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ENTERGY MISSISSIPPI, LLC - Quarter Report: 2008 March (Form 10-Q)

__________________________________________________________________________________________

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

 

X

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

   
 

For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2008

 

OR

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13
OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

   
 

For the transition period from ____________ to ____________


Commission
File Number

Registrant, State of Incorporation, Address of
Principal Executive Offices, Telephone Number, and
IRS Employer Identification No.

 


Commission
File Number

Registrant, State of Incorporation, Address of
Principal Executive Offices, Telephone Number, and
IRS Employer Identification No.

1-11299

ENTERGY CORPORATION
(a Delaware corporation)
639 Loyola Avenue
New Orleans, Louisiana 70113
Telephone (504) 576-4000
72-1229752

 

1-31508

ENTERGY MISSISSIPPI, INC.
(a Mississippi corporation)
308 East Pearl Street
Jackson, Mississippi 39201
Telephone (601) 368-5000
64-0205830

         
         

1-10764

ENTERGY ARKANSAS, INC.
(an Arkansas corporation)
425 West Capitol Avenue
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201
Telephone (501) 377-4000
71-0005900

 

0-5807

ENTERGY NEW ORLEANS, INC.
(a Louisiana corporation)
1600 Perdido Street, Building 529
New Orleans, Louisiana 70112
Telephone (504) 670-3700
72-0273040

         
         

333-148557

ENTERGY GULF STATES LOUISIANA, L.L.C.
(a Louisiana limited liability company)
446 North Boulevard
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802
Telephone (800) 368-3749
74-0662730

 

1-9067

SYSTEM ENERGY RESOURCES, INC.
(an Arkansas corporation)
Echelon One
1340 Echelon Parkway
Jackson, Mississippi 39213
Telephone (601) 368-5000
72-0752777

         
         

1-32718

ENTERGY LOUISIANA, LLC
(a Texas limited liability company)
446 North Boulevard
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802
Telephone (225) 381-5868
75-3206126

     
         

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Indicate by check mark whether the registrants (1) have filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrants were required to file such reports), and (2) have been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

Large
accelerated
filer

 


Accelerated filer

 

Non-accelerated filer

 

Smaller
reporting
company

Entergy Corporation

Ö

           

Entergy Arkansas, Inc.

       

Ö

   

Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, L.L.C.

       

Ö

   

Entergy Louisiana, LLC

       

Ö

   

Entergy Mississippi, Inc.

       

Ö

   

Entergy New Orleans, Inc.

       

Ö

   

System Energy Resources, Inc.

       

Ö

   

Indicate by check mark whether the registrants are shell companies (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No þ

Common Stock Outstanding

 

Outstanding at April 30, 2008

Entergy Corporation

($0.01 par value)

191,503,280

Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Inc., Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, L.L.C., Entergy Louisiana, LLC, Entergy Mississippi, Inc., Entergy New Orleans, Inc., and System Energy Resources, Inc. separately file this combined Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Information contained herein relating to any individual company is filed by such company on its own behalf. Each company reports herein only as to itself and makes no other representations whatsoever as to any other company. This combined Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q supplements and updates the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the calendar year ended December 31, 2007, filed by the individual registrants with the SEC, and should be read in conjunction therewith.

ENTERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
INDEX TO QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
March 31, 2008

 

Page Number

   

Definitions

1

Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries

 
 

Management's Financial Discussion and Analysis

 
   

Plan to Pursue Separation of Non-Utility Nuclear

3

   

Results of Operations

6

   

Liquidity and Capital Resources

9

   

Significant Factors and Known Trends

12

   

Critical Accounting Estimates

15

   

New Accounting Pronouncements

15

 

Consolidated Statements of Income

16

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

18

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

20

 

Consolidated Statements of Retained Earnings, Comprehensive Income, and
Paid-In Capital

22

 

Selected Operating Results

23

Notes to Financial Statements

24

Part I. Item 4. Controls and Procedures

40

Entergy Arkansas, Inc.

 
 

Management's Financial Discussion and Analysis

 
   

Results of Operations

41

   

Liquidity and Capital Resources

43

   

Significant Factors and Known Trends

44

   

Critical Accounting Estimates

45

   

New Accounting Pronouncements

45

 

Income Statements

46

 

Statements of Cash Flows

47

 

Balance Sheets

48

 

Selected Operating Results

50

Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, L.L.C.

 
 

Management's Financial Discussion and Analysis

 
   

Jurisdictional Separation of Entergy Gulf States, Inc. into Entergy Gulf States
   Louisiana and Entergy Texas

51

   

Results of Operations

51

   

Liquidity and Capital Resources

53

   

Significant Factors and Known Trends

55

   

Critical Accounting Estimates

56

   

New Accounting Pronouncements

56

 

Income Statements

57

 

Statements of Cash Flows

59

 

Balance Sheets

60

 

Statements of Members' Equity and Comprehensive Income

62

 

Selected Operating Results

63

Entergy Louisiana, LLC

 
 

Management's Financial Discussion and Analysis

 
   

Results of Operations

64

   

Liquidity and Capital Resources

65

   

Significant Factors and Known Trends

67

   

Critical Accounting Estimates

67

   

New Accounting Pronouncements

68

 

Income Statements

69

 

Statements of Cash Flows

71

ENTERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
INDEX TO QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
March 31, 2008

 

Page Number

   
 

Balance Sheets

72

 

Statements of Members' Equity and Comprehensive Income

74

 

Selected Operating Results

75

Entergy Mississippi, Inc.

 
 

Management's Financial Discussion and Analysis

 
   

Results of Operations

76

 

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

77

   

Significant Factors and Known Trends

78

Critical Accounting Estimates

79

   

New Accounting Pronouncements

79

 

Income Statements

80

 

Statements of Cash Flows

81

 

Balance Sheets

82

 

Selected Operating Results

84

Entergy New Orleans, Inc.

 
 

Management's Financial Discussion and Analysis

 
   

Hurricane Katrina

85

   

Results of Operations

85

   

Liquidity and Capital Resources

86

   

Significant Factors and Known Trends

88

   

Critical Accounting Estimates

88

   

New Accounting Pronouncements

88

 

Income Statements

89

 

Statements of Cash Flows

91

 

Balance Sheets

92

 

Selected Operating Results

94

System Energy Resources, Inc.

 
 

Management's Financial Discussion and Analysis

 
   

Results of Operations

95

   

Liquidity and Capital Resources

95

   

Significant Factors and Known Trends

96

   

Critical Accounting Estimates

96

   

New Accounting Pronouncements

96

 

Income Statements

97

 

Statements of Cash Flows

99

 

Balance Sheets

100

Part II. Other Information

 
 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

102

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

102

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

102

 

Item 5. Other Information

103

 

Item 6. Exhibits

105

Signature

108

 

