Entergy New Orleans wants a 24-dollar jump in utility rates come November.
The company says they need the extra money to pay for upgrades to electric and natural gas systems.
Additionally, the company says they need the rate increase to meet renewable energy goals.
To that end, Entergy has filed with the New Orleans City Council their plan for raising rates.
If approved by the City Council, rates will go up likely on schedule in November.
According to the Times-Picayune/New Orleans Advocate, the jump in rates will help pay for infrastructure improvements Entergy has already made.
This includes money for a new solar power station, upgrades to gas lines, and rooftop solar projects.
The increase will also help the company transition to renewable energy and cut greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
"I certainly understand how many people are struggling," Entergy New Orleans CEO Deanna Rodriguez told the paper, "But we also understand how difficult it would be if we were not prepared to manage the risk associated with not investing what we need to going forward."
In response, Andrew Tuozzolo, a spokesperson for City Councilmember Helena Moreno was quoted as saying: "Entergy’s rate requests through are just that: requests. The council has and will zealously protect ratepayers from unaffordable rate increases and we look forward to fully reviewing this filing to determine the validity of their requests.”
