storm Cost RecoverySee Note 2 to the financial statements for a discussion of proceedings regarding recovery of Entergy Mississippi’s storm-related costs.Storm Cost RecoverySee Note 2 to the financial statements for a discussion of recovery of Entergy Mississippi’s storm-related costs. 248Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System EnergyOtherIn October 2022 the MPSC adopted the Distributed Generation Rule.245Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System EnergyItem 1. The Distributed Generation Rule maintains the 3% net metering participation cap. The Distributed Generation Rule grandfathers a 2.5 cents per kWh distributed generation benefits adder for 25 years and expands eligibility for the 2 cents per kWh low-income benefits adder to households up to 225% of the federal poverty level and grandfathers that adder for 25 years. The Distributed Generation Rule also directs utilities to make rate filings implementing up-front incentives for distributed generating systems and demand response battery systems, and to establish a public K-12 solar for schools program. In August 2023 the MPSC approved Entergy Mississippi’s proposed solar for schools rate schedule under the Distributed Generation Rule.Entergy New OrleansFormula Rate PlanAs part of its determination of rates in the base rate case filed by Entergy New Orleans in 2018, in November 2019, the City Council issued a resolution resolving the rate case, with rates to become effective retroactive to August 2019. The resolution allows Entergy New Orleans to implement a three-year formula rate plan, beginning with the 2019 test year as adjusted for forward-looking known and measurable changes, with the filing for the first test year to be made in 2020. In October 2020 the City Council approved an agreement in principle filed by Entergy New Orleans that results in Entergy New Orleans forgoing its 2020 formula rate plan filing and shifting the three-year formula rate plan to filings in 2021, 2022, and 2023. In October 2020 the City Council approved an agreement in principle filed by Entergy New Orleans that results in Entergy New Orleans foregoing its 2020 formula rate plan filing and shifting the three-year formula rate plan to filings in 2021, 2022, and 2023. In September 2023, Entergy New Orleans filed a motion seeking City Council approval of a three-year extension of Entergy New Orleans’s electric and gas formula rate plans, for filings in 2024, 2025, and 2026. In October 2023 the City Council granted Entergy New Orleans’s request for an extension, subject to minor modifications.Fuel and Purchased Power Cost RecoveryEntergy New Orleans’s electric rate schedules include a fuel adjustment tariff designed to reflect no more than targeted fuel and purchased power costs, adjusted by a surcharge or credit for deferred fuel expense arising from the monthly reconciliation of actual fuel and purchased power costs incurred with fuel cost revenues billed to customers, including carrying charges.Entergy New Orleans’s gas rate schedules include a purchased gas adjustment to reflect estimated gas costs for the billing month, adjusted by a surcharge or credit similar to that included in the electric fuel adjustment clause, including carrying charges.To help stabilize gas costs, Entergy New Orleans seeks approval annually from the City Council to continue implementation of its natural gas hedging program consistent with the City Council’s stated policy objectives. The program uses financial instruments to hedge exposure to volatility in the wholesale price of natural gas purchased to serve Entergy New Orleans gas customers. The program uses financial instruments to hedge exposure to volatility in the wholesale price of natural gas purchased to 255Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System Energyserve Entergy New Orleans gas customers. Entergy New Orleans hedges up to 25% of actual gas sales made during the winter months.Storm Cost RecoverySee Note 2 to the financial statements for a discussion of Entergy New Orleans’s filings to recover storm-related costs.249Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System EnergyEntergy TexasBase RatesThe base rates of Entergy Texas are established largely in traditional base rate case proceedings.249Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System EnergyNatural Gas Energy SalesEntergy New Orleans and Entergy Louisiana provide both electric power and natural gas to retail customers. Between base rate proceedings, Entergy Texas has available rate riders to recover the revenue requirements associated with certain incremental costs. Entergy Texas is required to file full base rate case proceedings every four years and within eighteen months of utilizing its generation cost recovery rider for investments above $200 million.Fuel and Purchased Power Cost RecoveryEntergy Texas’s rate schedules include a fixed fuel factor to recover fuel and purchased power costs, including interest, that are not included in base rates. Historically, semi-annual revisions of the fixed fuel factor have been made in March and September based on the market price of natural gas and changes in fuel mix. Semi-annual revisions of the fixed fuel factor are made in March and September based on the market price of natural gas and changes in fuel mix. The amounts collected under Entergy Texas’s fixed fuel factor and any interim surcharge or refund are subject to fuel reconciliation proceedings before the PUCT. In the course of this reconciliation, the PUCT determines whether eligible fuel and fuel-related expenses and revenues are necessary and reasonable and makes a prudence finding for each of the fuel-related contracts entered into during the reconciliation period. In 2023 the Texas legislature modified the Texas Utilities Code to provide that material over- and under-recovered fuel balances are to be refunded or surcharged through interim fuel adjustments and that fuel reconciliations must be filed at least once every two years. Entergy Texas expects the PUCT to undertake a rulemaking to effectuate the new legislation by the end of 2024.At the PUCT’s April 2013 open meeting, the PUCT Commissioners discussed their view that a purchased power capacity rider was good public policy. The PUCT issued an order in May 2013 adopting the rule allowing for a purchased power capacity rider, subject to an offsetting adjustment for load growth. The rule, as adopted, also includes a process for obtaining pre-approval by the PUCT of purchased power agreements to be recovered through a purchased power capacity rider. The rule, as adopted, also includes a process for obtaining pre-approval by the PUCT of purchased power agreements. No Texas utility, including Entergy Texas, has exercised the option to recover capacity costs under the rider mechanism, but Entergy Texas will continue to evaluate the benefits of utilizing the rider to recover future capacity costs. No Texas utility, including Entergy Texas, has exercised the option to recover capacity costs under the new rider mechanism, but Entergy Texas will continue to evaluate the benefits of utilizing the rider to recover future capacity costs. In 2023, the Texas legislature modified the Texas Utilities Code to permit a utility to seek pre-approval from the PUCT for a purchased power agreement of three years or more if such approval is a precondition to the effectiveness of such agreements, regardless of whether the utility intends to recover costs associated with the purchased power agreement through a purchased power capacity rider.Transmission, Distribution, and Generation Cost RecoveryAs discussed above, Entergy Texas has available rate riders to recover the revenue requirements associated with certain incremental costs. These riders include a transmission cost recovery factor rider mechanism for the recovery of transmission-related capital investments, a distribution cost recovery factor rider mechanism for the recovery of distribution-related capital investment, and a generation cost recovery rider mechanism for the recovery of generation-related capital investments.In June 2009 a law was enacted in Texas containing provisions that allow Entergy Texas to take advantage of a cost recovery mechanism that permits annual filings for the recovery of reasonable and necessary expenditures for transmission infrastructure improvement and changes in wholesale transmission charges. This mechanism was previously available to other non-ERCOT Texas utility companies, but not to Entergy Texas.In September 2011 the PUCT adopted a proposed rule implementing a distribution cost recovery factor to recover capital and capital-related costs related to distribution infrastructure. The distribution cost recovery factor permitted utilities once per year to implement an increase or decrease in rates above or below amounts reflected in base rates to reflect distribution-related depreciation expense, federal income tax and other taxes, and return on investment. In 2023, the Texas Legislature modified the Texas Utilities Code to permit utilities to update their 250Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System Energydistribution cost recovery factors up to twice per year and to require the PUCT to issue an order on such update applications within 60 days, with a 15-day extension permitted for good cause.In September 2019 the PUCT initiated a rulemaking to promulgate a generation cost recovery rider rule, implementing legislation passed in the 2019 Texas legislative session intended to allow electric utilities to recover generation investments between base rate proceedings. The PUCT approved the final rule in July 2020.Storm Cost RecoverySee Note 2 to the financial statements for a discussion of Entergy Texas’s filings to recover storm-related costs.OtherIn January 2022, Entergy Texas filed an application requesting approval to implement two voluntary renewable option tariffs, Rider Small Volume Renewable Option (Rider SVRO) and Rider Large Volume Renewable Option (Rider LVRO). Both tariffs are voluntary offerings that give customers the ability to match some or all of their monthly electricity usage with renewable energy credits that are purchased by Entergy Texas and retired on the customer’s behalf. Voluntary participation in either Rider SVRO or Rider LVRO and the charges assessed under the respective tariff would be in addition to the charges paid by customers under their otherwise applicable rate schedules and riders. In April 2022, Entergy Texas filed on behalf of the parties an unopposed settlement agreement supporting approval of Entergy Texas’s proposed voluntary renewable option tariffs. In April 2022, Entergy Texas filed on behalf of the parties an unopposed settlement agreement supporting approval of Entergy Texas’s proposed green pricing option tariffs. As part of the settlement agreement, Entergy Texas agreed to revise the cost allocation between the rate tiers of Rider SVRO and committed to collaborating with and considering the input of customers to develop an asset-backed green tariff program. The PUCT approved the settlement agreement in August 2022.As part of its rate case application filed with the PUCT in July 2022, Entergy Texas requested approval of Schedule Green Future Option (Schedule GFO), an asset-backed green tariff that would allow Entergy Texas’s customers to voluntarily subscribe to a portion of the underlying solar facility’s capacity in exchange for energy credits. In August 2023 the PUCT approved an unopposed settlement in the proceeding that included approval of Schedule GFO.Electric Industry RestructuringIn June 2009 a law was enacted in Texas that required Entergy Texas to cease all activities relating to Entergy Texas’s transition to competition. The law allows Entergy Texas to remain a part of the SERC Reliability Corporation (SERC) Region, although it does not prevent Entergy Texas from joining another power region. The law provides that proceedings to certify a power region that Entergy Texas belongs to as a qualified power region can be initiated by the PUCT, or on motion by another party, when the conditions supporting such a proceeding exist. Under the law, the PUCT may not approve a transition to competition plan for Entergy Texas until the expiration of four years from the PUCT’s certification of a qualified power region for Entergy Texas.The law further amended already existing law that had required Entergy Texas to propose for PUCT approval a tariff to allow eligible customers the ability to contract for competitive generation. The amending language in the law provides, among other things, that: (1) the tariff shall not be implemented in a manner that harms the sustainability or competitiveness of manufacturers who choose not to participate in the tariff; (2) Entergy Texas shall “purchase competitive generation service, selected by the customer, and provide the generation at retail to the customer;” and (3) Entergy Texas shall provide and price transmission service and ancillary services under that tariff at a rate that is unbundled from its cost of service. The law directs that the PUCT may not issue an order on the tariff that is contrary to an applicable decision, rule, or policy statement of a federal regulatory agency having jurisdiction. The PUCT determined that unrecovered costs that may be recovered through the rider consist only of those costs necessary to implement and administer the competitive generation program and do not include lost 251Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System Energyrevenues or embedded generation costs. The PUCT determined that unrecovered costs that may be recovered through the rider consist only of those costs necessary to implement and administer the competitive generation program and do not include lost revenues or embedded generation costs. The amount of customer load that may be included in the competitive generation service program is limited to 115 MW.System EnergyCost of ServiceThe rates of System Energy are established by the FERC, and the costs allowed to be charged pursuant to these rates are, in turn, passed through to the participating Utility operating companies through the Unit Power Sales Agreement, which has monthly billings that reflect the current operating costs of, and investment in, Grand Gulf. Retail regulators and other parties may seek to initiate proceedings at FERC to investigate the prudence of costs included in the rates charged under the Unit Power Sales Agreement and examine, among other things, the reasonableness or prudence of the operation and maintenance practices, level of expenditures, allowed rates of return and rate base, and previously incurred capital expenditures. The Unit Power Sales Agreement is 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. Beginning in 2021, System Energy implemented billing protocols to provide retail regulators with information regarding rates billed under the Unit Power Sales Agreement. Beginning in 2021, System Energy implemented billing protocols to provide retail regulators with 257Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System Energyinformation regarding rates billed under the Unit Power Sales Agreement. Entergy cannot predict the outcome of any of these proceedings, and an adverse outcome in any of them could have a material adverse effect on Entergy’s or System Energy’s results of operations, financial condition, or liquidity. See Note 2 to the financial statements for further discussion of the proceedings.FranchisesEntergy Arkansas holds exclusive franchises to provide electric service in approximately 308 incorporated cities and towns in Arkansas. These franchises generally are unlimited in duration and continue unless the municipalities purchase the utility property. In Arkansas, franchises are considered to be contracts and, therefore, are governed pursuant to the terms of the franchise agreement and applicable statutes.Entergy Louisiana holds non-exclusive franchises to provide electric service in approximately 175 incorporated municipalities and in the unincorporated areas of approximately 59 parishes of Louisiana. Entergy Louisiana holds non-exclusive franchises to provide natural gas service to customers in the City of Baton Rouge and in East Baton Rouge Parish. Municipal franchise agreement terms range from 25 to 60 years while parish franchise terms range from 25 to 99 years.Entergy Mississippi has received from the MPSC certificates of public convenience and necessity to provide electric service to areas within 45 counties, including a number of municipalities, in western Mississippi. Under Mississippi statutory law, such certificates are exclusive. Entergy Mississippi may continue to serve in such municipalities upon payment of a statutory franchise fee, regardless of whether an original municipal franchise is still in existence.Entergy New Orleans provides electric and gas service in the City of New Orleans pursuant to indeterminate permits set forth in city ordinances. These ordinances contain a continuing option for the City of New Orleans to purchase Entergy New Orleans’s electric and gas utility properties.Entergy Texas holds a certificate of convenience and necessity from the PUCT to provide electric service to areas within approximately 27 counties in eastern Texas and holds non-exclusive franchises to provide electric 252Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System Energyservice in approximately 70 incorporated municipalities.Entergy Texas holds a certificate of convenience and necessity from the PUCT to provide electric service to areas within approximately 27 counties in eastern Texas and holds non-exclusive franchises to provide electric service in approximately 70 incorporated municipalities. Entergy Texas typically obtains 25-year franchise agreements as existing agreements expire. Entergy Texas’s electric franchises expire over the period 2024-2058.The business of System Energy is limited to wholesale power sales. It has no distribution franchises.Property and Other Generation ResourcesOwned Generating StationsThe total capability of the generating stations owned and leased by the Utility operating companies and System Energy as of December 31, 2023 is indicated below:(a)“Owned and Leased Capability” is the dependable load carrying capability as demonstrated under actual operating conditions based on the primary fuel (assuming no curtailments) that each station was designed to utilize. As of December 31, 2022, the subsidiaries’ investment and accumulated depreciation in each of these generating stations were as follows:56Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statements(a)“Total Megawatt Capability” is the dependable load carrying capability as demonstrated under actual operating conditions based on the primary fuel (assuming no curtailments) that each station was designed to utilize. (b)Represents Simple Cycle Combustion Turbine units and Combined Cycle Gas Turbine units.Summer peak load for the Utility has averaged 21,775 MW over the previous decade.The Utility operating companies’ load and capacity projections are reviewed periodically to assess the need and timing for additional generating capacity and interconnections. These reviews consider existing and projected demand, the availability and price of power, the location of new load, the economy, Entergy’s clean energy and other public policy goals, environmental regulations, and the age and condition of Entergy’s existing infrastructure.The Utility operating companies’ long-term resource strategy (Portfolio Transformation Strategy) calls for the bulk of capacity needs to be met through long-term resources, whether owned or contracted. Over the past decade, the Portfolio Transformation Strategy has resulted in the addition of about 7,963 MW of new long-term resources and the deactivation of about 4,241 MW of legacy generation. As MISO market participants, the Utility operating companies also participate in MISO’s Day Ahead and Real Time Energy and Ancillary Services markets to economically dispatch generation and purchase energy to serve customers reliably and at the lowest reasonable cost.Other Generation ResourcesRFP ProcurementsThe Utility operating companies from time-to-time issue requests for proposals (RFP) to procure supply-side resources from sources other than the spot market to meet the unique regional needs of the Utility operating companies. The RFPs issued by the Utility operating companies have sought resources needed to meet near-term MISO reliability requirements as well as long-term requirements through a broad range of wholesale power 253Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System Energyproducts, including long-term contractual products and asset acquisitions. The RFPs issued by the Utility operating companies have sought resources needed to meet near-term MISO reliability requirements as well as long-term requirements through a broad range of wholesale power products, including long-term contractual products and asset acquisitions. The RFP process has resulted in selections or acquisitions, including, among other things:•Entergy Texas’s construction of the 993 MW, combined-cycle, gas turbine Montgomery County Power Station at its existing Lewis Creek electric generating station. The RFP process has resulted in selections or acquisitions, including, among other things:•Entergy Louisiana’s construction of the 980 MW, combined-cycle, gas turbine J. The facility began commercial operation in January 2021;•In December 2020, Entergy Texas selected the self-build alternative, Orange County Advanced Power Station, out of the 2020 Entergy Texas combined-cycle, gas turbine RFP. The facility began commercial operation in December 2020; •In December 2020, Entergy Texas selected the self-build alternative, Orange County Advanced Power Station, out of the 2020 Entergy Texas combined-cycle, gas turbine RFP. Regulatory approval was received in November 2022 and construction has commenced. The facility is expected to be in service by mid-2026;•In March 2019, Entergy Arkansas signed an agreement for the purchase of an approximately 100 MW to-be-constructed solar photovoltaic energy facility, Searcy Solar facility, sited on approximately 800 acres in White County near Searcy, Arkansas. Entergy Arkansas received regulatory approval from the APSC in April 2020, and closed on the acquisition, through use of a tax equity partnership, in December 2021. The Searcy Solar facility was placed in service in January 2022;•In November 2018, Entergy Mississippi signed an agreement for the purchase of an approximately 100 MW to-be-constructed solar photovoltaic energy facility, Sunflower Solar facility, sited on approximately 1,000 acres in Sunflower County, Mississippi. Entergy Mississippi received regulatory approval from the MPSC in April 2020, and the Sunflower Solar facility began commercial operation in September 2022;•In June 2020, Entergy Arkansas signed an agreement for the purchase of an approximately 100 MW to-be-constructed solar photovoltaic energy facility, Walnut Bend Solar facility, that will be sited on approximately 1,000 acres in Lee County, Arkansas. In July 2021 the APSC issued an order approving the acquisition of the Walnut Bend Solar facility. The counterparty notified Entergy Arkansas that it was terminating the project, though it was willing to consider an alternative for the site. Entergy Arkansas disputed the right of termination, and in February 2023 an amendment to the agreement was executed by the parties. Entergy Arkansas disputed the right of termination. In July 2023 the APSC issued an order approving the revisions to the agreement and full notice to proceed was issued shortly thereafter. In July 2021 the APSC issued an order approving the acquisition of the Walnut Bend Solar facility. In February 2024, Entergy Arkansas made an initial payment of approximately $169.7 million to acquire the facility. The project will achieve commercial operation once testing is completed and the project has achieved substantial completion. Entergy Arkansas currently expects the project to achieve commercial operation in the first half of 2024;•In September 2020, Entergy Arkansas signed an agreement for the purchase of an approximately 180 MW to-be-constructed solar photovoltaic energy facility, West Memphis Solar facility, that will be sited on approximately 1,500 acres in Crittenden County, Arkansas. At this time the project, if approved, is expected to achieve commercial operation in 2024;•In September 2020, Entergy Arkansas signed an agreement for the purchase of an approximately 180 MW to-be-constructed solar photovoltaic energy facility, West Memphis Solar facility, that will be sited on approximately 1,500 acres in Crittenden County, Arkansas. In October 2021 the APSC issued an order approving the acquisition of the West Memphis Solar facility. In March 2022 the counterparty notified Entergy Arkansas that it was seeking changes to certain terms of the build-own-transfer agreement, including both cost and schedule. In January 2023, Entergy Arkansas filed a supplemental application with the APSC. In January 2023, Entergy Arkansas made a supplemental filing with the APSC. Following the APSC’s approval of the supplemental application in March 2023, full notice to proceed was issued in April 2023 and the project is currently expected to achieve commercial operation by the end of 2024;•In November 2021, Entergy Louisiana signed an agreement for the purchase of an approximately 150 MW to-be-constructed solar photovoltaic energy facility, St. Following APSC supplemental approval, full notice to proceed will be issued with closing expected to occur in 2024;260Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System Energy•In November 2021, Entergy Louisiana signed an agreement for the purchase of an approximately 150 MW to-be-constructed solar photovoltaic energy facility, St. Jacques facility, that will be sited in St. James Parish near Vacherie, Louisiana. In September 2022 the LPSC voted to issue an order approving the St. In September 2022 the LPSC voted to approve the order including the St. Jacques facility; however, following the LPSC approval, the St. James Parish council issued a moratorium on new land use permits for solar facilities. James Parish council issued a moratorium on new land use permits for solar facilities until the later of March 2023 or the completion of an environmental and economic impact study, which is ongoing. In November 2023, St. In November 2020 the D. James Parish lifted the moratorium and adopted an ordinance modifying the parish’s land use plan to establish solar as an approved land use and defining corresponding solar regulations. Entergy Louisiana is in discussions with the counterparty for the St. Jacques facility regarding amendments to the agreement to address the impact of the St. James Parish ordinance, and the facility is expected to reach commercial operation no sooner than 2027 dependent upon agreement by the parties on the terms of the amendments;•In August 2022, Entergy Arkansas signed an agreement for the purchase of an approximately 250 MW to-be-constructed solar photovoltaic energy facility, Driver Solar facility, that will be sited near Osceola, Arkansas. Also in August 2022, Entergy Arkansas received necessary approvals for the Driver Solar 254Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System Energyfacility, and Entergy Arkansas has issued the counterparty full notice to proceed to begin construction. Also in August 2022, Entergy Arkansas received necessary approvals for the Driver Solar facility, and Entergy Arkansas has issued the counter-party full notice to proceed to begin construction. The project is expected to achieve commercial operation as early as mid-2024; and•Entergy Louisiana expects to start construction on the 49 MW Sterlington Solar project in the fourth quarter 2024, located in Sterlington, Louisiana. The facility is expected to achieve commercial operation in January 2026. The facility is expected to reach commercial operation as early as June 2026. The RFP process has also resulted in the selection, or confirmation of the economic merits of, long-term purchased power agreements (PPAs), including, among others:•River Bend’s 30% life-of-unit PPA between Entergy Louisiana and Entergy New Orleans for 100 MW related to Entergy Louisiana’s unregulated portion of the River Bend nuclear station, which portion was formerly owned by Cajun;•Entergy Arkansas’s wholesale base load capacity life-of-unit PPAs executed in 2003 totaling approximately 220 MW between Entergy Arkansas and Entergy Louisiana (110 MW) and between Entergy Arkansas and Entergy New Orleans (110 MW) related to the sale of a portion of Entergy Arkansas’s coal and nuclear base load resources (which had not been included in Entergy Arkansas’s retail rates);•In September 2012, Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Rain CII Carbon LLC executed a 20-year agreement for 28 MW, with the potential to purchase an additional 9 MW when available, from a petroleum coke calcining facility in Sulphur, Louisiana.The RFP process has also resulted in the selection, or confirmation of the economic merits of, long-term purchased power agreements (PPAs), including, among others:•River Bend’s 30% life-of-unit PPA between Entergy Louisiana and Entergy New Orleans for 100 MW related to Entergy Louisiana’s unregulated portion of the River Bend nuclear station, which portion was formerly owned by Cajun; •Entergy Arkansas’s wholesale base load capacity life-of-unit PPAs executed in 2003 totaling approximately 220 MW between Entergy Arkansas and Entergy Louisiana (110 MW) and between Entergy Arkansas and Entergy New Orleans (110 MW) related to the sale of a portion of Entergy Arkansas’s coal and nuclear base load resources (which had not been included in Entergy Arkansas’s retail rates);•In September 2012, Entergy Gulf States Louisiana executed a 20-year agreement for 28 MW, with the potential to purchase an additional 9 MW when available, from Rain CII Carbon LLC’s petroleum coke calcining facility in Sulphur, Louisiana. The facility began commercial operation in May 2013. Entergy Louisiana, as successor in interest to Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, now holds the agreement with the facility;•In March 2013, Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Agrilectric Power Partners, LP executed a 20-year agreement for 8. Entergy Louisiana, as successor in interest to Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, now holds the agreement with the facility;•In March 2013, Entergy Gulf States Louisiana executed a 20-year agreement for 8. 5 MW from a refurbished rice hull-fueled electric generation facility located in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Entergy Louisiana, as successor in interest to Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, now holds the agreement with Agrilectric;•In September 2013, Entergy Louisiana and TX LFG Energy, LP, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Montauk Energy Holdings, LLC, executed a 10-year agreement to purchase approximately 3 MW from its landfill gas-fueled power generation facility located in Cleveland, Texas;•Entergy Mississippi’s cost-based purchase, beginning in January 2013, of 90 MW from Entergy Arkansas’s share of Grand Gulf (only 60 MW of this PPA came through the RFP process). Entergy Louisiana, as successor in interest to Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, now holds the agreement with Agrilectric;•In September 2013, Entergy Louisiana executed a 10-year agreement with TX LFG Energy, LP, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Montauk Energy Holdings, LLC, to purchase approximately 3 MW from its landfill gas-fueled power generation facility located in Cleveland, Texas;•Entergy Mississippi’s cost-based purchase, beginning in January 2013, of 90 MW from Entergy Arkansas’s share of Grand Gulf (only 60 MW of this PPA came through the RFP process). Cost recovery for the 90 MW was approved by the MPSC in January 2013;•In April 2015, Entergy Arkansas and Stuttgart Solar, LLC executed a 20-year agreement for 81 MW from a solar photovoltaic electric generation facility located near Stuttgart, Arkansas. The APSC approved the project and deliveries pursuant to that agreement commenced in June 2018;•In November 2016, Entergy Louisiana and LS Power executed a 10-year agreement for 485 MW from the Carville Energy Center located in St. Gabriel, Louisiana. In November 2019, LS Power sold and transferred the Carville Energy Center and facility to Argo Infrastructure Partners, which included the power purchase agreement;•In November 2016, Entergy Louisiana and Occidental Chemical Corporation executed a 10-year agreement for 500 MW from the Taft Cogeneration facility located in Hahnville, Louisiana. The transaction received regulatory approval and began in June 2018;•In June 2017, Entergy Arkansas and Chicot Solar, LLC executed a 20-year agreement for 100 MW from a to-be-constructed solar photovoltaic electric generating facility located in Chicot County, Arkansas. The transaction received regulatory approval and the PPA began in November 2020;•In February 2018, Entergy Louisiana and LA3 West Baton Rouge, LLC (Capital Region Solar project) executed a 20-year agreement for 50 MW from a to-be-constructed solar photovoltaic electric generating facility located in West Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana. The transaction received regulatory approval in July 2019 and is targeting commercial operation in the first half of 2023;•In August 2018, Entergy Louisiana and South Alexander Development I, LLC executed a 5-year agreement for 5 MW from a solar photovoltaic electric generating facility located in Livingston Parish, Louisiana. The transaction received regulatory approval in February 2019 and the PPA began in October 2020;•In July 2018, Entergy New Orleans and St. James Solar, LLC executed a 20-year agreement for 20 MW from a to-be-constructed solar photovoltaic electric generating facility located in St. James Parish, Louisiana. The transaction received regulatory approval in July 2019 and the PPA began in February 2023 after the facility reached commercial operation in March 2023;255Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System Energy•In August 2018, Entergy Louisiana and South Alexander Development I, LLC executed a 5-year agreement for 5 MW from a solar photovoltaic electric generating facility located in Livingston Parish, Louisiana. The transaction received regulatory approval and the PPA began in November 2020;261Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System Energy•In February 2018, Entergy Louisiana and LA3 West Baton Rouge, LLC (Capital Region Solar project) executed a 20-year agreement for 50 MW from a to-be-constructed solar photovoltaic electric generating facility located in West Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana. The PPA began in December 2020 and received regulatory approval in January 2021;•In February 2019, Entergy New Orleans and Iris Solar, LLC executed a 20-year agreement for 50 MW from a to-be-constructed solar photovoltaic electric generating facility located in Washington Parish, Louisiana. The transaction received regulatory approval in July 2019 and achieved commercial operation in November 2022;•In August 2020, Entergy Texas and Umbriel Solar, LLC executed a 20-year agreement for 150 MW from a to-be-constructed solar photovoltaic electric generating facility located in Polk County, Texas. The facility achieved commercial operation in November 2023;•In June 2021, Entergy Louisiana and Sunlight Road Solar, LLC executed a 20-year agreement for 50 MW from a to-be-constructed solar photovoltaic electric generating facility located in Washington Parish, Louisiana. The PPA is expected to start when the facility reaches commercial operation in December 2023;•In June 2021, Entergy Louisiana and Sunlight Road Solar, LLC executed a 20-year agreement for 50 MW from a to-be-constructed solar photovoltaic electric generating facility located in Washington Parish, Louisiana. In September 2022 the LPSC voted to approve the order including this project and in September 2023, Entergy Louisiana reported to the LPSC that it had entered into amended agreements related to the Sunlight Road facility. The facility is expected to reach commercial operation in December 2024;•In June 2021, Entergy Louisiana and Vacherie Solar Energy Center, LLC executed a 20-year PPA for 150 MW from a to-be-constructed solar photovoltaic electric generating facility located in St. James Parish, Louisiana. In September 2022 the LPSC voted to issue an order approving the Vacherie facility; however, following the LPSC approval, the St. In September 2022 the LPSC voted to approve the order including this project; however, project details could be adjusted pending a final St. James Parish council issued a moratorium on new land use permits for solar facilities. James Parish council issued a moratorium on new land use permits for solar facilities until the later of March 2023 or the completion of an environmental and economic impact study, which is ongoing. In November 2023, St. In November 2020 the D. James Parish lifted the moratorium and adopted an ordinance modifying the parish’s land use plan to establish solar as an approved land use and defining corresponding solar regulations. Entergy Louisiana is in discussions with the counterparty for the Vacherie facility regarding amendments to the agreement to address the impact of the St. Entergy Louisiana noted that the withdrawal is without prejudice to Entergy Louisiana’s right to seek to combine residential rates in a future proceeding. James Parish ordinance, and the facility is expected to reach commercial operation no sooner than 2027 dependent upon agreement by the parties on the terms of the amendments;•In December 2022, Entergy Mississippi and Hinds Solar, LLC executed a 20-year PPA for approximately 150 MW from a to-be-constructed solar photovoltaic energy facility located in Hinds County, Mississippi. In August 2023 the MPSC approved the PPA, and the facility is expected to reach commercial operation in June 2026;•In October 2022, Entergy Mississippi and Wildwood Solar, LLC executed a 20-year PPA for approximately 100 MW from a to-be-constructed solar photovoltaic energy facility located in Tallahatchie County, Mississippi. In August 2023 the MPSC approved the PPA, and the facility is expected to reach commercial operation in May 2026;•In October 2022, Entergy Mississippi and Greer Solar, LLC executed a 20-year PPA for approximately 170 MW from a to-be-constructed solar photovoltaic energy facility located in Washington County, Mississippi. In August 2023 the MPSC approved the PPA, and the facility is expected to reach commercial operation in December 2026;•In October 2022, Entergy Arkansas and Flat Fork Solar, LLC executed a 20-year PPA for approximately 200 MW from a to-be-constructed solar photovoltaic energy facility located in St. Francis County, Arkansas. In September 2023 the APSC approved the PPA, and the facility is expected to reach commercial operation in September 2025;•In October 2022, Entergy Arkansas and Forgeview Solar, LLC executed a 15-year PPA for approximately 200 MW from a to-be-constructed solar photovoltaic energy facility located in Mississippi County, Arkansas. In September 2023 the APSC approved the PPA, and the facility is expected to reach commercial operation in September 2025;•In January 2023, Entergy Texas and Piney Woods Solar, LLC executed a 20-year PPA for approximately 150 MW from a to-be-constructed solar photovoltaic energy facility located in Walker County, Texas. The facility is expected to reach commercial operation as early as June 2026;•In January 2023, Entergy Louisiana and Coastal Prairie Solar, LLC executed a 20-year PPA for approximately 175 MW from a to-be-constructed solar photovoltaic energy facility located in Iberville Parish, Louisiana. The facility is expected to reach commercial operation as early as May 2026;•In October 2022, Entergy Arkansas signed a PPA for approximately 200 MW from a to-be-constructed solar photovoltaic energy facility located in St. Following execution of the agreement, Entergy Louisiana filed a petition with the LPSC 256Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System Energyrequesting all necessary approvals. The facility is expected to reach commercial operation as early as December 2025; and•In October 2023, Entergy Louisiana and Mondu Solar, LLC executed a 20-year PPA for approximately 100 MW from a to-be-constructed solar photovoltaic energy facility located in Point Coupee Parish, Louisiana. The facility is expected to reach commercial operation in December 2024;•In June 2021, Entergy Louisiana and Vacherie Solar Energy Center, LLC executed a 20-year PPA for 150 MW from a to-be-constructed solar photovoltaic electric generating facility located in St. Following execution of the agreement, Entergy Louisiana filed a petition with the LPSC requesting all necessary approvals. Following execution of the agreement, Entergy Arkansas filed a petition with the APSC requesting all necessary approvals. The facility is expected to reach commercial operation as early as June 2026.In July 2021, Entergy Services, on behalf of Entergy Texas, issued an RFP for solar generation resources. Entergy Texas selected a combination of PPA and owned resources in March 2022. Entergy Texas selected a combination of PPA and build-own-transfer resources in March 2022. One PPA was executed in January 2023 and the certificate of convenience and necessity for the owned resource is expected to be filed with the PUCT in mid-2024.In April 2022, Entergy Services, on behalf of Entergy Arkansas, issued an RFP for solar photovoltaic and wind resources. Entergy Arkansas selected a combination of PPA and build own transfer resources in February 2023, and negotiation of definitive agreements for the resources are in progress. Entergy Arkansas selected a combination of PPA and build-own-transfer resources in February 2022, some of which have been executed and are noted above and the remainder are in progress working through definitive agreements. In June 2022, Entergy Services, on behalf of Entergy Louisiana, issued an RFP for solar photovoltaic and wind resources. Entergy Louisiana selected a combination of PPA and build own transfer resources in March 2023 some of which have been executed and are noted above, and negotiation of definitive agreements for the remaining resources are in progress. Entergy Louisiana selected a combination of PPA and build-own-transfer resources by March 2022, some of which have been executed and are noted above and the remainder are in progress working through definitive agreements. In October 2022, Entergy Services, on behalf of Entergy Texas, issued an RFP for solar photovoltaic and wind resources. Entergy Texas selected a combination of PPA and owned resources in July 2023, and negotiation of definitive agreements are in progress for all resources.In November 2022, Entergy Services, on behalf of Entergy Mississippi, issued an RFP for solar photovoltaic and wind resources. Entergy Mississippi selected a combination of owned resources in May 2023, and negotiation of definitive agreements are in progress for all resources.Other Procurements From Third PartiesThe Utility operating companies have also made resource acquisitions outside of the RFP process and have also entered various limited- and long-term contracts in recent years as a result of bilateral negotiations, including among others:•In March 2016, Entergy Arkansas’s (Power Block 2), Entergy Louisiana’s (Power Blocks 3 and 4), and Entergy New Orleans’s (Power Block 1) acquisitions of the 1,980 MW (summer rating), natural gas-fired, combined-cycle gas turbine Union Power Station power blocks, each rated at 495 MW (summer rating).Other Procurements From Third PartiesThe Utility operating companies have also made resource acquisitions outside of the RFP process, including Entergy Arkansas’s (Power Block 2), Entergy Louisiana’s (Power Blocks 3 and 4), and Entergy New Orleans’s (Power Block 1) March 2016 acquisitions of the 1,980 MW (summer rating), natural gas-fired, combined-cycle gas turbine Union Power Station power blocks, each rated at 495 MW (summer rating); and Entergy Mississippi’s October 2019 acquisition of the 810 MW, combined-cycle, natural gas-fired Choctaw Generating Station. The facility is located near El Dorado, Arkansas and has been in operation since July 2003;•In October 2019, Entergy Mississippi’s acquisition of the 810 MW, combined-cycle, natural gas-fired Choctaw Generating Station. The facility is located in Choctaw County and has been in operation since July 2003;•In November 2020, Entergy Louisiana’s acquisition of the Washington Parish Energy Center is a 361 MW natural gas-fired peaking power plant approximately 60 miles north of New Orleans on a site Entergy Louisiana purchased from Calpine in 2019. Calpine began construction on the plant in early 2019 and Entergy Louisiana purchased the plant upon completion in November 2020;•In June 2021, Entergy Texas’s acquisition of the Hardin County Peaking Facility, an existing 147 MW simple-cycle gas-fired peaking power plant in Kountze, Texas, previously owned by East Texas Electric Cooperative. Calpine began construction on the plant in early 2019 and Entergy Louisiana purchased the plant upon completion in November 2020. The facility has been in operation since January 2010; and•In November 2021, Entergy Louisiana and Elizabeth Solar, LLC executed a 20-year PPA for approximately 125 MW from a to-be-constructed solar photovoltaic energy facility located in Allen Parish, Louisiana. The transaction received regulatory approval and began in June 2018;•In June 2017, Entergy Arkansas and Chicot Solar, LLC executed a 20-year agreement for 100 MW from a to-be-constructed solar photovoltaic electric generating facility located in Chicot County, Arkansas. In September 2022 the LPSC voted to approve this project and in September 2023, Entergy Louisiana reported 257Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System Energyto the LPSC that it had entered into amended agreements related to the Elizabeth Solar facility. The facility is expected to reach commercial operation in August 2024. The facility is expected to reach commercial operation as early as June 2026. Power Through ProgramsIn February 2019, Entergy Mississippi proposed a new technologies pilot to the MPSC, which was approved in December 2019. The pilot further modernized the energy grid and met customers’ evolving expectations by offering utility-owned, natural gas-fired backup generators to customers. Following conclusion of the three-year pilot, in October 2023, Entergy Mississippi proposed full-scale implementation of commercial scale, natural gas-fired resilient distributed generation, to be installed in front of the meter at commercial and industrial customer premises. The full-scale offering was approved by the MPSC in December 2023 along with an associated rate schedule, the Resiliency as a Service Rider Schedule. Entergy Mississippi can dispatch the units at times of peak demand, which can mitigate the typically higher energy and capacity costs borne by all customers during times of peak energy usage.In December 2020, Entergy Texas filed an application with the PUCT to amend its certificate of convenience and necessity to own and operate up to 75 MW of natural gas-fired distributed generation to be installed at commercial and industrial customer premises.Power Through ProgramsIn December 2020, Entergy Texas filed an application with the PUCT to amend its certificate of convenience and necessity to own and operate up to 75 MW of natural gas-fired distributed generation to be installed at commercial and industrial customer premises. Under this proposal, Entergy Texas would own and operate a fleet of generators ranging from 100 kW to 10 MW that would supply a portion of Entergy Texas’s long-term resource needs and enhance the resiliency of Entergy Texas’s electric grid. This fleet of generators would also be available to customers during outages to supply backup electric service as part of a program known as “Power Through.” In its 2021 session, the Texas legislature modified the Texas Utilities Code to exempt generators under 10 megawatts from the requirement to obtain a certificate of convenience and necessity. In addition, the PUCT announced an intent to conduct a broad rulemaking related to distributed generation and recommended that utilities with pending applications addressing distributed generation withdraw them. Accordingly, Entergy Texas withdrew its application for a certificate of convenience and necessity and associated tariff from the PUCT without prejudice to refiling. Entergy Texas continues to deploy certain customer-sited distributed generators under an existing PUCT-approved tariff. In August 2022, Entergy Texas filed an application for PUCT approval of voluntary Rate Schedule Utility Owned Distributed Generation through which it would charge host customers for back-up service from customer-sited Power Through generators. In August 2022, Entergy Texas filed an application for PUCT approval of voluntary Rate Schedule Utility Owned Distributed Generation (UODG) through which it would charge host customers for back-up service from customer-sited Power Through generators. Based on the exemption enacted by the Texas legislature in 2021, Entergy Texas’s application was not required to, and did not, seek an amendment to its certificate of convenience and necessity in order to continue deploying Power Through generators. In October 2022 two intervenors filed requests for a hearing on Entergy Texas’s application. In October 2022 the PUCT staff filed a request that the proceeding be referred to the State Office of Administrative Hearings. In January 2023 the PUCT announced an intent to develop certain broadly applicable reliability metrics against which to measure distributed generation resources and directed Entergy Texas to withdraw its application. However, the PUCT did allow Entergy Texas to continue its pilot program for Power Through generators. Entergy Texas withdrew its application. In its 2023 session, the Texas legislature modified the Texas Utilities Code to confirm Entergy Texas’s ability to provide back-up generation service using customer-sited utility-owned distributed generation and directing the PUCT to approve rates for such service upon application by Entergy Texas. In February 2024, Entergy Texas resubmitted its application for PUCT approval of voluntary Rate Schedule Utility Owned Distributed Generation. A procedural schedule has not yet been set. A procedural schedule has not yet been adopted in this docket. In August 2021, Entergy Arkansas filed with the APSC an application seeking authority for a “Power Through” offering to deploy natural gas-fired distributed generation.In August 2021, Entergy Arkansas filed with the APSC an application for authority to deploy natural gas-fired distributed generation. The application was supported by a number of letters of interest from Entergy Arkansas customers. In December 2021 the APSC general staff requested briefing, which Entergy Arkansas opposed. In January 2022, Entergy Arkansas filed to support the establishment of a procedural schedule with a hearing in April 2022. Also in January 2022, the APSC granted the general staff’s request for briefing but on an expedited schedule; briefing concluded in February 2022. Based on testimony filed to date the APSC general staff, Arkansas Electric Energy Consumers, Sierra Club, and Audubon opposed Entergy Arkansas’s proposed Power Through offering, which was demonstrated to be in high demand by interested customers, some of which directly filed public comments encouraging the APSC to approve the application. Based on testimony filed to date the APSC general staff, Arkansas Electric Energy Consumers, Sierra Club, and Audubon oppose Entergy Arkansas’s proposed “Power Through” offering, which has been demonstrated to be in high demand by interested customers, some of which directly have filed public comments encouraging the APSC to approve the application. A 258Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System Energypaper hearing was held in August and September 2022, and Entergy Arkansas responded to several written commissioner questions. In May 2023 the APSC issued an order approving the Power Through offering with some modifications, and in June 2023, Entergy Arkansas sought rehearing or clarification of several issues. In August 2023 the APSC denied Entergy Arkansas’s rehearing petition. In December 2023 the APSC approved a streamlined approval process for the individual Power Through generators. Entergy Arkansas is developing tariff revisions to comply with the APSC’s order.In July 2021, Entergy Louisiana filed with the LPSC an application for authority to deploy natural gas-fired distributed generation.In August 2021, Entergy Arkansas filed with the APSC an application for authority to deploy natural gas-fired distributed generation. The application was supported by a number of letters of interest from Entergy Louisiana customers. In October 2021, a procedural schedule was established with a hearing in April 2022. Staff and certain intervenors filed direct testimony in December 2021, and cross-answering testimony was filed in January 2022. Entergy Louisiana filed rebuttal testimony in February 2022. The parties reached an uncontested settlement which, among other things, recommended approval of 120 MW of natural gas fired distributed generation and an additional 30 MW of solar and battery distributed generation, for a total distributed generation program of 150 MW. Pursuant to the terms of the settlement agreement, Entergy Louisiana may seek to expand the distributed generation program following the earlier of two years after issuance of an order approving the settlement or the installation of 60 MW of distributed generation pursuant to this program. The settlement was approved by the LPSC in November 2022.InterconnectionsThe Utility operating companies’ generating units are interconnected to the transmission system which operates at various voltages up to 500 kV.InterconnectionsThe Utility operating companies’ generating units are interconnected to a transmission system operating at various voltages up to 500 kV. These generating units consist of steam-turbine generators fueled by natural gas, coal, and pressurized and boiling water nuclear reactors; combustion-turbine generators, combined-cycle combustion turbine generators and reciprocating internal combustion engine generators that are fueled by natural gas; and inverter-based resources interconnecting both solar photovoltaic systems and energy storage devices that participate in the MISO wholesale electric market. These generating units consist of steam-turbine generators fueled by natural gas and coal, combustion-turbine generators, and reciprocating internal combustion engine generators that are fueled by natural gas, generators powered by pressurized and boiling water nuclear reactors and inverter-based resources interconnecting both solar photovoltaic systems and energy storage devices that operate in the MISO wholesale electric market. Additionally, some of the Utility operating companies also offer customer services and products that include generating and demand response resources that are interconnected to both the distribution and transmission systems and that also participate in the wholesale market. Additionally, some of the Utility operating companies also offer customer services and products that include resources interconnected to both the distribution and transmission systems that also participate in the wholesale market. Entergy’s Utility operating companies are MISO market participants and the companies’ transmission systems are interconnected with those of many neighboring utilities. MISO is an essential link in the safe, cost-effective delivery of electric power across all or parts of 15 U.S. states and the Canadian province of Manitoba. In addition, the Utility operating companies are members of SERC Reliability Corporation (SERC), the Regional Entity with delegated authority from the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) for the purpose of proposing and enforcing Bulk Electric System reliability standards within 16 central and southeastern states.Gas PropertyAs of December 31, 2023, Entergy New Orleans distributed and transported natural gas for distribution within New Orleans, Louisiana, through approximately 2,600 miles of gas pipeline. As of December 31, 2023, the gas properties of Entergy Louisiana, which are located in and around Baton Rouge, Louisiana, were not material to Entergy Louisiana’s financial position.TitleThe Utility operating companies’ generating stations are generally located on properties owned in fee simple. Most of the substations and transmission and distribution lines are constructed on private property or public rights-of-way pursuant to easements, servitudes, or appropriate franchises. Some substation properties are owned in fee simple. The Utility operating companies generally have the right of eminent domain, whereby they may perfect title to, or secure easements or servitudes on, private property for their utility operations.Substantially all of the physical properties and assets owned by Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy are subject to the liens of mortgages 259Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System Energysecuring bonds issued by those companies.Substantially all of the physical properties and assets owned by Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy are subject to the liens of mortgages securing bonds issued by those companies. The Lewis Creek generating station of Entergy Texas was acquired by merger with a subsidiary of Entergy Texas and is currently not subject to the lien of the Entergy Texas indenture.Fuel SupplyThe average fuel cost per kWh for the Utility operating companies and System Energy for the years 2021-2023 were:(a)Includes average fuel costs from both owned and purchased power resources.(b)Includes activity from financial transmission rights. See Note 15 to the financial statements for discussion of financial transmission rights.(c)Entergy New Orleans’s renewables include liquidated damage payments of $0.1 million in 2023, $2.1 million in 2022. 9 million in 2022, and $1 million in 2021 due to the delay of in-service dates related to purchased power agreements.260Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System EnergyActual 2023 and projected 2024 sources of generation for the Utility operating companies and System Energy, including certain power purchases from affiliates under life of unit power purchase agreements, including the Unit Power Sales Agreement, are:(a)Capacity and energy from System Energy’s interest in Grand Gulf is allocated as follows under the Unit Power Sales Agreement: Entergy Arkansas - 36%; Entergy Louisiana - 14%; Entergy Mississippi - 33%; and Entergy New Orleans - 17%. Pursuant to purchased power agreements, Entergy Arkansas is selling a portion of its owned capacity and energy from Grand Gulf to Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy New Orleans.(b)Represents natural gas sourced for Simple Cycle Combustion Turbine units and Combined Cycle Gas Turbine units.(c)Includes generation from both owned and purchased power resources.(d)Excludes MISO purchases and renewables purchased through purchased power agreements.(e)In December 2013, Entergy integrated its transmission system into the MISO RTO. Entergy offers all of its generation into the MISO energy market on a day-ahead and real-time basis and bids for power in the MISO energy market to serve the demand of its customers, with MISO making dispatch decisions. The MISO purchases metric provided for 2023 is not projected for 2024.Some of the Utility’s gas-fired plants are also capable of using fuel oil, if necessary. Although based on current economics the Utility does not expect fuel oil use in 2024, it is possible that various operational events including weather or pipeline maintenance may require the use of fuel oil.Natural GasThe Utility operating companies have long-term firm and short-term interruptible gas contracts for both supply and transportation. Over 70% of the Utility operating companies’ power plants maintain some level of long-term firm transportation. Short-term contracts and spot-market purchases satisfy additional gas requirements. 261Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System EnergyEntergy Texas owns a gas storage facility and Entergy Louisiana has a firm storage service agreement that provide reliable and flexible natural gas service to certain generating stations.Many factors, including wellhead deliverability, storage, pipeline capacity, and demand requirements of end users, influence the availability and price of natural gas supplies for power plants. Demand is primarily tied to weather conditions as well as to the prices and availability of other energy sources. Pursuant to federal and state regulations, gas supplies to power plants may be interrupted during periods of shortage. To the extent natural gas supplies are disrupted or natural gas prices significantly increase, the Utility operating companies may in some instances use alternate fuels, such as oil when available, or rely to a larger extent on coal, nuclear generation, and purchased power.CoalEntergy Arkansas has committed to six two- to three-year contracts that will supply at least 85% of the total coal supply needs in 2024.CoalEntergy Arkansas has committed to six two- to three-year contracts that will supply approximately 85% of the total coal supply needs in 2023. These contracts are staggered in term so that not all contracts have to be renewed the same year. If needed, additional Powder River Basin (PRB) coal will be purchased through contracts with a term of less than one year to provide the remaining supply needs. Based on the high cost of alternate sources, modes of transportation, and infrastructure improvements necessary for its delivery, no alternative coal consumption is expected at Entergy Arkansas during 2024. Coal will be transported to Arkansas via an existing Union Pacific transportation agreement that is expected to provide all of Entergy Arkansas’s rail transportation requirements for 2024.Entergy Louisiana has committed to three two- to three-year contracts that will supply at least 90% of Nelson Unit 6 coal needs in 2024.Entergy Louisiana has committed to four two- to three-year contracts that will supply approximately 90% of Nelson Unit 6 coal needs in 2023. If needed, additional PRB coal will be purchased through contracts with a term of less than one year to provide the remaining supply needs. For the same reasons as the Entergy Arkansas plants, no alternative coal consumption is expected at Nelson Unit 6 during 2024. Coal will be transported to Nelson via an existing transportation agreement that is expected to provide all of Entergy Louisiana’s rail transportation requirements for 2024.Coal transportation delivery rates to Entergy Arkansas- and Entergy Louisiana-operated coal-fired units were able to fully meet supply needs and obligations in 2023.Coal transportation delivery rates to Entergy Arkansas- and Entergy Louisiana-operated coal-fired units became constrained and were unable to fully meet supply needs and obligations beginning in August 2021. While deliveries remained constrained through summer 2023, improvements were observed in the second half of the year and are expected to continue in 2024. Both Entergy Arkansas and Entergy Louisiana control enough railcars to satisfy the rail transportation requirement.The operator of Big Cajun 2 - Unit 3, Louisiana Generating, LLC, has advised Entergy Louisiana and Entergy Texas that it has adequate rail car and barge capacity to meet the volumes of PRB coal requested for 2024, but is also currently experiencing delivery constraints. Entergy Louisiana’s and Entergy Texas’s coal nomination requests to Big Cajun 2 - Unit 3 are made on an annual basis.Nuclear FuelThe nuclear fuel cycle consists of the following:•mining and milling of uranium ore to produce a concentrate;•conversion of the concentrate to uranium hexafluoride gas;•enrichment of the uranium hexafluoride gas;•fabrication of nuclear fuel assemblies for use in fueling nuclear reactors; and•disposal of spent fuel.The Registrant Subsidiaries that own nuclear plants, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, and System Energy, are responsible through a shared regulated uranium pool for contracts to acquire nuclear material to be used in fueling Entergy’s Utility nuclear units. These companies own the materials and services in this shared regulated 262Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System Energyuranium pool on a pro rata fractional basis determined by the nuclear generation capability of each company. Any liabilities for obligations of the pooled contracts are on a several but not joint basis. The shared regulated uranium pool maintains inventories of nuclear materials during the various stages of processing. The Registrant Subsidiaries purchase enriched uranium hexafluoride for their nuclear plant reload requirements at the average inventory cost from the shared regulated uranium pool. Entergy Operations, Inc. contracts separately for the fabrication of nuclear fuel as agent on behalf of each of the Registrant Subsidiaries that owns a nuclear plant. All contracts for the disposal of spent nuclear fuel are between the DOE and the owner of a nuclear power plant.Based upon currently planned fuel cycles, the Utility nuclear units have a diversified portfolio of contracts and inventory that provides substantially adequate nuclear fuel materials and conversion and enrichment services at what Entergy believes are reasonably predictable or fixed prices through 2027. Entergy’s ability to purchase nuclear fuel at reasonably predictable prices, however, depends upon the performance reliability of uranium miners, including their ability to work through supply disruptions caused by global events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, or national events, such as political disruption. There are a number of possible supply alternatives that may be accessed to mitigate any supplier performance failure, including potentially drawing upon Entergy’s inventory intended for later generation periods depending upon its risk management strategy at that time, although the pricing of any alternate uranium supply from the market will be dependent upon the market for uranium supply at that time. In addition, some nuclear fuel contracts are on a non-fixed price basis subject to prevailing prices at the time of delivery.The effects of market price changes may be reduced and deferred by risk management strategies, such as negotiation of floor and ceiling amounts for long-term contracts, buying for inventory or entering into forward physical contracts at fixed prices when Entergy believes it is appropriate and useful. Entergy buys uranium from a diversified mix of sellers located in a diversified mix of countries, and from time to time purchases from nearly all qualified reliable major market participants worldwide that sell into the U.S.Entergy’s ability to assure nuclear fuel supply also depends upon the performance reliability of conversion, enrichment, and fabrication services providers. There are fewer of these providers than for uranium. For conversion and enrichment services, like uranium, Entergy diversifies its supply by supplier and country and may take special measures as needed to ensure supply of enriched uranium for the reliable fabrication of nuclear fuel. For fabrication services, each plant is dependent upon the effective performance of the fabricator of that plant’s nuclear fuel, therefore, Entergy provides additional monitoring, inspection, and oversight for the fabrication process to assure reliability and quality.Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, and System Energy each have made arrangements to lease nuclear fuel and related equipment and services. The lessors, which are consolidated in the financial statements of Entergy and the applicable Registrant Subsidiary, finance the acquisition and ownership of nuclear fuel through credit agreements and the issuance of notes. These credit facilities are subject to periodic renewal, and the notes are issued periodically, typically for terms between three and seven years.Natural Gas Purchased for ResaleEntergy New Orleans has several suppliers of natural gas. Its system is interconnected with one interstate and three intrastate pipelines. Entergy New Orleans has a “no-notice” service gas purchase contract with Symmetry Energy Solutions which ensures Entergy New Orleans gas delivery at specific delivery points and at any volume within the minimum and maximum set forth in the contract amounts. Entergy New Orleans has a “no-notice” service gas purchase contract with Symmetry Energy Solutions which guarantees Entergy New Orleans gas delivery at specific delivery points and at any volume within the minimum and maximum set forth in the contract amounts. The Symmetry Energy Solutions gas supply is transported to Entergy New Orleans pursuant to a transportation service agreement with Gulf South Pipeline Co. This service is subject to FERC-approved rates. Entergy New Orleans also makes interruptible spot market purchases.Entergy Louisiana purchased natural gas for resale in 2023 under a firm contract from Sequent Energy Management L.P. The gas is delivered through a combination of intrastate and interstate pipelines.263Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System EnergyAs a result of the implementation of FERC-mandated interstate pipeline restructuring in 1993, curtailments of interstate gas supply could occur if Entergy Louisiana’s or Entergy New Orleans’s suppliers failed to perform their obligations to deliver gas under their supply agreements. Gulf South Pipeline Co. could curtail transportation capacity only in the event of pipeline system constraints.Federal Regulation of the UtilityState or local regulatory authorities, as described above, regulate the retail rates of the Utility operating companies. The FERC regulates wholesale sales of electricity rates and interstate transmission of electricity, including System Energy’s sales of capacity and energy from Grand Gulf to Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy New Orleans pursuant to the Unit Power Sales Agreement. See Note 2 to the financial statements for further discussion of federal regulation proceedings.Transmission and MISO MarketsIn December 2013 the Utility operating companies integrated into the MISO RTO. Although becoming a member of MISO did not affect the ownership by the Utility operating companies of their transmission facilities or the responsibility for maintaining those facilities, MISO maintains functional control over the combined transmission systems of its members and administers wholesale energy and ancillary services markets for market participants in the MISO region, including the Utility operating companies. MISO also exercises functional control of transmission planning and congestion management and provides schedules and pricing for the commitment and dispatch of generation that is offered into MISO’s markets, as well as pricing for load that bids into the markets. The Utility operating companies sell capacity, energy, and ancillary services on a bilateral basis to certain wholesale customers and offer available electricity production of their owned and controlled generating facilities into the MISO resource adequacy construct (the annual Planning Resource Auction), as well as the MISO day-ahead and real-time energy markets pursuant to the MISO tariff and market rules. The Utility operating companies sell capacity, energy, and ancillary services on a bilateral basis to certain wholesale customers and offer available electricity production of their owned and controlled generating facilities into the MISO resource adequacy construct (the annual Planning Resource Auction, discussed below), as well as the day-ahead and real-time energy markets pursuant to the MISO tariff and market rules. The resource adequacy construct provided under the MISO tariff confers certain rights and imposes certain obligations upon load-serving entities, including the Utility operating companies, that are served from the transmission systems subject to MISO’s functional control, including the transmission facilities of the Utility operating companies. In addition, the retail regulators of the Utility operating companies possess the jurisdiction, and in some cases have exercised such jurisdiction, to impose standards governing the reliable operation of the Utility operating companies’ distribution systems, including penalties if these standards are not met. The MISO tariff is subject to change and has recently undergone significant changes. As an example, MISO recently has made changes to its capacity accreditation methodology for thermal resources which emphasize performance during a very small subset of hours in which the supply of generation capacity needed to serve load is tightest. MISO is now pursuing a larger scale reassessment of its overall accreditation practices, including accreditation of renewable resources.MISO administers a process governed by the MISO tariff and subject to the FERC regulation that governs the interconnection of new generation resources to the transmission system under MISO’s functional control. This process generally involves parties that wish to interconnect new generation resources submitting to MISO requests to do so, which are then studied and analyzed by MISO, with the participation of its member transmission owners, to determine if the interconnection of such generators requires new transmission facilities to ensure the continued reliable operations of the grid. Under MISO’s current tariff, these requests are studied and considered in clusters, generally in the order in which they are received – a system of priority known as the MISO interconnection queue.Each Utility operating company has its own transmission pricing zone and a formula rate template (included as Attachment O to the MISO tariff) used to establish transmission rates within MISO. Each Utility operating company has its own transmission pricing zone and a formula rate template (included as Attachment O to the MISO tariff) used to establish transmission rates within MISO. The terms and conditions of the MISO tariff, including provisions related to the design and implementation of wholesale markets and the allocation of transmission upgrade costs, are subject to regulation by the FERC.In addition, orders from each of the Utility operating companies’ respective retail regulators generally require that the Utility operating companies make periodic filings, or generally allow the retail regulator to direct the making of such filings, setting forth the results of analysis of the costs and benefits realized from MISO 264Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System Energymembership as well as the projected costs and benefits of continued membership in MISO and/or requesting approval of their continued membership in MISO.In addition, orders from each of the Utility operating companies’ respective retail regulators generally require that the Utility operating companies make periodic filings, or generally allow the retail regulator to direct the making of such filings, setting forth the results of analysis of the costs and benefits realized from MISO membership as well as the projected costs and benefits of continued membership in MISO and/or requesting approval of their continued membership in MISO. System Energy and Related AgreementsSystem Energy recovers costs related to its interest in Grand Gulf through rates charged to Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy New Orleans for capacity and energy under the Unit Power Sales Agreement (described below). In 1998 the FERC approved requests by Entergy Arkansas and Entergy Mississippi to accelerate a portion of their Grand Gulf purchased power obligations. Entergy Arkansas’s and Entergy Mississippi’s acceleration of Grand Gulf purchased power obligations ceased effective July 2001 and July 2003, respectively, as approved by the FERC. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of proceedings at the FERC related to System Energy.Unit Power Sales AgreementThe Unit Power Sales Agreement allocates capacity, energy, and the related costs from System Energy’s ownership and leasehold interests in Grand Gulf to Entergy Arkansas (36%), Entergy Louisiana (14%), Entergy Mississippi (33%), and Entergy New Orleans (17%). Each of these companies is obligated to make payments to System Energy for its entitlement of capacity and energy on a full cost-of-service basis regardless of the quantity of energy delivered. Payments under the Unit Power Sales Agreement are System Energy’s only source of operating revenue. The financial condition of System Energy depends upon the continued commercial operation of Grand Gulf and the receipt of such payments. Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy New Orleans generally recover payments made under the Unit Power Sales Agreement through rates charged to their customers.In the case of Entergy Arkansas and Entergy Louisiana, payments are also recovered through sales of electricity from their respective retained shares of Grand Gulf. Under a settlement agreement entered into with the APSC in 1985 and amended in 1988, Entergy Arkansas retains 22% of its 36% share of Grand Gulf-related costs and recovers the remaining 78% of its share in retail rates. In the event that Entergy Arkansas is not able to sell its retained share to third parties, it may sell such energy to its retail customers at a price equal to its avoided cost, which is currently less than Entergy Arkansas’s cost from its retained share. Entergy Arkansas has life-of-resources purchased power agreements with Entergy Louisiana and Entergy New Orleans that sell a portion of the output of Entergy Arkansas’s retained share of Grand Gulf to those companies. Entergy Arkansas has life-of-resources purchased power agreements with Entergy Louisiana and Entergy New Orleans that sell a portion of the output of Entergy Arkansas’s retained share of Grand Gulf to those companies, with the remainder of the retained share being sold to Entergy Mississippi through a separate life-of-resources purchased power agreement. In a series of LPSC orders, court decisions, and agreements from late 1985 to mid-1988, Entergy Louisiana was granted cost recovery with respect to costs associated with Entergy Louisiana’s share of capacity and energy from Grand Gulf, subject to certain terms and conditions. Entergy Louisiana retains and does not recover from retail ratepayers 18% of its 14% share of the costs of Grand Gulf capacity and energy and recovers the remaining 82% of its share in rates. Entergy Louisiana is allowed to recover through the fuel adjustment clause at 4.6 cents per kWh for the energy related to its retained portion of these costs. Alternatively, Entergy Louisiana may sell such energy to non-affiliated parties at prices above the fuel adjustment clause recovery amount, subject to the LPSC’s approval. The remainder of Entergy Arkansas’s retained share is sold to Entergy Mississippi through a separate life-of-resource purchase power agreement with Entergy Mississippi. Entergy Arkansas also has a life-of-resources purchased power agreement with Entergy Mississippi to sell a portion of the output of Entergy Arkansas’s non-retained share of Grand Gulf. Entergy Mississippi was granted cost recovery for those purchases by the MPSC through its annual unit power cost rate mechanism.Availability AgreementThe Availability Agreement among System Energy and Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy New Orleans was entered into in 1974 in connection with the original financing by System Energy of Grand Gulf. The Availability Agreement provides that System Energy make available to Entergy 265Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System EnergyArkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy New Orleans all capacity and energy available from System Energy’s share of Grand Gulf. The Availability Agreement provides that System Energy make available to Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy New Orleans all capacity and energy available from System Energy’s share of Grand Gulf. Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy New Orleans also agreed severally to pay System Energy monthly for the right to receive capacity and energy from Grand Gulf in amounts that (when added to any amounts received by System Energy under the Unit Power Sales Agreement) would at least equal System Energy’s total operating expenses for Grand Gulf (including depreciation at a specified rate and expenses incurred in a permanent shutdown of Grand Gulf) and interest charges.The allocation percentages under the Availability Agreement are fixed as follows: Entergy Arkansas - 17.1%; Entergy Louisiana - 26.9%; Entergy Mississippi - 31.3%; and Entergy New Orleans - 24.7%. The allocation percentages under the Availability Agreement would remain in effect and would govern payments made under such agreement in the event of a shortfall of operating expense funds available to System Energy from other sources, including payments under the Unit Power Sales Agreement.System Energy has assigned its rights to payments and advances from Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy New Orleans under the Availability Agreement as security for all of its outstanding series of first mortgage bonds, as well as for its outstanding term loan and the pollution control revenue refunding bonds issued on its behalf. In these assignments, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy New Orleans further agreed that, in the event they were prohibited by governmental action from making payments under the Availability Agreement (for example, if the FERC reduced or disallowed such payments as constituting excessive rates), they would then make subordinated advances to System Energy in the same amounts and at the same times as the prohibited payments. System Energy would not be allowed to repay these subordinated advances so long as it remained in default under the related indebtedness or in other similar circumstances.Each of the assignment agreements relating to the Availability Agreement provides that Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy New Orleans will make payments directly to System Energy. However, if there is an event of default, those payments must be made directly to the holders of indebtedness that are the beneficiaries of such assignment agreements. The payments must be made pro rata according to the amount of the respective obligations secured.The obligations of Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy New Orleans to make payments under the Availability Agreement are subject to the receipt and continued effectiveness of all necessary regulatory approvals. Sales of capacity and energy under the Availability Agreement would require that the Availability Agreement be submitted to the FERC for approval with respect to the terms of such sale. No such filing with the FERC has been made because sales of capacity and energy from Grand Gulf are being made pursuant to the Unit Power Sales Agreement. If, for any reason, sales of capacity and energy are made in the future pursuant to the Availability Agreement, the jurisdictional portions of the Availability Agreement would be submitted to the FERC for approval.Since commercial operation of Grand Gulf began, payments under the Unit Power Sales Agreement to System Energy have exceeded the amounts payable under the Availability Agreement and, therefore, no payments under the Availability Agreement to System Energy have ever been required. However, if Entergy Arkansas or Entergy Mississippi fails to make its Unit Power Sales Agreement payments, and System Energy is unable to obtain funds from other sources, Entergy Louisiana and Entergy New Orleans could become subject to claims or demands by System Energy or certain of its creditors for payments or advances under the Availability Agreement (or the assignments thereof) equal to the difference between their required Unit Power Sales Agreement payments and their required Availability Agreement payments because their allocated shares under the Availability Agreement exceed their allocated shares under the Unit Power Sales Agreement. If Entergy Arkansas or Entergy Mississippi fails to make its Unit Power Sales Agreement payments, and System Energy is unable to obtain funds from other sources, Entergy Louisiana and Entergy New Orleans could become subject to claims or demands by System Energy or certain of its creditors for payments or advances under the Availability Agreement (or the assignments thereof) equal to the difference between their required Unit Power Sales Agreement payments and their required Availability Agreement payments because their Availability Agreement obligations exceed their Unit Power Sales Agreement obligations. See Note 8 to the financial statements for discussion of the Reallocation Agreement among System Energy, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy New Orleans, pursuant to which Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy New Orleans 266Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System Energyassumed all of Entergy Arkansas’s responsibilities and obligations with respect to Grand Gulf under the Availability Agreement.The Availability Agreement may be terminated, amended, or modified by mutual agreement of the parties thereto, without further consent of any assignees or other creditors.Service CompaniesEntergy Services, a limited liability company wholly-owned by Entergy Corporation, provides management, administrative, accounting, legal, engineering, and other services primarily to the Utility operating companies, as well as to Entergy’s non-utility operations business.Service CompaniesEntergy Services, a limited liability company wholly-owned by Entergy Corporation, provides management, administrative, accounting, legal, engineering, and other services primarily to the Utility operating companies, but also provides services to Entergy Wholesale Commodities. Entergy Operations is also wholly-owned by Entergy Corporation and provides nuclear management, operations, and maintenance services under contract for ANO, River Bend, Waterford 3, and Grand Gulf, subject to the owner oversight of Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, and System Energy, respectively. Entergy Operations is also wholly-owned by Entergy Corporation and provides nuclear management, operations and maintenance services under contract for ANO, River Bend, Waterford 3, and Grand Gulf, subject to the owner oversight of Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, and System Energy, respectively. Entergy Services and Entergy Operations provide their services to the Utility operating companies and System Energy on an “at cost” basis, pursuant to cost allocation methodologies for these service agreements that were approved by the FERC.Jurisdictional Separation of Entergy Gulf States, Inc. into Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy TexasEffective December 31, 2007, Entergy Gulf States, Inc. completed a jurisdictional separation into two vertically integrated utility companies, one operating under the sole retail jurisdiction of the PUCT, Entergy Texas, and the other operating under the sole retail jurisdiction of the LPSC, Entergy Gulf States Louisiana. Entergy Texas owns all Entergy Gulf States, Inc. distribution and transmission assets located in Texas, the gas-fired generating plants located in Texas, undivided 42.5% ownership shares of Entergy Gulf States, Inc.’s 70% ownership interest in Nelson Unit 6 and 42% ownership interest in Big Cajun 2, Unit 3, which are coal-fired generating plants located in Louisiana, and other assets and contract rights to the extent related to utility operations in Texas. Entergy Louisiana, as successor in interest to Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, owns all of the remaining assets that were owned by Entergy Gulf States, Inc. On a book value basis, approximately 58.1% of the Entergy Gulf States, Inc. assets were allocated to Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and approximately 41.9% were allocated to Entergy Texas.Entergy Texas purchases from Entergy Louisiana pursuant to a life-of-unit purchased power agreement a 42.5% share of capacity and energy from the 70% of River Bend subject to retail regulation. Entergy Texas was allocated a share of River Bend’s nuclear and environmental liabilities that is identical to the share of the plant’s output purchased by Entergy Texas under the purchased power agreement. In connection with the termination of the System Agreement effective August 31, 2016, the purchased power agreements that were put in place for certain legacy units at the time of the jurisdictional separation were also terminated at that time. See Note 2 to the financial statements for additional discussion of the purchased power agreements.Entergy Louisiana and Entergy Gulf States Louisiana Business CombinationOn October 1, 2015, the businesses formerly conducted by Entergy Louisiana (Old Entergy Louisiana) and Entergy Gulf States Louisiana (Old Entergy Gulf States Louisiana) were combined into a single public utility. In order to effect the business combination, under the Texas Business Organizations Code (TXBOC), Old Entergy Louisiana allocated substantially all of its assets to a new subsidiary, Entergy Louisiana Power, LLC, a Texas limited liability company (New Entergy Louisiana), and New Entergy Louisiana assumed the liabilities of Old Entergy Louisiana, in a transaction regarded as a merger under the TXBOC. Under the TXBOC, Old Entergy Gulf States Louisiana allocated substantially all of its assets to a new subsidiary (New Entergy Gulf States Louisiana) and New Entergy Gulf States Louisiana assumed the liabilities of Old Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, in a transaction regarded as a merger under the TXBOC. New Entergy Gulf States Louisiana then merged into New Entergy Louisiana with New Entergy Louisiana surviving the merger. Thereupon, Old Entergy Louisiana changed its name from “Entergy Louisiana, LLC” to “EL Investment Company, LLC” and New Entergy Louisiana changed its name from “Entergy Louisiana Power, LLC” to “Entergy Louisiana, LLC” (Entergy Louisiana). With the 267Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System Energycompletion of the business combination, Entergy Louisiana holds substantially all of the assets, and has assumed the liabilities, of Old Entergy Louisiana and Old Entergy Gulf States Louisiana.Entergy Arkansas Internal RestructuringIn November 2018, Entergy Arkansas undertook a multi-step restructuring, including the following:•Entergy Arkansas, Inc. redeemed its outstanding preferred stock at the aggregate redemption price of approximately $32.7 million.•Entergy Arkansas, Inc. converted from an Arkansas corporation to a Texas corporation.•Under the Texas Business Organizations Code (TXBOC), Entergy Arkansas, Inc. allocated substantially all of its assets to a new subsidiary, Entergy Arkansas Power, LLC, a Texas limited liability company (Entergy Arkansas Power), and Entergy Arkansas Power assumed substantially all of the liabilities of Entergy Arkansas, Inc., in a transaction regarded as a merger under the TXBOC. Entergy Arkansas, Inc. remained in existence and held the membership interests in Entergy Arkansas Power.•Entergy Arkansas, Inc. contributed the membership interests in Entergy Arkansas Power to an affiliate (Entergy Utility Holding Company, LLC, a Texas limited liability company and subsidiary of Entergy Corporation). As a result of the contribution, Entergy Arkansas Power is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Entergy Utility Holding Company, LLC.In December 2018, Entergy Arkansas, Inc. changed its name to Entergy Utility Property, Inc., and Entergy Arkansas Power then changed its name to Entergy Arkansas, LLC. Entergy Arkansas, LLC holds substantially all of the assets, and assumed substantially all of the liabilities, of Entergy Arkansas, Inc. The transaction was accounted for as a transaction between entities under common control.Entergy Mississippi Internal RestructuringIn November 2018, Entergy Mississippi undertook a multi-step restructuring, including the following:•Entergy Mississippi, Inc. redeemed its outstanding preferred stock, at the aggregate redemption price of approximately $21.2 million.•Entergy Mississippi, Inc. converted from a Mississippi corporation to a Texas corporation.•Under the Texas Business Organizations Code (TXBOC), Entergy Mississippi, Inc. allocated substantially all of its assets to a new subsidiary, Entergy Mississippi Power and Light, LLC, a Texas limited liability company (Entergy Mississippi Power and Light), and Entergy Mississippi Power and Light assumed substantially all of the liabilities of Entergy Mississippi, Inc., in a transaction regarded as a merger under the TXBOC. Entergy Mississippi, Inc. remained in existence and held the membership interests in Entergy Mississippi Power and Light.•Entergy Mississippi, Inc. contributed the membership interests in Entergy Mississippi Power and Light to an affiliate (Entergy Utility Holding Company, LLC, a Texas limited liability company and subsidiary of Entergy Corporation). As a result of the contribution, Entergy Mississippi Power and Light is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Entergy Utility Holding Company, LLC.In December 2018, Entergy Mississippi, Inc. changed its name to Entergy Utility Enterprises, Inc., and Entergy Mississippi Power and Light then changed its name to Entergy Mississippi, LLC. Entergy Mississippi, LLC holds substantially all of the assets, and assumed substantially all of the liabilities, of Entergy Mississippi, Inc. The restructuring was accounted for as a transaction between entities under common control.Other Business ActivitiesEntergy’s non-utility operations business includes the ownership of interests in non-nuclear power plants that sell the electric power produced by those plants to wholesale customers.Other Business ActivitiesIn addition, Entergy Wholesale Commodities includes the ownership of interests in non-nuclear power plants that sell the electric power produced by those plants to wholesale customers. Entergy’s non-utility operations 268Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System Energybusiness also provides decommissioning-related services to nuclear power plants owned by non-affiliated entities in the United States.PropertyEntergy’s non-utility operations business owns interests in the following non-nuclear power plants:(a)“Net Owned Capacity” refers to the nameplate rating on the generating unit.PropertyEntergy Wholesale Commodities includes ownership in the following non-nuclear power plants:(a)“Net Owned Capacity” refers to the nameplate rating on the generating unit. (b)The owned MW capacity is the portion of the plant capacity owned by Entergy’s non-utility operations business.(b)The owned MW capacity is the portion of the plant capacity owned by Entergy Wholesale Commodities. For a complete listing of Entergy’s jointly-owned generating stations, refer to “Jointly-Owned Generating Stations” in Note 1 to the financial statements.All generation owned by Entergy’s non-utility operations business falls under the authority of MISO. Customers for the sale of both energy and capacity from its owned generation and contracted power purchases include retail power providers, utilities, electric power co-operatives, power trading organizations, and other power generation companies. Entergy Wholesale Commodities’ customers for the sale of both energy and capacity from its owned generation and its contracted power purchases include retail power providers, utilities, electric power co-operatives, power trading organizations, and other power generation companies. The majority of the non-utility operations businesses’ owned generation and contracted power purchases are sold under a cost-based contract. The majority of Entergy Wholesale Commodities’ owned generation and contracted power purchases are sold under cost-based contract. TLG Services, a subsidiary in Entergy’s non-utility operations business, offers decommissioning, engineering, and related services to nuclear power plant owners.Regulation of Entergy’s BusinessFederal Power ActThe Federal Power Act provides the FERC the authority to regulate:•the transmission and wholesale sale of electric energy in interstate commerce;•the reliability of the high voltage interstate transmission system through reliability standards;•sale or acquisition of certain assets;•securities issuances;•the licensing of certain hydroelectric projects;•certain other activities, including accounting policies and practices of electric and gas utilities; and•changes in control of FERC jurisdictional entities or rate schedules.The Federal Power Act gives the FERC jurisdiction over the rates charged by System Energy for Grand Gulf capacity and energy provided to Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy New Orleans and over the rates charged by Entergy Arkansas and Entergy Louisiana to unaffiliated wholesale customers. The FERC also regulates wholesale power sales between the Utility operating companies. In addition, the FERC regulates the MISO RTO, an independent entity that maintains functional control over the combined transmission systems of its members and administers wholesale energy, capacity, and ancillary services markets for market participants in the MISO region, including the Utility operating companies. FERC regulation of the MISO RTO includes regulation of the design and implementation of the wholesale markets administered by the MISO RTO, as well as the rates, terms, and conditions of open access transmission service over the member systems and the allocation of costs associated with transmission upgrades. FERC regulation of the MISO RTO includes regulation of the design and implementation of the wholesale markets administered by the MISO RTO, as 275Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System Energywell as the rates, terms, and conditions of open access transmission service over the member systems and the allocation of costs associated with transmission upgrades. 269Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System EnergyEntergy Arkansas holds a FERC license that expires in 2053 for two hydroelectric projects totaling 65 MW of capacity.272Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System EnergyEntergy Texas purchases from Entergy Louisiana pursuant to a life-of-unit purchased power agreement a 42. State RegulationUtilityEntergy Arkansas is subject to regulation by the APSC as to the following:•utility service;•utility service areas;•retail rates and charges, including depreciation rates;•fuel cost recovery, including audits of the energy cost recovery rider;•terms and conditions of service;•service standards;•the acquisition, sale, or lease of any public utility plant or property constituting an operating unit or system;•certificates of convenience and necessity and certificates of environmental compatibility and public need, as applicable, for generating and transmission facilities;•avoided cost payments to non-exempt Qualifying Facilities;•net energy metering;•integrated resource planning;•utility mergers and acquisitions and other changes of control; and•the issuance and sale of certain securities.Additionally, Entergy Arkansas serves a limited number of retail customers in Tennessee. Pursuant to legislation enacted in Tennessee, Entergy Arkansas is subject to complaints before the Tennessee Regulatory Authority only if it fails to treat its retail customers in Tennessee in the same manner as its retail customers in Arkansas. Additionally, Entergy Arkansas maintains limited facilities in Missouri but does not provide retail electric service to customers in Missouri. Although Entergy Arkansas obtained a certificate with respect to its Missouri facilities, Entergy Arkansas is not subject to retail ratemaking jurisdiction in Missouri.Entergy Louisiana’s electric and gas business is subject to regulation by the LPSC as to the following:•utility service;•retail rates and charges, including depreciation rates;•fuel cost recovery, including audits of the fuel adjustment clause, environmental adjustment charge, and purchased gas adjustment charge;•terms and conditions of service;•service standards;•certification of certain transmission projects;•certification of capacity acquisitions, both for owned capacity and for purchase power contracts that exceed either 5 MW or one year in term;•procurement process to acquire capacity at or above 50 MW;•audits of the energy efficiency rider;•avoided cost payment to non-exempt Qualifying Facilities;•integrated resource planning;•net energy metering; and•utility mergers and acquisitions and other changes of control.270Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System EnergyEntergy Mississippi is subject to regulation by the MPSC as to the following:•utility service;•utility service areas;•retail rates and charges, including depreciation rates;•fuel cost recovery, including audits of the energy cost recovery mechanism;•terms and conditions of service;•service standards;•certification of generating facilities, certain transmission projects, and certain distribution projects with construction costs greater than $10 million;•avoided cost payments to non-exempt Qualifying Facilities;•integrated resource planning;•net energy metering; and•utility mergers, acquisitions, and other changes of control.276Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System EnergyEntergy Mississippi is subject to regulation by the MPSC as to the following:•utility service;•utility service areas;•retail rates and charges, including depreciation rates;•fuel cost recovery, including audits of the energy cost recovery mechanism;•terms and conditions of service;•service standards;•certification of generating facilities and certain transmission projects;•avoided cost payments to non-exempt Qualifying Facilities;•integrated resource planning;•net energy metering; and•utility mergers, acquisitions, and other changes of control. Entergy Mississippi is also subject to regulation by the APSC as to the certificate of environmental compatibility and public need for the Independence Station, which is located in Arkansas.Entergy New Orleans is subject to regulation by the City Council as to the following:•utility service;•retail rates and charges, including depreciation rates;•fuel cost recovery, including audits of the fuel adjustment charge and purchased gas adjustment charge;•terms and conditions of service;•service standards;•audit of the environmental adjustment charge;•certification of the construction or extension of any new plant, equipment, property, or facility that comprises more than 2% of the utility’s rate base;•integrated resource planning;•net energy metering;•avoided cost payments to non-exempt Qualifying Facilities;•issuance and sale of certain securities; and•utility mergers and acquisitions and other changes of control.To the extent authorized by governing legislation, Entergy Texas is subject to the original jurisdiction of the municipal authorities of a number of incorporated cities in Texas with appellate jurisdiction over such matters residing in the PUCT. Entergy Texas is also subject to regulation by the PUCT as to the following:•retail rates and charges, including depreciation rates, and terms and conditions of service in unincorporated areas of its service territory, and in municipalities that have ceded jurisdiction to the PUCT;•fuel recovery, including reconciliations (audits) of the fuel adjustment charges;•service standards;•certification of certain transmission and generation projects;•utility service areas, including extensions into new areas;•avoided cost payments to non-exempt Qualifying Facilities;•net energy metering; and•utility mergers, sales/acquisitions/leases of plants over $10 million, sales of greater than 50% voting stock of utilities, and transfers of controlling interest in or operation of utilities.271Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System EnergyRegulation of the Nuclear Power IndustryAtomic Energy Act of 1954 and Energy Reorganization Act of 1974Under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 and the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974, the operation of nuclear plants is heavily regulated by the NRC, which has broad power to impose licensing and safety-related requirements. The NRC has broad authority to impose civil penalties or shut down a unit, or both, depending upon its assessment of the severity of the situation, until compliance is achieved. Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, and System Energy, as owners of all or portions of ANO, River Bend and Waterford 3, and Grand Gulf, respectively, and Entergy Operations, as the licensee and operator of these units, are subject to the jurisdiction of the NRC.Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982Spent Nuclear FuelUnder the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, the DOE is required, for a specified fee, to construct storage facilities for, and to dispose of, all spent nuclear fuel and other high-level radioactive waste generated by domestic nuclear power reactors. Entergy’s nuclear owner/licensee subsidiaries have been charged fees for the estimated future disposal costs of spent nuclear fuel in accordance with the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982. The affected Entergy companies entered into contracts with the DOE, whereby the DOE is to furnish disposal services at a cost of one mill per net kWh generated and sold after April 7, 1983, plus a one-time fee for generation prior to that date. Entergy Arkansas is the only one of the Utility operating companies that generated electric power with nuclear fuel prior to that date and has a recorded liability as of December 31, 2023 of $205.2 million for the one-time fee. The fees payable to the DOE may be adjusted in the future to assure full recovery. Entergy considers all costs incurred for the disposal of spent nuclear fuel, except accrued interest, to be proper components of nuclear fuel expense. Provisions to recover such costs have been or will be made in applications to regulatory authorities for the Utility plants. Entergy’s total spent fuel fees to date, including the one-time fee liability of Entergy Arkansas, have surpassed $1.7 billion (exclusive of amounts relating to Entergy plants that were paid or are owed by prior owners of those plants).The permanent spent fuel repository in the U.S. has been legislated to be Yucca Mountain, Nevada. The DOE is required by law to proceed with the licensing of the Yucca Mountain repository (the DOE filed the license application in June 2008) and, after the license is granted by the NRC, proceed with the repository construction and commencement of receipt of spent fuel. The DOE is required by law to proceed with the licensing (the DOE filed the license application in June 2008) and, after the license is granted by the NRC, proceed with the repository construction and commencement of receipt of spent fuel. Because the DOE has not begun accepting spent fuel, it is in non-compliance with the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 and is in partial breach of its spent fuel disposal contracts. Because the DOE has not begun accepting spent fuel, it is in non-compliance with the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 and has breached its spent fuel disposal contracts. The DOE continues to delay meeting its obligation. Specific steps were taken to discontinue the Yucca Mountain project, including a motion to the NRC to withdraw the license application with prejudice and the establishment of a commission to develop recommendations for alternative spent fuel storage solutions. In August 2013 the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ordered the NRC to continue with the Yucca Mountain license review, but only to the extent of funds previously appropriated by Congress for that purpose and not yet used. Although the NRC completed the safety evaluation report for the license review in 2015, the previously appropriated funds are not sufficient to complete the review, including required hearings. The government has taken no effective action to date related to the recommendations of the appointed spent fuel study commission. Accordingly, large uncertainty remains regarding the time frame under which the DOE will begin to accept spent fuel from Entergy’s facilities for storage or disposal. As a result, continuing future expenditures will be required to increase spent fuel storage capacity at Entergy’s nuclear sites.Following the defunding of the Yucca Mountain spent fuel repository program, the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners and others sued the government seeking cessation of collection of the one mill per net kWh generated and sold after April 7, 1983 fee. In November 2013 the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ordered the DOE to submit a proposal to Congress to reset the fee to zero until the DOE complies with the Nuclear 272Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System EnergyWaste Policy Act or Congress enacts an alternative waste disposal plan. Circuit Court of Appeals ordered the DOE to submit a proposal to Congress to reset the fee to zero until the DOE complies with the Nuclear Waste Policy Act or Congress enacts an alternative waste disposal plan. In January 2014 the DOE submitted the proposal to Congress under protest, and also filed a petition for rehearing with the D.C. Circuit. The petition for rehearing was denied. The zero spent fuel fee went into effect prospectively in May 2014.As a result of the DOE’s failure to begin disposal of spent nuclear fuel in 1998 pursuant to the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 and the spent fuel disposal contracts, Entergy’s nuclear owner/licensee subsidiaries have incurred and will continue to incur damages. These subsidiaries have been, and continue to be, involved in litigation to recover the damages caused by the DOE’s delay in performance. See Note 8 to the financial statements for discussion of final judgments recorded by Entergy in 2021, 2022, and 2023 related to Entergy’s nuclear owner/licensee subsidiaries’ litigation with the DOE. Through 2023, Entergy’s subsidiaries have won and collected on judgments against the government totaling approximately $1 billion.Pending DOE acceptance and disposal of spent nuclear fuel, the owners of nuclear plants are providing their own spent fuel storage. Storage capability additions using dry casks began operations at ANO in 1996, at River Bend in 2005, at Grand Gulf in 2006, and at Waterford 3 in 2011. These facilities will be expanded as needed.Nuclear Plant DecommissioningEntergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, and System Energy are entitled to recover from customers through electric rates the estimated decommissioning costs for ANO, Waterford 3, and Grand Gulf, respectively. In addition, Entergy Louisiana and Entergy Texas are entitled to recover from customers through electric rates the estimated decommissioning costs for the portion of River Bend subject to retail rate regulation. The collections are deposited in trust funds that can only be used in accordance with NRC and other applicable regulatory requirements. Entergy periodically reviews and updates the estimated decommissioning costs to reflect inflation and changes in regulatory requirements and technology, and then makes applications to the regulatory authorities to reflect, in rates, the changes in projected decommissioning costs.In December 2018 the APSC ordered collections in rates for decommissioning ANO 2 and found that ANO 1’s decommissioning was adequately funded without additional collections. In November 2021, Entergy Arkansas filed a revised decommissioning cost recovery tariff for ANO indicating that both ANO 1 and 2 decommissioning trusts were adequately funded without further collections, and in December 2021 the APSC ordered zero collections for ANO 1 and 2 decommissioning. In November 2022, Entergy Arkansas filed a revised decommissioning cost recovery tariff for ANO indicating that ANO 1’s decommissioning trust was adequately funded, but that ANO 2’s fund had a projected shortage as a result of a decline in decommissioning trust fund investment values over the past year. The filing proposed a reinstatement of decommissioning cost recovery for ANO 2. In December 2022 the APSC ordered reinstatement of decommissioning collections for ANO 2 in accordance with the request in the November 2022 filing. In November 2023, Entergy Arkansas filed a further revised decommissioning cost recovery tariff for ANO indicating that ANO 1’s decommissioning trust continued to be adequately funded, but that ANO 2’s fund continued to require collections higher than those in effect. In November 2022, Entergy Arkansas filed a revised decommissioning cost recovery tariff for ANO indicating that ANO 1’s decommissioning trust was adequately funded, but that ANO 2’s fund had a projected shortage as a result of a decline in decommissioning trust fund investment values over the past year. In December 2023 the APSC approved the proposed higher decommissioning collections for ANO 2.In July 2010 the LPSC approved increased decommissioning collections for Waterford 3 and the Louisiana regulated share of River Bend to address previously identified funding shortfalls. This LPSC decision contemplated that the level of decommissioning collections could be revisited should the NRC grant license extensions for both Waterford 3 and River Bend. In July 2019, following the NRC approval of license extensions for Waterford 3 and River Bend, Entergy Louisiana made a filing with the LPSC seeking to adjust decommissioning and depreciation rates for those plants, including one proposed scenario that would adjust Louisiana-jurisdictional decommissioning collections to zero for both plants (including an offsetting increase in depreciation rates). Because of the ongoing public health emergency arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and accompanying economic uncertainty, Entergy Louisiana determined that the relief sought in the filing was no longer appropriate, and in November 2020, filed an unopposed motion to dismiss the proceeding. Following that filing, in a December 2020 order, the LPSC dismissed the proceeding without prejudice. In July 2021, Entergy Louisiana made a filing with the LPSC to adjust Waterford 273Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System Energy3 and River Bend decommissioning collections based on the latest site-specific decommissioning cost estimates for those plants. In July 2021, Entergy Louisiana made a filing with the LPSC to adjust Waterford 3 and River Bend decommissioning collections based on the latest site-specific decommissioning cost estimates for those plants. The filing seeks to increase Waterford 3 decommissioning collections and decrease River Bend decommissioning collections. The procedural schedule in the case has been suspended pending settlement negotiations. In August 2023, Entergy Louisiana made another filing with the LPSC requesting to maintain the same total decommissioning funding collections as currently in effect for both Waterford 3 and River Bend combined, but also requesting to reallocate that same amount of funding by increasing the contributions for Waterford 3 and reducing the contributions for River Bend. In October 2023 a procedural schedule was adopted that includes a hearing date in August 2024. In October 2021, a procedural schedule was established with a hearing in April 2022. Management cannot predict the outcome of these proceedings. Management cannot predict the outcome of this filing. In December 2010 the PUCT approved increased decommissioning collections for the Texas share of River Bend to address previously identified funding shortfalls. In December 2018 the PUCT approved a settlement that eliminated River Bend decommissioning collections for the Texas jurisdictional share of the plant based on a determination by Entergy Texas that the existing decommissioning fund was adequate following license renewal. In July 2022, Entergy Texas filed a base rate case that proposed continuation of the cessation of River Bend decommissioning collections. In July 2022, Entergy Texas filed a rate case that proposed continuation of the cessation of River Bend decommissioning collections. In May 2023, Entergy Texas filed on behalf of the parties to the base rate case an unopposed settlement, which included an agreement to maintain Entergy Texas’s decommissioning funding for River Bend at a revenue requirement of $0. In August 2023 the PUCT issued an order accepting the unopposed settlement, including the proposed decommissioning funding settlement terms.In December 2016 the NRC issued a 20-year operating license renewal for Grand Gulf. In a 2017 filing at the FERC, System Energy stated that with the renewed operating license, Grand Gulf’s decommissioning trust was sufficiently funded, and proposed, among other things, to cease decommissioning collections for Grand Gulf effective October 1, 2017. The FERC accepted a settlement including the proposed decommissioning revenue requirement by letter order in August 2018.Entergy currently believes its decommissioning funding will be sufficient for its nuclear plants subject to retail rate regulation, although decommissioning cost inflation and trust fund performance will ultimately determine the adequacy of the funding amounts.Plant owners are required to provide the NRC with a biennial report (annually for units that have shut down or will shut down within five years), based on values as of December 31, addressing the owners’ ability to meet the NRC minimum funding levels. Depending on the value of the trust funds, plant owners may be required to take steps, such as providing financial guarantees through letters of credit or parent company guarantees or making additional contributions to the trusts, to ensure that the trusts are adequately funded and that NRC minimum funding requirements are met. In March 2023 filings with the NRC were made reporting on decommissioning funding for all of Entergy’s subsidiaries’ nuclear plants. Those reports showed that decommissioning funding for each of the nuclear plants met the NRC’s financial assurance requirements.Additional information with respect to Entergy’s decommissioning costs and decommissioning trust funds is found in Note 9 and Note 16 to the financial statements.Price-Anderson ActThe Price-Anderson Act requires that reactor licensees purchase and maintain the maximum amount of nuclear liability insurance available and participate in an industry assessment program called Secondary Financial Protection in order to protect the public in the event of a nuclear power plant accident. The costs of this insurance are borne by the nuclear power industry. Congress amended and renewed the Price-Anderson Act in 2005 for a term through 2025. The Price-Anderson Act limits the contingent liability for a single nuclear incident to a maximum assessment of approximately $165.9 million per reactor (with 95 nuclear industry reactors currently participating).6 million per reactor (with 96 nuclear industry reactors currently participating). In the case of a nuclear event in which Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, or System Energy is liable, protection is afforded through a combination of private insurance and the Secondary Financial Protection program. In addition to this, insurance for property damage, costs of replacement power, and other risks relating to 274Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System Energynuclear generating units is also purchased. In addition to this, insurance for property damage, costs of replacement power, and other risks relating to nuclear generating units is also purchased. The Price-Anderson Act and insurance applicable to the nuclear programs of Entergy are discussed in more detail in Note 8 to the financial statements.NRC Reactor Oversight ProcessThe NRC’s Reactor Oversight Process is a program to collect information about plant performance, assess the information for its safety significance, and provide for appropriate licensee and NRC response. The NRC evaluates plant performance by analyzing two distinct inputs: inspection findings resulting from the NRC’s inspection program and performance indicators reported by the licensee. The evaluations result in the placement of each plant in one of the NRC’s Reactor Oversight Process Action Matrix columns: “licensee response column,” or Column 1, “regulatory response column,” or Column 2, “degraded cornerstone column,” or Column 3, “multiple/repetitive degraded cornerstone column,” or Column 4, and “unacceptable performance,” or Column 5. Plants in Column 1 are subject to normal NRC inspection activities. Plants in Column 2, Column 3, or Column 4 are subject to progressively increasing levels of inspection by the NRC with, in general, progressively increasing levels of associated costs. Continued plant operation is not permitted for plants in Column 5. All of the nuclear generating plants owned and operated by Entergy’s Utility business are currently in Column 1, except River Bend, which is in Column 2. All of the nuclear generating plants owned and operated by Entergy’s Utility business are currently in Column 1, except Waterford 3, which is in Column 2. In July 2023 the NRC placed River Bend in Column 2, effective April 2023, based on failure to inspect wiring associated with the high pressure core spray system. In August 2023 the NRC issued a finding and notice of violation related to a radiation monitor calibration issue at River Bend. In December 2023, River Bend successfully completed the inspection on the high pressure core spray system issue and in February 2024, River Bend successfully completed the supplemental inspection for the radiation monitor calibration issue involving radiation monitor calibrations. River Bend will remain in Column 2 pending receipt of the formal report on the inspection, which is expected in first quarter 2024.Environmental RegulationEntergy’s facilities and operations are subject to regulation by various governmental authorities having jurisdiction over air quality, water quality, control of toxic substances and hazardous and solid wastes, and other environmental matters. Management believes that Entergy’s businesses are in substantial compliance with environmental regulations currently applicable to its facilities and operations, with reference to possible exceptions noted below. Because environmental regulations are subject to change, future compliance requirements and costs cannot be precisely estimated. Except to the extent discussed below, at this time compliance with federal, state, and local provisions regulating the discharge of materials into the environment, or otherwise protecting the environment, is incorporated into the routine cost structure of Entergy’s businesses and is not expected to have a material effect on their competitive position, results of operations, cash flows, or financial position.Clean Air Act and Subsequent AmendmentsThe Clean Air Act and its amendments establish several programs that currently or in the future may affect Entergy’s fossil-fueled generation facilities and, to a lesser extent, certain operations at nuclear and other facilities. Individual states also operate similar independent state programs or delegated federal programs that may include requirements more stringent than federal regulatory requirements. These programs include:•new source review and preconstruction permits for new sources of criteria air pollutants, greenhouse gases, and significant modifications to existing facilities;•acid rain program for control of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx);•nonattainment area programs for control of criteria air pollutants, which could include fee assessments for air pollutant emission sources under Section 185 of the Clean Air Act if attainment is not reached in a timely manner;•hazardous air pollutant emissions reduction programs;275Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System Energy•Interstate Air Transport;•operating permit programs and enforcement of these and other Clean Air Act programs;•Regional Haze programs; and•new and existing source standards for greenhouse gas and other air emissions. These programs include:•new source review and preconstruction permits for new sources of criteria air pollutants, greenhouse gases, and significant modifications to existing facilities;•acid rain program for control of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx);•nonattainment area programs for control of criteria air pollutants, which could include fee assessments for air pollutant emission sources under Section 185 of the Clean Air Act if attainment is not reached in a timely manner;•hazardous air pollutant emissions reduction programs;•Interstate Air Transport;•operating permit programs and enforcement of these and other Clean Air Act programs;•Regional Haze programs; and•new and existing source standards for greenhouse gas and other air emissions. National Ambient Air Quality StandardsThe Clean Air Act requires the EPA to set National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ozone, carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter, and sulfur dioxide and requires periodic review of those standards. When an area fails to meet an ambient standard, it is considered to be in nonattainment and is classified as “marginal,” “moderate,” “serious,” or “severe.” When an area fails to meet the ambient air standard, the EPA requires state regulatory authorities to prepare state implementation plans meant to cause progress toward bringing the area into attainment with applicable standards.Ozone NonattainmentEntergy Texas operates two fossil-fueled generating facilities (Lewis Creek and Montgomery County Power Station) in a geographic area that is not in attainment with the applicable NAAQS for ozone. The ozone nonattainment area that affects Entergy Texas is the Houston-Galveston-Brazoria area. Both Lewis Creek and the Montgomery County Power Station hold all necessary permits for operation and comply with applicable air quality program regulations. Measures enacted to return the area to ozone attainment could make these program regulations more stringent. Entergy will continue to work with state environmental agencies on appropriate methods for assessing attainment and nonattainment with the ozone NAAQS.Potential SO2 NonattainmentThe EPA issued a final rule in June 2010 adopting an SO2 1-hour national ambient air quality standard of 75 parts per billion. In Entergy’s utility service territory, only St. Bernard Parish and Evangeline Parish in Louisiana are designated as nonattainment. In August 2017 the EPA issued a letter indicating that East Baton Rouge and St. Charles parishes would be designated by December 31, 2020, as monitors were installed to determine compliance. In March 2021 the EPA published a final rule designating East Baton Rouge, St. Charles, St. James, and West Baton Rouge parishes in Louisiana as attainment/unclassifiable and, in Texas, Jefferson County as attainment/unclassifiable and Orange County as unclassifiable. No challenges to these final designations were filed within the 60 day deadline. Entergy continues to monitor this situation.Hazardous Air PollutantsThe EPA released the final Mercury and Air Toxics Standard (MATS) rule in December 2011, which had a compliance date, with a widely granted one-year extension, of April 2016. The required controls have been installed and are operational at all affected Entergy units. In May 2020 the EPA finalized a rule that finds that it is not “appropriate and necessary” to regulate hazardous air pollutants from electric steam generating units under the provisions of section 112(n) of the Clean Air Act. This is a reversal of the EPA’s previous finding requiring such regulation. The final appropriate and necessary finding does not revise the underlying MATS rule. Several lawsuits have been filed challenging the appropriate and necessary finding. In February 2021 the D.C. Circuit granted the EPA’s motion to hold the litigation in abeyance pending the agency’s review of the appropriate and necessary rule. In February 2022 the EPA issued a proposed rule revoking the 2020 rule and determining, again, that it is “appropriate and necessary” to regulate hazardous air pollutants. In April 2023 the EPA issued a regulatory proposal to revise portions of the MATS rule, including a proposed reduction to the emission limit for filterable particulate matter. If finalized, the proposed lower filterable particulate matter emission limitation could require additional capital investment and/or additional other operation and maintenance costs at Entergy’s coal-fired generating units. Entergy is closely monitoring this rulemaking, in part through its various trade associations.276Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System EnergyGood Neighbor Plan/Cross-State Air Pollution RuleIn March 2005 the EPA finalized the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR), which was intended to reduce SO2 and NOx emissions from electric generation plants in order to improve air quality in twenty-nine eastern states.269Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System EnergyAs a result of the implementation of FERC-mandated interstate pipeline restructuring in 1993, curtailments of interstate gas supply could occur if Entergy Louisiana’s or Entergy New Orleans’s suppliers failed to perform their obligations to deliver gas under their supply agreements. The rule required a combination of capital investment to install pollution control equipment and increased operating costs through the purchase of emission allowances. Entergy began implementation in 2007, including installation of controls at several facilities and the development of an emission allowance procurement strategy. Based on several court challenges, CAIR and its subsequent versions, now known as the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR), have been remanded to and modified by the EPA on multiple occasions.In June 2023 the EPA published its final Federal Implementation Plan (FIP), known as the Good Neighbor Plan, to address interstate transport for the 2015 ozone NAAQS which would increase the stringency of the CSAPR program in all four of the states where the Utility operating companies operate. The FIP would significantly reduce ozone season NOx emission allowance budgets and allocations for electric generating units. Entergy is currently assessing its compliance options for the FIP. Prior to issuance of the FIP, in February 2023 the EPA issued related State Implementation Plan (SIP) disapprovals for many states, including the four states in which the Utility operating companies operate, and these SIP disapprovals are the subject of many legal challenges, including a petition for review filed by Entergy Louisiana challenging the disapproval of Louisiana’s SIP. Stays of the SIP disapprovals have been granted in all four states in which the Utility operating companies operate, and the Good Neighbor Plan will not go into effect while the stays are in place. Decisions on the merits regarding the respective SIP disapprovals are expected in 2024. The final FIP also is subject to numerous legal challenges.Regional HazeIn June 2005 the EPA issued its final Clean Air Visibility Rule (CAVR) regulations that potentially could result in a requirement to install SO2 and NOx pollution control technology as Best Available Retrofit Control Technology to continue operating certain of Entergy’s fossil generation units. The rule leaves certain CAVR determinations to the states. This rule establishes a series of 10-year planning periods, with states required to develop SIPs for each planning period, with each SIP including such air pollution control measures as may be necessary to achieve the ultimate goal of the CAVR by the year 2064. This rule establishes a series of 10-year planning periods, with states required to develop State Implementation Plans (SIPs) for each planning period, with each SIP including such air pollution control measures as may be necessary to achieve the ultimate goal of the CAVR by the year 2064. The various states are currently in the process of developing SIPs to implement the second planning period of the CAVR, which addresses the 2018-2028 planning period.The second planning period (2018-2028) for the regional haze program requires states to examine sources for impacts on visibility and to prepare SIPs by July 31, 2021 to ensure reasonable progress is being made to attain visibility improvements.The second planning period (2018-2028) for the regional haze program requires states to examine sources for impacts on visibility and to prepare SIPs by July 31, 2021 to ensure reasonable progress is being made to attain 283Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System Energyvisibility improvements. Entergy received information collection requests from the Arkansas and Louisiana Departments of Environmental Quality requesting an evaluation of technical and economic feasibility of various NOx and SO2 control technologies for Independence, Nelson 6, NISCO, and Ninemile. Responses to the information collection requests were submitted to the respective state agencies. Responses to the information collection requests have been submitted to the respective state agencies. Louisiana issued its draft SIP which did not propose any additional air emissions controls for the affected Entergy units in Louisiana. Louisiana has issued its draft SIP which, at this time, does not propose any additional air emissions controls for the affected Entergy units in Louisiana. Some public commenters, however, believe additional air controls are cost-effective. It is not yet clear how the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) will respond in its final SIP, and the agency, like many other state agencies, did not meet the July 31, 2021 deadline to submit a SIP to the EPA for review.Similar to the LDEQ, the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment, Division of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) did not meet the July 31, 2021 SIP submission deadline, but subsequently submitted it to the EPA for review. The ADEQ reviewed Entergy’s Independence plant but determined that additional air emission controls would not be cost-effective considering the facility’s commitment to cease coal-fired combustion by December 31, 2030.The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has completed its second-planning period SIP and submitted it to the EPA for review. There were no Entergy sources selected for additional emission controls. The 277Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System EnergyMississippi Department of Environmental Quality also did not meet the July 31, 2021 SIP submission deadline and continues to develop its SIP, but there are no Entergy sources that are expected to be impacted. The 263Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System EnergyUtility operating companies have also entered into various limited- and long-term contracts in recent years as a result of bilateral negotiations. In August 2022 the EPA issued findings of failure to submit regional haze SIPs to 15 states, including Louisiana and Mississippi. These findings were effective September 2022 and start the two-year period for the EPA to either approve a SIP submitted by the state or issue a final federal plan.Greenhouse Gas EmissionsIn April 2021, President Biden announced a target for the United States in connection with the United Nations’ “Paris Agreement” on climate change. The target consists of a 50-52 percent reduction in economy-wide net greenhouse gas emissions from 2005 levels by 2030. President Biden has also stated that a goal of his administration is for the electric power industry to decarbonize fully by 2035.Consistent with the Biden administration’s stated climate goals, in May 2023 the EPA proposed several rules regulating greenhouse gas emissions from new and existing coal and gas-fired power plants. If finalized, the proposed requirements for existing “large and frequently used” gas turbine generating units could require significant investments in CO2 emission reduction technologies at certain of Entergy’s existing gas turbine units with a capacity of greater than 300 MW per combustion turbine and which operate at an annual capacity factor of greater than 50 percent. Comments on the proposed rules were submitted in August 2023 and Entergy is monitoring the rulemaking, in part through its trade associations.Entergy continues to support national legislation that would most efficiently reduce economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions and increase planning certainty for electric utilities. By virtue of its proportionally large investment in low-emitting generation technologies, Entergy has a low overall carbon dioxide emission “intensity,” or rate of carbon dioxide emitted per megawatt-hour of electricity generated. In anticipation of the imposition of carbon dioxide emission limits on the electric industry, Entergy initiated actions designed to reduce its exposure to potential new governmental requirements related to carbon dioxide emissions. These voluntary actions included a formal program to stabilize owned power plant carbon dioxide emissions at 2000 levels through 2005, and Entergy succeeded in reducing emissions below 2000 levels. In 2006, Entergy started including emissions from controllable power purchases in addition to its ownership share of generation and established a second formal voluntary program to stabilize power plant carbon dioxide emissions and emissions from controllable power purchases, cumulatively over the period, at 20% below 2000 levels through 2010. In 2011, Entergy extended this commitment through 2020, which it ultimately outperformed by approximately 8% both cumulatively and on an annual basis. In 2019, in connection with a climate scenario analysis following the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures describing climate-related governance, strategy, risk management, and metrics and targets, Entergy announced a 2030 carbon dioxide emission rate goal focused on a 50% reduction from Entergy’s base year - 2000. In September 2020, Entergy announced a commitment to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 inclusive of all businesses, all applicable gases, and all emission scopes. In 2022, Entergy enhanced its commitment to include an interim goal of 50% carbon-free energy generating capacity by 2030 and expanded its interim emission rate goal to include all purchased power. See “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A for discussion of the risks associated with achieving these climate goals. Entergy’s comprehensive, third party verified greenhouse gas inventory and progress against its voluntary goals are published on its website. Entergy’s comprehensive, third-party verified greenhouse gas inventory and progress against its voluntary goals are published on its website. 278Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System EnergyPotential Legislative, Regulatory, and Judicial DevelopmentsIn addition to the specific instances described above, there are a number of legislative and regulatory initiatives that are under consideration at the federal, state, and local level.246Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System Energy•A downgrade in Entergy’s or its Registrant Subsidiaries’ credit ratings could, among other things, negatively affect Entergy’s and its Registrant Subsidiaries’ ability to access capital and the cost of such capital. Because of the nature of Entergy’s business, the imposition of any of these initiatives could affect Entergy’s operations. Entergy continues to monitor these initiatives and activities in order to analyze their potential operational and cost implications. These initiatives include:•reconsideration and revision of ambient air quality standards downward which could lead to additional areas of nonattainment;•designation by the EPA and state environmental agencies of areas that are not in attainment with national ambient air quality standards;•introduction of bills in Congress and development of regulations by the EPA proposing further limits on SO2, mercury, carbon dioxide, and other air emissions. New legislation or regulations applicable to stationary sources could take the form of market-based cap-and-trade programs, direct requirements for the installation of air emission controls onto air emission sources, or other or combined regulatory programs;•efforts in Congress or at the EPA to establish a federal carbon dioxide emission tax, control structure, or unit performance standards;•revisions to the estimates of the Social Cost of Carbon and its use for regulatory impact analysis of federal laws and regulations;•implementation of the regional cap and trade programs to limit carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases;•efforts on the local, state, and federal level to codify renewable portfolio standards, clean energy standards, or a similar mechanism requiring utilities to produce or purchase a certain percentage of their power from defined renewable energy sources or energy sources with lower emissions;•efforts to develop more stringent state water quality standards, effluent limitations for Entergy’s industry sector, stormwater runoff control regulations, and cooling water intake structure requirements;•efforts to restrict the previously-approved continued use of oil-filled equipment containing certain levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and increased regulation of per- and polyfluorinated substances or other chemicals;•efforts by certain external groups to encourage reporting and disclosure of environmental, social, and governance risk;•the listing of additional species as threatened or endangered, the protection of critical habitat for these species, and developments in the legal protection of eagles and migratory birds;•the regulation of the management, disposal, and beneficial reuse of coal combustion residuals; and•the regulation of the management and disposal and recycling of equipment associated with renewable and clean energy sources such as used solar panels, wind turbine blades, hydrogen usage, or battery storage. New legislation or regulations applicable to 285Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System Energystationary sources could take the form of market-based cap-and-trade programs, direct requirements for the installation of air emission controls onto air emission sources, or other or combined regulatory programs;•efforts in Congress or at the EPA to establish a federal carbon dioxide emission tax, control structure, or unit performance standards;•revisions to the estimates of the Social Cost of Carbon and its use for regulatory impact analysis of federal laws and regulations;•implementation of the regional cap and trade programs to limit carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases;•efforts on the local, state, and federal level to codify renewable portfolio standards, clean energy standards, or a similar mechanism requiring utilities to produce or purchase a certain percentage of their power from defined renewable energy sources or energy sources with lower emissions;•efforts to develop more stringent state water quality standards, effluent limitations for Entergy’s industry sector, stormwater runoff control regulations, and cooling water intake structure requirements;•efforts to restrict the previously-approved continued use of oil-filled equipment containing certain levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs);•efforts by certain external groups to encourage reporting and disclosure of environmental, social, and governance risk;•the listing of additional species as threatened or endangered, the protection of critical habitat for these species, and developments in the legal protection of eagles and migratory birds;•the regulation of the management, disposal, and beneficial reuse of coal combustion residuals; and•the regulation of the management and disposal and recycling of equipment associated with renewable and clean energy sources such as used solar panels, wind turbine blades, hydrogen usage, or battery storage. Clean Water ActThe 1972 amendments to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (known as the Clean Water Act) provide the statutory basis for the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit program, section 402, and the basic structure for regulating the discharge of pollutants from point sources to waters of the United States. The Clean Water Act requires virtually all discharges of pollutants to waters of the United States to be permitted. Section 316(b) of the Clean Water Act regulates cooling water intake structures, section 401 of the Clean Water Act requires a water quality certification from the state in support of certain federal actions and approvals, and section 404 of the Clean Water Act regulates the dredge and fill of waters of the United States, including jurisdictional wetlands. Section 316(b) of the Clean Water Act regulates cooling water intake structures, section 401 of the Clean Water Act requires a water quality certification from the state in support of certain federal actions and approvals, and section 404 regulates the dredge and fill of waters of the United States, including jurisdictional wetlands. Federal Jurisdiction of Waters of the United StatesIn June 2020 the EPA’s revised definition of waters of the United States in the Navigable Waters Protection Rule (NWPR) became effective, narrowing the scope of Clean Water Act jurisdiction, as compared to a 2015 279Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System Energydefinition which had been stayed by several federal courts.Federal Jurisdiction of Waters of the United StatesIn June 2020 the EPA’s revised definition of waters of the United States in the Navigable Waters Protection Rule (NWPR) became effective, narrowing the scope of Clean Water Act jurisdiction, as compared to a 2015 definition which had been stayed by several federal courts. In August 2021 a federal district court vacated and remanded the NWPR for further consideration. The EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) subsequently issued a statement that the agencies would revert to pre-2015 regulations pending a new rulemaking. In December 2022 the EPA and the Corps released a final definition of waters of the United States (the 2022 Rule) that replaces the NWPR with a definition that is consistent with the pre-2015 regulatory regime as interpreted by several United States Supreme Court decisions. In December 2022 the EPA and the Corps released a final definition of waters of the United States that replaces the NWPR with a definition that is consistent with the pre-2015 regulatory regime as interpreted by several United States Supreme Court decisions. The 2022 Rule was subject to multiple legal challenges and was enjoined from implementation or enforcement throughout Entergy’s utility service territory. In May 2023 the U. In January 2021 the U. S. Supreme Court issued a decision limiting the scope of federal jurisdiction over wetlands, and in September 2023 the EPA and the Corps issued a final rule incorporating the Supreme Court decision. Most notably, the exclusion for waste treatment systems is retained.Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended (CERCLA), authorizes the EPA to mandate clean-up by, or to collect reimbursement of clean-up costs from, owners or operators of sites at which hazardous substances may be or have been released. Certain private parties also may use CERCLA to recover response costs. Parties that transported hazardous substances to these sites or arranged for the disposal of the substances are also deemed liable by CERCLA. CERCLA has been interpreted to impose strict, joint, and several liability on responsible parties. Many states have adopted programs similar to CERCLA. Entergy subsidiaries have sent waste materials to various disposal sites over the years, and releases have occurred at Entergy facilities including nuclear facilities that have been sold to decommissioning companies. Entergy’s available-for-sale securities are held in trusts managed by third parties who operate in accordance with agreements that define investment guidelines and place restrictions on the purchases and sales of investments. In addition, environmental laws now regulate certain of Entergy’s operating procedures and maintenance practices that historically were not subject to regulation. Some disposal sites used by Entergy subsidiaries have been the subject of governmental action under CERCLA or similar state programs, resulting in site clean-up activities. Entergy subsidiaries have participated to various degrees in accordance with their respective potential liabilities in such site clean-ups and have developed experience with clean-up costs. The affected Entergy subsidiaries have established provisions for the liabilities for such environmental clean-up and restoration activities. Details of potentially material CERCLA and similar state program liabilities are discussed in the “Other Environmental Matters” section below.Coal Combustion ResidualsIn April 2015 the EPA published the final coal combustion residuals (CCR) rule regulating CCRs destined for disposal in landfills or surface impoundments as non-hazardous wastes regulated under Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Subtitle D. The final regulations created new compliance requirements including modified storage, new notification and reporting practices, product disposal considerations, and CCR unit closure criteria but excluded CCRs that are beneficially reused in certain processes. The final regulations create new compliance requirements including modified storage, new notification and reporting practices, product disposal considerations, and CCR unit closure criteria. Entergy believes that on-site disposal options will be available at its facilities, to the extent needed. Entergy believes that on-site disposal options will be available at its facilities, to the extent needed for CCR that cannot be transferred for beneficial reuse. As of December 31, 2023, Entergy has recorded asset retirement obligations related to CCR management of $28 million.Pursuant to the EPA Rule, Entergy operates groundwater monitoring systems surrounding its coal combustion residual landfills located at White Bluff, Independence, and Nelson. Monitoring to date has detected concentrations of certain listed constituents in the area, but has not indicated that these constituents originated at the active landfill cells. Reporting has occurred as required, and detection monitoring will continue as the rule requires. In late-2017, Entergy determined that certain in-ground wastewater treatment system recycle ponds at its White Bluff and Independence facilities require management under the new EPA regulations. Consequently, in order to move away from using the recycle ponds, White Bluff and Independence each installed a new permanent bottom ash handling system that does not fall under the CCR rule. Consequently, in order to move away from using the recycle ponds, White Bluff and Independence each have installed a new permanent bottom ash handling system that does not fall under the CCR rule. As of November 2020, both sites are operating the new system and no longer are sending waste to the recycle ponds. Each site commenced closure of its two recycle ponds (four ponds total) prior to the April 11, 2021 deadline under the finalized CCR rule for unlined recycle ponds. Each site has commenced closure of its two recycle ponds (four ponds total), prior to the April 11, 2021 deadline under the finalized CCR rule for unlined recycle ponds. Any potential requirements for corrective action or operational changes under the new CCR rule continue to be assessed. Notably, ongoing litigation has resulted in the EPA’s continuing review of the rule. Consequently, the nature and cost of additional corrective action requirements may depend, in part, on the outcome of the EPA’s review. 280Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System EnergyAdditionally, all three sites are preparing to implement measures to meet the new and updated Effluent Limitation Guidelines (ELG). 282Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System EnergyBased on the EPA estimates, Entergy’s share of the capital costs would be approximately $1. The nature, cost, and timing of those compliance measures depends on the guidance included in the final ELG rule, which is expected by mid-2024.In May 2023 the EPA released a proposed rule establishing management standards for legacy CCR surface impoundments (i.e., inactive surface impoundments at inactive power plants) and establishing a new class of units referred to as CCR management units (i.e., non-containerized CCR located at a regulated CCR facility). Entergy does not have any legacy impoundments; however, the proposed definition of CCR management units appears to regulate on-site areas where CCR was beneficially used. This is contrary to the current CCR rule which exempts beneficial uses that meet certain criteria. Comments on the proposed rule were submitted in July 2023 and Entergy is monitoring the rulemaking, in part through its trade associations.Other Environmental MattersEntergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy TexasThe EPA notified Entergy that the EPA believes Entergy is a PRP concerning PCB contamination at the F.J. Doyle Salvage facility in Leonard, Texas. The facility operated as a scrap salvage business during the 1970s to the 1990s. In May 2018 the EPA investigated the site surface and sub-surface soils, and in November 2018 the EPA conducted a removal action, including disposal of PCB contaminated soils. Entergy responded to the EPA’s information requests in May and July 2019. In November 2020 the EPA sent Entergy and other PRPs a demand letter seeking reimbursement for response costs totaling $4 million expended at the site. Liability and PRP allocation of response costs are yet to be determined. In December 2020, Entergy responded to the demand letter, without admitting liability or waiving any rights, indicating that it would engage in good faith negotiations with the EPA with respect to the demand. An initial meeting between the EPA and the PRPs took place in June 2021. Negotiations between the PRPs and the EPA are ongoing.LitigationEntergy and its subsidiaries use legal and appropriate means to contest litigation threatened or filed against them, but the states in which Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries operate have proven to be unusually litigious environments.LitigationEntergy uses legal and appropriate means to contest litigation threatened or filed against it, but certain states in which Entergy operates have proven to be unusually litigious environments. Judges and juries in these states have demonstrated a willingness to grant large verdicts, including punitive damages, to plaintiffs in personal injury, property damage, and business tort cases. Judges and juries in these states have demonstrated a willingness to grant large verdicts, including punitive damages, to plaintiffs in personal injury, property damage, and business tort 311Table of ContentsPart I Item 1A and 1BEntergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System Energycases. The litigation environment in these states poses a significant business risk to Entergy.Asbestos Litigation (Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy New Orleans, and Entergy Texas)See Note 8 to the financial statements for a discussion of this litigation.Employment and Labor-related Proceedings (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)See Note 8 to the financial statements for a discussion of these proceedings.281Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System EnergyHuman CapitalEmployeesEmployees are an integral part of Entergy’s commitment to serving customers.272Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System EnergyEntergy Texas purchases from Entergy Louisiana pursuant to a life-of-unit purchased power agreement a 42. As of December 31, 2023, Entergy subsidiaries employed 12,177 people. As of December 31, 2022, Entergy subsidiaries employed 11,707 people. There are 3,104 employees represented by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the United Government Security Officers of America, and the International Union, Security, Police, and Fire Professionals of America.Approximately 3,084 employees are represented by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the United Government Security Officers of America, and the International Union, Security, Police, and Fire Professionals of America. Below is the breakdown of Entergy’s employees by gender and race/ethnicity:(a)Based on employees who self-identify.Entergy’s Approach to Human ResourcesEntergy’s people and culture enable its success; that is why acquiring, retaining, and developing talent are important components of Entergy’s human resources strategy. Entergy focuses on an approach that includes, among other things, governance and oversight; safety; organizational health, including diversity, inclusion, and belonging; and talent management.282Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System EnergyGovernance and OversightEnsuring that workplace processes support the desired culture and strategy begins with the Board of Directors and the Office of the Chief Executive.270Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System EnergyIn the case of Entergy Arkansas and Entergy Louisiana, payments are also recovered through sales of electricity from their respective retained shares of Grand Gulf. The Talent and Compensation Committee establishes priorities and each quarter reviews strategies and results on a range of topics covering diversity, culture, and commerce. The Talent and Compensation Committee (formerly Personnel Committee) establishes priorities and each quarter reviews strategies and results on a range of topics covering the workforce, the workplace, and the marketplace. It oversees Entergy’s incentive plan design and administers its executive compensation plans to incentivize the behaviors and outcomes that support achievement of Entergy’s corporate objectives. Annually, it reviews executive performance, development, succession plans, and talent pipeline to align a high performing executive team with Entergy’s priorities. The Talent and Compensation Committee also oversees Entergy’s performance through regular briefings on a wide variety of human resources topics including Entergy’s safety culture and performance; organizational health; and diversity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives and performance.The Talent and Compensation Committee is responsible for overseeing and monitoring the effectiveness of Entergy’s human capital strategies, including its workforce diversity, inclusion, and organizational health and safety strategies, programs, and initiatives.The Talent and Compensation Committee’s Charter was revised in 2021 to acknowledge the committee’s responsibility for overseeing and monitoring the effectiveness of Entergy’s human capital strategies, including its workforce diversity, inclusion, and organizational health and safety strategies, programs, and initiatives. In recognition of the importance that organizational health and diversity, inclusion, and belonging play in enabling Entergy to achieve its business strategies, the committee receives periodic reports on Entergy’s organization health and diversity, inclusion, and belonging programs, strategies, and performance, including briefings at each of its regular meetings. The committee also receives updates on Entergy’s performance to date on key diversity, culture, and commerce measures, including the representation of women and underrepresented minorities, both in the total workforce and in director level and above placements, progress in key diversity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives and diverse supplier spend. The committee also receives updates on Entergy’s performance to date on key workforce, workplace, and marketplace measures, including progress in the representation of women and underrepresented minorities, both in the total workforce and in director level and above placements, progress in key diversity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives and diverse supplier spend. Other committees of the Board oversee other key aspects of Entergy’s culture. For example, the Audit Committee reviews reports on enterprise risks, ethics, and compliance training and performance, as well as regular reports on calls made to Entergy’s ethics line and related investigations. To maximize the sharing of information and facilitate the participation of all Board members in these discussions, the Board schedules its regular committee meetings in a manner such that all directors can attend.The Office of the Chief Executive, which includes the Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, ensures annual business plans are designed to support Entergy’s talent objectives, reviews workforce-related metrics, and regularly discusses the development, succession planning, and performance of their direct reports and other company officers.SafetyEntergy’s safety objective is: Everyone Safe. All Day. Every Day. Entergy employees achieved a total recordable incident rate of 0.49 in 2023 as compared to 0.51 in 2022 and 0.46 in 2021, and 0. 46 in 2021.74 in 2020. The results of 2021 unfortunately included an employee fatality. Entergy has enhanced dramatically leadership efforts and field presence to further its objective of zero fatalities, which it achieved in 2022 and 2023, although in early 2024 Entergy experienced a contractor fatality. Entergy has enhanced dramatically leadership efforts and field presence to further its objective of zero fatalities, which it achieved in 2022. Also in 2023, there was a significant decrease in the number of serious injuries. The recordable incident rate equals the number of recordable incidents per 100 full-time equivalents. Recordable incidents include fatalities, lost-time accidents, restricted-duty accidents, and medical attentions. Recordable incidents include fatalities, lost-time accidents, restricted-duty accidents, and medical attentions and is not inclusive of potential work-related COVID-19 cases. Organizational Health, including Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (DIB)Entergy believes that organizational health fosters an engaged and productive culture that positions Entergy to deliver sustainable value to its stakeholders. Entergy measures its progress through an organizational health survey coordinated by an external third party. Since initially administering the survey in 2014, Entergy improved from an initial score of 49 (fourth quartile) to a score in 2021 of 63 (third quartile), in 2022 of 61 (third quartile), and in 2023 of 62 (third quartile). Since initially administering the survey in 2014, Entergy improved from an initial score of 49 (fourth quartile) to a score in 2020 of 72 (second quartile), in 2021 of 63 (third quartile), and in 2022 of 61 (third quartile). Although the score is nearly the same in 2023 as in 2022, Entergy has maintained improvement from the 2014 baseline. Improvement in behavioral expectations, which are the leading indicators of outcome improvements, indicates that Entergy is moving in a positive direction.283Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System EnergyEntergy believes that creating a culture of diversity, inclusion, and belonging drives foundational engagement for all employees.249Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System EnergyNatural Gas Energy SalesEntergy New Orleans and Entergy Louisiana provide both electric power and natural gas to retail customers. Entergy is committed to developing and retaining a top-performing workforce that reflects the rich diversity of the communities it serves. Entergy is committed to developing and retaining a workforce that reflects the rich diversity of the communities it serves. In 2021, Entergy established a new Diversity and Workforce Strategies organization to serve as a center of excellence for workforce development, talent attraction/pipeline development, and organizational health and diversity. The organization supports Entergy’s actions to strengthen our partnerships with colleges and vocational-technical schools for a more viable pipeline of future talent while expanding efforts to increase employee engagement and cultivate an inclusive culture with high performance. Entergy continues to focus its actions to engage a diverse workforce, infusing DIB into hiring policies, practices, and procedures, aligning Employee Resource Group goals to business objectives, growing its DIB Champion network, ensuring that Entergy’s leadership development programs support all employees, and facilitating training from the executive leadership ranks down to the frontline. In 2022, Entergy continued to focus its actions to engage a diverse workforce, infusing DIB into hiring policies, practices and procedures, aligning Employee Resource Group goals to DIB goals, growing its DIB Champion network, integrating DIB into Entergy’s leadership development programs, and facilitating training from the executive leadership ranks down to the frontline. Through these efforts, Entergy aspires to create greater understanding and accountability regarding the behaviors and outcomes that are indicative of a premier utility.Talent ManagementEntergy’s focus on talent management is organized in three areas: developing and attracting a highly qualified, diverse pool of talent, equipping its leaders to develop the organization, and building premier utility capability through employee performance management and succession programs.Talent ManagementEntergy’s focus on talent management is organized in three areas: developing and attracting a diverse pool of talent, equipping its leaders to develop the organization, and building premier utility capability through employee performance management and succession programs. Entergy believes that developing a diverse pool of local talent equipped with the skills needed, today and in the future, and reflecting the communities Entergy serves will give it a long-term competitive advantage. The focus of Entergy’s leadership development programs is to equip managers with the skills needed to effectively develop their teams and improve the leader-employee relationship. Entergy’s talent development infrastructure, which includes a combination of business function-specific and enterprise-wide learning and development programs, is designed to ensure Entergy has qualified staff with the skills, experiences, and behaviors needed to perform today and prepare for the future. Entergy strives to achieve its strategic priorities by aligning and enhancing team and individual performance with business objectives, effectively deploying talent through succession planning, and managing workforce transitions.
Availability of SEC filings and other information on Entergy’s websiteEntergy electronically files reports with the SEC, including annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, proxy statements, and amendments to such filings. The SEC maintains an internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC at https://www.sec.gov. Copies of the reports that Entergy files with the SEC can be obtained at the SEC’s website.Entergy uses its website, https://www.entergy.com, as a routine channel for distribution of important information, including news releases, analyst presentations, and financial information. Filings made with the SEC are posted and available without charge on Entergy’s website as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. These filings include annual and quarterly reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K (including related filings in XBRL format); proxy statements; and any amendments to such filings. All such postings and filings are available on Entergy’s Investor Relations website free of charge. Entergy is providing the address to its internet site solely for the information of investors and does not intend the address to be an active link. Notwithstanding this reference or any references to the website in this report, the contents of the website are not incorporated into this report.284Table of ContentsPart I Item 1A, 1B, and 1CEntergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System EnergyItem 1A.245Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System EnergyItem 1. Risk FactorsSee “RISK FACTORS SUMMARY” in Part I, Item 1 for a summary of Entergy’s and the Registrant Subsidiaries’ risk factors. RISK FACTORSSee “RISK FACTORS SUMMARY” in Part I Item 1 for a summary of Entergy’s and the Registrant Subsidiaries’ risk factors.
Investors should review carefully the following risk factors and the other information in this Form 10-K. The risks that Entergy faces are not limited to those in this section. There may be additional risks and uncertainties (either currently unknown or not currently believed to be material) that could adversely affect Entergy’s business, financial condition, results of operations, and liquidity. There may be additional risks and uncertainties (either currently unknown or not currently believed to be material) that could adversely affect Entergy’s financial condition, results of operations, and liquidity. See “FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION.”Utility Regulatory Risks(Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)The terms and conditions of service, including electric and gas rates, of the Utility operating companies and System Energy are determined through regulatory approval proceedings that can be lengthy and subject to appeal, potentially resulting in delays in effecting rate changes, lengthy litigation, the risk of disallowance of recovery of certain costs, and uncertainty as to ultimate results.The Utility operating companies are regulated on a cost-of-service and rate of return basis and are subject to statutes and regulatory commission rules and procedures. The rates that the Utility operating companies and System Energy charge reflect their capital expenditures, operations and maintenance costs, allowed rates of return, financing costs, and related costs of service. These rates significantly influence the financial condition, results of operations, and liquidity of Entergy and each of the Utility operating companies and System Energy. These rates are determined in regulatory proceedings and are subject to periodic regulatory review and adjustment, including adjustment upon the initiative of a regulator or, in some cases, affected stakeholders. Regulators in a future rate proceeding may alter the timing or amount of certain costs for which recovery is allowed or modify the current authorized rate of return. Rate refunds may also be required, subject to applicable law.In addition, regulators have initiated and may initiate additional proceedings to investigate the prudence of costs in the Utility operating companies’ and System Energy’s base rates and examine, among other things, the reasonableness or prudence of the companies’ operation and maintenance practices, level of expenditures (including storm costs and costs associated with capital projects), allowed rates of return and rate base, proposed resource acquisitions, and previously incurred capital expenditures that the operating companies seek to place in rates. The regulators may disallow costs subject to their jurisdiction found not to have been prudently incurred or found not to have been incurred in compliance with applicable tariffs, creating some risk to the ultimate recovery of those costs. Regulatory proceedings relating to rates and other matters typically involve multiple parties seeking to limit or reduce rates. Traditional base rate proceedings, as opposed to formula rate plans, generally have long timelines, are primarily based on historical costs, and may or may not be limited in scope or duration by statute. The length of these base rate proceedings can cause the Utility operating companies and System Energy to experience regulatory lag in recovering costs through rates, such that the Utility operating companies may not fully recover all costs during the rate effective period and may, therefore, earn less than their allowed returns. Decisions are typically subject to appeal, potentially leading to additional uncertainty associated with rate case proceedings. For a discussion of such appeals and related litigation for both the Utility operating companies and System Energy, see Note 2 to the financial statements.The Utility operating companies have large customer and stakeholder bases and, as a result, could be the subject of public criticism or adverse publicity focused on issues including, but not limited to, the operation and maintenance of their assets and infrastructure, including with respect to climate or environmental matters, their preparedness for major storms or other extreme weather events and/or the time it takes to restore service after such 285Table of ContentsPart I Item 1A, 1B, and 1CEntergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System Energyevents, the quality of their customer service, including timely and accurate billing practices and ability to resolve customer complaints, and the reasonableness of the cost of their service.The Utility operating companies have large customer and stakeholder bases and, as a result, could be the subject of public criticism or adverse publicity focused on issues including the operation and maintenance of their assets and infrastructure, their preparedness for major storms or other extreme weather events and/or the time it takes to restore service after such events, or the quality of their service or the reasonableness of the cost of their 292Table of ContentsPart I Item 1A and 1BEntergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System Energyservice. Criticism or adverse publicity of this nature could render legislatures and other governing bodies, public service commissions and other regulatory authorities, and government officials less likely to view the applicable operating company in a favorable light and could potentially negatively affect legislative or regulatory processes or outcomes, as well as lead to increased regulatory oversight or more stringent legislative or regulatory requirements or other legislation or regulatory actions that adversely affect the Utility operating companies.The Utility operating companies and System Energy, and the energy industry as a whole, have experienced a period of rising costs and investments and an upward trend in spending, especially with respect to infrastructure investments, which is likely to continue in the foreseeable future and could result in more frequent rate cases and requests for, and the continuation of, cost recovery mechanisms, all of which could face resistance from customers and other stakeholders especially in a rising cost environment, whether due to inflation or high fuel prices or otherwise, and/or in periods of economic decline or hardship. Significant increases in costs could increase financing needs and otherwise adversely affect Entergy, the Utility operating companies, and System Energy’s business, financial position, results of operation, or cash flows. For information regarding rate case proceedings and formula rate plans applicable to the Utility operating companies, see Note 2 to the financial statements.Changes to state or federal legislation or regulation affecting electric generation, electric and natural gas transmission, distribution, and related activities could adversely affect Entergy and the Utility operating companies’ financial position, results of operations, or cash flows and their utility businesses.If legislative and regulatory structures evolve in a manner that erodes the Utility operating companies’ exclusive rights to serve their regulated customers, such as through “retail open access” or otherwise, they could lose customers and sales and their results of operations, financial position, or cash flows could be materially affected.If legislative and regulatory structures evolve in a manner that erodes the Utility operating companies’ exclusive rights to serve their regulated customers, they could lose customers and sales and their results of operations, financial position, or cash flows could be materially affected. Additionally, technological advances in energy efficiency and distributed energy resources are reducing the costs of these technologies and, together with ongoing state and federal subsidies, the increasing penetration of these technologies could result in reduced sales by the Utility operating companies. Such loss of sales, due to the methodology used to determine cost of service rates or otherwise, could put upward pressure on rates, possibly resulting in adverse regulatory actions to mitigate such effects on rates. Further, the failure of regulatory structures to evolve to accommodate the changing needs and desires of customers with respect to the sourcing and use of electricity also could diminish sales by the operating companies. Entergy and the Utility operating companies cannot predict if or when they may be subject to changes in legislation or regulation, or the extent and timing of reductions of the cost of distributed energy resources, nor can they predict the impact of these changes on their results of operations, financial position, or cash flows.The Utility operating companies recover fuel, purchased power, and associated costs through rate mechanisms that are subject to risks of delay or disallowance in regulatory proceedings, and sudden or prolonged increases in fuel and purchased power costs could lead to increased customer arrearages or bad debt expenses.The Utility operating companies recover their fuel, purchased power, and associated costs from their customers through rate mechanisms subject to periodic regulatory review and adjustment. Because regulatory review can result in the disallowance of incurred costs found not to have been prudently incurred or not reflected in rates as permitted by approved rate schedules and accounting rules, including the cost of replacement power purchased when generators experience outages or when planned outages are extended, with the possibility of refunds to ratepayers, there exists some risk to the ultimate recovery of those costs, particularly when there are substantial or sudden increases in such costs. Regulators also may initiate proceedings to investigate the continued usage or the adequacy and operation of the fuel and purchased power recovery clauses of the Utility operating companies and, therefore, there can be no assurance that existing recovery mechanisms will remain unchanged or in effect at all.286Table of ContentsPart I Item 1A, 1B, and 1CEntergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System EnergyThe Utility operating companies’ cash flows can be negatively affected by the time delays between when gas, power, or other commodities are purchased and the ultimate recovery from customers of the costs in rates.296Table of ContentsPart I Item 1A and 1BEntergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System EnergyWeather, economic conditions, technological developments, and other factors may have a material impact on electricity and gas sales and otherwise materially affect the Utility operating companies’ results of operations and system reliability. On occasion, when the level of incurred costs for fuel and purchased power rises dramatically, some of the Utility operating companies may agree to defer recovery of a portion of that period’s fuel and purchased power costs for recovery at a later date, which could increase the near-term working capital and borrowing requirements of those companies. On occasion, when the level of incurred costs for fuel and purchased power rises very dramatically, some 293Table of ContentsPart I Item 1A and 1BEntergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System Energyof the Utility operating companies may agree to defer recovery of a portion of that period’s fuel and purchased power costs for recovery at a later date, which could increase the near-term working capital and borrowing requirements of those companies. The Utility operating companies also may experience, and in some instances have experienced, an increase in customer bill arrearages and bad debt expenses due to, among other reasons, increases in fuel and purchased power costs, especially in periods of economic decline or hardship. For a description of fuel and purchased power recovery mechanisms and information regarding the regulatory proceedings for fuel and purchased power cost recovery, see Note 2 to the financial statements.The Utility operating companies are subject to economic risks associated with participation in the MISO markets and the allocation of transmission upgrade costs. The operation of the Utility operating companies’ transmission system pursuant to the MISO RTO tariff and their participation in the MISO RTO’s wholesale markets may be adversely affected by regulatory or market design changes, as well as liability under, or any future inability to comply with, existing or future regulations or requirements.The Utility operating companies are subject to economic risks associated with participation in the MISO markets and resource adequacy construct.The Utility operating companies are subject to economic risks associated with participation in the MISO markets and the allocation of transmission upgrade costs. MISO tariff rules and system conditions, including transmission congestion, could affect the Utility operating companies’ ability to sell capacity, energy, and/or ancillary services in certain regions and/or the economic value of such sales, or increase the cost of serving the Utility operating companies’ respective loads. MISO market rules may change or be interpreted in ways that cause additional cost and risk, including compliance risk. Additionally, each Utility operating company’s continued participation in MISO may be affected by the outcomes of proceedings at their respective retail regulators regarding the realized and expected costs and benefits associated with such Utility operating company’s ongoing participation in MISO.The Utility operating companies participate in the MISO regional transmission planning process and are subject to risks associated with planning decisions that MISO makes in the exercise of control over the planning of the Utility operating companies’ transmission assets that are under MISO’s functional control. The Utility operating companies pay transmission rates that reflect the cost of transmission projects that the Utility operating companies do not own, which could increase cash or financing needs. Further, FERC policies and regulation addressing cost responsibility for transmission projects, including transmission projects to interconnect new generation facilities, may potentially give rise to cash and financing-related risks as well as result in upward pressure on the retail rates of the Utility operating companies, which, in turn, may result in adverse actions by the Utility operating companies’ retail regulators. In addition to the cash and financing-related risks arising from the potential additional cost allocation to the Utility operating companies from transmission projects of others or changes in FERC policies or regulation related to cost responsibility for transmission projects, there is a risk that the Utility operating companies’ business and financial position could be harmed as a result of lost investment opportunities and other effects that flow from an increased number of competitive projects being approved and constructed that are interconnected with their transmission systems.Further, the terms and conditions of the MISO tariff, including provisions related to the design and implementation of wholesale markets, the allocation of transmission upgrade costs, the MISO-wide allowed base rate of return on equity, and any required MISO-related charges and credits are subject to regulation by the FERC. The operation of the Utility operating companies’ transmission system pursuant to the MISO tariff and their participation in the MISO wholesale markets, and the resulting costs, may be adversely affected by regulatory or market design changes, as well as liability under, or any future inability to comply with, existing or future regulations or requirements.The MISO tariff provisions governing the rights and obligations associated with the resource adequacy construct provided under the MISO tariff are subject to change and have recently undergone significant changes, some of which are the subject of pending litigation and/or appeals. As an example, MISO recently has made 287Table of ContentsPart I Item 1A, 1B, and 1CEntergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System Energychanges to its capacity accreditation methodology for thermal resources which emphasizes performance during a very small subset of hours in which the supply of generation capacity needed to serve load is tightest. MISO is now embarking on a larger scale reassessment of its overall accreditation practices, including accreditation of renewable resources. Due to their magnitude and, with respect to the changes already made, the speed with which they have been implemented, these changes carry risk, including compliance risk, and may result in material additional costs being passed through to the Utility operating companies’ customers in retail rates, including but not limited to additional capacity costs incurred in the annual MISO Planning Resource Auction. Due to their magnitude and the speed with which they have been implemented, these changes carry risk, including compliance risk, and may result in material additional costs being passed through to the Utility operating companies’ customers in retail rates, including but not limited to additional capacity costs incurred in the annual MISO Planning Resource Auction. Also, by virtue of the Utility operating companies’ participation in MISO and the design and terms of the MISO resource adequacy construct, other load-serving entities served by the Utility operating companies’ transmission assets, which are under MISO’s functional control, may be able to circumvent reasonable resource planning obligations and avoid, in whole or in part, the full cost of procuring the resources reasonably needed to reliably supply their respective loads. In particular, the design of the current MISO resource adequacy construct and the absence of a minimum capacity obligation in MISO create a risk of other load-serving entities engaging in “free ridership” through their strategy for participation in the MISO resource adequacy construct and energy and ancillary services markets – specifically, by using energy and ancillary services available from the Utility operating companies’ owned and controlled generating units without paying a reasonable share of the cost of the capacity required to provide such energy and ancillary services. As a result, there are a variety of risks to the Utility operating companies and their customers, including the risk of bearing additional costs for resources needed to ensure reliable service, the risk of reduced reliability and the enhanced risk of outages and lost sales which, because of the methodology for establishing cost of service rates, presents the risk of upward pressure on the Utility operating companies’ rates.In addition, a large volume of parties and individual generation resources are presently seeking to interconnect to the transmission system MISO administers and over which MISO exercises functional control. Due to the resources and time required to study and evaluate these numerous interconnection requests, including the effects of speculative requests and requests that are withdrawn at late stages of the process, the current MISO interconnection queue to review new requests is subject to significant delays or periods in which MISO does not accept new interconnection requests. These delays present risks to the Utility operating companies and their ability to develop and procure new generation resources to serve their respective loads.For additional information on MISO regulation and the Utility operating companies’ membership in MISO, see “Federal Regulation of the Utility – Transmission and MISO Markets” section of Part I, Item 1.Entergy’s and the Utility operating companies’ business, results of operations, and financial condition could be adversely affected by events beyond their control, such as public health crises, natural disasters, geopolitical tensions, or other catastrophic events.Entergy’s reported costs of providing these benefits, as described in Note 11 to the financial statements, are affected by numerous factors including the provisions of the plans, changing employee demographics, and various actuarial calculations, assumptions, and accounting mechanisms. Entergy and the Utility operating companies could be adversely affected by various events beyond their control, including, without limitation, public health crises, natural disasters, geopolitical tensions and other political instability, or other catastrophic events. Any of the foregoing, whether occurring locally, nationally, or globally, and the resulting effects thereof could lead to disruption of the general economy, impacts on the customers of the Utility operating companies, and disruption of the operations of Entergy’s subsidiaries, due to, among other things:•supply chain, vendor, and contractor disruptions, including shortages or delays in the availability of key components, parts, and supplies such as electronic components and solar panels;•delays in completion of capital or other construction projects, maintenance, and other operations activities, including prolonged or delayed refueling and maintenance outages;•adverse impacts on liquidity and cash flows, including through declining sales, reduced revenues, delays in receipts of customer payments, or increased bad debt expense;•delays in regulatory proceedings;•regulatory outcomes that require the Utility operating companies to postpone planned investments and otherwise reduce costs due to, for example, the impact of a public health crises or such other catastrophic events on their customers;288Table of ContentsPart I Item 1A, 1B, and 1CEntergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System Energy•workforce availability challenges, including, for example, from infections, health, or safety issues resulting from a public health crisis;•increased storm recovery costs;•increased cybersecurity risks as a result of many employees telecommuting;•volatility in the credit or capital markets (and any related increased cost of capital or any inability to access the capital markets or draw on available credit facilities on favorable terms), which could in turn, cause a decrease in the value of its defined benefit pension or decommissioning trust funds;•adverse impacts on Entergy’s credit metrics or ratings;•governmental mandates in response to any such event; or•other adverse impacts on their ability to execute on business strategies and initiatives. New legislation or regulations applicable to 285Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System Energystationary sources could take the form of market-based cap-and-trade programs, direct requirements for the installation of air emission controls onto air emission sources, or other or combined regulatory programs;•efforts in Congress or at the EPA to establish a federal carbon dioxide emission tax, control structure, or unit performance standards;•revisions to the estimates of the Social Cost of Carbon and its use for regulatory impact analysis of federal laws and regulations;•implementation of the regional cap and trade programs to limit carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases;•efforts on the local, state, and federal level to codify renewable portfolio standards, clean energy standards, or a similar mechanism requiring utilities to produce or purchase a certain percentage of their power from defined renewable energy sources or energy sources with lower emissions;•efforts to develop more stringent state water quality standards, effluent limitations for Entergy’s industry sector, stormwater runoff control regulations, and cooling water intake structure requirements;•efforts to restrict the previously-approved continued use of oil-filled equipment containing certain levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs);•efforts by certain external groups to encourage reporting and disclosure of environmental, social, and governance risk;•the listing of additional species as threatened or endangered, the protection of critical habitat for these species, and developments in the legal protection of eagles and migratory birds;•the regulation of the management, disposal, and beneficial reuse of coal combustion residuals; and•the regulation of the management and disposal and recycling of equipment associated with renewable and clean energy sources such as used solar panels, wind turbine blades, hydrogen usage, or battery storage. To the extent any of these events occur, the business, results of operations, and financial condition of Entergy and the Utility operating companies could be adversely affected.(Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, and Entergy Texas)A delay or failure in recovering amounts for storm restoration costs incurred as a result of severe weather, the impact on customer bills of permitted storm cost recovery, or the inability to securitize future storm restoration costs could have material effects on Entergy and its Utility operating companies.Entergy’s and its Utility operating companies’ results of operations, liquidity, and financial condition can be materially affected by the destructive effects of severe weather. Severe weather can also result in significant outages for the customers of the Utility operating companies and, therefore, reduced revenues for the Utility operating companies during the period of the outages. A delay or failure in recovering amounts for storm restoration costs incurred, inability to securitize future storm restoration costs, or loss of revenues as a result of severe weather could have a material effect on Entergy and those Utility operating companies affected by severe weather, including lower credit ratings and, thus, higher costs for future debt issuances. The inability to recover losses either excluded by insurance or in excess of the insurance limits that can be secured economically also could have a material effect on Entergy and its Utility operating companies. In addition, the recovery of major storm restoration costs from customers could effectively limit our ability to make planned capital or other investments due to the impact of such storm cost recovery on customer bills, especially in a rising cost environment.Weather, economic conditions, technological developments, and other factors may have a material impact on electricity and gas sales and otherwise materially affect the Utility operating companies’ results of operations and system reliability.•Weather, economic conditions, technological developments, and other factors may have a material impact on electricity and gas usage and otherwise materially affect the Utility operating companies’ results of operations. Temperatures above normal levels in the summer tend to increase electric cooling demand and revenues, and temperatures below normal levels in the winter tend to increase electric and gas heating demand and revenues. As a corollary, mild temperatures in either season tend to decrease energy usage and resulting revenues. Higher consumption levels coupled with seasonal pricing differentials typically cause the Utility operating companies to report higher revenues in the third quarter of the fiscal year than in the other quarters. Changing weather patterns and extreme weather conditions, including hurricanes or tropical storms, droughts, wildfires, flooding events, or ice storms, the frequency or intensity of which may be exacerbated by climate change, may stress the Utility operating companies’ generation facilities and transmission and distribution systems, resulting in increased maintenance and capital costs (and potential increased financing needs), limits on their ability to meet peak customer demand, increased regulatory oversight, criticism or adverse publicity, and reduced customer satisfaction. Changing weather patterns and extreme weather conditions, including hurricanes or tropical storms, flooding events, or ice storms, the frequency or intensity of which may be exacerbated by climate change, may stress the Utility operating companies’ generation facilities and transmission and distribution systems, resulting in increased maintenance and capital costs (and potential increased financing needs), limits on their ability to meet peak customer demand, increased regulatory oversight, criticism or adverse publicity, and reduced customer satisfaction. These extreme conditions could have a material effect on the Utility operating companies’ financial condition, results of operations, and liquidity.Entergy’s electricity sales volumes are affected by a number of factors including weather and economic conditions, trends in energy efficiency, new technologies, and self-generation alternatives, including the willingness 289Table of ContentsPart I Item 1A, 1B, and 1CEntergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System Energyand ability of large industrial customers to develop co-generation facilities that greatly reduce their grid demand.Entergy’s electricity sales volumes are affected by a number of factors including weather and economic conditions, trends in energy efficiency, new technologies, and self-generation alternatives, including the willingness and ability of large industrial customers to develop co-generation facilities that greatly reduce their grid demand. In addition, changes to regulatory policies, such as those that allow customers to directly access the market to procure wholesale energy or those that incentivize development and utilization of new, developing, or alternative sources of generation, could, and in some instances, have reduced sales, and other non-traditional procurements, such as virtual purchase power agreements, could, and in some instances have limited growth opportunities or reduced sales at the Utility operating companies. Some of these factors are inherently cyclical or temporary in nature, such as the weather or economic conditions, and typically do not have a long-lasting effect on Entergy’s operating results. Some of these factors are inherently cyclical or temporary in nature, such as the weather or economic conditions, and rarely have a long-lasting effect on Entergy’s operating results. Others, such as the organic turnover of appliances and lighting and their replacement with more efficient ones and adoption of newer technologies, including smart thermostats, new building codes, distributed energy resources, energy storage, demand side management, and rooftop solar, are having a more permanent effect by reducing sales growth rates from historical norms. As a result of these emerging efficiencies and technologies, the Utility operating companies may lose customers or experience lower average use per customer in the residential and commercial classes, and continuing advances have the potential to further limit sales or sales growth in the future.The Utility operating companies also may face competition from other companies offering products and services to Entergy’s customers. Electricity sales to industrial customers, in particular, benefit from steady economic growth and favorable commodity markets; however, industrial sales are sensitive to changes in conditions in the markets in which its customers operate. Negative changes in any of these or other factors, particularly sustained economic downturns or sluggishness, have the potential to result in slower sales growth or sales declines and increased bad debt expense, which could materially affect Entergy’s and the Utility operating companies’ results of operations, financial condition, and liquidity. The Utility operating companies also may not realize anticipated or expected growth in industrial sales, such as from electrification opportunities to help such customers achieve their environmental and sustainability goals. The Utility operating companies also may not realize anticipated or expected growth in industrial sales from electrification opportunities to help such customers achieve their environmental and sustainability goals. This could occur because of changes in customers’ goals or business priorities, competition from other companies, or decisions by such customers to seek to achieve such goals through methods not offered by Entergy.Nuclear Operating, Shutdown, and Regulatory Risks(Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, and System Energy)Certain of the Utility operating companies and System Energy are expected to consistently operate their nuclear power plants at high capacity factors in order to be successful, and lower capacity factors could materially affect Entergy’s and their results of operations, financial condition, and liquidity.Nuclear capacity factors significantly affect the results of operations of certain Utility operating companies and System Energy. Nuclear plant operations involve substantial fixed operating costs. Consequently, there is pressure on plant owners to operate nuclear power plants at higher capacity factors, though such operations always must be consistent with safety, reliability, and nuclear regulatory requirements. For the Utility operating companies that own nuclear plants, lower nuclear plant capacity factors can increase production costs by requiring the affected companies to generate additional energy, sometimes at higher costs, from their owned or contractually controlled facilities or purchase additional energy in the spot or forward markets in order to satisfy their supply needs.Certain of the Utility operating companies and System Energy periodically shut down their nuclear power plants to replenish fuel. Plant maintenance and upgrades are often scheduled during such refueling outages. If refueling outages last longer than anticipated or if unplanned outages arise, Entergy’s and their results of operations, financial condition, and liquidity could be materially affected.Outages at nuclear power plants to replenish fuel require the plant to be “turned off.” Refueling outages generally are planned to occur once every 18 to 24 months. Plant maintenance and upgrades are often scheduled during such planned outages, which may extend the planned outage duration beyond that required for only refueling activities. When refueling outages last longer than anticipated or a plant experiences unplanned outages, capacity factors decrease, and maintenance costs may increase.290Table of ContentsPart I Item 1A, 1B, and 1CEntergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System EnergyCertain of the Utility operating companies and System Energy face risks related to the purchase of uranium fuel (and its conversion, enrichment, and fabrication).270Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System EnergyIn the case of Entergy Arkansas and Entergy Louisiana, payments are also recovered through sales of electricity from their respective retained shares of Grand Gulf. These risks could materially affect Entergy’s and their results of operations, financial condition, and liquidity.Based upon currently planned fuel cycles, Entergy’s nuclear units have a diversified portfolio of contracts and inventory that provides substantially adequate nuclear fuel materials and conversion and enrichment services at what Entergy believes are reasonably predictable prices through the end of 2027. Entergy’s ability to purchase nuclear fuel at reasonably predictable prices, however, depends upon the performance reliability of uranium miners. While there are a number of possible alternate suppliers that may be accessed to mitigate any supplier performance failure, the pricing of any such alternate uranium supply from the market will be dependent upon the market for uranium supply at that time. Entergy buys uranium from a diversified mix of sellers located in a diversified mix of countries, and from time to time purchases from nearly all qualified reliable major market participants worldwide that sell into the U.S. Market prices for nuclear fuel have been extremely volatile from time to time in the past and may be subject to increased volatility due to the imposition of tariffs, domestic purchase requirements, supply chain disruptions, limitations or bans on importation of uranium or uranium products from foreign countries, evolving geopolitical conditions such as the wars between Russia and Ukraine and Israel and Hamas, the Nigerien coup, or shifting trade arrangements or sanctions between countries. Market prices for nuclear fuel have been extremely volatile from time to time in the past and may be subject to increased volatility due to the imposition of tariffs, domestic purchase requirements or limitations on importation of uranium or uranium products from foreign countries, geopolitical conditions, or shifting trade arrangements between countries. Although Entergy’s nuclear fuel contract portfolio provides a degree of hedging against market risks for several years, costs for nuclear fuel in the future cannot be predicted with certainty due to inherent market uncertainties, as well as uncertainties arising from geopolitical conflicts, and price changes could materially affect the liquidity, financial condition, and results of operations of certain of the Utility operating companies and System Energy. Although Entergy’s nuclear fuel contract portfolio provides a degree of hedging against market risks for several years, costs for nuclear fuel in the future cannot be predicted with certainty due to normal inherent market uncertainties, and price changes could materially affect the liquidity, financial condition, and results of operations of certain of the Utility operating companies and System Energy. Entergy’s ability to assure uninterrupted nuclear fuel supply also depends upon the performance and reliability of conversion, enrichment, and fabrication services providers.Entergy’s ability to assure nuclear fuel supply also depends upon the performance and reliability of conversion, enrichment, and fabrication services providers. These service providers are fewer in number than uranium suppliers. For conversion and enrichment services, Entergy diversifies its supply by supplier and country and may take special measures to ensure a reliable supply of enriched uranium for fabrication into nuclear fuel. For fabrication services, each plant is dependent upon the performance of the fabricator of that plant’s nuclear fuel; therefore, Entergy relies upon additional monitoring, inspection, and oversight of the fabrication process to assure reliability and quality of its nuclear fuel. For fabrication services, each plant is dependent upon the effective performance of the fabricator of that plant’s nuclear fuel, therefore, Entergy provides additional monitoring, inspection, and oversight for the fabrication process to assure reliability and quality. Certain of the suppliers and service providers are located in or dependent upon foreign countries, such as Russia, and international sanctions or tariffs impacting trade with such countries could further restrict the ability of such suppliers or service providers to continue to supply fuel or provide such services at acceptable prices or at all. While such suppliers have performed as expected to date, the future inability of suppliers to perform such obligations could materially affect the liquidity, financial condition, and results of operations of certain of the Utility operating companies and System Energy. The inability of such suppliers or service providers to perform such obligations could materially affect the liquidity, financial condition, and results of operations of certain of the Utility operating companies and System Energy. Certain of the Utility operating companies and System Energy face the risk that the NRC will change or modify its regulations, suspend or revoke their licenses, or increase oversight of their nuclear plants, which could materially affect Entergy’s and their results of operations, financial condition, and liquidity.Under the Atomic Energy Act and Energy Reorganization Act, the NRC regulates the operation of nuclear power plants. The NRC may modify, suspend, or revoke licenses, shut down a nuclear facility and impose civil penalties for failure to comply with the Atomic Energy Act, related regulations, or the terms of the licenses for nuclear facilities. Interested parties may also intervene in pending proceedings, which could result in prolonged proceedings. Interested parties may also intervene which could result in prolonged proceedings. A change in the Atomic Energy Act, other applicable statutes, or the applicable regulations or licenses, or the NRC’s interpretation thereof, may require a substantial increase in capital expenditures or may result in increased operating or decommissioning costs and could materially affect the results of operations, liquidity, or financial condition of Entergy, certain of the Utility operating companies, or System Energy. A change in the classification of a plant owned by one of these companies under the NRC’s Reactor Oversight Process, which is the NRC’s program to collect information about plant performance, assess the information for its safety significance, and provide for appropriate licensee and NRC response, also could cause the owner of the plant to incur material additional costs as a result of the increased oversight activity and potential response costs associated with the 291Table of ContentsPart I Item 1A, 1B, and 1CEntergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System Energychange in classification. A change in the classification of a plant owned by one of these companies under the NRC’s Reactor Oversight Process, which is the NRC’s program to collect information about plant performance, assess the information for its safety significance, and provide for appropriate licensee and NRC response, also could cause the owner of the plant to incur material additional costs as a result of the increased oversight activity and potential response costs associated with the change in classification. For additional information concerning the current classification of the plants owned by Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, and System Energy, see “Regulation of Entergy’s Business - Regulation of the Nuclear Power Industry - NRC Reactor Oversight Process” in Part I, Item 1.Events at nuclear plants owned by one of these companies, as well as those owned by others, may lead to a change in laws or regulations or the terms of the applicable licenses, or the NRC’s interpretation thereof, or may cause the NRC to increase oversight activity or initiate actions to modify, suspend, or revoke licenses, shut down a nuclear facility, or impose civil penalties. As a result, if an incident were to occur at any nuclear generating unit, whether an Entergy nuclear generating unit or not, it could materially affect the financial condition, results of operations, and liquidity of Entergy, certain of the Utility operating companies, or System Energy.Certain of the Utility operating companies and System Energy are exposed to risks and costs related to operating and maintaining their nuclear power plants, and their failure to maintain operational efficiency at their nuclear power plants could materially affect Entergy’s and their results of operations, financial condition, and liquidity.The nuclear generating units owned by certain of the Utility operating companies and System Energy began commercial operations in the 1970s-1980s. Older equipment may require more capital expenditures to keep each of these nuclear power plants operating safely and efficiently. This equipment is also likely to require periodic upgrading and improvement. Any unexpected failure, including failure associated with breakdowns, forced outages, or any unanticipated capital expenditures, could result in increased costs, some of which costs may not be fully recoverable by these Utility operating companies and System Energy in regulatory proceedings should there be a determination of imprudence. Operations at any of the nuclear generating units owned and operated by Entergy’s subsidiaries could degrade to the point where the affected unit needs to be shut down or operated at less than full capacity. If this were to happen, identifying and correcting the causes may require significant time and expense. A decision may be made to close a unit rather than incur the expense of restarting it or returning the unit to full capacity. For these Utility operating companies and System Energy, this could result in certain costs being stranded and potentially not fully recoverable in regulatory proceedings. For these Utility operating companies and System Energy, this could result in certain costs being stranded 299Table of ContentsPart I Item 1A and 1BEntergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System Energyand potentially not fully recoverable in regulatory proceedings. In addition, the operation and maintenance of Entergy’s nuclear facilities require the commitment of substantial human resources that can result in increased costs.Moreover, Entergy is becoming more dependent on fewer suppliers for key parts of Entergy’s nuclear power plants that may need to be replaced or refurbished, and in some cases, parts are no longer available and have to be reverse-engineered for replacement. In addition, certain major parts have long lead-times to manufacture if an unplanned replacement is needed. This dependence on a reduced number of suppliers and long lead-times on certain major parts for unplanned replacements could result in delays in obtaining qualified replacement parts and, therefore, greater expense for certain of the Utility operating companies and System Energy.The costs associated with the storage of the spent nuclear fuel of certain of the Utility operating companies and System Energy, as well as the costs of and their ability to fully decommission their nuclear power plants, could be significantly affected by the timing of the opening of a spent nuclear fuel disposal facility, as well as interim storage and transportation requirements.Certain of the Utility operating companies and System Energy incur costs for the on-site storage of spent nuclear fuel. The approval of a license for a national repository for the disposal of spent nuclear fuel, such as the one proposed for Yucca Mountain, Nevada, or any interim storage facility, and the timing of such facility opening, will significantly affect the costs associated with on-site storage of spent nuclear fuel. For example, while the DOE is required by law to proceed with the licensing of the Yucca Mountain repository and, after the license is granted by the NRC, to construct the repository and commence the receipt of spent fuel, the NRC licensing of the Yucca Mountain repository is effectively at a standstill. For example, while the DOE is required by law to proceed with the licensing of Yucca Mountain and, after the license is granted by the NRC, to construct the repository and commence the receipt of spent fuel, the NRC licensing of the Yucca Mountain repository is effectively at a standstill. These actions are prolonging the time before spent fuel is removed from Entergy’s plant sites. Because the DOE has not accomplished its objectives, it is in non-compliance with the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 and is in partial breach of its spent fuel disposal contracts, and Entergy has sued the DOE for such breach. Because the DOE has not accomplished its objectives, it is in non-compliance with the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 and has breached its spent fuel disposal contracts, and Entergy has sued the DOE for such breach. Furthermore, Entergy is uncertain as to when the DOE will commence acceptance of 292Table of ContentsPart I Item 1A, 1B, and 1CEntergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System Energyspent fuel from its facilities for storage or disposal. As a result, continuing future expenditures will be required to increase spent fuel storage capacity at the companies’ nuclear sites and maintenance costs on existing storage facilities, including aging management of fuel storage casks, may increase. The costs of on-site storage are also affected by regulatory requirements for such storage. In addition, the availability of a repository or other off-site storage facility for spent nuclear fuel may affect the ability to fully decommission the nuclear units and the costs relating to decommissioning. For further information regarding spent fuel storage, see the “Critical Accounting Estimates – Nuclear Decommissioning Costs – Spent Fuel Disposal” section of Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis for Entergy, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, and System Energy and Note 8 to the financial statements.Certain of the Utility operating companies and System Energy may be required to pay substantial retrospective premiums imposed under the Price-Anderson Act and/or by Nuclear Electric Insurance Limited (NEIL) in the event of a nuclear incident, and losses not covered by insurance could have a material effect on Entergy’s and their results of operations, financial condition, or liquidity.Accidents and other unforeseen problems at nuclear power plants have occurred both in the United States and elsewhere. As required by the Price-Anderson Act, the Utility operating companies and System Energy carry the maximum available amount of primary nuclear off-site liability insurance with American Nuclear Insurers, which as of January 1, 2024 is $500 million for each operating site. Claims for any nuclear incident exceeding that amount are covered under Secondary Financial Protection. The Price-Anderson Act limits each reactor owner’s public liability (off-site) for a single nuclear incident to the payment of retrospective premiums into a secondary insurance pool, which is referred to as Secondary Financial Protection, up to approximately $165.9 million per reactor. With 95 reactors currently participating, this translates to a total public liability cap of approximately $15. With 96 reactors currently participating, this translates to a total public liability cap of approximately $13 billion per incident. 8 billion per incident. The limit is subject to change to account for the effects of inflation, a change in the primary limit of insurance coverage, and changes in the number of licensed reactors. As a result, in the event of a nuclear incident that causes damages (off-site) in excess of the primary insurance coverage, each owner of a nuclear plant reactor, including Entergy’s Utility operating companies and System Energy, regardless of fault or proximity to the incident, will be required to pay a retrospective premium, equal to its proportionate share of the loss in excess of the primary insurance level, up to a maximum of approximately $165. As a result, in the event of a nuclear incident that causes damages (off-site) in excess of the primary insurance coverage, each owner of a nuclear plant reactor, including Entergy’s Utility operating companies and System Energy, regardless of fault or proximity to the incident, will be required to 300Table of ContentsPart I Item 1A and 1BEntergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System Energypay a retrospective premium, equal to its proportionate share of the loss in excess of the primary insurance level, up to a maximum of approximately $137. 9 million per reactor per incident (Entergy’s maximum total contingent obligation per incident is approximately $830 million).6 million per reactor per incident (Entergy’s maximum total contingent obligation per incident is $688 million). The retrospective premium payment is currently limited to approximately $25 million per year per incident per reactor until the aggregate public liability for each licensee is paid up to the $165.9 million cap.6 million cap. NEIL is a utility industry mutual insurance company, owned by its members, including the Utility operating companies and System Energy. NEIL provides onsite property and decontamination coverage. All member plants could be subject to an annual assessment (retrospective premium of up to 10 times current annual premium for all policies) should the NEIL surplus (reserve) be significantly depleted due to insured losses. As of April 1, 2023, the maximum annual assessment amounts total approximately $70 million for the Utility plants. As of January 1, 2023, the maximum annual assessment amounts total approximately $70 million for the Utility plants. As mentioned above, as an owner of nuclear power plants, Entergy participates in industry self-insurance programs and could be liable to fund claims should a plant owned by a different company experience a major event. Any resulting liability from a nuclear accident may exceed the applicable primary insurance coverage and require contribution of additional funds through the industry-wide program that could significantly affect the results of operations, financial condition, or liquidity of Entergy, certain of the Utility operating companies, or System Energy.293Table of ContentsPart I Item 1A, 1B, and 1CEntergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System EnergyThe decommissioning trust fund assets for the nuclear power plants owned by certain of the Utility operating companies and System Energy may not be adequate to meet decommissioning obligations if market performance and other changes decrease the value of assets in the decommissioning trusts, if one or more of Entergy’s nuclear power plants is retired earlier than the anticipated shutdown date, if the plants cost more to decommission than estimated, or if current regulatory requirements change, which then could require significant additional funding.301Table of ContentsPart I Item 1A and 1BEntergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System EnergyFurther, federal or state regulatory changes, including mandated increases in decommissioning funding or changes in the methods or standards for decommissioning operations, may also increase the funding requirements of, or accelerate the timing for funding of, the obligations related to the decommissioning of the nuclear generating plant owned by certain of the Utility operating companies or System Energy or may restrict the decommissioning-related costs that can be paid from the decommissioning trusts. Owners of nuclear generating plants have an obligation to decommission those plants. Certain of the Utility operating companies and System Energy maintain decommissioning trust funds for this purpose. Certain of the Utility operating companies and System Energy collect funds from their customers, which are deposited into the trusts covering the units operated for or on behalf of those companies. Those rate collections, as adjusted from time to time by rate regulators, are generally based upon operating license lives and trust fund balances as well as estimated trust fund earnings and decommissioning costs. Assets in these trust funds are subject to market fluctuations, will yield uncertain returns that may fall below projected return rates, and may result in losses resulting from the recognition of impairments of the value of certain securities held in these trust funds.Under NRC regulations, nuclear plant owners are permitted to project the NRC-required decommissioning amount, based on an NRC formula or a site-specific estimate, and the amount that will be available in each nuclear power plant’s decommissioning trusts combined with any other decommissioning financial assurances in place. The projections are made based on the operating license expiration date and the mid-point of the subsequent decommissioning process, or the anticipated actual completion of decommissioning if a site-specific estimate is used. If the projected amount of each individual plant’s decommissioning trusts exceeds the NRC-required decommissioning amount, then its NRC license termination decommissioning obligations are considered to be funded in accordance with NRC regulations. If the projected costs do not sufficiently reflect the actual costs required to decommission these nuclear power plants, or if funding is otherwise inadequate, or if the formula, formula inputs, or site-specific estimate is changed to require increased funding, additional resources or commitments would be required. If the projected costs do not sufficiently reflect the actual costs required to decommission these nuclear power plants, or funding is otherwise inadequate, or if the formula, formula inputs, or site-specific estimate is changed to require increased funding, additional resources or commitments would be required. Furthermore, depending upon the level of funding available in the trust funds, the NRC may not permit the trust funds to be used to pay for related costs such as the management of spent nuclear fuel that are not included in the NRC’s formula. The NRC may also require a plan for the provision of separate funding for spent fuel management costs.Further, federal or state regulatory changes, including mandated increases in decommissioning funding or changes in the methods or standards for decommissioning operations, may also increase the funding requirements of, or accelerate the timing for funding of, the obligations related to the decommissioning of the nuclear generating plant owned by certain of the Utility operating companies or System Energy or may restrict the decommissioning-related costs that can be paid from the decommissioning trusts.The decommissioning trust fund assets for the nuclear power plants owned by certain of the Utility operating companies and System Energy may not be adequate to meet decommissioning obligations if market performance and other changes decrease the value of assets in the decommissioning trusts, if one or more of Entergy’s nuclear power plants is retired earlier than the anticipated shutdown date, if the plants cost more to decommission than estimated, or if current regulatory requirements change, which then could require significant additional funding. Such changes also could result in the need for additional contributions to decommissioning trusts, or the posting of parent guarantees, letters of credit, or other surety mechanisms. As a result, under any of these circumstances, the results of operations, liquidity, and financial condition of Entergy, certain of the Utility operating companies, or System Energy could be materially affected.An early plant shutdown (either generally or relative to current expectations), poor investment results, or higher than anticipated decommissioning costs (including as a result of changing regulatory requirements) could cause trust fund assets to be insufficient to meet the decommissioning obligations, with the result that certain of the Utility operating companies or System Energy may be required to provide significant additional funds or credit support to satisfy regulatory requirements for decommissioning, which, with respect to these Utility operating companies or System Energy, may not be recoverable from customers in a timely fashion or at all.For further information regarding nuclear decommissioning costs, see the “Critical Accounting Estimates - Nuclear Decommissioning Costs” section of Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis for Entergy, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, and System Energy, and Notes 9 and 16 to the financial statements. For further information regarding spent fuel storage, see the “Critical Accounting Estimates – Nuclear Decommissioning Costs – Spent Fuel Disposal” section of Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis for Entergy, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, and System Energy and Note 8 to the financial statements. 