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

In this combined report and from time to time, Entergy Corporation and the Registrant Subsidiaries each makes statements as a registrant concerning its expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, strategies, and future events or performance. Such statements are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "believes," "intends," "plans," "predicts," "estimates," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements but are not the only means to identify these statements. Although each of these registrants believes that these forward-looking statements and the underlying assumptions are reasonable, it cannot provide assurance that they will prove correct. Any forward-looking statement is based on information current as of the date of this combined report and speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made. Except to the extent required by the federal securities laws, these registrants undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties. There are factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements, including those factors discussed or incorporated by reference in (a) Item 1A. Risk Factors in the Form 10-K, (b) Management's Financial Discussion and Analysis in the Form 10-K and in this report, 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 negotiations, including various performance-based rate discussions and implementation of Texas restructuring legislation, and other regulatory proceedings, including those related to Entergy's System Agreement, Entergy's utility supply plan, recovery of storm costs, and recovery of fuel and purchased power costs
  • changes in utility regulation, including the beginning or end of retail and wholesale competition, the ability to recover net utility assets and other potential stranded costs, the operations of the independent coordinator of transmission that includes Entergy's utility service territory, and the application of more stringent transmission reliability requirements or market power criteria by the FERC
  • changes in regulation of nuclear generating facilities and nuclear materials and fuel, including possible shutdown of nuclear generating facilities, particularly those in the Non-Utility Nuclear business
  • resolution of pending or future applications for license renewals or modifications of nuclear generating facilities
  • the performance of Entergy's generating plants, and particularly the capacity factors at its 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
  • prices for power generated by Entergy's unregulated generating facilities, the ability to hedge, sell power forward or otherwise reduce the market price risk associated with those facilities, including the Non-Utility Nuclear plants, and 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, and other energy-related commodities
  • changes in law resulting from federal energy legislation
  • changes in environmental, tax, and other laws, including requirements for reduced emissions of sulfur, nitrogen, carbon, mercury, and other substances
  • uncertainty regarding the establishment of interim or permanent sites for spent nuclear fuel and nuclear waste storage and disposal
  • variations in weather and the occurrence of hurricanes and other storms and disasters, including uncertainties associated with efforts to remediate the effects of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and recovery of costs associated with restoration
  • Entergy's and its subsidiaries' ability to manage their operation and maintenance costs
  • Entergy's ability to purchase and sell assets at attractive prices and on other attractive terms
  • the economic climate, and particularly growth in Entergy's service territory
  • the effects of Entergy's strategies to reduce tax payments

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION (Concluded)

  • changes in the financial markets, particularly those affecting the availability of capital and Entergy's ability to refinance existing debt, execute its share repurchase program, 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
  • the effect of litigation and government investigations
  • advances in technology
  • the potential effects of threatened or actual terrorism and war
  • Entergy's ability to attract and retain talented management and directors
  • changes in accounting standards and corporate governance
  • and the following transactional factors (in addition to others described elsewhere in this and in subsequent securities filings): (i) risks inherent in the contemplated Non-Utility Nuclear spin-off, joint venture and related transactions (including the level of debt incurred by the spun-off company and the terms and costs related thereto); (ii) legislative and regulatory actions; and (iii) conditions of the capital markets during the periods covered by the forward-looking statements.  Entergy Corporation cannot provide any assurances that the spin-off or any of the proposed transactions related thereto will be completed, nor can it give assurances as to the terms on which such transactions will be consummated. The transaction is subject to certain conditions precedent, including regulatory approvals and the final approval by the Board.

DEFINITIONS

Certain abbreviations or acronyms used in the text and notes are defined below:

Abbreviation or Acronym

Term

AEEC

Arkansas Electric Energy Consumers

AFUDC

Allowance for Funds Used During Construction

ALJ

Administrative Law Judge

ANO 1 and 2

Units 1 and 2 of Arkansas Nuclear One Steam Electric Generating Station (nuclear), owned by Entergy Arkansas

APSC

Arkansas Public Service Commission

Board

Board of Directors of Entergy Corporation

capacity factor

Actual plant output divided by maximum potential plant output for the period

City Council or Council

Council of the City of New Orleans, Louisiana

Entergy

Entergy Corporation and its direct and indirect subsidiaries

Entergy Corporation

Entergy Corporation, a Delaware corporation

Entergy Gulf States, Inc.

Predecessor company for financial reporting purposes to Entergy Gulf States Louisiana that included the assets and business operations of both Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Texas

Entergy Gulf States Louisiana

Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, L.L.C., a company created in connection with the jurisdictional separation of Entergy Gulf States, Inc. and the successor company to Entergy Gulf States, Inc. for financial reporting purposes. The term is also used to refer to the Louisiana jurisdictional business of Entergy Gulf States, Inc., as the context requires.

Entergy-Koch

Entergy-Koch, LP, a joint venture equally owned by subsidiaries of Entergy and Koch Industries, Inc.

Entergy Texas

Entergy Texas, Inc., a company created in connection with the jurisdictional separation of Entergy Gulf States, Inc. The term is also used to refer to the Texas jurisdictional business of Entergy Gulf States, Inc., as the context requires.

EPA

United States Environmental Protection Agency

ERCOT

Electric Reliability Council of Texas

FASB

Financial Accounting Standards Board

FERC

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

firm liquidated damages

Transaction that requires receipt or delivery of energy at a specified delivery point (usually at a market hub not associated with a specific asset); if a party fails to deliver or receive energy, the defaulting party must compensate the other party as specified in the contract

Form 10-K

Annual Report on Form 10-K for the calendar year ended December 31, 2007 filed by Entergy Corporation and its Registrant Subsidiaries with the SEC

Grand Gulf

Unit No. 1 of Grand Gulf Steam Electric Generating Station (nuclear), 90% owned or leased by System Energy

GWh

Gigawatt-hour(s), which equals one million kilowatt-hours

Independence

Independence Steam Electric Station (coal), owned 16% by Entergy Arkansas, 25% by Entergy Mississippi, and 7% by Entergy Power

IRS

Internal Revenue Service

ISO

Independent System Operator

kW

Kilowatt

kWh

Kilowatt-hour(s)

LPSC

Louisiana Public Service Commission

MMBtu

One million British Thermal Units

1

DEFINITIONS (Continued)

   

MPSC

Mississippi Public Service Commission

MW

Megawatt(s), which equals one thousand kilowatt(s)

MWh

Megawatt-hour(s)

Net debt ratio

Gross debt less cash and cash equivalents divided by total capitalization less cash and cash equivalents

Net MW in operation

Installed capacity owned or operated

Non-Utility Nuclear

Entergy's business segment that owns and operates six nuclear power plants and sells electric power produced by those plants to wholesale customers

NRC

Nuclear Regulatory Commission

NYPA

New York Power Authority

PPA

Purchased power agreement

production cost

Cost in $/MMBtu associated with delivering gas, excluding the cost of the gas

PUCT

Public Utility Commission of Texas

PUHCA 1935

Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended

PUHCA 2005

Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005, which repealed PUHCA 1935, among other things

Registrant Subsidiaries

Entergy Arkansas, Inc., Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, L.L.C., Entergy Louisiana, LLC, Entergy Mississippi, Inc., Entergy New Orleans, Inc., and System Energy Resources, Inc.

River Bend

River Bend Steam Electric Generating Station (nuclear), owned by Entergy Gulf States Louisiana

SEC

Securities and Exchange Commission

SFAS

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards as promulgated by the FASB

System Agreement

Agreement, effective January 1, 1983, as modified, among the Utility operating companies relating to the sharing of generating capacity and other power resources

System Energy

System Energy Resources, Inc.

TIEC

Texas Industrial Energy Consumers

TWh

Terawatt-hour(s), which equals one billion kilowatt-hours

unit-contingent

Transaction under which power is supplied from a specific generation asset; if the asset is unavailable, the seller is not liable to the buyer for any damages

Unit Power Sales Agreement

Agreement, dated as of June 10, 1982, as amended and approved by FERC, among Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, and System Energy, relating to the sale of capacity and energy from System Energy's share of Grand Gulf

Utility

Entergy's business segment that generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electric power, with a small amount of natural gas distribution

Utility operating companies

Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, and Entergy Texas

Waterford 3

Unit No. 3 (nuclear) of the Waterford Steam Electric Generating Station, 100% owned or leased by Entergy Louisiana

weather-adjusted usage

Electric usage excluding the effects of deviations from normal weather

2

 

ENTERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

MANAGEMENT'S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

Entergy operates primarily through two business segments: Utility and Non-Utility Nuclear.

  • Utility generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electric power in a four-state service territory that includes portions of Arkansas, Mississippi, Texas, and Louisiana, including the City of New Orleans; and operates a small natural gas distribution business.
  • Non-Utility Nuclear owns and operates six nuclear power plants located in the northern United States and sells the electric power produced by those plants primarily to wholesale customers. This business also provides services to other nuclear power plant owners.

