Feds allow Entergy Ark., Miss. to leave multi-state agreement

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Federal regulators have authorized Entergy Corp.'s utilities in two states to leave a multi-state agreement - a move expected to save money for ratepayers in Arkansas.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Thursday accepted requests by Entergy Arkansas and Entergy Mississippi to leave a pact with Entergy companies in Louisiana and Texas. Entergy Arkansas plans to exit in December 2013 while Entergy Mississippi wants to leave in 2015.

Mike Burns with Entergy Corporate Communications in New Orleans told KFDM News the decision will have no immediate impact on Entergy Texas ratepayers.

Regulators in Arkansas worried the system agreement could cost its ratepayers millions of dollars through a rate-equalization plan - while perhaps lowering costs in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.

Other companies in the pact are Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Texas and Entergy New Orleans.

By ANDREW DeMILLO

Associated Press Writer

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)