294Table of ContentsPart I Item 1A, 1B, and 1CEntergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System EnergyNew or existing safety concerns regarding operating nuclear power plants and nuclear fuel could lead to restrictions upon the operation and decommissioning of Entergy’s nuclear power plants.New and existing concerns are being expressed in public forums about the safety of nuclear generating units and nuclear fuel. These concerns have led to, and may continue to lead to, various proposals to federal regulators and governing bodies in some localities where Entergy’s subsidiaries own nuclear generating units for legislative and regulatory changes that might lead to the shutdown of nuclear units, additional requirements or restrictions related to spent nuclear fuel on-site storage and eventual disposal, or other adverse effects on owning, operating, and decommissioning nuclear generating units. Entergy vigorously responds to these concerns and proposals. If any of the existing proposals, or any proposals that may arise in the future with respect to legislative and regulatory changes, become effective, they could have a material effect on Entergy’s results of operations and financial condition.Business Risks(Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)Entergy and its Registrant Subsidiaries depend on access to the capital markets and, at times, may face potential liquidity constraints, which could make it more difficult to handle future contingencies such as natural disasters or substantial increases in gas and fuel prices.General Business(Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)Entergy and its Registrant Subsidiaries depend on access to the capital markets and, at times, may face potential liquidity constraints, which could make it more difficult to handle future contingencies such as natural disasters or substantial increases in gas and fuel prices. Disruptions in the capital and credit markets may adversely affect Entergy’s and its subsidiaries’ ability to meet liquidity needs, or to access capital to operate and grow their businesses, and the cost of capital. Disruptions in the capital and credit markets may adversely affect Entergy’s and its subsidiaries’ ability to meet liquidity needs, access capital and operate and grow their businesses, and the cost of capital. Entergy’s business is capital intensive and dependent upon its ability to access capital at reasonable rates and other terms. At times there are also spikes in the price for natural gas and other commodities that increase the liquidity requirements of the Utility operating companies. In addition, Entergy’s and the Registrant Subsidiaries’ liquidity needs could significantly increase in the event of a hurricane or other weather-related or unforeseen disaster similar to that experienced in Entergy’s service area with Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita in 2005, Hurricane Gustav and Hurricane Ike in 2008, Hurricane Isaac in 2012, Hurricane Laura, Hurricane Delta, and Hurricane Zeta in 2020, and Winter Storm Uri and Hurricane Ida in 2021. In addition, Entergy’s and the Registrant Subsidiaries’ liquidity needs could significantly increase in the event of a hurricane or other weather-related or unforeseen disaster similar to that experienced in Entergy’s service area with Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita in 2005, 302Table of ContentsPart I Item 1A and 1BEntergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System EnergyHurricane Gustav and Hurricane Ike in 2008, Hurricane Isaac in 2012, Hurricane Laura, Hurricane Delta, and Hurricane Zeta in 2020, and Winter Storm Uri and Hurricane Ida in 2021. The occurrence of one or more contingencies, including an adverse decision or a delay in regulatory recovery of fuel or purchased power costs or storm restoration costs, an acceleration of payments or decreased credit lines, less cash flow from operations than expected, changes in regulation or governmental policy (including tax and trade policy), or other unknown or unforeseen events, could cause the financing needs of Entergy and its subsidiaries to increase. In addition, accessing the debt capital markets more frequently in these situations may result in an increase in leverage. Material leverage increases could negatively affect the credit ratings of Entergy, the Utility operating companies, and System Energy, which in turn could negatively affect access to the capital markets.The inability to raise capital on favorable terms, particularly during times of high interest rates and inflation, and uncertainty or reduced liquidity in the capital markets, could negatively affect Entergy and its subsidiaries’ ability to maintain and to expand their businesses.The inability to raise capital on favorable terms, particularly during times of high interest rates, and uncertainty or reduced liquidity in the capital markets, could negatively affect Entergy and its subsidiaries’ ability to maintain and to expand their businesses. Access to capital markets could be restricted and/or borrowing costs could be increased due to certain sources of debt and equity capital being unwilling to invest in offerings to fund fossil fuel projects or companies that are impacted by extreme weather events, that rely on fossil fuels, or that are impacted by risks related to climate change. Factors beyond Entergy’s control may create uncertainty that could increase its cost of capital or impair its ability to access the capital markets, including the ability to draw on its bank credit facilities. These factors include depressed economic conditions, a recession, increasing interest rates, inflation, sanctions, trade restrictions, political instability, war, terrorism, and extreme volatility in the debt, equity, or credit markets. Entergy and its subsidiaries are unable to predict the degree of success they will have in renewing or replacing their credit facilities as they come up for renewal. Moreover, the size, terms, and covenants of any new credit facilities may not be comparable to, and may be more restrictive than, existing facilities. If Entergy and its subsidiaries are unable to access the credit and capital markets on terms that are reasonable, they may have to delay 295Table of ContentsPart I Item 1A, 1B, and 1CEntergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System Energyraising capital, issue shorter-term securities, and/or bear an unfavorable cost of capital, which, in turn, could impact their ability to grow their businesses, decrease earnings, significantly reduce financial flexibility, and/or limit Entergy Corporation’s ability to sustain its current common stock dividend level. If Entergy and its subsidiaries are unable to access the credit and capital markets on terms that are reasonable, they may have to delay raising capital, issue shorter-term securities, and/or bear an unfavorable cost of capital, which, in turn, could impact their ability to grow their businesses, decrease earnings, significantly reduce financial flexibility, and/or limit Entergy Corporation’s ability to sustain its current common stock dividend level. A downgrade in Entergy’s or its Registrant Subsidiaries’ credit ratings could negatively affect Entergy’s and its Registrant Subsidiaries’ ability to access capital or the cost of such capital and/or could require Entergy or its subsidiaries to post collateral, accelerate certain payments, or repay certain indebtedness.There are a number of factors that rating agencies evaluate to arrive at credit ratings for each of Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries, including each Registrant Subsidiary’s regulatory framework, ability to recover costs and earn returns, storm or climate risk exposure, diversification, and financial strength and liquidity. If one or more rating agencies downgrade Entergy’s or any of the Registrant Subsidiaries’ ratings, particularly below investment grade, borrowing costs would increase, the potential pool of investors and funding sources would likely decrease, and cash or letter of credit collateral demands may be triggered by the terms of a number of commodity contracts, leases, and other agreements.Most of Entergy’s and its subsidiaries’ suppliers and counterparties require sufficient creditworthiness to enter into transactions. If Entergy’s or the Registrant Subsidiaries’ ratings decline, particularly below investment grade, or if certain counterparties believe Entergy or the Utility operating companies are losing creditworthiness and demand adequate assurance under fuel, gas, and purchased power contracts, the counterparties may require posting of collateral in cash or letters of credit, prepayment for fuel, gas or purchased power or accelerated payment, or counterparties may decline business with Entergy or its subsidiaries.The reputation of Entergy or its Registrant Subsidiaries may be materially adversely affected by negative publicity or the inability to meet its stated goals or commitments, among other potential causes.Entergy or its Registrant Subsidiaries may be materially adversely affected by negative publicity or the inability to meet its stated goals or commitments, among other potential causes. As with any company, Entergy’s and its Registrant Subsidiaries’ reputations are an important element of their ability to effectively conduct their businesses. Entergy’s and its Registrant Subsidiaries’ reputations could be harmed by a variety of factors, including: failure of a generating asset or supporting infrastructure; failure to restore power after a hurricane or other severe weather event in a manner perceived as timely by regulators or customers; the incurrence of storm restoration costs perceived as excessive by regulators or customers; failure to effectively manage land and other natural resources; real or perceived violations of environmental regulations, including those related to climate change; real or perceived issues with Entergy’s safety culture or work environment; inability to meet their climate or human capital strategy goals, or failure to demonstrate meaningful progress toward such goals; inability to keep their electricity rates stable; inability to provide quality customer service, including timely and accurate billing; involvement in a class-action or other high-profile lawsuit; significant delays in construction projects; occurrence of or responses to cyber attacks, data breaches or physical- or cyber- security vulnerabilities; acts or omissions of Entergy management or acts or omissions of a contractor or other third party working with or for Entergy or its Registrant Subsidiaries, which actually or perceivably reflect negatively on Entergy or its Registrant Subsidiaries; measures taken to offset reductions in demand or to supply rising demand; a significant dispute with one of Entergy’s or its Registrant Subsidiaries’ customers or other stakeholders; or negative political and public sentiment resulting in a significant amount of adverse press coverage and other adverse statements affecting Entergy or its Registrant Subsidiaries. Entergy’s and its Registrant Subsidiaries’ reputations could be harmed by a variety of factors, including: failure of a generating asset or supporting infrastructure; failure to restore 303Table of ContentsPart I Item 1A and 1BEntergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System Energypower after a hurricane or other severe weather event in a manner perceived as timely by regulators or customers; the incurrence of storm restoration costs perceived as excessive by regulators or customers; failure to effectively manage land and other natural resources; real or perceived violations of environmental regulations, including those related to climate change; real or perceived issues with Entergy’s safety culture or work environment; inability to meet their climate or human capital strategy goals; inability to keep their electricity rates stable; involvement in a class-action or other high-profile lawsuit; significant delays in construction projects; occurrence of or responses to cyber attacks or security vulnerabilities; acts or omissions of Entergy management or acts or omissions of a contractor or other third-party working with or for Entergy or its Registrant Subsidiaries, which actually or perceivably reflect negatively on Entergy or its Registrant Subsidiaries; measures taken to offset reductions in demand or to supply rising demand; a significant dispute with one of Entergy’s or its Registrant Subsidiaries’ customers or other stakeholders; or negative political and public sentiment resulting in a significant amount of adverse press coverage and other adverse statements affecting Entergy or its Registrant Subsidiaries. Addressing any adverse publicity or regulatory scrutiny is time consuming and expensive and, regardless of the factual basis for the assertions being made (or lack thereof), can have a negative impact on the reputations of Entergy or its Registrant Subsidiaries, on the morale and performance of their employees, and on their relationships with their respective regulators, customers, investors, and commercial counterparties. Adverse publicity or regulatory scrutiny may also have a negative impact on Entergy or its Registrant Subsidiaries’ ability to take timely advantage of various business or market opportunities.296Table of ContentsPart I Item 1A, 1B, and 1CEntergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System EnergyDeterioration in Entergy’s or its Registrant Subsidiaries’ reputations may harm Entergy’s or its Registrant Subsidiaries’ relationships with their customers, regulators, and other stakeholders, may increase their cost of doing business, may interfere with its ability to attract and retain a qualified, inclusive, and diverse workforce, may impact Entergy’s or its Registrant Subsidiaries’ ability to raise debt capital, and may potentially lead to the enactment of new laws and regulations, or the modification of existing laws and regulations, that negatively affect the way Entergy or its Registrant Subsidiaries conduct their business, or may have a material adverse effect on their financial condition and results of operations. Deterioration in Entergy’s or its Registrant Subsidiaries’ reputations may harm Entergy’s or its Registrant Subsidiaries’ relationships with their customers, regulators, and other stakeholders, may increase their cost of doing business, may interfere with its ability to attract and retain a qualified, inclusive, and diverse workforce, may impact Entergy’s or its Registrant Subsidiaries’ ability to raise debt capital, and may potentially lead to the enactment of new laws and regulations, or the modification of existing laws and regulations, that negatively affect the way Entergy or its Registrant Subsidiaries conduct their business, or may have a material adverse effect on their financial condition and results of operations. Recent U.S. tax legislation may materially adversely affect Entergy’s financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 significantly changed the U.The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 and CARES Act of 2020 significantly changed the U. S. Internal Revenue Code, including taxation of U.S. corporations, by, among other things, reducing the federal corporate income tax rate, limiting interest deductions, and altering the expensing of capital expenditures. The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 further significantly changed the U.S. Internal Revenue Code by, among other things, enacting a new corporate alternative minimum tax and expanding federal tax credits for clean energy production. The interpretive guidance issued by the IRS and state tax authorities may be inconsistent with Entergy’s own interpretation and the legislation could be subject to amendments, which could lessen or increase certain impacts of the legislation. Further, changes in tax legislation or guidance, or uncertainties regarding interpretation of such tax legislation or guidance, could impact interpretation of and negotiations around certain contractual arrangements with counterparties, which could result in unfavorable changes to such arrangements or delays. In addition, the retail regulatory treatment of the expanded tax credits and corporate alternative minimum tax included in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 could materially impact Entergy’s future cash flows, and this legislation and pending interpretive guidance could result in unintended consequences not yet identified that could have a material adverse impact on Entergy’s financial results and future cash flows. In addition, the retail regulatory treatment of the expanded tax credits and corporate alternative minimum tax included in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 could materially impact Entergy’s future cash flows, and this legislation could result in unintended consequences not yet identified that could have a material adverse impact on Entergy’s financial results and future cash flows. Based on initial IRS guidance and current internal forecasts, Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries may become subject to the corporate alternative minimum tax included in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 beginning in the next two to four years.The tax rate decrease included in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act required Entergy to record a regulatory liability for income taxes payable to customers. The tax rate decrease included in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act required Entergy to record a regulatory liability for income taxes payable to customers. Such regulatory liability for income taxes is described in Note 3 to the financial statements. Such regulatory liability for income taxes is described in Note 3 to the 304Table of ContentsPart I Item 1A and 1BEntergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System Energyfinancial statements. Depending on the outcome of IRS examinations or tax positions and elections that Entergy may make, Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries may be required to record additional charges or credits to income tax expense.See Note 3 to the financial statements for discussion of the effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on 2023, 2022, and 2021 results of operations and financial condition, the provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and the uncertainties associated with accounting for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of the regulatory proceedings that have considered the effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. For further discussion of the effects of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, see the “Income Tax Legislation and Regulation” section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis and Note 3 to the financial statements. For further discussion of the effects of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, see the “Income Tax Legislation” section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis and Note 3 to the financial statements. Changes in taxation as well as the inherent difficulty in quantifying potential tax effects of business decisions could negatively impact Entergy’s and the Registrant Subsidiaries’ results of operations, financial condition, and liquidity.Entergy and its subsidiaries make judgments regarding the potential tax effects of various transactions and results of operations to estimate their obligations to taxing authorities, which judgment may prove to be incorrect or may be disputed by regulators or taxing authorities.Entergy and its subsidiaries make judgments regarding the potential tax effects of various transactions and results of operations to estimate their obligations to taxing authorities. These tax obligations include income, franchise, real estate, sales and use, and employment-related taxes. These judgments include provisions for potential adverse outcomes 297Table of ContentsPart I Item 1A, 1B, and 1CEntergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System Energyregarding tax positions that have been taken. Entergy and its subsidiaries also estimate their ability to utilize tax benefits, including those in the form of carryforwards for which the benefits have already been reflected in the financial statements. Changes in federal, state, or local tax laws or interpretive guidance relating thereto, adverse tax audit results or adverse tax rulings on positions taken by Entergy and its subsidiaries could negatively affect Entergy’s and the Registrant Subsidiaries’ results of operations, financial condition, and liquidity. The intended and unintended consequences of recently enacted legislation could have a material adverse impact on Entergy’s financial results and future cash flows. For further information regarding Entergy’s income taxes, see the “Income Tax Legislation and Regulation” section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis and Note 3 to the financial statements.Entergy and its subsidiaries’ ability to successfully execute on their business strategies, including their ability to complete strategic transactions, is subject to significant risks, and, as a result, they may be unable to achieve some or all of the anticipated results of such strategies, which could materially affect their future prospects, results of operations, and the realization of any anticipated benefits from such transactions.Entergy and its subsidiaries’ future prospects and results of operations significantly depend on their ability to successfully implement their business strategies, including achieving Entergy’s climate goals and commitments, which are subject to business, regulatory, economic, shareholder activism and other risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond their control. As a result, Entergy and its subsidiaries may be unable to fully achieve the anticipated results of such strategies.Additionally, Entergy and its subsidiaries have pursued and may continue to pursue strategic transactions including merger, acquisition, divestiture, joint venture, restructuring, or other strategic transactions. For example, each of Entergy Louisiana and Entergy New Orleans have entered into purchase and sale agreements to sell their respective regulated natural gas local distribution company businesses to a third-party. In addition, lawsuits have occurred or are reasonably expected against emitters of greenhouse gases alleging that these companies are liable for personal injuries and property damage caused by climate change. Also, a significant portion of Entergy’s utility business plan over the next several years includes the construction and/or purchase of a variety of solar facilities. For example, a significant portion of Entergy’s utility business plan over the next several years includes the construction and/or purchase of a variety of solar facilities. These or other transactions and plans are or may become subject to regulatory approval and other material conditions or contingencies, including increased costs or delays resulting from supply chain disruptions, import tariffs, and other issues. These or other transactions and plans are or may become subject to regulatory approval and other material conditions or contingencies, including increased costs or delays resulting from supply chain issues. The failure to complete these transactions or plans or any future strategic transaction successfully or on a timely basis could have an adverse effect on Entergy’s or its subsidiaries’ financial condition or results of operations and the market’s perception of Entergy’s ability to execute its strategy. Further, these transactions, and any completed or future strategic transactions, involve substantial risks, including the following:•acquired businesses or assets may not produce revenues, earnings, or cash flow at anticipated levels;•acquired businesses or assets could have environmental, permitting, or other problems for which contractual protections prove inadequate;•Entergy and/or its subsidiaries may assume liabilities that were not disclosed to them, that exceed their estimates, or for which their rights to indemnification from the seller are limited;•Entergy may experience issues integrating businesses into its internal controls over financial reporting;•the acquisition or disposition of a business could divert management’s attention from other business concerns;•Entergy and/or its subsidiaries may be unable to obtain the necessary regulatory or governmental approvals to close a transaction, such approvals may be granted subject to terms that are unacceptable, or Entergy or its subsidiaries otherwise may be unable to achieve anticipated regulatory treatment of any such transaction or acquired business or assets; and•Entergy or its subsidiaries otherwise may be unable to achieve the full strategic and financial benefits that they anticipate from the transaction, or such benefits may be delayed or may not occur at all. Further, these transactions, and any completed or future strategic transactions, involve substantial risks, including the following:•acquired businesses or assets may not produce revenues, earnings, or cash flow at anticipated levels;•acquired businesses or assets could have environmental, permitting, or other problems for which contractual protections prove inadequate;305Table of ContentsPart I Item 1A and 1BEntergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System Energy•Entergy and/or its subsidiaries may assume liabilities that were not disclosed to them, that exceed their estimates, or for which their rights to indemnification from the seller are limited;•Entergy may experience issues integrating businesses into its internal controls over financial reporting;•the disposition of a business could divert management’s attention from other business concerns;•Entergy and/or its subsidiaries may be unable to obtain the necessary regulatory or governmental approvals to close a transaction, such approvals may be granted subject to terms that are unacceptable, or Entergy or its subsidiaries otherwise may be unable to achieve anticipated regulatory treatment of any such transaction or acquired business or assets; and•Entergy or its subsidiaries otherwise may be unable to achieve the full strategic and financial benefits that they anticipate from the transaction, or such benefits may be delayed or may not occur at all. Entergy and its subsidiaries may not be successful in managing these or any other significant risks that they may encounter in acquiring or divesting a business, or engaging in other strategic transactions, which could have a material effect on their business, financial condition, or results of operations.298Table of ContentsPart I Item 1A, 1B, and 1CEntergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System EnergyThe completion of capital projects, including the construction of power generation facilities, and other capital improvements, involve substantial risks. Should such efforts be unsuccessful, the financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity of Entergy and the Utility operating companies could be materially affected.Entergy’s and the Utility operating companies’ ability to complete capital projects, including the construction of power generation facilities, or make other capital improvements, such as transmission and distribution infrastructure replacements or upgrades, in a timely and cost-effective manner and within budget is contingent upon many variables and subject to substantial risks.Entergy’s and the Utility operating companies’ ability to complete capital projects, including the construction of power generation facilities, or make other capital improvements, such as transmission and distribution infrastructure replacements or upgrades, in a timely manner and within budget is contingent upon many variables and subject to substantial risks. These variables include, but are not limited to, project management expertise, escalating costs for materials, labor, and environmental compliance, reliance on suppliers for timely and satisfactory performance, delays and cost increases, and supply chains and material constraints, including those that may result from major storm events, both within and outside of Entergy’s service area. These variables include, but are not limited to, project management expertise, escalating costs for materials, labor, and environmental compliance, reliance on suppliers for timely and satisfactory performance, continued pandemic-related delays and cost increases, and supply chains and material constraints, including those that may result from major storm events, both within and outside of Entergy’s service area. Delays in obtaining permits, challenges in securing sufficient land for the siting of solar panels and power generation facilities, shortages in materials and qualified labor, levels of public support or opposition, suppliers and contractors not performing as expected or required under their contracts and/or experiencing financial problems that inhibit their ability to fulfill their obligations under contracts, changes in the scope and timing of projects, poor quality initial cost estimates from contractors, the inability to raise capital on favorable terms, changes in commodity prices affecting revenue, fuel costs, or materials costs, downward changes in the economy, changes in law or regulation, including environmental compliance requirements, further direct and indirect trade and tariff issues, including those associated with imported solar panels, supply chain delays or disruptions, and other events beyond the control of the Utility operating companies may occur that may materially affect the schedule, cost, and performance of these projects. Delays in obtaining permits, challenges in securing sufficient land for the siting of solar panels, shortages in materials and qualified labor, levels of public support or opposition, suppliers and contractors not performing as expected or required under their contracts and/or experiencing financial problems that inhibit their ability to fulfill their obligations under contracts, changes in the scope and timing of projects, poor quality initial cost estimates from contractors, the inability to raise capital on favorable terms, changes in commodity prices affecting revenue, fuel costs, or materials costs, downward changes in the economy, changes in law or regulation, including environmental compliance requirements, further direct and indirect trade and tariff issues, including those associated with imported solar panels, supply chain delays or disruptions, and other events beyond the control of the Utility operating companies may occur that may materially affect the schedule, cost, and performance of these projects. If these projects or other capital improvements are significantly delayed or become subject to cost overruns or cancellation, Entergy and the Utility operating companies could incur additional costs and termination payments or face increased risk of potential write-off of the investment in the project. In addition, the Utility operating companies could be exposed to higher costs and market volatility, which could affect cash flow and cost recovery, should their respective regulators decline to approve the construction of the project or new generation needed to meet the reliability needs of customers at the lowest reasonable cost.For further information regarding capital expenditure plans and other uses of capital in connection with capital projects, including the potential construction and/or purchase of additional generation supply sources within the Utility operating companies’ service areas, see the “Capital Expenditure Plans and Other Uses of Capital” section of Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis for Entergy and each of the Registrant Subsidiaries.Failure to attract, retain and manage an appropriately qualified workforce could negatively affect Entergy or its subsidiaries’ results of operations.Entergy relies on a large and changing workforce, including employees, contractors, and temporary staffing.Entergy relies on a large and changing workforce of team members, including employees, contractors, and temporary staffing. Certain factors, such as an aging workforce, mismatching of skill sets for current and future needs, failing to appropriately anticipate future workforce needs, workforce impacts from public health concerns, challenges competing with other employers offering fully remote or more flexible work options, rising salary and other labor costs, unavailability of contract resources, and labor disputes and work disruptions may lead to operating challenges and increased costs. Certain factors, such as an aging workforce, mismatching of skill sets, failing to appropriately 306Table of ContentsPart I Item 1A and 1BEntergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System Energyanticipate future workforce needs, workforce impacts from public health concerns such as the COVID-19 pandemic and responsive measures, challenges competing with other employers offering fully remote work options, rising salary and other labor costs, or the unavailability of contract resources, may lead to operating challenges and increased costs. The challenges include inability to attract or retain talent, lack of resources, loss of knowledge base, and the time required for skill development. Costs, including costs for contractors to replace employees, productivity costs, and safety costs, may increase. In this case, costs, including costs for contractors to replace employees, productivity costs, and safety costs, may increase. Failure to hire and adequately train replacement employees, or the future availability and cost of contract labor, may adversely affect the ability to manage and operate the business, especially considering the specialized workforce needs associated with nuclear generation facilities and new skills required to develop and operate a modernized, technology-enabled, and lower carbon power grid. Failure to hire and adequately train replacement employees, or the future availability and cost of contract labor, may adversely affect the ability to manage and operate the business, especially considering the workforce needs associated with nuclear generation facilities and new skills required to develop and operate a modernized, technology-enabled, and lower carbon power grid. If Entergy and its subsidiaries are unable to successfully attract, retain, and manage an appropriately qualified workforce, their results of operations, financial position, and cash flows could be negatively affected.299Table of ContentsPart I Item 1A, 1B, and 1CEntergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System EnergyEntergy and its subsidiaries, including the Utility operating companies and System Energy, may incur substantial costs to fulfill their obligations related to environmental and other matters.246Table of ContentsPart I Item 1Entergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System Energy•A downgrade in Entergy’s or its Registrant Subsidiaries’ credit ratings could, among other things, negatively affect Entergy’s and its Registrant Subsidiaries’ ability to access capital and the cost of such capital. The businesses in which Entergy’s subsidiaries, including the Utility operating companies and System Energy, operate are subject to extensive environmental regulation by local, state, and federal authorities. These laws and regulations affect the manner in which the Utility operating companies and System Energy conduct their operations and make capital expenditures. These laws and regulations also affect how Entergy’s subsidiaries, including the Utility operating companies and System Energy, manage air emissions, discharges to water, wetlands impacts, solid and hazardous waste storage and disposal, cooling and service water intake, the protection of threatened and endangered species, certain migratory birds and eagles, hazardous materials transportation, and similar matters. Federal, state, and local authorities continually revise these laws and regulations, and the laws and regulations are subject to judicial interpretation and to the permitting and enforcement discretion vested in the implementing agencies. Developing and implementing plans for facility compliance with these requirements can lead to capital, personnel, and operation and maintenance expenditures. Violations of these requirements can subject the Utility operating companies and System Energy to enforcement actions, capital expenditures to bring existing facilities into compliance, additional operating costs or operating restrictions to achieve compliance, remediation and clean-up costs, civil penalties, and exposure to third parties’ claims for alleged health or property damages or for violations of applicable permits or standards. In addition, Entergy and its subsidiaries, including the Utility operating companies and System Energy, are subject to potential liability under these laws for the costs of remediation of environmental contamination of property now or formerly owned or operated by the Utility operating companies and System Energy and of property potentially contaminated by hazardous substances they generate. The Utility operating companies currently are involved in proceedings relating to sites where hazardous substances have been released and may be subject to additional proceedings in the future. Entergy’s subsidiaries, including the Utility operating companies and System Energy, have incurred and expect to incur significant costs related to environmental compliance.Emissions of nitrogen and sulfur oxides, mercury, particulates, greenhouse gases, and other regulated emissions from generating plants potentially are subject to increased regulation, controls, and mitigation expenses. In addition, existing environmental regulations and programs promulgated by the EPA often are challenged legally, or are revised or withdrawn by the EPA, sometimes resulting in large-scale changes to anticipated regulatory regimes and the resulting need to shift course, both operationally and economically, depending on the nature of the changes. Risks relating to global climate change, initiatives to regulate, or otherwise compel reductions of greenhouse gas emissions, and water availability issues are discussed below.Entergy and its subsidiaries may not be able to obtain or maintain all required environmental regulatory approvals. If there is a delay in obtaining any required environmental regulatory approvals, or if Entergy and its subsidiaries fail to obtain, maintain, or comply with any such approval, the operation of its facilities could be stopped or become subject to additional costs. For further information regarding environmental regulation and environmental matters, including Entergy’s response to climate change, see the “Regulation of Entergy’s Business – Environmental Regulation” section of Part I, Item 1.Environmental and regulatory obligations intended to combat the effects of climate change, including by compelling greenhouse gas emission reductions or reporting, increasing clean or renewable energy requirements, or placing a price on greenhouse gas emissions, or the achievement of voluntary climate commitments could materially affect the financial condition, results of operations, and liquidity of Entergy and Entergy’s subsidiaries, including the Utility operating companies and System Energy.In an effort to address climate change concerns, some federal, state, and local authorities are calling for additional laws and regulations aimed at known or suspected causes of climate change. For example, the EPA, various environmental interest groups, and other organizations have focused considerable attention on CO2 emissions from power generation facilities and their potential role in climate change. The EPA has promulgated regulations controlling greenhouse gas emissions from certain vehicles, and has proposed regulations for new, 300Table of ContentsPart I Item 1A, 1B, and 1CEntergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System Energyexisting, and significantly modified stationary sources of emissions, including electric generating units. Such regulations continue to evolve. Various states and regions of the U.S. have taken action to establish greenhouse gas limitations and trading programs. In Louisiana, the former Office of the Governor announced in 2020 the creation of a Climate Initiatives Task Force and issued an executive order that established a path to net-zero emissions by 2050, while in 2021, the City Council of New Orleans passed a renewable and clean portfolio standard that sets a goal of net-zero emissions by 2040 and absolute zero emissions by 2050. In Louisiana, the Office of the Governor announced the creation of a Climate Initiatives Task Force and issued an executive order that established a path to net-zero emissions by 2050 while the City Council of New Orleans passed a renewable and clean portfolio standard that sets a goal of net-zero emissions by 2040 and absolute zero emissions by 2050. The impact that continued changes in the governmental response to climate change risk and any judicial interpretation thereof will have on existing and pending environmental laws and regulations related to greenhouse gas emissions currently is unclear.Developing and implementing plans for compliance with greenhouse gas emissions reduction or reporting or clean/renewable energy requirements, or for achieving voluntary climate commitments can lead to additional capital, personnel, and operation and maintenance expenditures and could significantly affect the economic position of existing facilities and proposed projects. The operations of low or non-emitting generating units (such as nuclear units and solar facilities) at lower than expected capacity factors could require increased generation from higher emitting units, thus increasing Entergy’s greenhouse gas emission rate. The operations of low or non-emitting generating units (such as nuclear units) at lower than expected capacity factors could require increased generation from higher emitting units, thus increasing Entergy’s greenhouse gas emission rate. Moreover, long-term planning to meet environmental requirements can be negatively impacted and costs may increase to the extent laws and regulations change prior to full implementation. These requirements could, in turn, lead to changes in the planning or operations of balancing authorities or organized markets in areas where Entergy’s subsidiaries, including the Utility operating companies or System Energy, do business. Violations of such requirements may subject the Utility operating companies to enforcement actions, capital expenditures to bring existing facilities into compliance, additional operating costs or operating restrictions to achieve compliance, civil penalties, and exposure to third parties’ claims for alleged health or property damages or for violations of applicable permits or standards. Violations of such requirements may subject the Utility operating companies to enforcement actions, capital expenditures to bring existing facilities into compliance, additional operating costs or operating restrictions to achieve compliance, civil penalties, and exposure to third parties’ claims for alleged health 308Table of ContentsPart I Item 1A and 1BEntergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System Energyor property damages or for violations of applicable permits or standards. Further, real or perceived violations of environmental regulations, including those related to climate change, or inability to meet Entergy’s voluntary climate commitments, could negatively impact Entergy’s reputation or inhibit Entergy’s ability to pursue its decarbonization objectives. Further, real or perceived violations of environmental regulations, including those related to climate change, or inability to meet Entergy’s voluntary climate commitments, could adversely impact Entergy’s reputation or inhibit Entergy’s ability to pursue its decarbonization objectives. To the extent Entergy believes any of these costs are recoverable in rates, however, additional material rate increases for customers could be resisted by Entergy’s regulators and, in extreme cases, Entergy’s regulators might attempt to deny or defer timely recovery of these costs.Future changes in regulation or policies governing the reporting or emission of CO2 and other greenhouse gases or mix of generation sources could (i) result in significant additional costs to Entergy’s Utility operating companies, their suppliers, or customers, (ii) make some of Entergy’s electric generating units uneconomical to maintain or operate, (iii) result in the early retirement of generation facilities and stranded costs if Entergy’s Utility operating companies are unable to fully recover the costs and investment in generation, and (iv) increase the difficulty that Entergy and its Utility operating companies have with obtaining or maintaining required environmental regulatory approvals, each of which could materially affect the financial condition, results of operations, and liquidity of Entergy and its subsidiaries. In addition, lawsuits have occurred or are reasonably expected against emitters of greenhouse gases alleging that these companies are liable for personal injuries and property damage caused by climate change. These lawsuits may seek injunctive relief, monetary compensation, and punitive damages.In March 2019, Entergy voluntarily set a climate goal to achieve a 50 percent reduction in its carbon emission rate from the year 2000 by 2030. In September 2020, Entergy voluntarily committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. In November 2022, Entergy voluntarily set a climate goal to achieve 50 percent carbon-free energy capacity by 2030. Risks to achieving the 2030 and 2050 goals include, among other things, the ability to execute on renewable resource plans, regulatory approvals, customer demand for carbon-free energy that exceeds Entergy’s or its Utility operating companies’ ability to add lower carbon or carbon-free capacity, load growth, potential tariffs, carbon policy and regulation at the federal or state level, including mandates related to reliability standards, and supply chain costs and constraints. Risks to achieving the 2030 and 2050 goals include, among other things, the ability to execute on renewable resource plans, regulatory approvals, customer demand for carbon-free energy, potential tariffs, carbon policy and regulation, and supply chain costs and constraints. Technology research and development, innovation, and advancements in carbon-free generation are also critical to Entergy’s ability to achieve its 2050 commitment. Entergy cannot predict the ultimate impact of achieving these objectives, or the various implementation aspects, on its system reliability, or its results of operations, financial condition, or liquidity.301Table of ContentsPart I Item 1A, 1B, and 1CEntergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System EnergyThe physical effects of climate change could materially affect the financial condition, results of operations, and liquidity of Entergy and its subsidiaries.Potential physical risks from climate change include an increase in sea level, wind and storm surge damages, more frequent or intense hurricanes and wildfires, wetland and barrier island erosion, flooding and changes in weather conditions (such as increases in precipitation, drought, or changes in average temperatures), and potential increased impacts of extreme weather conditions or storms. Entergy’s subsidiaries own assets in, and serve, communities that are at risk from sea level rise, changes in weather conditions, storms, floods, and loss of the protection offered by coastal wetlands. Entergy’s subsidiaries own assets in, and serve, communities that are at risk from sea level rise, changes in weather conditions, storms, and loss of the protection offered by coastal wetlands. A significant portion of the nation’s oil and gas infrastructure is located in these areas and susceptible to storm damage that could be aggravated by the physical impacts of climate change, which could give rise to fuel supply interruptions and price spikes. Entergy and its subsidiaries also face the risk that climate change could impact the availability and quality of water supplies necessary for operations.Due in part to the recent increase in frequency and intensity of major storm activity along the Gulf Coast, Entergy is pursuing plans to accelerate investments that would enhance the resilience of the electric systems of the Utility operating companies to enable them to better withstand major storms or other significant weather events, to mitigate the cost of restoration of the electric system after major storms or other significant events, to enable more rapid restoration of electricity after major storm or other significant adverse events, and to deliver electricity to critical customers more immediately after such events.309Table of ContentsPart I Item 1A and 1BEntergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System EnergyDue in part to the recent increase in frequency and intensity of major storm activity along the Gulf Coast, Entergy is developing plans to accelerate investments that would enhance the resilience of the electric systems of the Utility operating companies to enable them to better withstand major storms or other adverse weather events, to enable more rapid restoration of electricity after major storm or other adverse events, and to deliver electricity to critical customers more immediately after such events. These plans are generally subject to approval by the Utility operating companies’ retail regulators and may not be approved in full or at all. The need for this investment and these expenditures could give rise to liquidity, capital or other financing-related risks as well as result in upward pressure on the retail rates of the Utility operating companies, which, particularly when combined with upward pressure resulting from the recovery of the costs of recent and future storms, may result in adverse actions by the Utility operating companies’ retail regulators or effectively limit the ability to make other planned capital or other investments.Additionally, prolonged drought conditions and shifting weather patterns resulting from climate change as well as, among other things, buildup of dry vegetation in areas severely impacted by drought may increase the risk of severe wildfire events within the Utility operating companies’ service areas. Catastrophic wildfires occurring in the Utility operating companies’ service areas could give rise to large damage claims against Entergy or its subsidiaries for fire-related losses alleged to be the result of utility practices and/or the failure of electric and other utility equipment and could also cause Entergy or its subsidiaries to suffer reputational harm or face a more challenging operating, political and regulatory environment.These and other physical changes could result in, among other things, changes in customer demand, increased costs associated with repairing and maintaining generation facilities and transmission and distribution systems resulting in increased maintenance and capital costs (and potential increased financing needs), limits on the Entergy system’s ability to meet peak customer demand, more frequent and longer lasting outages, increased regulatory oversight, criticism or adverse publicity, and lower customer satisfaction.These and other physical changes could result in changes in customer demand, increased costs associated with repairing and maintaining generation facilities and transmission and distribution systems resulting in increased maintenance and capital costs (and potential increased financing needs), limits on the Entergy system’s ability to meet peak customer demand, more frequent and longer lasting outages, increased regulatory oversight, criticism or adverse publicity, and lower customer satisfaction. Also, to the extent that climate change adversely impacts the economic health of a region or results in energy conservation or demand side management programs, it may adversely impact customer demand and revenues. Such physical or operational risks could have a material effect on Entergy’s and its subsidiaries’ financial condition, results of operations, and liquidity.A decline in the continued and future availability and quality of water for cooling, process, and sanitary uses could materially affect the financial condition, results of operations, and liquidity of Entergy and its subsidiaries.Continued and future availability and quality of water for cooling, process, and sanitary uses could materially affect the financial condition, results of operations, and liquidity of Entergy and its subsidiaries. Water is a vital natural resource that is also critical to Entergy and its subsidiaries. Entergy’s and its subsidiaries’ facilities use water for cooling, boiler make-up, sanitary uses, potable supply, and many other uses. Entergy’s Utility operating companies also own and/or operate hydroelectric facilities. Accordingly, water 302Table of ContentsPart I Item 1A, 1B, and 1CEntergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System Energyavailability and quality are critical to Entergy’s and its subsidiaries’ business operations. Impacts to water availability or quality could negatively impact both operations and revenues.Entergy and its subsidiaries secure water through various mechanisms (ground water wells, surface waters intakes, municipal supply, etc.) and operate under the provisions and conditions set forth by the provider and/or regulatory authorities. Entergy and its subsidiaries also obtain and operate in substantial compliance with water discharge permits issued under various provisions of the Clean Water Act and/or state water pollution control provisions. Regulations and authorizations for both water intake and use and for waste discharge can become more stringent in times of water shortages, low flows in rivers, low lake levels, low groundwater aquifer volumes, and similar conditions. The increased use of water by industry, agriculture, and the population at large, population growth, saltwater intrusion, and the potential impacts of climate change on the availability of water resources may cause water use restrictions that affect Entergy and its subsidiaries. The increased use of water by industry, agriculture, and the population at large, population growth, and the potential impacts of climate change on water resources may cause water use restrictions that affect Entergy and its subsidiaries. The Utility operating companies, System Energy, and Entergy’s non-utility operations may incur substantial costs related to reliability standards.Entergy’s business is subject to extensive and mandatory reliability standards. Such standards, which are established by the NERC, the SERC, and other regional enforcement entities, are approved by the FERC and frequently are reviewed, amended, and supplemented. Failure to comply with such standards could result in the imposition of fines or civil penalties, and potential exposure to third party claims for alleged violations of such standards. The standards, as well as the laws and regulations that govern them, are subject to judicial interpretation and to the enforcement discretion vested in the implementing agencies. In addition to exposure to civil penalties and fines, the Utility operating companies have incurred and expect to incur significant costs related to compliance with new and existing reliability standards, including costs associated with the Utility operating companies’ transmission system and generation assets. In addition, the retail regulators of the Utility operating companies possess the jurisdiction, and in some cases have exercised such jurisdiction, to impose standards governing the reliable operation of the Utility operating companies’ distribution systems, including penalties if these standards are not met. The changes to the reliability standards applicable to the electric power industry are ongoing, and Entergy cannot predict the ultimate effect that the reliability standards will have on its Utility and Entergy’s non-utility operations.Entergy and its subsidiaries may not be adequately hedged against changes in commodity prices, which could materially affect Entergy’s and its subsidiaries’ results of operations, financial condition, and liquidity.To manage near-term and medium-term financial exposure related to commodity price fluctuations, Entergy and its subsidiaries, including the Utility operating companies, may enter into contracts to hedge portions of their purchase and sale commitments, fuel requirements, and inventories of natural gas, uranium and its conversion and enrichment, coal, refined products, and other commodities, within established risk management guidelines. As part of this strategy, Entergy and its subsidiaries may utilize fixed- and variable-price forward physical purchase and sales contracts, futures, financial swaps, and option contracts traded in the over-the-counter markets or on exchanges. However, Entergy and its subsidiaries normally cover only a portion of the exposure of their assets and positions to market price volatility, and the coverage will vary over time. In addition, Entergy also elects to leave certain volumes during certain years unhedged. To the extent Entergy and its subsidiaries have unhedged positions, fluctuating commodity prices can materially affect Entergy’s and its subsidiaries’ results of operations and financial position.Although Entergy and its subsidiaries devote a considerable effort to these risk management strategies, they cannot eliminate all the risks associated with these activities. As a result of these and other factors, Entergy and its subsidiaries cannot predict with precision the impact that risk management decisions may have on their business, results of operations, or financial position.303Table of ContentsPart I Item 1A, 1B, and 1CEntergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System EnergyEntergy’s over-the-counter financial derivatives are subject to rules implementing the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act that are designed to promote transparency, mitigate systemic risk, and protect against market abuse. Entergy cannot predict the impact any proposed or not fully-implemented final rules will have on its ability to hedge its commodity price risk or on over-the-counter derivatives markets as a whole, but such rules and regulations could have a material effect on Entergy's risk exposure, as well as reduce market liquidity and further increase the cost of hedging activities. Entergy cannot predict the impact any proposed or not fully-implemented final rules 310Table of ContentsPart I Item 1A and 1BEntergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System Energywill have on its ability to hedge its commodity price risk or on over-the-counter derivatives markets as a whole, but such rules and regulations could have a material effect on Entergy's risk exposure, as well as reduce market liquidity and further increase the cost of hedging activities. Entergy has guaranteed or indemnified the performance of a portion of the obligations relating to hedging and risk management activities. Reductions in Entergy’s or its subsidiaries’ credit quality or changes in the market prices of energy commodities could increase the cash or letter of credit collateral required to be posted in connection with hedging and risk management activities, which could materially affect Entergy’s or its subsidiaries’ liquidity and financial position.The Utility operating companies and Entergy’s non-utility business are exposed to the risk that counterparties may not meet their obligations, which may materially affect the Utility operating companies and Entergy’s non-utility business.The Utility operating companies and Entergy’s non-regulated operations are exposed to the risk that counterparties may not meet their obligations, which may materially affect the Utility operating companies and Entergy’s non-regulated operations. The hedging and risk management practices of the Utility operating companies and Entergy's non-utility business are exposed to the risk that counterparties that owe Entergy and its subsidiaries money, energy, or other commodities will not perform their obligations.The hedging and risk management practices of the Utility operating companies and Entergy's non-regulated operations are exposed to the risk that counterparties that owe Entergy and its subsidiaries money, energy, or other commodities will not perform their obligations. Currently, some hedging agreements contain provisions that require the counterparties to provide credit support to secure all or part of their obligations to Entergy or its subsidiaries. If the counterparties to these arrangements fail to perform, Entergy or its subsidiaries may enforce and recover the proceeds from the credit support provided and acquire alternative hedging arrangements, which credit support may not always be adequate to cover the related obligations. In such event, Entergy and its subsidiaries might incur losses in addition to amounts, if any, already paid to the counterparties. In addition, the credit commitments of Entergy’s lenders under its bank facilities may not be honored for a variety of reasons, including unexpected periods of financial distress affecting such lenders, which could materially affect the adequacy of its liquidity sources.Market performance and other changes may decrease the value of benefit plan assets, which then could require additional funding and result in increased benefit plan costs.The performance of the capital markets affects the values of the assets held in trust under Entergy’s pension and postretirement benefits plans. A decline in the market value of the assets may increase the funding requirements relating to Entergy’s benefit plan liabilities and also result in higher benefit costs. As the value of the assets decreases, the “expected return on assets” component of benefit costs decreases, resulting in higher benefits costs. Additionally, asset losses are incorporated into benefit costs over time, thus increasing benefits costs. Volatility in the capital markets has affected the market value of these assets, which has affected and may affect Entergy’s planned levels of contributions in the future. Volatility in the capital markets has affected the market value of these assets, which may affect Entergy’s planned levels of contributions in the future. Additionally, changes in interest rates affect the liabilities under Entergy’s pension and postretirement benefits plans; as interest rates decrease, the liabilities increase, potentially requiring additional funding and recognition of higher liability carrying costs. Additionally, changes in interest rates affect the liabilities under Entergy’s pension and postretirement benefit plans; as interest rates decrease, the liabilities increase, potentially requiring additional funding and recognition of higher liability carrying costs. The funding requirements of the obligations related to the pension benefit plans can also increase as a result of changes in, among other factors, retirement rates, life expectancy assumptions, or federal regulations. For further information regarding Entergy’s pension and other postretirement benefits plans, refer to the “Critical Accounting Estimates – Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits” section of Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis for Entergy and each of its Registrant Subsidiaries and Note 11 to the financial statements. For further information regarding Entergy’s pension and other postretirement benefit plans, refer to the “Critical Accounting Estimates – Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits” section of Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis for Entergy and each of its Registrant Subsidiaries and Note 11 to the financial statements. The litigation environment in the states in which the Registrant Subsidiaries operate poses a significant risk to those businesses.Entergy and its subsidiaries and related entities are involved in the ordinary course of business in a number of lawsuits involving employment, commercial, asbestos, hazardous material and customer matters, and injuries and damages issues, among other matters. The states in which Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries operate have 304Table of ContentsPart I Item 1A, 1B, and 1CEntergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System Energyproven to be unusually litigious environments. Judges and juries in these states have demonstrated a willingness to grant large verdicts, including punitive damages, to plaintiffs in personal injury, property damage, and business tort cases. Judges and juries in these states have demonstrated a willingness to grant large verdicts, including punitive damages, to plaintiffs in personal injury, property damage, and business tort 311Table of ContentsPart I Item 1A and 1BEntergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System Energycases. Entergy and its subsidiaries use legal and appropriate means to contest litigation threatened or filed against them, but the litigation environment in these states poses a significant business risk.Terrorist attacks and sabotage, physical attacks, cyber attacks, system failures, data breaches or other disruptions of Entergy’s and its subsidiaries’ or their suppliers’ infrastructure or technology systems, including disruptions affecting other third parties ultimately connected to Entergy and its subsidiaries or their suppliers through the transmission grid, may adversely affect Entergy’s business and results of operations.As an operator of critical infrastructure, Entergy and its subsidiaries face a heightened risk of physical attacks or acts or threats of terrorism, cyber attacks, including ransomware attacks, and data breaches, whether as a direct or indirect act against one of Entergy’s generation, transmission or distribution facilities, operations centers, infrastructure, or information technology systems used to manage, monitor, and transport power to customers and perform day-to-day business functions as well as against the systems of critical suppliers and contractors or other third parties interconnected through the grid. As an operator of critical infrastructure, Entergy and its subsidiaries face a heightened risk of physical attacks or acts or threats of terrorism, cyber attacks, including ransomware attacks, and data breaches, whether as a direct or indirect act against one of Entergy’s generation, transmission or distribution facilities, operations centers, infrastructure, or information technology systems used to manage, monitor, and transport power to customers and perform day-to-day business functions as well as against the systems of critical suppliers and contractors. Like many businesses and operators of critical infrastructure, Entergy and its subsidiaries and their third-party suppliers have in the past and, will in the future, continue to be subject to cyber attacks, cybersecurity threats and attempts to compromise and penetrate the information technology systems of Entergy and its subsidiaries and disrupt their operations.Entergy and its subsidiaries operate in a business that requires evolving information technology systems that include sophisticated data collection, processing systems, software, network infrastructure, and other technologies that are becoming more complex and may be subject to mandatory and prescriptive reliability and security standards. The functionality of Entergy’s technology systems depends on its own and its suppliers’ and their contractors’ technology. Suppliers’ and their contractors’ technology systems to which Entergy is connected directly or indirectly support a variety of business processes and activities to store sensitive data, including (i) intellectual property, (ii) proprietary business information, (iii) personally identifiable information of customers, employees, and others, and (iv) data with respect to invoicing and the collection of payments, accounting, procurement, and supply-chain activities. Any significant failure or malfunction of such information technology systems could result in loss of or inappropriate access to data or disruptions of operations.There have been attacks and threats of attacks on energy infrastructure by cyber actors, including those associated with foreign governments. Further, attacks may become more frequent in the future as technology becomes more prevalent in energy infrastructure. An attack could affect Entergy’s or its subsidiaries’ ability to operate, including its ability to operate the information technology systems and network infrastructure on which it relies to conduct business. An attack could affect Entergy’s ability to operate, including its ability to operate the information technology systems and network infrastructure on which it relies to conduct business. Given the rapid technological advancements of existing and emerging threats, including threats fueled by artificial intelligence, Entergy’s technology systems remain inherently vulnerable despite implementations and enhancements of the multiple layers of security and controls.Given the rapid technological advancements of existing and emerging threats, Entergy’s technology systems remain inherently vulnerable despite implementations and enhancements of the multiple layers of security and controls. In addition, the prevalent use of smartphones, tablets, and other wireless devices, as well as ongoing remote or hybrid work-from-home arrangement for a significant portion of Entergy’s employees and those of its contractors and vendors may also heighten these risks. If Entergy’s or its subsidiaries’ technology systems, or those of critical suppliers or contractors or other third parties interconnected through the grid, were compromised and unable to detect or recover in a timely fashion to a normal state of operations, Entergy or its subsidiaries could be unable to perform critical business functions that are essential to the company’s well-being and could result in a loss of or inappropriate access to its confidential, sensitive, and proprietary information, including personal information of its customers, employees, suppliers, and others in Entergy’s care. If Entergy’s or its subsidiaries’ technology systems, or those of critical suppliers or contractors, were compromised and unable to detect or recover in a timely fashion to a normal state of operations, Entergy or its subsidiaries could be unable to perform critical business functions that are essential to the company’s well-being and could result in a loss of or inappropriate access to its confidential, sensitive, and proprietary information, including personal information of its customers, employees, suppliers, and others in Entergy’s care. We cannot anticipate, detect, or implement fully preventive measures against all cybersecurity threats.Any such attacks, failures, or data breaches could have a material effect on Entergy’s and the Registrant Subsidiaries’ business, financial condition, results of operations or reputation.Any such attacks, failures, or data breaches could have a material effect on Entergy’s and the Utility operating companies’ business, financial condition, results of operations or reputation. Although Entergy and the Registrant 305Table of ContentsPart I Item 1A, 1B, and 1CEntergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System EnergySubsidiaries purchase insurance for cyber attacks and data breaches, such insurance prices have increased substantially, and coverage may not be adequate to cover all losses that might arise in connection with these incidents. Such incidents may also expose Entergy to an increased risk of litigation (and associated damages and fines). Such events may also expose Entergy to an increased risk of litigation (and associated damages and fines). For information on our cybersecurity risk management, strategy, and governance, see “Item 1C. Cybersecurity” in Part I, Item 1C.Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries are subject to risks associated with their ability to obtain adequate insurance at acceptable costs.The global economic cost to insurers resulting from cyber attacks, natural disasters, and other catastrophic events, in addition to an increased focus on climate issues, could have disruptive effects on insurance markets. The availability of insurance capacity may decrease, and the insurance policies that Entergy or the Registrant Subsidiaries are able to obtain may have higher deductibles, higher premiums, and more restrictive terms and conditions. Further, the insurance policies of Entergy or the Registrant Subsidiaries may not cover all of their potential exposures or actual amounts of losses incurred.Significant increases in commodity prices, other materials and supplies, and operation and maintenance expenses may adversely affect Entergy's results of operations, financial condition, and liquidity.Entergy and its subsidiaries have observed and expect continued inflationary pressures related to commodity prices, other materials and supplies, and operation and maintenance expenses, including in the areas of labor, health care, and pension costs.Entergy and its subsidiaries have observed and expect future inflationary pressures related to commodity prices, other materials and supplies, and operation and maintenance expenses, including in the areas of labor, health care, and pension costs. The contracts for the construction of certain of the Utility operating companies’ generation facilities also have included, and in the future may include, price adjustment provisions that, subject to certain limitations, may enable the contractor to increase the contract price to reflect increases in certain costs of constructing the facility. These inflationary pressures could impact the ability of Entergy and its subsidiaries to control costs and/or make substantial investments in their businesses, including their ability to recover costs and investments, and to earn their allowed return on equity within frameworks established by their regulators while maintaining affordability of their services for their customers, in addition to having unpredictable effects on Entergy’s customers. Increases in commodity prices, other materials and supplies, and operation and maintenance expenses, including increasing labor costs and costs and funding requirements associated with Entergy's defined benefit retirement plans, health care plans, and other employee benefits, could increase their financing needs and otherwise adversely affect their results of operations, financial condition, and liquidity.(Entergy New Orleans)The effect of higher purchased gas cost charges to customers taking gas service may adversely affect Entergy New Orleans’s results of operations and liquidity.Gas rates charged to retail gas customers are comprised primarily of purchased gas cost charges, which provide no return or profit to Entergy New Orleans, and distribution charges, which provide a return or profit to the utility. Distribution charges recover fixed costs on a volumetric basis and, thus, are affected by the amount of gas sold to customers. When purchased gas cost charges increase due to higher gas procurement costs, customer usage may decrease, especially in weaker economic times, resulting in lower distribution charges for Entergy New Orleans, which, given its relatively smaller size, could adversely affect results of operations. Purchased gas cost charges, which comprise most of a customer’s bill and may be adjusted monthly, represent gas commodity costs that Entergy New Orleans recovers from its customers. Entergy New Orleans’s cash flows can be affected by differences between the time when gas is purchased and the time when ultimate recovery from customers occurs.(Entergy Corporation and System Energy)System Energy owns and, through an affiliate, operates a single nuclear generating facility, and it is dependent on sales to affiliated companies for all of its revenues. Certain contractual arrangements relating to 306Table of ContentsPart I Item 1A, 1B, and 1CEntergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System EnergySystem Energy, the affiliated companies, and these revenues are the subject of ongoing litigation and regulatory proceedings. The aggregate amount of refunds claimed in these proceedings, after reduction for settlements reached with the MPSC and the APSC (subject in the latter case to approval by the FERC), exceeds the current net book value of System Energy. In the event of an adverse decision in one or more of these proceedings requiring the payment of substantial additional refunds, System Energy would be required to seek financing to pay such refunds which financing may not be available on terms acceptable to System Energy when required.System Energy’s operating revenues are derived from the allocation of the capacity, energy, and related costs associated with its 90% ownership/leasehold interest in Grand Gulf. Charges under the Unit Power Sales Agreement are paid by the Utility operating companies (other than Entergy Texas) as consideration for their respective entitlements to receive capacity and energy. The useful economic life of Grand Gulf is finite and is limited by the terms of its operating license, which currently expires in November 2044. System Energy’s financial condition depends both on the receipt of payments from the Utility operating companies (other than Entergy Texas) under the Unit Power Sales Agreement and on the continued commercial operation of Grand Gulf. System Energy’s financial condition depends both on the receipt of payments from the Utility operating companies (other than Entergy Texas) 313Table of ContentsPart I Item 1A and 1BEntergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System Energyunder the Unit Power Sales Agreement and on the continued commercial operation of Grand Gulf. The Unit Power Sales Agreement is 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 claims in these proceedings include claims for refunds and claims for rate adjustments. The claims in these proceedings include claims for refunds and claims for rate adjustments. The aggregate amount of refunds claimed in these proceedings, after reduction for settlements reached with the MPSC and the APSC (subject in the latter case to approval by the FERC), exceeds the current net book value of System Energy. Entergy Corporation is not obligated to provide funding to System Energy to enable it to pay any such refunds. In the event that an adverse decision in one or more of these proceedings required the payment of substantial additional refunds, System Energy would need to source additional financing to pay such refunds. Such financing may not be available on terms acceptable to System Energy when required. Such financing may not be available on terms acceptable to System Energy, or may not be available at all, when required. System Energy and its debt securities have been subject to downgrade by rating agencies in the past, most recently in May 2023. Any further downgrade by one or more rating agencies could adversely affect the market prices of System Energy’s debt securities and otherwise adversely affect System Energy’s financial condition.In addition, an order requiring System Energy to pay substantial additional refunds could result in a default and, in certain cases, acceleration under one or more of System Energy’s existing bond indentures, credit agreements, or other financing arrangements.In addition, an order requiring System Entergy to pay substantial additional refunds could result in a default and, in certain cases, acceleration under one or more of System Energy’s existing bond indentures, credit agreements, or other financing arrangements. Certain events constituting events of default under System Energy’s financing agreements may also result in defaults under, or acceleration with respect to, financing arrangements involving certain credit agreement and guarantee obligations of Entergy Corporation.These proceedings are pending before their respective adjudicators and no final decisions have been reached. Thus, Entergy cannot predict with certainty the outcome of any of these proceedings, or the magnitude of any refunds or rate adjustments, and an adverse outcome in any of them could have a material adverse effect on Entergy’s or System Energy’s results of operations, financial condition, or liquidity. See Note 2 to the financial statements for further discussion of the proceedings. The Utility operating companies (other than Entergy Texas) have agreed to implement certain protocols for providing retail regulators with information regarding rates billed under the Unit Power Sales Agreement.For information regarding the Unit Power Sales Agreement, the sale and leaseback transactions and certain other agreements relating to certain Entergy System companies’ support of System Energy, see Notes 5 and 8 to the financial statements and the “Utility - System Energy and Related Agreements” section of Part I, Item 1.307Table of ContentsPart I Item 1A, 1B, and 1CEntergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System Energy(Entergy Corporation)Entergy’s non-utility operations are subject to substantial governmental regulation and may be adversely affected by legislative, regulatory, or market design changes, as well as liability under, or any future inability to comply with, existing or future regulations or requirements.Entergy’s non-utility operations are subject to regulation under federal, state, and local laws.Entergy’s non-regulated operations are subject to regulation under federal, state, and local laws. Compliance with the requirements under these various regulatory regimes may cause Entergy’s non-utility operations to incur significant additional costs, and failure to comply with such requirements could result in the shutdown of the non-complying facility, the imposition of liens, fines, and/or civil or criminal liability. Compliance with the requirements under these various regulatory regimes may cause Entergy’s non-regulated operations to incur significant additional costs, and failure to comply with such requirements could result in the shutdown of the non-complying facility, the imposition of liens, fines, and/or civil or criminal liability. Public utilities under the Federal Power Act are required to obtain FERC acceptance of their rate schedules for wholesale sales of electricity. Entergy’s non-utility operations include legal entities that meet the definition of a “public utility” under the Federal Power Act by virtue of making wholesale sales of electric energy and/or owning wholesale electric transmission facilities. Entergy’s non-regulated operations include legal entities that meet the definition of a “public utility” under the Federal Power Act by virtue of making wholesale sales of electric energy and/or owning wholesale electric transmission facilities. The FERC has granted those entities the authority to sell electricity at market-based rates. The FERC’s orders that grant those entities market-based rate authority reserve the right to revoke or revise that authority if the FERC subsequently determines that those entities can exercise market power in transmission or generation, create barriers to entry, or engage in abusive affiliate transactions. In addition, market-based sales are subject to certain market behavior rules, and if one of those entities were deemed to have violated one of those rules, they would be subject to potential disgorgement of profits associated with the violation and/or suspension or revocation of their market-based rate authority and potential penalties of up to $1.496 million per day per violation. If one of those entities were to lose their market-based rate authority, it would be required to obtain the FERC’s acceptance of a cost-of-service rate schedule and could become subject to the accounting, record-keeping, and reporting requirements that are imposed on utilities with cost-based rate schedules. This could have an adverse effect on the rates those entities charge for power from its facilities.Entergy’s non-utility operations are also affected by legislative and regulatory changes, as well as by changes to market design, market rules, tariffs, cost allocations, and bidding rules imposed by the existing Independent System Operator.Entergy’s non-regulated operations are also affected by legislative and regulatory changes, as well as by changes to market design, market rules, tariffs, cost allocations, and bidding rules imposed by the existing Independent System Operator. The Independent System Operator that oversees the relevant wholesale power market has imposed, and in the future may continue to impose, mitigation, including price limitations, offer caps and other mechanisms, to address some of the volatility and the potential exercise of market power in that market. The Independent System Operator that oversees the relevant wholesale power market may impose, and in the future may continue to impose, mitigation, including price limitations, offer caps and other mechanisms, to address some of the volatility and the potential exercise of market power in that market. These types of price limitations and other regulatory mechanisms may have an adverse effect on the profitability of Entergy’s non-utility operations’ generation facilities that sell energy and capacity into the wholesale power markets. These types of price limitations and other regulatory mechanisms may have an adverse effect on the profitability of Entergy’s non-regulated operations’ generation facilities that sell energy and capacity into the wholesale power markets. The regulatory environment applicable to the electric power industry is subject to changes as a result of restructuring initiatives at both the state and federal levels. Entergy cannot predict the future design of the wholesale power markets or the ultimate effect that the changing regulatory environment will have on Entergy’s non-utility operations. In addition, in some of these markets, interested parties have proposed material market design changes, including the elimination of a single clearing price mechanism, have raised claims that the competitive marketplace is not working, and have made proposals to re-regulate the markets, impose a generation tax, or require divestitures by generating companies to reduce their market share. Other proposals to re-regulate may be made and legislative or other attention to the electric power market restructuring process may delay or reverse the deregulation process, which could require material changes to business planning models. If competitive restructuring of the electric power markets is reversed, modified, discontinued, or delayed, Entergy’s non-utility operations’ results of operations, financial condition, and liquidity could be materially affected. If competitive restructuring of the electric power markets is reversed, modified, discontinued, or delayed, Entergy’s non-regulated operations’ results of operations, financial condition, and liquidity could be materially affected. 308Table of ContentsPart I Item 1A, 1B, and 1CEntergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System EnergyAs a holding company, Entergy Corporation depends on cash distributions from its subsidiaries to meet its debt service and other financial obligations and to pay dividends on its common stock, and has provided, and may continue to provide, capital contributions or debt financing to its subsidiaries, which would reduce the funds available to meet its other financial obligations. The ability of such subsidiaries to make payments of dividends or distributions to Entergy 315Table of ContentsPart I Item 1A and 1BEntergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System EnergyCorporation depends on their results of operations and cash flows and other items affecting retained earnings, and on any applicable legal, regulatory, or contractual limitations on subsidiaries’ ability to pay such dividends or distributions. Entergy Corporation is a holding company with no material revenue generating operations of its own or material assets other than the stock of its subsidiaries. Accordingly, all of its operations are conducted by its subsidiaries. Entergy Corporation has provided, and may continue to provide, capital contributions or debt financing to its subsidiaries, which would reduce the funds available to meet its financial obligations, including making interest and principal payments on outstanding indebtedness, and to pay dividends on Entergy’s common stock. Entergy Corporation’s ability to satisfy its financial obligations, including the payment of interest and principal on its outstanding debt, and to pay dividends on its common stock depends on the payment to it of dividends or distributions by its subsidiaries. The subsidiaries of Entergy Corporation are separate and distinct legal entities and have no obligation, contingent or otherwise, to pay any dividends or make distributions to Entergy Corporation. The ability of such subsidiaries to make payments of dividends or distributions to Entergy Corporation depends on their results of operations and cash flows and other items affecting retained earnings, and on any applicable legal, regulatory, or contractual limitations on subsidiaries’ ability to pay such dividends or distributions. The ability of such subsidiaries to make payments of dividends or distributions to Entergy 315Table of ContentsPart I Item 1A and 1BEntergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System EnergyCorporation depends on their results of operations and cash flows and other items affecting retained earnings, and on any applicable legal, regulatory, or contractual limitations on subsidiaries’ ability to pay such dividends or distributions. Prior to providing funds to Entergy Corporation, such subsidiaries have financial and regulatory obligations that must be satisfied, including among others, debt service and, in the case of Entergy Utility Holding Company, LLC and Entergy Texas, dividends and distributions on preferred securities. Any distributions from the Registrant Subsidiaries other than Entergy Texas and System Energy are paid directly to Entergy Utility Holding Company, LLC and are therefore subject to prior payment of distributions on its preferred securities. Any distributions from the Registrant Subsidiaries other than Entergy Texas and System Energy are paid directly to Entergy Utility Holding Company and are therefore subject to prior payment of distributions on its preferred securities. The hazardous activities associated with power generation could adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition.Power generation involves hazardous activities, including acquiring, transporting and unloading fuel, operating large pieces of rotating equipment and delivering electricity to transmission and distribution systems. In addition to natural risks, such as earthquakes, floods, lightning, hurricanes and wind, hazards, such as fire, explosion, collapse, and machinery failure, are inherent risks in our operations which may occur as a result of inadequate internal processes, technological flaws, human error, or actions of third parties or other external events. The control and management of these risks depend upon adequate development and training of personnel and on operational procedures, preventative maintenance plans, and specific programs supported by quality control systems, which may not prevent the occurrence and impact of these risks.The hazards described above, along with other safety hazards associated with our operations, can cause significant personal injury or loss of life, severe damage to and destruction of property, plant and equipment, contamination of, or damage to, the environment and suspension of operations. The occurrence of any one of these events may result in our being named as a defendant in lawsuits asserting claims for substantial damages, environmental cleanup costs, personal injury, and fines and/or penalties and may adversely affect our reputation.Item 1B. Unresolved Staff CommentsNone.Item 1C.Item 1A. CybersecurityRisk Management and StrategyEntergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries maintain a security-risk-management system with defined roles, duties, governance, and accountability. Under this physical- and cyber-risk model, Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries streamline security into a centralized program. The Chief Security Officer (CSO) is responsible for 309Table of ContentsPart I Item 1A, 1B, and 1CEntergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System Energyestablishing the security and reliability risk strategy, setting policies, monitoring controls and compliance, providing support activities, and reporting on the security program. The Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is responsible for establishing the cybersecurity strategy and implementing physical and cyber security systems for the security program. The Chief Ethics & Compliance Officer works with the CSO to address requirements of external security-related regulations, and where applicable, incorporate them into business policies. Management is responsible for identifying and managing risk directly through execution of the security program and compliance with security policies. Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries’ risk management model addresses compliance with certain regulatory constructs, such as the NERC Reliability Standards, the NRC Code of Federal Regulations, the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, among other regulations. Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries’ risk management model continuously evolves to improve and implement protections, controls, and monitoring to mitigate risks to their part of North America’s electric grid, to protect sensitive information, and to maintain secure business operations. Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries manage cybersecurity threats as an enterprise risk with close coordination and information sharing with its federal, state, and local partners. Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries and related entities are responding to these lawsuits and proceedings and deny liability to the claimants. Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries also engage with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies on initiatives to share threat information and participate in a wide range of industry collaborations and classified briefings on cybersecurity developments and evolving risks. To meet this responsibility, management establishes and maintains a system of internal controls over financial reporting designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries maintain access-management controls, including a layered multi-factor authentication process for network and system access, and a defense-in-depth security ecosystem that includes advanced threat detection from independent third parties and federal agencies, security logging and monitoring, and independent third-party penetration and vulnerability assessments. Relevant employees and contractors must complete cybersecurity trainings periodically to heighten security and threat awareness, promote best practices, and meet regulatory requirements. Additional multi-layered prevention and detection processes and technologies to mitigate and minimize the effects of cybersecurity risks include email security, continuous monitoring, vulnerability scanning, anti-virus and anti-malware software, backups and recovery strategy, network segregation, third-party security, and information protection.Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries have incorporated certain cyber-specific response protocols and procedures into their Entergy Incident Management System framework for responding to emergency incidents. This includes the Entergy Incident Response Team Plan, which outlines Entergy’s procedures, steps, and responsibilities for preparing for, detecting, containing, and recovering from an incident. The plan details the roles and responsibilities of Entergy’s officers who would be engaged in such a response to an emergency incident, including key questions to be addressed, critical decision points, and sources of key information to support decision-making. Senior management and the Emergency Incident Response Team periodically review and drill on the plan.As cybersecurity risks continue to evolve with multiple threat vectors, Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries maintain a comprehensive security strategy to keep current with the changing threats. To inform this effort, Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries utilize the National Institute of Standards and Technology Cybersecurity Framework, which consists of standards, guidelines, and best practices to manage cybersecurity risk across the enterprise. A risk-based approach is used to direct security initiatives to the most significant risks and provide the most value in terms of risk reduction and protection. Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries use a vendor risk management program to assess and monitor security risks that arise from third-party vendors. Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries use assumptions or market input data that market participants would use in pricing assets or liabilities at fair value. In addition, Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries utilize technology and threat intelligence services to assess and continuously monitor the cybersecurity risk of key vendors, as identified through the vendor risk management program.While Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries have experienced cybersecurity incidents, except as otherwise summarized above or discussed elsewhere in this report, the risks from cybersecurity threats, including as a result of any previous cybersecurity incidents, have not materially affected them including their business strategy, results of operations, or financial condition. See “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A for a detailed description of the risks related to cybersecurity.310Table of ContentsPart I Item 1A, 1B, and 1CEntergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System EnergyCorporate GovernanceThe Board of Directors is responsible for oversight of the identification, management, and mitigation of enterprise-wide risk, including cybersecurity risk. The Audit Committee has the primary responsibility for overseeing risk management, including oversight of cybersecurity risk management practices and performance. The Audit Committee generally receives reports at each regular quarterly meeting provided by the Chief Information Officer, the CSO, the CISO, and the General Auditor on the cybersecurity management program. The reports focus on the programs and protocols in place to mitigate cybersecurity risks, led by the CSO. Among other things, the reports may include: recent cyber risk and cybersecurity developments; industry engagement activities; legislative and regulatory developments; cyber-risk governance and oversight; selected cyber risk metrics and activities; cyber risk incident response plans and strategies; cybersecurity drills and exercises; assessments by third party experts and Internal Audit; and major projects and initiatives.While the Board of Directors and Audit Committee oversee cybersecurity risk management, Entergy’s management is responsible for managing cybersecurity risk. Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries’ security-risk-management system, as discussed above, is comprised of a three lines of defense model to enhance risk management efforts and define roles in the security program. The first line of defense, comprised of business units performing operational functions, including the CISO, is responsible for identification and management of security and reliability risks directly through design, implementation, and execution of control activities. The second line of defense, comprised of the CSO and Chief Security Office, performs and supports security and reliability risk management and governs and oversees the execution of security and reliability controls by the first line of defense. Ownership of specific security operations may migrate from a business unit in the first line of defense to the second line of defense, as determined to be appropriate by the Chief Security Office. The third line of defense, which includes Internal Audit, independent third parties, and certain regulatory constructs, such as the NERC Reliability Standards and the NRC Cyber Rule, provides assurance of selective actions taken by the first and second lines of defense to senior management and the Board of Directors.Entergy’s CSO is responsible for overseeing physical, cyber, and reliability risk, including governance, compliance, and threat intelligence. The CSO’s background includes serving as the Global Lead Business Information Security Officer for a multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology company, Vice President of Cybersecurity Solutions for an international consulting firm, and an operations manager for a multinational technology company. The CSO is also a former intelligence officer in the U.S. Marine Corps, with experience in the Fleet Marine Force, Joint Staff J-2/Defense Intelligence Agency, and Headquarters Marine Corps Command, Control, Communications, and Computers (C4I). The CSO participated in numerous exercises and crisis operations during his time in the military. The CSO is a certified Information Security Manager from the Information Systems Audit and Control Association and a certified Information Privacy Manager from the International Association of Privacy Professionals. The CSO also completed the Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education Program in Cybersecurity and the FBI Domestic Security Executive Academy.Entergy’s CISO is responsible for enterprise strategic and operational cybersecurity, physical security systems, and regulatory compliance. The CISO oversees investments in tools, resources, and processes that allow for the continuous improvement and maturity of Entergy’s cybersecurity posture. The CISO has expertise spanning more than 25 years in the realm of information technology, information security, and cyber/physical security management. The CISO’s background includes serving as the Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer for an electric utility with responsibility for enterprise cybersecurity covering corporate, electric, nuclear, and gas operations. Additionally, the CISO served as the Chief Security Officer for the Electric Reliability Council of Texas with overall responsibility for its cybersecurity, physical security, and emergency management programs. Her previous experience includes multiple technical, managerial, and strategic roles within industries ranging from energy, telecommunication, software development, and cybersecurity consulting. The CISO is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional, Certified Information Security Manager, and Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control.311Table of ContentsPart I Item 1A, 1B, and 1CEntergy Corporation, Utility operating companies, and System EnergyIn the event of a suspected or actual cybersecurity incident, the Security Incident Response Team (SIRT), which includes the CISO, has primary responsibility for initial identification and evaluation of potential business impacts and escalation of the incident’s severity classification using pre-established criteria with a specified communication matrix and escalation thresholds. The Security Incident Commander, which role is served by rotating leaders in the CISO organization, provides tactical leadership and oversight management at the cross-functional level for the incident. The receipt of the proceeds was recorded as a deferred credit because Entergy has an indemnity obligation to Holtec related to pre-sale DOE litigation involving Pilgrim that remains outstanding. The SIRT remains engaged throughout the incident response lifecycle, including detection and analysis, containment, eradication and recovery, and post-incident remediation, and coordinates with the impacted business functions, if warranted. Once a cyber incident is confirmed, the SIRT is responsible for maintaining situational awareness and continuous monitoring of the need for escalation or de-escalation of the incident’s severity classification. As certain escalation thresholds are exceeded, additional levels of management notification are required by the SIRT, including notification of and recurring communication with Entergy’s Incident Response Team, which includes the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Operating Officer, the CSO, other executive management, and members of the affected business functions. Depending upon the facts, analysis, materiality, and anticipated or current impacts, the Chief Executive Officer and the General Counsel will determine the timing and cadence for communication of the cyber incident with the Board of Directors or Audit Committee.312Table of ContentsENTERGY ARKANSAS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIESMANAGEMENT’S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSISResults of Operations2023 Compared to 2022Net IncomeNet income increased $104 million primarily due to a $159.316Table of ContentsENTERGY ARKANSAS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIESMANAGEMENT’S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSISResults of Operations2022 Compared to 2021Earnings Applicable to Member’s EquityEarnings decreased $19. 6 million reduction in income tax expense in 2023 as a result of the resolution of the 2016-2018 IRS audit, higher retail electric price, lower other operation and maintenance expenses, and higher other income. The increase was partially offset by write-offs of $78. The increase was partially offset by the repayment, prior to maturity, of $545. 4 million ($58.4 million ($165. 8 million net-of-tax) in third quarter 2023 as a result of Entergy Arkansas’s approved motion to forgo recovery related to the 2013 ANO stator incident, higher interest expense, lower volume/weather, and higher depreciation and amortization expenses. See Note 3 to the financial statements for further discussion of the resolution of the 2016-2018 IRS audit. See Note 3 to the financial statements for further discussion of the IRS audit resolution. See Note 8 to the financial statements for further discussion of the ANO stator incident and the approved motion to forgo recovery. See Note 2 to the financial statements for further discussion of storm restoration costs and requested recovery. Operating RevenuesFollowing is an analysis of the change in operating revenues comparing 2023 to 2022:Entergy Arkansas’s results include revenues from rate mechanisms designed to recover fuel, purchased power, and other costs such that the revenues and expenses associated with these items generally offset and do not affect net income. “Fuel, rider, and other revenues that do not significantly affect net income” includes the revenue variance associated with these items.The volume/weather variance is primarily due to the effect of less favorable weather on residential sales and a decrease in weather-adjusted residential usage, partially offset by an increase in industrial usage.The volume/weather variance is primarily due to an increase in weather-adjusted residential usage, an increase in commercial usage, and the effect of more favorable weather on residential sales. The increase in industrial usage is primarily due to an increase in demand from small industrial customers and an increase in demand from expansion projects, primarily in the metals industry. The increase in industrial usage was primarily due to an increase in demand from cogeneration and small industrial customers and an increase in demand from expansion projects, primarily in the transportation, primary metals, and chemicals industries. The retail electric price variance is primarily due to an increase in formula rate plan rates effective January 2023. See Note 2 to the financial statements for further discussion of the 2022 formula rate plan filing.313Table of ContentsEntergy Arkansas, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisTotal electric energy sales for Entergy Arkansas for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:See Note 19 to the financial statements for additional discussion of Entergy Arkansas’s operating revenues.Other Income Statement VariancesOther operation and maintenance expenses decreased primarily due to:•a decrease of $17.Other Income Statement VariancesOther operation and maintenance expenses increased primarily due to:•an increase of $27. 1 million in compensation and benefits costs primarily due to a decrease in net periodic pension and other postretirement benefits service costs as a result of an increase in the discount rates used to value the benefits liabilities, lower health and welfare costs, including higher prescription drug rebates in second quarter 2023, and a revision to estimated incentive compensation expense in first quarter 2023. See “Critical Accounting Estimates” below and Note 11 to the financial statements for further discussion of pension and other postretirement benefits costs;•a decrease of $10. See “Critical Accounting Estimates” below and Note 11 to the financial statements for a discussion of qualified pension and other postretirement benefits funding; and•a decrease of $16. 5 million in transmission costs allocated by MISO;•the effects of recording a final judgment in first quarter 2023 to resolve claims in the ANO damages case against the DOE related to spent nuclear fuel storage costs. The damages awarded include the reimbursement of approximately $10.3 million of spent nuclear fuel storage costs previously recorded as other operation and maintenance expenses. See Note 8 to the financial statements for discussion of the spent nuclear fuel litigation; and•a decrease of $9. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of the formula rate plan filings; and•regulatory credits of $19. 6 million in non-nuclear generation expenses primarily due to a lower scope of work, including during plant outages, performed in 2023 as compared to 2022.9 million in non-nuclear generation expenses primarily due to a lower scope of work performed in 2022, including during plant outages, as compared to 2021. The decrease was partially offset by:•an increase of $10.4 million in contract costs related to operational performance, customer service, and organizational health initiatives;•an increase of $9.2 million in insurance expenses primarily due to lower nuclear insurance refunds received in 2023;•an increase of $5.2 million in nuclear generation expenses primarily due to a higher scope of work performed in 2023 as compared to 2022 and higher nuclear labor costs; and•several individually insignificant items.Asset write-offs includes the effects of Entergy Arkansas forgoing recovery of identified costs resulting from the 2013 ANO stator incident. In third quarter 2023, Entergy Arkansas recorded write-offs of its regulatory asset for deferred fuel of $68.9 million and the undepreciated balance of $9.5 million in capital costs related to the 314Table of ContentsEntergy Arkansas, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisANO stator incident. See Note 8 to the financial statements for further discussion of the ANO stator incident and the approved motion to forgo recovery. See Note 2 to the financial statements for further discussion of storm restoration costs and requested recovery. Depreciation and amortization expenses increased primarily due to additions to plant in service.Entergy Arkansas records a regulatory charge or credit for the difference between asset retirement obligation-related expenses and nuclear decommissioning trust earnings plus asset retirement obligation-related costs collected in revenue.In addition, Entergy records a regulatory charge or credit for the difference between asset retirement obligation-related expenses and nuclear decommissioning trust earnings plus asset retirement obligation related costs collected in revenue. Other income increased primarily due to:•higher interest earned on money pool investments;•an increase in the allowance for equity funds used during construction due to higher construction work in progress in 2023; and•a decrease in charitable donations in 2023 as compared to 2022.Interest expense increased primarily due to the issuance of $425 million of 5.15% Series mortgage bonds in January 2023 and higher interest accrued on spent nuclear fuel disposal costs.The effective income tax rates were (33.3%) for 2023 and 21.7%) for 2022 and 14. 6% for 2022.6% for 2021. See Note 3 to the financial statements for a reconciliation of the federal statutory rate of 21% to the effective income tax rates and for additional discussion regarding income taxes.