In addition to its two primary, reportable, operating segments, Entergy also operates the non-nuclear wholesale assets business. The non-nuclear wholesale assets business sells to wholesale customers the electric power produced by power plants that it owns while it focuses on improving performance and exploring sales or restructuring opportunities for its power plants.

Plan to Pursue Separation of Non-Utility Nuclear

In November 2007, the Board approved a plan to pursue a separation of the Non-Utility Nuclear business from Entergy through a tax-free spin-off of the Non-Utility Nuclear business to Entergy shareholders. Enexus Energy Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Entergy and formerly referred to as SpinCo, will be a new, separate, and publicly-traded company. In addition, under the plan, Enexus and Entergy are expected to enter into a nuclear services business joint venture, EquaGen L.L.C., with 50% ownership by Enexus and 50% ownership by Entergy. The EquaGen board of members will be comprised of equal membership from both Entergy and Enexus.

Upon completion of the spin-off, Entergy Corporation's shareholders will own 100% of the common stock in both Enexus and Entergy. Entergy expects that Enexus' business will be substantially comprised of Non-Utility Nuclear's assets, including its six nuclear power plants, and Non-Utility Nuclear's power marketing operation. Entergy Corporation's remaining business will primarily be comprised of the Utility business. EquaGen is expected to operate the nuclear assets owned by Enexus. EquaGen is also expected to offer nuclear services to third parties, including decommissioning, plant relicensing, plant operations, and ancillary services.

Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc., the current NRC-licensed operator of the Non-Utility Nuclear plants, filed an application in July 2007 with the NRC seeking indirect transfer of control of the operating licenses for the six Non-Utility Nuclear power plants, and supplemented that application in December 2007 to incorporate the planned business separation. Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc., which is expected to be wholly-owned by EquaGen, will remain the operator of the plants after the separation.  Entergy Operations, Inc., the current NRC-licensed operator of Entergy's five Utility nuclear plants, will remain a wholly-owned subsidiary of Entergy and will continue to be the operator of the Utility nuclear plants. In the December 2007 supplement to the NRC application, Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc. provided additional information regarding the spin-off transaction, organizational structure, technical and financial qualifications, and general corporate information. The NRC published a notice in the Federal Register establishing a period for the public to submit a request for hearing or petition to intervene in a hearing proceeding. The NRC notice period expired on February 5, 2008 and two petitions to intervene in the hearing proceeding were filed before the deadline. Each of the petitions opposes the NRC's approval of the license transfer on various grounds, including contentions that the approval request is not adequately supported regarding the basis for the proposed structure, the adequacy of decommissioning funding, and the adequacy of financial qualifications. Entergy submitted answers to the petitions on March 31 and April 8, and the NRC or a presiding officer designated by the NRC will determine whether a hearing will be granted. If a hearing is granted, the NRC is expected to issue a procedural schedule providing for limited discovery, written testimony and a legislative-type hearing. Under the NRC's procedural rules for license transfer approvals, the NRC Staff will continue to review the application, prepare a Safety Evaluation Report and issue an approval or denial without regard to whether a hearing request is pending or has been granted. Thus, resolution of the hearing requests is not a prerequisite to obtaining the required NRC approval.

3

On January 28, 2008, Entergy Nuclear Vermont Yankee and Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc. requested approval from the Vermont Public Service Board for the indirect transfer of control, consent to pledge assets, issue guarantees and assign material contracts, amendment to certificate of public good, and replacement of guaranty and substitution of a credit support agreement for Vermont Yankee. Two Vermont utilities that buy power from Vermont Yankee, the regional planning commission for the area served by Vermont Yankee, a municipality in which the Vermont Yankee training center is located, the union that represents certain Vermont Yankee employees, and two unions that represent certain employees at the Pilgrim plant in Massachusetts petitioned to intervene. Entergy opposed intervention by the Pilgrim unions but did not object to the other intervention requests, and the Pilgrim unions' petition to intervene was denied. The Vermont Public Service Board adopted a procedural schedule that includes hearings in July 2008 and final briefing in August 2008.

On May 7, 2008, the Vermont governor vetoed legislation approved by the Vermont General Assembly in its 2008 session that would have required Entergy to fund, beyond current NRC requirements, the decommissioning trust fund for Vermont Yankee as a precondition to the Vermont Public Service Board's approval of the spin-off transaction. The legislation would have required a determination that Vermont Yankee's decommissioning trust fund and other funds and financial guarantees available solely for the purpose of decommissioning were adequate to pay for a complete and immediate decommissioning of Vermont Yankee as of the date of any acquisition of control, including Enexus Energy's acquisition of control of Vermont Yankee in connection with the spin-off transaction.

On January 28, 2008, Entergy Nuclear FitzPatrick, Entergy Nuclear Indian Point 2, Entergy Nuclear Indian Point 3, Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc., and corporate affiliate NewCo (now named Enexus) filed a petition with the New York Public Service Commission (NYPSC) requesting a declaratory ruling regarding corporate reorganization or in the alternative an order approving the transaction and an order approving debt financing. Petitioners also requested confirmation that the corporate reorganization will not have an effect on Entergy Nuclear FitzPatrick's, Entergy Nuclear Indian Point 2's, Entergy Nuclear Indian Point 3's, and Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc.'s status as lightly regulated entities in New York, given that they will continue to be competitive wholesale generators. The New York Attorney General has filed an objection to the separation of Enexus from Entergy and to the transfer of the FitzPatrick and the two Indian Point nuclear power plants, arguing that the debt associated with the separation could threaten access to adequate financial resources for Enexus' nuclear power plants, that Entergy could potentially be able to terminate revenue sharing agreements with the New York Power Authority (NYPA), the entity from which Entergy purchased the FitzPatrick and Indian Point 3 nuclear power plants, and because the New York Attorney General believes Entergy must file an environmental impact statement assessing the proposed corporate restructuring. The Office of the County Executive of Westchester County, New York and Riverkeeper, Inc. also filed comments on Entergy's petition. Entergy submitted a responsive filing to the NYPSC on April 29, 2008, responding to the comments filed by the New York Attorney General, the Office of the County Executive of Westchester County, New York, and Riverkeeper.

Pursuant to Federal Power Act Section 203, on February 21, 2008, an application was filed with the FERC requesting approval for the indirect disposition and transfer of control of jurisdictional facilities of a public utility. The review of the filing by the FERC will be focused on determining that the transaction will have no adverse effects on competition, wholesale or retail rates and on federal and state regulation. Also, the FERC will seek to determine that the transaction will not result in cross-subsidization by a regulated utility or the pledge or encumbrance of utility assets for the benefit of a non-utility associate company. Pursuant to the notice filed in the Federal Register, the LPSC filed comments raising an issue concerning cross-subsidization.  On April 17, 2008, however, the LPSC withdrew its protest, which was the only one filed in the FERC proceeding, after a stipulation was entered between the LPSC, Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, and Entergy Louisiana. In the stipulation, Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Louisiana agree, among other things, that services to be provided by EquaGen to them will be provided at cost and the LPSC may subject Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Louisiana to a disallowance to the extent the cost of such services exceed the market price at the time the services are rendered. Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Louisiana also agree to provide to the LPSC annual reports related to services provided by EquaGen that are allocated to Entergy Louisiana and Entergy Gulf States Louisiana.

