Entergy customers in the New Orleans area were stunned when they found higher than the normal amount owed on their electric bills.
Entergy New Orleans CEO David Ellis tells WWLTV the bill increase is an expected “fuel adjustment charge” because two power plants were offline which means Entergy had to buy electricity from other plants for $3.9 million and that cost is being passed down to the customers.
The plants going down was expected. Ellis says other factors also contributed to the spike in bills, including a 12 percent increase in overall cost of gas, additional days in the recent billing cycle and increased customer usage during the cold December month.
Ellis says customers can call Entergy to have their electric bill reviewed.
“We want to hear those complaints,” said Ellis told WWLTV. “If you call us we can look at your very specific problem.”
The New Orleans City Council plans to hold a special utility meeting some time next week to address the rising electric bill issue.