2022 Compared to 2021See “MANAGEMENT’S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - Results of Operations” in Item 7 of Entergy Arkansas’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on February 24, 2023, for discussion of results of operations for 2022 compared to 2021.2021 Compared to 2020See “MANAGEMENT’S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - Results of Operations” in Item 7 of System Energy’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, filed with the SEC on February 25, 2022, for discussion of results of operations for 2021 compared to 2020. Income Tax Legislation and RegulationSee the “Income Tax Legislation and Regulation” section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis for discussion of income tax legislation and regulation.Liquidity and Capital ResourcesCash FlowCash flows for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 were as follows:315Table of ContentsEntergy Arkansas, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysis2023 Compared to 2022Operating ActivitiesNet cash flow provided by operating activities increased $241.Liquidity and Capital ResourcesCash FlowCash flows for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020 were as follows:379Table of ContentsEntergy Mississippi, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysis2022 Compared to 2021Operating ActivitiesNet cash flow provided by operating activities increased $54. 3 million in 2023 primarily due to:•lower fuel costs and the timing of recovery of fuel and purchased power costs.5 million in 2022 primarily due to:•higher collections from customers;•the timing of recovery of fuel and purchased power costs. See Note 2 to the financial statements for a discussion of fuel and purchased power cost recovery;•higher collections from customers;•the refund of $41. See Note 2 to the financial statements for a discussion of fuel and purchased power cost recovery;•an increase of $23. 7 million received from System Energy in January 2023 related to the sale-leaseback renewal costs and depreciation litigation as calculated in System Energy’s January 2023 compliance report filed with the FERC. The refund was subsequently applied to the under-recovered deferred fuel balance. See Note 2 to the financial statements for further discussion of the refund and the related proceedings;•a decrease of $38. See Note 2 to the financial statements for further discussion of the formula rate plan proceedings. 5 million in pension contributions in 2023. See “Critical Accounting Estimates – Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits” below and Note 11 to the financial statements for a discussion of qualified pension and other postretirement benefits funding; and•$23. See “Critical Accounting Estimates - Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits” below and Note 11 for a discussion of qualified pension and other postretirement benefits funding. 2 million in proceeds received from the DOE in April 2023 resulting from litigation regarding spent nuclear fuel storage costs that were previously expensed. See Note 8 to the financial statements for discussion of the spent nuclear fuel litigation. See Note 8 to the financial statements for discussion of spent nuclear fuel litigation. The increase was partially offset by:•the timing of payments to vendors;•an increase of $25.The increase was partially offset by:•the issuance of $500 million of 2. 4 million in storm spending in 2023 as compared to 2022; and•an increase of $22.1 million in interest paid.5 million, including interest. Investing ActivitiesNet cash flow used in investing activities increased $180.2 million in 2023 primarily due to:•an increase of $122.8 million in 2022 primarily due to:•an increase of $65. 9 million in distribution construction expenditures primarily due to higher capital expenditures for storm restoration in 2023;•an increase of $86.5 million in transmission construction expenditures primarily due to lower capital expenditures for storm restoration in 2022;•a decrease of $25. 6 million in transmission construction expenditures primarily due to increased investment in the reliability and infrastructure of Entergy Arkansas’s transmission system; and•an increase of $43.5 million in transmission construction expenditures primarily due to lower capital expenditures for storm restoration in 2022;•a decrease of $25. 2 million as a result of fluctuations in nuclear fuel activity due to variations from year to year in the timing and pricing of fuel reload requirements, materials and services deliveries, and the timing of cash payments during the nuclear fuel cycle.2 million as a result of fluctuations in nuclear fuel activity, primarily due to variations from year to year in the timing and pricing of fuel reload requirements, materials and services deliveries, and the timing of cash payments during the nuclear fuel cycle. The increase was partially offset by:•a decrease of $38.3 million in nuclear construction expenditures primarily due to decreased spending on various nuclear projects in 2023;•$17.4 million in nuclear construction expenditures primarily due to increased spending on various nuclear projects in 2022 and higher capital expenditures for storm restoration in 2022;•an increase of $23. 9 million in proceeds received from the DOE in April 2023 resulting from litigation regarding spent nuclear fuel storage costs that were previously recorded as plant. See Note 8 to the financial statements for discussion of the spent nuclear fuel litigation; and•a decrease of $14. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of the formula rate plan filings; and•regulatory credits of $19. 1 million in information technology capital expenditures primarily due to decreased spending on various technology projects in 2023.3 million in information technology capital expenditures primarily due to increased spending on various technology projects in 2022; and•an increase of $12. 316Table of ContentsEntergy Arkansas, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisFinancing ActivitiesNet cash flow provided by financing activities decreased $55.318Table of ContentsEntergy Arkansas, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisInterest expense increased primarily due to the issuance of $200 million of 4. 1 million in 2023 primarily due to:•an increase of $331 million in common equity distributions paid in 2023 in order to maintain Entergy Arkansas’s capital structure;•the repayment, at maturity, of $250 million of 3.05% Series mortgage bonds in June 2023;•the issuance of $200 million of 4.75% Series mortgage bonds in February 2021;•the issuance of $200 million of 4. 20% Series mortgage bonds in March 2022;•the repayment, at maturity, of $40 million of 3.20% Series mortgage bonds in March 2022; and•the repayment, at maturity, of $45 million of 2. 17% Series M notes by the Entergy Arkansas nuclear fuel company variable interest entity in December 2023; and•money pool activity.The decrease was partially offset by:•the issuance of $425 million of 5.The increase was partially offset by:•the issuance of $500 million of 2. 15% Series mortgage bonds in January 2023;•the issuance of $300 million of 5.75% Series mortgage bonds in February 2021;•the issuance of $200 million of 4. 30% Series mortgage bonds in August 2023;•net long-term borrowings of $70.00% Series mortgage bonds in August 2022;•the issuance of $290. 2 million in 2023 as compared to net repayments of $4.8 million in 2022 on the nuclear fuel company variable interest entity’s credit facility; and•an increase of $61.1 million in 2021 on the nuclear fuel company variable interest entities’ credit facilities. 3 million in prepaid deposits related to contributions-in-aid-of-construction primarily for customer and generator interconnection agreements.Decreases in Entergy Arkansas’s payable to the money pool are a use of cash flow, and Entergy Arkansas’s payable to the money pool decreased $35.Increases in Entergy Arkansas’s payable to the money pool are a source of cash flow, and Entergy Arkansas’s payable to the money pool increased $40. 4 million in 2023 compared to increasing by $40.9 million in 2022. The money pool is an intercompany cash management program that makes possible intercompany borrowing and lending arrangements, and the money pool and other borrowing arrangements are designed to reduce the Registrant Subsidiaries’ dependence on external short-term borrowings.See Note 5 to the financial statements for further details of long-term debt.
2022 Compared to 2021See “MANAGEMENT’S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - Liquidity and Capital Resources - Cash Flow” in Item 7 of Entergy Arkansas’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on February 24, 2023, for discussion of operating, investing, and financing cash flow activities for 2022 compared to 2021.2021 Compared to 2020See “MANAGEMENT’S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - Liquidity and Capital Resources - Cash Flow” in Item 7 of System Energy’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, filed with the SEC on February 25, 2022, for discussion of operating, investing, and financing cash flow activities for 2021 compared to 2020. Capital StructureEntergy Arkansas’s debt to capital ratio is shown in the following table. The increase in the debt to capital ratio for Entergy Arkansas is primarily due to the net issuance of long-term debt in 2023. The decrease in the debt to capital ratio is primarily due to an increase in equity resulting from retained earnings in 2022. Net debt consists of debt less cash and cash equivalents. Debt consists of short-term borrowings, finance lease obligations, and long-term debt, including the currently maturing portion. Capital consists of debt and equity. Net capital consists of capital less cash and cash equivalents. Entergy Arkansas uses the debt to capital ratio in analyzing its financial condition and believes it provides useful information to its investors and creditors in evaluating Entergy Arkansas’s financial condition. The net debt to net capital ratio is a non-GAAP measure. 317Table of ContentsEntergy Arkansas, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisEntergy Arkansas also uses the net debt to net capital ratio in analyzing its financial condition and believes it provides useful information to its investors and creditors in evaluating Entergy Arkansas’s financial condition because net debt indicates Entergy Arkansas’s outstanding debt position that could not be readily satisfied by cash and cash equivalents on hand.Entergy Arkansas seeks to optimize its capital structure in accordance with its regulatory requirements and to control its cost of capital while also maintaining equity capitalization at a level consistent with investment-grade debt ratings. To the extent that operating cash flows are in excess of planned investments, cash may be used to reduce outstanding debt or may be paid as a distribution, to the extent funds are legally available to do so, or both, in appropriate amounts to maintain the capital structure. To the extent that operating cash flows are insufficient to support planned investments, Entergy Arkansas may issue incremental debt or reduce distributions, or both, to maintain its capital structure. In addition, in certain infrequent circumstances, such as financing of large transactions that would materially alter the capital structure if financed entirely with debt and reduced distributions, Entergy Arkansas may receive equity contributions to maintain its capital structure. In addition, in certain infrequent circumstances, such as financing of large transactions that would materially alter the capital structure if financed entirely with debt and reducing distributions, Entergy Arkansas may receive equity contributions to maintain its capital structure. Uses of CapitalEntergy Arkansas requires capital resources for:•construction and other capital investments;•debt maturities or retirements;•working capital purposes, including the financing of fuel and purchased power costs; and•distribution and interest payments.Uses of CapitalEntergy New Orleans requires capital resources for:•construction and other capital investments;•working capital purposes, including the financing of fuel and purchased power costs;•debt maturities or retirements; and•distribution and interest payments. Following are the amounts of Entergy Arkansas’s planned construction and other capital investments.In addition to routine capital spending to maintain operations, the planned capital investment estimate for Entergy Arkansas includes investments in generation projects to modernize, decarbonize, and diversify Entergy Arkansas’s portfolio, including Walnut Bend Solar, West Memphis Solar, and Driver Solar; investments in ANO 1 and 2; distribution and Utility support spending to improve reliability, resilience, and customer experience; transmission spending to improve reliability and resilience while also supporting renewables expansion; and other investments. Estimated capital expenditures are subject to periodic review and modification and may vary based on the ongoing effects of regulatory constraints and requirements, government actions, environmental compliance, business opportunities, market volatility, economic trends, business restructuring, changes in project plans, and the ability to access capital.318Table of ContentsEntergy Arkansas, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisFollowing are the amounts of Entergy Arkansas’s existing debt and lease obligations (includes estimated interest payments).318Table of ContentsEntergy Arkansas, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisInterest expense increased primarily due to the issuance of $200 million of 4. (a)Long-term debt is discussed in Note 5 to the financial statements.(b)Lease obligations are discussed in Note 10 to the financial statements.Other ObligationsEntergy Arkansas currently expects to contribute approximately $55.Other ObligationsEntergy Louisiana currently expects to contribute approximately $44. 1 million to its qualified pension plans and approximately $529 thousand to its other postretirement health care and life insurance plans in 2024, although the 2024 required pension contributions will be known with more certainty when the January 1, 2024, valuations are completed, which is expected by April 1, 2024.5 million to its qualified pension plans and approximately $526 thousand to its other postretirement health care and life insurance plans in 2023, although the 2023 required pension contributions will be known with more certainty when the January 1, 2023 valuations are completed, which is expected by April 1, 2023. See “Critical Accounting Estimates – Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits” below and Note 11 to the financial statements for a discussion of qualified pension and other postretirement benefits funding. See “Critical Accounting Estimates - Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits” below and Note 11 for a discussion of qualified pension and other postretirement benefits funding. Entergy Arkansas has $34.Entergy Arkansas has $175. 5 million of unrecognized tax benefits net of unused tax attributes plus interest for which the timing of payments beyond 12 months cannot be reasonably estimated due to uncertainties in the timing of effective settlement of tax positions. See Note 3 to the financial statements for additional information regarding unrecognized tax benefits.In addition, Entergy Arkansas enters into fuel and purchased power agreements that contain minimum purchase obligations. Entergy Arkansas has rate mechanisms in place to recover fuel, purchased power, and associated costs incurred under these purchase obligations. See Note 8 to the financial statements for discussion of Entergy Arkansas’s obligations under the Unit Power Sales Agreement.As a wholly-owned subsidiary of Entergy Utility Holding Company, LLC, Entergy Arkansas pays distributions from its earnings at a percentage determined monthly.RenewablesWalnut Bend SolarIn October 2020, Entergy Arkansas filed a petition with the APSC seeking a finding that the purchase of the 100 MW Walnut Bend Solar facility is in the public interest. Entergy Arkansas primarily requested cost recovery through the formula rate plan rider. In July 2021 the APSC granted Entergy Arkansas’s petition and approved the acquisition of the resource and cost recovery through the formula rate plan rider. In addition, the APSC directed Entergy Arkansas to file a report within 180 days detailing its efforts to obtain a tax equity partnership. In January 2022, Entergy Arkansas filed its tax equity partnership status report and will file subsequent reports until a tax equity partnership is obtained or a tax equity partnership is no longer sought. The counterparty notified Entergy Arkansas that it was terminating the project, though it was willing to consider an alternative for the site. Entergy Arkansas disputed the right of termination. Negotiations were conducted, including with respect to cost and schedule and to updates arising as a result of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. In April 2023, Entergy Arkansas filed an application for an amended certificate of environmental compatibility and public need with the APSC seeking approval by June 2023 for the updates to the cost and schedule that were previously approved by the APSC. In June 2023, Entergy Arkansas, the APSC general staff, and the Arkansas Attorney General filed a unanimous settlement supporting that the approval of the Walnut Bend Solar facility is in the public interest based on the terms 319Table of ContentsEntergy Arkansas, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysisin the settlement, including the treatment for the production tax credits associated with the facility. In July 2023, after requesting further testimony and purporting to modify several terms in the settlement and upon rehearing, the APSC approved the settlement largely on the terms submitted, including a 30-year amortization period for the production tax credits. In February 2024, Entergy Arkansas made an initial payment of approximately $169.7 million to acquire the facility. The project will achieve commercial operation once testing is completed and the project has achieved substantial completion. Entergy Arkansas currently expects the project to achieve commercial operation in the first half of 2024, at which time a substantial completion payment of approximately $20 million is expected.West Memphis SolarIn January 2021, Entergy Arkansas filed a petition with the APSC seeking a finding that the purchase of the 180 MW West Memphis Solar facility is in the public interest. In October 2021 the APSC granted Entergy Arkansas’s petition and approved the acquisition of the West Memphis Solar facility and cost recovery through the formula rate plan rider. In addition, the APSC directed Entergy Arkansas to file a report within 180 days detailing its efforts to obtain a tax equity partnership. In April 2022, Entergy Arkansas filed its tax equity partnership status report and will file subsequent reports until a tax equity partnership is obtained or a tax equity partnership is no longer sought. In March 2022 the counterparty notified Entergy Arkansas that it was seeking changes to certain terms of the build-own-transfer agreement, including both cost and schedule. In January 2023, Entergy Arkansas filed a supplemental application with the APSC seeking approval for a change in the transmission route and updates to the cost and schedule that were previously approved by the APSC. In March 2023 the APSC approved Entergy Arkansas’s supplemental application. The project is currently expected to achieve commercial operation by the end of 2024. The project is expected to achieve commercial operation in 2024. Driver SolarIn April 2022, Entergy Arkansas filed a petition with the APSC seeking a finding that the purchase of the 250 MW Driver Solar facility is in the public interest and requested cost recovery through the formula rate plan rider. The APSC established a procedural schedule with a hearing scheduled in June 2022, but the parties later agreed to waive the hearing and submit the matter to the APSC for a decision consistent with the filed record. In August 2022 the APSC granted Entergy Arkansas’s petition and approved the acquisition of Driver Solar and cost recovery through the formula rate plan rider. In addition, the APSC directed Entergy Arkansas to inform the APSC as to the status of a tax equity partnership once construction is commenced. The parties are evaluating the effects of certain matters related to the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, including the viability of a tax equity partnership. The project is expected to achieve commercial operation as early as mid-2024. The project is expected to achieve commercial operation in 2024. Sources of CapitalEntergy Arkansas’s sources to meet its capital requirements include:•internally generated funds;•cash on hand;•the Entergy system money pool;•debt or preferred membership interest issuances, including debt issuances to refund or retire currently outstanding or maturing indebtedness;•capital contributions; and•bank financing under new or existing facilities.Sources of CapitalEntergy Arkansas’s sources to meet its capital requirements include:•internally generated funds;•cash on hand;•the Entergy System money pool;•debt or preferred membership interest issuances, including debt issuances to refund or retire currently outstanding or maturing indebtedness;•capital contributions; and•bank financing under new or existing facilities. Circumstances such as weather patterns, fuel and purchased power price fluctuations, and unanticipated expenses, including unscheduled plant outages and storms, could affect the timing and level of internally generated funds in the future. In addition to the financings necessary to meet capital requirements and contractual obligations, 320Table of ContentsEntergy Arkansas, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisEntergy Arkansas expects to continue, when economically feasible, to retire higher-cost debt and replace it with lower-cost debt if market conditions permit. In addition to the financings necessary to meet capital requirements and contractual obligations, the Registrant Subsidiaries expect to continue, when economically feasible, to retire higher-cost debt and replace it with lower-cost debt if market conditions permit. All debt and common and preferred membership interest issuances by Entergy Arkansas require prior regulatory approval. Debt issuances are also subject to issuance tests set forth in Entergy Arkansas’s bond indenture and other agreements. Entergy Arkansas has sufficient capacity under these tests to meet its foreseeable capital needs for the next twelve months and beyond.Entergy Arkansas’s receivables from or (payables to) the money pool were as follows as of December 31 for each of the following years.See Note 4 to the financial statements for a description of the money pool.Entergy Arkansas has a credit facility in the amount of $150 million scheduled to expire in June 2028. Entergy Arkansas also has a $25 million credit facility scheduled to expire in April 2024. The $150 million credit facility includes fronting commitments for the issuance of letters of credit against $5 million of the borrowing capacity of the facility. As of December 31, 2023, there were no cash borrowings and no letters of credit outstanding under the credit facilities. In addition, Entergy Arkansas is a party to an uncommitted letter of credit facility as a means to post collateral to support its obligations to MISO. As of December 31, 2023, $5.8 million in letters of credit were outstanding under Entergy Arkansas’s uncommitted letter of credit facility.8 million in letters of credit were outstanding under Entergy Texas’s uncommitted letter of credit facility. See Note 4 to the financial statements for further discussion of the credit facilities.The Entergy Arkansas nuclear fuel company variable interest entity has a credit facility in the amount of $80 million scheduled to expire in June 2025. As of December 31, 2023, $70.2 million in loans were outstanding under the credit facility for the Entergy Arkansas nuclear fuel company variable interest entity.1 million of loans were outstanding under the credit facility for the Entergy Louisiana River Bend nuclear fuel company variable interest entity. See Note 4 to the financial statements for further discussion of the nuclear fuel company variable interest entity credit facility.Entergy Arkansas obtained authorization from the FERC through April 2025 for short-term borrowings not to exceed an aggregate amount of $250 million at any time outstanding and borrowings by its nuclear fuel company variable interest entity.Entergy Arkansas obtained authorization from the FERC through October 2023 for short-term borrowings not to exceed an aggregate amount of $250 million at any time outstanding and borrowings by its nuclear fuel company variable interest entity. See Note 4 to the financial statements for further discussion of Entergy Arkansas’s short-term borrowing limits. The long-term securities issuances of Entergy Arkansas are limited to amounts authorized by the FERC. The APSC has concurrent jurisdiction over Entergy Arkansas’s first mortgage bond/secured issuances. Entergy Arkansas has obtained long-term financing authorization from the FERC that extends through April 2025. Entergy Arkansas has obtained first mortgage bond/secured financing authorization from the APSC that extends through December 2025.State and Local Rate Regulation and Fuel-Cost RecoveryThe rates that Entergy Arkansas charges for its services significantly influence its financial position, results of operations, and liquidity. Entergy Arkansas is regulated, and the rates charged to its customers are determined in regulatory proceedings. A governmental agency, the APSC, is primarily responsible for approval of the rates charged to customers.321Table of ContentsEntergy Arkansas, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisRetail Rates2020 Formula Rate Plan FilingIn July 2020, Entergy Arkansas filed with the APSC its 2020 formula rate plan filing to set its formula rate for the 2021 calendar year.334Table of ContentsEntergy Arkansas, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisNuclear MattersEntergy Arkansas owns and, through an affiliate, operates the ANO 1 and 2 nuclear power plants. The filing contained an evaluation of Entergy Arkansas’s earnings for the projected year 2021, as amended through subsequent filings in the proceeding, and a netting adjustment for the historical year 2019. The filing showed that Entergy Arkansas’s earned rate of return on common equity for the 2021 projected year was 8.22% resulting in a revenue deficiency of $64.3 million. The earned rate of return on common equity for the 2019 historical year was 9.07% resulting in a $23.9 million netting adjustment. The total proposed revenue change for the 2021 projected year and 2019 historical year netting adjustment was $88.2 million. By operation of the formula rate plan, Entergy Arkansas’s recovery of the revenue requirement is subject to a four percent annual revenue constraint. Because Entergy Arkansas’s revenue requirement in this filing exceeded the constraint, the resulting increase was limited to $74.3 million. As part of the formula rate plan tariff the calculation for the revenue constraint was updated based on actual revenues which had the effect of reducing the initially-proposed $74.3 million revenue requirement increase to $72.6 million. In October 2020, Entergy Arkansas filed with the APSC a unanimous settlement agreement reached with the other parties that resolved all but one issue. As a result of the settlement agreement, Entergy Arkansas’s requested revenue increase was $68.4 million, including a $44.5 million increase for the projected 2021 year and a $23.9 million netting adjustment. The remaining issue litigated concerned the methodology used to calculate the netting adjustment within the formula rate plan. In December 2020 the APSC issued an order rejecting the netting adjustment method used by Entergy Arkansas. Applying the approach ordered by the APSC changed the netting adjustment for the 2019 historical year from a $23.9 million deficiency to $43.5 million excess. Overall, the decision reduced Entergy Arkansas’s revenue adjustment for 2021 to $1 million. In December 2020, Entergy Arkansas filed a petition for rehearing of the APSC’s decision in the 2020 formula rate plan proceeding regarding the 2019 netting adjustment, and in January 2021 the APSC granted further consideration of Entergy Arkansas’s petition. Based on the progress of the proceeding at that point, in December 2020, Entergy Arkansas recorded a regulatory liability of $43.5 million to reflect the netting adjustment for 2019, as included in the APSC’s December 2020 order, which would be returned to customers in 2021. Entergy Arkansas also requested an extension of the formula rate plan rider for a second five-year term. In March 2021 the Arkansas Governor signed HB1662 into law (Act 404). Act 404 clarified aspects of the original formula rate plan legislation enacted in 2015, including with respect to the extension of a formula rate plan, the methodology for the netting adjustment, and debt and equity levels; it also reaffirmed the customer protections of the original formula rate plan legislation, including the cap on annual formula rate plan rate changes. Pursuant to Act 404, Entergy Arkansas’s formula rate plan rider was extended for a second five-year term. Entergy Arkansas filed a compliance tariff in its formula rate plan docket in April 2021 to effectuate the netting provisions of Act 404, which reflected a net change in required formula rate plan rider revenue of $39.8 million, effective with the first billing cycle of May 2021. In April 2021 the APSC issued an order approving the compliance tariff and recognizing the formula rate plan extension. Also in April 2021, Entergy Arkansas filed for approval of modifications to the formula rate plan tariff incorporating the provisions in Act 404, and the APSC approved the tariff modifications in April 2021. Given the APSC general staff’s support for the expedited approval of these filings by the APSC, Entergy Arkansas supported an amendment to Act 404 to achieve a reduced return on equity from 9.75% to 9.65% to apply for years applicable to the extension term; that amendment was signed by the Arkansas Governor in April 2021 and is now Act 894. Based on the APSC’s order issued in April 2021, in the first quarter 2021, Entergy Arkansas reversed the remaining regulatory liability for the netting adjustment for 2019. In June 2021, Entergy Arkansas filed another compliance tariff in its formula rate plan proceeding to effectuate the additional provisions of Act 894, and the APSC approved the second compliance tariff filing in July 2021.2021 Formula Rate Plan FilingIn July 2021, Entergy Arkansas filed with the APSC its 2021 formula rate plan filing to set its formula rate for the 2022 calendar year. The filing contained an evaluation of Entergy Arkansas’s earnings for the projected year 2022 and a netting adjustment for the historical year 2020. The filing showed that Entergy Arkansas’s earned rate 322Table of ContentsEntergy Arkansas, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysisof return on common equity for the 2022 projected year was 7.65% resulting in a revenue deficiency of $89.2 million. The earned rate of return on common equity for the 2020 historical year was 7.92% resulting in a $19.4 million netting adjustment. The total proposed revenue change for the 2022 projected year and 2020 historical year netting adjustment was $108.7 million. By operation of the formula rate plan, Entergy Arkansas’s recovery of the revenue requirement is subject to a four percent annual revenue constraint. Because Entergy Arkansas’s revenue requirement in this filing exceeded the constraint, the resulting increase was limited to $72.4 million. In October 2021, Entergy Arkansas filed with the APSC a settlement agreement reached with other parties resolving all issues in the proceeding. As a result of the settlement agreement, the total proposed revenue change was $82.2 million, including a $62.8 million increase for the projected 2022 year and a $19.4 million netting adjustment. Because Entergy Arkansas’s revenue requirement exceeded the constraint, the resulting increase was limited to $72.1 million. In December 2021 the APSC approved the settlement as being in the public interest and approved Entergy Arkansas’s compliance tariff effective with the first billing cycle of January 2022.2022 Formula Rate Plan FilingIn July 2022, Entergy Arkansas filed with the APSC its 2022 formula rate plan filing to set its formula rate for the 2023 calendar year. The filing contained an evaluation of Entergy Arkansas’s earnings for the projected year 2023 and a netting adjustment for the historical year 2021. The filing showed that Entergy Arkansas’s earned rate of return on common equity for the 2023 projected year was 7.40% resulting in a revenue deficiency of $104.8 million. The earned rate of return on common equity for the 2021 historical year was 8.38% resulting in a $15.2 million netting adjustment. The total proposed revenue change for the 2023 projected year and 2021 historical year netting adjustment was $119.9 million. By operation of the formula rate plan, Entergy Arkansas’s recovery of the revenue requirement is subject to a four percent annual revenue constraint. Because Entergy Arkansas’s revenue requirement in this filing exceeded the constraint, the resulting increase was limited to $79.3 million. In October 2022 other parties filed their testimony recommending various adjustments to Entergy Arkansas’s overall proposed revenue deficiency, and Entergy Arkansas filed a response including an update to actual revenues through August 2022, which raised the constraint to $79.8 million. In November 2022, Entergy Arkansas filed with the APSC a settlement agreement reached with other parties resolving all issues in the proceeding. As a result of the settlement agreement, the total revenue change was $102.8 million, including a $87.7 million increase for the 2023 projected year and a $15.2 million netting adjustment. Because Entergy Arkansas’s revenue requirement exceeded the constraint, the resulting increase was limited to $79.8 million. In December 2022 the APSC approved the settlement agreement as being in the public interest and approved Entergy Arkansas’s compliance tariff effective with the first billing cycle of January 2023.2023 Formula Rate Plan FilingIn July 2023, Entergy Arkansas filed with the APSC its 2023 formula rate plan filing to set its formula rate for the 2024 calendar year. The filing contained an evaluation of Entergy Arkansas’s earnings for the projected year 2024 and a netting adjustment for the historical year 2022. The filing showed that Entergy Arkansas’s earned rate of return on common equity for the 2024 projected year was 8.11% resulting in a revenue deficiency of $80.5 million. The earned rate of return on common equity for the 2022 historical year was 7.29% resulting in a $49.8 million netting adjustment. The total proposed revenue change for the 2024 projected year and 2022 historical year netting adjustment is $130. The total proposed revenue change for the 2023 projected year and 2021 historical year netting adjustment is $119. 3 million. By operation of the formula rate plan, Entergy Arkansas’s recovery of the revenue requirement is subject to a four percent annual revenue constraint. Because Entergy Arkansas’s revenue requirement in this filing exceeded the constraint, the resulting increase was limited to $88.6 million. The APSC general staff and intervenors filed their errors and objections in October 2023, proposing certain adjustments, including the APSC general staff’s update to annual filing year revenues which lowers the constraint to $87.7 million. Entergy Arkansas filed its rebuttal in October 2023. Entergy Arkansas contributed $1. In October 2023, Entergy Arkansas filed with the APSC a settlement agreement reached with other parties resolving all issues in the proceeding, none of which affected Entergy Arkansas’s requested recovery up to the cap constraint of $87. In October 2021, Entergy Arkansas filed with the APSC a settlement agreement reached with other parties resolving all issues in the proceeding. 7 million. The settlement agreement provided for amortization of the approximately $39 million regulatory asset for costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic over a 10-year period as well as recovery of $34.9 million related to the 323Table of ContentsEntergy Arkansas, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysisresolution of the 2016 and 2017 IRS audits from previous tax positions that are no longer uncertain, partially offset by $24.7 million in excess accumulated deferred income taxes from reductions in state income tax rates, each before consideration of their respective tax gross-up. See Note 3 to the financial statements for further discussion of the resolution of the 2016-2018 IRS audit and the State of Arkansas corporate income tax rate changes. See Note 3 to the financial statements for further discussion of the IRS audit resolution. In December 2023 the APSC approved the settlement agreement as being in the public interest and approved Entergy Arkansas’s compliance tariff effective with the first billing cycle of January 2024.Energy Cost Recovery RiderEntergy Arkansas’s retail rates include an energy cost recovery rider to recover fuel and purchased energy costs in monthly customer bills. The rider utilizes the prior calendar-year energy costs and projected energy sales for the twelve-month period commencing on April 1 of each year to develop an energy cost rate, which is redetermined annually and includes a true-up adjustment reflecting the over- or under-recovery, including carrying charges, of the energy costs for the prior calendar year. The energy cost recovery rider tariff also allows an interim rate request depending upon the level of over- or under-recovery of fuel and purchased energy costs.In January 2014, Entergy Arkansas filed a motion with the APSC relating to its upcoming energy cost rate redetermination filing that was made in March 2014. In that motion, Entergy Arkansas requested that the APSC authorize Entergy Arkansas to exclude from the redetermination of its 2014 energy cost rate $65.9 million of incremental fuel and replacement energy costs incurred in 2013 as a result of the ANO stator incident. Entergy Arkansas requested that the APSC authorize Entergy Arkansas to retain that amount in its deferred fuel balance, with recovery to be reviewed in a later period after more information was available regarding various claims associated with the ANO stator incident. In February 2014 the APSC approved Entergy Arkansas’s request to retain that amount in its deferred fuel balance. In July 2017, Entergy Arkansas filed for a change in rates pursuant to its formula rate plan rider. In that proceeding, the APSC approved a settlement agreement agreed upon by the parties, including a provision that requires Entergy Arkansas to initiate a regulatory proceeding for the purpose of recovering funds currently withheld from rates and related to the stator incident, including the $65.9 million of deferred fuel and purchased energy costs and costs related to the incremental oversight previously noted, subject to certain timelines and conditions set forth in the settlement agreement.9 million of deferred fuel and purchased energy costs and costs related to the incremental oversight previously noted, subject to certain timelines and conditions set forth in the settlement agreement, including the resolution of civil litigation currently pending regarding the stator incident by the Circuit Court of Pope County, Arkansas. In October 2023, Entergy Arkansas made a commitment to the APSC to make a filing to forgo its opportunity to seek recovery of the incremental fuel and purchased energy expense, among other identified costs, resulting from the ANO stator incident. As a result, in third quarter 2023, Entergy Arkansas recorded a write-off of its regulatory asset for deferred fuel of $68.9 million, which includes interest, related to the ANO stator incident. Consistent with its October 2023 commitment, Entergy Arkansas filed a motion to forgo recovery in November 2023, and the motion was approved by the APSC in December 2023. See “ANO Damage, Outage, and NRC Reviews” in Note 8 to the financial statements for further discussion of the ANO stator incident and the approved motion to forgo recovery.In March 2017, Entergy Arkansas filed its annual redetermination of its energy cost rate pursuant to the energy cost recovery rider, which reflected an increase in the rate from $0.01164 per kWh to $0.01547 per kWh. The APSC staff filed testimony in March 2017 recommending that the redetermined rate be implemented with the first billing cycle of April 2017 under the normal operation of the tariff. Accordingly, the redetermined rate went into effect on March 31, 2017 pursuant to the tariff. In July 2017 the Arkansas Attorney General requested additional information to support certain of the costs included in Entergy Arkansas’s 2017 energy cost rate redetermination.In March 2018, Entergy Arkansas filed its annual redetermination of its energy cost rate pursuant to the energy cost recovery rider, which reflected an increase in the rate from $0.01547 per kWh to $0.01882 per kWh. The Arkansas Attorney General filed a response to Entergy Arkansas’s annual redetermination filing requesting that the APSC suspend the proposed tariff to investigate the amount of the redetermination or, alternatively, to allow recovery subject to refund. Among the reasons the Attorney General cited for suspension were questions pertaining to how Entergy Arkansas forecasted sales and potential implications of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Entergy Arkansas replied to the Attorney General’s filing and stated that, to the extent there are questions pertaining to its 324Table of ContentsEntergy Arkansas, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysisload forecasting or the operation of the energy cost recovery rider, those issues exceed the scope of the instant rate redetermination. Entergy Arkansas replied to the Attorney General’s filing and stated that, to the extent there are questions pertaining to its load forecasting or the operation of the energy cost recovery rider, those issues exceed the scope of the instant rate redetermination. Entergy Arkansas also stated that potential effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act are appropriately considered in the APSC’s separate proceeding regarding potential implications of the tax law. The APSC general staff filed a reply to the Attorney General’s filing and agreed that Entergy Arkansas’s filing complied with the terms of the energy cost recovery rider. The redetermined rate became effective with the first billing cycle of April 2018. Subsequently in April 2018 the APSC issued an order declining to suspend Entergy Arkansas’s energy cost recovery rider rate and declining to require further investigation at that time of the issues suggested by the Attorney General in the proceeding. Following a period of discovery, the Attorney General filed a supplemental response in October 2018 raising new issues with Entergy Arkansas’s March 2018 rate redetermination and asserting that $45.7 million of the increase should be collected subject to refund pending further investigation. Entergy Arkansas filed to dismiss the Attorney General’s supplemental response, the APSC general staff filed a motion to strike the Attorney General’s filing, and the Attorney General filed a supplemental response disputing Entergy Arkansas and the APSC staff’s filing. Applicable APSC rules and processes authorize its general staff to initiate periodic audits of Entergy Arkansas’s energy cost recovery rider. In late-2018 the APSC general staff notified Entergy Arkansas it has initiated an audit of the 2017 fuel costs. The time in which the audit will be complete is uncertain at this time.In March 2021, Entergy Arkansas filed its annual redetermination of its energy cost rate pursuant to the energy cost recovery rider, which reflected a decrease from $0.01052 per kWh to $0.00959 per kWh. The redetermined rate calculation also included an adjustment to account for a portion of the increased fuel costs resulting from the February 2021 winter storms. The redetermined rate became effective with the first billing cycle in April 2021 through the normal operation of the tariff.In March 2022, Entergy Arkansas filed its annual redetermination of its energy cost rate pursuant to the energy cost recovery rider, which reflected an increase from $0.00959 per kWh to $0.01785 per kWh. The primary reason for the rate increase was a large under-recovered balance as a result of higher natural gas prices in 2021, particularly in the fourth quarter 2021. At the request of the APSC general staff, Entergy Arkansas deferred its request for recovery of $32 million from the under-recovery related to the February 2021 winter storms until the 2023 energy cost rate redetermination, unless a request for an interim adjustment to the energy cost recovery rider is necessary. This resulted in a redetermined rate of $0.016390 per kWh, which became effective with the first billing cycle in April 2022 through the normal operation of the tariff. In February 2023 the APSC issued orders initiating proceedings with the utilities under its jurisdiction to address the prudence of costs incurred and appropriate cost allocation of the February 2021 winter storms. In February 2023 the APSC issued orders initiating proceedings with the utilities to address the prudence of costs incurred and appropriate cost allocation of the 2021 February winter storms. With respect to any prudence review of Entergy Arkansas fuel costs, as part of the APSC’s draft report issued in its February 2021 winter storms investigation docket, the APSC included findings that the load shedding plans of the investor-owned utilities and some cooperatives were appropriate and comprehensive, and, further, that Entergy Arkansas’s emergency plan was comprehensive and had a multilayered approach supported by a system-wide response plan, which is considered an industry standard. With respect to any prudence review of Entergy Arkansas fuel costs, as part of the APSC’s draft report issued in its 2021 February winter storm investigation docket, the APSC included findings that the load shedding plans of the investor-owned utilities and some cooperatives were appropriate and comprehensive, and, further, that Entergy Arkansas’s emergency plan was comprehensive and had a multilayered approach supported by a system-wide response plan, which is considered an industry standard. In September 2023 the APSC issued an order in Entergy Arkansas's company-specific proceeding and found that Entergy Arkansas’s practices during the winter storms were prudent.In March 2023, Entergy Arkansas filed its annual redetermination of its energy cost rate pursuant to the energy cost recovery rider, which reflected an increase from $0.01639 per kWh to $0.01164 per kWh to $0. 01883 per kWh.01882 per kWh. The primary reason for the rate increase is a large under-recovered balance as a result of higher natural gas prices in 2022 and a $32 million deferral related to the February 2021 winter storms consistent with the APSC general staff’s request in 2022. The primary reason for the rate increase is a large under-recovered balance as a result of higher natural gas prices in 2021, particularly in the fourth quarter 2021. The under-recovered balance included in the filing was partially offset by the proceeds of the $41.7 million refund that System Energy made to Entergy Arkansas in January 2023 related to the sale-leaseback renewal costs and depreciation litigation as calculated in System Energy’s January 2023 compliance report filed with the FERC. See “Complaints Against System Energy - Grand Gulf Sale-leaseback Renewal Complaint and Uncertain Tax Position Rate Base Issue” in Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of the compliance report filed by System Energy with the FERC in January 2023. The redetermined rate of $0.01883 per kWh became effective with the first billing cycle in April 2023 through the normal operation of the tariff.016390 per kWh, which became effective with the first billing cycle in April 2022 through the normal operation of the tariff. 325Table of ContentsEntergy Arkansas, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisOpportunity Sales ProceedingIn June 2009 the LPSC filed a complaint requesting that the FERC determine that certain of Entergy Arkansas’s sales of electric energy to third parties: (a) violated the provisions of the System Agreement that allocated the energy generated by Entergy System resources; (b) imprudently denied the Entergy System and its ultimate consumers the benefits of low-cost Entergy System generating capacity; and (c) violated the provision of the System Agreement that prohibited sales to third parties by individual companies absent an offer of a right-of-first-refusal to other Utility operating companies.93Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsEntergy Arkansas Opportunity Sales ProceedingIn June 2009 the LPSC filed a complaint requesting that the FERC determine that certain of Entergy Arkansas’s sales of electric energy to third parties: (a) violated the provisions of the System Agreement that allocated the energy generated by Entergy System resources; (b) imprudently denied the Entergy System and its ultimate consumers the benefits of low-cost Entergy System generating capacity; and (c) violated the provision of the System Agreement that prohibited sales to third parties by individual companies absent an offer of a right-of-first-refusal to other Utility operating companies. The LPSC’s complaint challenged sales made beginning in 2002 and requested refunds. In July 2009 the Utility operating companies filed a response to the complaint arguing among other things that the System Agreement contemplates that the Utility operating companies may make sales to third parties for their own account, subject to the requirement that those sales be included in the load (or load shape) for the applicable Utility operating company. The FERC subsequently ordered a hearing in the proceeding.After a hearing, the ALJ issued an initial decision in December 2010. The ALJ found that the System Agreement allowed for Entergy Arkansas to make the sales to third parties but concluded that the sales should be accounted for in the same manner as joint account sales. The ALJ concluded that “shareholders” should make refunds of the damages to the Utility operating companies, along with interest. Entergy disagreed with several aspects of the ALJ’s initial decision and in January 2011 filed with the FERC exceptions to the decision.The FERC issued a decision in June 2012 and held that, while the System Agreement is ambiguous, it does provide authority for individual Utility operating companies to make opportunity sales for their own account and Entergy Arkansas made and priced these sales in good faith. The FERC found, however, that the System Agreement does not provide authority for an individual Utility operating company to allocate the energy associated with such opportunity sales as part of its load but provides a different allocation authority. The FERC further found that the after-the-fact accounting methodology used to allocate the energy used to supply the sales was inconsistent with the System Agreement. The FERC in its decision established further hearing procedures to quantify the effect of repricing the opportunity sales in accordance with the FERC’s June 2012 decision. The hearing was held in May 2013 and the ALJ issued an initial decision in August 2013. The LPSC, the APSC, the City Council, and FERC staff filed briefs on exceptions and/or briefs opposing exceptions. Entergy filed a brief on exceptions requesting that the FERC reverse the initial decision and a brief opposing certain exceptions taken by the LPSC and FERC staff.In April 2016 the FERC issued orders addressing requests for rehearing filed in July 2012 and the ALJ’s August 2013 initial decision. The first order denied Entergy’s request for rehearing and affirmed the FERC’s earlier rulings that Entergy’s original methodology for allocating energy costs to the opportunity sales was incorrect and, as a result, Entergy Arkansas must make payments to the other Utility operating companies to put them in the same position that they would have been in absent the incorrect allocation. The FERC clarified that interest should be included with the payments. The second order affirmed in part, and reversed in part, the rulings in the ALJ’s August 2013 initial decision regarding the methodology that should be used to calculate the payments Entergy Arkansas is to make to the other Utility operating companies. The FERC affirmed the ALJ’s ruling that a full re-run of intra-system bills should be performed but required that methodology be modified so that the sales have the same priority for purposes of energy allocation as joint account sales. The FERC reversed the ALJ’s decision that any payments by Entergy Arkansas should be reduced by 20%. The FERC also reversed the ALJ’s decision that adjustments to other System Agreement service schedules and excess bandwidth payments should not be taken into account when calculating the payments to be made by Entergy Arkansas. The FERC held that such adjustments and excess bandwidth payments should be taken into account but ordered further proceedings before an ALJ to address whether a cap on any reduction due to bandwidth payments was necessary and to implement the other adjustments to the calculation methodology.In May 2016, Entergy Services filed a request for rehearing of the FERC’s April 2016 order arguing that payments made by Entergy Arkansas should be reduced as a result of the timing of the LPSC’s approval of certain contracts. Entergy Services also filed a request for clarification and/or rehearing of the FERC’s April 2016 order 326Table of ContentsEntergy Arkansas, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysisaddressing the ALJ’s August 2013 initial decision. Entergy Services also filed a request for clarification and/or rehearing of the FERC’s April 2016 order 94Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsaddressing the ALJ’s August 2013 initial decision. The APSC and the LPSC also filed requests for rehearing of the FERC’s April 2016 order. In September 2017 the FERC issued an order denying the request for rehearing on the issue of whether any payments by Entergy Arkansas to the other Utility operating companies should be reduced due to the timing of the LPSC’s approval of Entergy Arkansas’s wholesale baseload contract with Entergy Louisiana. In November 2017 the FERC issued an order denying all of the remaining requests for rehearing of the April 2016 order. In November 2017, Entergy Services filed a petition for review in the D.C. Circuit of the FERC’s orders in the first two phases of the opportunity sales case. In December 2017 the D.C. Circuit granted Entergy Services’ request to hold the appeal in abeyance pending final resolution of the related proceeding before the FERC. In January 2018 the APSC and the LPSC filed separate petitions for review in the D.C. Circuit, and the D.C. Circuit consolidated the appeals with Entergy Services’ appeal.The hearing required by the FERC’s April 2016 order was held in May 2017. In July 2017 the ALJ issued an initial decision addressing whether a cap on any reduction due to bandwidth payments was necessary and whether to implement the other adjustments to the calculation methodology. In August 2017 the Utility operating companies, the LPSC, the APSC, and FERC staff filed individual briefs on exceptions challenging various aspects of the initial decision. In September 2017 the Utility operating companies, the LPSC, the APSC, the MPSC, the City Council, and FERC staff filed separate briefs opposing exceptions taken by various parties.Based on testimony previously submitted in the case and its assessment of the April 2016 FERC orders, in the first quarter 2016, Entergy Arkansas recorded a liability of $87 million, which included interest, for its estimated increased costs and payment to the other Utility operating companies, and a deferred fuel regulatory asset of $75 million. Following its assessment of the course of the proceedings, including the FERC’s denial of rehearing in November 2017 described above, in the fourth quarter 2017, Entergy Arkansas recorded an additional liability of $35 million and a regulatory asset of $31 million.In October 2018 the FERC issued an order addressing the ALJ’s July 2017 initial decision. The FERC reversed the ALJ’s decision to cap the reduction in Entergy Arkansas’s payment to account for the increased bandwidth payments that Entergy Arkansas made to the other operating companies. The FERC also reversed the ALJ’s decision that Grand Gulf sales from January through September 2000 should be included in the calculation of Entergy Arkansas’s payment. The FERC affirmed on other grounds the ALJ’s rejection of the LPSC’s claim that certain joint account sales should be accounted for as part of the calculation of Entergy Arkansas’s payment. In November 2018 the LPSC requested rehearing of the FERC’s October 2018 decision. In December 2019 the FERC denied the LPSC’s request for rehearing. In January 2020 the LPSC appealed the December 2019 decision to the D.C. Circuit.In December 2018, Entergy made a compliance filing in response to the FERC’s October 2018 order. The compliance filing provided a final calculation of Entergy Arkansas’s payments to the other Utility operating companies, including interest. No protests were filed in response to the December 2018 compliance filing. Refunds and interest in the following amounts were paid by Entergy Arkansas to the other operating companies in December 2018:327Table of ContentsEntergy Arkansas, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisEntergy Arkansas previously recognized a regulatory asset with a balance of $116 million as of December 31, 2018 for a portion of the payments due as a result of this proceeding. Refunds and interest in the following amounts were paid by Entergy Arkansas to the other operating companies in December 2018:95Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial StatementsEntergy Arkansas previously recognized a regulatory asset with a balance of $116 million as of December 31, 2018 for a portion of the payments due as a result of this proceeding. As described above, the FERC’s opportunity sales orders were appealed to the D.As described above, the FERC’s opportunity sales orders have been appealed to the D. C. Circuit. In February 2020 all of the appeals were consolidated and in April 2020 the D.C. Circuit established a briefing schedule. Briefing was completed in September 2020 and oral argument was heard in December 2020. In July 2021 the D.C. Circuit issued a decision denying all of the petitions for review filed in response to the FERC’s opportunity sales orders.In February 2019 the LPSC filed a new complaint relating to two issues that were raised in the opportunity sales proceeding, but that, in its October 2018 order, the FERC held were outside the scope of the proceeding. In March 2019, Entergy Services filed an answer and motion to dismiss the new complaint. In November 2019 the FERC issued an order denying the LPSC’s complaint. The order concluded that the settlement agreement approved by the FERC in December 2015 terminating the System Agreement barred the LPSC’s new complaint. In December 2019 the LPSC requested rehearing of the FERC’s November 2019 order, and in July 2020 the FERC issued an order dismissing the LPSC’s request for rehearing. In September 2020 the LPSC appealed to the D.C. Circuit the FERC’s orders dismissing the new opportunity sales complaint. In November 2020 the D.C. Circuit issued an order establishing that briefing will occur in January 2021 through April 2021. Oral argument was held in September 2021. In December 2021 the D.C. Circuit denied the LPSC’s Petition for Review of the new opportunity sales complaint. The opportunity sales cases are complete at FERC and at the D.C. Circuit and no additional refund amounts are owed by Entergy Arkansas.In May 2019, Entergy Arkansas filed an application and supporting testimony with the APSC requesting approval of a special rider tariff to recover the costs of these payments from its retail customers over a 24-month period. The application requested that the APSC approve the rider to take effect within 30 days or, if suspended by the APSC as allowed by commission rule, approve the rider to take effect in the first billing cycle of the first month occurring 30 days after issuance of the APSC’s order approving the rider. In June 2019 the APSC suspended Entergy Arkansas’s tariff and granted Entergy Arkansas’s motion asking the APSC to establish the proceeding as the single designated proceeding in which interested parties may assert claims related to the appropriate retail rate treatment of the FERC’s October 2018 order and related FERC orders in the opportunity sales proceeding. In January 2020 the APSC adopted a procedural schedule with a hearing in April 2020. In January 2020 the Attorney General and Arkansas Electric Energy Consumers, Inc. filed a joint motion seeking to dismiss Entergy Arkansas’s application alleging that the APSC, in a prior proceeding, ruled on the issues addressed in the application and determined that Entergy Arkansas’s requested relief violates the filed rate doctrine and the prohibition against retroactive ratemaking. Entergy Arkansas responded to the joint motion in February 2020 rebutting these arguments, including demonstrating that the claims in this proceeding differ substantially from those the APSC addressed previously and that the payment resulting from a FERC tariff violation for which Entergy Arkansas seeks retail cost recovery in this proceeding differs materially from the refunds resulting from a FERC tariff amendment that the APSC previously rejected on filed rate doctrine and the retroactive ratemaking grounds. In addition, in January 2020 the Attorney General and Arkansas Electric Energy Consumers, Inc. filed testimony opposing the recovery by Entergy Arkansas of the opportunity sales payment but also claiming that certain components of the payment should be segregated and refunded to customers. In March 2020, Entergy Arkansas filed rebuttal testimony.In July 2020 the APSC issued a decision finding that Entergy Arkansas’s application is not in the public interest. The order also directed Entergy Arkansas to refund to its retail customers within 30 days of the order the FERC-determined over-collection of $13.7 million, plus interest, associated with a recalculated bandwidth remedy. In addition to these primary findings, the order also denied the Attorney General’s request for Entergy Arkansas to prepare a compliance filing detailing all of the retail impacts from the opportunity sales and denied a request by the Arkansas Electric Energy Consumers to recalculate all costs using the revised responsibility ratio. Entergy Arkansas filed a motion for temporary stay of the 30-day requirement to allow Entergy Arkansas a reasonable opportunity to seek rehearing of the APSC order, but in July 2020 the APSC denied Entergy Arkansas’s request for 328Table of ContentsEntergy Arkansas, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysisa stay and directed Entergy Arkansas to refund to its retail customers the component of the total FERC-determined opportunity sales payment that was associated with increased bandwidth remedy payments of $13. Entergy Arkansas filed a motion for temporary stay of the 30-day requirement to allow Entergy Arkansas a reasonable opportunity to seek rehearing of the APSC order, but in July 2020 the APSC denied Entergy Arkansas’s request for 96Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesNotes to Financial Statementsa stay and directed Entergy Arkansas to refund to its retail customers the component of the total FERC-determined opportunity sales payment that was associated with increased bandwidth remedy payments of $13. 7 million, plus interest. The refunds were issued in the August 2020 billing cycle. While the APSC denied Entergy Arkansas’s stay request, Entergy Arkansas believes its actions were prudent and, therefore, the costs, including the $13.7 million, plus interest, are recoverable. In July 2020, Entergy Arkansas requested rehearing of the APSC order, which rehearing was denied by the APSC in August 2020. In September 2020, Entergy Arkansas filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas challenging the APSC’s order denying Entergy Arkansas’s request to recover the costs of these payments. In October 2020 the APSC filed a motion to dismiss Entergy Arkansas’s complaint, to which Entergy Arkansas responded. Also in December 2020, Entergy Arkansas and the APSC held a pre-trial conference, and filed a report with the court in January 2021. The court held a hearing in February 2021 regarding issues addressed in the pre-trial conference report, and in June 2021 the court stayed all discovery until it rules on pending motions, after which the court will issue an amended schedule if necessary. In March 2022 the court denied the APSC’s motion to dismiss, and, in April 2022, issued a scheduling order including a trial date in February 2023. In June 2022, Entergy Arkansas filed a motion asserting that it is entitled to summary judgment because Entergy Arkansas’s position that the APSC’s order is pre-empted by the filed rate doctrine and violates the Dormant Commerce Clause is premised on facts that are not subject to genuine dispute. In July 2022, Arkansas Electric Energy Consumers, Inc., an industrial customer association, filed a motion to intervene and to hold Entergy Arkansas’s motion for summary judgment in abeyance pending a ruling on the motion to intervene. Entergy Arkansas filed a consolidated opposition to both motions. In August 2022 the APSC filed a motion for summary judgment arguing that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and the APSC is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. In September 2022, Entergy Arkansas filed an opposition to the motion. In October 2022 the APSC filed a motion asking the court to hold further proceedings in abeyance pending a decision on the motions for summary judgment filed by Entergy Arkansas and the APSC. Also in October 2022, Entergy Arkansas filed an opposition to the motion, and the APSC filed a reply in support of its motion for summary judgment. In January 2023 the judge assigned to the case, on her own motion, identified facts that may present a conflict and recused herself; a new judge was assigned to the case, but he also recused due to a conflict. The case again was reassigned to a new judge. In January 2023 the court denied all pending motions (including those described above) except for a motion by the APSC to exclude certain testimony and further ruled that the matter would proceed to trial. In January 2023, Arkansas Electric Energy Consumers, Inc. filed a notice of appeal of the court’s order denying its motion to intervene to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit and a motion with the district court to stay the proceedings pending the appeal, which was denied. In February 2023, Arkansas Electric Energy Consumers, Inc. filed a motion with the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth District to stay the proceedings pending the appeal, which also was denied. 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. An order from the district court is pending and is anticipated in 2024.Net Metering LegislationAn Arkansas law was enacted effective July 2019 that, among other things, expands the definition of a “net metering customer” to include two additional types of customers: (1) customers that lease net metering facilities, subject to certain leasing arrangements, and (2) government entities or other entities exempt from state and federal income taxes that enter into a service contract for a net metering facility. The latter provision allows eligible entities, many of whom are small and large general service customers, to purchase renewable energy directly from third party providers and receive bill credits for these purchases. The APSC was given authority under this law to address certain matters, such as cost shifting and the appropriate compensation for net metered energy and initiated proceedings for this purpose. Because of the size and number of customers eligible under this new law, there is a risk of loss of load and the shifting of costs to customers. A hearing was held in December 2019, with utilities, including Entergy Arkansas, cooperatives, the Arkansas Attorney General, and industrial customers advocating the 329Table of ContentsEntergy Arkansas, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysisneed for establishment of a reasonable rate structure that takes into account impacts to non-net metering customers; an additional hearing was conducted in February 2020 for purposes of public comment only. A hearing was held in December 2019, with utilities, including Entergy Arkansas, cooperatives, the Arkansas Attorney General, and industrial customers advocating the need for establishment of a reasonable rate structure that takes into account impacts to non-net metering customers; an additional hearing was conducted in February 2020 for purposes of public comment only. The APSC issued an order in June 2020, and in July 2020 several parties, including Entergy Arkansas, filed for rehearing on multiple grounds, including for the reasons that it imposes an unreasonable rate structure and allows facilities to net meter that do not meet the statutory definition of net metering facilities. After granting the rehearing requests, the APSC issued an order in September 2020 largely upholding its June 2020 order. In October 2020, Entergy Arkansas and several other parties filed an appeal of the APSC’s September 2020 order. In January 2021, Entergy Arkansas, pursuant to an APSC order, filed an updated net metering tariff, which was approved in February 2021. In May 2021, Entergy Arkansas filed a motion to dismiss its pending judicial appeal of the APSC’s September 2020 order on rehearing in the proceeding addressing its net metering rules. In June 2021 the Arkansas Court of Appeals granted the motion and dismissed Entergy Arkansas’s appeal, although other appeals of the September 2020 APSC order remained before the court. In May 2022 the court issued an order affirming the APSC’s decision in part and reversing in part. In June 2022 the APSC sought rehearing from the court with respect to the court’s ruling on a grid charge, which the court of appeals denied in July 2022. One of the cooperative appellants filed a further appeal to the Arkansas Supreme Court in July 2022, which the court decided not to hear.Separately, as directed by the APSC general staff, the APSC opened a proceeding to compel utilities to amend their net metering tariffs to incorporate the provisions of the legislation that the APSC general staff considered “black letter law.” Entergy Arkansas, the Arkansas Attorney General, and other intervenors opposed this directive pending the development of the rules for implementation that are being considered in the separate net metering rulemaking docket. Nevertheless, reserving its rights, Entergy Arkansas has complied with the directive to amend its tariffs. Asserting procedural and due process violations, in January 2020, Entergy Arkansas and the Arkansas Attorney General separately appealed certain APSC orders in the proceeding. In December 2021 the Arkansas Court of Appeals dismissed the appeal on procedural grounds and without prejudice.Since the enactment of the net metering legislation, the APSC has approved numerous applications allowing Entergy Arkansas customers to enter into purchase power agreements with third parties and to utilize these purchase power agreements to offset power usage by Entergy Arkansas, despite the lack of proximity between the purchase power agreement and the end-use customer. The APSC also has allowed the aggregation of accounts by net metering customers. These decisions by the APSC have created subsidies in favor of eligible net metering customers to the detriment of non-participating customers. The level of this subsidy continues to grow as additional net metering applications are approved by the APSC.In August 2022 the APSC opened a rulemaking concerning proposed amendments to the net metering rules to address the expiration on December 31, 2022 of the automatic grandfathering of the existing net metering rate structure.In September 2022 the APSC opened a rulemaking concerning proposed amendments to the net metering rules to address the expiration on December 31, 2022 of the automatic grandfathering of the existing net metering rate structure. Entergy Arkansas and other utility parties filed initial briefs and comments setting forth that the statute imposing the expiration of the automatic grandfathering is not ambiguous and that the APSC does not have the authority to extend the grandfathering period, and the hearing was held in October 2022. Entergy Arkansas and other utility parties filed initial briefs and comments setting forth that the statute imposing the expiration of the automatic grandfathering is not ambiguous and that the APSC does not have 333Table of ContentsEntergy Arkansas, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysisthe authority to extend the grandfathering period, and the hearing was held in October 2022. In December 2022 the APSC issued an order attempting to modify the net metering rules and purporting to allow for the potential for grandfathering after December 31, 2022. More than thirty applicants filed individual net metering applications in December 2022 seeking to be considered under the APSC’s order, although the APSC issued an order in January 2023 holding those applications in abeyance. Several parties, including Entergy Arkansas, sought rehearing, and the Arkansas’s Governor’s executive order limiting new rulemakings calls into question how the APSC’s order to adopt new rules may be effectuated.In September 2022 the APSC opened another proceeding to investigate the issue of potential cost shifting arising as a result of net metering.Also in September 2022 the APSC opened another proceeding to investigate the issue of potential cost shifting arising as a result of net metering. Investor owned utilities and some cooperatives were required to make and did make filings in October 2022 with supporting documentation as to the amount and extent of cost shifting and the manner in which they would design tariffs to recover those costs on behalf of non-net metering customers. Responses to the utility and cooperative filings were filed in January 2023, and utilities filed their further responses in February 2023.330Table of ContentsEntergy Arkansas, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisAn Arkansas law was enacted effective March 2023 that revises the billing arrangements for net metering facilities in order to reduce the cost shift to non-net metering customers.317Table of ContentsEntergy Arkansas, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisTotal electric energy sales for Entergy Arkansas for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:See Note 19 to the financial statements for additional discussion of Entergy Arkansas’s operating revenues. The new law also imposes a new limit of 5 MW for future net metering facilities, allows utilities to recover net metering credits in the same manner as fuel, and grandfathers certain net metering facilities that are online or in process to be online by September 2024. Entergy Arkansas joined other utilities in a motion in April 2023 to close the current APSC docket related to potential cost shifting in light of the new law, and the APSC also canceled the remaining procedural schedule in this docket in April 2023. Because of the new law, in May 2023, the APSC also closed the grandfathering rulemaking that it opened in August 2022. Under the new law, the APSC must approve revisions to the utilities’ tariffs to conform to the new law no later than December 2023. The APSC opened a new rulemaking in April 2023 to consider implementation of the new law and tariffs. In October 2023 the APSC issued new net metering rules to conform to the new law, and utilities, including Entergy Arkansas, filed revised net metering tariffs to comply with the new rules on October 16, 2023. Entergy Arkansas’s revised net metering tariff was approved by the APSC in December 2023. Entergy Arkansas’s compliance tariff filings were accepted by the APSC in October 2018. Federal RegulationSee the “Rate, Cost-recovery, and Other Regulation – Federal Regulation” section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis and Note 2 to the financial statements for a discussion of federal regulation.Nuclear MattersEntergy Arkansas owns and, through an affiliate, operates the ANO 1 and 2 nuclear generating plants and is, therefore, subject to the risks related to such ownership and operation.Nuclear MattersEntergy’s Utility business includes the ownership and operation of nuclear generating plants and is, therefore, subject to the risks related to such ownership and operation. These include risks related to: the use, storage, and handling and disposal of high-level and low-level radioactive materials; the substantial financial requirements, both for capital investments and operational needs, including the financial requirements to address emerging issues related to equipment reliability, to position Entergy Arkansas’s nuclear fleet to meet its operational goals; the performance and capacity factors of these nuclear plants; regulatory requirements and potential future regulatory changes, including changes affecting the regulations governing nuclear plant ownership, operations, license amendments, and decommissioning; the availability of interim or permanent sites for the disposal of spent nuclear fuel and nuclear waste, including the fees charged for such disposal; the sufficiency of nuclear decommissioning trust fund assets and earnings to complete decommissioning of each site when required; and limitations on the amounts of insurance recoveries for losses in connection with nuclear plant operations and catastrophic events such as a nuclear accident. These include risks related to: the use, storage, and handling and disposal of high-level and low-level radioactive materials; the substantial financial requirements, both for capital investments and operational needs, including the financial requirements to address emerging issues related to equipment reliability, to position Entergy’s nuclear fleet to meet its operational goals; the performance and capacity factors of these nuclear plants; regulatory requirements and potential future regulatory changes, including changes affecting the regulations governing nuclear plant ownership, operations, license amendments, and decommissioning; the availability of interim or permanent sites for the disposal of spent nuclear fuel and nuclear waste, including the fees charged for such disposal; the sufficiency of nuclear decommissioning trust fund assets and earnings to complete decommissioning of each site when required; and limitations on the amounts and types of insurance commercially available for losses in connection with nuclear plant operations and catastrophic events such as a nuclear accident. In the event of an unanticipated early shutdown of either ANO 1 or 2, Entergy Arkansas may be required to file with the APSC a rate mechanism to provide additional funds or credit support to satisfy regulatory requirements for decommissioning. ANO 1’s operating license expires in 2034 and ANO 2’s operating license expires in 2038.Environmental RisksEntergy Arkansas’s facilities and operations are subject to regulation by various governmental authorities having jurisdiction over air quality, water quality, control of toxic substances and hazardous and solid wastes, and other environmental matters. Management believes that Entergy Arkansas is in substantial compliance with environmental regulations currently applicable to its facilities and operations, with reference to possible exceptions noted in “Regulation of Entergy’s Business - Environmental Regulation” in Part I, Item 1. Because environmental regulations are subject to change, future compliance costs cannot be precisely estimated.Critical Accounting EstimatesThe preparation of Entergy Arkansas’s financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to apply appropriate accounting policies and to make estimates and judgments that can have a significant effect on reported financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.Critical Accounting EstimatesThe preparation of Entergy Arkansas’s financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to apply appropriate accounting policies and to make estimates and judgments that can have a significant effect on reported financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. Management has identified the following 331Table of ContentsEntergy Arkansas, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysisaccounting estimates as critical because they are based on assumptions and measurements that involve a high degree of uncertainty, and the potential for future changes in these assumptions and measurements could produce estimates that would have a material effect on the presentation of Entergy Arkansas’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. Management has identified the following accounting policies and estimates as critical because they are based on assumptions and measurements that involve a high degree of uncertainty, and there is the potential for future changes in the assumptions and measurements that could produce estimates that would have a material impact on the presentation of Entergy New Orleans’s financial position or results of operations. Nuclear Decommissioning CostsSee “Nuclear Decommissioning Costs” in the “Critical Accounting Estimates” section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis for discussion of the estimates inherent in accounting for nuclear decommissioning costs.Utility Regulatory AccountingSee “Utility Regulatory Accounting” in the “Critical Accounting Estimates” section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis for discussion of accounting for the effects of rate regulation.Taxation and Uncertain Tax PositionsSee “Taxation and Uncertain Tax Positions” in the “Critical Accounting Estimates” section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis for further discussion.Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement BenefitsEntergy Arkansas’s qualified pension and other postretirement reported costs, as described in Note 11 to the financial statements, are affected by numerous factors including the provisions of the plans, changing employee demographics, and various actuarial calculations, assumptions, and accounting mechanisms.Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement BenefitsEntergy Arkansas’s qualified pension and other postretirement reported costs, as described in Note 11 to the financial statements, are impacted by numerous factors including the provisions of the plans, changing employee demographics, and various actuarial calculations, assumptions, and accounting mechanisms. See “Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits” in the “Critical Accounting Estimates” section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis for further discussion. Because of the complexity of these calculations, the long-term nature of these obligations, and the importance of the assumptions utilized, Entergy’s estimate of these costs is a critical accounting estimate.Costs SensitivityThe following chart reflects the sensitivity of qualified pension cost and qualified projected benefit obligation to changes in certain actuarial assumptions (dollars in thousands).Cost SensitivityThe following chart reflects the sensitivity of qualified pension cost and qualified projected benefit obligation to changes in certain actuarial assumptions (dollars in thousands). 332Table of ContentsEntergy Arkansas, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisThe following chart reflects the sensitivity of postretirement benefits cost and accumulated postretirement benefit obligation to changes in certain actuarial assumptions (dollars in thousands).413Table of ContentsEntergy New Orleans, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisCost SensitivityThe following chart reflects the sensitivity of qualified pension cost and qualified projected benefit obligation to changes in certain actuarial assumptions (dollars in thousands). Each fluctuation above assumes that the other components of the calculation are held constant.Costs and Employer ContributionsTotal qualified pension cost for Entergy Arkansas in 2023 was $49.Costs and Employer ContributionsTotal qualified pension cost for Entergy Texas in 2022 was $29. 5 million, including $26.8 million, including $36. 1 million in settlement costs. Entergy Arkansas anticipates 2024 qualified pension cost to be $19. Entergy Arkansas anticipates 2023 qualified pension cost to be $34. 6 million. Entergy Arkansas contributed $54.5 million to its qualified pension plans in 2023 and estimates pension contributions will be approximately $55.1 million in 2024, although the 2024 required pension contributions will be known with more certainty when the January 1, 2024 valuations are completed, which is expected by April 1, 2024.Total other postretirement health care and life insurance benefit income for Entergy Arkansas in 2023 was $1.9 million. Entergy Arkansas expects 2024 postretirement health care and life insurance benefit income of approximately $5.5 million. Entergy Arkansas contributed $582 thousand to its other postretirement plans in 2023 and estimates 2024 contributions will be approximately $529 thousand. Entergy Mississippi contributed $759 thousand to its other postretirement plan in 2022 and estimates 2023 contributions will be approximately $136 thousand. Other ContingenciesSee “Other Contingencies” in the “Critical Accounting Estimates” section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis for a discussion of the estimates associated with environmental, litigation, and other risks.New Accounting PronouncementsSee the “New Accounting Pronouncements” section of Note 1 to the financial statements for a discussion of new accounting pronouncements.New Accounting PronouncementsSee “New Accounting Pronouncements” section of Note 1 to the financial statements for a discussion of new accounting pronouncements. 333Table of ContentsREPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRMTo the member and Board of Directors ofEntergy Arkansas, LLC and SubsidiariesOpinion on the Financial StatementsWe have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Entergy Arkansas, LLC and Subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the related consolidated statements of income, cash flows and changes in equity (pages 336 through 340 and applicable items in pages 47 through 238), for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.Basis for OpinionThese financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.Critical Audit MatterThe critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.Rate and Regulatory Matters — Entergy Arkansas, LLC and Subsidiaries — Refer to Note 2 to the financial statementsCritical Audit Matter DescriptionThe Company is subject to rate regulation by the Arkansas Public Service Commission (the “APSC”), which has jurisdiction with respect to the rates of electric companies in Arkansas, and to wholesale rate regulation by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”).Rate and Regulatory Matters —Entergy Louisiana, LLC and Subsidiaries — Refer to Note 2 to the financial statementsCritical Audit Matter DescriptionThe Company is subject to rate regulation by the Louisiana Public Service Commission (the “LPSC”), which has jurisdiction with respect to the rates of electric companies in Louisiana, and to wholesale rate regulation by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”). Management has determined it meets the requirements under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America to prepare its financial statements applying the specialized rules to account for the effects of cost-based rate regulation. Accounting for the economics of rate regulation impacts multiple financial statement line items and disclosures.334Table of ContentsThe Company’s rates are subject to regulatory rate-setting processes and annual earnings oversight. Because the APSC and the FERC set the rates the Company is allowed to charge customers based on allowable costs, including a reasonable return on equity, the Company applies accounting standards that require the financial statements to reflect the effects of rate regulation, including the recording of regulatory assets and liabilities. The Company assesses whether the regulatory assets and regulatory liabilities continue to meet the criteria for probable future recovery or settlement at each balance sheet date and when regulatory events occur. This assessment includes consideration of recent rate orders, historical regulatory treatment for similar costs, and factors such as changes in applicable regulatory and political environments. While the Company has indicated it expects to recover costs from customers through regulated rates, there is a risk that the APSC and the FERC will not approve: (1) full recovery of the costs of providing utility service, or (2) full recovery of amounts invested in the utility business and a reasonable return on that investment.We identified the impact of rate regulation as a critical audit matter due to the judgments made by management to support its assertions about impacted account balances and disclosures and the high degree of subjectivity involved in assessing the impact of future regulatory orders on the financial statements.We identified the impact of rate regulation as a critical audit matter due to the significant judgments made by management to support its assertions about impacted account balances and disclosures and the high degree of subjectivity involved in assessing the impact of future regulatory orders on the financial statements. Management judgments include assessing the likelihood of recovery in future rates of incurred costs and refunds to customers. Auditing management’s judgments regarding the outcome of future decisions by the APSC and the FERC, recovery in future rates of regulatory assets and refunds or future reductions in rates related to regulatory liabilities involved specialized knowledge of accounting for rate regulation and the rate setting process due to its inherent complexities and auditor judgment to evaluate management estimates and the subjectivity of audit evidence. Auditing management’s judgments regarding the outcome of future decisions by the APSC and the FERC, involved specialized knowledge of accounting for rate regulation and the rate setting process due to its inherent complexities and significant auditor judgment to evaluate management estimates and the subjectivity of audit evidence. How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the AuditOur audit procedures related to the uncertainty of future decisions by the APSC and the FERC, recovery in future rates of regulatory assets and refunds or future reductions in rates related to regulatory liabilities included the following, among others:•We tested the effectiveness of management’s controls over the evaluation of the likelihood of (1) the recovery in future rates of regulatory assets, and (2) a refund or a future reduction in rates that should be reported as regulatory liabilities.How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the AuditOur audit procedures related to the uncertainty of future decisions by the APSC and the FERC included the following, among others:•We tested the effectiveness of management’s controls over the evaluation of the likelihood of (1) the recovery in future rates of costs incurred as property, plant, and equipment and deferred as regulatory assets, and (2) a refund or a future reduction in rates that should be reported as regulatory liabilities. We also tested the effectiveness of management’s controls over the initial recognition of amounts as regulatory assets or liabilities and the monitoring and evaluation of regulatory developments that may affect the likelihood of recovering costs in future rates or of a future reduction in rates. We also tested the effectiveness of management’s controls over the initial recognition of amounts as property, plant, and equipment; regulatory assets or liabilities; and the monitoring and evaluation of regulatory developments that may affect the likelihood of recovering costs in future rates or of a future reduction in rates. •We evaluated the Company’s disclosures related to the impacts of rate regulation, including the balances recorded and regulatory developments.•We read relevant regulatory orders issued by the APSC and the FERC for the Company to assess the likelihood of recovery in future rates or of a future reduction in rates based on precedents of the APSC’s and the FERC’s treatment of similar costs under similar circumstances.•We read relevant regulatory orders issued by the MPSC and the FERC for the Company, filings made by intervenors, and other publicly available information to assess the likelihood of recovery in future rates or of a future reduction in rates based on precedents of the MPSC’s and FERC’s treatment of similar costs under similar circumstances. We evaluated external information and compared to management’s recorded regulatory asset and liability balances for completeness. We evaluated the external information and compared to management’s recorded regulatory asset and liability balances for completeness. •For regulatory matters in process, we inspected the Company’s filings with the APSC and the FERC and orders issued, and considered the filings with the APSC and the FERC by intervenors that may impact the Company’s future rates, for any evidence that might contradict management’s assertions.•For regulatory matters in process, we inspected the Company’s filings with the PUCT and the FERC, including the base rate case filing, and considered the filings with the PUCT and the FERC by intervenors that may impact the Company’s future rates, for any evidence that might contradict management’s assertions. •We obtained an analysis from management and support from internal and external legal counsel, as appropriate, regarding probability of recovery for regulatory assets or refund or future reduction in rates for regulatory liabilities not yet addressed in a regulatory order to assess management’s assertion that amounts are probable of recovery or a future reduction in rates.•We obtained representation from management regarding probability of recovery for regulatory assets or refund or future reduction in rates for regulatory liabilities to assess management’s assertion that amounts are probable of recovery, refund, or a future reduction in rates./s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLPNew Orleans, LouisianaFebruary 23, 2024We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2001.335Table of Contents336Table of Contents337338Table of Contents339Table of Contents340Table of ContentsENTERGY LOUISIANA, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIESMANAGEMENT’S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSISResults of Operations2023 Compared to 2022Net IncomeNet income increased $417.339Table of Contents340Table of Contents341342Table of Contents343Table of Contents344Table of ContentsENTERGY LOUISIANA, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIESMANAGEMENT’S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSISResults of Operations2022 Compared to 2021Net IncomeNet income increased $201. 5 million primarily due to the net effects of Entergy Louisiana’s storm cost securitization in March 2023, including a $133.9 million primarily due to the net effects of Entergy Louisiana’s storm cost securitization, including a $290 million reduction in income tax expense, partially offset by a $224. 4 million reduction in income tax expense, partially offset by a $103.4 million ($76.4 million ($165. 4 million net-of-tax) regulatory charge to reflect Entergy Louisiana’s obligation to provide credits to its customers as described in an LPSC ancillary order issued as part of the securitization regulatory proceeding; a $179.1 million reduction in income tax expense in 2023 as a result of the resolution of the 2016-2018 IRS audit, partially offset by a $38 million regulatory charge ($27.8 million net-of-tax) to reflect credits expected to be provided to customers; the reversal of a $105.6 million regulatory liability, associated with the Hurricane Isaac securitization, recognized in 2017 as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, recorded in fourth quarter 2023, as part of the settlement of Entergy Louisiana’s test year 2017 formula rate plan filing; higher retail electric price; higher other income; lower other operation and maintenance expenses; and higher volume/weather. The net income increase was partially offset by the net effects of Entergy Louisiana’s storm cost securitization in May 2022, including a $290 million reduction in income tax expense, partially offset by a $224.4 million ($165.4 million net-of-tax) regulatory charge to reflect Entergy Louisiana’s obligation to provide credits to its customers as described in an LPSC ancillary order issued as part of the securitization regulatory proceeding, and higher depreciation and amortization expenses. See Note 2 to the financial statements for further discussion of the storm cost securitizations and the formula rate plan global settlement. See Note 14 to the financial statements for further discussions of the impairments of the Entergy Wholesale Commodities nuclear plants. See Note 3 to the financial statements for further discussion of the resolution of the 2016-2018 IRS audit. See Note 3 to the financial statements for further discussion of the IRS audit resolution. Operating RevenuesFollowing is an analysis of the change in operating revenues comparing 2023 to 2022:Entergy Louisiana’s results include revenues from rate mechanisms designed to recover fuel, purchased power, and other costs such that the revenues and expenses associated with these items generally offset and do not affect net income. “Fuel, rider, and other revenues that do not significantly affect net income” includes the revenue variance associated with these items.Storm restoration carrying costs represent the equity component of storm restoration carrying costs recognized as part of the securitization of Hurricane Laura, Hurricane Delta, Hurricane Zeta, Winter Storm Uri, and 341Table of ContentsEntergy Louisiana, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisHurricane Ida restoration costs in May 2022 and the equity component of storm restoration carrying costs recognized as part of the securitization of Hurricane Ida restoration costs in March 2023. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of the storm cost securitizations. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of storm cost securitizations. The return of unprotected excess accumulated deferred income taxes to customers resulted from the return of unprotected excess accumulated deferred income taxes through changes in the formula rate plan effective May 2018 in response to the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.The return of unprotected excess accumulated deferred income taxes to customers resulted from the return of unprotected excess accumulated deferred income taxes through a tax adjustment rider beginning in April 2018. In 2022, $24.8% in 2022, 2. 6 million was returned to customers through reductions in operating revenues. There was no return of unprotected excess accumulated deferred income taxes to customers in 2023. The return of unprotected excess accumulated deferred income taxes began in second quarter 2018. There was no effect on net income as the reductions in operating revenues were offset by reductions in income tax expense. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of regulatory activity regarding the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. See Note 2 to the financial statements for further discussion of regulatory activity regarding the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The volume/weather variance is primarily due to the effect of more favorable weather on residential and commercial sales.The volume/weather variance is primarily due to the effect of more favorable weather on residential sales and an increase in commercial usage. The retail electric price variance is primarily due to increases in formula rate plan revenues, including increases in the distribution and transmission recovery mechanisms, effective September 2022 and September 2023. See Note 2 to the financial statements for further discussion of the formula rate plan proceedings.Total electric energy sales for Entergy Louisiana for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:See Note 19 to the financial statements for additional discussion of Entergy Louisiana’s operating revenues.Other Income Statement VariancesOther operation and maintenance expenses decreased primarily due to:•a decrease of $27.Other Income Statement VariancesOther operation and maintenance expenses increased primarily due to:•an increase of $27. 9 million in compensation and benefits costs primarily due to lower health and welfare costs, including higher prescription drug rebates in second quarter 2023, a decrease in net periodic pension and other postretirement benefits service costs as a result of an increase in the discount rates used to value the benefits liabilities, and a revision to estimated incentive compensation expense in first quarter 2023. See “Critical Accounting Estimates” below and Note 11 to the financial statements for further discussion of pension and other postretirement benefits costs;•a decrease of $25. See “Critical Accounting Estimates” below and Note 11 to the financial statements for a discussion of qualified pension and other postretirement benefits funding; and•a decrease of $16. 1 million in transmission costs allocated by MISO. See Note 2 to the financial statements for further information on the recovery of these costs;•a decrease of $12. See Note 2 to the financial statements for further discussion of storm restoration costs and requested recovery. 3 million in non-nuclear generation expenses primarily due to a lower scope of work, including during plant outages, performed in 2023 as compared to 2022;342Table of ContentsEntergy Louisiana, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysis•a decrease of $8.1 million in non-nuclear generation construction expenditures primarily due to a higher scope of work on projects performed in 2022 as compared to 2021, including during plant outages;348Table of ContentsEntergy Louisiana, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysis•an increase of $13. 2 million in nuclear generation expenses primarily due to a lower scope of work performed in 2023 as compared to 2022, lower nuclear labor costs, and lower costs associated with materials and supplies in 2023 as compared to 2022; and•a decrease of $7.6 million in non-nuclear generation expenses primarily due to a higher scope of work, including during plant outages, performed in 2022 as compared to 2021 and higher costs associated with materials and supplies in 2022 as compared to 2021;•an increase of $7. 2 million in customer service center support costs primarily due to lower contract costs.6 million in customer service center support costs primarily due to higher contract costs. The decrease was partially offset by:•an increase of $15.9 million in contract costs related to operational performance, customer service, and organizational health initiatives;•an increase of $6.1 million in insurance expenses primarily due to lower nuclear insurance refunds received in 2023; and•several individually insignificant items.Depreciation and amortization expenses increased primarily due to additions to plant in service.Other regulatory charges (credits) - net includes:•a regulatory charge of $103.Other regulatory charges (credits) - net includes: •regulatory credits of $22. 4 million, recorded in first quarter 2023, to reflect Entergy Louisiana’s obligation to provide credits to its customers as described in an LPSC ancillary order issued in the Hurricane Ida securitization regulatory proceeding. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of the March 2023 storm cost securitization;•a regulatory charge of $224. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of the formula rate plan filings; and•regulatory credits of $19. 4 million, recorded in second quarter 2022, to reflect Entergy Louisiana’s obligation to provide credits to its customers as described in an LPSC ancillary order issued in the Hurricane Laura, Hurricane Delta, Hurricane Zeta, Winter Storm Uri, and Hurricane Ida securitization regulatory proceeding. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of the May 2022 storm cost securitization; and•a regulatory charge of $38 million, recorded in fourth quarter 2023, to reflect credits expected to be provided to customers as a result of the resolution of the 2016-2018 IRS audit. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of the 2022 formula rate plan filing;•regulatory credits of $18 million, recorded by Entergy Mississippi in the fourth quarter 2022, to reflect that the 2022 estimated earned return was below the formula bandwidth. See Note 3 to the financial statements for further discussion of the resolution of the 2016-2018 IRS audit. See Note 3 to the financial statements for further discussion of the IRS audit resolution. In addition, Entergy Louisiana records a regulatory charge or credit for the difference between asset retirement obligation-related expenses and nuclear decommissioning trust earnings plus asset retirement obligation-related costs collected in revenue. In addition, Entergy Arkansas records a regulatory charge or credit for the difference between asset retirement obligation-related expenses and nuclear decommissioning trust earnings plus asset retirement obligation-related costs collected in revenue. Other income increased primarily due to:•an increase of $113 million in affiliated dividend income from affiliated preferred membership interests related to storm cost securitizations;•a $31.6 million charge, recorded in second quarter 2022, for the LURC’s 1% beneficial interest in the storm trust I established as part of the Hurricane Laura, Hurricane Delta, Hurricane Zeta, Winter Storm Uri, and Hurricane Ida May 2022 storm cost securitization as compared to a $14.6 million charge, recorded in first quarter 2023, for the LURC’s 1% beneficial interest in the storm trust II established as part of the Hurricane Ida March 2023 storm cost securitization. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of the storm cost securitizations;•changes in decommissioning trust fund activity, including portfolio rebalancing of certain decommissioning trust funds in 2022; and•an increase in the allowance for equity funds used during construction due to higher construction work in progress in 2023. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of the storm cost securitization;•regulatory credits of $20 million, recorded by Entergy Mississippi in the second quarter 2021, to reflect the effects of the joint stipulation reached in the 2021 formula rate plan filing proceeding. 343Table of ContentsEntergy Louisiana, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisThe increase was partially offset by:•a decrease of $20.361Table of ContentsEntergy Louisiana, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisNet Metering RulemakingIn September 2019 the LPSC issued an order modifying its rules regarding net metering installations. 6 million in the amount of storm restoration carrying costs recognized in 2023 as compared to 2022, primarily related to Hurricane Ida. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of the storm cost securitizations; and•lower interest income from carrying costs related to the deferred fuel balance. See Note 7 to the financial statements for discussion of the forward sales agreements and Note 5 to the financial statements for a discussion of long-term debt. The effective income tax rates were (19.3%) for 2023 and (23.1% for 2022 and (1. 5%) for 2022.5% for 2021. See Note 3 to the financial statements for a reconciliation of the federal statutory rate of 21% to the effective income tax rates and for additional discussion regarding income taxes.