4

Subject to market terms and conditions and pursuant to the plan, Enexus is expected to incur up to $4.5 billion of debt in the form of publicly or privately issued debt securities. Entergy expects Enexus to transfer to Entergy up to approximately $4.0 billion in the form of either cash proceeds from the issuance of debt securities or a portion of such debt securities, or both, in partial consideration for Entergy's transfer to Enexus of the Non-Utility Nuclear business. Entergy expects to use Enexus debt securities to reduce or retire Entergy debt by exchanging Enexus debt with certain holders of Entergy debt, and also expects to use proceeds from Enexus for share repurchases or other corporate purposes.  The amount to be paid to Entergy, the amount and term of the debt Enexus will incur, and the type of debt and entity that will incur the debt have not been finally determined, but will be determined prior to the separation. A number of factors could affect this final determination, and the amount of debt ultimately incurred could be different from the amount disclosed. Additionally, Entergy expects Enexus to enter into one or more credit facilities or other financing arrangements intended to support Enexus' working capital needs, collateral obligations, and other corporate needs arising from hedging and normal course of business requirements.

Entergy grants stock options to key employees under the Equity Ownership Plan, which is a shareholder-approved stock-based compensation plan. The Equity Ownership Plan includes provisions whereby the Personnel Committee of the Board can act, in the event of a corporate event such as a spin-off that potentially dilutes the value of the underlying stock of Entergy stock options held by employees, to preserve the current intrinsic value of stock option awards. Potential actions by the Personnel Committee could be to adjust the exercise price of the option and adjust the number of Entergy options held by employees or grant options in the stock of the subsidiary to be spun off (in this case Enexus Energy), or a combination of both, to prevent dilution in the total value of the options held by employees. If such action is taken and the Entergy Equity Ownership Plan is considered modified under the applicable accounting rules, Entergy may be required to recognize incremental compensation cost for the difference in the fair market value of the outstanding equity awards before and after any adjustment by the Board, which could be significant. The change in fair value would be recognized immediately for vested awards and over the remaining vesting period for unvested awards. The weighted average remaining vesting period for all unvested Entergy stock options is 1.8 years as of December 31, 2007. The amount of the incremental compensation cost, if it must be recognized, would be based upon a number of factors that are not yet known including, but not limited to, the number of shares that will be outstanding before and after any adjustment by the Board, the expected value of Entergy and Enexus Energy at or near the spin-off date, and the expected volatilities of Entergy stock, Enexus Energy stock, or both. Although the ultimate decision of the Personnel Committee, the factors noted above, and the required accounting are not yet known, the amount of expense that Entergy could record in the future based upon outstanding equity awards and assumptions could be material to its financial results and financial position.

Entergy is targeting around the end of third quarter 2008 as the effective date for the spin-off and EquaGen transactions to be completed. Entergy expects the transactions to qualify for tax-free treatment for U.S. federal income tax purposes for both Entergy and its shareholders, and Entergy submitted a private letter ruling request to the IRS in April 2008 regarding the tax-free treatment. Final terms of the transactions and spin-off completion are subject to several conditions, including the final approval of the Board. As Entergy pursues completion of the separation and establishment of EquaGen, Entergy will continue to consider possible modifications to and variations upon the transaction structure, including a sponsored spin-off, a partial initial public offering preceding the spin-off, or the addition of a third-party joint venture partner.

5

Results of Operations

Entergy New Orleans Bankruptcy

As a result of the effects of Hurricane Katrina and the effect of extensive flooding that resulted from levee breaks in and around the New Orleans area, on September 23, 2005, Entergy New Orleans filed a voluntary petition in bankruptcy court seeking reorganization relief under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. On May 7, 2007, the bankruptcy judge entered an order confirming Entergy New Orleans' plan of reorganization, and the plan became effective on May 8, 2007. See the Form 10-K for a discussion of the significant terms of Entergy New Orleans' plan of reorganization.

With confirmation of the plan of reorganization, Entergy reconsolidated Entergy New Orleans, retroactive to January 1, 2007. Because Entergy owns all of the common stock of Entergy New Orleans, reconsolidation does not affect the amount of net income that Entergy recorded from Entergy New Orleans' operations for the current or prior periods, but does result in Entergy New Orleans' financial results being included in each individual income statement line item in 2007, rather than only its net income being presented as "Equity in earnings of unconsolidated equity affiliates," as will remain the case for 2005 and 2006.

Income Statement Variances

Following are income statement variances for Utility, Non-Utility Nuclear, Parent & Other, and Entergy comparing the first quarter 2008 to the first quarter 2007 showing how much the line item increased or (decreased) in comparison to the prior period:

 


Utility

 

Non-Utility
Nuclear

 

Parent & Other (1)


Entergy

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007 Consolidated Net Income

 

$104,450  

 

$128,170  

 

($20,425)

$212,195 

Net revenue (operating revenue less fuel
  expense, purchased power, and other
  regulatory charges/credits)

 



27,291 



203,488 



(1,337)



229,442 

Other operation and maintenance expenses

 

11,975 

34,637 

279 

46,891 

Taxes other than income taxes

 

(14,498)

5,087 

(4,701)

(14,112)

Depreciation and amortization

 

(975)

13,459 

91 

12,575 

Other income

 

(18,465)

2,865 

(3,989)

(19,589)

Interest charges

 

(5,472)

4,504 

5,526 

4,558 

Other expenses

 

1,548 

14,901 

16,449 

Income taxes

 

3,551 

40,238 

3,149 

46,938 

2008 Consolidated Net Income

 

$117,147  

 

$221,697 

 

($30,095)

$308,749 

(1)

Parent & Other includes eliminations, which are primarily intersegment activity.

Refer to "ENTERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES - SELECTED OPERATING RESULTS" for further information with respect to operating statistics.

6

Net Revenue

Utility

Following is an analysis of the change in net revenue comparing the first quarter 2008 to the first quarter 2007.

  

 

Amount

  

 

(In Millions)

 

 

 

2007 net revenue

 

$1,007.3 

Fuel recovery

 

18.9 

Base revenues

 

14.6 

Rider revenue

 

 9.4 

Purchased power capacity

 

(13.4)

Other

 

(2.2)

2008 net revenue

 

$1,034.6 

The fuel recovery variance resulted primarily from a reserve for potential rate refunds in the first quarter 2007 in Texas as a result of a PUCT ruling related to the application of past PUCT rulings addressing transition to competition in Texas.

The base revenues variance is primarily due to the interim surcharge to collect $10 million in under-recovered incremental purchased capacity costs incurred through July 2007 in Texas. The surcharge was collected over a two-month period beginning February 2008. The incremental capacity recovery rider and PUCT approval is discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K. The variance is also due to a formula rate plan increase effective July 2007 at Entergy Mississippi.

 

The rider revenue variance is primarily due to an increase in the Attala power plant costs that are recovered through the power management rider at Entergy Mississippi. The net income effect of this recovery is limited to a portion representing an allowed return on equity with the remainder offset by Attala power plant costs in other operation and maintenance expenses, depreciation expenses, and taxes other than income taxes. The variance is also due to a storm damage rider that became effective in October 2007 at Entergy Mississippi. The establishment of this rider results in an increase in rider revenue and a corresponding increase in other operation and maintenance expense for the storm reserve with no impact on net income.

The purchased power capacity variance is due to the amortization of deferred capacity costs and is offset in base revenues due to the incremental purchased capacity costs recovered through the interim surcharge, as discussed above.

Non-Utility Nuclear

Net revenue increased for Non-Utility Nuclear from $422 million for the first quarter 2007 to $625 million for the first quarter 2008 primarily due to higher pricing in its contracts to sell power, additional production resulting from the acquisition of the Palisades plant in April 2007, and fewer outage days. Palisades contributed $78 million of net revenue in the first quarter 2008. Included in the Palisades net revenue is $19 million of amortization of the Palisades purchased power agreement liability, which is discussed in Note 15 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K. Following are key performance measures for Non-Utility Nuclear for the first quarter 2008 and 2007:

7

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

Net MW in operation at March 31

 

4,998

 

4,200

Average realized price per MWh

 

$61.47

 

$55.11

GWh billed

 

10,760

 

8,315

Capacity factor

 

97%

 

91%

Refueling Outage Days:

  Indian Point 2

7

-

  Indian Point 3

-

24

Other Operation and Maintenance Expenses

Utility

Other operation and maintenance expenses increased from $408 million for the first quarter 2007 to $420 million for the first quarter 2008 primarily due to:

  • an increase of $13 million in fossil expenses primarily due to higher costs for plant maintenance outages as a result of differing outage schedules for 2008 compared to 2007; and
  • an increase of $11 million in storm damage charges as a result of several storms hitting Entergy Arkansas' service territory in the first quarter 2008. Entergy Arkansas discontinued regulatory storm reserve accounting beginning July 2007 as a result of the APSC order issued in Entergy Arkansas' rate case. As a result, non-capital storm expenses are charged to other operation and maintenance expenses.

