Entergy Mississippi Offers Bill Management and Assistance Options for Winter Season

Rhea-AI Summary

Entergy Mississippi faced record-breaking power usage due to extreme cold temperatures, leading to increased energy bills for customers. The company is providing bill management tools, payment resources, and energy efficiency tips to help customers cope with higher bills.

Insights

Energy Economist

Extreme weather conditions often lead to spikes in energy consumption as individuals and businesses increase usage to maintain comfortable living and working conditions. The recent cold snap in Entergy Mississippi's service area exemplifies this phenomenon, with record-breaking power usage reported. From an economic perspective, this surge in demand can strain energy supply chains and infrastructure, potentially leading to increased operational costs for utility companies.

These costs may be passed on to consumers in the form of higher energy bills. The short-term implications for stakeholders include increased expenses that can affect disposable income and spending patterns. For businesses, particularly those with high energy needs, this could mean tighter profit margins and the need for budget adjustments.

In the long-term, repeated instances of extreme weather can lead to discussions on infrastructure resilience and the potential for investments in more efficient energy systems. These investments could benefit consumers through improved energy management and potentially lower costs over time. However, the upfront costs and the transition period could pose financial challenges for utility companies and their customers.

Consumer Advocate

Unanticipated increases in utility bills can have a significant impact on household budgets, particularly for those in lower-income brackets or experiencing financial hardship. The provision of bill management tools, payment resources and energy efficiency programs by Entergy Mississippi is a critical measure in mitigating the financial strain on customers. It is essential that these resources are effectively communicated and easily accessible to those in need.

Consumer advocates would stress the importance of transparency in billing practices and the necessity for utility companies to work closely with customers to navigate periods of high energy usage. Deferred payment options and assistance programs can be a lifeline, preventing the need for customers to choose between essential services and other financial obligations.

Long-term, the implementation of energy efficiency measures can lead to significant savings for consumers. However, the effectiveness of these programs hinges on customer participation and education. Companies must ensure that these programs are not only available but that they are also actively promoted and that the benefits are clearly articulated to the end-users.

Environmental Policy Expert

The record energy usage during cold weather events highlights a broader issue related to climate change and its impact on energy systems. As extreme weather events become more frequent and intense, the strain on energy infrastructure and the resulting economic and environmental costs will likely increase.

Policy experts would emphasize the need for long-term strategies that address energy efficiency and the adoption of renewable energy sources. These strategies can reduce the reliance on fossil fuels, which contribute to climate change and can provide more stable and predictable energy costs for consumers.

Investments in renewable energy and smart grid technologies can also lead to job creation and economic growth, providing a counterbalance to the short-term economic impacts of higher energy bills. However, the transition to a more sustainable energy system requires careful planning and consideration of all stakeholders' needs, including the potential impact on energy prices and availability during the transition period.

Record-breaking power usage can increase customer bills

JACKSON, MS / ACCESSWIRE / February 29, 2024 / This winter, Entergy Mississippi's service area endured multiple days of extremely cold temperatures, causing many customers to turn up the heat to take the chill out of the air. Keeping your home or business warm requires a lot of electricity, which can drive up energy use and bills, especially in frigid conditions.

Entergy Mississippi is committed to helping our customers before, during and after extreme weather. Amid the winter freeze, we met the demands of our customers' record-breaking power usage. Some customers may find that using more energy to stay warm during the wintry weather has led to a higher-than-expected bill. To help customers stay comfortable and keep their energy bill affordable, we provide bill management tools, bill payment resources along with energy efficiency tips and programs.

Resources for customers in need

For customers experiencing financial hardship, we offer a variety of bill assistance options, including:

• Deferred payment: Talk with us about your situation and we may be able to make deferred payment arrangements. Request a deferred payment arrangement through myEntergy or by calling 1-800-ENTERGY (1-800-368-3749) and following our automated response system menu.
• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program: Funded through the federal government, LIHEAP helps low-income households meet their home energy costs by making payments on the customers' behalf directly to energy suppliers. Visit com/bill-help to learn how to apply for assistance.
• Payment extension: Qualifying customers who need a few extra days to pay their bill can request an extension through myEntergy or by calling 1-800-ENTERGY (1-800-368-3749) and following our automated response system menu.
• The Power to Care: Through a network of nonprofit agencies, The Power to Care helps pay utility bills of those facing extreme temperatures with no way to stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Learn more at com/s/powertocare.

Bill management resources

Choose when, where and how you pay with our bill management resources, including:

• AutoPay: Avoid late fees, writing checks and paying for postage by having your bills automatically deducted from your bank account. Learn more at myentergy.com/s/autopay.
• Level billing: We average bills over a rolling 12-month period, so you have a more consistent bill each month of the year. Enroll at myentergy.com/s/levelbill.
• MyAdvisor: Receive an estimate of what projected energy usage costs could be by the end of the billing cycle. Learn more at entergy.com/MyAdvisor.
• PaperFREE: Get your bill delivered directly to your email as soon as it posts. Learn more at myentergy.com/s/paperfree.
• Pick-A-Date: Choose what day of the month you get billed to line up with your budget and cash flow. Learn more at myentergy.com/s/pickdate.
• Understanding my bill: We've designed the Entergy bill to help make it easier to understand. Learn more at entergy.com/bill.

Customers who are behind on bill payments should contact Entergy through myEntergy or by phone at 1-800 ENTERGY (1-800-368-3749) to make payment arrangements and prevent disconnection. The Entergy app is also available to download for Android and iPhone operating systems at entergy.com/app and can be used for your convenience to pay bills, monitor your usage and more.

 About Entergy Mississippi

Entergy Mississippi, LLC provides electricity to approximately 461,000 customers in 45 counties. Entergy Mississippi is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation, a Fortune 500 electric company. Entergy powers life for 3 million customers through our operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. We're investing in the reliability and resilience of the energy system while helping our region transition to cleaner, more efficient energy solutions. With roots in our communities for more than 100 years, Entergy is a nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship. Since 2018, we have delivered more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to local communities through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has approximately 12,000 employees. For the latest news from Entergy, visit the Newsroom.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Entergy Corporation on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:
Spokesperson: Entergy Corporation
Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/entergy-corporation
Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Entergy Corporation

View the original press release on accesswire.com

FAQ

How did extreme cold temperatures affect Entergy Mississippi's power usage?

Extreme cold temperatures led to record-breaking power usage in Entergy Mississippi's service area.

What resources is Entergy Mississippi providing to help customers manage their energy bills?

Entergy Mississippi is offering bill management tools, payment resources, and energy efficiency tips to assist customers with higher bills.

What options does Entergy Mississippi offer for customers in financial hardship?

Entergy Mississippi provides bill assistance options like deferred payment for customers facing financial difficulties.

How is Entergy Mississippi supporting customers during extreme weather conditions?

Entergy Mississippi is committed to helping customers before, during, and after extreme weather by providing resources and assistance to manage energy bills.