2022 Compared to 2021See “MANAGEMENT’S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - Results of Operations” in Item 7 of Entergy Louisiana’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on February 24, 2023, for discussion of results of operations for 2022 compared to 2021.2021 Compared to 2020See “MANAGEMENT’S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - Results of Operations” in Item 7 of Entergy Arkansas’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, filed with the SEC on February 25, 2022, for discussion of results of operations for 2021 compared to 2020. Income Tax Legislation and RegulationSee the “Income Tax Legislation and Regulation” section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis for discussion of income tax legislation and regulation.Planned Sale of Gas Distribution BusinessSee the “Planned Sale of Gas Distribution Businesses” section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis for discussion of the purchase and sale agreement for the sale of Entergy Louisiana’s gas distribution business.Liquidity and Capital ResourcesCash FlowCash flows for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 were as follows:344Table of ContentsEntergy Louisiana, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysis2023 Compared to 2022Operating ActivitiesNet cash flow provided by operating activities increased $854.Liquidity and Capital ResourcesCash FlowCash flows for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020 were as follows:319Table of ContentsEntergy Arkansas, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysis2022 Compared to 2021Operating ActivitiesNet cash flow provided by operating activities increased $150. 6 million in 2023 primarily due to:•a decrease of $236.9 million in 2022 primarily due to:•a decrease of $94. 7 million in storm spending primarily due to Hurricane Ida restoration efforts in 2022;•an increase of $42.6 million in storm spending in 2022, primarily due to Winter Storm Uri restoration efforts in 2021. 4 million in interest received primarily due to shorter-term financing interest earnings and interest on storm reserve escrow accounts. See Note 2 to the financial statements for a discussion of shorter-term financing interest earnings;•the refund of $27. See Note 2 to the financial statements for a discussion of the securitization. 8 million received from System Energy in January 2023 related to the sale-leaseback renewal costs and depreciation litigation as calculated in System Energy’s January 2023 compliance report filed with the FERC. See Note 2 to the financial statements for further discussion of the refund and the related proceedings;•a decrease of $9. See Note 2 to the financial statements for further discussion of the formula rate plan proceedings. 1 million in pension contributions in 2023. See “Critical Accounting Estimates – Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits” below and Note 11 to the financial statements for a discussion of qualified pension and other postretirement benefits funding;•lower fuel costs and the timing of recovery of fuel and purchased power costs. See “Critical Accounting Estimates - Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits” below and Note 11 for a discussion of qualified pension and other postretirement benefits funding. See Note 2 to the financial statements for a discussion of fuel and purchased power cost recovery; and•the timing of payments to vendors. See Note 2 to the financial statements for a discussion of fuel and purchased power cost recovery; and•a decrease in spending of $23. The increase was partially offset by lower collections from customers and an increase of $14.The increase was partially offset by:•money pool activity;•the issuance of $130 million of 1. 4 million in interest paid.5 million, including interest. Investing ActivitiesNet cash flow used in investing activities decreased $1,668.3 million in 2023 primarily due to:•an increase in investment in affiliates in 2022 due to the $3,163.5 million in 2022 primarily due to:•an increase in investments in affiliates due to the $3,163. 6 million purchase by the storm trust I of preferred membership interests issued by an Entergy affiliate, partially offset by the $1,390.6 million purchase by the storm trust of preferred membership interests issued by an Entergy affiliate, partially offset by the $1,390. 6 million redemption of preferred membership interests. See Note 2 to the financial statements for a discussion of the May 2022 storm cost securitization;•a decrease of $727 million in distribution construction expenditures primarily due to lower capital expenditures for storm restoration in 2023. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of the storm cost securitization;•regulatory credits of $20 million, recorded by Entergy Mississippi in the second quarter 2021, to reflect the effects of the joint stipulation reached in the 2021 formula rate plan filing proceeding. The decrease in storm restoration expenditures is primarily due to Hurricane Ida restoration efforts in 2022;•a decrease of $265. The decrease in storm restoration spending is primarily due to Hurricane Zeta and Hurricane Ida restoration efforts. 4 million in transmission construction expenditures primarily due to lower capital expenditures for storm restoration in 2023 and decreased spending on various transmission projects in 2023.5 million in transmission construction expenditures primarily due to lower capital expenditures for storm restoration in 2022;•a decrease of $25. The decrease in storm restoration expenditures is primarily due to Hurricane Ida restoration efforts in 2022;•$125 million of redemptions in 2023 of preferred membership interests held by the storm trust I, as part of periodic redemptions that are expected to occur, subject to certain conditions, for the preferred membership interests that were issued in connection with the May 2022 storm cost securitization. See Note 2 to the financial statements for a discussion of the May 2022 storm cost securitization and the storm trust I’s investment in preferred membership interests; and•net receipts from storm reserve escrow accounts of $49. See Note 2 to the financial statements for a discussion of fuel and purchased power cost recovery and the System Energy settlement agreement with the MPSC;•higher collections from customers; and•a decrease of $23. 6 million in 2023 as compared to net payments to storm reserve escrow accounts of $293.4 million in 2022.The decrease was partially offset by:•an increase in investment in affiliates in 2023 due to the $1,457.The decrease was partially offset by:•an increase of $78. 7 million purchase by the storm trust II of preferred membership interests issued by an Entergy affiliate.6 million purchase by the storm trust of preferred membership interests issued by an Entergy affiliate, partially offset by the $1,390. See Note 2 to the financial statements for a discussion of the March 2023 storm cost securitization and the storm trust II’s investment in preferred membership interests;345Table of ContentsEntergy Louisiana, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysis•an increase of $110.2 million in nuclear construction expenditures primarily due to increased spending on various nuclear projects in 2023;•an increase of $47.4 million in nuclear construction expenditures primarily due to increased spending on various nuclear projects in 2022 and higher capital expenditures for storm restoration in 2022;•an increase of $23. 5 million as a result of fluctuations in nuclear fuel activity due to variations from year to year in the timing and pricing of fuel reload requirements, materials and services deliveries, and the timing of cash payments during the nuclear fuel cycle; and•money pool activity.2 million as a result of fluctuations in nuclear fuel activity, primarily due to variations from year to year in the timing and pricing of fuel reload requirements, materials and services deliveries, and the timing of cash payments during the nuclear fuel cycle. Decreases in Entergy Louisiana’s receivables from the money pool are a source of cash flow, and Entergy Louisiana’s receivable from the money pool decreased $14.5 million in 2022. The money pool is an intercompany cash management program that makes possible intercompany borrowing and lending arrangements, and the money pool and other borrowing arrangements are designed to reduce the Registrant Subsidiaries’ dependence on external short-term borrowings.Financing ActivitiesNet cash flow provided by financing activities decreased $2,614.7 million in 2023 primarily due to:•proceeds from securitization of $1.9 million in 2022 primarily due to:•a decrease of $94. 5 billion received by the storm trust II in 2023 as compared to proceeds from securitization of $3.2 billion received by the storm trust I in 2022;•the repayment, at maturity, of $665 million of 0.62% Series mortgage bonds in November 2023;•the issuance of $500 million of 4.62% Series mortgage bonds due November 2023;•the repayment, at maturity, of $200 million of 3. 75% Series mortgage bonds in August 2022;•the repayment, at maturity, of $325 million of 4.75% Series mortgage bonds in August 2022;•money pool activity;•the repayment, at maturity, of $200 million of 4. 05% Series mortgage bonds in September 2023;•the repayment, prior to maturity, of $300 million of 5.62% Series mortgage bonds due November 2023;•the repayment, at maturity, of $200 million of 3. 59% Series mortgage bonds in December 2023;•an increase of $36.95% Series mortgage bonds in October 2021;•the $1. 8 million in common equity distributions paid in 2023 in order to maintain Entergy Louisiana’s capital structure;•the repayment, at maturity, of $20 million of 3.22% Series I notes by the Entergy Louisiana Waterford variable interest entity in December 2023; and•money pool activity.The decrease was partially offset by:•a capital contribution of approximately $1.The decrease was partially offset by the initial payment of approximately $105. 5 billion in 2023 as compared to a capital contribution of approximately $1 billion in 2022, both received indirectly from Entergy Corporation and related to the March 2023 storm cost securitization and the May 2022 storm cost securitization, respectively;•the repayment, prior to maturity, of $435 million, a portion of the outstanding principal, of 0.62% Series mortgage bonds in May 2022;•the repayment, at maturity, of $200 million of 3.62% Series mortgage bonds due November 2023;•the repayment, at maturity, of $200 million of 3. 3% Series mortgage bonds in December 2022;•the issuance of $70 million of 5.75% Series mortgage bonds in February 2021;•the issuance of $200 million of 4. 94% Series J notes by the Entergy Louisiana Waterford variable interest entity in September 2023; and•a decrease of $25 million in 2023 in net repayments on Entergy Louisiana’s revolving credit facility.Decreases in Entergy Louisiana’s payable to the money pool are a use of cash flow, and Entergy Louisiana’s payable to the money pool decreased $69.Increases in Entergy Louisiana’s payable to the money pool are a source of cash flow, and Entergy Louisiana’s payable to the money pool increased $226. 9 million in 2023 compared to increasing by $226.1 million in 2022.See Note 5 to the financial statements for details of long-term debt. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of the storm cost securitizations. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of storm cost securitizations.
2022 Compared to 2021See “MANAGEMENT’S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - Liquidity and Capital Resources - Cash Flow” in Item 7 of Entergy Louisiana’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended 346Table of ContentsEntergy Louisiana, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisDecember 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on February 24, 2023, for discussion of operating, investing, and financing cash flow activities for 2022 compared to 2021.2021 Compared to 2020See “MANAGEMENT’S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - Liquidity and Capital Resources - Cash Flow” in Item 7 of Entergy Louisiana’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, filed with the SEC on February 25, 2022, for discussion of operating, investing, and financing cash flow activities for 2021 compared to 2020. Capital StructureEntergy Louisiana’s debt to capital ratio is shown in the following table. The decrease in the debt to capital ratio for Entergy Louisiana is primarily due to the $1.5 billion capital contribution received indirectly from Entergy Corporation in March 2023 and the net retirement of long-term debt in 2023.0 billion capital contribution received indirectly from Entergy Corporation in May 2022. Net debt consists of debt less cash and cash equivalents. Debt consists of short-term borrowings, finance lease obligations, and long-term debt, including the currently maturing portion. Capital consists of debt and common equity. Net capital consists of capital less cash and cash equivalents. Entergy Louisiana uses the debt to capital ratio in analyzing its financial condition and believes it provides useful information to its investors and creditors in evaluating Entergy Louisiana’s financial condition. The net debt to net capital ratio is a non-GAAP measure. Entergy Louisiana also uses the net debt to net capital ratio in analyzing its financial condition and believes it provides useful information to its investors and creditors in evaluating Entergy Louisiana’s financial condition because net debt indicates Entergy Louisiana’s outstanding debt position that could not be readily satisfied by cash and cash equivalents on hand.Entergy Louisiana seeks to optimize its capital structure in accordance with its regulatory requirements and to control its cost of capital while also maintaining equity capitalization at a level consistent with investment-grade debt ratings. To the extent that operating cash flows are in excess of planned investments, cash may be used to reduce outstanding debt or may be paid as a distribution, to the extent funds are legally available to do so, or both, in appropriate amounts to maintain the capital structure. To the extent that operating cash flows are insufficient to support planned investments, Entergy Louisiana may issue incremental debt or reduce distributions, or both, to maintain its capital structure. In addition, in certain infrequent circumstances, such as financing of large transactions that would materially alter the capital structure if financed entirely with debt and reduced distributions, Entergy Louisiana may receive equity contributions to maintain its capital structure. In addition, in certain infrequent circumstances, such as financing of large transactions that would materially alter the capital structure if financed entirely with debt and reducing distributions, Entergy Louisiana may receive equity contributions to maintain its capital structure. Uses of CapitalEntergy Louisiana requires capital resources for:•construction and other capital investments;•debt maturities or retirements;•working capital purposes, including the financing of fuel and purchased power costs; and•distribution and interest payments.Uses of CapitalEntergy New Orleans requires capital resources for:•construction and other capital investments;•working capital purposes, including the financing of fuel and purchased power costs;•debt maturities or retirements; and•distribution and interest payments. 347Table of ContentsEntergy Louisiana, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisFollowing are the amounts of Entergy Louisiana’s planned construction and other capital investments.6Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisSee Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of the securitization. In addition to routine capital spending to maintain operations, the planned capital investment estimate for Entergy Louisiana includes investments in generation projects to modernize, decarbonize, and diversify Entergy Louisiana’s portfolio; investments in River Bend and Waterford 3; distribution and Utility support spending to improve reliability, resilience, and customer experience; transmission spending to improve reliability and resilience while also supporting renewables expansion and customer growth; and other investments.In addition to routine capital spending to maintain operations, the planned capital investment estimate for Entergy New Orleans includes investments in generation projects to modernize, decarbonize, and diversify Entergy New Orleans’s portfolio; distribution and Utility support spending to deliver reliability, resilience, and customer experience; transmission spending to drive reliability and resilience while also supporting renewables expansion; and other investments. Estimated capital expenditures are subject to periodic review and modification and may vary based on the ongoing effects of regulatory constraints and requirements, government actions, environmental compliance, business opportunities, market volatility, economic trends, business restructuring, changes in project plans, and the ability to access capital.Following are the amounts of Entergy Louisiana’s existing debt and lease obligations (includes estimated interest payments).(a)Long-term debt is discussed in Note 5 to the financial statements.(b)Lease obligations are discussed in Note 10 to the financial statements.Other ObligationsEntergy Louisiana currently expects to contribute approximately $48.4 million to its qualified pension plans and approximately $15 million to its other postretirement health care and life insurance plans in 2024, although the 2024 required pension contributions will be known with more certainty when the January 1, 2024, valuations are completed, which is expected by April 1, 2024.3 million to its qualified pension plans and approximately $86 thousand to other postretirement health care and life insurance plans in 2023, although the 2023 required pension contributions will be known with more certainty when the January 1, 2023 valuations are completed, which is expected by April 1, 2023. See “Critical Accounting Estimates - Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits” below and Note 11 to the financial statements for a discussion of qualified pension and other postretirement benefits funding. See “Critical Accounting Estimates - Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits” below and Note 11 for a discussion of qualified pension and other postretirement benefits funding. Entergy Louisiana has $128.4 million of unrecognized tax benefits net of unused tax attributes plus interest for which the timing of payments beyond 12 months cannot be reasonably estimated due to uncertainties in the timing of effective settlement of tax positions. See Note 3 to the financial statements for additional information regarding unrecognized tax benefits.In addition, Entergy Louisiana enters into fuel and purchased power agreements that contain minimum purchase obligations. Entergy Louisiana has rate mechanisms in place to recover fuel, purchased power, and associated costs incurred under these purchase obligations. See Note 8 to the financial statements for discussion of Entergy Louisiana’s obligations under the Unit Power Sales Agreement and the Vidalia purchased power agreement.348Table of ContentsEntergy Louisiana, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisAs a wholly-owned subsidiary of Entergy Utility Holding Company, LLC, Entergy Louisiana pays distributions from its earnings at a percentage determined monthly.361Table of ContentsEntergy Louisiana, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisNet Metering RulemakingIn September 2019 the LPSC issued an order modifying its rules regarding net metering installations. 2021 Solar Certification and the Geaux Green OptionIn November 2021, Entergy Louisiana filed an application with the LPSC seeking certification of and approval for the addition of four new solar photovoltaic resources with a combined nameplate capacity of 475 megawatts (the 2021 Solar Portfolio) and the implementation of a new green tariff, the Geaux Green Option (Rider GGO). The 2021 Solar Portfolio consists of four resources that are expected to provide $242 million in net benefits to Entergy Louisiana’s customers. These resources, all of which would be constructed in Louisiana, include (i) the Vacherie Facility, a 150 megawatt resource in St. James Parish; (ii) the Sunlight Road Facility, a 50 megawatt resource in Washington Parish; (iii) the St. Jacques Facility, a 150 megawatt resource in St. James Parish; and (iv) the Elizabeth Facility, a 125 megawatt resource in Allen Parish. The St. Jacques Facility would be acquired through a build-own-transfer agreement; the remaining resources involve power purchase agreements. The Sunlight Road Facility and the Elizabeth Facility have estimated in service dates in 2024, and the Vacherie Facility and the St. Jacques Facility originally had estimated in service dates in 2025, but are now expected to be no sooner than 2027. The filing proposed to recover the costs of the power purchase agreements through the fuel adjustment clause and the formula rate plan and the acquisition costs through the formula rate plan.The proposed Rider GGO is a voluntary rate schedule that will enhance Entergy Louisiana’s ability to help customers meet their sustainability goals by allowing customers to align some or all of their electricity requirements with renewable energy from the resources. Because subscription fees from Rider GGO participants are expected to help offset the cost of the resources, the design of Rider GGO also preserves the benefits of the 2021 Solar Portfolio for non-participants by providing them with the reliability and capacity benefits of locally-sited solar generation at a discounted price. Because subscription fees from Rider GGO participants would help to offset the cost of the resources, the design of Rider GGO also preserves the benefits of the 2021 Solar Portfolio for non-participants by providing them with the reliability and capacity benefits of locally-sited solar generation at a discounted price. In March 2022 direct testimony from Walmart, the Louisiana Energy Users Group (LEUG), and the LPSC staff was filed. Each party recommended that the LPSC approve the resources proposed in Entergy Louisiana’s application, and the LPSC staff witness indicated that the process through which Entergy Louisiana solicited or obtained the proposals for the resources complied with applicable LPSC orders. The LPSC staff and LEUG’s witnesses made recommendations to modify the proposed Rider GGO and Entergy Louisiana’s proposed rate relief. In April 2022 the LPSC staff and LEUG filed cross-answering testimony concerning each other’s proposed modifications to Rider GGO and the proposed rate recovery. Entergy Louisiana filed rebuttal testimony in June 2022. In August 2022 the parties reached a settlement certifying the 2021 Solar Portfolio and approving implementation of Rider GGO. In September 2022 the LPSC approved the settlement. Following the LPSC approval, the St. James Parish council issued a moratorium on new land use permits for solar facilities until the later of March 2023 or the completion of an environmental and economic impact study. In November 2023, St. In November 2020 the D. James Parish lifted the moratorium and adopted an ordinance modifying the parish’s land use plan to establish solar as an approved land use and defining corresponding solar regulations. Entergy Louisiana is in discussions with the counterparties to the Vacherie and St. Jacques facilities regarding amendments to the respective agreements to address the impact of the St. James Parish ordinance, and the facilities are expected to reach commercial operation no sooner than 2027, depending upon agreement by the parties on the terms of the amendments. In September 2023, Entergy Louisiana reported to the LPSC that it also entered into amended agreements related to the Sunlight Road and Elizabeth facilities. Both facilities are still expected to achieve commercial operation in 2024.2022 Solar Portfolio and Expansion of the Geaux Green OptionIn February 2023, Entergy Louisiana filed an application with the LPSC seeking certification of the Iberville/Coastal Prairie facility, which will provide 175 MW of capacity through a PPA with a third party, and the Sterlington facility, a 49 MW self-build project located near the deactivated Sterlington power plant (the 2022 Solar Portfolio). Entergy Louisiana is seeking to include these resources within the portfolio supporting the Rider GGO 349Table of ContentsEntergy Louisiana, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysisrate schedule to help fulfill customer interest in access to renewable energy. Entergy Louisiana has requested the costs of these facilities, as offset by Rider GGO revenues, be deemed eligible for recovery in accordance with the terms of the formula rate plan and fuel adjustment clause rate mechanisms that exist at the time the facilities are placed into service. In January 2024, the parties filed an uncontested stipulated settlement agreement on the key issues in the case, which stated that the 2022 Solar Portfolio should be constructed, found that Entergy Louisiana’s proposed cost recovery mechanisms were appropriate, and confirmed the resources’ eligibility for inclusion in Rider GGO. The settlement was approved by the LPSC in January 2024. The settlement was approved by the LPSC in November 2022. The Sterlington facility is expected to achieve commercial operation in January 2026. The facility is expected to reach commercial operation as early as June 2026. Alternative RFP and CertificationIn March 2023, Entergy Louisiana made the first phase of a bifurcated filing to seek approval from the LPSC for an alternative to the requests for proposals (RFP) process that would enable the acquisition of up to 3 GW of solar resources on a faster timeline than the current RFP and certification process allows. The initial phase of the filing established the need for the acquisition of additional resources and the need for an alternative to the RFP process. The second phase of the filing, which contains the details of the proposal for the alternative competitive procurement process and the information necessary to support certification, was filed in May 2023. In addition to the acquisition of up to 3 GW of solar resources, the filing also seeks approval of a new renewable energy credits-based tariff, Rider Geaux ZERO. Several parties have intervened, and a procedural schedule was established in May 2023 with a hearing scheduled for March 2024. In October 2023 the LPSC staff and intervenors filed testimony, with the LPSC staff supporting the amount of solar resources to be acquired and the alternative RFP process. The LPSC staff also supported, subject to certain recommendations, the proposed framework for evaluation and certification of the solar resources by the LPSC and the proposed tariff.System Resilience and Storm HardeningIn December 2022, Entergy Louisiana filed an application with the LPSC seeking a public interest finding regarding Phase I of Entergy Louisiana’s Future Ready resilience plan and approval of a rider mechanism to recover the program’s costs.System Resilience and Storm HardeningIn December 2022, Entergy Louisiana filed an application seeking a public interest finding regarding Phase I of Entergy Louisiana’s Future Ready resilience plan and approval of a rider mechanism to recover the program’s costs. Phase I reflects the first five years of a ten-year resilience plan and includes investment of approximately $5 billion, including hardening investment, transmission dead-end structures, enhanced vegetation management, and telecommunications improvement. In April 2023 a procedural schedule was established with a hearing scheduled for January 2024. The LPSC staff and certain intervenors filed direct testimony in August, September, and October 2023. The LPSC staff filed cross-answering testimony in October 2023. The testimony largely supports implementation of some level of accelerated investment in resilience, but raises various issues related to the magnitude of the investment, the cost recovery mechanism applicable to the investment, and the ratemaking for the investment. In January 2024 the hearing in this matter was rescheduled to April 2024.The LPSC had previously opened a formal rulemaking proceeding in December 2021 to investigate efforts to improve resilience of electric utility infrastructure. In April 2023 the LPSC staff issued a draft rule in the rulemaking proceeding related to a requirement to file a grid resilience plan. The procedural schedule entered in the rulemaking proceeding contemplated adoption of a final rule in October 2023, but this did not occur, and a new date has not been set. The LPSC also has pending rulemakings addressing issues related to pole viability and grid maintenance practices. In December 2023, in those rulemakings, the LPSC staff issued a report and recommendation proposing to impose significant new reporting and compliance obligations related to jurisdictional utilities’ distribution and transmission operations, including new obligations related to grid hardening plans, pole inspections, pole replacement, vegetation management, storm restoration plans, new reliability metrics, software for handling customer complaints and complaint resolution, required use of drone technology, and new penalties and incentives for reliability performance and for compliance with the new obligations. In February 2024, Entergy Louisiana and other parties filed comments on the LPSC staff’s report.350Table of ContentsEntergy Louisiana, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisSources of CapitalEntergy Louisiana’s sources to meet its capital requirements include:•internally generated funds;•cash on hand;•the Entergy system money pool;•storm reserve escrow accounts;•debt or preferred membership interest issuances, including debt issuances to refund or retire currently outstanding or maturing indebtedness;•capital contributions; and•bank financing under new or existing facilities.20Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisSources of CapitalEntergy’s sources to meet its capital requirements and to fund potential investments include:•internally generated funds;•cash on hand ($224 million as of December 31, 2022);•storm reserve escrow accounts;•debt and equity issuances in the capital markets, including debt issuances to refund or retire currently outstanding or maturing indebtedness;•bank financing under new or existing facilities or commercial paper; and•sales of assets. Circumstances such as weather patterns, fuel and purchased power price fluctuations, and unanticipated expenses, including unscheduled plant outages and storms, could affect the timing and level of internally generated funds in the future. In addition to the financings necessary to meet capital requirements and contractual obligations, Entergy Louisiana expects to continue, when economically feasible, to retire higher-cost debt and replace it with lower-cost debt if market conditions permit.All debt and common and preferred membership interest issuances by Entergy Louisiana require prior regulatory approval. Debt issuances are also subject to issuance tests set forth in its bond indentures and other agreements. Entergy Louisiana has sufficient capacity under these tests to meet its foreseeable capital needs for the next twelve months and beyond.Entergy Louisiana’s receivables from or (payables to) the money pool were as follows as of December 31 for each of the following years.See Note 4 to the financial statements for a description of the money pool.Entergy Louisiana has a credit facility in the amount of $350 million scheduled to expire in June 2028. The credit facility includes fronting commitments for the issuance of letters of credit against $15 million of the borrowing capacity of the facility. As of December 31, 2023, there were no cash borrowings and no letters of credit outstanding under the credit facility. In addition, Entergy Louisiana is a party to an uncommitted letter of credit facility as a means to post collateral to support its obligations to MISO. As of December 31, 2023, $17.1 million in letters of credit were outstanding under Entergy Louisiana’s uncommitted letter of credit facility.8 million in letters of credit were outstanding under Entergy Texas’s uncommitted letter of credit facility. See Note 4 to the financial statements for additional discussion of the credit facilities.The Entergy Louisiana nuclear fuel company variable interest entities have two separate credit facilities, each in the amount of $105 million and scheduled to expire in June 2025. As of December 31, 2023, $46.6 million in loans were outstanding under the credit facility for the Entergy Louisiana River Bend nuclear fuel company variable interest entity.1 million of loans were outstanding under the credit facility for the Entergy Louisiana River Bend nuclear fuel company variable interest entity. As of December 31, 2023, $29.5 million in loans were outstanding under the Entergy Louisiana Waterford nuclear fuel company variable interest entity credit facility. See Note 4 to the financial statements for additional discussion of the nuclear fuel company variable interest entity credit facilities.351Table of ContentsEntergy Louisiana, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisEntergy Louisiana obtained authorizations from the FERC through April 2025 for the following:•short-term borrowings not to exceed an aggregate amount of $450 million at any time outstanding;•long-term borrowings and security issuances; and•borrowings by its nuclear fuel company variable interest entities.364Table of ContentsEntergy Louisiana, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisOther ContingenciesSee “Other Contingencies” in the “Critical Accounting Estimates” section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis for a discussion of the estimates associated with environmental, litigation, and other risks. See Note 4 to the financial statements for further discussion of Entergy Louisiana’s short-term borrowing limits.Hurricane IdaAs discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements, in August 2020 and October 2020, Hurricane Laura, Hurricane Delta, and Hurricane Zeta caused significant damage to portions of Entergy Louisiana’s service area. In February 2021 two winter storms (collectively, Winter Storm Uri) brought freezing rain and ice to Louisiana.In February 2021 two winter storms (collectively, Winter Storm Uri) brought freezing rain and ice to Louisiana. In August 2021, Hurricane Ida caused extensive damage to Entergy Louisiana’s distribution and, to a lesser extent, transmission systems resulting in widespread power outages.In August 2021, Hurricane Ida caused extensive damage to Entergy Louisiana’s distribution and, to a lesser extent, transmission systems resulting in widespread power outages. In April 2022, Entergy Louisiana filed an application with the LPSC relating to Hurricane Ida restoration costs. Total restoration costs for the repair and/or replacement of Entergy Louisiana’s electric facilities damaged by Hurricane Ida were estimated to be approximately $2. Total restoration costs for the repair and/or replacement of Entergy Louisiana’s electric facilities damaged by Hurricane Ida currently are estimated to be approximately $2. 54 billion, including approximately $1.96 billion in capital costs and approximately $586 million in non-capital costs. Including carrying costs of $57 million through December 2022, Entergy Louisiana was seeking an LPSC determination that $2.60 billion was prudently incurred and, therefore, eligible for recovery from customers.60 billion was prudently incurred and, therefore, is eligible for recovery from customers. As part of this filing, Entergy Louisiana also was seeking an LPSC determination that an additional $32 million in costs associated with the restoration of Entergy Louisiana’s electric facilities damaged by Hurricane Laura, Hurricane Delta, and Hurricane Zeta as well as Winter Storm Uri was prudently incurred. As part of this filing, Entergy Louisiana also is seeking an LPSC determination that an additional $32 million in costs associated with the restoration of Entergy Louisiana’s electric facilities damaged by Hurricane Laura, Hurricane Delta, and Hurricane Zeta as well as Winter Storm Uri was prudently incurred. This amount was exclusive of the requested $3 million in carrying costs through December 2022. In total, Entergy Louisiana was requesting an LPSC determination that $2.64 billion was prudently incurred and, therefore, eligible for recovery from customers.64 billion was prudently incurred and, therefore, is eligible for recovery from customers. As discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements, in March 2022 the LPSC approved financing of a $1 billion storm escrow account from which funds were withdrawn to finance costs associated with Hurricane Ida restoration. As discussed above, in March 2022 the LPSC approved financing of a $1 billion storm escrow account from which funds were withdrawn to finance costs associated with Hurricane Ida restoration. In June 2022, Entergy Louisiana supplemented the application with a request regarding the financing and recovery of the recoverable storm restoration costs. Specifically, Entergy Louisiana requested approval to securitize its restoration costs pursuant to Louisiana Act 55 financing, as supplemented by Act 293 of the Louisiana Legislature’s Regular Session of 2021. In October 2022 the LPSC staff recommended a finding that the requested storm restoration costs of $2.64 billion, including associated carrying costs of $59.1 million, were prudently incurred and eligible for recovery from customers.1 million, were prudently incurred and are eligible for recovery from customers. The LPSC staff further recommended approval of Entergy Louisiana’s plans to securitize these costs, net of the $1 billion in funds withdrawn from the storm escrow account described above. The parties negotiated and executed an uncontested stipulated settlement which was filed with the LPSC in December 2022. The settlement agreement contains the following key terms: $2.57 billion of restoration costs from Hurricane Ida, Hurricane Laura, Hurricane Delta, Hurricane Zeta, and Winter Storm Uri were prudently incurred and eligible for recovery; carrying costs of $59.2 million were recoverable; and Entergy Louisiana was authorized to finance $1.657 billion utilizing the securitization process authorized by Act 55, as supplemented by Act 293. A procedural motion to consider the uncontested settlement at the December 2022 LPSC meeting did not pass and the settlement was not voted on. In January 2023 an ALJ with the LPSC conducted a settlement hearing to receive the uncontested settlement and supporting testimony into evidence and issued a report of proceedings, which allows the LPSC to consider the uncontested settlement without the procedural motion that did not pass in December. In January 2023, the LPSC approved the stipulated settlement subject to certain modifications. In January 2023, the LPSC staff approved the stipulated settlement subject to certain modifications. These modifications include the recognition of accumulated deferred income tax benefits related to damaged assets and system restoration costs as a reduction of the amount authorized to be financed utilizing the securitization process authorized by Act 55, as supplemented by Act 293, from $1.657 billion to $1.491 billion. These modifications did not affect the LPSC’s conclusion that all system restoration costs sought by Entergy Louisiana were reasonable and prudent. These modifications do not affect the staff’s conclusion that all system restoration costs sought by Entergy Louisiana were reasonable and prudent. In February 2023 the Louisiana Bond Commission voted to authorize the Louisiana Local Government Facilities and Community Development Authority (LCDA) to issue the bonds authorized in the LPSC’s financing order. In February 2023 the Louisiana Bond Commission voted to authorize the LCDA to issue the bonds authorized in the LPSC’s financing order; the bond rating and marketing process has yet to occur. 352Table of ContentsEntergy Louisiana, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisIn March 2023 the Hurricane Ida securitization financing closed, resulting in the issuance of approximately $1.361Table of ContentsEntergy Louisiana, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisNet Metering RulemakingIn September 2019 the LPSC issued an order modifying its rules regarding net metering installations. 491 billion principal amount of bonds by the LCDA and a remaining regulatory asset of $180 million to be recovered through the exclusion of the accumulated deferred income taxes related to damaged assets and system restoration costs from the determination of future rates. The securitization was authorized pursuant to the Louisiana Utilities Restoration Corporation Act, Part VIII of Chapter 9 of Title 45 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes, as supplemented by Act 293 of the Louisiana Legislature’s Regular Session of 2021. The LCDA loaned the proceeds to the LURC. Pursuant to Act 293, the LURC contributed the net bond proceeds to a State legislatively authorized and LURC-sponsored trust, Restoration Law Trust II (the storm trust II).Pursuant to Act 293, the net proceeds of the bonds were used by the storm trust II to purchase 14,576,757.Pursuant to Act 293, the net proceeds of the bonds were used by the storm trust to purchase 31,635,718. 48 Class B preferred, non-voting membership interest units (the preferred membership interests) issued by Entergy Finance Company, LLC, a majority owned indirect subsidiary of Entergy. Entergy Finance Company is required to make annual distributions (dividends) commencing on December 15, 2023 on the preferred membership interests issued to the storm trust II. These annual dividends received by the storm trust II will be distributed to Entergy Louisiana and the LURC, as beneficiaries of the storm trust II. These annual dividends received by the storm trust will be distributed to Entergy Louisiana and the LURC, as beneficiaries of the storm trust. Specifically, 1% of the annual dividends received by the storm trust II will be distributed to the LURC for the benefit of customers, and 99% will be distributed to Entergy Louisiana, net of storm trust expenses. The preferred membership interests have a stated annual cumulative cash dividend rate of 7. The preferred membership interests have a stated annual cumulative cash dividend rate of 7% and a liquidation price of $100 per unit. 5% and a liquidation price of $100 per unit. The terms of the preferred membership interests include certain financial covenants to which Entergy Finance Company is subject. Semi-annual redemptions of the preferred membership interests, subject to certain conditions, are expected to occur over the next 15 years.Entergy and Entergy Louisiana do not report the bonds issued by the LCDA on their balance sheets because the bonds are the obligation of the LCDA. The bonds are secured by system restoration property, which is the right granted by law to the LURC to collect a system restoration charge from customers. The system restoration charge is adjusted at least semi-annually to ensure that it is sufficient to service the bonds. Entergy Louisiana collects the system restoration charge on behalf of the LURC and remits the collections to the bond indenture trustee. Entergy Louisiana began collecting the system restoration charge effective with the first billing cycle of April 2023 and the system restoration charge is expected to remain in place for up to 15 years. Entergy Louisiana began collecting the system restoration charge effective with the first billing cycle of June 2022 and the system restoration charge is expected to remain in place up to 15 years. Entergy and Entergy Louisiana do not report the collections as revenue because Entergy Louisiana is merely acting as a billing and collection agent for the LCDA and the LURC. In the remote possibility that the system restoration charge, as well as any funds in the excess subaccount and funds in the debt service reserve account, are insufficient to service the bonds resulting in a payment default, the storm trust II is required to liquidate Entergy Finance Company preferred membership interests in an amount equal to what would be required to cure the default. In the remote possibility that the system restoration charge, as well as any funds in the excess subaccount and funds in the debt service reserve account, are insufficient to service the bonds resulting in a payment default, the storm trust is required to liquidate Entergy Finance Company preferred membership interests in an amount equal to what would be required to cure the default. The estimated value of this indirect guarantee is immaterial.From the proceeds from the issuance of the preferred membership interests, Entergy Finance Company loaned approximately $1.From the proceeds from the issuance of the preferred membership interests, Entergy Finance Company distributed $1. 5 billion to Entergy, which was indirectly contributed to Entergy Louisiana as a capital contribution.As discussed in Note 3 to the financial statements, the securitization resulted in recognition of a net reduction of income tax expense of approximately $133 million, after taking into account a provision for uncertain tax positions, by Entergy Louisiana.As discussed in Note 3 to the financial statements, the securitization resulted in recognition of a reduction of income tax expense of approximately $290 million by Entergy Louisiana. Entergy’s recognition of reduced income tax expense was offset by other tax charges resulting in a net reduction of income tax expense of $129 million, after taking into account a provision for uncertain tax positions. Entergy’s recognition of reduced income tax expense was partially offset by other tax charges resulting in a net reduction of income tax expense of $283 million. In recognition of its obligations described in an LPSC ancillary order issued as part of the securitization regulatory proceeding, Entergy Louisiana recorded in first quarter 2023 a $103 million ($76 million net-of-tax) regulatory charge and a corresponding regulatory liability to reflect its obligation to provide credits to its customers. In recognition of obligations related to an LPSC ancillary order issued as part of the securitization regulatory proceeding, Entergy Louisiana recorded a $224 million ($165 million net-of-tax) regulatory charge and a corresponding regulatory liability to reflect its obligation to share the benefits of the securitization with customers. As discussed in Note 6 and Note 17 to the financial statements, Entergy Louisiana consolidates the storm trust II as a variable interest entity and the LURC’s 1% beneficial interest is presented as noncontrolling interest in 353Table of ContentsEntergy Louisiana, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysisthe financial statements. In first quarter 2023, Entergy Louisiana recorded a charge of $14. In second quarter 2022, Entergy Louisiana recorded a charge of $31. 6 million in other income to reflect the LURC’s beneficial interest in the storm trust II.Nelson Industrial Steam CompanyEntergy Louisiana is a partner in the Nelson Industrial Steam Company (NISCO) partnership which owns two petroleum coke generating units. In April 2023 these generating units suspended operations in the MISO market, and Entergy Louisiana currently is working to wind up the NISCO partnership, which will ultimately result in ownership of the generating units transferring to Entergy Louisiana. In November 2023 the FERC issued an order providing Section 203 of the Federal Power Act approval for any subsequent transfer of the facilities to Entergy Louisiana. Entergy Louisiana is evaluating the effect of the transaction on its results of operations, cash flows, and financial condition, but at this time does not expect the effect to be material.State and Local Rate Regulation and Fuel-Cost RecoveryThe rates that Entergy Louisiana charges for its services significantly influence its financial position, results of operations, and liquidity. Entergy Louisiana is regulated, and the rates charged to its customers are determined in regulatory proceedings. A governmental agency, the LPSC, is primarily responsible for approval of the rates charged to customers.Retail Rates - ElectricFilings with the LPSC2017 Formula Rate Plan FilingIn June 2018, Entergy Louisiana filed its formula rate plan evaluation report for its 2017 calendar year operations. The 2017 test year evaluation report produced an earned return on equity of 8.16%, due in large part to revenue-neutral realignments to other recovery mechanisms. Without these realignments, the evaluation report produces an earned return on equity of 9.88% and a resulting base rider formula rate plan revenue increase of $4.8 million. Excluding the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act credits provided for by the tax reform adjustment mechanisms, total formula rate plan revenues were further increased by a total of $98 million as a result of the evaluation report due to adjustments to the additional capacity and MISO cost recovery mechanisms of the formula rate plan, and implementation of the transmission recovery mechanism. In August 2018, Entergy Louisiana filed a supplemental formula rate plan evaluation report to reflect changes from the 2016 test year formula rate plan proceedings, a decrease to the transmission recovery mechanism to reflect lower actual capital additions, and a decrease to evaluation period expenses to reflect the terms of a new power sales agreement. Based on the August 2018 update, Entergy Louisiana recognized a total decrease in formula rate plan revenue of approximately $17.6 million. Results of the updated 2017 evaluation report filing were implemented with the September 2018 billing month subject to refund and review by the LPSC staff and intervenors. In accordance with the terms of the formula rate plan, in September 2018 the LPSC staff filed its report of objections/reservations and intervenors submitted their responses to Entergy Louisiana’s original formula rate plan evaluation report and supplemental compliance updates. In accordance with the terms of the formula rate plan, in September 2018 the LPSC staff and intervenors submitted their responses to Entergy Louisiana’s original formula rate plan evaluation report and supplemental compliance updates. In August 2021 the LPSC staff issued a letter updating its objections/reservations for the 2017 test year formula rate plan evaluation report. In its letter, the LPSC staff reiterated its original objections/reservations. The LPSC staff further reserved its rights for future proceedings and to dispute future proposed adjustments to the 2017 test year formula rate plan evaluation report. The LPSC staff withdrew all other objections/reservations.In November 2023 the LPSC approved a global settlement which resolved all outstanding issues related to the 2017, 2018, and 2019 formula rate plan filings and resolved certain issues with respect to the 2020 and 2021 formula rate plan filings. See “Formula Rate Plan Global Settlement” below for further discussion of the settlement.354Table of ContentsEntergy Louisiana, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysis2018 Formula Rate Plan FilingIn May 2019, Entergy Louisiana filed its formula rate plan evaluation report for its 2018 calendar year operations.353Table of ContentsEntergy Louisiana, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisThe Entergy Louisiana nuclear fuel company variable interest entities have two separate credit facilities, each in the amount of $105 million and scheduled to expire in June 2025. The 2018 test year evaluation report produced an earned return on common equity of 10.61% leading to a base rider formula rate plan revenue decrease of $8.9 million. While base rider formula rate plan revenue decreased as a result of this filing, overall formula rate plan revenues increased by approximately $118.7 million. This outcome was primarily driven by a reduction to the credits previously flowed through the tax reform adjustment mechanism and an increase in the transmission recovery mechanism, partially offset by reductions in the additional capacity mechanism revenue requirements and extraordinary cost items. The filing was subject to review by the LPSC. Resulting rates were implemented in September 2019, subject to refund.Several parties intervened in the proceeding and the LPSC staff filed its report of objections/reservations in accordance with the applicable provisions of the formula rate plan. In August 2021 the LPSC staff issued a letter updating its objections/reservations for the 2018 test year formula rate plan evaluation report. In its letter, the LPSC staff reiterated its original objection/reservation pertaining to test year expenses billed from Entergy Services to Entergy Louisiana and outstanding issues from the 2017 test year formula rate plan evaluation report. The LPSC staff withdrew all other objections/reservations.Commercial operation at Lake Charles Power Station commenced in March 2020. In March 2020, Entergy Louisiana filed an update to its 2018 formula rate plan evaluation report to include the estimated first-year revenue requirement of $108 million associated with the Lake Charles Power Station. The resulting interim adjustment to rates became effective with the first billing cycle of April 2020.In November 2023 the LPSC approved a global settlement which resolved all outstanding issues related to the 2017, 2018, and 2019 formula rate plan filings and resolved certain issues with respect to the 2020 and 2021 formula rate plan filings. See “Formula Rate Plan Global Settlement” below for further discussion of the settlement.2019 Formula Rate Plan FilingIn May 2020, Entergy Louisiana filed with the LPSC its formula rate plan evaluation report for its 2019 calendar year operations. The 2019 test year evaluation report produced an earned return on common equity of 9.66%. As such, no change to base rider formula rate plan revenue is required. Although base rider formula rate plan revenue did not change as a result of this filing, overall formula rate plan revenues increased by approximately $103 million. This outcome is driven by the removal of prior year credits associated with the sale of the Willow Glen Power Station and an increase in the transmission recovery mechanism. Also contributing to the overall change was an increase in legacy formula rate plan revenue requirements driven by legacy Entergy Louisiana capacity cost true-ups and higher annualized legacy Entergy Gulf States Louisiana revenues due to higher billing determinants, offset by reductions in MISO cost recovery mechanism and tax reform adjustment mechanism revenue requirements. In August 2020 the LPSC staff submitted a list of items for which it needs additional information to confirm the accuracy and compliance of the 2019 test year evaluation report. The LPSC staff objected to a proposed revenue neutral adjustment regarding a certain rider as being beyond the scope of permitted formula rate plan adjustments. Rates reflected in the May 2020 filing, with the exception of a revenue neutral rider adjustment, and as updated in an August 2020 filing, were implemented in September 2020, subject to refund. In August 2021 the LPSC staff issued a letter updating its objections/reservations for the 2019 test year formula rate plan filing. In its letter, the LPSC staff disputed Entergy Louisiana’s exclusion of approximately $251 thousand of interest income allocated from Entergy Operations and Entergy Services to Entergy Louisiana to the extent that there are other adjustments that would move Entergy Louisiana out of the formula rate plan deadband. The LPSC staff reserved the right to further contest the issue in future proceedings. The LPSC staff further reserved outstanding issues from the 2017 and 2018 formula rate plan evaluation reports and withdrew all other remaining objections/reservations.355Table of ContentsEntergy Louisiana, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisIn November 2023 the LPSC approved a global settlement which resolved all outstanding issues related to the 2017, 2018, and 2019 formula rate plan filings and resolved certain issues with respect to the 2020 and 2021 formula rate plan filings.358Table of ContentsEntergy Louisiana, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisIn an effort to narrow the remaining issues in formula rate plan test years 2017 and 2018, Entergy Louisiana provided notice to the parties in October 2020 that it was withdrawing its request to combine residential rates. See “Formula Rate Plan Global Settlement” below for further discussion of the settlement.Request for Extension and Modification of Formula Rate PlanIn May 2020, Entergy Louisiana filed with the LPSC its application for authority to extend its formula rate plan. In its application, Entergy Louisiana sought to maintain a 9.8% return on equity, with a bandwidth of 60 basis points above and below the midpoint, with a first-year midpoint reset. The parties reached a settlement in April 2021 regarding Entergy Louisiana’s proposed formula rate plan extension. In May 2021 the LPSC approved the uncontested settlement. Key terms of the settlement include: a three year term (test years 2020, 2021, and 2022) covering a rate-effective period of September 2021 through August 2024; a 9.50% return on equity, with a smaller, 50 basis point deadband above and below (9.0%-10.0%); elimination of sharing if earnings are outside the deadband; a $63 million rate increase for test year 2020 (exclusive of riders); continuation of existing riders (transmission, additional capacity, etc.); addition of a distribution recovery mechanism permitting $225 million per year of distribution investment above a baseline level to be recovered dollar for dollar; modification of the tax mechanism to allow timely rate changes in the event the federal corporate income tax rate is changed from 21%; a cumulative rate increase limit of $70 million (exclusive of riders) for test years 2021 and 2022; and deferral of up to $7 million per year in 2021 and 2022 of expenditures on vegetation management for outside of right of way hazard trees.2020 Formula Rate Plan FilingIn June 2021, Entergy Louisiana filed its formula rate plan evaluation report for its 2020 calendar year operations. The 2020 test year evaluation report produced an earned return on common equity of 8.45%, with a base formula rate plan revenue increase of $63 million. Certain reductions in formula rate plan revenue driven by lower sales volumes, reductions in capacity cost and net MISO cost, and higher credits resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act offset the base formula rate plan revenue increase, leading to a net increase in formula rate plan revenue of $50.7 million. The report also included multiple new adjustments to account for, among other things, the calculation of distribution recovery mechanism revenues. The effects of the changes to total formula rate plan revenue were different for each legacy company, primarily due to differences in the legacy companies’ capacity cost changes, including the effect of true-ups. Legacy Entergy Louisiana formula rate plan revenues increased by $27 million and legacy Entergy Gulf States Louisiana formula rate plan revenues increased by $23.7 million. Subject to LPSC review, the resulting changes became effective for bills rendered during the first billing cycle of September 2021, subject to refund. Subject to refund and LPSC review, the resulting changes became effective for bills rendered during the first billing cycle of September 2021. Discovery commenced in the proceeding. In August 2021, Entergy Louisiana submitted an update to its evaluation report to account for various changes. Relative to the June 2021 filing, the total formula rate plan revenue increased by $14.2 million to an updated total of $64.9 million. Legacy Entergy Louisiana formula rate plan revenues increased by $32.8 million and legacy Entergy Gulf States Louisiana formula rate plan revenues increased by $32.1 million. The results of the 2020 test year evaluation report bandwidth calculation were unchanged as there was no change in the earned return on common equity of 8.45%. In September 2021 the LPSC staff filed a letter with a general statement of objections/reservations because it had not completed its review and indicated it would update the letter once its review was complete. Should the parties be unable to resolve any objections, those issues will be set for hearing, with recovery of the associated costs subject to refund.In November 2023 the LPSC approved a global settlement which resolved all outstanding issues related to the 2017, 2018, and 2019 formula rate plan filings and resolved certain issues with respect to the 2020 and 2021 formula rate plan filings. See “Formula Rate Plan Global Settlement” below for further discussion of the settlement.356Table of ContentsEntergy Louisiana, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysis2021 Formula Rate Plan FilingIn May 2022, Entergy Louisiana filed its formula rate plan evaluation report for its 2021 calendar year operations.353Table of ContentsEntergy Louisiana, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisThe Entergy Louisiana nuclear fuel company variable interest entities have two separate credit facilities, each in the amount of $105 million and scheduled to expire in June 2025. The 2021 test year evaluation report produced an earned return on common equity of 8.33%, with a base formula rate plan revenue increase of $65.3 million. Other increases in formula rate plan revenue driven by reductions in Tax Cut and Jobs Act credits and additions to transmission and distribution plant in service reflected through the transmission recovery mechanism and distribution recovery mechanism are partly offset by an increase in net MISO revenues, leading to a net increase in formula rate plan revenue of $152.9 million. The effects of the changes to total formula rate plan revenue are different for each legacy company, primarily due to differences in the legacy companies’ capacity cost changes, including the effect of true-ups. Legacy Entergy Louisiana formula rate plan revenues increased by $86 million and legacy Entergy Gulf States Louisiana formula rate plan revenues increased by $66.9 million. In August 2022 the LPSC staff filed a list of objections/reservations, including outstanding issues from the test years 2017-2020 formula rate plan filings, utilizing the extraordinary cost mechanism to address one-time changes such as state tax rate changes, and failing to include an adjustment for revenues not received as a result of Hurricane Ida. Subject to LPSC review, the resulting changes to formula rate plan revenues became effective for bills rendered during the first billing cycle of September 2022, subject to refund. Subject to refund and LPSC review, the resulting changes to formula rate plan revenues became effective for bills rendered during the first billing cycle of September 2022. In November 2023 the LPSC approved a global settlement which resolved all outstanding issues related to the 2017, 2018, and 2019 formula rate plan filings and resolved certain issues with respect to the 2020 and 2021 formula rate plan filings. See “Formula Rate Plan Global Settlement” below for further discussion of the settlement.2022 Formula Rate Plan FilingIn May 2023, Entergy Louisiana filed its formula rate plan evaluation report for its 2022 calendar year operations. The 2022 test year evaluation report produced an earned return on common equity of 8.33%, requiring an approximately $70.7 million increase to base rider revenue.7 billion in cost recovery riders. Due to a cap for the 2021 and 2022 test years, however, base rider formula rate plan revenues are only being increased by approximately $4.9 million, resulting in a revenue deficiency of approximately $65.9 million and providing for prospective return on common equity opportunity of approximately 8.38%. Other changes in formula rate plan revenue driven by increases in capacity costs, primarily legacy capacity costs, additions eligible for recovery through the transmission recovery mechanism and distribution recovery mechanism, and higher sales during the test period are offset by reductions in net MISO costs as well as credits for FERC-ordered refunds. Also included in the 2022 test year distribution recovery mechanism revenue requirement is a $6 million credit relating to the distribution recovery mechanism performance accountability standards and requirements. In total, the net increase in formula rate plan revenues, including base formula rate plan revenues inside the formula rate plan bandwidth and subject to the cap, as well as other formula rate plan revenues outside of the bandwidth, is $85.2 million. In August 2023 the LPSC staff filed a list of objections/reservations, including outstanding issues from the test years 2017-2021 formula rate plan filings, the calculation of certain refunds from System Energy, and certain calculations relating to the tax reform adjustment mechanism. Subject to LPSC review, the resulting net increase in formula rate plan revenues of $85.2 million became effective for bills rendered during the first billing cycle of September 2023, subject to refund.2023 Entergy Louisiana Rate Case and Formula Rate Plan Extension RequestIn 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-357Table of ContentsEntergy Louisiana, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysisservice/rate case. Entergy Louisiana’s filing supports the need to extend Entergy Louisiana’s formula rate plan with credit supportive mechanisms to facilitate investment in the distribution, transmission, and generation functions. To the extent that operating cash flows are insufficient to support planned investments, Entergy Louisiana may issue incremental debt or reduce distributions, or both, to maintain its capital structure. The Rate Case path proposes a 2024-2026 test year formula rate plan with an initial revenue requirement increase of $430 million, net of $17 million of one-time credits, and a return on common equity of 10.5%. Depreciation rates would be updated for all asset classes. The Rate Mitigation Proposal proposes a 2023-2025 test year formula rate plan with an expected initial revenue requirement increase of $173 million, also net of $17 million of one-time credits, based on a 2023 formula rate plan test year, and a return on common equity of 10.0%.0%-10. Depreciation rates would be updated only for nuclear assets and would be phased in over three years.Under both paths, Entergy Louisiana’s filing proposes removing the cap on amounts allowed to be recovered through the distribution recovery mechanism and continuing the distribution recovery mechanism performance accountability targets, which tie Entergy Louisiana’s ability to fully recover its distribution recovery mechanism investments to its reliability performance. Entergy Louisiana’s filing also includes new customer-centric programs specifically focused on affordability, including reducing late fees and certain other fees assessed to customers, lowering additional facilities charge rates, providing eligible low-income seniors with monthly discounts on their electric bill, and adding new voluntary customer options to support new transportation electrification technologies. A status conference was held in October 2023 at which a procedural schedule was adopted that includes three technical conferences, the last of which is in March 2024, and a hearing date in August 2024.Formula Rate Plan Global SettlementIn October 2023 the LPSC staff and Entergy Louisiana reached a global settlement which resolved all outstanding issues related to the 2017, 2018, and 2019 formula rate plan filings and resolved certain issues with respect to the 2020 and 2021 formula rate plan filings. The settlement was approved by the LPSC in November 2023. The settlement resulted in a one-time cost of service credit to customers of $5.8 million, allowed Entergy Louisiana to retain approximately $6.2 million of securitization over-collection as recovery of a regulatory asset associated with late fees related to the 2016 Baton Rouge flood, and resulted in Entergy Louisiana recording the reversal of a $105.6 million regulatory liability, associated with the Hurricane Isaac securitization, recognized in 2017 as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. See Note 3 to the financial statements for further discussion of the reversal of the regulatory liability. See Note 2 to the financial statements for further discussion of the formula rate plan filings. Investigation of Costs Billed by Entergy ServicesIn November 2018 the LPSC issued a notice of proceeding initiating an investigation into costs incurred by Entergy Services that are included in the retail rates of Entergy Louisiana. As stated in the notice of proceeding, the LPSC observed an increase in capital construction-related costs incurred by Entergy Services. Discovery was issued and included efforts to seek highly detailed information on a broad range of matters unrelated to the scope of the audit. There has been no further activity in the investigation since May 2019.Fuel and purchased power cost recoveryEntergy Louisiana recovers electric fuel and purchased power costs for the billing month based upon the level of such costs incurred two months prior to the billing month.Fuel and purchased power cost recoveryThe Utility operating companies are allowed to recover fuel and purchased power costs through fuel mechanisms included in electric and gas rates that are recorded as fuel cost recovery revenues. Entergy Louisiana’s purchased gas adjustments include estimates for the billing month adjusted by a surcharge or credit that arises from an annual reconciliation of fuel costs incurred with fuel cost revenues billed to customers, including carrying charges. In February 2021, Entergy Louisiana incurred extraordinary fuel costs associated with the February 2021 winter storms. To mitigate the effect of these costs on customer bills, in March 2021, Entergy Louisiana requested and the LPSC approved the deferral and recovery of $166 million in incremental fuel costs over five months beginning in April 2021. The incremental fuel costs remain subject to review for reasonableness and eligibility for recovery through the fuel adjustment clause mechanism. The final amount of incremental fuel costs is subject to 358Table of ContentsEntergy Louisiana, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysischange through the resettlement process. At its April 2021 meeting, the LPSC authorized its staff to review the prudence of the February 2021 fuel costs incurred by all LPSC-jurisdictional utilities, including both gas and electric utilities. At its June 2021 meeting, the LPSC approved the hiring of consultants to assist its staff in this review. In May 2022 the LPSC staff issued an audit report regarding Entergy Louisiana’s fuel adjustment clause charges (for its electric operations) recommending no financial disallowances, but including several prospective recommendations. Responsive testimony was filed by one intervenor and the parties agreed to suspend any procedural schedule and move toward settlement discussions to close the matter. Also in May 2022 the LPSC staff issued an audit report regarding Entergy Louisiana’s purchased gas adjustment charges (for its gas operations) that did not propose any financial disallowances. The LPSC staff and Entergy Louisiana submitted a joint report on the audit report and draft order to the LPSC concluding that Entergy Louisiana’s gas distribution operations and fuel costs were not significantly adversely affected by the February 2021 winter storms and the resulting increase in natural gas prices. The LPSC issued an order approving the joint report in October 2022.In March 2021 the LPSC staff provided notice of an audit of Entergy Louisiana’s purchased gas adjustment clause filings covering the period January 2018 through December 2020. The audit included a review of the reasonableness of charges flowed through Entergy Louisiana’s purchased gas adjustment clause for that period. In August 2023 the LPSC submitted its audit report and found that materially all costs recovered through the purchased gas adjustment filings were reasonable and eligible for recovery through the purchased gas adjustment clause. The LPSC approved the report in December 2023. The PUCT approved the settlement in August 2020. To mitigate high electric bills, primarily driven by high summer usage and elevated gas prices, Entergy Louisiana deferred approximately $225 million of fuel expense incurred in April, May, June, July, August, and September 2022 (as reflected on June, July, August, September, October, and November 2022 bills).To mitigate high electric bills, primarily driven by high summer usage and elevated gas prices, Entergy Louisiana has deferred approximately $225 million of fuel expense incurred in April, May, June, July, August, and September 2022 (as reflected on June, July, August, September, October, and November 2022 bills). These deferrals were included in the over/under calculation of the fuel adjustment clause, which is intended to recover the full amount of the costs included on a rolling twelve-month basis.In January 2023 the LPSC staff provided notice of an audit of Entergy Louisiana’s purchased gas adjustment clause filings. The audit includes a review of the reasonableness of charges flowed through Entergy Louisiana’s purchased gas adjustment clause for the period from 2021 through 2022. The audit includes a review of the reasonableness of charges flowed through Entergy Louisiana’s purchased gas adjustment clause for that period. Discovery is ongoing, and no audit report has been filed.In January 2023 the LPSC staff provided notice of an audit of Entergy Louisiana’s fuel adjustment clause filings. The audit includes a review of the reasonableness of charges flowed through Entergy Louisiana’s fuel adjustment clause for the period from 2020 through 2022. The audit includes a review of the reasonableness of charges flowed through Entergy Louisiana’s purchased gas adjustment clause for that period. Discovery is ongoing, and no audit report has been filed.COVID-19 OrdersIn April 2020 the LPSC issued an order authorizing utilities to record as a regulatory asset expenses incurred from the suspension of disconnections and collection of late fees imposed by LPSC orders associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, utilities may seek future recovery, subject to LPSC review and approval, of losses and expenses incurred due to compliance with the LPSC’s COVID-19 orders. The suspension of late fees and disconnects for non-pay was extended until the first billing cycle after July 16, 2020. In January 2021, Entergy Louisiana resumed disconnections for customers in all customer classes with past-due balances that had not made payment arrangements. Utilities seeking to recover the regulatory asset must formally petition the LPSC to do so, identifying the direct and indirect costs for which recovery is sought. Any such request is subject to LPSC review and approval. In April 2023, Entergy Louisiana filed an application proposing to utilize approximately $1.6 billion in certain low interest debt to generate earnings to apply toward the reduction of the COVID-19 regulatory asset, as well as to conduct additional outside right-of-way vegetation management activities and fund the minor storm reserve account. In that filing, Entergy Louisiana proposed to delay repayment of certain shorter-term first mortgage bonds that were issued to finance storm restoration costs until the costs could be securitized, and to invest the funds that otherwise would be used to repay those bonds in the money pool to take advantage of the spread between prevailing interest rates on investments in the money pool and the interest rates on the bonds. The LPSC 359Table of ContentsEntergy Louisiana, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysisapproved Entergy Louisiana’s requested relief in June 2023. A subsequent filing will be required to permit the LPSC to review the COVID-19 regulatory asset. As of December 31, 2023, Entergy Louisiana had a regulatory asset of $47.8 million for costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and a regulatory liability of $36.8 million for costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. 8 million for the deferred earnings related to the approximately $1.6 billion in low interest debt.6 million in settlement costs. Net Metering RulemakingIn September 2019 the LPSC issued an order modifying its rules regarding net metering installations. Among other things, the rule provides for 2-channel billing for net metering with excess energy put to the grid being compensated at the utility’s avoided cost. However, the rule does provide that net meter installations in place as of December 31, 2019 will be subject to 1:1 net metering with excess energy put to the grid being compensated at the full retail rate for a period of 15 years (through December 31, 2034), after which those installations will be subject to 2-channel billing. The rule also eliminates the existing limit on the cumulative number of net meter installations.Industrial and Commercial CustomersEntergy Louisiana’s large industrial and commercial customers continually explore ways to reduce their energy costs. In particular, cogeneration is an option available to a portion of Entergy Louisiana’s industrial customer base. Entergy Louisiana responds by working with industrial and commercial customers and negotiating electric service contracts to provide competitive rates that match specific customer needs and load profiles. Entergy Louisiana actively participates in economic development, customer retention, and reclamation activities to increase industrial and commercial demand, from both new and existing customers.Federal RegulationSee the “Rate, Cost-recovery, and Other Regulation – Federal Regulation” section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis and Note 2 to the financial statements for a discussion of federal regulation.Nuclear MattersEntergy Louisiana owns and, through an affiliate, operates the River Bend and Waterford 3 nuclear generating plants and is, therefore, subject to the risks related to such ownership and operation.Nuclear MattersEntergy Louisiana owns and, through an affiliate, operates the River Bend and Waterford 3 nuclear power plants. These include risks related to: the use, storage, and handling and disposal of high-level and low-level radioactive materials; the substantial financial requirements, both for capital investments and operational needs, including the financial requirements to address emerging issues related to equipment reliability, to position Entergy Louisiana’s nuclear fleet to meet its operational goals; the performance and capacity factors of these nuclear plants; regulatory requirements and potential future regulatory changes, including changes affecting the regulations governing nuclear plant ownership, operations, license amendments, and decommissioning; the availability of interim or permanent sites for the disposal of spent nuclear fuel and nuclear waste, including the fees charged for such disposal; the sufficiency of nuclear decommissioning trust fund assets and earnings to complete decommissioning of each site when required; and limitations on the amounts of insurance recoveries for losses in connection with nuclear plant operations and catastrophic events such as a nuclear accident. These include risks related to: the use, storage, and handling and disposal of high-level and low-level radioactive materials; the substantial financial requirements, both for capital investments and operational needs, including the financial requirements to address emerging issues related to equipment reliability, to position Entergy’s nuclear fleet to meet its operational goals; the performance and capacity factors of these nuclear plants; regulatory requirements and potential future regulatory changes, including changes affecting the regulations governing nuclear plant ownership, operations, license amendments, and decommissioning; the availability of interim or permanent sites for the disposal of spent nuclear fuel and nuclear waste, including the fees charged for such disposal; the sufficiency of nuclear decommissioning trust fund assets and earnings to complete decommissioning of each site when required; and limitations on the amounts and types of insurance commercially available for losses in connection with nuclear plant operations and catastrophic events such as a nuclear accident. In the event of an unanticipated early shutdown of River Bend or Waterford 3, Entergy Louisiana may be required to provide additional funds or credit support to satisfy regulatory requirements for decommissioning. Waterford 3’s operating license expires in 2044 and River Bend’s operating license expires in 2045.NRC Reactor Oversight ProcessThe NRC’s Reactor Oversight Process is a program to collect information about plant performance, assess the information for its safety significance, and provide for appropriate licensee and NRC response. The NRC evaluates plant performance by analyzing two distinct inputs: inspection findings resulting from the NRC’s 360Table of ContentsEntergy Louisiana, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysisinspection program and performance indicators reported by the licensee. The NRC evaluates plant performance by analyzing two distinct inputs: inspection findings resulting from the NRC’s inspection program and performance indicators reported by the licensee. The evaluations result in the placement of each plant in one of the NRC’s Reactor Oversight Process Action Matrix columns: “licensee response column,” or Column 1, “regulatory response column,” or Column 2, “degraded cornerstone column,” or Column 3, “multiple/repetitive degraded cornerstone column,” or Column 4, and “unacceptable performance,” or Column 5. Plants in Column 1 are subject to normal NRC inspection activities. Plants in Column 2, Column 3, or Column 4 are subject to progressively increasing levels of inspection by the NRC with, in general, progressively increasing levels of associated costs. Continued plant operation is not permitted for plants in Column 5. Waterford 3 is currently in Column 1, and River Bend is currently in Column 2. River Bend is currently in Column 1, and Waterford 3 is currently in Column 2. In July 2023 the NRC placed River Bend in Column 2, effective April 2023, based on failure to inspect wiring associated with the high pressure core spray system. In August 2023 the NRC issued a finding and notice of violation related to a radiation monitor calibration issue at River Bend. In December 2023, River Bend successfully completed the inspection on the high pressure core spray system issue and in February 2024, River Bend successfully completed the supplemental inspection for the radiation monitor calibration issue involving radiation monitor calibrations. River Bend will remain in Column 2 pending receipt of the formal report on the inspection, which is expected in first quarter 2024.Environmental RisksEntergy Louisiana’s facilities and operations are subject to regulation by various governmental authorities having jurisdiction over air quality, water quality, control of toxic substances and hazardous and solid wastes, and other environmental matters. Management believes that Entergy Louisiana is in substantial compliance with environmental regulations currently applicable to its facilities and operations, with reference to possible exceptions noted in “Regulation of Entergy’s Business - Environmental Regulation” in Part I, Item 1. Because environmental regulations are subject to change, future compliance costs cannot be precisely estimated.Critical Accounting EstimatesThe preparation of Entergy Louisiana’s financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to apply appropriate accounting policies and to make estimates and judgments that can have a significant effect on reported financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.Critical Accounting EstimatesThe preparation of Entergy Louisiana’s financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to apply appropriate accounting policies and to make estimates and judgments that can have a significant effect on reported financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. Management has identified the following accounting estimates as critical because they are based on assumptions and measurements that involve a high degree of uncertainty, and the potential for future changes in these assumptions and measurements could produce estimates that would have a material effect on the presentation of Entergy Louisiana’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.Nuclear Decommissioning CostsSee “Nuclear Decommissioning Costs” in the “Critical Accounting Estimates” section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis for discussion of the estimates inherent in accounting for nuclear decommissioning costs.Utility Regulatory AccountingSee “Utility Regulatory Accounting” in the “Critical Accounting Estimates” section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis for discussion of accounting for the effects of rate regulation.Taxation and Uncertain Tax PositionsSee “Taxation and Uncertain Tax Positions” in the “Critical Accounting Estimates” section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis for further discussion.361Table of ContentsEntergy Louisiana, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisQualified Pension and Other Postretirement BenefitsEntergy Louisiana’s qualified pension and other postretirement reported costs, as described in Note 11 to the financial statements, are affected by numerous factors including the provisions of the plans, changing employee demographics, and various actuarial calculations, assumptions, and accounting mechanisms.363Table of ContentsEntergy Louisiana, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisQualified Pension and Other Postretirement BenefitsEntergy Louisiana’s qualified pension and other postretirement reported costs, as described in Note 11 to the financial statements, are impacted by numerous factors including the provisions of the plans, changing employee demographics, and various actuarial calculations, assumptions, and accounting mechanisms. See “Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits” in the “Critical Accounting Estimates” section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis for further discussion. Because of the complexity of these calculations, the long-term nature of these obligations, and the importance of the assumptions utilized, Entergy’s estimate of these costs is a critical accounting estimate.Cost SensitivityThe following chart reflects the sensitivity of qualified pension cost and qualified projected benefit obligation to changes in certain actuarial assumptions (dollars in thousands).The following chart reflects the sensitivity of postretirement benefits cost and accumulated postretirement benefit obligation to changes in certain actuarial assumptions (dollars in thousands).The following chart reflects the sensitivity of postretirement benefit cost and accumulated postretirement benefit obligation to changes in certain actuarial assumptions (dollars in thousands). Each fluctuation above assumes that the other components of the calculation are held constant.Costs and Employer ContributionsTotal qualified pension cost for Entergy Louisiana in 2023 was $69.5 million, including $40.4 million in settlement costs. Entergy Louisiana anticipates 2024 qualified pension cost to be $10.7 million. Entergy Louisiana contributed $44.6 million to its qualified pension plans in 2023 and estimates pension contributions will be approximately $48.4 million in 2024, although the 2024 required pension contributions will be known with more certainty when the January 1, 2024 valuations are completed, which is expected by April 1, 2024.Total postretirement health care and life insurance benefit costs for Entergy Louisiana in 2023 were $1.4 million. Entergy Louisiana expects 2024 postretirement health care and life insurance benefit income of approximately $701 thousand. Entergy Louisiana expects 2023 postretirement health care and life insurance benefit costs of approximately $1. Entergy Louisiana contributed $20.5 million to its other postretirement plans in 2023 and estimates that 2024 contributions will be approximately $15 million.6 million to its other postretirement plans in 2022 and estimates 2023 contributions will be approximately $526 thousand. 362Table of ContentsEntergy Louisiana, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisOther ContingenciesSee “Other Contingencies” in the “Critical Accounting Estimates” section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis for a discussion of the estimates associated with environmental, litigation, and other risks.New Accounting PronouncementsSee the “New Accounting Pronouncements” section of Note 1 to the financial statements for a discussion of new accounting pronouncements.New Accounting PronouncementsSee “New Accounting Pronouncements” section of Note 1 to the financial statements for a discussion of new accounting pronouncements. 363Table of ContentsREPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRMTo the member and Board of Directors ofEntergy Louisiana, LLC and SubsidiariesOpinion on the Financial StatementsWe have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Entergy Louisiana, LLC and Subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, cash flows, and changes in equity (pages 368 through 374 and applicable items in pages 47 through 238), for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”).414Table of ContentsREPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRMTo the member and Board of Directors ofEntergy New Orleans, LLC and SubsidiariesOpinion on the Financial StatementsWe have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Entergy New Orleans, LLC and Subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the related consolidated statements of income, cash flows, and changes in member’s equity (pages 418 through 422 and applicable items in pages 53 through 245), for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2022, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.Basis for OpinionThese financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.Critical Audit MattersThe critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.Rate and Regulatory Matters — Entergy Louisiana, LLC and Subsidiaries — Refer to Note 2 to the financial statementsCritical Audit Matter DescriptionThe Company is subject to rate regulation by the Louisiana Public Service Commission (the “LPSC”), which has jurisdiction with respect to the rates of electric companies in Louisiana, and to wholesale rate regulation by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”).Rate and Regulatory Matters —Entergy Louisiana, LLC and Subsidiaries — Refer to Note 2 to the financial statementsCritical Audit Matter DescriptionThe Company is subject to rate regulation by the Louisiana Public Service Commission (the “LPSC”), which has jurisdiction with respect to the rates of electric companies in Louisiana, and to wholesale rate regulation by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”). Management has determined it meets the requirements under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America to prepare its financial statements applying the specialized rules to account for the effects of cost-based rate regulation. Accounting for the economics of rate regulation impacts multiple financial statement line items and disclosures.364Table of ContentsThe Company’s rates are subject to regulatory rate-setting processes and annual earnings oversight. Because the LPSC and the FERC set the rates the Company is allowed to charge customers based on allowable costs, including a reasonable return on equity, the Company applies accounting standards that require the financial statements to reflect the effects of rate regulation, including the recording of regulatory assets and liabilities. The Company assesses whether the regulatory assets and regulatory liabilities continue to meet the criteria for probable future recovery or settlement at each balance sheet date and when regulatory events occur. This assessment includes consideration of recent rate orders, historical regulatory treatment for similar costs, and factors such as changes in applicable regulatory and political environments. While the Company has indicated it expects to recover costs from customers through regulated rates, there is a risk that the LPSC and the FERC will not approve: (1) full recovery of the costs of providing utility service, or (2) full recovery of amounts invested in the utility business and a reasonable return on that investment.We identified the impact of rate regulation as a critical audit matter due to the judgments made by management to support its assertions about impacted account balances and disclosures and the high degree of subjectivity involved in assessing the impact of future regulatory orders on the financial statements.We identified the impact of rate regulation as a critical audit matter due to the significant judgments made by management to support its assertions about impacted account balances and disclosures and the high degree of subjectivity involved in assessing the impact of future regulatory orders on the financial statements. Management judgments include assessing the likelihood of recovery in future rates of incurred costs, and refunds to customers. Auditing management’s judgments regarding the outcome of future decisions by the LPSC and the FERC, recovery in future rates of regulatory assets and refunds or future reductions in rates related to regulatory liabilities involved specialized knowledge of accounting for rate regulation and the rate setting process due to its inherent complexities and auditor judgment to evaluate management estimates and the subjectivity of audit evidence. Auditing management’s judgments regarding the outcome of future decisions by the LPSC and the FERC involved specialized knowledge of accounting for rate regulation and the rate setting process due to its inherent complexities and significant auditor judgment to evaluate management estimates and the subjectivity of audit evidence. How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the AuditOur audit procedures related to the uncertainty of future decisions by the LPSC and the FERC, recovery in future rates of regulatory assets and refunds or future reductions in rates related to regulatory liabilities included the following, among others:•We tested the effectiveness of management’s controls over the evaluation of the likelihood of (1) the recovery in future rates of regulatory assets, and (2) a refund or a future reduction in rates that should be reported as regulatory liabilities.How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the AuditOur audit procedures related to the uncertainty of future decisions by the LPSC and the FERC included the following, among others:•We tested the effectiveness of management’s controls over the evaluation of the likelihood of (1) the recovery in future rates of costs incurred as property, plant, and equipment and deferred as regulatory assets, and (2) a refund or a future reduction in rates that should be reported as regulatory liabilities. We also tested the effectiveness of management’s controls over the initial recognition of regulatory assets or liabilities and the monitoring and evaluation of regulatory developments that may affect the likelihood of recovering costs in future rates or of a future reduction in rates. We also tested the effectiveness of management’s controls over the initial recognition of amounts as property, plant, and equipment; regulatory assets or liabilities; and the monitoring and evaluation of regulatory developments that may affect the likelihood of recovering costs in future rates or of a future reduction in rates. •We evaluated the Company’s disclosures related to the impacts of rate regulation, including the balances recorded and regulatory developments.•We read relevant regulatory orders issued by the LPSC and the FERC for the Company to assess the likelihood of recovery in future rates or of a future reduction in rates based on precedents of the LPSC’s and the FERC’s treatment of similar costs under similar circumstances.•We read relevant regulatory orders issued by the MPSC and the FERC for the Company, filings made by intervenors, and other publicly available information to assess the likelihood of recovery in future rates or of a future reduction in rates based on precedents of the MPSC’s and FERC’s treatment of similar costs under similar circumstances. We evaluated external information and compared to management’s recorded regulatory asset and liability balances for completeness. We evaluated the external information and compared to management’s recorded regulatory asset and liability balances for completeness. •For regulatory matters in process, we inspected the Company’s filings with the LPSC and the FERC and orders issued, and considered the filings with the LPSC and the FERC by intervenors that may impact the Company’s future rates, for any evidence that might contradict management’s assertions.•For regulatory matters in process, we inspected the Company’s filings with the PUCT and the FERC, including the base rate case filing, and considered the filings with the PUCT and the FERC by intervenors that may impact the Company’s future rates, for any evidence that might contradict management’s assertions. •We obtained an analysis from management and support from internal and external legal counsel, as appropriate, regarding probability of recovery for regulatory assets or refund or future reduction in rates for regulatory liabilities not yet addressed in a regulatory order, to assess management’s assertion that amounts are probable of recovery or a future reduction in rates.•We obtained representation from management regarding probability of recovery for regulatory assets or refund or future reduction in rates for regulatory liabilities to assess management’s assertion that amounts are probable of recovery, refund, or a future reduction in rates.Securitization Financing — Storm Cost Recovery Filings with Retail Regulators — Entergy Louisiana, LLC and Subsidiaries — Refer to Note 2 to the financial statementsCritical Audit Matter DescriptionHurricane Ida in 2021 caused significant damage to portions of the Company’s service area within the state of Louisiana.Securitization Financing—Storm Cost Recovery Filings with Retail Regulators—Entergy New Orleans, LLC and Subsidiaries — Refer to Note 2 to the financial statementsCritical Audit Matter DescriptionIn August 2021, Hurricane Ida caused significant damage to the Company’s service area. In January 2023, the LPSC issued a Financing Order authorizing financing of $1. In March 2022, the LPSC issued a Financing Order authorizing financing of $3. 491 billion of system restoration costs utilizing the securitization process authorized by Louisiana Act 55 financing, as supplemented by Act 293 of the Louisiana Legislature’s Regular Session of 2021 (“Act 55, as supplemented by Act 293”). In March 2023, the securitization financing closed, resulting in the issuance of $1. In May 2022, the securitization financing closed, resulting in the issuance of $3. 491 billion principal amount bonds by 365Table of ContentsLouisiana Local Government Environmental Facilities and Community Development Authority (“LCDA”), a political subdivision of the State of Louisiana.194 billion principal amount bonds by Louisiana Local Government Environmental Facilities and Community Development Authority (“LCDA”), a political subdivision of the State of Louisiana. The LCDA loaned the proceeds to the Louisiana Utilities Restoration Corporation (“LURC”), and the LURC contributed the net bond proceeds to a State legislatively authorized and LURC-sponsored trust, Restoration Law Trust II (the “storm trust II”). The Company and the LURC each hold beneficial interests in the storm trust II.The Company does not report the bonds issued by the LCDA on its balance sheet because the bonds are the obligation of the LCDA. The bonds are secured by system restoration property, which is the right granted by law to the LURC to collect a system restoration charge from customers. The Company collects the system restoration charge on behalf of the LURC and remits the collections to the bond indenture trustee. The Company does not report the collection of system restoration charges as revenue because the Company is merely acting as a billing and collection agent for the LCDA and the LURC. In the remote possibility that the system restoration charge, as well as any funds in the excess subaccount and funds in the debt service reserve account, are insufficient to service the bonds resulting in a payment default, the storm trust II is required to liquidate Entergy Finance Company preferred interests in an amount equal to what would be required to cure the default. In the remote possibility that the system restoration charge, as well as any funds in the excess subaccount and funds in the debt service reserve account, are insufficient to service the bonds resulting in a payment default, the storm trust is required to liquidate Entergy Finance Company preferred membership interests in an amount equal to what would be required to cure the default. The estimated value of this indirect guarantee is immaterial. The Company consolidates the storm trust II as a variable interest entity and the LURC’s 1% beneficial interest is shown as a noncontrolling interest in the financial statements. The Company consolidates the storm trust as a variable interest entity and the LURC’s 1% beneficial interest is shown as a noncontrolling interest in the financial statements. We identified management’s conclusion that the bonds issued by the LCDA are the obligation of the LCDA as a critical audit matter due to the judgments made by management to support its conclusion.We identified management’s conclusion that the bonds issued by the LCDA are the obligation of the LCDA as a critical audit matter due to the significant judgments made by management to support its conclusion. Auditing management’s judgments involved especially subjective judgment and specialized knowledge of accounting for securitization financing transactions.How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the AuditOur audit procedures related to the Act 55, as supplemented by Act 293, securitization financing included the following, among others:•We tested the effectiveness of management’s controls over the evaluation of the accounting impact of this securitization financing transaction, including the conclusion that the bonds issued by the LCDA are the obligation of the LCDA.•We evaluated the Company’s disclosures related to the impacts of the Act 55, as supplemented by Act 293, securitization financing, including the balances recorded.•We read relevant regulatory and financing orders issued by the LPSC for the Company, the LURC, and the LCDA, and evaluated the external information to compare to management’s conclusions.•We obtained an analysis from management and support from the Company’s internal and external legal counsel regarding the legal status of the bonds issued by the LCDA and the system restoration property granted to the LURC to assess management’s assertion that the bonds issued by the LCDA are the obligation of the LCDA.•With the assistance of professionals in our firm having expertise and experience in addressing the accounting for securitization financing transactions by regulated utilities, we evaluated the Company’s conclusion, including the conclusion that the bonds issued by the LCDA are the obligation of the LCDA.Uncertain Tax Positions — Entergy Louisiana, LLC and Subsidiaries — Refer to Note 3 to the financial statementsCritical Audit Matter DescriptionThe Company accounts for uncertain income tax positions under a two-step approach with a more likely-than-not recognition threshold and a measurement approach based on the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than fifty percent likely of being realized upon settlement.Uncertain Tax Positions —Entergy Louisiana, LLC and Subsidiaries — Refer to Note 3 to the financial statementsCritical Audit Matter DescriptionThe Company accounts for uncertain income tax positions under a two-step approach with a more likely-than-not recognition threshold and a measurement approach based on the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than fifty percent likely of being realized upon settlement. The Company has uncertain tax positions which require management to make judgments and assumptions to determine whether available information supports the assertion that the recognition threshold is met, particularly related to the technical merits and facts and circumstances of each position, as well as the probability of different potential outcomes. The Company has uncertain tax positions which require management to make significant judgments and assumptions to determine whether available information supports the assertion that the recognition threshold is met, particularly related to the technical merits and facts and circumstances of each position, as well as the probability of different potential outcomes. These uncertain tax positions could be significantly affected by audits by taxing authorities of the tax positions and changes to relevant tax law. These uncertain tax positions could be significantly affected by events such as additional transactions contemplated or consummated by the Company as well as audits by taxing authorities of the tax positions. There is an uncertain tax position related to the March 2023 securitization financing that provided for a tax benefit in the first quarter of 2023 of approximately $129 million.Given the judgments made by management, we identified management’s conclusion that the securitization uncertain tax position met the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold as a critical audit matter.Given the significant judgments made by management, we identified management’s conclusion that these uncertain tax positions met the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold as a critical audit matter. Auditing management’s 366Table of Contentsjudgments regarding this uncertain tax position involved specialized knowledge of uncertain tax positions and auditor judgment to evaluate the subjectivity of audit evidence. Auditing management’s 368Table of Contentsjudgments regarding these uncertain tax positions involved specialized knowledge of uncertain tax positions and significant auditor judgment to evaluate the subjectivity of audit evidence. How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the AuditOur audit procedures related to the securitization uncertain tax position included the following, among others:•We tested the effectiveness of controls related to the securitization uncertain tax position, including those over the recognition and measurement of the income tax benefit.How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the AuditOur audit procedures related to the uncertain tax positions included the following, among others:•We tested the effectiveness of controls related to uncertain tax positions, including those over the recognition and measurement of the income tax benefits. •We evaluated the Company’s disclosures, and the balances recorded, related to the securitization uncertain tax position.•We evaluated the Company’s disclosures, and the balances recorded, related to uncertain tax positions. •We evaluated the methods and assumptions used by management to estimate the uncertain tax position by testing the underlying data that served as the basis for the uncertain tax position.•We evaluated the methods and assumptions used by management to estimate the uncertain tax positions by testing the underlying data that served as the basis for the uncertain tax position. •With the assistance of our income tax specialists, we tested the technical merits of the securitization uncertain tax position and management’s key estimates and judgments made by:•Assessing the technical merits of the uncertain tax position by comparing to similar cases filed with the Internal Revenue Service.•With the assistance of our income tax specialists, we tested the technical merits of the uncertain tax positions and management’s key estimates and judgments made by:•Assessing the technical merits of the uncertain tax positions by comparing to similar cases filed with the Internal Revenue Service. •Obtaining an opinion from the Company’s external legal counsel regarding certain federal income tax consequences related to the Act 55, as supplemented by Act 293, securitization financing and evaluating whether the analysis was consistent with our interpretation of the relevant laws and circumstances.•Considering the impact of changes or settlements in the tax environment on management’s methods and assumptions used to estimate the uncertain tax position./s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLPNew Orleans, LouisianaFebruary 23, 2024We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2001.367Table of Contents368Table of Contents369Table of Contents(Page left blank intentionally)370Table of Contents371Table of Contents372Table of Contents373Table of Contents374Table of ContentsENTERGY MISSISSIPPI, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIESMANAGEMENT’S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSISResults of Operations2023 Compared to 2022Earnings Applicable to Member’s EquityEarnings decreased $5.369Table of Contents370Table of Contents371Table of Contents(Page left blank intentionally)372Table of Contents373Table of Contents374Table of Contents375Table of Contents376Table of ContentsENTERGY MISSISSIPPI, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIESMANAGEMENT’S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSISResults of Operations2022 Compared to 2021Earnings Applicable to Member’s EquityEarnings increased $30. 4 million primarily due to higher depreciation and amortization expenses, lower volume/weather, higher interest expense, lower other income, higher other operation and maintenance expenses, and higher taxes other than income taxes.8 million primarily due to higher retail electric price and higher volume/weather, partially offset by higher depreciation and amortization expenses, higher other operation and maintenance expenses, and higher interest expense. The decrease was partially offset by higher retail electric price. The increase was partially offset by the repayment, prior to maturity, of $545. Operating RevenuesFollowing is an analysis of the change in operating revenues comparing 2023 to 2022.Entergy Mississippi’s results include revenues from rate mechanisms designed to recover fuel, purchased power, and other costs such that the revenues and expenses associated with these items generally offset and do not affect net income. “Fuel, rider, and other revenues that do not significantly affect net income” includes the revenue variance associated with these items.The retail electric price variance is primarily due to increases in formula rate plan rates effective August 2022, April 2023, and July 2023.The retail electric price variance is primarily due to increases in formula rate plan rates effective April 2021, July 2021, April 2022, and August 2022. See Note 2 to the financial statements for further discussion of the formula rate plan filings.The retail one-time bill credit represents the disbursement of settlement proceeds in the form of a one-time bill credit provided to retail customers during the September 2022 billing cycle as a result of the System Energy settlement agreement with the MPSC. There is no effect on net income as the reduction in operating revenues was offset by a reduction in fuel and purchased power expenses. There is no effect on net income as the reduction in operating revenues was offset by a credit to fuel and purchased power expenses. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of the settlement agreement and the MPSC directive related to the disbursement of settlement proceeds.The volume/weather variance is primarily due to the effect of less favorable weather on residential sales and a decrease in weather-adjusted residential and commercial usage, partially offset by the effect of more favorable weather on commercial sales.The volume/weather variance is primarily due to the effect of more favorable weather on residential sales and an increase in demand charges as a result of an updated contract with an industrial customer in the primary metals industry, partially offset by a decrease in weather-adjusted residential usage. 375Table of ContentsEntergy Mississippi, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisTotal electric energy sales for Entergy Mississippi for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:See Note 19 to the financial statements for additional discussion of Entergy Mississippi’s operating revenues.Other Income Statement VariancesOther operation and maintenance expenses increased primarily due to:•an increase of $6.6 million in contract costs related to operational performance, customer service, and organizational health initiatives;•an increase of $5.1 million in loss provisions;•an increase of $4.4 million in bad debt expense;•an increase of $3.1 million in power delivery expenses primarily due to higher vegetation maintenance costs, partially offset by a lower scope of work performed in 2023 as compared to 2022; and•several individually insignificant items.6 million in power delivery expenses primarily due to higher vegetation maintenance costs, higher reliability costs, and higher safety and training costs;•an increase of $5. The increase was partially offset by:•a decrease of $5.8 million in transmission costs allocated by MISO;•a decrease of $5.3 million in compensation and benefits costs primarily due to a decrease in net periodic pension and other postretirement benefits service costs as a result of an increase in the discount rates used to value the benefits liabilities, lower health and welfare costs, including higher prescription drug rebates in second quarter 2023, and a revision to estimated incentive compensation expense in first quarter 2023. See “Critical Accounting Estimates” below and Note 11 to the financial statements for further discussion of pension and other postretirement benefits costs; and•a decrease of $5. See “Critical Accounting Estimates” below and Note 11 to the financial statements for a discussion of qualified pension and other postretirement benefits funding; and•a decrease of $16. 3 million in non-nuclear generation expenses primarily due to a lower scope of work, including during plant outages, performed in 2023 as compared to 2022.9 million in non-nuclear generation expenses primarily due to a lower scope of work performed in 2022, including during plant outages, as compared to 2021. Taxes other than income taxes increased primarily due to increases in ad valorem taxes resulting from higher assessments and increases in local franchise taxes.Taxes other than income taxes increased primarily due to increases in ad valorem taxes resulting from higher assessments and millage rate increases. Depreciation and amortization expenses increased primarily due to additions to plant in service, including the Sunflower Solar facility, which was placed in service in September 2022.Depreciation and amortization expenses increased primarily due to additions to plant in service, including the Searcy Solar facility, which was placed in service in December 2021. Other regulatory charges (credits) - net includes regulatory credits of $22.6 million, recorded in third quarter 2022, to reflect the effects of the joint stipulation reached in the 2022 formula rate plan filing proceeding and regulatory credits of $18.2 million, recorded in fourth quarter 2022, to reflect that the 2022 estimated earned 376Table of ContentsEntergy Mississippi, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysisreturn was below the formula bandwidth. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of the formula rate plan filings.Other income (deductions) decreased primarily due to lower interest income from carrying costs related to the deferred fuel balance and an increase in non-qualified pension settlement charges recorded in 2023 and other postretirement benefit non-service costs as a result of the amortization of 2022 trust asset losses. The decrease was partially offset by the timing of charitable donations and an increase in the allowance for equity funds used during construction due to higher construction work in progress in 2023. See “Critical Accounting Estimates – Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits” below and Note 11 to the financial statements for further discussion of pension and other postretirement benefits costs. See “Critical Accounting Estimates - Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits” below and Note 11 for a discussion of qualified pension and other postretirement benefits funding. Interest expense increased primarily due to the issuance of $300 million of 5.0% Series mortgage bonds in May 2023 and the $150 million unsecured term loan drawn in June 2022, of which $50 million was repaid in May 2023 and $100 million was repaid in December 2023. The increase was partially offset by the repayment of $250 million of 3. The increase was partially offset by the repayment, prior to maturity, of $545. 10% Series mortgage bonds in June 2023.00% Series mortgage bonds in August 2022. Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest reflects the earnings or losses attributable to the noncontrolling partner of the tax equity partnership for the Sunflower Solar facility under HLBV accounting.Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest reflects the earnings or losses attributable to the noncontrolling interest partner of the tax equity partnership for the Sunflower Solar facility under HLBV accounting. Entergy Mississippi recorded regulatory charges of $9.1 million in 2023 and $21.5 million in 2021, and $132. 4 million in 2022 to defer the difference between the losses allocated to the tax equity partner under the HLBV method of accounting and the earnings/losses that would have been allocated to the tax equity partner under its respective ownership percentage in the partnership.4 million in 2022 to defer the difference between the losses allocated to the tax equity partner under the HLBV method of accounting and the earnings/loss that would have been allocated to the tax equity partner under its respective ownership percentage in the partnership. See Note 1 to the financial statements for discussion of the HLBV method of accounting.The effective income tax rates were 23.0% for 2023 and 23.3% for 2022 and 10% for 2021. 7% for 2022.7% for 2021. See Note 3 to the financial statements for a reconciliation of the federal statutory rate of 21% to the effective income tax rates and for additional discussion regarding income taxes.