The increase was partially offset by a decrease of $8 million in payroll, payroll-related, and benefits costs and a decrease of $4 million in legal costs incurred.

Non-Utility Nuclear

Other operation and maintenance expenses increased from $147 million for the first quarter 2007 to $182 million for the first quarter 2008 primarily due to the acquisition of the Palisades plant in April 2007. Other operation and maintenance expenses associated with the Palisades plant were $29 million in the first quarter 2008.

Taxes Other than Income Taxes

Taxes other than income taxes decreased primarily due to the resolution in the first quarter 2008 of issues relating to tax exempt bonds in the Utility. Approximately half of the decrease related to resolution of this issue is at System Energy and has no effect on net income because System Energy also has a corresponding decrease in its net revenue.

Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation and amortization expenses increased primarily due to the acquisition by Non-Utility Nuclear of the Palisades plant in April 2007.

Other Expenses

Nuclear refueling outage expenses and decommissioning expense both increased primarily due to the acquisition by Non-Utility Nuclear of the Palisades plant in April 2007.

 

8

 

Other Income

Other income decreased primarily due to a reduction in the allowance for equity funds used during construction in the Utility due to a revision in the first quarter 2007 related to removal costs. Also contributing to the decrease were various other individually insignificant factors.

Income Taxes

The effective income tax rates for the first quarters of 2008 and 2007 were 38.1% and 40.1%, respectively. The difference in the effective income tax rate versus the statutory rate of 35% for the first quarter 2008 is primarily due to state income taxes and book and tax differences for utility plant items, partially offset by an adjustment to state income taxes for Non-Utility Nuclear to reflect the effect of a change in the methodology of computing New York state income taxes as required by that state's taxing authority. The difference in the effective income tax rate versus the statutory rate of 35% for the first quarter 2007 is primarily due to state income taxes and book and tax differences for utility plant items, partially offset by book and tax differences related to the allowance for equity funds used during construction and the amortization of investment tax credits.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

See "MANAGEMENT'S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - Liquidity and Capital Resources" in the Form 10-K for a discussion of Entergy's capital structure, capital expenditure plans and other uses of capital, and sources of capital. Following are updates to that discussion.

Capital Structure

Entergy's capitalization is balanced between equity and debt, as shown in the following table. The increase in the debt to capital percentage from 2007 to 2008 is primarily the result of additional borrowings under Entergy Corporation's revolving credit facilities, along with a decrease in shareholders' equity primarily due to an increase in accumulated other comprehensive loss and repurchases of common stock, offset by an increase in retained earnings. The increase in accumulated other comprehensive loss is primarily due to derivative instrument fair value changes. See Note 1 (Derivative Financial Instruments and Commodity Derivatives) and Note 16 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for additional discussion of the accounting treatment of derivative instruments. The increase in the debt to capital percentage is in line with Entergy's financial and risk management aspirations.

 

 

March 31,
2008

 

December 31,
2007

 

 

 

 

 

Net debt to net capital

 

56.5%

 

54.7%

Effect of subtracting cash from debt

 

2.1%

 

2.9%

Debt to capital

 

58.6%

 

57.6%

Net debt consists of debt less cash and cash equivalents. Debt consists of notes payable, capital lease obligations, and long-term debt, including the currently maturing portion. Capital consists of debt, common shareholders' equity, and preferred stock without sinking fund. Net capital consists of capital less cash and cash equivalents. Entergy 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's financial condition.

9

As discussed in the Form 10-K, Entergy Corporation has in place a $3.5 billion credit facility that expires in August 2012. Entergy Corporation has the ability to issue letters of credit against the total borrowing capacity of the facility. As of March 31, 2008, amounts outstanding under the credit facility are:


Capacity

 


Borrowings

 

Letters
of Credit

 

Capacity
Available

(In Millions)

             

$3,500 

 

$2,476 

 

$71 

 

$953

Entergy Corporation's credit facility requires it to maintain a consolidated debt ratio of 65% or less of its total capitalization. If Entergy fails to meet this ratio, or if Entergy or one of the Utility operating companies (except Entergy New Orleans) defaults on other indebtedness or is in bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, an acceleration of the facility's maturity date may occur.

Capital Expenditure Plans and Other Uses of Capital

See the table and discussion in the Form 10-K under "MANAGEMENT'S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - Liquidity and Capital Resources - Capital Expenditure Plans and Other Uses of Capital," that sets forth the amounts of planned construction and other capital investments by operating segment for 2008 through 2010. Following is an update to the discussion in the Form 10-K.

Little Gypsy Repowering Project

The preconstruction and operating air permits for the Little Gypsy repowering project was issued by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) in November 2007 under then-effective federal and state air regulations, including the EPA's Clean Air Mercury Rule that had been issued in 2005 (CAMR 2005). As discussed in more detail in part I, Item 1, "Environmental Regulation, Clean Air Act and Subsequent Amendments, Hazardous Air Pollutants" in the Form 10-K, in February 2008 the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit struck down CAMR 2005. The D.C. Circuit decision may require utilities to undergo a case-by-case Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) analysis for construction or reconstruction of emission units pursuant to the Clean Air Act before beginning construction. The Little Gypsy project as currently configured is expected to meet MACT standards. Because Little Gypsy received its construction permit before a formal MACT analysis was required, however, Entergy Louisiana will likely need to provide additional technical analysis to the LDEQ to show that the plant meets the MACT standards. Entergy Louisiana is in discussions with state and federal environmental agencies to identify the additional analysis that needs to be submitted. Onsite construction of the project was scheduled to begin in July 2008, but the additional analysis could cause a delay in the start of construction for several months. The ALJ in Phase II of the Little Gypsy proceedings at the LPSC, which are discussed further in the Form 10-K, has temporarily suspended the procedural schedule, subject to the LPSC's review, which could occur at its May 14, 2008 meeting.

Sources of Capital

The short-term borrowings of the Registrant Subsidiaries and certain other Entergy subsidiaries are limited to amounts authorized by the FERC. The current FERC-authorized limits are effective through March 31, 2010, as established by a FERC order issued March 31, 2008 (except for Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Texas, which are effective through November 8, 2009, as established by an earlier FERC order). See Note 4 to the financial statements for further discussion of Entergy's short-term borrowing limits.

10

Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita

In August and September 2005, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita caused catastrophic damage to large portions of the Utility's service territory in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, including the effect of extensive flooding that resulted from levee breaks in and around the greater New Orleans area. The storms and flooding resulted in widespread power outages, significant damage to electric distribution, transmission, and generation and gas infrastructure, and the loss of sales and customers due to mandatory evacuations and the destruction of homes and businesses. Entergy has pursued a broad range of initiatives to recover storm restoration and business continuity costs, including obtaining reimbursement of certain costs covered by insurance and pursuing recovery through existing or new rate mechanisms regulated by the FERC and local regulatory bodies, including the issuance of securitization or bonds. See Note 2 to the financial statements herein for an update regarding Entergy Gulf States Louisiana's and Entergy Louisiana's storm cost financing efforts. Following is an update regarding Entergy's insurance claims.

Insurance Claims

See Note 8 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for a discussion of Entergy's conventional property insurance program and its Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita claims. In April 2008, Entergy received from its primary insurer $53.6 million of additional insurance proceeds on its Hurricane Katrina claim, and all of the April 2008 proceeds were allocated to Entergy New Orleans.

Cash Flow Activity

As shown in Entergy's Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 were as follows:

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

(In Millions)

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

$1,254 

 

$1,016 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of reconsolidating Entergy New Orleans

17 

Cash flow provided by (used in):

 

 

 

 

 

Operating activities

 

448 

 

493 

 

Investing activities

 

(588)

 

(267)

 

Financing activities

 

(198)

 

(159)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

(338)

 

67 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$916 

 

$1,100 

Operating Activities

Entergy's cash flow provided by operating activities decreased by $45 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2007. Following are cash flows from operating activities by segment:

  • Utility provided $168 million in cash from operating activities in 2008 compared to providing $335 million in 2007 primarily due to decreased collection of deferred fuel costs.
  • Non-Utility Nuclear provided $340 million in cash from operating activities in 2008 compared to providing $216 million in 2007, primarily due to an increase in net revenue, partially offset by an increase in operation and maintenance costs associated with the acquisition of the Palisades power plant in April 2007.
  • Parent & Other used approximately $60 million in cash from operating activities in both 2008 and 2007.

11

Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities increased by $321 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2007 primarily due to the following activity:

  • Construction expenditures were $71 million higher in 2008 than in 2007, primarily due to increased spending on various projects by the Utility that are discussed further in "Capital Expenditure Plans" in the Form 10-K.
  • In March 2008, Entergy Gulf States Louisiana purchased the Calcasieu Generating Facility, a 322 MW simple-cycle, gas-fired power plant located near the city of Sulphur in southwestern Louisiana, for approximately $56.4 million.
  • Non-Utility Nuclear made a $72 million payment to NYPA under the value sharing agreement associated with the acquisition of the Fitzpatrick and Indian Point 3 power plants. See Note 8 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for additional discussion of the value sharing agreement.
  • Entergy Mississippi realized proceeds in 2007 from $100 million of investments held in trust that were received from a bond issuance in 2006 and used to redeem bonds in 2007.

Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities increased by $39 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2007. The following significant financing cash flow activity occurred in the first quarters of 2008 and 2007:

  • Entergy Corporation increased the net borrowings under its credit facilities by $225 million in the first quarter 2008 and by $615 million in the first quarter 2007. See Note 4 to the financial statements for a description of the Entergy Corporation credit facilities.
  • Entergy Corporation repaid $87 million of notes payable at their maturity in March 2008.
  • Entergy Mississippi redeemed $100 million of first mortgage bonds in 2007.
  • Entergy Corporation repurchased $158 million of its common stock in the first quarter 2008 and $558 million of its common stock in the first quarter 2007.
  • Entergy Corporation increased the dividend on its common stock. The dividend was $0.54 per share for the first quarter 2007 and $0.75 per share for the first quarter 2008.

Significant Factors and Known Trends

See "MANAGEMENT'S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - Significant Factors and Known Trends" in the Form 10-K for discussions of rate regulation, federal regulation, and market and credit risk sensitive instruments. Following are updates to the information provided in the Form 10-K.

State and Local Rate Regulation

See the Form 10-K for a chart summarizing material rate proceedings. See Note 2 to the financial statements herein for updates to the proceedings discussed in that chart.

Federal Regulation

See the Form 10-K for a discussion of federal regulatory proceedings. Following are updates to that discussion.

System Agreement Proceedings

Production Cost Equalization Proceeding Commenced by the LPSC

See the Form 10-K for a discussion of the June 2005 FERC decision in the System Agreement litigation that had been commenced by the LPSC, which was essentially affirmed in the FERC's decision in a December 2005 order on rehearing. The LPSC, APSC, MPSC, and the

 

12

 

 

AEEC appealed the FERC's decision to the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. Entergy and the City of New Orleans intervened in the various appeals. The D.C. Circuit issued its decision in April 2008. The D.C. Circuit affirmed the FERC's decision in most respects, but remanded the case to the FERC for further proceedings and reconsideration of its conclusion that it was prohibited from ordering refunds and its determination to implement the bandwidth remedy commencing with calendar year 2006 production costs (with the first payments/receipts commencing in June 2007), rather than commencing the remedy on June 1, 2005. The D.C. Circuit concluded the FERC had failed so far in the proceeding to offer a reasoned explanation regarding these issues.

Rough Production Cost Equalization Rates

See the Form 10-K for a discussion of the proceeding in which Entergy filed the rates to implement the FERC's orders in the production cost equalization proceeding. Intervenor cross-answering testimony was filed during March and April 2008, in which the intervenors and FERC Staff advocate a number of positions on issues that affect the level of production costs the individual Utility operating companies are permitted to reflect in the bandwidth calculation, including the level of depreciation and decommissioning expense for nuclear facilities. The effect of the various positions would be to reallocate costs among the Utility operating companies. Additionally, the APSC, while not taking a position on whether Entergy Arkansas was imprudent for not exercising its right of first refusal to repurchase a portion of the Independence plant in 1996 and 1997 as alleged by the LPSC, alleges that if the FERC finds Entergy Arkansas to be imprudent for not exercising this option, the FERC should disallow recovery from customers by Entergy of approximately $43 million of increased costs. On April 28, 2008 the Utility operating companies filed rebuttal testimony refuting the allegations of imprudence concerning the decision not to acquire the portion of the Independence plant, explaining why the bandwidth payments are properly recoverable under the AmerenUE contract, and explaining why the positions of FERC Staff and intervenors on the other issues should be rejected. A hearing is scheduled to commence in this proceeding on June 17, 2008, however, on May 6, 2008 the LPSC filed a motion requesting the opportunity to present additional evidence at the hearing or, in the alternative, that the hearing be delayed until August 5, 2008 and the LPSC be permitted to submit additional written testimony prior to the hearing..

The intervenor AmerenUE has argued that its current wholesale power contract with Entergy Arkansas, pursuant to which Entergy Arkansas sells power to AmerenUE, does not permit Entergy Arkansas to flow through to AmerenUE any portion of Entergy Arkansas' bandwidth payment.  According to AmerenUE, Entergy Arkansas has sought to collect from AmerenUE approximately $14.5 million of the 2007 Entergy Arkansas bandwidth payment.  The AmerenUE contract is scheduled to expire in August 2009. In April 2008, AmerenUE filed a complaint with the FERC seeking refunds of this amount, plus interest, in the event the FERC ultimately determines that bandwidth payments are not properly recovered under the AmerenUE contract.

Independent Coordinator of Transmission

In the FERC's April 2006 order that approved Entergy's ICT proposal, the FERC stated that the weekly procurement process (WPP) must be operational within approximately 14 months of the FERC order, or June 24, 2007, or the FERC may reevaluate all approvals to proceed with the ICT.  The Utility operating companies have been working with the ICT and a software vendor to develop the software and systems necessary to implement the WPP. The Utility operating companies also filed with the FERC in April 2007 a request to make certain corrections and limited modifications to the current WPP tariff provisions. The Utility operating companies have filed status reports with the FERC notifying the FERC that, due to unexpected issues with the development of the WPP software and testing, the WPP is still not operational. The Utility operating companies filed a revised tariff with the FERC on January 31, 2008 to address issues identified during the testing of the WPP. The Utility operating companies requested the FERC to rule on the proposed amendments by April 30, 2008 and allow them to go into effect May 11, 2008, following which the WPP would be expected to become operational. In May 2008, the FERC determined it would be premature to implement the WPP on May 11, 2008 as the WPP has not been shown to be just and reasonable. Accordingly, the FERC conditionally accepted and suspended Entergy's proposed tariff amendments for five months from the requested effective date, to become effective October 11, 2008, or on an earlier date, subject to refund and subject to a further order on proposed tariff revisions directed to be filed in the order.