2022 Compared to 2021See “MANAGEMENT’S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - Results of Operations” in Item 7 of Entergy Mississippi’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on February 24, 2023, for discussion of results of operations for 2022 compared to 2021.2021 Compared to 2020See “MANAGEMENT’S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - Results of Operations” in Item 7 of Entergy New Orleans’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, filed with the SEC on February 25, 2022, for discussion of results of operations for 2021 compared to 2020. Income Tax Legislation and RegulationSee the “Income Tax Legislation and Regulation” section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis for discussion of income tax legislation and regulation.377Table of ContentsEntergy Mississippi, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisLiquidity and Capital ResourcesCash FlowCash flows for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 were as follows:2023 Compared to 2022Operating ActivitiesNet cash flow provided by operating activities increased $153.Liquidity and Capital ResourcesCash FlowCash flows for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020 were as follows:379Table of ContentsEntergy Mississippi, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysis2022 Compared to 2021Operating ActivitiesNet cash flow provided by operating activities increased $54. 7 million in 2023 primarily due to:•lower fuel costs and the timing of recovery of fuel and purchased power costs.5 million in 2022 primarily due to:•higher collections from customers;•the timing of recovery of fuel and purchased power costs. See Note 2 to the financial statements for a discussion of fuel and purchased power cost recovery;•higher collections from customers; and•a decrease of $12. See Note 2 to the financial statements for a discussion of fuel and purchased power cost recovery; and•a decrease in spending of $23. 2 million in pension contributions in 2023. See “Critical Accounting Estimates – Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits” below and Note 11 to the financial statements for a discussion of qualified pension and other postretirement benefits funding. See “Critical Accounting Estimates - Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits” below and Note 11 for a discussion of qualified pension and other postretirement benefits funding. The increase was partially offset by:•the receipt of $235 million in settlement proceeds in 2022, of which $198.The increase was partially offset by:•the issuance of $500 million of 2. 3 million was applied to the under-recovered deferred fuel balance. See Note 2 to the financial statements for a discussion of fuel and purchased power cost recovery and the System Energy settlement agreement with the MPSC;•income tax payments of $50. See Note 2 to the financial statements for a discussion of fuel and purchased power cost recovery and the System Energy settlement agreement with the MPSC;•higher collections from customers; and•a decrease of $23. 9 million in 2023 as compared to income tax refunds of $5.9 million in 2023, and a total of $1. 4 million in 2022. Entergy Mississippi made income tax payments in 2023 and received income tax refunds in 2022, each in accordance with an intercompany income tax allocation agreement;•an increase of $13.9 million in storm spending in 2023; and•an increase of $10.7 million in interest paid.5 million, including interest. Investing ActivitiesNet cash flow used in investing activities decreased $92.8 million in 2023 primarily due to:•the initial payment of approximately $105.8 million in 2022 primarily due to:•an increase of $65. 1 million in May 2022 as compared to the substantial completion payment of approximately $30.4 million in April 2023 and the final payment of approximately $4.7 million in October 2023 for the purchase of the Sunflower Solar facility by a consolidated tax equity partnership.1 million in May 2022 for the purchase of the Sunflower Solar facility by a consolidated tax equity partnership. See Note 14 to the financial statements for discussion of the Sunflower Solar facility purchase;378Table of ContentsEntergy Mississippi, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysis•the receipt of $34. See Note 14 to the financial statements for discussion of the Sunflower Solar facility purchase; and•money pool activity. 5 million from the storm reserve escrow account in 2023. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of the storm escrow disbursement;•a decrease of $20. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of fuel and purchased power cost recovery. 2 million in non-nuclear generation construction expenditures primarily due to a lower scope of work, including during plant outages, performed in 2023 as compared to 2022;•a decrease of $17.6 million in non-nuclear generation construction expenditures primarily due to a lower scope of work on projects performed in 2022 as compared to 2021. 8 million in information technology capital expenditures primarily due to decreased spending on various technology projects in 2023; and•money pool activity.3 million in information technology capital expenditures primarily due to increased spending on various technology projects in 2022; and•an increase of $12. The decrease was partially offset by an increase of $46.The increase was partially offset by a decrease of $2. 8 million in transmission construction expenditures primarily due to increased investment in the reliability and infrastructure of Entergy Mississippi’s transmission system in 2023 and an increase of $27.5 million in distribution construction expenditures primarily due to higher capital expenditures for storm restoration in 2023.9 million in transmission construction expenditures primarily due to a lower scope of work performed in 2022 as compared to 2021. Decreases in Entergy Mississippi’s receivable from the money pool are a source of cash flow, and Entergy Mississippi’s receivable from the money pool decreased $26.9 million in 2023 compared to decreasing by $13.5 million in 2022 compared to decreasing by $4. 6 million in 2022. The money pool is an intercompany cash management program that makes possible intercompany borrowing and lending arrangements, including to reduce the Registrant Subsidiaries’ need for external short-term borrowings. The money pool and the other internal borrowing arrangements are inter-company borrowing arrangements designed to reduce the Utility subsidiaries’ dependence on external short-term borrowings. Financing ActivitiesEntergy Mississippi’s financing activities used $41.8 million of cash in 2023 compared to providing $184.6 million of cash in 2022 compared to using $161. 4 million of cash in 2022 primarily due to the following activity:•proceeds of $150 million received in June 2022 from an unsecured term loan due December 2023 as compared to repayments of $150 million on the unsecured term loan in 2023;•the repayment, prior to maturity, of $250 million of 3.10% Series mortgage bonds in June 2023;•$40 million in common equity distributions paid in 2023 in order to maintain Entergy Mississippi’s capital structure;•money pool activity; and•the issuance of $300 million of 5.0% Series mortgage bonds in May 2023.Increases in Entergy Mississippi’s payable to the money pool are a source of cash flow, and Entergy Mississippi’s payable to the money pool increased $73.Decreases in Entergy Mississippi’s payable to the money pool are a use of cash flow, and Entergy Mississippi’s payable to the money pool decreased $16. 8 million in 2023.See Note 5 to the financial statements for details on long-term debt.
2022 Compared to 2021See “MANAGEMENT’S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - Liquidity and Capital Resources - Cash Flow” in Item 7 of Entergy Mississippi’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on February 24, 2023, for discussion of operating, investing, and financing cash flow activities for 2022 compared to 2021.2021 Compared to 2020See “MANAGEMENT’S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - Liquidity and Capital Resources - Cash Flow” in Item 7 of Entergy Louisiana’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, filed with the SEC on February 25, 2022, for discussion of operating, investing, and financing cash flow activities for 2021 compared to 2020. 379Table of ContentsEntergy Mississippi, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisCapital StructureEntergy Mississippi’s debt to capital ratio is shown in the following table.378Table of ContentsEntergy Mississippi, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisInterest expense increased primarily due to:•the issuance of $200 million of 2. The decrease in the debt to capital ratio for Entergy Mississippi is primarily due to the net retirement of long-term debt in 2023 and net income in 2023. The decrease in the debt to capital ratio is primarily due to an increase in equity resulting from retained earnings in 2022. Net debt consists of debt less cash and cash equivalents. Debt consists of short-term borrowings, finance lease obligations, and long-term debt, including the currently maturing portion. Capital consists of debt and equity. Net capital consists of capital less cash and cash equivalents. Entergy Mississippi uses the debt to capital ratio in analyzing its financial condition and believes it provides useful information to its investors and creditors in evaluating Entergy Mississippi’s financial condition. The net debt to net capital ratio is a non-GAAP measure. Entergy Mississippi uses the net debt to net capital ratio in analyzing its financial condition and believes it provides useful information to its investors and creditors in evaluating Entergy Mississippi’s financial condition because net debt indicates Entergy Mississippi’s outstanding debt position that could not be readily satisfied by cash and cash equivalents on hand.Entergy Mississippi seeks to optimize its capital structure in accordance with its regulatory requirements and to control its cost of capital while also maintaining equity capitalization at a level consistent with investment-grade debt ratings. To the extent that operating cash flows are in excess of planned investments, cash may be used to reduce outstanding debt or may be paid as a distribution, to the extent funds are legally available to do so, or both, in appropriate amounts to maintain the capital structure. To the extent that operating cash flows are insufficient to support planned investments, Entergy Mississippi may issue incremental debt or reduce distributions, or both, to maintain its capital structure. To the extent that operating cash flows are insufficient to support planned investments, Entergy Mississippi may issue incremental debt or reduce distributions, to the extent funds are legally available to do so, or both, to maintain its capital structure. In addition, in certain infrequent circumstances, such as financing of large transactions that would materially alter the capital structure if financed entirely with debt and reduced distributions, Entergy Mississippi may receive equity contributions to maintain its capital structure.Uses of CapitalEntergy Mississippi requires capital resources for:•construction and other capital investments;•debt maturities or retirements;•working capital purposes, including the financing of fuel and purchased power costs; and•distributions and interest payments.Uses of CapitalEntergy New Orleans requires capital resources for:•construction and other capital investments;•working capital purposes, including the financing of fuel and purchased power costs;•debt maturities or retirements; and•distribution and interest payments. Following are the amounts of Entergy Mississippi’s planned construction and other capital investments.380Table of ContentsEntergy Mississippi, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisIn addition to routine capital spending to maintain operations, the planned capital investment estimate for Entergy Mississippi includes investments in generation projects to modernize, decarbonize, and diversify Entergy Mississippi’s portfolio, as well as to support customer growth; distribution and Utility support spending to improve reliability, resilience, and customer experience; transmission spending to improve reliability and resilience while also supporting renewables expansion and customer growth; and other investments. Estimated capital expenditures are subject to periodic review and modification and may vary based on the ongoing effects of regulatory constraints and requirements, government actions, environmental compliance, business opportunities, market volatility, economic trends, business restructuring, changes in project plans, and the ability to access capital.Following are the amounts of Entergy Mississippi’s existing debt and lease obligations (includes estimated interest payments).(a)Long-term debt is discussed in Note 5 to the financial statements.(b)Lease obligations are discussed in Note 10 to the financial statements.Other ObligationsEntergy Mississippi currently expects to contribute approximately $15 million to its qualified pension plans and approximately $178 thousand to other postretirement health care and life insurance plans in 2024, although the 2024 required pension contributions will be known with more certainty when the January 1, 2024, valuations are completed, which is expected by April 1, 2024. See “Critical Accounting Estimates – Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits” below and Note 11 to the financial statements for a discussion of qualified pension and other postretirement benefits funding. See “Critical Accounting Estimates - Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits” below and Note 11 for a discussion of qualified pension and other postretirement benefits funding. Entergy Mississippi has $1.Entergy Mississippi had $33. 9 million of unrecognized tax benefits net of unused tax attributes plus interest for which the timing of payments beyond 12 months cannot be reasonably estimated due to uncertainties in the timing of effective settlement of tax positions. See Note 3 to the financial statements for additional information regarding unrecognized tax benefits.In addition, Entergy Mississippi enters into fuel and purchased power agreements that contain minimum purchase obligations. Entergy Mississippi has rate mechanisms in place to recover fuel, purchased power, and associated costs incurred under these purchase obligations. See Note 8 to the financial statements for discussion of Entergy Mississippi’s obligations under the Unit Power Sales Agreement.As a wholly-owned subsidiary of Entergy Utility Holding Company, LLC, Entergy Mississippi pays distributions from its earnings at a percentage determined monthly.Sources of CapitalEntergy Mississippi’s sources to meet its capital requirements include:•internally generated funds;•cash on hand;•the Entergy system money pool;•storm reserve escrow accounts;381Table of ContentsEntergy Mississippi, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysis•debt or preferred membership interest issuances, including debt issuances to refund or retire currently outstanding or maturing indebtedness;•capital contributions; and•bank financing under new or existing facilities. 383Table of ContentsEntergy Mississippi, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisSources of CapitalEntergy Mississippi’s sources to meet its capital requirements include:•internally generated funds;•cash on hand;•the Entergy System money pool;•storm reserve escrow accounts;•debt or preferred membership interest issuances, including debt issuances to refund or retire currently outstanding or maturing indebtedness; •capital contributions; and•bank financing under new or existing facilities. Circumstances such as weather patterns, fuel and purchased power price fluctuations, and unanticipated expenses, including unscheduled plant outages and storms, could affect the timing and level of internally generated funds in the future. In addition to the financings necessary to meet capital requirements and contractual obligations, Entergy Mississippi expects to continue, when economically feasible, to retire higher-cost debt and replace it with lower-cost debt if market conditions permit.All debt and preferred membership interest issuances by Entergy Mississippi require prior regulatory approval. Debt issuances are also subject to issuance tests set forth in its bond indenture and other agreements. Entergy Mississippi has sufficient capacity under these tests to meet its foreseeable capital needs for the next twelve months and beyond.Entergy Mississippi’s receivables from or (payables to) the money pool were as follows as of December 31 for each of the following years.See Note 4 to the financial statements for a description of the money pool.Entergy Mississippi has a credit facility in the amount of $150 million scheduled to expire in July 2025.Entergy Louisiana has a credit facility in the amount of $350 million scheduled to expire in June 2027. As of December 31, 2023, there were no cash borrowings outstanding under the credit facility. In addition, Entergy Mississippi is a party to an uncommitted letter of credit facility as a means to post collateral to support its obligations to MISO and for other purposes. In addition, Entergy Mississippi is a party to an uncommitted letter of credit facility primarily as a means to post collateral to support its obligations to MISO. As of December 31, 2023, $20.0 million in MISO letters of credit and $1.0 million in a non-MISO letter of credit were outstanding under this facility.0 million of non-MISO letters of credit outstanding under this facility. See Note 4 to the financial statements for additional discussion of the credit facilities.Entergy Mississippi obtained authorization from the FERC through April 2025 for short-term borrowings, not to exceed an aggregate amount of $200 million at any time outstanding, and long-term borrowings and security issuances.Entergy Mississippi obtained authorization from the FERC through October 2023 for short-term borrowings not to exceed an aggregate amount of $200 million at any time outstanding and long-term borrowings and security issuances. See Note 4 to the financial statements for further discussion of Entergy Mississippi’s short-term borrowing limits.State and Local Rate Regulation and Fuel-Cost RecoveryThe rates that Entergy Mississippi charges for its services significantly influence its financial position, results of operations, and liquidity.State and Local Rate Regulation and Fuel-Cost RecoveryThe rates that Entergy Louisiana charges for its services significantly influence its financial position, results of operations, and liquidity. Entergy Mississippi is regulated, and the rates charged to its customers are determined in regulatory proceedings. A governmental agency, the MPSC, is primarily responsible for approval of the rates charged to customers.Filings with the MPSCRetail Rates2021 Formula Rate Plan FilingIn March 2021, Entergy Mississippi submitted its formula rate plan 2021 test year filing and 2020 look-back filing showing Entergy Mississippi’s earned return for the historical 2020 calendar year to be below the 382Table of ContentsEntergy Mississippi, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysisformula rate plan bandwidth and projected earned return for the 2021 calendar year to be below the formula rate plan bandwidth.Filings with the MPSCRetail Rates2020 Formula Rate Plan FilingIn March 2020, Entergy Mississippi submitted its formula rate plan 2020 test year filing and 2019 look-back filing showing Entergy Mississippi’s earned return for the historical 2019 calendar year to be below the formula rate plan bandwidth and projected earned return for the 2020 calendar year to be below the formula rate plan bandwidth. The 2021 test year filing showed a $95.4 million rate increase was necessary to reset Entergy Mississippi’s earned return on common equity to the specified point of adjustment of 6.69% return on rate base, within the formula rate plan bandwidth. The change in formula rate plan revenues, however, was capped at 4% of retail revenues, which equated to a revenue change of $44. The change in formula rate plan revenues, however, is capped at 4% of retail revenues, which equates to a revenue change of $44. 3 million. The 2021 evaluation report also included $3.9 million in demand side management costs for which the MPSC approved realignment of recovery from the energy efficiency rider to the formula rate plan. These costs were not subject to the 4% cap and resulted in a total change in formula rate plan revenues of $48. These costs are not subject to the 4% cap and result in a total change in formula rate plan revenues of $48. 2 million. The 2020 look-back filing compared actual 2020 results to the approved benchmark return on rate base and reflected the need for a $16.8 million interim increase in formula rate plan revenues. In addition, the 2020 look-back filing included an interim capacity adjustment true-up for the Choctaw Generating Station, which increased the look-back interim rate adjustment by $1. In addition, the 2020 look-back filing includes an interim capacity adjustment true-up for the Choctaw Generating Station, which increases the look-back interim rate adjustment by $1. 7 million. These interim rate adjustments totaled $18.5 million. In accordance with the provisions of the formula rate plan, Entergy Mississippi implemented a $22.1 million interim rate increase, reflecting a cap equal to 2% of 2020 retail revenues, effective with the April 2021 billing cycle, subject to refund, pending a final MPSC order. The $3.9 million of demand side management costs and the Choctaw Generating Station true-up of $1.7 million, which were not subject to the 2% cap of 2020 retail revenues, were included in the April 2021 rate adjustments.7 million, which are not subject to the 2% cap of 2020 retail revenues, were included in the April 2021 rate adjustments. In June 2021, Entergy Mississippi and the Mississippi Public Utilities Staff entered into a joint stipulation that confirmed the 2021 test year filing that resulted in a total rate increase of $48.2 million. Pursuant to the joint stipulation, Entergy Mississippi’s 2020 look-back filing reflected an earned return on rate base of 6.12% in calendar year 2020, which was below the look-back bandwidth, resulting in a $17.12% in calendar year 2020, which is below the look-back bandwidth, resulting in a $17. 5 million increase in formula rate plan revenues on an interim basis through June 2022. This included $1.7 million related to the Choctaw Generating Station and $3.7 million of COVID-19 non-bad debt expenses. The joint stipulation also included Entergy Mississippi’s quantification and methodology for calculating incremental COVID-19 bad debt expenses and provided for Entergy Mississippi to continue to defer these incremental COVID-19 bad debt expenses through December 2021. In the order, the MPSC also adopted Entergy Mississippi’s quantification and methodology for calculating COVID-19 incremental bad debt expenses and authorized Entergy Mississippi to continue deferring these bad debt expenses through December 2021. In June 2021 the MPSC approved the joint stipulation with rates effective for the first billing cycle of July 2021. In June 2021, Entergy Mississippi recorded regulatory credits of $19.9 million to reflect the effects of the joint stipulation.2022 Formula Rate Plan FilingIn March 2022, Entergy Mississippi submitted its formula rate plan 2022 test year filing and 2021 look-back filing showing Entergy Mississippi’s earned return for the historical 2021 calendar year to be below the formula rate plan bandwidth and projected earned return for the 2022 calendar year to be below the formula rate plan bandwidth. The 2022 test year filing showed a $69 million rate increase was necessary to reset Entergy Mississippi’s earned return on common equity to the specified point of adjustment of 6. The 2022 test year filing shows a $69 million rate increase is necessary to reset Entergy Mississippi’s earned return on common equity to the specified point of adjustment of 6. 70% return on rate base, within the formula rate plan bandwidth. The change in formula rate plan revenues, however, was capped at 4% of retail revenues, which equated to a revenue change of $48. The change in formula rate plan revenues, however, is capped at 4% of retail revenues, which equates to a revenue change of $48. 6 million. The 2021 look-back filing compared actual 2021 results to the approved benchmark return on rate base and reflected the need for a $34.5 million interim increase in formula rate plan revenues. In fourth quarter 2021, Entergy Mississippi recorded a regulatory asset of $19 million to reflect the then-current estimate in connection with the look-back feature of the formula rate plan. In accordance with the provisions of the formula rate plan, Entergy Mississippi implemented a $24.3 million interim rate increase, reflecting a cap equal to 2% of 2021 retail revenues, effective in April 2022. With the implementation of the interim formula rate plan rates, Entergy Mississippi began recovery of the bad debt expense deferral resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic over a three-year period. Entergy Mississippi began recovery of the bad debt expense deferral resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic over a three-year period with implementation of the interim formula rate plan rates in April 2022. In June 2022, Entergy Mississippi and the Mississippi Public Utilities Staff entered into a joint stipulation that confirmed the 2022 test year filing that resulted in a total rate increase of $48.6 million. Pursuant to the joint stipulation, Entergy Mississippi’s 2021 look-back filing reflected an earned return on rate base of 5.99% in calendar year 2021, which was below the look-back bandwidth, resulting in a $34.99% in calendar year 2021, which is below the look-back bandwidth, resulting in a $34. 3 million increase in the formula rate plan revenues on an interim basis through June 2023. In July 2022 the MPSC approved the joint stipulation with rates effective in August 2022. In July 2022, Entergy Mississippi recorded regulatory credits of $22.6 million to reflect 383Table of ContentsEntergy Mississippi, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysisthe effects of the joint stipulation. In August 2022 an intervenor filed a statutorily-authorized direct appeal to the Mississippi Supreme Court seeking review of the MPSC’s July 2022 order approving the joint stipulation confirming Entergy Mississippi’s 2022 formula rate plan filing. Formula rate plan rates are not stayed or otherwise impacted while the appeal is pending.In July 2022 the MPSC directed Entergy Mississippi to flow $14.1 million of the power management rider over-recovery balance to customers beginning in August 2022 through December 2022 to mitigate the bill impact of the increase in formula rate plan revenues.2023 Formula Rate Plan FilingIn March 2023, Entergy Mississippi submitted its formula rate plan 2023 test year filing and 2022 look-back filing showing Entergy Mississippi’s earned return on rate base for the historical 2022 calendar year to be below the formula rate plan bandwidth and projected earned return for the 2023 calendar year to be below the formula rate plan bandwidth.2021 Formula Rate Plan FilingIn March 2021, Entergy Mississippi submitted its formula rate plan 2021 test year filing and 2020 look-back filing showing Entergy Mississippi’s earned return for the historical 2020 calendar year to be below the formula rate plan bandwidth and projected earned return for the 2021 calendar year to be below the formula rate plan bandwidth. The 2023 test year filing showed a $39. The 2021 test year filing shows a $95. 8 million rate increase was necessary to reset Entergy Mississippi’s earned return on rate base to the specified point of adjustment of 6.8 million rate increase is necessary to reset Entergy Mississippi’s earned return on common equity to the specified point of adjustment of 6. 67%, within the formula rate plan bandwidth. The 2022 look-back filing compared actual 2022 results to the approved benchmark return on rate base and reflected the need for a $19. The 2020 look-back filing compares actual 2020 results to the approved benchmark return on rate base and reflects the need for a $16. 8 million temporary increase in formula rate plan revenues, including the refund of a $1.3 million over-recovery resulting from the demand-side management costs true-up for 2022. In fourth quarter 2022, Entergy Mississippi recorded a regulatory asset of $18.2 million in connection with the look-back feature of the formula rate plan to reflect that the 2022 estimated earned return was below the formula rate plan bandwidth. In accordance with the provisions of the formula rate plan, Entergy Mississippi implemented a $27.9 million interim rate increase, reflecting a cap equal to 2% of 2022 retail revenues, effective in April 2023.3 million interim rate increase, reflecting a cap equal to 2% of 2021 retail revenues, effective in April 2022. In May 2023, Entergy Mississippi and the Mississippi Public Utilities Staff entered into a joint stipulation that confirmed a 2023 test year filing resulting in a total revenue increase of $26.In June 2021, Entergy Mississippi and the Mississippi Public Utilities Staff entered into a joint stipulation that confirmed the 2021 test year filing that resulted in a total rate increase of $48. 5 million for 2023.5 million for 2023 and $6. Pursuant to the joint stipulation, Entergy Mississippi’s 2022 look-back filing reflected an earned return on rate base of 6.10% in calendar year 2022, which was below the look-back bandwidth, resulting in a $19.12% in calendar year 2020, which is below the look-back bandwidth, resulting in a $17. 0 million increase in the formula rate plan revenues on an interim basis through June 2024. Entergy Mississippi recorded a regulatory credit of $0. Entergy Mississippi recorded regulatory charges of $21. 8 million in June 2023 to reflect the increase in the look-back regulatory asset. In addition, certain long-term service agreement and conductor handling costs were authorized for realignment from the formula rate plan to the annual power management and grid modernization riders effective January 2023, resulting in regulatory credits recorded in June 2023 of $4.1 million and $4.3 million, respectively. Also, the amortization of Entergy Mississippi’s COVID-19 bad debt expense deferral was suspended for calendar year 2023 and will resume in 2024. In June 2023 the MPSC approved the joint stipulation with rates effective in July 2023. In June 2020 the MPSC approved the joint stipulation with rates effective for the first billing cycle of July 2020. Fuel and purchased power cost recoveryEntergy Mississippi’s rate schedules include an energy cost recovery rider and a power management rider, both of which are adjusted annually to reflect accumulated over- or under-recoveries.Fuel and purchased power cost recoveryEntergy Mississippi’s rate schedules include an energy cost recovery rider that is adjusted annually to reflect accumulated over- or under-recoveries. Entergy Mississippi recovers fuel and purchased energy costs through its energy cost recovery rider and recovers costs associated with natural gas hedging and capacity payments through its power management rider. Entergy Mississippi’s fuel cost recoveries are subject to annual audits conducted pursuant to the authority of the MPSC.In November 2020, Entergy Mississippi filed its annual redetermination of the annual factor to be applied under the energy cost recovery rider. The calculation of the annual factor included an over-recovery of approximately $24.4 million as of September 30, 2020. In January 2021 the MPSC approved the proposed energy cost factor effective for February 2021 bills.In November 2021, Entergy Mississippi filed its annual redetermination of the annual factor to be applied under the energy cost recovery rider. The calculation of the annual factor included an under-recovery of approximately $80.6 million as of September 30, 2021. In December 2021, at the request of the MPSC, Entergy 384Table of ContentsEntergy Mississippi, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisMississippi submitted a proposal to mitigate the impact of rising fuel costs on customer bills during 2022. Entergy Mississippi proposed that the deferred fuel balance as of December 31, 2021, which was $121.9 million, be amortized over three years and that the MPSC authorize Entergy Mississippi to apply its weighted-average cost of capital as the carrying cost for the unamortized fuel balance. In January 2022 the MPSC approved the amortization of $100 million of the deferred fuel balance over two years and authorized Entergy Mississippi to apply its weighted-average cost of capital as the carrying cost for the unamortized fuel balance. The MPSC approved the proposed energy cost factor effective for February 2022 bills.See “Complaints Against System Energy - System Energy Settlement with the MPSC” in Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of the settlement agreement filed with the FERC in June 2022. The settlement, which was approved by the FERC in November 2022, provided for a refund of $235 million from System Energy to Entergy Mississippi. The settlement, which was contingent upon FERC approval, provides for a refund of $235 million from System Energy to Entergy Mississippi. In July 2022 the MPSC directed the disbursement of settlement proceeds, ordering Entergy Mississippi to provide a one-time $80 bill credit to each of its approximately 460,000 retail customers to be effective during the September 2022 billing cycle and to apply the remaining proceeds to Entergy Mississippi’s under-recovered deferred fuel balance. In accordance with the MPSC’s directive, Entergy Mississippi provided approximately $36.7 million in customer bill credits as a result of the settlement. In November 2022, Entergy Mississippi applied the remaining settlement proceeds in the amount of approximately $198.3 million to Entergy Mississippi’s under-recovered deferred fuel balance.Entergy Mississippi had a deferred fuel balance of approximately $291.7 million under the energy cost recovery rider as of July 31, 2022, along with an over-recovery balance of $51.1 million under the power management rider. Without further action, Entergy Mississippi anticipated a year-end deferred fuel balance of approximately $200 million after application of a portion of the System Energy settlement proceeds, as discussed above. In September 2022, Entergy Mississippi filed for interim adjustments under both the energy cost recovery rider and the power management rider. Entergy Mississippi proposed five monthly incremental adjustments to the net energy cost factor designed to collect the under-recovered fuel balance as of July 31, 2022 and to reflect the recovery of a higher natural gas price. Entergy Mississippi also proposed five monthly incremental adjustments to the power management adjustment factor designed to flow through to customers the over-recovered power management rider balance as of July 31, 2022. In October 2022 the MPSC approved modified interim adjustments to Entergy Mississippi’s energy cost recovery rider and power management rider. The MPSC approved dividing the energy cost recovery rider interim adjustment into two components that would allow Entergy Mississippi to (1) recover a natural gas fuel rate that is better aligned with current prices; and (2) recover the estimated under-recovered deferred fuel balance as of September 30, 2022 over a period of 20 months. The MPSC approved six monthly incremental adjustments to the net energy cost factor designed to reflect the recovery of a higher natural gas price. The MPSC also approved six monthly incremental adjustments to the power management adjustment factor designed to flow through to customers the over-recovered power management rider balance. In accordance with the order of the MPSC, Entergy Mississippi did not file an annual redetermination of the energy cost recovery rider or the power management rider in November 2022.In June 2023 the MPSC approved the joint stipulation agreement between Entergy Mississippi and the Mississippi Public Utilities Staff for Entergy Mississippi’s 2023 formula rate plan filing. The stipulation directed Entergy Mississippi to make a compliance filing to revise its power management cost adjustment factor, to revise its grid modernization cost adjustment factor, and to include a revision to reduce the net energy cost factor to a level necessary to reflect an average natural gas price of $4.50 per MMBtu. The MPSC approved the compliance filing in June 2023, effective for July 2023 bills. See “Retail Rate Proceedings - Filings with the MPSC (Entergy Mississippi) - Retail Rates - 2023 Formula Rate Plan Filing” in Note 2 to the financial statements for further discussion of the 2023 formula rate plan filing and the joint stipulation agreement.In November 2023 Entergy Mississippi filed its annual redeterminations of the energy cost factor and the power management cost adjustment factor.In November 2020, Entergy Mississippi filed its annual redetermination of the annual factor to be applied under the energy cost recovery rider. The calculation of the annual factor for the energy cost recovery rider included a projected over-recovery balance of approximately $142 million at the end of January 2024. The calculation of the annual factor for the power management rider included a projected under-recovery of $47 million 385Table of ContentsEntergy Mississippi, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysisat the end of January 2024. In January 2024 the MPSC approved the proposed energy cost factor and the proposed power management cost factor effective for February 2024 bills. In January 2021 the MPSC approved the proposed energy cost factor effective for February 2021 bills. RenewABLE Community OptionIn January 2022, Entergy Mississippi filed its RenewABLE Community Option (Schedule RCO), an offering for qualifying non-residential customers to subscribe to renewable resource capacity to satisfy their environmental, sustainability, and governance goals. The MPSC approved Schedule RCO in December 2022. Registration for the Schedule RCO launched in May 2023 and subscriptions as of December 31, 2023 totaled 17.9 MW of the 40 MW available.Storm Cost Recovery Filings with Retail RegulatorsEntergy 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. Entergy Mississippi’s storm damage provision balance has been less than $10 million since May 2019, and Entergy Mississippi has been billing the monthly storm damage provision since July 2019.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.Federal RegulationSee the “Rate, Cost-recovery, and Other Regulation – Federal Regulation” section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis and Note 2 to the financial statements for a discussion of federal regulation.Nuclear MattersSee the “Nuclear Matters” section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis for a discussion of nuclear matters.Environmental RisksEntergy Mississippi’s facilities and operations are subject to regulation by various governmental authorities having jurisdiction over air quality, water quality, control of toxic substances and hazardous and solid wastes, and other environmental matters. Management believes that Entergy Mississippi is in substantial compliance with environmental regulations currently applicable to its facilities and operations, with reference to possible exceptions noted in “Regulation of Entergy’s Business - Environmental Regulation” in Part I, Item 1. Because environmental regulations are subject to change, future compliance costs cannot be precisely estimated.386Table of ContentsEntergy Mississippi, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisCritical Accounting EstimatesThe preparation of Entergy Mississippi’s financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to apply appropriate accounting policies and to make estimates and judgments that can have a significant effect on reported financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.389Table of ContentsEntergy Mississippi, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisImpairment of Long-lived AssetsSee “Impairment of Long-lived Assets” in the “Critical Accounting Estimates” section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis for discussion of the estimates associated with the impairment of long-lived assets. Management has identified the following accounting estimates as critical because they are based on assumptions and measurements that involve a high degree of uncertainty, and the potential for future changes in these assumptions and measurements could produce estimates that would have a material effect on the presentation of Entergy Mississippi’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.Utility Regulatory AccountingSee “Utility Regulatory Accounting” in the “Critical Accounting Estimates” section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis for discussion of accounting for the effects of rate regulation.Taxation and Uncertain Tax PositionsSee “Taxation and Uncertain Tax Positions” in the “Critical Accounting Estimates” section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis for further discussion.Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement BenefitsEntergy Mississippi’s qualified pension and other postretirement reported costs, as described in Note 11 to the financial statements, are affected by numerous factors including the provisions of the plans, changing employee demographics, and various actuarial calculations, assumptions, and accounting mechanisms.Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement BenefitsEntergy Mississippi’s qualified pension and other postretirement reported costs, as described in Note 11 to the financial statements, are impacted by numerous factors including the provisions of the plans, changing employee demographics, and various actuarial calculations, assumptions, and accounting mechanisms. See “Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits” in the “Critical Accounting Estimates” section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis for further discussion. Because of the complexity of these calculations, the long-term nature of these obligations, and the importance of the assumptions utilized, Entergy’s estimate of these costs is a critical accounting estimate.Cost SensitivityThe following chart reflects the sensitivity of qualified pension cost and qualified projected benefit obligation to changes in certain actuarial assumptions (dollars in thousands).387Table of ContentsEntergy Mississippi, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisThe following chart reflects the sensitivity of postretirement benefits cost and accumulated postretirement benefit obligation to changes in certain actuarial assumptions (dollars in thousands).384Table of ContentsEntergy Mississippi, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisState and Local Rate Regulation and Fuel-Cost RecoveryThe rates that Entergy Mississippi charges for its services significantly influence its financial position, results of operations, and liquidity. Each fluctuation above assumes that the other components of the calculation are held constant.Costs and Employer ContributionsTotal qualified pension cost for Entergy Mississippi in 2023 was $19.7 million, including $12.2 million in settlement costs. Entergy Mississippi anticipates 2024 qualified pension cost to be $3. Entergy Mississippi anticipates 2023 qualified pension cost to be $9 million. 3 million. Entergy Mississippi contributed $21.1 million to its qualified pension plans in 2023 and estimates 2024 pension contributions will be approximately $15 million, although the 2024 required pension contributions will be known with more certainty when the January 1, 2024 valuations are completed, which is expected by April 1, 2024.1 million to its qualified pension plans and approximately $136 thousand to other postretirement health care and life insurance plans in 2023, although the 2023 required pension contributions will be known with more certainty when the January 1, 2023 valuations are completed, which is expected by April 1, 2023. Total postretirement health care and life insurance benefit income for Entergy Mississippi in 2023 was $2.5 million. Entergy Mississippi expects 2024 postretirement health care and life insurance benefit income of approximately $3.7 million. Entergy Mississippi contributed $646 thousand to its other postretirement plan in 2023 and estimates 2024 contributions will be approximately $178 thousand.Other ContingenciesSee “Other Contingencies” in the “Critical Accounting Estimates” section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis for a discussion of the estimates associated with environmental, litigation, and other risks.New Accounting PronouncementsSee the “New Accounting Pronouncements” section of Note 1 to the financial statements for a discussion of new accounting pronouncements.New Accounting PronouncementsSee “New Accounting Pronouncements” section of Note 1 to the financial statements for a discussion of new accounting pronouncements. 388Table of ContentsREPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRMTo the member and Board of Directors ofEntergy Mississippi, LLC and SubsidiariesOpinion on the Financial StatementsWe have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Entergy Mississippi, LLC and Subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the related consolidated statements of income, cash flows and changes in equity (pages 391 through 396 and applicable items in pages 47 through 238), for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.Basis for OpinionThese financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.Critical Audit MatterThe critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.Rate and Regulatory Matters — Entergy Mississippi, LLC and Subsidiaries — Refer to Note 2 to the financial statementsCritical Audit Matter DescriptionThe Company is subject to rate regulation by the Mississippi Public Service Commission (the “MPSC”), which has jurisdiction with respect to the rates of electric companies in Mississippi, and to wholesale rate regulation by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”).Rate and Regulatory Matters —Entergy Mississippi, LLC and Subsidiaries — Refer to Note 2 to the financial statementsCritical Audit Matter DescriptionThe Company is subject to rate regulation by the Mississippi Public Service Commission (the “MPSC”), which has jurisdiction with respect to the rates of electric companies in Mississippi, and to wholesale rate regulation by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”). Management has determined it meets the requirements under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America to prepare its financial statements applying the specialized rules to account for the effects of cost-based rate regulation. Accounting for the economics of rate regulation impacts multiple financial statement line items and disclosures.389Table of ContentsThe Company’s rates are subject to regulatory rate-setting processes and annual earnings oversight. Because the MPSC and the FERC set the rates the Company is allowed to charge customers based on allowable costs, including a reasonable return on equity, the Company applies accounting standards that require the financial statements to reflect the effects of rate regulation, including the recording of regulatory assets and liabilities. The Company assesses whether the regulatory assets and regulatory liabilities continue to meet the criteria for probable future recovery or settlement at each balance sheet date and when regulatory events occur. This assessment includes consideration of recent rate orders, historical regulatory treatment for similar costs, and factors such as changes in applicable regulatory and political environments. While the Company has indicated it expects to recover costs from customers through regulated rates, there is a risk that the MPSC and the FERC will not approve: (1) full recovery of the costs of providing utility service, or (2) full recovery of amounts invested in the utility business and a reasonable return on that investment.We identified the impact of rate regulation as a critical audit matter due to the judgments made by management to support its assertions about impacted account balances and disclosures and the high degree of subjectivity involved in assessing the impact of future regulatory orders on the financial statements.We identified the impact of rate regulation as a critical audit matter due to the significant judgments made by management to support its assertions about impacted account balances and disclosures and the high degree of subjectivity involved in assessing the impact of future regulatory orders on the financial statements. Management judgments include assessing the likelihood of recovery in future rates of incurred costs and refunds to customers. Auditing management’s judgments regarding the outcome of future decisions by the MPSC and the FERC, recovery in future rates of regulatory assets and refunds or future reductions in rates related to regulatory liabilities involved specialized knowledge of accounting for rate regulation and the rate setting process due to its inherent complexities and auditor judgment to evaluate management estimates and the subjectivity of audit evidence. Auditing management’s judgments regarding the outcome of future decisions by the MPSC and the FERC, involved specialized knowledge of accounting for rate regulation and the rate setting process due to its inherent complexities and significant auditor judgment to evaluate management estimates and the subjectivity of audit evidence. How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the AuditOur audit procedures related to the uncertainty of future decisions by the MPSC and the FERC, recovery in future rates of regulatory assets and refunds or future reductions in rates related to regulatory liabilities included the following, among others:•We tested the effectiveness of management’s controls over the evaluation of the likelihood of (1) the recovery in future rates of regulatory assets, and (2) a refund or a future reduction in rates that should be reported as regulatory liabilities.How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the AuditOur audit procedures related to the uncertainty of future decisions by the MPSC and the FERC included the following, among others:•We tested the effectiveness of management’s controls over the evaluation of the likelihood of (1) the recovery in future rates of costs incurred as property, plant, and equipment and deferred as regulatory assets, and (2) a refund or a future reduction in rates that should be reported as regulatory liabilities. We also tested the effectiveness of management’s controls over the initial recognition of amounts as regulatory assets or liabilities and the monitoring and evaluation of regulatory developments that may affect the likelihood of recovering costs in future rates or of a future reduction in rates. We also tested the effectiveness of management’s controls over the initial recognition of amounts as property, plant, and equipment; regulatory assets or liabilities; and the monitoring and evaluation of regulatory developments that may affect the likelihood of recovering costs in future rates or of a future reduction in rates. •We evaluated the Company’s disclosures related to the impacts of rate regulation, including the balances recorded and regulatory developments.•We read relevant regulatory orders issued by the MPSC and the FERC for the Company to assess the likelihood of recovery in future rates or of a future reduction in rates based on precedents of the MPSC’s and FERC’s treatment of similar costs under similar circumstances.•We read relevant regulatory orders issued by the MPSC and the FERC for the Company, filings made by intervenors, and other publicly available information to assess the likelihood of recovery in future rates or of a future reduction in rates based on precedents of the MPSC’s and FERC’s treatment of similar costs under similar circumstances. We evaluated external information and compared to management’s recorded regulatory asset and liability balances for completeness. We evaluated the external information and compared to management’s recorded regulatory asset and liability balances for completeness. •For regulatory matters in process, we inspected the Company’s filings with the MPSC and the FERC and orders issued, and considered the filings with the MPSC and the FERC by intervenors that may impact the Company’s future rates, for any evidence that might contradict management’s assertions.•For regulatory matters in process, we inspected the Company’s filings with the MPSC and the FERC, including the annual formula rate plan filing, and considered the filings with the MPSC and the FERC by intervenors that may impact the Company’s future rates, for any evidence that might contradict management’s assertions. •We obtained an analysis from management and support from internal and external legal counsel, as appropriate, regarding probability of recovery for regulatory assets or refund or future reduction in rates for regulatory liabilities not yet addressed in a regulatory order to assess management’s assertion that amounts are probable of recovery or a future reduction in rates.•We obtained representation from management regarding probability of recovery for regulatory assets or refund or future reduction in rates for regulatory liabilities to assess management’s assertion that amounts are probable of recovery, refund, or a future reduction in rates./s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLPNew Orleans, LouisianaFebruary 23, 2024We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2001.390Table of Contents391Table of Contents(Page left blank intentionally)392Table of Contents393Table of Contents394Table of Contents395Table of Contents396Table of ContentsENTERGY NEW ORLEANS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIESMANAGEMENT’S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSISResults of Operations2023 Compared to 2022Net IncomeNet income increased $164.369Table of Contents370Table of Contents371Table of Contents(Page left blank intentionally)372Table of Contents373Table of Contents374Table of Contents375Table of Contents376Table of ContentsENTERGY MISSISSIPPI, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIESMANAGEMENT’S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSISResults of Operations2022 Compared to 2021Earnings Applicable to Member’s EquityEarnings increased $30. 8 million primarily due to a $198.8 million due to a $14. 4 million reduction in income tax expense in 2023 as a result of the resolution of the 2016-2018 IRS audit, partially offset by a $60 million regulatory charge ($43.8 million net-of-tax) to reflect credits expected to be provided to customers, and higher retail electric price. The increase was partially offset by higher other operation and maintenance expenses. The increase was partially offset by higher other operation and maintenance expenses, higher depreciation and amortization expenses, and a higher effective income tax rate. See Note 3 to the financial statements for further discussion of the resolution of the 2016-2018 IRS audit. See Note 3 to the financial statements for further discussion of the IRS audit resolution. Operating RevenuesFollowing is an analysis of the change in operating revenues comparing 2023 to 2022:Entergy New Orleans’s results include revenues from rate mechanisms designed to recover fuel, purchased power, and other costs such that the revenues and expenses associated with these items generally offset and do not affect net income. “Fuel, rider, and other revenues that do not significantly affect net income” includes the revenue variance associated with these items.The volume/weather variance is insignificant and primarily due to the effect of more favorable weather on commercial sales and an increase in weather-adjusted residential usage, partially offset by the effect of less favorable weather on residential sales.The volume/weather variance is primarily due to the effect of more favorable weather on residential sales and an increase in demand charges as a result of an updated contract with an industrial customer in the primary metals industry, partially offset by a decrease in weather-adjusted residential usage. Storm restoration carrying costs represent the equity component of storm restoration carrying costs, recorded in fourth quarter 2023, recognized as part of the City Council’s approval of the Hurricane Ida storm cost certification report in December 2023. See Note 2 to the financial statements for further discussion of the storm cost certification. See Note 2 to the financial statements for further discussion of the securitization. The retail electric price variance is primarily due to an increase in formula rate plan rates effective September 2022 in accordance with the terms of the 2022 formula rate plan filing.The retail electric price variance is primarily due to an increase in formula rate plan rates effective January 2022. See Note 2 to the financial statements for further discussion of the formula rate plan filing.397Table of ContentsEntergy New Orleans, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisTotal electric energy sales for Entergy New Orleans for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:See Note 19 to the financial statements for additional discussion of Entergy New Orleans’s operating revenues.Other Income Statement VariancesOther operation and maintenance expenses increased primarily due to:•an increase of $4.6 million in non-nuclear generation expenses primarily due to a higher scope of work performed in 2023 as compared to 2022;•an increase of $4.9 million in non-nuclear generation expenses primarily due to a lower scope of work performed in 2022, including during plant outages, as compared to 2021. 5 million resulting from a gain on the sale of NOx allowances in 2022;•an increase of $3.9 million in power delivery expenses primarily due to higher reliability costs and higher vegetation maintenance costs in 2023 as compared to 2022; and•an increase of $3 million in contract costs related to operational performance, customer service, and organizational health initiatives.7 million in power delivery expenses primarily due to higher vegetation maintenance costs, higher safety and training costs, and higher reliability costs, partially offset by a decrease in meter reading expenses as a result of the deployment of advanced metering systems;•$3. The increase was partially offset by a decrease of $3 million in energy efficiency expenses primarily due to the timing of recovery from customers and lower energy efficiency costs.Depreciation and amortization expenses increased primarily due to additions to plant in service.Other regulatory charges (credits) - net includes a regulatory charge of $60 million, recorded in fourth quarter 2023, to reflect credits expected to be provided to customers as a result of the resolution of the 2016-2018 IRS audit. See Note 3 to the financial statements for further discussion of the resolution of the 2016-2018 IRS audit. See Note 3 to the financial statements for further discussion of the IRS audit resolution. Other income increased primarily due to higher interest earned on money pool investments. The increase was partially offset by a decrease of $2.The increase was partially offset by a decrease of $2. 3 million due to the recognition of storm restoration carrying costs in 2022 related to Hurricane Ida and an increase in other postretirement benefit non-service costs as a result of the amortization of 2022 trust asset losses and non-qualified pension settlement charges. See Note 2 to the financial statements for further discussion of storm restoration costs. See Note 2 to the financial statements for further discussion of storm restoration costs and requested recovery. See “Critical Accounting Estimates – Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits” below and Note 11 to the financial statements for further discussion of pension and other postretirement benefits costs. See “Critical Accounting Estimates - Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits” below and Note 11 for a discussion of qualified pension and other postretirement benefits funding. Interest expense increased primarily due to a higher fixed interest rate on Entergy New Orleans’s unsecured term loan and interest on the $34 million regulatory liability recorded when Entergy New Orleans received a refund from System Energy in January 2023 related to the sale-leaseback renewal costs and depreciation litigation. The 398Table of ContentsEntergy New Orleans, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysisincrease was partially offset by the repayment of $100 million of 3.9% Series mortgage bonds in July 2023.8% Series mortgage bonds in May 2021. See Note 2 to the financial statements for further discussion of the refund and the related proceedings. See Note 2 to the financial statements for further discussion of the formula rate plan proceedings. The effective income tax rates were (487.5%) for 2023 and 27.5%) for 2022 and 15. 5% for 2022.5% for 2021. See Note 3 to the financial statements for a reconciliation of the federal statutory rate of 21% to the effective income tax rates and for additional discussion regarding income taxes.
2022 Compared to 2021See “MANAGEMENT’S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - Results of Operations” in Item 7 of Entergy New Orleans’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on February 24, 2023, for discussion of results of operations for 2022 compared to 2021.2021 Compared to 2020See “MANAGEMENT’S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - Results of Operations” in Item 7 of Entergy Louisiana’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, filed with the SEC on February 25, 2022, for discussion of results of operations for 2021 compared to 2020. Income Tax Legislation and RegulationSee the “Income Tax Legislation and Regulation” section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis for discussion of income tax legislation and regulation.Planned Sale of Gas Distribution BusinessSee the “Planned Sale of Gas Distribution Businesses” section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis for discussion of the purchase and sale agreement for the sale of Entergy New Orleans’s gas distribution business.Liquidity and Capital ResourcesCash FlowCash flows for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 were as follows:2023 Compared to 2022Operating ActivitiesNet cash flow provided by operating activities decreased $160.Liquidity and Capital ResourcesCash Flow Cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020 were as follows:2022 Compared to 2021Operating ActivitiesNet cash flow provided by operating activities increased $52. 8 million in 2023 primarily due to:•net proceeds of $201.8 million in 2022 primarily due to:•an increase of $65. 8 million received from the LURC in December 2022 from securitization. See Note 2 to the financial statements for further discussion of the storm securitization;•lower receipts from associated companies in 2022;399Table of ContentsEntergy New Orleans, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysis•an increase of $13. See Note 2 to the financial 5Table of ContentsEntergy Corporation and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysisstatements for further discussion of the Unit Power Sales Agreement and for further discussion of the Grand Gulf sale-leaseback renewal complaint. 6 million in income taxes paid in 2023.3 million in income tax refunds in 2022. Entergy New Orleans made net income tax payments in 2023 primarily related to the resolution of the 2016-2018 IRS audit and estimated federal and state income taxes. See Note 3 to the financial statements for further discussion of the resolution of the 2016-2018 IRS audit; and•lower collections from customers. See Note 3 to the financial statements for further discussion of the IRS audit resolution. The decrease was partially offset by:•lower fuel costs and the timing of recovery of fuel and purchased power costs.The increase was partially offset by increased fuel costs and the timing of recovery of fuel and purchased power costs. See Note 2 to the financial statements for a discussion of fuel and purchased power cost recovery;•the refund of $34 million received from System Energy in January 2023 related to the sale-leaseback renewal costs and depreciation litigation as calculated in System Energy’s January 2023 compliance report filed with the FERC. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of Entergy Mississippi’s formula rate plan filings; and•a regulatory charge of $551 million, recorded by System Energy in second quarter 2022, to reflect the effects of the partial settlement agreement and offer of settlement related to pending proceedings before the FERC. See Note 2 to the financial statements for further discussion of the refund and the related proceedings; and•a decrease of $18. See Note 14 to the financial statements for further discussion of the transaction;•an increase of $18. 7 million in storm spending primarily due to Hurricane Ida restoration efforts in 2022.6 million in storm spending in 2022, primarily due to Winter Storm Uri restoration efforts in 2021. Investing ActivitiesNet cash flow used in investing activities decreased $385 million in 2023 primarily due to:•money pool activity;•a decrease of $71.Investing ActivitiesNet cash flow used in investing activities decreased $45. 3 million in net payments to the storm reserve escrow account in 2023; and•a decrease of $42.9 million in distribution construction expenditures primarily due to higher capital expenditures for Hurricane Ida storm restoration efforts in 2022, partially offset by increased investment in the reliability and infrastructure of Entergy New Orleans’s distribution system in 2023.4 million in distribution construction expenditures primarily due to lower capital expenditures for storm restoration in 2022 and lower spending on advanced metering infrastructure, partially offset by increased investment in the reliability and infrastructure of Entergy New Orleans’s distribution system. Decreases in Entergy New Orleans’s receivable from the money pool are a source of cash flow, and Entergy New Orleans’s receivable from the money pool decreased $147.Increases in Entergy New Orleans’s receivable from the money pool are a use of cash flow, and Entergy New Orleans’s receivable from the money pool increased $110. 3 million in 2023 compared to increasing by $110.8 million in 2022. The money pool is an intercompany cash management program that makes possible intercompany borrowing and lending arrangements, and the money pool and other borrowing arrangements are designed to reduce the Registrant Subsidiaries’ dependence on external short-term borrowings.Financing ActivitiesEntergy New Orleans’s financing activities used $188.Financing ActivitiesNet cash flow provided by financing activities increased $316. 6 million of cash in 2023 compared to providing $1.6 million of cash in 2022 compared to using $161. 6 million of cash in 2022 primarily due to the following activity:•$125 million in common equity distributions paid in 2023 in order to maintain Entergy New Orleans’s capital structure;•the repayment, at maturity, of $100 million of 3.1 million of cash in 2021 primarily due to the following activity:•a $135 million capital contribution from Entergy Corporation in 2022 primarily to fund the settlement payment to Entergy Mississippi;•the repayment in February 2021 of $100 million of 3. 90% Series mortgage bonds in July 2023;•additional borrowings of $15 million in May 2023 on an unsecured term loan due June 2024; and•money pool activity.Increases in Entergy New Orleans’s payable to the money pool are a source of cash flow, and Entergy New Orleans’s payable to the money pool increased $21.Decreases in Entergy New Orleans’s payable to the money pool are a use of cash flow, and Entergy New Orleans’s payable to the money pool decreased $10. 7 million in 2023.See Note 5 to the financial statements for details on long-term debt.