 

13

 

The FERC stated that it will consider allowing an effective date earlier than October 11, 2008, if the ICT agrees that the model is ready and Entergy files the required tariff revisions no later than 60 days before that date. The FERC also denied the requests for a technical conference at this time and indicated it will reassess the need for such a technical conference after the WPP is functioning.

Market and Credit Risk Sensitive Instruments

Commodity Price Risk

Power Generation

As discussed more fully in the Form 10-K, the sale of electricity from the power generation plants owned by Entergy's Non-Utility Nuclear business, unless otherwise contracted, is subject to the fluctuation of market power prices. Following is an updated summary of the amount of the Non-Utility Nuclear business' output that is sold forward as of March 31, 2008 under physical or financial contracts (2008 represents the remaining three quarters of the year):

   

2008

 

2009

 

2010

 

2011

 

2012

Non-Utility Nuclear:

                   

Percent of planned generation sold forward:

                   
 

Unit-contingent

 

49%

 

48%

 

31%

 

29%

 

16%

 

Unit-contingent with availability guarantees (1)

 

38%

 

35%

 

28%

 

14%

 

7%

 

Firm liquidated damages

 

5%

 

0%

 

0%

 

0%

 

0%

 

Total

 

92%

 

83%

 

59%

 

43%

 

23%

Planned generation (TWh)

 

31

 

41

 

40

 

41

 

41

Average contracted price per MWh (2)

 

$54

 

$61

 

$58

 

$55

 

$51

(1)

A sale of power on a unit-contingent basis coupled with a guarantee of availability provides for the payment to the power purchaser of contract damages, if incurred, in the event the seller fails to deliver power as a result of the failure of the specified generation unit to generate power at or above a specified availability threshold. All of Entergy's outstanding guarantees of availability provide for dollar limits on Entergy's maximum liability under such guarantees.

(2)

The Vermont Yankee acquisition included a 10-year PPA under which the former owners will buy most of the power produced by the plant, which is through the expiration in 2012 of the current operating license for the plant. The PPA includes an adjustment clause under which the prices specified in the PPA will be adjusted downward monthly, beginning in November 2005, if power market prices drop below PPA prices, which has not happened thus far and is not expected in the foreseeable future.

Some of the agreements to sell the power produced by Entergy's Non-Utility Nuclear power plants contain provisions that require an Entergy subsidiary to provide collateral to secure its obligations under the agreements. The Entergy subsidiary is required to provide collateral based upon the difference between the current market and contracted power prices in the regions where Non-Utility Nuclear sells power. The primary form of collateral to satisfy these requirements is an Entergy Corporation guaranty.  Cash and letters of credit are also acceptable forms of collateral.  At March 31, 2008, based on power prices at that time, Entergy had in place as collateral $899 million of Entergy Corporation guarantees for wholesale transactions, including $63 million of guarantees that support letters of credit. The assurance requirement associated with Non-Utility Nuclear is estimated to increase by an amount of up to $328 million if gas prices increase $1 per MMBtu in both the short- and long-term markets. In the event of a decrease in Entergy Corporation's credit rating to below investment grade, Entergy will be required to replace Entergy Corporation guarantees with cash or letters of credit under some of the agreements.

In addition to selling the power produced by its plants, the Non-Utility Nuclear business sells installed capacity to load-serving distribution companies in order for those companies to meet requirements placed on them by the ISO in their area. Following is a summary of the amount of the Non-Utility Nuclear business' installed capacity that is currently sold forward, and the blended amount of the Non-Utility Nuclear business'

 

14

 

planned generation output and installed capacity that is currently sold forward as of March 31, 2008 (2008 represents the remaining three quarters of the year):

   

2008

 

2009

 

2010

 

2011

 

2012

Non-Utility Nuclear:

                   

Percent of capacity sold forward:

                   
 

Bundled capacity and energy contracts

 

26%

 

27%

 

26%

 

27%

 

19%

 

Capacity contracts

 

63%

 

38%

 

31%

 

15%

 

2%

 

Total

 

89%

 

65%

 

57%

 

42%

 

21%

Planned net MW in operation

 

4,998

 

4,998

 

4,998

 

4,998

 

4,998

Average capacity contract price per kW per month

 

$2.0

 

$2.0

 

$3.4

 

$3.7

 

$3.5

Blended Capacity and Energy (based on revenues)

                   

% of planned generation and capacity sold forward

 

88%

 

78%

 

52%

 

35%

 

16%

Average contract revenue per MWh

 

$56

 

$62

 

$61

 

$57

 

$52

As of March 31, 2008, approximately 96% of Non-Utility Nuclear's counterparty exposure from energy and capacity contracts is with counterparties with public investment grade credit ratings.

Critical Accounting Estimates

See "MANAGEMENT'S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - Critical Accounting Estimates" in the Form 10-K for a discussion of the estimates and judgments necessary in Entergy's accounting for nuclear decommissioning costs, unbilled revenue, impairment of long-lived assets, qualified pension and other postretirement benefits, and other contingencies.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2008 the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161 "Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133" (SFAS 161), which requires enhanced disclosures about an entity's derivative and hedging activities. SFAS 161 requires qualitative disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of and gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements. SFAS 161 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008.

15

ENTERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 and 2007
(Unaudited)
    2008   2007
    (In Thousands, Except Share Data)
         
OPERATING REVENUES        
Electric   $2,046,227    $2,111,460 
Natural gas   89,395    84,951 
Competitive businesses   729,112    497,649 
TOTAL   2,864,734    2,694,060 
          
OPERATING EXPENSES        
Operating and Maintenance:        
  Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and        
   gas purchased for resale   540,501    787,412 
  Purchased power   620,642    444,239 
  Nuclear refueling outage expenses   51,258    42,975 
  Other operation and maintenance   611,268    564,377 
Decommissioning   45,996    37,830 
Taxes other than income taxes   108,571    122,683 
Depreciation and amortization   244,985    232,410 
Other regulatory charges   35,280    23,540 
TOTAL   2,258,501    2,255,466 
          
OPERATING INCOME   606,233    438,594 
         
OTHER INCOME        
Allowance for equity funds used during construction   9,286    17,258 
Interest and dividend income   54,282    57,110 
Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated equity affiliates   (929)   1,624 
Miscellaneous - net   (11,556)   (5,320)
TOTAL   51,083    70,672 
         
INTEREST AND OTHER CHARGES        
Interest on long-term debt   123,144    123,099 
Other interest - net   32,538    32,215 
Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction   (5,116)   (10,529)
Preferred dividend requirements and other   4,998    6,221 
TOTAL   155,564    151,006 
         
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES   501,752    358,260 
         
Income taxes   193,003    146,065 
         
CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME   $308,749    $212,195 
         
         
Earnings per average common share:        
  Basic   $1.60    $1.06 
  Diluted   $1.56    $1.03 
Dividends declared per common share   $0.75    $0.54 
         
Basic average number of common shares outstanding   192,639,605    200,549,935 
Diluted average number of common shares outstanding   198,300,041    206,133,440 
         
See Notes to Financial Statements.        
         