2022 Compared to 2021See “MANAGEMENT’S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - Liquidity and Capital Resources - Cash Flow” in Item 7 of Entergy New Orleans’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended 400Table of ContentsEntergy New Orleans, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisDecember 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on February 24, 2023, for discussion of operating, investing, and financing cash flow activities for 2022 compared to 2021.2021 Compared to 2020See “MANAGEMENT’S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - Liquidity and Capital Resources - Cash Flow” in Item 7 of Entergy New Orleans’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 filed with the SEC on February 25, 2022 for discussion of operating, investing, and financing cash flow activities for 2021 compared to 2020. Capital StructureEntergy New Orleans’s debt to capital ratio is shown in the following table. The decrease in the debt to capital ratio for Entergy New Orleans is primarily due to net income in 2023 and the net retirement of long-term debt in 2023, partially offset by common equity distributions of $125 million in 2023. The decrease in the debt to capital ratio is primarily due to an increase in equity resulting from the settlement of approximately $870 million of equity forward sales agreements, partially offset by the net issuance of debt in 2022. (a)Calculation excludes the securitization bonds, which are non-recourse to Entergy New Orleans.Net debt consists of debt less cash and cash equivalents. Debt consists of short-term borrowings, finance lease obligations, long-term debt, including the currently maturing portion, and the long-term payable due to an associated company. Capital consists of debt and equity. Net capital consists of capital less cash and cash equivalents. The debt to capital ratio excluding securitization bonds and net debt to net capital ratio excluding securitization bonds are non-GAAP measures. Entergy New Orleans uses the debt to capital ratios excluding securitization bonds in analyzing its financial condition and believes they provide useful information to its investors and creditors in evaluating Entergy New Orleans’s financial condition because the securitization bonds are non-recourse to Entergy New Orleans, as more fully described in Note 5 to the financial statements. Entergy Texas uses the debt to capital ratios excluding securitization bonds in analyzing its financial condition and believes they provide useful information to its investors and creditors in evaluating Entergy Texas’s financial condition because the securitization bonds are non-recourse to Entergy Texas, as more fully described in Note 5 to the financial statements. Entergy New Orleans also uses the net debt to net capital ratio excluding securitization bonds in analyzing its financial condition and believes it provides useful information to its investors and creditors in evaluating Entergy New Orleans’s financial condition because net debt indicates Entergy New Orleans’s outstanding debt position that could not be readily satisfied by cash and cash equivalents on hand.Entergy New Orleans seeks to optimize its capital structure in accordance with its regulatory requirements and to control its cost of capital while also maintaining equity capitalization at a level consistent with investment-grade debt ratings. To the extent that operating cash flows are in excess of planned investments, cash may be used to reduce outstanding debt or may be paid as a distribution, to the extent funds are legally available to do so, or both, in appropriate amounts to maintain the capital structure. To the extent that operating cash flows are insufficient to support planned investments, Entergy New Orleans may issue incremental debt or reduce distributions, or both, to maintain its capital structure. In addition, in certain infrequent circumstances, such as financing of large transactions that would materially alter the capital structure if financed entirely with debt and reduced distributions, Entergy New Orleans may receive equity contributions to maintain its capital structure. In addition, in certain infrequent circumstances, such as financing of large transactions that would materially alter the capital structure if financed entirely with debt and reducing distributions, Entergy New Orleans may receive equity contributions to maintain its capital structure. Uses of CapitalEntergy New Orleans requires capital resources for:•construction and other capital investments;•working capital purposes, including the financing of fuel and purchased power costs;•debt maturities or retirements; and•distribution and interest payments.401Table of ContentsEntergy New Orleans, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisFollowing are the amounts of Entergy New Orleans’s planned construction and other capital investments.403Table of ContentsEntergy New Orleans, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisFollowing are the amounts of Entergy New Orleans’s existing debt and lease obligations (includes estimated interest payments). In addition to routine capital spending to maintain operations, the planned capital investment estimate for Entergy New Orleans includes distribution and Utility support spending to deliver reliability, resilience, and customer experience; transmission spending to improve reliability and resilience; and other investments.In addition to routine capital spending to maintain operations, the planned capital investment estimate for Entergy Louisiana includes specific investments in generation projects to modernize, decarbonize, and diversify Entergy Louisiana’s portfolio, including the St. Estimated capital expenditures are subject to periodic review and modification and may vary based on the ongoing effects of regulatory constraints and requirements, government actions, environmental compliance, business opportunities, market volatility, economic trends, business restructuring, changes in project plans, and the ability to access capital.Following are the amounts of Entergy New Orleans’s existing debt and lease obligations (includes estimated interest payments).Following are the amounts of Entergy Louisiana’s existing debt and lease obligations (includes estimated interest payments). (a)Long-term debt is discussed in Note 5 to the financial statements.(b)Lease obligations are discussed in Note 10 to the financial statements.Other ObligationsEntergy New Orleans currently expects to contribute approximately $4.9 million to its qualified pension plan and approximately $205 thousand to other postretirement health care and life insurance plans in 2024, although the 2024 required pension contributions will be known with more certainty when the January 1, 2024, valuations are completed, which is expected by April 1, 2024.5 million to its qualified pension plans and approximately $26 thousand to other postretirement health care and life insurance plans in 2023, although the 2023 required pension contributions will be known with more certainty when the January 1, 2023 valuations are completed, which is expected by April 1, 2023. See “Critical Accounting Estimates - Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits” below and Note 11 to the financial statements for a discussion of qualified pension and other postretirement benefits funding. See “Critical Accounting Estimates - Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits” below and Note 11 for a discussion of qualified pension and other postretirement benefits funding. Entergy New Orleans has $7.6 million of unrecognized tax benefits net of unused tax attributes plus interest for which the timing of payments beyond 12 months cannot be reasonably estimated due to uncertainties in the timing of effective settlement of tax positions. See Note 3 to the financial statements for additional information regarding unrecognized tax benefits.In addition, Entergy New Orleans enters into fuel and purchased power agreements that contain minimum purchase obligations. Entergy New Orleans has rate mechanisms in place to recover fuel, purchased power, and associated costs incurred under these purchase obligations. See Note 8 to the financial statements for discussion of Entergy New Orleans’s obligations under the Unit Power Sales Agreement.As a wholly-owned subsidiary of Entergy Utility Holding Company, LLC, Entergy New Orleans pays distributions from its earnings at a percentage determined monthly.402Table of ContentsEntergy New Orleans, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisSystem Resilience and Storm HardeningIn October 2021 the City Council passed a resolution and order establishing a docket and procedural schedule with respect to system resiliency and storm hardening.413Table of ContentsEntergy New Orleans, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisCost SensitivityThe following chart reflects the sensitivity of qualified pension cost and qualified projected benefit obligation to changes in certain actuarial assumptions (dollars in thousands). The docket will identify a plan for storm hardening and resiliency projects with other stakeholders. In July 2022, Entergy New Orleans filed with the City Council a response identifying a preliminary plan for storm hardening and resiliency projects, including microgrids, to be implemented over ten years at an approximate cost of $1.5 billion. In February 2023 the City Council approved a revised procedural schedule requiring Entergy New Orleans to make a filing in April 2023 containing a narrowed list of proposed hardening projects, with final comments on that filing due July 2023. In April 2023, Entergy New Orleans filed the required application and supporting testimony seeking City Council approval of the first phase (five years and $559 million) of a ten-year infrastructure hardening plan totaling approximately $1 billion. Entergy New Orleans also sought, among other relief, City Council approval of a rider to recover from customers the costs of the infrastructure hardening plan. In July 2023, Entergy New Orleans filed comments in support of its application. In February 2024 the City Council approved a resolution authorizing Entergy New Orleans to implement a resilience project to be partially funded by $55 million of matching funding through the Department of Energy’s Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships program. In February 2023 the City Council approved a revised procedural schedule requiring Entergy New Orleans to make a filing in April 2023 containing a narrowed list of proposed hardening projects, with final comments on that filing due July 2023. The resolution also requires Entergy New Orleans to submit, no later than July 2024, a revised resilience plan consisting of projects in three-year intervals. Entergy New Orleans continues to seek approval of its application.Sources of CapitalEntergy New Orleans’s sources to meet its capital requirements include:•internally generated funds;•cash on hand;•the Entergy system money pool;•storm reserve escrow accounts;•debt and preferred membership interest issuances, including debt issuances to refund or retire currently outstanding or maturing indebtedness;•capital contributions; and•bank financing under new or existing facilities.Sources of CapitalEntergy New Orleans’s sources to meet its capital requirements include:•internally generated funds;•cash on hand;•the Entergy System money pool;•storm reserve escrow accounts;•debt and preferred membership interest issuances, including debt issuances to refund or retire currently outstanding or maturing indebtedness;•capital contributions; and•bank financing under new or existing facilities. Circumstances such as weather patterns, fuel and purchased power price fluctuations, and unanticipated expenses, including unscheduled plant outages and storms, could affect the timing and level of internally generated funds in the future. In addition to the financings necessary to meet capital requirements and contractual obligations, Entergy New Orleans expects to continue, when economically feasible, to retire higher-cost debt and replace it with lower-cost debt if market conditions permit.All debt and common and preferred membership interest issuances by Entergy New Orleans require prior regulatory approval. Debt issuances are also subject to issuance tests set forth in its bond indenture and other agreements. Entergy New Orleans has sufficient capacity under these tests to meet its foreseeable capital needs for the next twelve months and beyond.Entergy New Orleans’s receivables from or (payables to) the money pool were as follows as of December 31 for each of the following years.See Note 4 to the financial statements for a description of the money pool.403Table of ContentsEntergy New Orleans, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisEntergy New Orleans has a credit facility in the amount of $25 million scheduled to expire in June 2024.403Table of ContentsEntergy New Orleans, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisFollowing are the amounts of Entergy New Orleans’s existing debt and lease obligations (includes estimated interest payments). The credit facility includes fronting commitments for the issuance of letters of credit against $10 million of the borrowing capacity of the facility. As of December 31, 2023, there were no cash borrowings and no letters of credit outstanding under the credit facility. In addition, Entergy New Orleans is a party to an uncommitted letter of credit facility as a means to post collateral to support its obligations to MISO. As of December 31, 2023, a $0. As of December 31, 2022, $60. 5 million letter of credit was outstanding under Entergy New Orleans’s uncommitted letter of credit facility.8 million in letters of credit were outstanding under Entergy Texas’s uncommitted letter of credit facility. See Note 4 to the financial statements for additional discussion of the credit facilities.Entergy New Orleans obtained authorization from the FERC through April 2025 for short-term borrowings not to exceed an aggregate amount of $150 million at any time outstanding and long-term borrowings and securities issuances.Entergy New Orleans obtained authorization from the FERC through October 2023 for short-term borrowings not to exceed an aggregate amount of $150 million at any time outstanding and long-term borrowings and securities issuances. See Note 4 to the financial statements for further discussion of Entergy New Orleans’s short-term borrowing limits. The long-term securities issuances of Entergy New Orleans are limited to amounts authorized not only by the FERC, but also by the City Council, and the current City Council authorization extends through December 2025.State and Local Rate RegulationThe rates that Entergy New Orleans charges for its services significantly influence its financial position, results of operations, and liquidity. Entergy New Orleans is regulated, and the rates charged to its customers are determined in regulatory proceedings. A governmental agency, the City Council, is primarily responsible for approval of the rates charged to customers.Retail Rates2021 Formula Rate Plan FilingIn July 2021, Entergy New Orleans submitted to the City Council its formula rate plan 2020 test year filing.2021 Formula Rate Plan FilingIn July 2021, Entergy New Orleans submitted to the City Council its formula rate plan 2020 test year filing. The 2020 test year evaluation report produced an earned return on equity of 6.26% compared to the authorized return on equity of 9.35%. Entergy New Orleans sought approval of a $64 million rate increase based on the formula set by the City Council in the 2018 rate case. The formula resulted in an increase in authorized electric revenues of $40 million and an increase in authorized gas revenues of $18.8 million. Entergy New Orleans also sought to commence collecting $5.2 million in electric revenues and $0.3 million in gas revenues that were previously approved by the City Council for collection through the formula rate plan. The filing was 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. In October 2021 the City Council’s advisors filed a 75-day report recommending a reduction of $10 million for electric revenues and a reduction of $4.5 million for gas revenues, along with one-time credits funded by certain electric regulatory liabilities currently held by Entergy New Orleans for customers. On October 26, 2021, Entergy New Orleans provided notice to the City Council that it intends to implement rates effective with the first billing cycle of November 2021, with such rates reflecting an amount agreed-upon by Entergy New Orleans including adjustments filed in the City Council’s 75-day report, per the approved process for formula rate plan implementation. The total formula rate plan increase implemented was $49.5 million, with an increase of $34.9 million in electric revenues and $14.6 million in gas revenues. Also, credits of $17.4 million funded by certain regulatory liabilities currently held by Entergy New Orleans for customers will be issued over a five-month period from November 2021 through March 2022. Resulting rates went into effect with the first billing cycle of November 2021 pursuant to the formula rate plan tariff.2022 Formula Rate Plan FilingIn April 2022, Entergy New Orleans submitted to the City Council its formula rate plan 2021 test year filing. The 2021 test year evaluation report, subsequently updated in a July 2022 filing, produced an earned return on equity of 6.88% compared to the authorized return on equity of 9.35%. Entergy New Orleans sought approval of 404Table of ContentsEntergy New Orleans, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysisa $42.1 million rate increase based on the formula set by the City Council in the 2018 rate case. The formula resulted in an increase in authorized electric revenues of $34. The formula results in an increase in authorized electric revenues of $34. 1 million and an increase in authorized gas revenues of $3.3 million. Entergy New Orleans also sought to commence collecting $4.7 million in electric revenues that were previously approved by the City Council for collection through the formula rate plan. In July 2022 the City Council’s advisors issued a report seeking a reduction to Entergy New Orleans’s proposed increase of approximately $17.1 million in total for electric and gas revenues. Effective with the first billing cycle of September 2022, Entergy New Orleans implemented rates reflecting an amount agreed upon by Entergy New Orleans and the City Council including adjustments filed in the City Council’s advisors’ report, per the approved process for formula rate plan implementation. The total formula rate plan increase implemented was $24.7 million, which includes an increase of $18.2 million in electric revenues, $4.7 million in previously approved electric revenues, and an increase of $1.8 million in gas revenues. Additionally, credits of $13.9 million funded by certain regulatory liabilities currently held by Entergy New Orleans for customers were issued over an eight-month period beginning September 2022.9 million funded by certain regulatory liabilities currently held by Entergy New Orleans for customers will be issued over an eight-month period beginning September 2022. 2023 Formula Rate Plan FilingIn April 2023, Entergy New Orleans submitted to the City Council its formula rate plan 2022 test year filing.2022 Formula Rate Plan FilingIn April 2022, Entergy New Orleans submitted to the City Council its formula rate plan 2021 test year filing. The 2022 test year evaluation report produced an electric earned return on equity of 7. The 2020 test year evaluation report produced an earned return on equity of 6. 34% and a gas earned return on equity of 3.52% compared to the authorized return on equity for each of 9.26% compared to the authorized return on equity of 9. 35%. Entergy New Orleans sought approval of a $25.6 million rate increase based on the formula set by the City Council in the 2018 rate case. The formula would result in an increase in authorized electric revenues of $17. The formula results in an increase in authorized electric revenues of $34. 4 million and an increase in authorized gas revenues of $8.2 million. Entergy New Orleans also sought to commence collecting $3.4 million in electric revenues that were previously approved by the City Council for collection through the formula rate plan. In July 2023, Entergy New Orleans filed a report to decrease its requested formula rate plan revenues by approximately $0.5 million to account for minor errors discovered after the filing. The City Council advisors issued a report seeking a reduction in the requested formula rate plan revenues of approximately $8.3 million, combined for electric and gas, due to alleged errors. The City Council advisors proposed additional rate mitigation in the amount of $12 million through offsets to the formula rate plan rate increase by certain regulatory liabilities. In September 2023 the City Council approved an agreement to settle the 2023 formula rate plan filing. Effective with the first billing cycle of September 2023, Entergy New Orleans implemented rates reflecting an amount agreed upon by Entergy New Orleans and the City Council, per the approved process for formula rate plan implementation. Effective with the first billing cycle of September 2022, Entergy New Orleans implemented rates reflecting an amount agreed upon by Entergy New Orleans and the City Council including adjustments filed in the City Council’s advisors’ report, per the approved process for formula rate plan implementation. The agreement provides for a total increase in electric revenues of $10.5 million and a total increase in gas revenues of $6.1 million and an increase in authorized gas revenues of $3. 9 million. The agreement also provides for a minor storm accrual of $0.5 million per year and the distribution of $8.9 million of currently held customer credits to implement the City Council advisors’ mitigation recommendations.Request for Extension and Modification of Formula Rate PlanIn September 2023, Entergy New Orleans filed a motion seeking City Council approval of a three-year extension of Entergy New Orleans’s electric and gas formula rate plans. In October 2023 the City Council granted Entergy New Orleans’s request for an extension, subject to minor modifications which included a 55% fixed capital structure for rate setting purposes.Fuel and purchased power cost recoveryEntergy New Orleans’s electric rate schedules include a fuel adjustment tariff designed to reflect no more than targeted fuel and purchased power costs, adjusted by a surcharge or credit for deferred fuel expense arising from the monthly reconciliation of actual fuel and purchased power costs incurred with fuel cost revenues billed to customers, including carrying charges.Fuel and Purchased Power Cost RecoveryEntergy New Orleans’s electric rate schedules include a fuel adjustment tariff designed to reflect no more than targeted fuel and purchased power costs, adjusted by a surcharge or credit for deferred fuel expense arising from the monthly reconciliation of actual fuel and purchased power costs incurred with fuel cost revenues billed to customers, including carrying charges. 405Table of ContentsEntergy New Orleans, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisEntergy New Orleans’s gas rate schedules include a purchased gas adjustment to reflect estimated gas costs for the billing month, adjusted by a surcharge or credit similar to that included in the electric fuel adjustment clause, including carrying charges.412Table of ContentsEntergy New Orleans, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisEnvironmental RisksEntergy New Orleans’s facilities and operations are subject to regulation by various governmental authorities having jurisdiction over air quality, water quality, control of toxic substances and hazardous and solid wastes, and other environmental matters. Reliability InvestigationIn August 2017 the City Council established a docket to investigate the reliability of the Entergy New Orleans distribution system and to consider implementing certain reliability standards and possible financial penalties for not meeting any such standards. In April 2018 the City Council adopted a resolution directing Entergy New Orleans to demonstrate that it has been prudent in the management and maintenance of the reliability of its distribution system. The resolution also called for Entergy New Orleans to file a revised reliability plan addressing the current state of its distribution system and proposing remedial measures for increasing reliability. In June 2018, Entergy New Orleans filed its response to the City Council’s resolution regarding the prudence of its management and maintenance of the reliability of its distribution system. In July 2018, Entergy New Orleans filed its revised reliability plan discussing the various reliability programs that it uses to improve distribution system reliability and discussing generally the positive effect that advanced meter deployment and grid modernization can have on future reliability. Entergy New Orleans retained a national consulting firm with expertise in distribution system reliability to conduct a review of Entergy New Orleans’s distribution system reliability-related practices and procedures and to provide recommendations for improving distribution system reliability. The report was filed with the City Council in October 2018. The City Council also approved a resolution that opened a prudence investigation into whether Entergy New Orleans was imprudent for not acting sooner to address outages in New Orleans and whether fines should be imposed. In January 2019, Entergy New Orleans filed testimony in response to the prudence investigation asserting that it had been prudent in managing system reliability. In April 2019 the City Council advisors filed comments and testimony asserting that Entergy New Orleans did not act prudently in maintaining and improving its distribution system reliability in recent years and recommending that a financial penalty in the range of $1.5 million to $2 million should be assessed. Entergy New Orleans disagreed with the recommendation and submitted rebuttal testimony and rebuttal comments in June 2019. In November 2019 the City Council passed a resolution that penalized Entergy New Orleans $1 million for alleged imprudence in the maintenance of its distribution system. In December 2019, Entergy New Orleans filed suit in Louisiana state court seeking judicial review of the City Council’s resolution. In June 2022 the Orleans Civil District Court issued a written judgment that the penalty be set aside, reversed, and vacated. In August 2022 the Orleans Civil District Court issued written reasons for its judgment and also granted a post-judgment motion to remand for the City Council to take actions consistent with its judgment.Also in August 2022 the City Council approved a resolution establishing a 30-day comment period on proposed minimum reliability standards and an associated penalty mechanism. In September 2022, Entergy New Orleans filed comments to the proposed plan including a request for an additional round of comments. In February 2023 the City Council approved a resolution adopting the proposed reliability standards, including a minimum annual performance level for Entergy New Orleans’s distribution system, as well as associated penalty mechanisms. In April 2023, Entergy New Orleans filed the compliance filings required by the resolution for calendar year 2023. The first year for which the City Council may assess a penalty for distribution system reliability performance is calendar year 2024.In April 2023 the City Council approved a resolution that established a procedural schedule to allow for the submission of additional evidence regarding the penalty imposed in 2019. In May 2023, Entergy New Orleans filed with the Orleans Civil District Court a petition for judicial review and (or alternatively) declaratory judgment of, together with a request for injunctive relief from, the City Council’s April 2023 resolution. In June 2023 the City Council filed exceptions requesting the Orleans Civil District Court dismiss the suit as premature, and a hearing date was set on the exceptions. In September 2023, Entergy New Orleans filed an unopposed motion to continue the hearing on the City Council’s exceptions without date, which was granted. In September 2022, Entergy New Orleans filed comments to the proposed plan including a request for an additional round of comments. Entergy New Orleans expects to file its opposition to the City Council’s exceptions by the applicable deadlines. In January 2024 the City Council approved 406Table of ContentsEntergy New Orleans, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysisa modified procedural schedule in which the hearing officer shall certify the record of the proceeding for City Council consideration no later than July 2024.Renewable Portfolio Standard RulemakingIn March 2019 the City Council initiated a rulemaking proceeding to consider whether to establish a renewable portfolio standard. The four components of the Renewable and Clean Portfolio Standard that the City Council expressed a desire to implement were: (1) a mandatory requirement that Entergy New Orleans achieve 100% net zero carbon emissions by 2040; (2) reliance on renewable energy credits purchased without the associated energy for compliance with the standard being phased out over the ten-year period from 2040 to 2050; (3) no carbon-emitting resources in the portfolio of resources Entergy New Orleans uses to serve New Orleans by 2050; and (4) a mechanism to limit costs in any one plan year to no more than one percent of plan year total utility retail sales revenues. The City Council adopted the Utility Committee resolution in April 2020. The City Council approved the rule in May 2021, establishing the Renewable and Clean Portfolio Standard.In March 2022 the City Council approved Entergy New Orleans’s initial compliance plan and established an alternative compliance payment value of $8. In March 2022 the City Council approved Entergy New Orleans’s initial compliance plan and established an alternative compliance payment value of $8. 45 per MWh, which Entergy New Orleans will pay if it is unable to comply with the Renewable and Clean Portfolio Standard for the 2022 compliance year. Such compliance payments are paid into a clean energy fund established by the City Council. The City Council also approved the electric vehicle credit calculation methodology for use in the compliance demonstration report for 2022, to be filed prior to May 1, 2023. Entergy New Orleans’s proposal to create a 5% contingency reserve was considered reasonable for the initial compliance plan.In August 2022, Entergy New Orleans submitted its compliance plan covering compliance years 2023-2025. After receiving comments from intervenors and Entergy New Orleans, in December 2022 the City Council adopted a resolution that (a) approved Entergy New Orleans's proposal to purchase unbundled renewable energy credits, as needed; (b) denied Entergy New Orleans’s request to treat the Sewerage and Water Board’s 230 kV Sullivan substation electrification as a “qualified measure;” (c) approved the alternative compliance payment for years 2023-2025 at $8.45 per MWh; and (d) approved the Tier 3 credit calculations for electric vehicle charging infrastructure but denied the request to approve a Tier 3 credit for the Sewerage and Water Board substation electrification project at this time while the substation is not yet in service.In May 2023, Entergy New Orleans submitted its compliance demonstration report to the City Council for the 2022 compliance year, which describes and demonstrates Entergy New Orleans’s compliance with the Renewable and Clean Portfolio Standard in 2022 and satisfies certain informational requirements. Entergy New Orleans requested, among other things, that the City Council determine that Entergy New Orleans achieved the target under the portfolio standard for 2022 and remains within the customer protection cost cap, and that the City Council approve a proposal to recover costs associated with 2022 compliance. In July 2023 intervenors filed comments on the compliance demonstration report, and Entergy New Orleans responded to those comments in August 2023.Federal RegulationSee the “Rate, Cost-recovery, and Other Regulation – Federal Regulation” section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis and Note 2 to the financial statements for a discussion of federal regulation.Nuclear MattersSee the “Nuclear Matters” section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis for a discussion of nuclear matters.407Table of ContentsEntergy New Orleans, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisEnvironmental RisksEntergy New Orleans’s facilities and operations are subject to regulation by various governmental authorities having jurisdiction over air quality, water quality, control of toxic substances and hazardous and solid wastes, and other environmental matters. Management believes that Entergy New Orleans is in substantial compliance with environmental regulations currently applicable to its facilities and operations, with reference to possible exceptions noted in “Regulation of Entergy’s Business - Environmental Regulation” in Part I, Item 1. Because environmental regulations are subject to change, future compliance costs cannot be precisely estimated.Critical Accounting EstimatesThe preparation of Entergy New Orleans’s financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to apply appropriate accounting policies and to make estimates and judgments that can have a significant effect on reported financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.Critical Accounting EstimatesThe preparation of Entergy New Orleans’s financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to apply appropriate accounting policies and to make estimates and judgments that can have a significant effect on reported financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. Management has identified the following accounting estimates as critical because they are based on assumptions and measurements that involve a high degree of uncertainty, and the potential for future changes in these assumptions and measurements could produce estimates that would have a material effect on the presentation of Entergy New Orleans’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.Utility Regulatory AccountingSee “Utility Regulatory Accounting” in the “Critical Accounting Estimates” section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis for discussion of accounting for the effects of rate regulation.Taxation and Uncertain Tax PositionsSee “Taxation and Uncertain Tax Positions” in the “Critical Accounting Estimates” section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis for further discussion.Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement BenefitsEntergy New Orleans’s qualified pension and other postretirement reported costs, as described in Note 11 to the financial statements, are affected by numerous factors including the provisions of the plans, changing employee demographics, and various actuarial calculations, assumptions, and accounting mechanisms.Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement BenefitsEntergy New Orleans’s qualified pension and other postretirement reported costs, as described in Note 11 to the financial statements, are impacted by numerous factors including the provisions of the plans, changing employee demographics, and various actuarial calculations, assumptions, and accounting mechanisms. See “Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits” in the “Critical Accounting Estimates” section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis for further discussion. Because of the complexity of these calculations, the long-term nature of these obligations, and the importance of the assumptions utilized, Entergy’s estimate of these costs is a critical accounting estimate.Cost SensitivityThe following chart reflects the sensitivity of qualified pension cost and qualified projected benefit obligation to changes in certain actuarial assumptions (dollars in thousands).408Table of ContentsEntergy New Orleans, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisThe following chart reflects the sensitivity of postretirement benefits cost and accumulated postretirement benefit obligation to changes in certain actuarial assumptions (dollars in thousands).413Table of ContentsEntergy New Orleans, LLC and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisCost SensitivityThe following chart reflects the sensitivity of qualified pension cost and qualified projected benefit obligation to changes in certain actuarial assumptions (dollars in thousands). Each fluctuation above assumes that the other components of the calculation are held constant.Costs and Employer ContributionsTotal qualified pension cost for Entergy New Orleans in 2023 was $3.Costs and Employer ContributionsTotal qualified pension cost for Entergy Texas in 2022 was $29. 7 million, including $2.1 million in settlement costs. Entergy New Orleans anticipates 2024 qualified pension cost to be $1. Entergy New Orleans anticipates 2023 qualified pension cost to be $2 million. 1 million. Entergy New Orleans contributed $1.4 million to its qualified pension plans in 2023 and estimates 2024 pension contributions will be approximately $4.9 million, although the 2024 required pension contributions will be known with more certainty when the January 1, 2024 valuations are completed, which is expected by April 1, 2024.Total postretirement health care and life insurance benefit income for Entergy New Orleans in 2023 was $4.3 million. Entergy New Orleans expects 2024 postretirement health care and life insurance benefit income of approximately $5.5 million. Entergy New Orleans contributed $213 thousand to its other postretirement plans in 2023 and estimates 2024 contributions will be approximately $205 thousand.Other ContingenciesSee “Other Contingencies” in the “Critical Accounting Estimates” section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis for a discussion of the estimates associated with environmental, litigation, and other risks.New Accounting PronouncementsSee the “New Accounting Pronouncements” section of Note 1 to the financial statements for a discussion of new accounting pronouncements.New Accounting PronouncementsSee “New Accounting Pronouncements” section of Note 1 to the financial statements for a discussion of new accounting pronouncements. 409Table of ContentsREPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRMTo the member and Board of Directors ofEntergy New Orleans, LLC and SubsidiariesOpinion on the Financial StatementsWe have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Entergy New Orleans, LLC and Subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the related consolidated statements of income, cash flows, and changes in member’s equity (pages 412 through 416 and applicable items in pages 47 through 238), for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.Basis for OpinionThese financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.Critical Audit MattersThe critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.Rate and Regulatory Matters — Entergy New Orleans, LLC and Subsidiaries — Refer to Note 2 to the financial statementsCritical Audit Matter DescriptionThe Company is subject to rate regulation by the Council of the City of New Orleans, Louisiana (the “City Council”), which has jurisdiction with respect to the rates of electric companies in the City of New Orleans, Louisiana, and to wholesale rate regulation by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”).Rate and Regulatory Matters— Entergy New Orleans, LLC and Subsidiaries — Refer to Note 2 to the financial statementsCritical Audit Matter DescriptionThe Company is subject to rate regulation by the Council of the City of New Orleans, Louisiana (the “City Council”), which has jurisdiction with respect to the rates of electric companies in the City of New Orleans, Louisiana, and to wholesale rate regulation by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”). Management has determined it meets the requirements under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America to prepare its financial statements applying the specialized rules to account for the effects of cost-based 410Table of Contentsrate regulation. Accounting for the economics of rate regulation impacts multiple financial statement line items and disclosures.The Company’s rates are subject to regulatory rate-setting processes and annual earnings oversight. Because the City Council and the FERC set the rates the Company is allowed to charge customers based on allowable costs, including a reasonable return on equity, the Company applies accounting standards that require the financial statements to reflect the effects of rate regulation, including the recording of regulatory assets and liabilities. The Company assesses whether the regulatory assets and regulatory liabilities continue to meet the criteria for probable future recovery or settlement at each balance sheet date and when regulatory events occur. This assessment includes consideration of recent rate orders, historical regulatory treatment for similar costs, and factors such as changes in applicable regulatory and political environments. While the Company has indicated it expects to recover costs from customers through regulated rates, there is a risk that the City Council and the FERC will not approve: (1) full recovery of the costs of providing utility service, or (2) full recovery of amounts invested in the utility business and a reasonable return on that investment.We identified the impact of rate regulation as a critical audit matter due to the judgments made by management to support its assertions about impacted account balances and disclosures and the high degree of subjectivity involved in assessing the impact of future regulatory orders on the financial statements.We identified the impact of rate regulation as a critical audit matter due to the significant judgments made by management to support its assertions about impacted account balances and disclosures and the high degree of subjectivity involved in assessing the impact of future regulatory orders on the financial statements. Management judgments include assessing the likelihood of recovery in future rates of incurred costs and refunds to customers. Auditing management’s judgments regarding the outcome of future decisions by the City Council and the FERC, recovery in future rates of regulatory assets and refunds or future reductions in rates related to regulatory liabilities involved specialized knowledge of accounting for rate regulation and the rate setting process due to its inherent complexities and auditor judgment to evaluate management estimates and the subjectivity of audit evidence. Auditing management’s judgments regarding the outcome of future decisions by the City Council and the FERC involved specialized knowledge of accounting for rate regulation and the rate setting process due to its inherent complexities and significant auditor judgment to evaluate management estimates and the subjectivity of audit evidence. How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the AuditOur audit procedures related to the uncertainty of future decisions by the City Council and the FERC, recovery in future rates of regulatory assets and refunds or future reductions in rates related to regulatory liabilities included the following, among others:•We tested the effectiveness of management’s controls over the evaluation of the likelihood of (1) the recovery in future rates of regulatory assets, and (2) a refund or a future reduction in rates that should be reported as regulatory liabilities.How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the AuditOur audit procedures related to the uncertainty of future decisions by the City Council and the FERC included the following, among others:•We tested the effectiveness of management’s controls over the evaluation of the likelihood of (1) the recovery in future rates of costs incurred as property, plant, and equipment and deferred as regulatory assets, and (2) a refund or a future reduction in rates that should be reported as regulatory liabilities. We also tested the effectiveness of management’s controls over the initial recognition of amounts as regulatory assets or liabilities and the monitoring and evaluation of regulatory developments that may affect the likelihood of recovering costs in future rates or of a future reduction in rates. We also tested the effectiveness of management’s controls over the initial recognition of amounts as property, plant, and equipment; regulatory assets or liabilities; and the monitoring and evaluation of regulatory developments that may affect the likelihood of recovering costs in future rates or of a future reduction in rates. •We evaluated the Company’s disclosures related to the impacts of rate regulation, including the balances recorded and regulatory developments.•We read relevant regulatory orders issued by the City Council and the FERC for the Company to assess the likelihood of recovery in future rates or of a future reduction in rates based on precedents of the City Council’s and the FERC’s treatment of similar costs under similar circumstances.•We read relevant regulatory orders issued by the City Council and the FERC for the Company, filings made by intervenors, and other publicly available information to assess the likelihood of recovery in future rates or of a future reduction in rates based on precedents of the City Council’s and the FERC’s treatment of similar costs under similar circumstances. We evaluated external information and compared to management’s recorded regulatory asset and liability balances for completeness. We evaluated the external information and compared to management’s recorded regulatory asset and liability balances for completeness. •For regulatory matters in process, we inspected the Company’s filings with the City Council and the FERC and orders issued, and considered the filings with the City Council and the FERC by intervenors that may impact the Company’s future rates, for any evidence that might contradict management’s assertions.•For regulatory matters in process, we inspected the Company’s filings with the City Council and the FERC, including the base rate case filing, and considered the filings with the City Council and the FERC by intervenors that may impact the Company’s future rates, for any evidence that might contradict management’s assertions. •We obtained an analysis from management and support from internal and external legal counsel, as appropriate, regarding probability of recovery for regulatory assets or refund or future reduction in rates for regulatory liabilities not yet addressed in a regulatory order to assess management’s assertion that amounts are probable of recovery or a future reduction in rates.•We obtained representation from management regarding probability of recovery for regulatory assets or refund or future reduction in rates for regulatory liabilities to assess management’s assertion that amounts are probable of recovery, refund, or a future reduction in rates./s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLPNew Orleans, LouisianaFebruary 23, 2024We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2001.411Table of Contents412Table of Contents413Table of Contents414Table of Contents415Table of Contents416Table of ContentsENTERGY TEXAS, INC.417Table of Contents418Table of Contents419Table of Contents420Table of Contents421Table of Contents422Table of ContentsENTERGY TEXAS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESMANAGEMENT’S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSISResults of Operations2023 Compared to 2022Net IncomeNet income decreased $12. AND SUBSIDIARIESMANAGEMENT’S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSISResults of Operations2022 Compared to 2021Net IncomeNet income increased $74. 1 million primarily due to higher depreciation and amortization expenses, the recognition of the equity component of carrying costs as part of the securitization of the Hurricane Laura, Hurricane Delta, and Winter Storm Uri system restoration costs in April 2022, and higher taxes other than income taxes.5 million primarily due to higher volume/weather, higher retail electric price, and the recognition of the equity component of carrying costs as part of the securitization of the Hurricane Laura, Hurricane Delta, and Winter Storm Uri system restoration costs in April 2022. The decrease was partially offset by higher retail electric price and higher other income.Operating RevenuesFollowing is an analysis of the change in operating revenues comparing 2023 to 2022.Entergy Texas’s results include revenues from rate mechanisms designed to recover fuel, purchased power, and other costs such that the revenues and expenses associated with these items generally offset and do not affect net income. “Fuel, rider, and other revenues that do not significantly affect net income” includes the revenue variance associated with these items.System restoration carrying costs represent the equity component of system restoration carrying costs recognized as part of the securitization of the Hurricane Laura, Hurricane Delta, and Winter Storm Uri system restoration costs in April 2022.System restoration carrying costs represent the equity component of system restoration carrying costs, recorded in second quarter 2022, recognized as part of the securitization of the Hurricane Laura, Hurricane Delta, and Winter Storm Uri system restoration costs in April 2022. See Note 2 to the financial statements for a discussion of the securitization.The volume/weather variance is primarily due to an increase in weather-adjusted residential usage and an increase in commercial usage, partially offset by the effect of less favorable weather on residential sales and a decrease in demand from cogeneration customers.The volume/weather variance is primarily due to an increase in weather-adjusted residential usage, an increase in commercial usage, and the effect of more favorable weather on residential sales. The increase in weather-adjusted residential usage was primarily due to an increase in customers.The return of unprotected excess accumulated deferred income taxes to customers resulted from the return of unprotected excess accumulated deferred income taxes through a rider effective October 2018 in response to the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.The return of unprotected excess accumulated deferred income taxes to customers resulted from the return of unprotected excess accumulated deferred income taxes through a tax adjustment rider beginning in April 2018. There was no return of unprotected excess accumulated deferred income taxes to customers in 2023. The return of unprotected excess accumulated deferred income taxes began in second quarter 2018. In 2022, $26.8% in 2022, 2. 6 million was returned to customers through reductions in operating revenues. There was no effect on net income as the reductions in operating revenues were offset by reductions in 417Table of ContentsEntergy Texas, Inc. There was no effect on net income as the reductions in operating revenues were offset by reductions in income tax expense. and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysisincome tax expense. and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysisclosed in June 2021. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of regulatory activity regarding the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. See Note 2 to the financial statements for further discussion of regulatory activity regarding the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The retail electric price variance is primarily due to an increase in base rates, including the realignment of the costs previously being collected through the distribution and transmission cost recovery factor riders and the generation cost recovery rider to base rates, effective June 2023 on an interim basis and approved by the PUCT in August 2023. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of the 2022 base rate case. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of these proceedings. Total electric energy sales for Entergy Texas for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:See Note 19 to the financial statements for additional discussion of Entergy Texas’s operating revenues.Other Income Statement VariancesOther operation and maintenance expenses increased primarily due to:•an increase of $12.2 million in power delivery expenses primarily due to higher vegetation maintenance costs;•an increase of $7 million in contract costs related to operational performance, customer service, and organizational health initiatives;•an increase of $2.6 million in power delivery expenses primarily due to higher vegetation maintenance costs, higher reliability costs, and higher safety and training costs;•an increase of $5. 4 million in loss provisions; and•several individually insignificant items.1 million in loss provisions;•an increase of $4. The increase was partially offset by a decrease of $9.5 million in transmission costs allocated by MISO and a gain of $6.9 million on the partial sale of a service center in April 2023 as part of an eminent domain proceeding.Taxes other than income taxes increased primarily due to increases in ad valorem taxes resulting from higher assessments.Taxes other than income taxes increased primarily due to increases in ad valorem taxes resulting from higher assessments and millage rate increases. Depreciation and amortization expenses increased primarily due to an increase in depreciation rates effective with an interim increase in base rates in June 2023, which was approved by the PUCT in August 2023, and additions to plant in service.Depreciation and amortization expenses decreased primarily due to the absence of depreciation expense from Indian Point 3, after it was shut down in April 2021, and Palisades, after it was shut down in May 2022. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of the 2022 base rate case. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of these proceedings. Other regulatory charges (credits) - net includes the reversal in third quarter 2023 of $21.Other regulatory charges (credits) - net includes the reversal in first quarter 2021 of the remaining $38. 9 million of regulatory liabilities to reflect the recognition of certain receipts by Entergy Texas under affiliated PPAs that have been resolved. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of the 2022 base rate case. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of these proceedings. 418Table of ContentsEntergy Texas, Inc. and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisOther income increased primarily due to an increase in the allowance for equity funds used during construction due to higher construction work in progress in 2023, including the Orange County Advanced Power Station project, and higher interest earned on money pool investments.Interest expense increased primarily due to the issuance of $325 million of 5.00% Series mortgage bonds in August 2022 and the issuance of $350 million of 5.20% Series mortgage bonds in March 2022 and the issuance of $400 million of 3. 80% Series mortgage bonds in August 2023, partially offset by an increase in the allowance for borrowed funds used during construction due to higher construction work in progress in 2023, including the Orange County Advanced Power Station project.The effective income tax rates were 17.8% for 2023 and 14.7%) for 2022 and 14. 3% for 2022.6% for 2021. See Note 3 to the financial statements for a reconciliation of the federal statutory rate of 21% to the effective income tax rates and for additional discussion regarding income taxes.
2022 Compared to 2021See “MANAGEMENT’S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - Results of Operations” in Item 7 of Entergy Texas’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on February 24, 2023, for discussion of results of operations for 2022 compared to 2021.2021 Compared to 2020See “MANAGEMENT’S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - Results of Operations” in Item 7 of Entergy Texas’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, filed with the SEC on February 25, 2022, for discussion of results of operations for 2021 compared to 2020. Income Tax Legislation and RegulationSee the “Income Tax Legislation and Regulation” section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis for discussion of income tax legislation and regulation.Liquidity and Capital ResourcesCash Flow Cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 were as follows:2023 Compared to 2022Operating ActivitiesNet cash flow provided by operating activities increased $232.3 million in 2023 primarily due to lower fuel costs and the timing of recovery of fuel and purchased power costs.5 million in 2022 primarily due to:•higher collections from customers;•the timing of recovery of fuel and purchased power costs. See Note 2 to the financial statements for a discussion of fuel and purchased power cost recovery. The increase was partially offset by:•lower collections from customers;419Table of ContentsEntergy Texas, Inc. and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysis•the timing of payments to vendors;•an increase of $27. and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysis•dividend and interest payments. 1 million in income taxes paid in 2023 as a result of higher estimated income tax payments in comparison to 2022; and•an increase of $17.7 million in income taxes paid in 2022 as a result of lower estimated income tax payments in comparison to 2021. 1 million in interest paid.5 million, including interest. Investing ActivitiesNet cash flow used in investing activities increased $361.9 million in 2023 primarily due to:•an increase of $162.3 million in non-nuclear generation construction expenditures primarily due to higher spending on the Orange County Advanced Power Station project;•money pool activity;•an increase of $73.4 million in non-nuclear generation construction expenditures primarily due to higher spending on the Orange County Advanced Power Station project, partially offset by a lower scope of work performed during outages in 2022 as compared to 2021. 5 million in transmission construction expenditures primarily due to increased investment in the reliability and infrastructure of Entergy Texas’s transmission system; and•an increase of $27.5 million in transmission construction expenditures primarily due to lower capital expenditures for storm restoration in 2022;•a decrease of $25. 6 million in distribution construction expenditures primarily due to higher capital expenditures for storm restoration in 2023.9 million in transmission construction expenditures primarily due to a lower scope of work performed in 2022 as compared to 2021. The increase was partially offset by the partial sale of a service center in April 2023 for $11 million as part of an eminent domain proceeding.Increases in Entergy Texas’s receivable from the money pool are a use of cash flow, and Entergy Texas’s receivable from the money pool increased $218.4 million in 2023 compared to increasing by $99.5 million in 2022. The money pool is an intercompany cash management program that makes possible intercompany borrowing and lending arrangements, and the money pool and other borrowing arrangements are designed to reduce the Registrant Subsidiaries’ dependence on external short-term borrowings.Financing ActivitiesNet cash flow provided by financing activities increased $144.6 million in 2023 primarily due to:•the issuance of $350 million of 5.3 million in 2022 primarily due to:•the issuance of $325 million of 5. 80% Series mortgage bonds in August 2023;•a capital contribution of $150 million received from Entergy Corporation in 2023 in order to maintain Entergy Texas’s capital structure and in anticipation of various capital expenditures;•the payment of $105 million of common stock dividends in 2022. No common stock dividends were paid in 2023 in order to maintain Entergy Texas’s capital structure;•money pool activity;•principal payments of $17.8 million on securitization bonds in 2023 as compared to principal payments of $66.5 million on securitization bonds in 2022; and•an increase of $22.8 million in prepaid deposits related to contributions-in-aid-of-construction primarily for customer and generator interconnection agreements.The increase was partially offset by the issuance of $325 million of 5.The increase was partially offset by the repayment of $200 million of 4. 00% Series mortgage bonds in August 2022 and the issuance of $290.00% Series mortgage bonds in August 2022;•the issuance of $290. 85 million of senior secured system restoration bonds in April 2022.85 million of senior secured system restoration bonds in April 2022 and the issuance of $325 million of 5. Decreases in Entergy Texas’s payable to the money pool are a use of cash flow, and Entergy Texas’s payable to the money pool decreased $79.6 million in 2022.See Note 5 to the financial statements for further details of long-term debt.420Table of ContentsEntergy Texas, Inc.
and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysis2022 Compared to 2021See “MANAGEMENT’S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - Liquidity and Capital Resources - Cash Flow” in Item 7 of Entergy Texas’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on February 24, 2023, for discussion of operating, investing, and financing cash flow activities for 2022 compared to 2021.Capital StructureEntergy Texas’s debt to capital ratio is shown in the following table. The decrease in the debt to capital ratio is primarily due to net income in 2023 and the capital contribution of $150 million received from Entergy Corporation in 2023, partially offset by the issuance of long-term debt in 2023. The increase in the debt to capital ratio is primarily due to the issuance of long-term debt in 2022, partially offset by an increase in equity resulting from retained earnings. (a)Calculation excludes the securitization bonds, which are non-recourse to Entergy Texas.Net debt consists of debt less cash and cash equivalents. Debt consists of finance lease obligations and long-term debt, including the currently maturing portion. Capital consists of debt and equity. Net capital consists of capital less cash and cash equivalents. The debt to capital ratio excluding securitization bonds and net debt to net capital ratio excluding securitization bonds are non-GAAP measures. Entergy Texas uses the debt to capital ratios excluding securitization bonds in analyzing its financial condition and believes they provide useful information to its investors and creditors in evaluating Entergy Texas’s financial condition because the securitization bonds are non-recourse to Entergy Texas, as more fully described in Note 5 to the financial statements. Entergy Texas also uses the net debt to net capital ratio excluding securitization bonds in analyzing its financial condition and believes it provides useful information to its investors and creditors in evaluating Entergy Texas’s financial condition because net debt indicates Entergy Texas’s outstanding debt position that could not be readily satisfied by cash and cash equivalents on hand.Entergy Texas seeks to optimize its capital structure in accordance with its regulatory requirements and to control its cost of capital while also maintaining equity capitalization at a level consistent with investment-grade debt ratings. To the extent that operating cash flows are in excess of planned investments, cash may be used to reduce outstanding debt or may be paid as a dividend, to the extent funds are legally available to do so, or both, in appropriate amounts to maintain the capital structure. To the extent that operating cash flows are insufficient to support planned investments, Entergy Texas may issue incremental debt or reduce dividends, or both, to maintain its capital structure. In addition, Entergy Texas may receive equity contributions to maintain its capital structure for certain circumstances such as financing of large transactions that would materially alter the capital structure if financed entirely with debt and reduced dividends.Uses of CapitalEntergy Texas requires capital resources for:•construction and other capital investments;•debt maturities or retirements;421Table of ContentsEntergy Texas, Inc.Uses of CapitalEntergy Texas requires capital resources for:•construction and other capital investments;•debt maturities or retirements;•working capital purposes, including the financing of fuel and purchased power costs; and427Table of ContentsEntergy Texas, Inc. and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysis•working capital purposes, including the financing of fuel and purchased power costs; and•dividend and interest payments. and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisAs a subsidiary, Entergy Texas dividends its earnings to Entergy Corporation at a percentage determined monthly. Following are the amounts of Entergy Texas’s planned construction and other capital investments.In addition to routine capital spending to maintain operations, the planned capital investment estimate for Entergy Texas includes investments in generation projects to modernize, decarbonize, and diversify Entergy Texas’s portfolio, including Orange County Advanced Power Station; distribution and Utility support spending to improve reliability, resilience, and customer experience; transmission spending to improve reliability and resilience while also supporting renewables expansion and customer growth; and other investments. Estimated capital expenditures are subject to periodic review and modification and may vary based on the ongoing effects of regulatory constraints and requirements, government actions, environmental compliance, business opportunities, market volatility, economic trends, business restructuring, changes in project plans, and the ability to access capital.Following are the amounts of Entergy Texas’s existing debt and lease obligations (includes estimated interest payments).(a)Long-term debt is discussed in Note 5 to the financial statements.(b)Lease obligations are discussed in Note 10 to the financial statements.Other ObligationsEntergy Texas expects to contribute approximately $8.3 million to its qualified pension plans and approximately $156 thousand to other postretirement health care and life insurance plans in 2024, although the 2024 required pension contributions will be known with more certainty when the January 1, 2024, valuations are completed, which is expected by April 1, 2024. See “Critical Accounting Estimates - Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits” below and Note 11 to the financial statements for a discussion of qualified pension and other postretirement benefits funding. See “Critical Accounting Estimates - Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits” below and Note 11 for a discussion of qualified pension and other postretirement benefits funding. Entergy Texas has $33.Entergy Texas has $12. 6 million of unrecognized tax benefits net of unused tax attributes plus interest and payments for which the timing of payments beyond 12 months cannot be reasonably estimated due to uncertainties in the timing of effective settlement of tax positions. See Note 3 to the financial statements for additional information regarding unrecognized tax benefits.422Table of ContentsEntergy Texas, Inc. and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisIn addition, Entergy Texas enters into fuel and purchased power agreements that contain minimum purchase obligations. and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisAs a subsidiary, Entergy Texas dividends its earnings to Entergy Corporation at a percentage determined monthly. Entergy Texas has rate mechanisms in place to recover fuel, purchased power, and associated costs incurred under these purchase obligations.As a subsidiary, Entergy Texas dividends its earnings to Entergy Corporation at a percentage determined monthly.As a wholly-owned subsidiary, System Energy dividends its earnings to Entergy Corporation at a percentage determined monthly. Orange County Advanced Power StationIn September 2021, Entergy Texas filed an application seeking PUCT approval to amend Entergy Texas’s certificate of convenience and necessity to construct, own, and operate the Orange County Advanced Power Station, a new 1,215 MW combined-cycle combustion turbine facility to be located in Bridge City, Texas at an initially-estimated expected total cost of $1.2 billion inclusive of the estimated costs of the generation facilities, transmission upgrades, contingency, an allowance for funds used during construction, and necessary regulatory expenses, among others. The project includes combustion turbine technology with dual fuel capability, able to co-fire up to 30% hydrogen by volume upon commercial operation and upgradable to support 100% hydrogen operations in the future. In December 2021 the PUCT referred the proceeding to the State Office of Administrative Hearings. In March 2022 certain intervenors filed testimony opposing the hydrogen co-firing component of the proposed project and others filed testimony opposing the project outright. Also in March 2022 the PUCT staff filed testimony opposing the hydrogen co-firing component of the proposed project, but otherwise taking no specific position on the merits of the project. The PUCT staff also proposed that the PUCT establish a maximum amount that Entergy Texas may recover in rates attributable to the project. In April 2022, Entergy Texas filed rebuttal testimony addressing and rebutting these various arguments. The hearing on the merits was held in June 2022, and post-hearing briefs were submitted in July 2022. In September 2022 the ALJs with the State Office of Administrative Hearings issued a proposal for decision recommending the PUCT approve Entergy Texas’s application for certification of Orange County Advanced Power Station subject to certain conditions, including a cap on cost recovery at $1.37 billion, the exclusion of investment associated with co-firing hydrogen, weatherization requirements, and customer receipt of any contractual benefits associated with the facility’s guaranteed heat rate. In October 2022 the parties in the proceeding filed exceptions and replies to exceptions to the proposal for decision. Also in October 2022, Entergy Texas filed with the PUCT information regarding a new fixed pricing option for an estimated project cost of approximately $1.55 billion associated with Entergy Texas’s issuance of limited notice to proceed by mid-November 2022. In November 2022 the PUCT issued a final order approving the requested amendment to Entergy Texas’s certificate of convenience and necessity to construct, own, and operate the Orange County Advanced Power Station without the investment associated with hydrogen co-firing capability, without a cap on cost recovery, and subject to certain conditions, including weatherization requirements and customer receipt of any contractual benefits associated with the facility’s guaranteed heat rate.In December 2022, Texas Industrial Energy Consumers and Sierra Club filed motions for rehearing of the PUCT’s final order alleging the PUCT erred in granting the certification of the Orange County Advanced Power Station, in not imposing a cost cap, in including certain findings related to the reasonableness of Entergy Texas’s request for proposals from which the Orange County Advanced Power Station was selected, and in other regards. Also in December 2022, Entergy Texas filed a response to the motions for rehearing refuting the points raised therein. In January 2023 the PUCT issued letters noting that it voted to consider Texas Industrial Energy Consumers’ motion for rehearing at its upcoming January 2023 open meeting and voted not to consider Sierra Club’s motion for rehearing at an open meeting. At the January 2023 open meeting, the PUCT voted to grant Texas Industrial Energy Consumers’ motion for rehearing for the limited purpose of issuing an order on rehearing that excludes three findings related to Entergy Texas’s request for proposals. The order on rehearing does not change the PUCT’s certification of the Orange County Advanced Power Station or the conditions placed thereon in the PUCT’s November 2022 final order. Construction is in progress, and subject to receipt of required permits, the facility is expected to be in service by mid-2026. Subject to receipt of required regulatory approvals, permits, and other conditions, the facility is expected to be in service by mid-2026. 423Table of ContentsEntergy Texas, Inc. and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisSources of CapitalEntergy Texas’s sources to meet its capital requirements include:•internally generated funds;•cash on hand;•the Entergy system money pool;•debt or preferred stock issuances, including debt issuances to refund or retire currently outstanding or maturing indebtedness;•capital contributions; and•bank financing under new or existing facilities. and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisSources of CapitalEntergy Texas’s sources to meet its capital requirements include:•internally generated funds;•cash on hand;•the Entergy System money pool;•debt or preferred stock issuances, including debt issuances to refund or retire currently outstanding or maturing indebtedness;•capital contributions; and•bank financing under new or existing facilities. Circumstances such as weather patterns, fuel and purchased power price fluctuations, and unanticipated expenses, including unscheduled plant outages and storms, could affect the timing and level of internally generated funds in the future. In addition to the financings necessary to meet capital requirements and contractual obligations, Entergy Texas expects to continue, when economically feasible, to retire higher-cost debt and replace it with lower-cost debt if market conditions permit.All debt and common and preferred stock issuances by Entergy Texas require prior regulatory approval. Debt issuances are also subject to issuance tests set forth in its bond indenture and other agreements. Entergy Texas has sufficient capacity under these tests to meet its foreseeable capital needs for the next twelve months and beyond.Entergy Texas’s receivables from or (payables to) the money pool were as follows as of December 31 for each of the following years.See Note 4 to the financial statements for a description of the money pool.Entergy Texas has a credit facility in the amount of $150 million scheduled to expire in June 2028. The credit facility includes fronting commitments for the issuance of letters of credit against $30 million of the borrowing capacity of the facility. As of December 31, 2023, there were no cash borrowings and $1.1 million in letters of credit outstanding under the credit facility.1 million of letters of credit outstanding under the credit facility. In addition, Entergy Texas is a party to an uncommitted letter of credit facility as a means to post collateral to support its obligations to MISO. As of December 31, 2023, $76.5 million in letters of credit were outstanding under Entergy Texas’s uncommitted letter of credit facility. See Note 4 to the financial statements for additional discussion of the credit facilities.Entergy Texas obtained authorizations from the FERC through April 2025 for short-term borrowings, not to exceed an aggregate amount of $200 million at any time outstanding, and long-term borrowings and security issuances.Entergy Texas obtained authorizations from the FERC through October 2023 for short-term borrowings, not to exceed an aggregate amount of $200 million at any time outstanding, and long-term borrowings and security issuances. See Note 4 to the financial statements for further discussion of Entergy Texas’s short-term borrowing limits.State and Local Rate Regulation and Fuel-Cost RecoveryThe rates that Entergy Texas charges for its services significantly influence its financial position, results of operations, and liquidity. Entergy Texas is regulated, and the rates charged to its customers are determined in regulatory proceedings. A governmental agency, the PUCT, is primarily responsible for approval of the rates charged to customers.424Table of ContentsEntergy Texas, Inc. and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisFilings with the PUCT and Texas CitiesRetail Rates2022 Base Rate CaseIn July 2022, Entergy Texas filed a base rate case with the PUCT seeking a net increase in base rates of approximately $131.4 million. The base rate case was based on a 12-month test year ending December 31, 2021. Key drivers of the requested increase were changes in depreciation rates as the result of a depreciation study and an increase in the return on equity. In addition, Entergy Texas included capital additions placed into service for the period of January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2021, including those additions reflected in the then-effective distribution and transmission cost recovery factor riders and the generation cost recovery rider, all of which have been reset to zero as a result of this proceeding. In addition, Entergy Texas included capital additions placed into service for the period of January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2021, including those additions currently reflected in the distribution and transmission cost recovery factor riders and the generation cost recovery rider, all of which would be reset to zero as a result of this proceeding. In July 2022 the PUCT referred the proceeding to the State Office of Administrative Hearings. In October 2022 intervenors filed direct testimony challenging and supporting various aspects of Entergy Texas’s rate case application. The key issues addressed included the appropriate return on equity, generation plant deactivations, depreciation rates, and proposed tariffs related to electric vehicles. In November 2022 the PUCT staff filed direct testimony addressing a similar set of issues and recommending a reduction of $50.7 million to Entergy Texas’s overall cost of service associated with the requested net increase in base rates of approximately $131.4 million. Entergy Texas filed rebuttal testimony in November 2022. In December 2022 the ALJs with the State Office of Administrative Hearings issued two orders, one adopting the parties’ joint proposal that issues related to electric vehicle charging infrastructure be decided exclusively on written evidence and briefing, and one adopting a joint proposed briefing outline and schedule with deadlines in January 2023 for the parties to submit briefing on issues related to electric vehicle charging infrastructure and admitting evidence related to electric vehicle charging infrastructure issues. In December 2022 the ALJs with the State Office of Administrative Hearings issued an order adopting the parties’ joint proposals that the issue of rate case expenses be addressed at a separate hearing and at a later date, if requested by the parties, from the hearing on the merits initially scheduled for December 2022 and that issues related to electric vehicle charging infrastructure be decided exclusively on written evidence and briefing. In January 2023 the parties filed initial and reply briefs addressing issues related to electric vehicle charging infrastructure.In May 2023, Entergy Texas filed on behalf of the parties an unopposed settlement resolving all issues in the proceeding, except for issues related to electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and Entergy Texas filed an agreed motion for interim rates, subject to refund or surcharge to the extent that the interim rates differ from the final approved rates. The unopposed settlement reflected a net base rate increase to be effective and relate back to December 2022 of $54 million, exclusive of, and incremental to, the costs being realigned from the distribution and transmission cost recovery factor riders and the generation cost recovery rider and $4.8 million of rate case expenses to be recovered through a rider over a period of 36 months. The net base rate increase of $54 million includes updated depreciation rates and a total annual revenue requirement of $14.5 million for the accrual of a self-insured storm reserve and the recovery of the regulatory assets for the pension and postretirement benefits expense deferral, costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, and retired non-advanced metering system electric meters. In May 2023 the ALJ with the State Office of Administrative Hearings granted the motion for interim rates, which became effective in June 2023. Additionally, the ALJ remanded the proceeding, except for the issues related to electric vehicle charging infrastructure, to the PUCT to consider the settlement. In June 2023 the ALJ issued a proposal for decision related to the electric vehicle charging infrastructure issues and which noted recent legislation enacted which permits electric utilities to own and operate such infrastructure. The ALJ’s proposal for decision deferred to the PUCT regarding whether it is appropriate for any vertically integrated electric utility, or Entergy Texas specifically, to own electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and in the event that the PUCT decided ownership is permissible, the ALJ recommended approval of the proposed tariff to charge host customers for utility-owned and operated electric vehicle charging infrastructure sited on customer premises and denial of the proposed tariff to temporarily adjust billing demand charges for separately metered electric vehicle charging infrastructure, citing cost-shifting concerns. In July 2023 the parties filed exceptions and replies to exceptions to the proposal for decision. In August 2023 the PUCT issued an order approving the unopposed settlement and also issued an order severing the issues related to electric vehicle charging infrastructure addressed in the ALJ’s proposal for decision to a separate proceeding. Concurrently, Entergy Texas recorded the reversal of $21.9 million of regulatory liabilities to reflect the recognition of certain receipts by Entergy Texas under affiliated PPAs that have been resolved.425Table of ContentsEntergy Texas, Inc. and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisFollowing the PUCT’s approval of the unopposed settlement in August 2023, Entergy Texas recorded a regulatory liability of $10. and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysisgeneration cost recovery relate-back rider for the Montgomery County Power Station effective August 2022. 3 million, which reflects the net effects of higher depreciation and amortizations for the relate back period, partially offset by the relate back of base rate revenues that would have been collected had the approved rates been in effect for the period from December 2022 through June 2023, the date the new base rates were implemented on an interim basis. In October 2023, Entergy Texas filed a relate back surcharge rider to collect over six months beginning in January 2024 an additional approximately $24. In September 2022, Entergy Texas filed a relate-back rider designed to collect over three months an additional approximately $5. 6 million, which is the revenue requirement associated with the relate back of rates from December 2022 through June 2023, including carrying costs, as authorized by the PUCT’s August 2023 order. In November 2023, Entergy Texas filed an amended relate back surcharge rider to collect approximately $24.1 million based on a revised carrying cost rate. The amended relate back surcharge rider was approved by the PUCT in December 2023. The higher depreciation and amortizations for the relate back period will also be recognized over the six months beginning in January 2024, resulting in no effect on net income from the collection of the relate back surcharge rider.In December 2023 the PUCT referred the separate proceeding to resolve issues related to electric vehicle charging infrastructure to the State Office of Administrative Hearings. In January 2024, the ALJ with the State Office of Administrative Hearings adopted a procedural schedule setting a hearing on the merits for April 2024. In February 2021 the ALJ with the State Office of Administrative Hearings approved Entergy Texas's agreed motion for interim rates, which went into effect in March 2021. Distribution Cost Recovery Factor (DCRF) RiderIn October 2020, Entergy Texas filed with the PUCT a request to amend its DCRF rider.Distribution Cost Recovery Factor (DCRF) RiderIn March 2020, Entergy Texas filed with the PUCT a request to amend its DCRF rider. The amended rider was designed to collect from Entergy Texas’s retail customers approximately $26.3 million annually, or $6.8 million in incremental annual revenues beyond Entergy Texas’s then-effective DCRF rider based on its capital invested in distribution between January 1, 2020 and August 31, 2020. In February 2021 the ALJ with the State Office of Administrative Hearings approved Entergy Texas's agreed motion for interim rates, which went into effect in March 2021. In March 2021 the parties filed an unopposed settlement recommending that Entergy Texas be allowed to collect its full requested DCRF revenue requirement and resolving all issues in the proceeding. In May 2021 the PUCT issued an order approving the settlement.In August 2021, Entergy Texas filed with the PUCT a request to amend its DCRF rider. The amended rider was designed to collect from Entergy Texas’s retail customers approximately $40.2 million annually, or $13.9 million in incremental annual revenues beyond Entergy Texas’s then-effective DCRF rider based on its capital invested in distribution between September 1, 2020 and June 30, 2021. In September 2021 the PUCT referred the proceeding to the State Office of Administrative Hearings. A procedural schedule was established with a hearing scheduled in December 2021. In December 2021 the parties filed an unopposed settlement recommending that Entergy Texas be allowed to collect its full requested DCRF revenue requirement and resolving all issues in the proceeding, including a motion for interim rates to take effect for usage on and after January 24, 2022. Also, in December 2021, the ALJ with the State Office of Administrative Hearings issued an order granting the motion for interim rates, which went into effect in January 2022, admitting evidence, and remanding the proceeding to the PUCT to consider the settlement. In March 2022 the PUCT issued an order approving the settlement.Transmission Cost Recovery Factor (TCRF) RiderIn December 2018, Entergy Texas filed with the PUCT a request to set a new TCRF rider. The new TCRF rider was designed to collect approximately $2.7 million annually from Entergy Texas’s retail customers based on its capital invested in transmission between January 1, 2018 and September 30, 2018. In April 2019 parties filed testimony proposing a load growth adjustment, which would fully offset Entergy Texas’s proposed TCRF revenue requirement. In July 2019 the PUCT granted Entergy Texas’s application as filed to begin recovery of the requested $2.7 million annual revenue requirement, rejecting opposing parties’ proposed adjustment; however, the PUCT found that the question of prudence of the actual investment costs should be determined in Entergy Texas’s next rate case similar to the procedure used for the costs recovered through the DCRF rider. In October 2019 the PUCT issued an order on a motion for rehearing, clarifying and affirming its prior order granting Entergy Texas’s application as filed. Also in October 2019 a second motion for rehearing was filed, and Entergy Texas filed a 426Table of ContentsEntergy Texas, Inc. Also in October 2019 a second motion for rehearing was filed, and Entergy Texas filed a response in opposition to the motion. and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysisresponse in opposition to the motion. and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysis•dividend and interest payments. The second motion for rehearing was overruled by operation of law. In December 2019, Texas Industrial Energy Consumers filed an appeal to the PUCT order in district court alleging that the PUCT erred in declining to apply a load growth adjustment.In October 2020, Entergy Texas filed with the PUCT a request to amend its TCRF rider. The amended rider was designed to collect from Entergy Texas’s retail customers approximately $51 million annually, or $31.6 million in incremental annual revenues beyond Entergy Texas’s then-effective TCRF rider based on its capital invested in transmission between July 1, 2019 and August 31, 2020. In March 2021 the parties filed an unopposed settlement recommending that Entergy Texas be allowed to collect its full requested TCRF revenue requirement with interim rates effective March 2021 and resolving all issues in the proceeding. In March 2021 the ALJ granted the motion for interim rates, admitted evidence, and remanded the case to the PUCT for consideration of a final order at a future open meeting. In June 2021 the PUCT issued an order approving the settlement.In October 2021, Entergy Texas filed with the PUCT a request to amend its TCRF rider. The amended rider was designed to collect from Entergy Texas’s retail customers approximately $66.1 million annually, or $15.1 million in incremental annual revenues beyond Energy Texas’s then-effective TCRF rider based on its capital invested in transmission between September 1, 2020 and July 31, 2021 and changes in approved transmission charges. In January 2022 the PUCT referred the proceeding to the State Office of Administrative Hearings. In February 2022 the parties filed an unopposed settlement recommending that Entergy Texas be allowed to collect its full requested TCRF revenue requirement with interim rates effective March 2022. In February 2022 the ALJ granted the motion for interim rates, admitted evidence, and remanded the case to the PUCT for consideration of a final order at a future open meeting. In June 2022 the PUCT issued an order approving the settlement.Generation Cost Recovery RiderIn October 2020, Entergy Texas filed an application to establish a generation cost recovery rider with an initial annual revenue requirement of approximately $91 million to begin recovering a return of and on its generation capital investment in the Montgomery County Power Station through August 31, 2020. In December 2020, Entergy Texas filed an unopposed settlement supporting a generation cost recovery rider with an annual revenue requirement of approximately $86 million. The settlement revenue requirement was based on a depreciation rate intended to fully depreciate Montgomery County Power Station over 38 years and the removal of certain costs from Entergy Texas’s request. Under the settlement, Entergy Texas retained the right to propose a different depreciation rate and seek recovery of a majority of the costs removed from its request in its next base rate proceeding, and such depreciation rate was revised to fully depreciate Montgomery County Power Station over 40 years and all requested capital additions were approved as prudent in the 2022 base rate case proceeding discussed above. Under the settlement, Entergy Texas retained the right to propose a different depreciation rate and seek recovery of a majority of the costs removed from its request in its next base rate proceeding, which proceeding commenced in June 2022. On January 14, 2021, the PUCT approved the generation cost recovery rider settlement rates on an interim basis and abated the proceeding. In March 2021, Entergy Texas filed to update its generation cost recovery rider to include its generation capital investment in Montgomery County Power Station after August 31, 2020. In April 2021 the ALJ issued an order unabating the proceeding and in May 2021 the ALJ issued an order finding Entergy Texas’s application and notice of the application to be sufficient. In May 2021, Entergy Texas filed an amendment to the application to reflect the PUCT’s approval of the sale of a 7.56% partial interest in the Montgomery County Power Station to East Texas Electric Cooperative, Inc., which closed in June 2021. In June 2021 the PUCT referred the proceeding to the State Office of Administrative Hearings. In July 2021 the ALJ with the State Office of Administrative Hearings adopted a procedural schedule setting a hearing on the merits for September 2021. In July 2021 the parties filed a motion to abate the procedural schedule noting they had reached an agreement in principle and to allow the parties time to finalize a settlement agreement, which motion was granted by the ALJ. In October 2021, Entergy Texas filed on behalf of the parties an unopposed settlement agreement that would adjust its generation cost recovery rider to recover an annual revenue requirement of approximately $88.3 million related to Entergy Texas’s investment in the Montgomery County Power Station through January 1, 2021, with Entergy Texas able to seek recovery of the remainder of its investment in its next base rate case, and all requested capital additions were approved as prudent in the 2022 base rate case proceeding discussed above.3 million related to Entergy Texas’s investment in the Montgomery County Power Station through January 1, 2021, with Entergy Texas able to seek recovery of the remainder of its investment in its next base rate case. Also in October 2021 the ALJ granted a motion to admit evidence and remand the proceeding to the PUCT. In January 2022 the PUCT issued an 427Table of ContentsEntergy Texas, Inc. In January 2022 the PUCT issued an order approving the unopposed settlement. and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysisorder approving the unopposed settlement. and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysis•dividend and interest payments. In February 2022, Entergy Texas filed a relate-back rider to collect over five months an additional approximately $5 million, which is the difference between the interim revenue requirement approved in January 2021 and the revenue requirement approved in January 2022 that reflects Entergy Texas’s full generation capital investment and ownership in Montgomery County Power Station on January 1, 2021, plus carrying costs from January 2021 through January 2022 when the updated revenue requirement took effect. In April 2022, Entergy Texas and the PUCT staff filed a joint proposed order supporting approval of Entergy Texas’s as-filed request. The PUCT approved the relate-back rider consistent with Entergy Texas’s as-filed request, and rates became effective over a five-month period, in August 2022.In December 2020, Entergy Texas also filed an application to amend its generation cost recovery rider to reflect its acquisition of the Hardin County Peaking Facility, which closed in June 2021. Because Hardin was to be acquired in the future, the initial generation cost recovery rider rates proposed in the application represented no change from the generation cost recovery rider rates established in Entergy Texas’s previous generation cost recovery rider proceeding. In July 2021 the PUCT issued an order approving the application. In August 2021, Entergy Texas filed an update application to recover its actual investment in the acquisition of the Hardin County Peaking Facility. In September 2021 the PUCT referred the proceeding to the State Office of Administrative Hearings. A procedural schedule was established with a hearing scheduled in April 2022. In January 2022, Entergy Texas filed an update to its application to align the requested revenue requirement with the terms of the generation cost recovery rider settlement approved by the PUCT in January 2022. In March 2022, Entergy Texas filed on behalf of the parties an unopposed motion, which motion was granted by the ALJ with the State Office of Administrative Hearings, to abate the procedural schedule indicating that the parties had reached an agreement in principle. In April 2022, Entergy Texas filed on behalf of the parties a unanimous settlement agreement that would adjust its generation cost recovery rider to recover an annual revenue requirement of approximately $92.8 million, which is $4.5 million in incremental annual revenue above the $88.3 million approved in January 2022, related to Entergy Texas’s actual investment in the acquisition of the Hardin County Peaking Facility. Concurrently with filing of the unanimous settlement agreement, Entergy Texas submitted an agreed motion to admit evidence and remand the case to the PUCT for review and consideration of the settlement agreement, which motion was granted by the ALJ with the State Office of Administrative Hearings. The PUCT approved the settlement agreement and rates became effective in August 2022. In September 2022, Entergy Texas filed a relate-back rider designed to collect over three months an additional approximately $5.7 million, which is the revenue requirement, plus carrying costs, associated with Entergy Texas’s acquisition of Hardin County Peaking Facility from June 2021 through August 2022 when the updated revenue requirement took effect. In April 2023 the PUCT approved Entergy Texas’s as-filed request with rates effective over three months beginning in May 2023. See Note 14 to the financial statements for discussion of the Hardin County Peaking Facility purchase. See Note 14 to the financial statements for discussion of the Hardin County Peaking Facility and the Searcy Solar facility purchases. Fuel and purchased power cost recoveryEntergy Texas’s rate schedules include a fixed fuel factor to recover fuel and purchased power costs, including interest, not recovered in base rates.Fuel and Purchased Power Cost RecoveryEntergy Texas’s rate schedules include a fixed fuel factor to recover fuel and purchased power costs, including interest, not recovered in base rates. Historically, semi-annual revisions of the fixed fuel factor have been made in March and September based on the market price of natural gas and changes in fuel mix. Semi-annual revisions of the fixed fuel factor are made in March and September based on the market price of natural gas and changes in fuel mix. The amounts collected under Entergy Texas’s fixed fuel factor and any interim surcharge or refund are subject to fuel reconciliation proceedings before the PUCT. In 2023 the Texas legislature modified the Texas Utilities Code to provide that material over- and under-recovered fuel balances are to be refunded or surcharged through interim fuel adjustments and that fuel reconciliations must be filed at least once every two years. Entergy Texas expects the PUCT to undertake a rulemaking to effectuate the new legislation by the end of 2024.In May 2022, Entergy Texas filed an application with the PUCT to implement an interim fuel surcharge to collect the cumulative under-recovery of approximately $51.7 million, including interest, of fuel and purchased power costs incurred from May 1, 2020 through December 31, 2021. The under-recovery balance is primarily attributable to the impacts of Winter Storm Uri, including historically high natural gas prices, partially offset by settlements received by Entergy Texas from MISO related to Hurricane Laura. Entergy Texas proposed that the interim fuel surcharge be assessed over a period of six months beginning with the first billing cycle after the PUCT 428Table of ContentsEntergy Texas, Inc. Entergy Texas proposed that the interim fuel surcharge be assessed over a period of six months beginning with the first billing cycle after the PUCT issues a final order, but no later than the first billing cycle of September 2022. and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysisissues a final order, but no later than the first billing cycle of September 2022. and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysisbonds as a result of payments made on the remaining principal balance in 2022 and the repayment, at maturity, of $75 million of 4. Also in May 2022, the PUCT referred the proceeding to the State Office of Administrative Hearings. In July 2022, Entergy Texas filed on behalf of the parties an unopposed settlement resolving all issues in the proceeding. In addition, Entergy Texas filed on behalf of the parties a motion to admit evidence, to approve interim rates as requested in the initial application, and to remand the proceeding to the PUCT to consider the unopposed settlement. In August 2022 the ALJ with the State Office of Administrative Hearings issued an order granting Entergy Texas’s motion, approving interim rates effective with the first billing cycle of September 2022, and remanding the case to the PUCT for final approval. The interim fuel surcharge was approved by the PUCT in January 2023.In September 2022, Entergy Texas filed an application with the PUCT to reconcile its fuel and purchased power costs for the period from April 2019 through March 2022. During the reconciliation period, Entergy Texas incurred approximately $1.7 billion in eligible fuel and purchased power expenses, net of certain revenues credited to such expenses and other adjustments. As of the end of the reconciliation period, Entergy Texas’s cumulative under-recovery balance was approximately $103.1 million, including interest, which Entergy Texas requested authority to carry over as the beginning balance for the subsequent reconciliation period beginning April 2022, pending future surcharges or refunds as approved by the PUCT. In November 2022 the PUCT referred the proceeding to the State Office of Administrative Hearings. In December 2021 the PUCT referred the proceeding to the State Office of Administrative Hearings. In May 2023, Entergy Texas filed, and the ALJ with the State Office of Administrative Hearings granted, a joint motion to abate the proceeding to give parties additional time to finalize a settlement. In July 2023, Entergy Texas filed an unopposed settlement, supporting testimony, and an agreed motion to admit evidence and remand the proceeding to the PUCT. Pursuant to the unopposed settlement, Entergy Texas would receive no disallowance of fuel costs incurred over the three-year reconciliation period and retain $9.3 million in margins from off-system sales made during the reconciliation period, resulting in a cumulative under-recovery balance of approximately $99.7 million, including interest, as of the end of the reconciliation period. In July 2023 the ALJ with the State Office of Administrative Hearings granted the motion to admit evidence and remanded the proceeding to the PUCT for consideration of the unopposed settlement. In July 2021 the ALJ with the State Office of Administrative Hearings adopted a procedural schedule setting a hearing on the merits for September 2021. The PUCT approved the settlement in September 2023. The PUCT approved the settlement in August 2020. Federal RegulationSee the “Rate, Cost-recovery, and Other Regulation – Federal Regulation” section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis and Note 2 to the financial statements for a discussion of federal regulation.Nuclear MattersSee the “Nuclear Matters” section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis for a discussion of nuclear matters.Industrial and Commercial CustomersEntergy Texas’s large industrial and commercial customers continually explore ways to reduce their energy costs. In particular, cogeneration is an option available to a portion of Entergy Texas’s industrial customer base. Entergy Texas responds by working with industrial and commercial customers and negotiating electric service contracts to provide, under existing rate schedules, competitive rates that match specific customer needs and load profiles. Entergy Texas actively participates in economic development, customer retention, and reclamation activities to increase industrial and commercial demand, from both new and existing customers.Environmental RisksEntergy Texas’s facilities and operations are subject to regulation by various governmental authorities having jurisdiction over air quality, water quality, control of toxic substances and hazardous and solid wastes, and other environmental matters. Management believes that Entergy Texas is in substantial compliance with 429Table of ContentsEntergy Texas, Inc. and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysisenvironmental regulations currently applicable to its facilities and operations, with reference to possible exceptions noted in “Regulation of Entergy’s Business - Environmental Regulation” in Part I, Item 1. and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and Analysiscapital costs and approximately $50 million in non-capital costs, were reasonable and necessary to enable Entergy Texas to restore electric service to its customers and Entergy Texas’s electric utility infrastructure. Because environmental regulations are subject to change, future compliance costs cannot be precisely estimated.Critical Accounting EstimatesThe preparation of Entergy Texas’s financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to apply appropriate accounting policies and to make estimates and judgments that can have a significant effect on reported financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.Critical Accounting EstimatesThe preparation of Entergy Texas’s financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to apply appropriate accounting policies and to make estimates and judgments that can have a significant effect on reported financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. Management has identified the following accounting estimates as critical because they are based on assumptions and measurements that involve a high degree of uncertainty, and the potential for future changes in these assumptions and measurements could produce estimates that would have a material effect on the presentation of Entergy Texas’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.Utility Regulatory AccountingSee “Utility Regulatory Accounting” in the “Critical Accounting Estimates” section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis for discussion of accounting for the effects of rate regulation.Taxation and Uncertain Tax PositionsSee “Taxation and Uncertain Tax Positions” in the “Critical Accounting Estimates” section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis for further discussion.Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement BenefitsEntergy Texas’s qualified pension and other postretirement reported costs, as described in Note 11 to the financial statements, are affected by numerous factors including the provisions of the plans, changing employee demographics, and various actuarial calculations, assumptions, and accounting mechanisms.Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement BenefitsEntergy Texas’s qualified pension and other postretirement reported costs, as described in Note 11 to the financial statements, are impacted by numerous factors including the provisions of the plans, changing employee demographics, and various actuarial calculations, assumptions, and accounting mechanisms. See “Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits” in the “Critical Accounting Estimates” section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis for further discussion. Because of the complexity of these calculations, the long-term nature of these obligations, and the importance of the assumptions utilized, Entergy’s estimate of these costs is a critical accounting estimate.Cost SensitivityThe following chart reflects the sensitivity of qualified pension and qualified projected benefit obligation cost to changes in certain actuarial assumptions (dollars in thousands).430Table of ContentsEntergy Texas, Inc. and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisThe following chart reflects the sensitivity of postretirement benefits cost and accumulated postretirement benefit obligation changes in certain actuarial assumptions (dollars in thousands). and SubsidiariesManagement’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisCost SensitivityThe following chart reflects the sensitivity of qualified pension and qualified projected benefit obligation cost to changes in certain actuarial assumptions (dollars in thousands). Each fluctuation above assumes that the other components of the calculation are held constant.Costs and Employer ContributionsTotal qualified pension cost for Entergy Texas in 2023 was $15.7 million, including $11.2 million in settlement costs. Entergy Texas anticipates 2024 qualified pension cost to be $436 thousand. Entergy Texas anticipates 2023 qualified pension cost to be $4. Entergy Texas contributed $5.3 million to its qualified pension plans in 2023 and estimates 2024 pension contributions will be approximately $8.3 million, although the 2024 required pension contributions will be known with more certainty when the January 1, 2024 valuations are completed, which is expected by April 1, 2024.Total postretirement health care and life insurance benefit income for Entergy Texas in 2023 was $8.8 million. Entergy Texas expects 2024 postretirement health care and life insurance benefit income to approximate $10.9 million. Entergy Texas contributed $235 thousand to its other postretirement plans in 2023 and estimates 2024 contributions will be approximately $156 thousand. Entergy Mississippi contributed $759 thousand to its other postretirement plan in 2022 and estimates 2023 contributions will be approximately $136 thousand. Other ContingenciesSee “Other Contingencies” in the “Critical Accounting Estimates” section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis for a discussion of the estimates associated with environmental, litigation, and other risks.New Accounting PronouncementsSee the “New Accounting Pronouncements” section of Note 1 to the financial statements for a discussion of new accounting pronouncements.New Accounting PronouncementsSee “New Accounting Pronouncements” section of Note 1 to the financial statements for a discussion of new accounting pronouncements. 431Table of ContentsREPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRMTo the shareholders and Board of Directors ofEntergy Texas, Inc. and SubsidiariesOpinion on the Financial StatementsWe have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Entergy Texas, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the related consolidated statements of income, cash flows, and changes in equity (pages 434 through 438 and applicable items in pages 47 through 238), for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). and Subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the related consolidated statements of income, cash flows, and changes in equity (pages 441 through 446 and applicable items in pages 53 through 245), for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2022, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.Basis for OpinionThese financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.Critical Audit MatterThe critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.Rate and Regulatory Matters — Entergy Texas, Inc.Rate and Regulatory Matters —Entergy Texas, Inc. and Subsidiaries — Refer to Note 2 to the financial statementsCritical Audit Matter DescriptionThe Company is subject to rate regulation by the Public Utility Commission of Texas (the “PUCT”), which has jurisdiction with respect to the rates of electric companies in Texas, and to wholesale rate regulation by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”). Management has determined it meets the requirements under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America to prepare its financial statements applying the specialized rules to account for the effects of cost-based rate regulation. Accounting for the economics of rate regulation impacts multiple financial statement line items and disclosures.432Table of ContentsThe Company’s rates are subject to regulatory rate-setting processes and annual earnings oversight. Because the PUCT and the FERC set the rates the Company is allowed to charge customers based on allowable costs, including a reasonable return on equity, the Company applies accounting standards that require the financial statements to reflect the effects of rate regulation, including the recording of regulatory assets and liabilities. The Company assesses whether the regulatory assets and regulatory liabilities continue to meet the criteria for probable future recovery or settlement at each balance sheet date and when regulatory events occur. This assessment includes consideration of recent rate orders, historical regulatory treatment for similar costs, and factors such as changes in applicable regulatory and political environments. While the Company has indicated it expects to recover costs from customers through regulated rates, there is a risk that the PUCT and the FERC will not approve: (1) full recovery of the costs of providing utility service, or (2) full recovery of amounts invested in the utility business and a reasonable return on that investment.We identified the impact of rate regulation as a critical audit matter due to the judgments made by management to support its assertions about impacted account balances and disclosures and the high degree of subjectivity involved in assessing the impact of future regulatory orders on the financial statements.We identified the impact of rate regulation as a critical audit matter due to the significant judgments made by management to support its assertions about impacted account balances and disclosures and the high degree of subjectivity involved in assessing the impact of future regulatory orders on the financial statements. Management judgments include assessing the likelihood of recovery in future rates of incurred costs and refunds to customers. Auditing management’s judgments regarding the outcome of future decisions by the PUCT and the FERC, recovery in future rates of regulatory assets and refunds or future reductions in rates related to regulatory liabilities involved specialized knowledge of accounting for rate regulation and the rate setting process due to its inherent complexities and auditor judgment to evaluate management estimates and the subjectivity of audit evidence. Auditing management’s judgments regarding the outcome of future decisions by the PUCT and the FERC, involved specialized knowledge of accounting for rate regulation and the rate setting process due to its inherent complexities and significant auditor judgment to evaluate management estimates and the subjectivity of audit evidence. How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the AuditOur audit procedures related to the uncertainty of future decisions by the PUCT and the FERC, recovery in future rates of regulatory assets and refunds or future reductions in rates related to regulatory liabilities included the following, among others:•We tested the effectiveness of management’s controls over the evaluation of the likelihood of (1) the recovery in future rates of regulatory assets, and (2) a refund or a future reduction in rates that should be reported as regulatory liabilities.How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the AuditOur audit procedures related to the uncertainty of future decisions by the PUCT and the FERC included the following, among others:•We tested the effectiveness of management’s controls over the evaluation of the likelihood of (1) the recovery in future rates of costs incurred as property, plant, and equipment and deferred as regulatory assets, and (2) a refund or a future reduction in rates that should be reported as regulatory liabilities. We also tested the effectiveness of management’s controls over the initial recognition of amounts as regulatory assets or liabilities and the monitoring and evaluation of regulatory developments that may affect the likelihood of recovering costs in future rates or of a future reduction in rates. We also tested the effectiveness of management’s controls over the initial recognition of amounts as property, plant, and equipment; regulatory assets or liabilities; and the monitoring and evaluation of regulatory developments that may affect the likelihood of recovering costs in future rates or of a future reduction in rates. •We evaluated the Company’s disclosures related to the impacts of rate regulation, including the balances recorded and regulatory developments.•We read relevant regulatory orders issued by the PUCT and the FERC for the Company to assess the likelihood of recovery in future rates or of a future reduction in rates based on precedents of the PUCT’s and the FERC’s treatment of similar costs under similar circumstances.•We read relevant regulatory orders issued by the PUCT and the FERC for the Company, filings made by intervenors, and other publicly available information to assess the likelihood of recovery in future rates or of a future reduction in rates based on precedents of the PUCT’s and the FERC’s treatment of similar costs under similar circumstances. We evaluated external information and compared to management’s recorded regulatory asset and liability balances for completeness. We evaluated the external information and compared to management’s recorded regulatory asset and liability balances for completeness. •For regulatory matters in process, we inspected the Company’s filings with the PUCT and the FERC and orders issued, and considered the filings with the PUCT and the FERC by intervenors that may impact the Company’s future rates, for any evidence that might contradict management’s assertions.•For regulatory matters in process, we inspected the Company’s filings with the PUCT and the FERC, including the base rate case filing, and considered the filings with the PUCT and the FERC by intervenors that may impact the Company’s future rates, for any evidence that might contradict management’s assertions. •We obtained an analysis from management and support from internal and external legal counsel, as appropriate, regarding probability of recovery for regulatory assets or refund or future reduction in rates for regulatory liabilities not yet addressed in a regulatory order to assess management’s assertion that amounts are probable of recovery or a future reduction in rates.•We obtained representation from management regarding probability of recovery for regulatory assets or refund or future reduction in rates for regulatory liabilities to assess management’s assertion that amounts are probable of recovery, refund, or a future reduction in rates./s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLPNew Orleans, LouisianaFebruary 23, 2024We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2001.433Table of Contents434Table of Contents435Table of Contents436Table of Contents437Table of Contents438Table of ContentsSYSTEM ENERGY RESOURCES, INC.469Table of Contents470Table of Contents471Table of Contents472Table of Contents473Table of Contents474Table of Contents. MANAGEMENT’S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSISSystem Energy’s principal asset consists of an ownership interest and a leasehold interest in Grand Gulf. The capacity and energy from its 90% interest is sold under the Unit Power Sales Agreement to its only four customers, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy New Orleans. System Energy’s operating revenues are derived from the allocation of the capacity, energy, and related costs associated with its 90% interest in Grand Gulf pursuant to the Unit Power Sales Agreement. Payments under the Unit Power Sales Agreement are System Energy’s only source of operating revenues. As discussed in “Complaints Against System Energy” below, 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). As discussed in “Complaints Against System Energy” below, System Energy is currently involved in proceedings at the FERC commenced by the retail regulators of its customers regarding its return on equity, its capital structure, its renewal of the sale-leaseback of 11. Results of Operations2023 Compared to 2022Net IncomeSystem Energy had net income of $108.Results of Operations2022 Compared to 2021Net IncomeSystem Energy experienced a net loss of $276. 8 million in 2023 compared to a net loss of $276.6 million in 2022 compared to net income of $106. 6 million in 2022 primarily due to a regulatory charge of $551 million ($413 million net-of-tax) recorded in second quarter 2022 to reflect the effects of the partial settlement agreement and offer of settlement related to pending proceedings before the FERC.8 million in 2021 primarily due to a regulatory charge of $551 million ($413 million net-of-tax) recorded in the second quarter 2022 to reflect the effects of the settlement agreement with the MPSC and offer of settlement to the LPSC, the APSC, and the City Council related to pending proceedings before the FERC. The increase was partially offset by the disallowance of the recovery of sale-leaseback lease renewal costs from Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, and Entergy New Orleans per the December 2022 FERC order related to the Grand Gulf sale-leaseback renewal complaint and the lower authorized rate of return on equity and capital structure limitations on monthly bills issued to Entergy Mississippi per the June 2022 settlement agreement with the MPSC. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of the partial settlement agreement with the MPSC and discussion of the Grand Gulf sale-leaseback renewal complaint. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of the partial settlement agreement. Income TaxesThe effective income tax rates were 22.7% for 2023 and 25.7% for 2022 and 21. 1% for 2022.1% for 2021. See Note 3 to the financial statements for a reconciliation of the federal statutory rate of 21% to the effective income tax rates and for additional discussion regarding income taxes.
2022 Compared to 2021See “MANAGEMENT’S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - Results of Operations” in Item 7 of System Energy’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on February 24, 2023, for discussion of results of operations for 2022 compared to 2021.2021 Compared to 2020See “MANAGEMENT’S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - Results of Operations” in Item 7 of Entergy Texas’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, filed with the SEC on February 25, 2022, for discussion of results of operations for 2021 compared to 2020. Income Tax Legislation and RegulationSee the “Income Tax Legislation and Regulation” section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis for discussion of income tax legislation and regulation.439Table of ContentsSystem Energy Resources, Inc.Management’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisLiquidity and Capital ResourcesCash FlowCash flows for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 were as follows:2023 Compared to 2022Operating ActivitiesNet cash flow provided by operating activities increased $266.Management’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisLiquidity and Capital ResourcesCash FlowCash flows for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020 were as follows:2022 Compared to 2021Operating ActivitiesNet cash flow provided by operating activities decreased $193. 3 million in 2023 primarily due to:•the refund of $235 million to Entergy Mississippi in 2022 as a result of the settlement with the MPSC. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of the settlement agreement with the MPSC;•$40. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of the settlement with the MPSC. 5 million in recoupment payments received from Entergy Louisiana and Entergy New Orleans in October 2023 related to the sale-leaseback renewal costs and depreciation litigation as calculated in System Energy’s October 2023 compliance filing with the FERC. See Note 2 to the financial statements for further discussion of the Grand Gulf sale-leaseback renewal complaint;•income tax refunds of $19. See Note 14 to the financial statements for further discussion of the Searcy Solar facility purchase; and•a decrease of $16. 8 million in 2023 as compared to income tax payments of $18.4 million in 2022. System Energy received income tax refunds in 2023 and made income tax payments in 2022, each in accordance with an intercompany income tax allocation agreement;•a decrease in spending of $36.4 million on nuclear refueling outage costs in 2023 as compared to 2022; and•a decrease of $13.8 million on nuclear refueling outage costs in 2022 as compared to prior year, partially offset by a decrease of $36. 1 million in pension contributions in 2023. See “Critical Accounting Estimates – Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits” below and Note 11 to the financial statements for a discussion of qualified pension and other postretirement benefits funding. See “Critical Accounting Estimates - Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits” below and Note 11 for a discussion of qualified pension and other postretirement benefits funding. The increase was partially offset by:•aggregate refunds of $103.The increase was partially offset by:•a decrease of $39. 5 million made in January 2023 related to the sale-leaseback renewal costs and depreciation litigation as calculated in System Energy’s January 2023 compliance report filed with the FERC. See Note 2 to the financial statements for further discussion of the refunds and the related proceedings;•refunds of $41. See Note 2 to the financial statements for further discussion of the formula rate plan proceedings. 8 million included in September 2023 service month bills under the Unit Power Sales Agreement to reflect the revenue requirement effects of Grand Gulf’s updated depreciation rates as approved by the FERC in August 2023. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of the Unit Power Sales Agreement depreciation amendment proceeding; and•refunds of $19. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of the formula rate plan filings; and•regulatory credits of $19. 3 million included in May 2023 service month bills under the Unit Power Sales Agreement to reflect the effects of the partial settlement agreement approved by the FERC in April 2023. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of the Unit Power Sales Agreement complaint. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of the partial settlement agreement. 440Table of ContentsSystem Energy Resources, Inc.Management’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisInvesting ActivitiesNet cash flow used in investing activities decreased by $188.Management’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisFinancing ActivitiesSystem Energy’s financing activities provided $170. 4 million in 2023 primarily due to:•money pool activity;•a decrease of $43.8 million in 2022 primarily due to:•money pool activity;•the sale of a 7. 4 million as a result of fluctuations in nuclear fuel activity because of variations from year to year in the timing and pricing of fuel reload requirements, material and services deliveries, and the timing of cash payments during the nuclear fuel cycle; and•a decrease of $41.8 million in nuclear construction expenditures primarily due to higher spending in 2022 on Grand Gulf outage projects and upgrades.8 million in nuclear construction expenditures as a result of spending in 2022 on Grand Gulf outage projects and upgrades; and•an increase of $54. Decreases in System Energy’s receivable from the money pool are a source of cash flow, and System Energy’s receivable from the money pool decreased $95 million in 2023 compared to increasing by $19.Increases in System Energy’s receivable from the money pool are a use of cash flow and System Energy’s receivable from the money pool increased $19. 2 million in 2022. The money pool is an intercompany cash management program that makes possible intercompany borrowing and lending arrangements, and the money pool and other borrowing arrangements are designed to reduce the Registrant Subsidiaries’ dependence on external short-term borrowings.Financing ActivitiesSystem Energy’s financing activities used $200.6 million of cash in 2023 compared to providing $170.6 million of cash in 2022 compared to using $161. 6 million of cash in 2022 primarily due to the following activity:•the repayment, at maturity, of $250 million of 4.10% Series mortgage bonds in April 2023;•$170 million in common stock dividends and distributions paid in 2023. No common stock dividends or distributions were made in 2022 in order to maintain System Energy’s capital structure and in anticipation of the settlement with the MPSC. See Note 2 to the financial statements for discussion of the settlement with the MPSC;•a $135 million capital contribution from Entergy Corporation in 2022 primarily to fund the settlement payment to Entergy Mississippi;•the issuance of a $50 million term loan in May 2022, which was repaid, prior to maturity, in March 2023;•net repayments of $51.1 million in 2023 as compared to net long-term borrowings of $36.4 million in 2022 compared to net long-term borrowings of $24. 5 million in 2022 on the nuclear fuel company variable interest entity’s credit facilities;•the repayment, at maturity, of $50.1 million in 2021 on the nuclear fuel company variable interest entities’ credit facilities. 3 million of 2.75 million of 5. 5% Series governmental bonds in April 2022; and•the issuance of $325 million of 6.00% Series mortgage bonds in March 2023.See Note 5 to the financial statements for additional details of long-term debt.
2022 Compared to 2021See “MANAGEMENT’S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - Liquidity and Capital Resources - Cash Flow” in Item 7 of System Energy’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on February 24, 2023, for discussion of operating, investing, and financing cash flow activities for 2022 compared to 2021.2021 Compared to 2020See “MANAGEMENT’S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - Liquidity and Capital Resources - Cash Flow” in Item 7 of System Energy’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, filed with the SEC on February 25, 2022, for discussion of operating, investing, and financing cash flow activities for 2021 compared to 2020. 441Table of ContentsSystem Energy Resources, Inc.Management’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisCapital StructureSystem Energy’s debt to capital ratio is shown in the following table.Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysisfor hearing that were beyond the scope of FERC’s jurisdiction or authority. Net debt consists of debt less cash and cash equivalents. Debt consists of short-term borrowings and long-term debt, including the currently maturing portion. Capital consists of debt and common equity. Net capital consists of capital less cash and cash equivalents. System Energy uses the debt to capital ratio in analyzing its financial condition and believes it provides useful information to its investors and creditors in evaluating System Energy’s financial condition. The net debt to net capital ratio is a non-GAAP measure. System Energy uses the net debt to net capital ratio in analyzing its financial condition and believes it provides useful information to its investors and creditors in evaluating System Energy’s financial condition because net debt indicates System Energy’s outstanding debt position that could not be readily satisfied by cash and cash equivalents on hand.System Energy seeks to optimize its capital structure in accordance with its regulatory requirements and to control its cost of capital while also maintaining equity capitalization at a level consistent with investment-grade debt ratings. To the extent that operating cash flows are in excess of planned investments, cash may be used to reduce outstanding debt or may be paid as a dividend or a capital distribution, to the extent funds are legally available to do so, or a combination of the three, in appropriate amounts to maintain the capital structure. To the extent that operating cash flows are insufficient to support planned investments and other uses of cash such as the payment of expenses in the ordinary course, System Energy may issue incremental debt or reduce dividends, or both, to maintain its capital structure. In addition, System Energy may receive equity contributions to maintain its capital structure for certain circumstances that would materially alter the capital structure if financed entirely with debt and reduced dividends.Uses of CapitalSystem Energy requires capital resources for:•construction and other capital investments;•debt maturities or retirements;•working capital purposes, including the financing of fuel costs and tax payments; and•dividend, distribution, and interest payments.Uses of CapitalEntergy Texas requires capital resources for:•construction and other capital investments;•debt maturities or retirements;•working capital purposes, including the financing of fuel and purchased power costs; and427Table of ContentsEntergy Texas, Inc. Following are the amounts of System Energy’s planned construction and other capital investments.In addition to routine spending to maintain operations, the planned capital investment estimate includes amounts associated with Grand Gulf investments and initiatives.442Table of ContentsSystem Energy Resources, Inc.Management’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisFollowing are the amounts of System Energy’s existing debt obligations (includes estimated interest payments).Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysiscash needs of System Energy and it makes faulty presumptions about the operation of the Entergy System money pool. (a)Long-term debt is discussed in Note 5 to the financial statements.Other ObligationsSystem Energy expects to contribute approximately $16.7 million to its qualified pension plans and approximately $34 thousand to other postretirement health care and life insurance plans in 2024, although the 2024 required pension contributions will be known with more certainty when the January 1, 2024, valuations are completed, which is expected by April 1, 2024. See “Critical Accounting Estimates – Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits” below and Note 11 to the financial statements for a discussion of qualified pension and other postretirement benefits funding. See “Critical Accounting Estimates - Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits” below and Note 11 for a discussion of qualified pension and other postretirement benefits funding. System Energy has no unrecognized tax benefits and interest net of unused tax attributes and payments for which the timing of payments beyond 12 months cannot be reasonably estimated due to uncertainties in the timing of effective settlement of tax positions. See Note 3 to the financial statements for additional information regarding unrecognized tax benefits.In addition, System Energy enters into nuclear fuel purchase agreements that contain minimum purchase obligations. As discussed in Note 8 to the financial statements, System Energy recovers these costs through charges under the Unit Power Sales Agreement.As a wholly-owned subsidiary, System Energy dividends its earnings to Entergy Corporation at a percentage determined monthly.Sources of CapitalSystem Energy’s sources to meet its capital requirements include:•internally generated funds;•cash on hand;•the Entergy system money pool;•debt issuances, including debt issuances to refund or retire currently outstanding or maturing indebtedness; •equity contributions; and•bank financing under new or existing facilities.Sources of CapitalEntergy Arkansas’s sources to meet its capital requirements include:•internally generated funds;•cash on hand;•the Entergy System money pool;•debt or preferred membership interest issuances, including debt issuances to refund or retire currently outstanding or maturing indebtedness;•capital contributions; and•bank financing under new or existing facilities. Circumstances such fuel and purchased power price fluctuations and unanticipated expenses, including unscheduled plant outages, could affect the timing and level of internally generated funds in the future. In addition to the financings necessary to meet capital requirements and contractual obligations, System Energy expects to continue, when economically feasible, to retire higher-cost debt and replace it with lower-cost debt if market conditions permit.All debt issuances by System Energy require prior regulatory approval. Debt issuances are also subject to issuance tests set forth in its bond indenture and other agreements. System Energy has sufficient capacity under these tests to meet its foreseeable capital needs for the next twelve months and beyond.443Table of ContentsSystem Energy Resources, Inc.Management’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisSystem Energy’s receivables from or (payables to) the money pool were as follows as of December 31 for each of the following years.See Note 4 to the financial statements for a description of the money pool.The System Energy nuclear fuel company variable interest entity has a credit facility in the amount of $120 million scheduled to expire in June 2025. As of December 31, 2023, $21.5 million in loans were outstanding under the System Energy nuclear fuel company variable interest entity credit facility. See Note 4 to the financial statements for additional discussion of the variable interest entity credit facility.System Energy obtained authorizations from the FERC through March 2025 for the following:•short-term borrowings not to exceed an aggregate amount of $200 million at any time outstanding;•long-term borrowings and security issuances not to exceed an aggregate amount of $1.3 billion at any time outstanding; and•borrowings by its nuclear fuel company variable interest entity.See Note 4 to the financial statements for further discussion of System Energy’s short-term borrowing limits.Federal RegulationSee the “Rate, Cost-recovery, and Other Regulation – Federal Regulation” section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis and Note 2 to the financial statements for a discussion of federal regulation.Complaints Against System EnergySystem Energy’s operating revenues are derived from the allocation of the capacity, energy, and related costs associated with its 90% ownership/leasehold interest in Grand Gulf. System Energy sells its Grand Gulf capacity and energy to Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy New Orleans pursuant to the Unit Power Sales Agreement. 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. System Energy and the Unit Power Sales Agreement are currently the subject of several litigation proceedings at the FERC, including challenges with respect to System Energy’s authorized return on equity and capital structure, renewal of the sale-leaseback arrangement, treatment of uncertain tax positions, a broader investigation of rates under the Unit Power Sales Agreement, and a prudence complaint 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. The settlement with the MPSC described in “System Energy Settlement with the MPSC” below, and the settlement in principle with the APSC described in “System Energy Settlement with the APSC” below, if approved by the FERC, substantially reduce the aggregate amount of exposure resulting from these claims. The claims in these proceedings include claims for refunds and claims for rate adjustments; the aggregate amount of refunds claimed in these proceedings, after reduction for settlements reached with the MPSC and the APSC (subject in the latter case to approval by the FERC), exceeds the current net book value of System Energy. The claims in these proceedings include claims for refunds and claims for rate adjustments; the aggregate amount of refunds claimed in these proceedings substantially exceeds the net book value of System Energy. In the event of an adverse decision in one or more of these proceedings requiring the payment of additional refunds, System Energy may be required to seek financing to pay such refunds, the cost and availability of which are unknown. In the event of an adverse decision in one or more of these proceedings requiring the payment of substantial additional refunds, System Energy would be required to seek financing to pay such refunds which may not be available on terms acceptable to System Energy, or may not be available at all, when required. Following are discussions of these proceedings. Following are discussions of the proceedings. 444Table of ContentsSystem Energy Resources, Inc.447Table of ContentsSystem Energy Resources, Inc. Management’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisReturn on Equity and Capital Structure ComplaintsIn January 2017 the APSC and MPSC filed a complaint with the FERC against System Energy. The complaint seeks a reduction in the return on equity component of the Unit Power Sales Agreement pursuant to which System Energy sells its Grand Gulf capacity and energy to Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy New Orleans. Entergy Arkansas also sells some of its Grand Gulf capacity and energy to Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy New Orleans under separate agreements. The current return on equity under the Unit Power Sales Agreement is 10.94%, which was established in a rate proceeding that became final in July 2001. As discussed below in “System Energy Settlement with the MPSC,” beginning with the July 2022 service month, bills issued to Entergy Mississippi under the Unit Power Sales Agreement reflect a return on equity of 9.65%.The APSC and MPSC complaint alleges that the return on equity is unjust and unreasonable because capital market and other considerations indicate that it is excessive. The complaint requests proceedings to investigate the return on equity and establish a lower return on equity, and also requests that the FERC establish January 23, 2017 as a refund effective date. The complaint includes return on equity analysis that purports to establish that the range of reasonable return on equity for System Energy is between 8.37% and 8.67%. System Energy answered the complaint in February 2017 and disputes that a return on equity of 8.37% to 8.67% is just and reasonable. The LPSC and the City Council intervened in the proceeding expressing support for the complaint. In September 2017 the FERC established a refund effective date of January 23, 2017 and directed the parties to engage in settlement proceedings before an ALJ. The parties were unable to settle the return on equity issue and a FERC hearing judge was assigned in July 2018. The 15-month refund period in connection with the APSC/MPSC complaint expired on April 23, 2018.In April 2018 the LPSC filed a complaint with the FERC against System Energy seeking an additional 15-month refund period. The LPSC complaint requests similar relief from the FERC with respect to System Energy’s return on equity and also requests the FERC to investigate System Energy’s capital structure. The APSC, MPSC, and City Council intervened in the proceeding, filed an answer expressing support for the complaint, and asked the FERC to consolidate this proceeding with the proceeding initiated by the complaint of the APSC and MPSC in January 2017. System Energy answered the LPSC complaint in May 2018 and also filed a motion to dismiss the complaint. In August 2018 the FERC issued an order dismissing the LPSC’s request to investigate System Energy’s capital structure and setting for hearing the return on equity complaint, with a refund effective date of April 27, 2018. The 15-month refund period in connection with the LPSC return on equity complaint expired on July 26, 2019.The portion of the LPSC’s complaint dealing with return on equity was subsequently consolidated with the APSC and MPSC complaint for hearing. The parties addressed an order (issued in a separate FERC proceeding involving New England transmission owners) that proposed modifying the FERC’s standard methodology for determining return on equity. In September 2018, System Energy filed a request for rehearing and the LPSC filed a request for rehearing or reconsideration of the FERC’s August 2018 order. The LPSC’s request referenced an amended complaint that it filed on the same day raising the same capital structure claim the FERC had earlier dismissed. The FERC initiated a new proceeding for the amended capital structure complaint, and System Energy submitted a response in October 2018. In January 2019 the FERC set the amended complaint for settlement and hearing proceedings. Settlement proceedings in the capital structure proceeding commenced in February 2019. As noted below, in June 2019 settlement discussions were terminated and the amended capital structure complaint was consolidated with the ongoing return on equity proceeding. The 15-month refund period in connection with the capital structure complaint was from September 24, 2018 to December 23, 2019.In January 2019 the LPSC, the APSC, and the MPSC filed direct testimony in the return on equity proceeding.In January 2019 the LPSC and the APSC and MPSC filed direct testimony in the return on equity proceeding. For the refund period January 23, 2017 through April 23, 2018, the LPSC argues for an authorized return on equity for System Energy of 7.81% and the APSC and the MPSC argue for an authorized return on equity for System Energy of 8.81% and the APSC and MPSC argue for an authorized return on equity for System Energy of 8. 24%. For the refund period April 27, 2018 through July 27, 2019, and for application on a 445Table of ContentsSystem Energy Resources, Inc. For the refund period April 27, 2018 through July 27, 2019, and for application on a prospective basis, the LPSC argues for an authorized return on equity for System Energy of 7. Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysisprospective basis, the LPSC argues for an authorized return on equity for System Energy of 7.Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysisfor hearing that were beyond the scope of FERC’s jurisdiction or authority. 97% and the APSC and the MPSC argue for an authorized return on equity for System Energy of 8.97% and the APSC and MPSC argue for an authorized return on equity for System Energy of 8. 41%. In March 2019, System Energy submitted answering testimony. For the first refund period, System Energy’s testimony argues for a return on equity of 10.10% (median) or 10.70% (midpoint). For the second refund period, System Energy’s testimony shows that the calculated returns on equity for the first period fall within the range of presumptively just and reasonable returns on equity, and thus the second complaint should be dismissed (and the first period return on equity used going forward). If the FERC nonetheless were to set a new return on equity for the second period (and going forward), System Energy argues the return on equity should be either 10.32% (median) or 10.69% (midpoint).In May 2019 the FERC trial staff filed its direct and answering testimony in the return on equity proceeding. For the first refund period, the FERC trial staff calculates an authorized return on equity for System Energy of 9.89% based on the application of FERC’s proposed methodology. The FERC trial staff’s direct and answering testimony noted that an authorized return on equity of 9.89% for the first refund period was within the range of presumptively just and reasonable returns on equity for the second refund period, as calculated using a study period ending January 31, 2019 for the second refund period.In June 2019, System Energy filed testimony responding to the testimony filed by the FERC trial staff. Among other things, System Energy’s testimony rebutted arguments raised by the FERC trial staff and provided updated calculations for the second refund period based on the study period ending May 31, 2019. For that refund period, System Energy’s testimony shows that strict application of the return on equity methodology proposed by the FERC staff indicates that the second complaint would not be dismissed, and the new return on equity would be set at 9.65% (median) or 9.74% (midpoint). System Energy’s testimony argues that these results are insufficient in light of benchmarks such as state returns on equity and treasury bond yields, and instead proposes that the calculated returns on equity for the second period should be either 9.91% (median) or 10.3% (midpoint). System Energy’s testimony also argues that, under application of its proposed modified methodology, the 10.10% return on equity calculated for the first refund period would fall within the range of presumptively just and reasonable returns on equity for the second refund period.Also in June 2019, the FERC’s Chief ALJ issued an order terminating settlement discussions in the amended complaint addressing System Energy’s capital structure. The ALJ consolidated the amended capital structure complaint with the ongoing return on equity proceeding and set new procedural deadlines for the consolidated hearing.In August 2019 the LPSC, the APSC, and the MPSC filed rebuttal testimony in the return on equity proceeding and direct and answering testimony relating to System Energy’s capital structure.In August 2019 the LPSC and the APSC and MPSC filed rebuttal testimony in the return on equity proceeding and direct and answering testimony relating to System Energy’s capital structure. The LPSC re-argues for an authorized return on equity for System Energy of 7.81% for the first refund period and 7.97% for the second refund period. The APSC and MPSC argue for an authorized return on equity for System Energy of 8.26% for the first refund period and 8.32% for the second refund period. With respect to capital structure, the LPSC proposes that the FERC establish a hypothetical capital structure for System Energy for ratemaking purposes. Specifically, the LPSC proposes that System Energy’s common equity ratio be set to Entergy Corporation’s equity ratio of 37% equity and 63% debt. In the alternative, the LPSC argues that the equity ratio should be no higher than 49%, the composite equity ratio of System Energy and the other Entergy operating companies who purchase under the Unit Power Sales Agreement. The APSC and the MPSC recommend that 35. The APSC and MPSC recommend that 35. 98% be set as the common equity ratio for System Energy. As an alternative, the APSC and the MPSC propose that System Energy’s common equity be set at 46. As an alternative, the APSC and MPSC propose that System Energy’s common equity be set at 46. 75% based on the median equity ratio of the proxy group for setting the return on equity.In September 2019 the FERC trial staff filed its rebuttal testimony in the return on equity proceeding. For the first refund period, the FERC trial staff calculates an authorized return on equity for System Energy of 9.40% based on the application of the FERC’s proposed methodology and an updated proxy group. For the second refund period, based on the study period ending May 31, 2019, the FERC trial staff rebuttal testimony argues for a return on equity of 9.63%. In September 2019 the FERC trial staff also filed direct and answering testimony relating to System Energy’s capital structure. The FERC trial staff argues that the average capital structure of the proxy group 446Table of ContentsSystem Energy Resources, Inc. The FERC trial staff argues that the average capital structure of the proxy group used to develop System Energy’s return on equity should be used to establish the capital structure. Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysisused to develop System Energy’s return on equity should be used to establish the capital structure.Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysisleaseback renewal rental costs that System Energy recovered in rates, with interest. Using this approach, the FERC trial staff calculates the average capital structure for its proposed proxy group of 46.74% common equity, and 53.26% debt.In October 2019, System Energy filed answering testimony disputing the FERC trial staff’s, the LPSC’s, and the APSC’s and MPSC’s arguments for the use of a hypothetical capital structure and arguing that the use of System Energy’s actual capital structure is just and reasonable.In November 2019, in a proceeding that did not involve System Energy, the FERC issued an order addressing the methodology for determining the return on equity applicable to transmission owners in MISO. Thereafter, the procedural schedule in the System Energy proceeding was amended to allow the participants to file supplemental testimony addressing the order in the MISO transmission owner proceeding (Opinion No. 569).In February 2020 the LPSC, the MPSC and APSC, and the FERC trial staff filed supplemental testimony addressing Opinion No. 569 and how it would affect the return on equity evaluation for the two complaint periods concerning System Energy. For the first refund period, based on their respective interpretations and applications of the Opinion No. 569 methodology, the LPSC argues for an authorized return on equity for System Energy of 8.44%; the MPSC and APSC argue for an authorized return on equity of 8.41%; and the FERC trial staff argues for an authorized return on equity of 9.22%. For the second refund period and on a prospective basis, based on their respective interpretations and applications of the Opinion No. 569 methodology, the LPSC argues for an authorized return on equity for System Energy of 7.89%; the MPSC and APSC argue that an authorized return on equity of 8.01% may be appropriate; and the FERC trial staff argues for an authorized return on equity of 8.66%.In April 2020, System Energy filed supplemental answering testimony addressing Opinion No. 569. System Energy argues that the Opinion No. 569 methodology is conceptually and analytically defective for purposes of establishing just and reasonable authorized return on equity determinations and proposes an alternative approach. As its primary recommendation, System Energy continues to support the return on equity determinations in its March 2019 testimony for the first refund period and its June 2019 testimony for the second refund period. Under the Opinion No. 569 methodology, System Energy calculates a “presumptively just and reasonable range” for the authorized return on equity for the first refund period of 8.57% to 9.52%, and for the second refund period of 8.28% to 9.11%. System Energy argues that these ranges are not just and reasonable results. Under its proposed alternative methodology, System Energy calculates an authorized return on equity of 10.26% for the first refund period, which also falls within the presumptively just and reasonable range calculated for the second refund period and prospectively.In May 2020 the FERC issued an order on rehearing of Opinion No. 569 (Opinion No. 569-A). In June 2020 the procedural schedule in the System Energy proceeding was further revised in order to allow parties to address the Opinion No. 569-A methodology. Pursuant to the revised schedule, in June 2020, the LPSC, MPSC and APSC, and the FERC trial staff filed supplemental testimony addressing Opinion No. 569-A and how it would affect the return on equity evaluation for the two complaint periods concerning System Energy. For the first refund period, based on their respective interpretations and applications of the Opinion No. 569-A methodology, the LPSC argues for an authorized return on equity for System Energy of 7.97%; the MPSC and APSC argue for an authorized return on equity of 9.24%; and the FERC trial staff argues for an authorized return on equity of 9.49%. For the second refund period and on a prospective basis, based on their respective interpretations and applications of the Opinion No. 569-A methodology, the LPSC argues for an authorized return on equity for System Energy of 7.78%; the MPSC and APSC argue that an authorized return on equity of 9.15% may be appropriate if the second complaint is not dismissed; and the FERC trial staff argues for an authorized return on equity of 9.09% if the second complaint is not dismissed.Pursuant to the revised procedural schedule, in July 2020, System Energy filed supplemental testimony addressing Opinion No. 569-A. System Energy argues that strict application of the Opinion No. 569-A methodology produces results inconsistent with investor requirements and does not provide a sound basis on which 447Table of ContentsSystem Energy Resources, Inc. 569-A methodology produces results inconsistent with investor requirements and does not provide a sound basis on which to evaluate System Energy’s authorized return on equity. Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysisto evaluate System Energy’s authorized return on equity.Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysisdetermining return on equity. As its primary recommendation, System Energy argues for the use of a methodology that incorporates four separate financial models, including the constant growth form of the discounted cash flow model and the empirical capital asset pricing model. Based on application of its recommended methodology, System Energy argues for an authorized return on equity of 10.12% for the first refund period, which also falls within the presumptively just and reasonable range calculated for the second refund period and prospectively. Under the Opinion No. 569-A methodology, System Energy calculates an authorized return on equity of 9.44% for the first refund period, which also falls within the presumptively just and reasonable range calculated for the second refund period and prospectively.The parties and FERC trial staff filed final rounds of testimony in August 2020. The hearing before a FERC ALJ occurred in late-September through early-October 2020, post-hearing briefing took place in November and December 2020.In March 2021 the FERC ALJ issued an initial decision. 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 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 $41 million, which includes interest through December 31, 2023, and the estimated resulting annual rate reduction would be approximately $25 million. If the ALJ’s initial decision is upheld, the estimated refund for this proceeding is approximately $63 million, which includes interest through December 31, 2022, and the estimated resulting annual rate reduction would be approximately $35 million. As a result of the 2022 settlement agreement with the MPSC, both the estimated refund and rate reduction exclude Entergy Mississippi's portion. See “System Energy Settlement with the MPSC” below for discussion of the settlement. See “System Energy Settlement with the MPSC” below for discussion of the regulatory charge and corresponding regulatory liability recorded in June 2022 related to these proceedings. 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. Also in April 2021 the LPSC, APSC, MPSC, 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.As discussed in “System Energy Settlement with the MPSC” below, beginning with the July 2022 service month, bills issued to Entergy Mississippi under the Unit Power Sales Agreement were adjusted to reflect a capital structure not to exceed 52% equity.In August 2022 the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals issued an order addressing appeals of FERC’s Opinion No. 569 and 569-A, which established the methodology applied in the ALJ’s initial decision in the proceeding against System Energy discussed above. The appellate order addressed the methodology for determining the return on equity applicable to transmission owners in MISO. The D.C. Circuit found the FERC’s use of the Risk Premium model as part of the methodology to be arbitrary and capricious, and remanded the case back to the FERC. The remanded case is pending FERC action.448Table of ContentsSystem Energy Resources, Inc.Management’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisGrand Gulf Sale-leaseback Renewal Complaint and Uncertain Tax Position Rate Base IssueIn 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.Grand Gulf Sale-leaseback Renewal Complaint and Uncertain Tax Position Rate Base IssueIn 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 complaint alleges that System Energy violated the filed rate and the FERC’s ratemaking and accounting requirements when it included in Unit Power Sales Agreement billings the cost of capital additions associated with the sale-leaseback interest, and that System Energy is double-recovering costs by including both the lease payments and the capital additions in Unit Power Sales Agreement billings. The complaint also claims that System Energy was imprudent in entering into the sale-leaseback renewal because the Utility operating companies that purchase Grand Gulf’s output from System Energy could have obtained cheaper capacity and energy in the MISO markets. The complaint further alleges that System Energy violated various other reporting and accounting requirements and should have sought prior FERC approval of the lease renewal. The complaint seeks various forms of relief from the FERC. The complaint seeks refunds for capital addition costs for all years in which they were recorded in allegedly non-formula accounts or, alternatively, the disallowance of the return on equity for the capital additions in those years plus interest. The complaint also asks that the FERC disallow and refund the lease costs of the sale-leaseback renewal on grounds of imprudence, investigate System Energy’s treatment of a DOE litigation payment, and impose certain forward-looking procedural protections, including audit rights for retail regulators of the Unit Power Sales Agreement formula rates. The APSC, the MPSC, and the City Council intervened in the proceeding. The APSC, MPSC, and City Council intervened in the proceeding. In June 2018, System Energy and Entergy Services filed a motion to dismiss and an answer to the LPSC complaint denying that System Energy’s treatment of the sale-leaseback renewal and capital additions violated the terms of the filed rate or any other FERC ratemaking, accounting, or legal requirements or otherwise constituted double recovery. The response also argued that the complaint is inconsistent with a FERC-approved settlement to which the LPSC is a party and that explicitly authorizes System Energy to recover its lease payments. Finally, the response argued that both the capital additions and the sale-leaseback renewal were prudent investments and the LPSC complaint fails to justify any disallowance or refunds. The response also offered to submit formula rate protocols for the Unit Power Sales Agreement similar to the procedures used for reviewing transmission rates under the MISO tariff. In September 2018 the FERC issued an order setting the complaint for hearing and settlement proceedings. The FERC established a refund effective date of May 18, 2018.In February 2019 the presiding ALJ ruled that the hearing ordered by the FERC includes the issue of whether specific subcategories of accumulated deferred income tax should be included in, or excluded from, System Energy’s formula rate. In March 2019 the LPSC, the MPSC, the APSC and the City Council filed direct testimony. In March 2019 the LPSC, MPSC, APSC and City Council filed direct testimony. The LPSC testimony sought refunds that include the renewal lease payments (approximately $17.2 million per year since July 2015), rate base reductions for accumulated deferred income tax associated with uncertain tax positions, and the cost of capital additions associated with the sale-leaseback interest, as well as interest on those amounts.In June 2019 System Energy filed answering testimony arguing that the FERC should reject all claims for refunds. Among other things, System Energy argued that claims for refunds of the costs of lease renewal payments and capital additions should be rejected because those costs were recovered consistent with the Unit Power Sales Agreement formula rate, System Energy was not over or double recovering any costs, and ratepayers will save costs over the initial and renewal terms of the leases. System Energy argued that claims for refunds associated with liabilities arising from uncertain tax positions should be rejected because the liabilities do not provide cost-free capital, the repayment timing of the liabilities is uncertain, and the outcome of the underlying tax positions is uncertain. System Energy’s testimony also challenged the refund calculations supplied by the other parties.In August 2019 the FERC trial staff filed direct and answering testimony seeking refunds for rate base reductions for liabilities associated with uncertain tax positions. The FERC trial staff also argued that System Energy recovered $32 million more than it should have in depreciation expense for capital additions. In September 2019, System Energy filed cross-answering testimony disputing the FERC trial staff’s arguments for refunds, stating that the FERC trial staff’s position regarding depreciation rates for capital additions is not unreasonable, but 449Table of ContentsSystem Energy Resources, Inc. In September 2019, System Energy filed cross-answering testimony disputing the FERC trial staff’s arguments for refunds, stating that the FERC trial staff’s position regarding depreciation rates for capital additions is not unreasonable, but explaining that any change in depreciation expense is only one element of a Unit Power Sales Agreement re-billing calculation. Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysisexplaining that any change in depreciation expense is only one element of a Unit Power Sales Agreement re-billing calculation. Adjustments to depreciation expense in any re-billing under the Unit Power Sales Agreement formula rate will also involve changes to accumulated depreciation, accumulated deferred income taxes, and other formula elements as needed. In October 2019 the LPSC filed rebuttal testimony increasing the amount of refunds sought for liabilities associated with uncertain tax positions. The LPSC seeks approximately $512 million plus interest, which is approximately $310 million through December 31, 2023. The LPSC seeks approximately $512 million plus interest, which is approximately $248 million through December 31, 2022. The FERC trial staff also filed rebuttal testimony in which it seeks refunds of a similar amount as the LPSC for the liabilities associated with uncertain tax positions. The LPSC testimony also argued that adjustments to depreciation rates should affect rate base on a prospective basis only.A hearing was held before a FERC ALJ in November 2019. In April 2020 the ALJ issued the initial decision. Among other things, the ALJ determined that refunds were due on three main issues. First, with regard to the lease renewal payments, the ALJ determined that System Energy is recovering an unjust acquisition premium through the lease renewal payments, and that System Energy’s recovery from customers through rates should be limited to the cost of service based on the remaining net book value of the leased assets, which is approximately $70 million. The ALJ found that the remedy for this issue should be the refund of lease payments (approximately $17.2 million per year since July 2015) with interest determined at the FERC quarterly interest rate, which would be offset by the addition of the net book value of the leased assets in the cost of service. The ALJ did not calculate a value for the refund expected as a result of this remedy. In addition, System Energy would no longer recover the lease payments in rates prospectively. Second, with regard to the liabilities associated with uncertain tax positions, the ALJ determined that the liabilities are accumulated deferred income taxes and that System Energy’s rate base should have been reduced for those liabilities. The ALJ also found that System Energy should include liabilities associated with uncertain tax positions as a rate base reduction going forward. Third, with regard to the depreciation expense adjustments, the ALJ found that System Energy should correct for the error in re-billings retroactively and prospectively, but that System Energy should not be permitted to recover interest on any retroactive return on enhanced rate base resulting from such corrections.In June 2020, System Energy, the LPSC, and the FERC trial staff filed briefs on exceptions, challenging several of the initial decision’s findings. System Energy’s brief on exceptions challenged the initial decision’s limitations on recovery of the lease renewal payments, its proposed rate base refund for the liabilities associated with uncertain tax positions, and its proposal to asymmetrically treat interest on bill corrections for depreciation expense adjustments. The LPSC’s and the FERC trial staff’s briefs on exceptions each challenged the initial decision’s allowance for recovery of the cost of service associated with the lease renewal based on the remaining net book value of the leased assets, its calculation of the remaining net book value of the leased assets, and the amount of the initial decision’s proposed rate base refund for the liabilities associated with uncertain tax positions. The LPSC’s brief on exceptions also challenged the initial decision’s proposal that depreciation expense adjustments include retroactive adjustments to rate base and its finding that section 203 of the Federal Power Act did not apply to the lease renewal. The FERC trial staff’s brief on exceptions also challenged the initial decision’s finding that the FERC need not institute a formal investigation into System Energy’s tariff. In October 2020, System Energy, the LPSC, the MPSC, the APSC, and the City Council filed briefs opposing exceptions. System Energy opposed the exceptions filed by the LPSC and the FERC trial staff. The LPSC, the MPSC, the APSC, the City Council, and the FERC trial staff opposed the exceptions filed by System Energy. The LPSC, MPSC, APSC, City Council, and the FERC trial staff opposed the exceptions filed by System Energy. Also in October 2020 the MPSC, the APSC, and the City Council filed briefs adopting the exceptions of the LPSC and the FERC trial staff. Also in October 2020 the MPSC, APSC, and the City Council filed briefs adopting the exceptions of the LPSC and the FERC trial staff. In addition, in September 2020, the IRS issued a Notice of Proposed Adjustment (NOPA) and Entergy executed it. The NOPA memorializes the IRS’s decision to adjust the 2015 consolidated federal income tax return of Entergy Corporation and certain of its subsidiaries, including System Energy, with regard to the uncertain decommissioning tax position. Pursuant to the audit resolution documented in the NOPA, the IRS allowed System Energy’s inclusion of $102 million of future nuclear decommissioning costs in System Energy’s cost of goods sold for the 2015 tax year, roughly 10% of the requested deduction, but disallowed the balance of the position. In September 2020, System Energy filed a motion to lodge the NOPA into the record in the FERC proceeding. In October 2020 the LPSC, the APSC, the MPSC, the City Council, and the FERC trial staff filed oppositions to 450Table of ContentsSystem Energy Resources, Inc. In October 2020 the LPSC, the APSC, the MPSC, the City Council, and the FERC trial staff filed oppositions to System Energy’s motion. Management’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisSystem Energy’s motion.Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysisdetermining return on equity. As a result of the NOPA issued by the IRS in September 2020, System Energy filed, in October 2020, a new Federal Power Act section 205 filing at FERC to establish an ongoing rate base credit for the accumulated deferred income taxes resulting from the decommissioning uncertain tax position. On a prospective basis beginning with the October 2020 bill, System Energy proposes to include the accumulated deferred income taxes arising from the successful portion of the decommissioning uncertain tax position as a credit to rate base under the Unit Power Sales Agreement. In November 2020 the LPSC, the APSC, the MPSC, and the City Council filed a protest to the filing, and System Energy responded. In November 2020 the LPSC, APSC, MPSC, and City Council filed a protest to the filing, and System Energy responded. In November 2020 the IRS issued a Revenue Agent’s Report (RAR) for the 2014/2015 tax year and in December 2020 Entergy executed it. The RAR contained the same adjustment to the uncertain nuclear decommissioning tax position as that which the IRS had announced in the NOPA. In December 2020, System Energy filed a motion to lodge the RAR into the record in the FERC proceeding addressing the uncertain tax position rate base issue. In January 2021 the LPSC, the APSC, the MPSC, and the City Council filed a protest to the motion. In January 2021 the LPSC, APSC, MPSC, and City Council filed a protest to the motion. As a result of the RAR, in December 2020, System Energy filed amendments to its new Federal Power Act section 205 filings to establish an ongoing rate base credit for the accumulated deferred income taxes resulting from the decommissioning uncertain tax position and to credit excess accumulated deferred income taxes arising from the successful portion of the decommissioning uncertain tax position. The amendments both propose the inclusion of the RAR as support for the filings. In December 2020 the LPSC, the APSC, and the City Council filed a protest in response to the amendments, reiterating their prior objections to the filings. In December 2020 the LPSC, APSC, and City Council filed a protest in response to the amendments, reiterating their prior objections to the filings. In February 2021 the FERC issued an order accepting System Energy’s Federal Power Act section 205 filings subject to refund, setting them for hearing, and holding the hearing in abeyance.In December 2020, System Energy filed a new Federal Power Act section 205 filing to provide a one-time, historical credit of $25.2 million for the accumulated deferred income taxes that would have been created by the decommissioning uncertain tax position if the IRS’s decision had been known in 2016. In January 2021 the LPSC, APSC, MPSC, and City Council filed a protest to the filing. In February 2021 the FERC issued an order accepting System Energy’s Federal Power Act section 205 filing subject to refund, setting it for hearing, and holding the hearing in abeyance. The one-time credit was made during the first quarter 2021.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.As a result of the FERC order’s directives regarding the recovery of the sale-leaseback transaction, in December 2022 System Energy reduced the Grand Gulf sale-leaseback regulatory liability by $56 million, reduced the related accumulated deferred income tax asset by $94 million, and reduced the Grand Gulf sale-leaseback accumulated deferred income tax regulatory liability by $25 million, resulting in an increase in income tax expense of $13 million. In addition, the FERC determined that System Energy recognized excess depreciation expense related to property subject to the sale-leaseback. As a result, in December 2022, System Energy recorded a reduction in depreciation expense and the related accumulated depreciation of $33 million.In January 2023, System Energy filed its compliance report with the FERC. 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 451Table of ContentsSystem Energy Resources, Inc.Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysisdecommissioning 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. 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. See “System Energy Settlement with the MPSC” below for discussion of the regulatory charge and corresponding regulatory liability recorded in June 2022 related to these proceedings. The $103.5 million in total refunds calculated in the compliance filing were reclassified from long-term other regulatory liabilities to a current regulatory liability as of December 31, 2022. In January 2023, System Energy paid the refunds of $103.5 million, which included refunds of $41.7 million to Entergy Arkansas, $27.8 million to Entergy Louisiana, and $34 million to Entergy New Orleans.In February 2023 the LPSC, the APSC, and the City Council filed protests to System Energy’s January 2023 compliance report, in which they challenged System Energy’s calculation of the refunds associated with the decommissioning tax position but did not protest the other components of the compliance report. Each of them argued that System Energy should have paid additional refunds for the decommissioning tax position issue, and the City Council estimated the total additional refunds owed to customers of Entergy Louisiana, Entergy New Orleans, and Entergy Arkansas for that issue as $493 million, including interest (and without factoring in the $25.2 million refund that System Energy already paid in 2021).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, System Energy also 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. The deemed denial of the rehearing request initiates the 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 February 2023, System Energy submitted a tariff compliance filing with the FERC to clarify that, consistent with the releases provided in the MPSC settlement, Entergy Mississippi will continue to be charged for its allocation of the sale-leaseback renewal costs under the Unit Power Sales Agreement. See “System Energy Settlement with the MPSC” below for discussion of the settlement. See “System Energy Settlement with the MPSC” below for discussion of the regulatory charge and corresponding regulatory liability recorded in June 2022 related to these proceedings. In March 2023 the MPSC filed a protest to System Energy’s tariff compliance filing. The MPSC argues that the settlement did not specifically address post-settlement sale-leaseback renewal costs and that the sale-leaseback renewal costs may not be recovered under the Unit Power Sales Agreement. Entergy Mississippi’s allocated sale-leaseback renewal costs are estimated at $5.7 million annually for the remaining term of the sale-leaseback renewal.In August 2023 the FERC issued an order addressing arguments raised on rehearing and partially setting aside the prior order (rehearing order).In August 2021 the FERC issued an order addressing System Energy’s and the complainants’ rehearing requests. 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 452Table of ContentsSystem Energy Resources, Inc.Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysiscorrecting the depreciation inputs for capital additions associated with the sale-leaseback.Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysisleaseback renewal rental costs that System Energy recovered in rates, with interest. 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. As a result of the FERC’s rulings on the sale-leaseback and depreciation input issues in the August 2023 rehearing order, in third quarter 2023, System Energy recorded a regulatory asset and corresponding regulatory credit of $40 million to reflect the portion of the January 2023 refunds to be recouped from Entergy Louisiana and Entergy New Orleans. Consistent with the compliance filing, in October 2023, Entergy Louisiana and Entergy New Orleans paid recoupment amounts of $18.2 million and $22.4 million and $2. 3 million, respectively, to System Energy.4 million, respectively. 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 February 2023 the FERC issued a notice that the rehearing requests have 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. In November 2017 the FERC issued an order denying all of the remaining requests for rehearing of the April 2016 order. 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 February 2024 the parties filed a proposed briefing schedule under which briefing will occur from March 2024 through July 2024.453Table of ContentsSystem Energy Resources, Inc.Management’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisLPSC Additional ComplaintsIn 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 LPSC directive noted that the initial decision issued by the presiding ALJ in the Grand Gulf sale-leaseback complaint proceeding did not address, for procedural reasons, certain rate issues raised by the LPSC and declined to order further investigation of rates charged by System Energy. The LPSC directive authorized its staff to file complaints at the FERC “necessary to address these rate issues, to request a full investigation into the rates charged by System Energy for Grand Gulf power, and to seek rate refund, rate reduction, and such other remedies as may be necessary and appropriate to protect Louisiana ratepayers.” The LPSC directive further stated that the LPSC has seen “information suggesting that the Grand Gulf plant has been significantly underperforming compared to other nuclear plants in the United States, has had several extended and unexplained outages, and has been plagued with serious safety concerns.” The LPSC expressed concern that the costs paid by Entergy Louisiana's retail customers may have been detrimentally impacted, and authorized “the filing of a FERC complaint to address these performance issues and to seek appropriate refund, rate reduction, and other remedies as may be appropriate.”Unit Power Sales Agreement ComplaintThe 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. The 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. Several of the filed rate allegations overlap with the previous complaints. The filed rate allegations not previously raised are that System Energy: failed to provide a rate base credit to customers for the “time value” of sale-leaseback lease payments collected from customers in advance of the time those payments were due to the owner-lessors; improperly included certain sale-leaseback transaction costs in rate base as prepayments; improperly included nuclear refueling outage costs in rate base; wrongly included categories of accumulated deferred income taxes as increases to rate base; charged customers based on a higher equity ratio than would be appropriate due to excessive retained earnings; and did not correctly reflect money pool investments and imprudently invested cash into the money pool. The filed rate allegations not previously raised are that System Energy: failed to provide a rate base credit to customers for the “time value” of sale-leaseback lease payments collected from customers in advance of the time those payments were due to the owner-lessors; improperly included certain lease refinancing costs in rate base as prepayments; improperly included nuclear decommissioning outage costs in rate base; failed to include categories of accumulated deferred income taxes as a reduction to rate base; charged customers based on a higher equity ratio than would be appropriate due to excessive retained earnings; and did not correctly reflect money pool investments and imprudently invested cash into the money pool. The elements of the Unit Power Sales Agreement that the complaint alleges are unjust and unreasonable include: the current cash working capital allowance of zero, uncapped recovery of incentive and executive compensation, lack of an equity re-opener, and recovery of lobbying and private airplane travel expenses. The elements of the Unit Power Sales Agreement that the complaint alleges are unjust and unreasonable include: incentive and executive compensation, lack of an equity re-opener, lobbying, and private airplane travel. The complaint also requests a rate investigation into the Unit Power Sales Agreement and System Energy’s billing practices pursuant to section 206 of the Federal Power Act, including any issue relevant to the Unit Power Sales Agreement and its inputs. System Energy filed its answer opposing the complaint in November 2020. In its answer, System Energy argued that all of the claims raised in the complaint should be dismissed and agreed that bill adjustment with respect to two discrete issues were justified. System Energy argued that dismissal is warranted because all claims fall into one or more of the following categories: the claims have been raised and are being litigated in another proceeding; the claims do not present a prima facie case and do not satisfy the threshold burden to establish a complaint proceeding; the claims are premised on a theory or request relief that is incompatible with federal law or FERC policy; the claims request relief that is inconsistent with the filed rate; the claims are barred or waived by the legal doctrine of laches; and/or the claims have been fully addressed and do not warrant further litigation. In December 2020, System Energy filed a bill adjustment report indicating that $3.4 million had been credited to customers in connection with the two discrete issues concerning the inclusion of certain accumulated deferred income taxes balances in rates. In January 2021 the complainants filed a response to System Energy’s November 2020 answer, and in February 2021, System Energy filed a response to the complainant’s response.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 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 FERC’s review of the initial decision in the Grand Gulf sale-leaseback renewal complaint discussed above. System 454Table of ContentsSystem Energy Resources, Inc.Management’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisEnergy agreed that the hearing should be held in abeyance but sought rehearing of FERC’s decision as related to matters set for hearing that were beyond the scope of FERC’s jurisdiction or authority. System Energy agreed that the hearing should be held in abeyance but sought rehearing of FERC’s decision as related to matters set for hearing that were beyond the scope of FERC’s jurisdiction or authority. The complainants sought rehearing of FERC’s decision to hold the hearing in abeyance and filed a motion to proceed, which motion System Energy subsequently opposed. In June 2021, System Energy’s request for rehearing was denied by operation of law, and System Energy filed an appeal of FERC’s orders in the Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. The appeal was initially stayed for a period of 90 days, but the stay expired. In November 2021 the Fifth Circuit dismissed the appeal as premature.In August 2021 the FERC issued an order addressing System Energy’s and the complainants’ rehearing requests. The FERC dismissed part of the complaint seeking an equity re-opener, maintained the abeyance for issues related to the proceeding addressing the sale-leaseback renewal and uncertain tax positions, lifted the abeyance for issues unrelated to that proceeding, and clarified the scope of the hearing.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. The LPSC’s refund claims include, among other things, allegations that: (1) System Energy should not have included certain sale-leaseback transaction costs in prepayments; (2) System Energy should have credited rate base to reflect the time value of money associated with the advance collection of lease payments; (3) System Energy incorrectly included refueling outage costs that were recorded in account 174 in rate base; and (4) System Energy should have excluded several accumulated deferred income tax balances in account 190 from rate base. The LPSC is also seeking a retroactive adjustment to retained earnings and capital structure in conjunction with the implementation of its proposed refunds. In addition, the LPSC seeks amendments to the Unit Power Sales Agreement going forward to address below-the-line costs, incentive compensation, the working capital allowance, litigation expenses, and the 2019 termination of the capital funds agreement. The APSC argues that: (1) System Energy should have included borrowings from the Entergy system money pool in its determination of short-term debt in its cost of capital; and (2) System Energy should credit customers with System Energy’s allocation of earnings on money pool investments. The City Council alleges that System Energy has maintained excess cash on hand in the money pool and that retention of excess cash was imprudent. Based on this allegation, the City Council’s witness recommends a refund of approximately $98.8 million for the period 2004-September 2021 or other alternative relief. The City Council further recommends that the FERC impose a hypothetical equity ratio such as 48.15% equity to capital on a prospective basis.In January 2022, System Energy filed answering testimony arguing that the FERC should not order refunds for prior periods or any prospective amendments to the Unit Power Sales Agreement. In response to the LPSC’s refund claims, System Energy argues, among other things, that: (1) the inclusion of sale-leaseback transaction costs in prepayments was correct; (2) that the filed rate doctrine bars the request for a retroactive credit to rate base for the time value of money associated with the advance collection of lease payments; (3) that an accounting misclassification for deferred refueling outage costs has been corrected, caused no harm to customers, and requires no refunds; and (4) that its accounting and ratemaking treatment of specified accumulated deferred income tax balances in account 190 has been correct. System Energy further responds that no retroactive adjustment to retained earnings or capital structure should be ordered because there is no general policy requiring such a remedy, and there was no showing that the retained earnings element of the capital structure was incorrectly implemented. Further, System Energy presented evidence that all of the costs that are being challenged were long known to the retail regulators and were approved by them for inclusion in retail rates, and the attempt to retroactively challenge these costs, some of which have been included in rates for decades, is unjust and unreasonable. In response to the LPSC’s proposed going-forward adjustments, System Energy presents evidence to show that none of the proposed adjustments are needed. On the issue of below-the-line expenses, during discovery procedures System Energy identified a historical allocation error in certain months and agreed to provide a bill credit to customers to correct the error. In response to the APSC’s claims, System Energy argues that the Unit Power Sales Agreement does not include System Energy’s borrowings from the Entergy system money pool or earnings on deposits to the Entergy system money pool in the determination of the cost of capital; and accordingly, no refunds are appropriate on those issues. In response to the APSC’s claims, System Energy argues that the Unit Power Sales Agreement does not include System Energy’s borrowings from the Entergy System money pool or earnings on deposits to the Entergy System money pool in the determination of the cost of capital; and accordingly, no refunds are appropriate on those issues. In response to the City Council’s claims, System Energy argues that it has reasonably managed its cash and 455Table of ContentsSystem Energy Resources, Inc. In response to the City Council’s claims, System Energy argues that it has reasonably managed its cash and that the City Council’s theory of cash management is defective because it fails to adequately consider the relevant 461Table of ContentsSystem Energy Resources, Inc. Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysisthat the City Council’s theory of cash management is defective because it fails to adequately consider the relevant cash needs of System Energy and it makes faulty presumptions about the operation of the Entergy system money pool.Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysisthe MPSC’s involvement in the formal challenge filed by the retail regulators of System Energy’s customers in connection with the implementation of the Unit Power Sales Agreement annual formula rate protocols for the 2020 test year, which is discussed above. System Energy further points out that the issue of its capital structure is already subject to pending FERC litigation.In March 2022 the FERC trial staff filed direct and answering testimony in response to the LPSC, the APSC, and the City Council’s direct testimony. In its testimony, the FERC trial staff recommends refunds for two primary reasons: (1) it concluded that System Energy should have excluded specified accumulated deferred income tax balances in account 190 associated with rate refunds; and (2) it concluded that System Energy should have excluded specified accumulated deferred income tax balances in account 190 associated with a deemed contract satisfaction and reissuance that occurred in 2005. The FERC trial staff recommends refunds of $84.1 million, exclusive of any tax gross-up or FERC interest. In addition, the FERC trial staff recommends the following prospective modifications to the Unit Power Sales Agreement: (1) inclusion of a rate base credit to recognize the time value of money associated with the advance collection of lease payments; (2) exclusion of executive incentive compensation costs for members of the Office of the Chief Executive and long-term performance unit costs where awards are based solely or primarily on financial metrics; and (3) exclusion of unvested, accrued amounts for stock options, performance units, and restricted stock awards. With respect to issues that ultimately concern the reasonableness of System Energy’s rate of return, the FERC trial staff states that it is unnecessary to consider such issues in this proceeding, in light of the pending case concerning System Energy’s return on equity and capital structure. On all other material issues raised by the LPSC, the APSC, and the City Council, the FERC trial staff recommends either no refunds or no modification to the Unit Power Sales Agreement.In April 2022, System Energy filed cross-answering testimony in response to the FERC trial staff’s recommendations of refunds for the accumulated deferred income taxes issues and proposed modifications to the Unit Power Sales Agreement for the executive incentive compensation issues. 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 associated with a deemed contract satisfaction and reissuance that occurred in 2005. Based on the testimony revisions, the FERC trial staff’s recommended refunds total $106.6 million, exclusive of any tax gross-up or FERC awarded interest. 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. Also in June 2022, System Energy filed revised and supplemental cross-answering testimony to respond to the changes in 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. The LPSC’s testimony asserts new claims, including that: (1) certain of the sale-leaseback transaction costs may have been imprudently incurred; (2) accumulated deferred income taxes associated with sale-leaseback transaction costs should have been included in rate base; (3) accumulated deferred income taxes associated with federal investment tax credits should have been excluded from rate base; (4) monthly net operating loss accumulated deferred income taxes should have been excluded from rate base; and (5) several categories of proposed rate changes, including executive incentive compensation, air travel, industry dues, and legal costs, also warrant historical refunds. The LPSC’s rebuttal testimony argues that refunds for the alleged tariff violations and other claims must be calculated by rerunning the Unit Power Sales Agreement formula rate; however, it includes estimates of refunds associated with some, but not all, of its claims, totaling $286 million without interest. The City Council’s rebuttal testimony also proposes a new, alternate theory and claim for relief regarding System Energy’s participation in the Entergy system money pool, under which it calculates estimated refunds of approximately $51.7 million. The APSC’s rebuttal testimony agrees with the LPSC’s direct testimony that retained earnings should be adjusted in a comprehensive refund calculation. The testimony quantifies the estimated impacts of three issues: (1) a $1.5 million reduction in the revenue requirement under the Unit Power Sales Agreement if System Energy’s borrowings from the money pool are included in short-term debt; (2) a $1.9 million reduction in the revenue requirement if System Energy’s allocated share of money pool earnings are credited through the Unit Power Sales Agreement; and (3) a $1.9 million reduction in the revenue requirement for every $50 million of refunds ordered in a given year, without interest. In total, excluding the settled issues noted below, the claims seek more than $700 million in refunds and interest, based on charges to all Unit Power Sales Agreement purchasers including Entergy Mississippi.456Table of ContentsSystem Energy Resources, Inc.Management’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisIn 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.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 provides that System Energy will 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 (discussed below), 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 Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, and Entergy New Orleans would total approximately $116 million plus $152 million of interest through December 31, 2023. 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.4 million, respectively. 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.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. 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.457Table of ContentsSystem Energy Resources, Inc.Management’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisGrand Gulf Prudence ComplaintThe second of the additional complaints was filed at the FERC in March 2021 by the LPSC, the APSC, and the City Council against System Energy, Entergy Services, Entergy Operations, and Entergy Corporation. The second complaint contains two primary allegations. First, it alleges that, based on the plant’s capacity factor and alleged safety performance, System Energy and the other respondents imprudently operated Grand Gulf during the period 2016-2020, and it seeks refunds of at least $360 million in alleged replacement energy costs, in addition to other costs, including those that can only be identified upon further investigation. Second, it alleges that the performance and/or management of the 2012 extended power uprate of Grand Gulf was imprudent, and it seeks refunds of all costs of the 2012 uprate that are determined to result from imprudent planning or management of the project. In addition to the requested refunds, the complaint asks that the FERC modify the Unit Power Sales Agreement to provide for full cost recovery only if certain performance indicators are met and to require pre-authorization of capital improvement projects in excess of $125 million before related costs may be passed through to customers in rates. In April 2021, System Energy and the other respondents filed their motion to dismiss and answer to the complaint. System Energy requested that the FERC dismiss the claims within the complaint. With respect to the claim concerning operations, System Energy argues that the complaint does not meet its legal burden because, among other reasons, it fails to allege any specific imprudent conduct. With respect to the claim concerning the uprate, System Energy argues that the complaint fails because, among other reasons, the complainants’ own conduct prevents them from raising a serious doubt as to the prudence of the uprate. System Energy also requests that the FERC dismiss other elements of the complaint, including the proposed modifications to the Unit Power Sales Agreement, because they are not warranted. Additional responsive pleadings were filed by the complainants and System Energy during the period from March through July 2021. In November 2022 the FERC issued an order setting the complaint for settlement and hearing procedures. In February 2023 the FERC issued an order denying rehearing and thereby affirming its order setting the complaint for settlement and hearing procedures. In July 2023 the FERC chief ALJ terminated settlement procedures and appointed a presiding ALJ to oversee hearing procedures. In September 2023 a procedural schedule for hearing procedures was established. Pursuant to that schedule, the complainant’s testimony was filed in December 2023. System Energy’s answering testimony is due April 2024, and additional rounds of testimony are due through October 2024. The hearing is scheduled to begin in January 2025, with the presiding ALJ’s initial decision due in July 2025.In September 2023 the LPSC authorized its staff to file an additional complaint concerning the prudence of System Energy’s operation and management of Grand Gulf in the year 2022. In October 2023 the LPSC, the APSC, and the City Council filed what they styled as an amended and supplemental complaint with the FERC against System Energy, Entergy Services, and Entergy Operations. As discussed below in “System Energy Settlement with the APSC”, the APSC has settled all of its claims related to this proceeding. The amended complaint states that it is being filed for three primary purposes: (1) to include System Energy’s performance in 2021-2022 in the scope of the hearing; (2) to explicitly allege that System Energy’s inadequate performance, excessive costs, unplanned outages, and costs attributable to safety violations violate the contractual obligation to maintain and operate the plant in accordance with “good utility practice”; and (3) to provide and substantiate allegations concerning the damages attributable to the alleged breach of contractual obligations. The amended complaint alleges that potentially more than $1 billion in damages may be due. In November 2023, System Energy and the other Entergy respondents filed an answer and motion to dismiss the amended and supplemental complaint.System Energy Settlement with the MPSCIn June 2022, System Energy, Entergy Mississippi, and additional named Entergy parties involved in thirteen docketed proceedings before the FERC filed with the FERC a partial settlement agreement and offer of settlement. The settlement memorializes the Entergy parties’ agreement with the MPSC to globally resolve all actual and potential claims between the Entergy parties and the MPSC associated with those FERC proceedings and with System Energy’s past implementation of the Unit Power Sales Agreement. 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. 458Table of ContentsSystem Energy Resources, Inc.448Table of ContentsSystem Energy Resources, Inc. Management’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisEntergy Mississippi purchases the greatest single amount, nearly 40% of System Energy’s share of Grand Gulf, after its additional purchases from affiliates are considered.Management’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisComplaints Against System EnergySystem Energy’s operating revenues are derived from the allocation of the capacity, energy, and related costs associated with its 90% ownership/leasehold interest in Grand Gulf. The settlement therefore limits System Energy’s overall refund exposure associated with the identified proceedings because they will be resolved completely as between the Entergy parties and the MPSC.The settlement provided for a black-box refund of $235 million from System Energy to Entergy Mississippi, which was to be paid within 120 days of the settlement’s effective date (either the date of the FERC approval of the settlement without material modification, or the date that all settling parties agree to accept modifications or otherwise modify the settlement in response to a proposed material modification by the FERC). In addition, beginning with the July 2022 service month, the settlement provided for Entergy Mississippi’s bills from System Energy to be adjusted to reflect: an authorized rate of return on equity of 9.65%, a capital structure not to exceed 52% equity, a rate base reduction for the advance collection of sale-leaseback rental costs, and the exclusion of certain long-term incentive plan performance unit costs from rates. The settlement was approved by the MPSC in June 2022 and the FERC in November 2022. The settlement was approved by the LPSC in November 2022. System Energy previously recorded a provision and associated liability of $37 million for elements of the applicable litigation. In June 2022, System Energy recorded a regulatory charge of $551 million ($413 million net-of-tax), increasing the regulatory liability to $588 million, which consisted of $235 million for the settlement with the MPSC and $353 million for potential future refunds to Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, and Entergy New Orleans. System Energy paid the black-box refund of $235 million to Entergy Mississippi in November 2022. See “System Energy Regulatory Liability for Pending Complaints” below for discussion of the regulatory liability related to complaints against System Energy as of December 31, 2023.System Energy Settlement with the APSCIn 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 above in “Grand Gulf Prudence Complaint,” filed 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. As discussed above in “System Energy Settlement with the MPSC,” System Energy previously settled with the MPSC with respect to these complaints before the FERC. Entergy Mississippi has nearly 40% of System Energy’s share of Grand Gulf’s output, after its additional purchases from affiliates are considered. Entergy Mississippi purchases the greatest single amount, nearly 40% of System Energy’s share of Grand Gulf, after its additional purchases from affiliates are considered. The settlements with both the APSC and the MPSC represent almost 65% of System Energy’s share of the output of Grand Gulf.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-459Table of ContentsSystem Energy Resources, Inc.Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysisterm other regulatory liabilities to accounts payable - associated companies on System Energy’s balance sheet.Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysisleaseback renewal rental costs that System Energy recovered in rates, with interest. If the FERC approves the filed settlement in accordance with its terms, it will become binding upon the Entergy parties and the APSC.System Energy Regulatory Liability for Pending ComplaintsPrior to June 2022, System Energy recorded a provision and associated liability of $37 million for elements of the complaints against System Energy. In June 2022, as discussed in “System Energy Settlement with the MPSC” above, System Energy recorded a regulatory charge of $551 million ($413 million net-of-tax), increasing System Energy’s regulatory liability to $588 million, which consisted of $235 million for the settlement with the MPSC and $353 million for potential future refunds to Entergy Arkansas, Entergy New Orleans, and Entergy Louisiana. The $142 million of refunds for Entergy Arkansas, discussed above in “System Energy Settlement with the APSC” is covered within the $353 million previously recorded. System Energy paid the black-box refund of $235 million to Entergy Mississippi in November 2022. As discussed above in “Grand Gulf Sale-leaseback Renewal Complaint and Uncertain Tax Position Rate Base Issue,” in January 2023 System Energy paid refunds of $103.5 million as a result of the FERC’s order in December 2022 in that proceeding and recouped $40.5 million of the $103.5 million, $1. 5 million from Entergy Louisiana and Entergy New Orleans in October 2023.8 million to Entergy Louisiana, and $34 million to Entergy New Orleans. In addition, as discussed above in “Unit Power Sales Agreement Complaint,” a black-box refund of $18 million was made by System Energy in 2023 in connection with a partial settlement in that proceeding.Based on analysis of the pending complaints against System Energy and potential future settlement negotiations with the LPSC and the City Council, in third quarter 2023, System Energy recorded a regulatory charge of $40 million to increase System Energy’s regulatory liability related to complaints against System Energy. As discussed above, in December 2023 the $93 million black box refund to Entergy Arkansas 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 December 31, 2023 is $178 million. This regulatory liability is consistent with the settlement agreements reached with the MPSC and the APSC, as described above, taking into account amounts already or expected to be refunded.Unit Power Sales AgreementSystem Energy Formula Rate Annual Protocols Formal Challenge Concerning 2020 Calendar Year BillsSystem Energy’s Unit Power Sales Agreement includes formula rate protocols that provide for the disclosure of cost inputs, an opportunity for informal discovery procedures, and a challenge process.System Energy Formula Rate Annual Protocols Formal Challenge Concerning 2020 Calendar Year BillsSystem Energy’s Unit Power Sales Agreement includes formula rate protocols that provide for the disclosure of cost inputs, an opportunity for informal discovery procedures, and a challenge process. In February 2022, pursuant to the protocols procedures, the LPSC, the APSC, the MPSC, the City Council, and the Mississippi Public Utilities Staff filed with the FERC a formal challenge to System Energy’s implementation of the formula rate during calendar year 2020. The formal challenge alleges: (1) that it was imprudent for System Energy to accept the IRS’s partial acceptance of a previously uncertain tax position; (2) that System Energy should have delayed recording the result of the IRS’s partial acceptance of the previously uncertain tax position until after internal tax allocation payments were made; (3) that the equity ratio charged in rates was excessive; (4) that sale-leaseback rental payments should have been excluded from rates; and (5) that all issues in the ongoing Unit Power Sales Agreement complaint proceeding should also be reflected in calendar year 2020 bills. While System Energy disagrees that any refunds are owed for the 2020 calendar year bills, the formal challenge estimates that the financial impact of the first through fourth allegations is approximately $53 million; it does not provide an estimate of the financial impact of the fifth allegation. However, $17 million of the $53 million is attributable to the sale-leaseback rental payments. These were refunded to Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, and Entergy New Orleans in January 2023 as a result of the FERC order received in the Grand Gulf sale-leaseback renewal complaint and uncertain tax position rate base issue. Entergy Mississippi’s portion of the refund was included within the settlement with the MPSC, as discussed below.460Table of ContentsSystem Energy Resources, Inc.Management’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisIn March 2022, 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.Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysisthe MPSC’s involvement in the formal challenge filed by the retail regulators of System Energy’s customers in connection with the implementation of the Unit Power Sales Agreement annual formula rate protocols for the 2020 test year, which is discussed above. System Energy Formula Rate Annual Protocols Formal Challenge Concerning 2021 Calendar Year BillsIn March 2023, pursuant to the protocols procedures discussed above, the LPSC, the APSC, and the City Council filed with the FERC a formal challenge to System Energy’s implementation of the formula rate during calendar year 2021.System Energy Formula Rate Annual Protocols Formal Challenge Concerning 2020 Calendar Year BillsSystem Energy’s Unit Power Sales Agreement includes formula rate protocols that provide for the disclosure of cost inputs, an opportunity for informal discovery procedures, and a challenge process. The formal challenge alleges: (1) that it was imprudent for System Energy to accept the IRS’s partial acceptance of a previously uncertain tax position; (2) that System Energy used incorrect inputs for retained earnings that are used to determine the capital structure; (3) that the equity ratio charged in rates was excessive; and (4) that all issues in the ongoing Unit Power Sales Agreement complaint proceeding should also be reflected in calendar year 2021 bills. The formal challenge alleges: (1) that it was imprudent for System Energy to accept the IRS’s partial acceptance of a previously uncertain tax position; (2) that System Energy should have delayed recording the result of the IRS’s partial acceptance of the previously uncertain tax position until after internal tax allocation payments were made; (3) that the equity ratio charged in rates was excessive; (4) that sale-leaseback rental payments should have been excluded from rates; and (5) that all issues in the ongoing Unit Power Sales Agreement complaint proceeding should also be reflected in calendar year 2020 bills. The first, third, and fourth allegations are identical to issues that were raised in the formal challenge to the calendar year 2020 bills. The formal challenge to the calendar year 2021 bills states that the impact of the first allegation is “tens of millions of dollars,” but it does not provide an estimate of the financial impact of the remaining allegations.In May 2023, 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.In March 2022, 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. Depreciation Amendment ProceedingIn December 2021, System Energy submitted to the FERC proposed amendments to the Unit Power Sales Agreement to adopt updated rates for use in calculating Grand Gulf plant depreciation and amortization expenses.Unit Power Sales AgreementIn December 2021, System Energy submitted to the FERC proposed amendments to the Unit Power Sales Agreement to adopt updated rates for use in calculating Grand Gulf plant depreciation and amortization expenses. The proposed amendments would result in higher charges to the Utility operating companies that buy capacity and energy from System Energy under the Unit Power Sales Agreement. In February 2022 the FERC accepted System Energy’s proposed increased depreciation rates with an effective date of March 1, 2022, subject to refund pending the outcome of the settlement and/or hearing procedures. In February 2022 the FERC accepted System Entergy’s proposed increased depreciation rates with an effective date of March 1, 2022, subject to refund pending the outcome of the settlement and/or hearing procedures. In June 2023 System Energy filed with the FERC an unopposed offer of settlement that it had negotiated with intervenors to the proceeding. In August 2023 the FERC approved the settlement, which resolves the proceeding. In third quarter 2023, System Energy recorded a reduction in depreciation expense of $41 million representing the cumulative difference in depreciation expense resulting from the depreciation rates used from March 2022 through June 2023 and the depreciation rates included in the settlement filing approved by the FERC. In October 2023, System Energy filed a refund report with the FERC. The refund provided for in the refund report was included in the September 2023 service month bills under the Unit Power Sales Agreement. No comments or protests to the refund report were filed.Pension Costs Amendment ProceedingIn October 2021, System Energy submitted to the FERC proposed amendments to the Unit Power Sales Agreement to include in rate base the prepaid and accrued pension costs associated with System Energy’s qualified pension plans. Based on data ending in 2020, the increased annual revenue requirement associated with the filing is approximately $8.9 million. In March 2022 the FERC accepted System Energy’s proposed amendments with an effective date of December 1, 2021, subject to refund pending the outcome of the settlement and/or hearing procedures. In February 2022 the FERC accepted System Entergy’s proposed increased depreciation rates with an effective date of March 1, 2022, subject to refund pending the outcome of the settlement and/or hearing procedures. In August 2023 the FERC chief ALJ terminated settlement procedures and designated a presiding ALJ to oversee hearing procedures. In October 2023, System Energy filed direct testimony in support of its proposed amendments. Under the procedural schedule, testimony will be filed through April 2024, and the hearing is scheduled to begin in May 2024. The presiding ALJ’s initial decision is expected to be due in September 2024.461Table of ContentsSystem Energy Resources, Inc.Management’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisNuclear MattersSystem Energy owns and, through an affiliate, operates the Grand Gulf nuclear generating plant and is, therefore, subject to the risks related to such ownership and operation.Management’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisAgreement formula rate, System Energy was not over or double recovering any costs, and ratepayers will save costs over the initial and renewal terms of the leases. These include risks related to: the use, storage, and handling and disposal of high-level and low-level radioactive materials; the substantial financial requirements, both for capital investments and operational needs, including the financial requirements to address emerging issues related to equipment reliability, to position Grand Gulf to meet its operational goals; the performance and capacity factors of Grand Gulf; the risk of an adverse outcome to a challenge to the prudence of operations at Grand Gulf; regulatory requirements and potential future regulatory changes, including changes affecting the regulations governing nuclear plant ownership, operations, license amendments, and decommissioning; the availability of interim or permanent sites for the disposal of spent nuclear fuel and nuclear waste, including the fees charged for such disposal; the sufficiency of nuclear decommissioning trust fund assets and earnings to complete decommissioning of the site when required; and limitations on the amounts of insurance recoveries for losses in connection with nuclear plant operations and catastrophic events such as a nuclear accident. These include risks related to: the use, storage, and handling and disposal of high-level and low-level radioactive materials; the substantial financial requirements, both for capital investments and operational needs, including the financial requirements to address emerging issues related to equipment reliability, to position Entergy’s nuclear fleet to meet its operational goals; the performance and capacity factors of these nuclear plants; regulatory requirements and potential future regulatory changes, including changes affecting the regulations governing nuclear plant ownership, operations, license amendments, and decommissioning; the availability of interim or permanent sites for the disposal of spent nuclear fuel and nuclear waste, including the fees charged for such disposal; the sufficiency of nuclear decommissioning trust fund assets and earnings to complete decommissioning of each site when required; and limitations on the amounts and types of insurance commercially available for losses in connection with nuclear plant operations and catastrophic events such as a nuclear accident. In the event of an unanticipated early shutdown of Grand Gulf, System Energy may be required to provide additional funds or credit support to satisfy regulatory requirements for decommissioning. In the event of an unanticipated early shutdown of River Bend or Waterford 3, Entergy Louisiana may be required to provide additional funds or credit support to satisfy regulatory requirements for decommissioning. Grand Gulf’s operating license expires in 2044.Environmental RisksSystem Energy’s facilities and operations are subject to regulation by various governmental authorities having jurisdiction over air quality, water quality, control of toxic substances and hazardous and solid wastes, and other environmental matters. Management believes that System Energy is in substantial compliance with environmental regulations currently applicable to its facilities and operations, with reference to possible exceptions noted in “Regulation of Entergy’s Business - Environmental Regulation” in Part I, Item 1. Because environmental regulations are subject to change, future compliance costs cannot be precisely estimated.Critical Accounting EstimatesThe preparation of System Energy’s financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to apply appropriate accounting policies and to make estimates and judgments that can have a significant effect on reported financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.Critical Accounting EstimatesThe preparation of System Energy’s financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to apply appropriate accounting policies and to make estimates and judgments that can have a significant effect on reported financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. Management has identified the following accounting estimates as critical because they are based on assumptions and measurements that involve a high degree of uncertainty, and the potential for future changes in these assumptions and measurements could produce estimates that would have a material effect on the presentation of System Energy’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.Nuclear Decommissioning CostsSee “Nuclear Decommissioning Costs” in the “Critical Accounting Estimates” section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis for discussion of the estimates inherent in accounting for nuclear decommissioning costs.Utility Regulatory AccountingSee “Utility Regulatory Accounting” in the “Critical Accounting Estimates” section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis for discussion of accounting for the effects of rate regulation.462Table of ContentsSystem Energy Resources, Inc.Management’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisTaxation and Uncertain Tax PositionsSee “Taxation and Uncertain Tax Positions” in the “Critical Accounting Estimates” section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis for further discussion.Taxation and Uncertain Tax PositionsSee “Taxation and Uncertain Tax Positions” in the “Critical Accounting Estimates” section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis for further discussion. Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement BenefitsSystem Energy’s qualified pension and other postretirement reported costs, as described in Note 11 to the financial statements, are affected by numerous factors including the provisions of the plans, changing employee demographics, and various actuarial calculations, assumptions, and accounting mechanisms.Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement BenefitsSystem Energy’s qualified pension and other postretirement reported costs, as described in Note 11 to the financial statements, are impacted by numerous factors including the provisions of the plans, changing employee demographics, and various actuarial calculations, assumptions, and accounting mechanisms. See “Qualified Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits” in the “Critical Accounting Estimates” section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis for further discussion. Because of the complexity of these calculations, the long-term nature of these obligations, and the importance of the assumptions utilized, Entergy’s estimate of these costs is a critical accounting estimate.Cost SensitivityThe following chart reflects the sensitivity of qualified pension cost and qualified projected benefit obligation to changes in certain actuarial assumptions (dollars in thousands).The following chart reflects the sensitivity of postretirement benefits cost and accumulated postretirement benefit obligation to changes in certain actuarial assumptions (dollars in thousands).The following chart reflects the sensitivity of postretirement benefit cost and accumulated postretirement benefit obligation to changes in certain actuarial assumptions (dollars in thousands). Each fluctuation above assumes that the other components of the calculation are held constant.Costs and Employer ContributionsTotal qualified pension cost for System Energy in 2023 was $12.6 million, including $6.4 million in settlement costs. System Energy anticipates 2024 qualified pension cost to be $5.2 million. System Energy contributed $15.5 million to its qualified pension plans in 2023 and estimates 2024 pension contributions will approximate $16.7 million, although the 2024 required pension contributions will be known with more certainty when the January 1, 2024 valuations are completed, which is expected by April 1, 2024.Total postretirement health care and life insurance benefit income for System Energy in 2023 was $348 thousand.Total postretirement health care and life insurance benefit income for System Energy in 2022 was $1 million. System Energy expects 2024 postretirement health care and life insurance benefit income to approximate $913 thousand. System Energy contributed $480 thousand to its other postretirement plans in 2023 and expects 2024 contributions to approximate $34 thousand.463Table of ContentsSystem Energy Resources, Inc.Management’s Financial Discussion and AnalysisOther ContingenciesSee “Other Contingencies” in the “Critical Accounting Estimates” section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis for a discussion of the estimates associated with environmental, litigation, and other risks.Other ContingenciesSee “Other Contingencies” in the “Critical Accounting Estimates” section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis for a discussion of the estimates associated with environmental, litigation, and other risks. New Accounting PronouncementsSee the “New Accounting Pronouncements” section of Note 1 to the financial statements for a discussion of new accounting pronouncements.New Accounting PronouncementsSee “New Accounting Pronouncements” section of Note 1 to the financial statements for a discussion of new accounting pronouncements. 464Table of ContentsREPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRMTo the shareholder and Board of Directors ofSystem Energy Resources, Inc.Opinion on the Financial StatementsWe have audited the accompanying balance sheets of System Energy Resources, Inc. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the related statements of operations, cash flows, and changes in common equity (pages 467 through 472 and applicable items in pages 47 through 238), for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the related statements of operations, cash flows, and changes in common equity (pages 470 through 474 and applicable items in pages 53 through 245), for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2022, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.Basis for OpinionThese financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.Critical Audit MatterThe critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that is material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing separate opinion on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.Rate and Regulatory Matters — System Energy Resources, Inc.Rate and Regulatory Matters —System Energy Resources, Inc. — Refer to Note 2 to the financial statementsCritical Audit Matter DescriptionThe Company is subject to wholesale rate regulation by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”). Management has determined it meets the requirements under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America to prepare its financial statements applying the specialized rules to account for the effects of cost-based rate regulation. Accounting for the economics of rate regulation impacts multiple financial statement line items and disclosures. The Company’s rates are subject to regulatory rate-setting processes and annual earnings oversight. Because the FERC sets the rates the Company is allowed to charge customers based on allowable costs, including a reasonable 465Table of Contentsreturn on equity, the Company applies accounting standards that require the financial statements to reflect the effects of rate regulation, including the recording of regulatory assets and liabilities. The Company assesses whether the regulatory assets and regulatory liabilities continue to meet the criteria for probable future recovery or settlement at each balance sheet date and when regulatory events occur. This assessment includes consideration of recent rate orders, historical regulatory treatment for similar costs, and factors such as changes in applicable regulatory and political environments. While the Company has indicated it expects to recover costs from customers through regulated rates, there is a risk that the FERC will not approve: (1) full recovery of the costs of providing utility service, or (2) full recovery of amounts invested in the utility business and a reasonable return on that investment.We identified the impact of rate regulation as a critical audit matter due to the judgments made by management to support its assertions about impacted account balances and disclosures and the high degree of subjectivity involved in assessing the impact of future regulatory orders on the financial statements.We identified the impact of rate regulation as a critical audit matter due to the significant judgments made by management to support its assertions about impacted account balances and disclosures and the high degree of subjectivity involved in assessing the impact of future regulatory orders on the financial statements. Management judgments include assessing the (1) likelihood of recovery in future rates of incurred costs and the (2) likelihood of refunds to customers. Management judgments include assessing the (1) likelihood of recovery in future rates of incurred costs, (2) likelihood of refunds to customers, and (3) ongoing complaints filed with the FERC against the Company. Auditing management’s judgments regarding the outcome of future decisions by the FERC, recovery in future rates of regulatory assets and refunds or future reductions in rates related to regulatory liabilities involved specialized knowledge of accounting for rate regulation and the rate setting process due to its inherent complexities and auditor judgment to evaluate management estimates and the subjectivity of audit evidence. Auditing management’s judgments regarding the outcome of future decisions by the FERC, involved specialized knowledge of accounting for rate regulation and the rate setting process due to its inherent complexities and significant auditor judgment to evaluate management estimates and the subjectivity of audit evidence. How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the AuditOur audit procedures related to the uncertainty of future decisions by the FERC, recovery in future rates of regulatory assets and refunds or future reductions in rates related to regulatory liabilities included the following, among others:•We tested the effectiveness of management’s controls over the evaluation of the likelihood of (1) the recovery in future rates of regulatory assets, and (2) a refund or a future reduction in rates that should be reported as regulatory liabilities.How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the AuditOur audit procedures related to the uncertainty of future decisions by the FERC included the following, among others:•We tested the effectiveness of management’s controls over the evaluation of the likelihood of (1) the recovery in future rates of costs incurred as property, plant, and equipment and deferred as regulatory assets, and (2) a refund or a future reduction in rates that should be reported as regulatory liabilities. We also tested the effectiveness of management’s controls over the initial recognition of amounts as regulatory assets or liabilities and the monitoring and evaluation of regulatory developments that may affect the likelihood of recovering costs in future rates or of a future reduction in rates. We also tested the effectiveness of management’s controls over the initial recognition of amounts as property, plant, and equipment; regulatory assets or liabilities; and the monitoring and evaluation of regulatory developments that may affect the likelihood of recovering costs in future rates or of a future reduction in rates. •We evaluated the Company’s disclosures related to the impacts of rate regulation, including the balances recorded and regulatory developments.•We read relevant regulatory orders issued by the FERC for the Company to assess the likelihood of recovery in future rates or of a future reduction in rates based on precedents of the FERC’s treatment of similar costs under similar circumstances.•We read relevant regulatory orders issued by the FERC for the Company, filings made by intervenors, and other publicly available information to assess the likelihood of recovery in future rates or of a future reduction in rates based on precedents of the FERC’s treatment of similar costs under similar circumstances. We evaluated external information and compared to management’s recorded regulatory asset and liability balances for completeness. We evaluated the external information and compared to management’s recorded regulatory asset and liability balances for completeness. •For regulatory matters in process, we inspected the Company’s and intervenors’ filings with the FERC, initial Administrative Law Judge decisions and FERC orders issued, and settlement offers and agreements with the FERC for any evidence that might contradict management’s assertions.•For regulatory matters in process, we inspected the Company’s filings with the PUCT and the FERC, including the base rate case filing, and considered the filings with the PUCT and the FERC by intervenors that may impact the Company’s future rates, for any evidence that might contradict management’s assertions. •We obtained an analysis from management and support from internal and external legal counsel, as appropriate, regarding probability of recovery for regulatory assets or refund or future reduction in rates for regulatory liabilities not yet addressed in a regulatory order to assess management’s assertion that amounts are probable of recovery or a future reduction in rates.•We obtained representation from management regarding probability of recovery for regulatory assets or refund or future reduction in rates for regulatory liabilities to assess management’s assertion that amounts are probable of recovery, refund, or a future reduction in rates./s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLPNew Orleans, LouisianaFebruary 23, 2024 We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2001.466Table of Contents467Table of Contents(Page left blank intentionally)468Table of Contents469Table of Contents470Table of Contents471Table of Contents472Table of Contents.
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