16

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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17

 

ENTERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 and 2007
(Unaudited)
    2008   2007
    (In Thousands)
   
OPERATING ACTIVITIES        
Consolidated net income   $308,749    $212,195 
Adjustments to reconcile consolidated net income to net cash flow        
provided by operating activities:        
  Reserve for regulatory adjustments   (2,909)   10,939 
  Other regulatory charges   35,280    23,540 
  Depreciation, amortization, and decommissioning   290,981    270,240 
  Deferred income taxes, investment tax credits, and non-current taxes accrued   97,984    384,324 
  Equity in earnings of unconsolidated equity affiliates - net of dividends   929    (1,624)
  Changes in working capital:        
    Receivables   (9,374)   66,142 
    Fuel inventory   (22,665)   194 
    Accounts payable   9,522    (282,247)
    Taxes accrued     (189,411)
    Interest accrued   (34,238)   (22,204)
    Deferred fuel   (195,650)   154,060 
    Other working capital accounts   (181,401)   (107,080)
  Provision for estimated losses and reserves   4,034    (16,602)
  Changes in other regulatory assets   40,569    68,720 
  Other   106,359    (77,868)
Net cash flow provided by operating activities   448,170    493,318 
         
INVESTING ACTIVITIES        
Construction/capital expenditures   (373,317)   (302,567)
Allowance for equity funds used during construction   9,286    17,258 
Nuclear fuel purchases   (170,381)   (184,806)
Proceeds from sale/leaseback of nuclear fuel   112,700    114,486 
Proceeds from sale of assets and businesses     12,663 
Payment for purchase of plant   (56,409)  
Collections remitted to transition charge account   (8,352)  
NYPA value sharing payment   (72,000)  
Decrease in other investments   7,974    105,923 
Proceeds from nuclear decommissioning trust fund sales   257,718    160,007 
Investment in nuclear decommissioning trust funds   (294,840)   (189,536)
Net cash flow used in investing activities   (587,621)   (266,572)
         
See Notes to Financial Statements.        
         
18
         
ENTERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 and 2007
(Unaudited)
    2008   2007
    (In Thousands)
     
FINANCING ACTIVITIES        
Proceeds from the issuance of:        
  Long-term debt   545,000    819,998 
  Common stock and treasury stock   4,670    30,889 
Retirement of long-term debt   (438,227)   (334,873)
Repurchase of common stock   (158,182)   (558,186)
Redemption of preferred stock     (2,250)
Dividends paid:        
  Common stock   (144,579)   (108,967)
  Preferred stock   (7,270)   (6,079)
Net cash flow used in financing activities   (198,588)   (159,468)
         
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents   17    (11)
         
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents   (338,022)   67,267 
         
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   1,253,728    1,016,152 
         
Effect of the reconsolidation of Entergy New Orleans on cash and cash equivalents     17,093 
         
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period   $915,706    $1,100,512 
         
         
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:        
  Cash paid during the period for:        
    Interest - net of amount capitalized   $183,787    $153,913 
    Income taxes   $2,157    $31,433 
         
See Notes to Financial Statements.        
         
         

 

19

 

ENTERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
ASSETS
March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007
(Unaudited)
    2008   2007
    (In Thousands)
         
CURRENT ASSETS        
Cash and cash equivalents:        
  Cash   $170,711    $126,652 
  Temporary cash investments - at cost,        
   which approximates market   744,995    1,127,076 
     Total cash and cash equivalents   915,706    1,253,728 
Securitization recovery trust account   27,625    19,273 
Notes receivable   -     161 
Accounts receivable:        
  Customer   655,055    610,724 
  Allowance for doubtful accounts   (21,329)   (25,789)
  Other   302,816    303,060 
  Accrued unbilled revenues   248,898    288,076 
     Total accounts receivable   1,185,440    1,176,071 
Deferred fuel costs   140,702    -  
Accumulated deferred income taxes   12,976    38,117 
Fuel inventory - at average cost   231,249    208,584 
Materials and supplies - at average cost   704,406    692,376 
Deferred nuclear refueling outage costs   188,281    172,936 
System agreement cost equalization   268,000    268,000 
Prepayments and other   271,861    129,001 
TOTAL   3,946,246    3,958,247 
          
OTHER PROPERTY AND INVESTMENTS        
Investment in affiliates - at equity   76,247    78,992 
Decommissioning trust funds   3,219,238    3,307,636 
Non-utility property - at cost (less accumulated depreciation)   225,021    220,204 
Other   74,487    82,563 
TOTAL   3,594,993    3,689,395 
         
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT        
Electric   33,416,118    32,959,022 
Property under capital lease   739,073    740,095 
Natural gas   305,002    300,767 
Construction work in progress   981,999    1,054,833 
Nuclear fuel under capital lease   417,178    361,502 
Nuclear fuel   641,506    665,620 
TOTAL PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT   36,500,876    36,081,839 
Less - accumulated depreciation and amortization   15,309,384    15,107,569 
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT - NET   21,191,492    20,974,270 
         
DEFERRED DEBITS AND OTHER ASSETS        
Regulatory assets:         
  SFAS 109 regulatory asset - net   606,741    595,743 
  Other regulatory assets   2,923,053    2,971,399 
  Deferred fuel costs   168,122    168,122 
Long-term receivables   7,720    7,714 
Goodwill   377,172    377,172 
Other   949,228    900,940 
TOTAL   5,032,036    5,021,090 
          
TOTAL ASSETS   $33,764,767    $33,643,002 
         
See Notes to Financial Statements.        
 
20
 
ENTERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007
(Unaudited)
    2008   2007
    (In Thousands)
         
CURRENT LIABILITIES        
Currently maturing long-term debt   $911,496    $996,757 
Notes payable   25,037    25,037 
Accounts payable   1,040,823    1,031,300 
Customer deposits   294,767    291,171 
Interest accrued   153,724    187,968 
Deferred fuel costs     54,947 
Obligations under capital leases   151,945    152,615 
Pension and other postretirement liabilities   35,376    34,795 
System agreement cost equalization   268,000    268,000 
Other   325,075    214,164 
TOTAL   3,206,243    3,256,754 
          
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES        
Accumulated deferred income taxes and taxes accrued   6,402,820    6,379,679 
Accumulated deferred investment tax credits   339,045    343,539 
Obligations under capital leases   275,808    220,438 
Other regulatory liabilities   550,734    490,323 
Decommissioning and asset retirement cost liabilities   2,533,424    2,489,061 
Accumulated provisions   137,798    133,406 
Pension and other postretirement liabilities   1,343,034    1,361,326 
Long-term debt   9,927,555    9,728,135 
Other   1,064,090    1,066,508 
TOTAL   22,574,308    22,212,415 
         
Commitments and Contingencies        
         
Preferred stock without sinking fund   311,066    311,162 
         
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY        
Common stock, $.01 par value, authorized 500,000,000        
 shares; issued 248,174,087 shares in 2008 and in 2007   2,482    2,482 
Paid-in capital   4,853,837    4,850,769 
Retained earnings   6,900,345    6,735,965 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)   (207,149)   8,320 
Less - treasury stock, at cost (56,276,698 shares in 2008 and        
 55,053,847 shares in 2007)   3,876,365    3,734,865 
TOTAL   7,673,150    7,862,671 
         
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY   $33,764,767    $33,643,002 
         
See Notes to Financial Statements.        
         

21

 

ENTERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF RETAINED EARNINGS, COMPREHENSIVE INCOME, AND PAID-IN CAPITAL
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 and 2007
(Unaudited)
                     
        2008   2007
        (In Thousands)
                     
RETAINED EARNINGS                    
                     
Retained Earnings - Beginning of period       $6,735,965        $6,113,042     
                     
  Add:                    
    Consolidated net income       308,749    $308,749    212,195    $212,195 
    Adjustment related to FIN 48 implementation             (4,600)    
      Total       308,749        207,595     
                     
  Deduct:                    
    Dividends declared on common stock       144,369        109,020     
                     
Retained Earnings - End of period       $6,900,345        $6,211,617     
                     
                     
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)                    
Balance at beginning of period:                    
  Accumulated derivative instrument fair value changes       ($12,540)       ($105,578)    
                     
  Pension and other postretirement liabilities       (107,145)       (105,909)    
                     
  Net unrealized investment gains       121,611        104,551     
                     
  Foreign currency translation       6,394        6,424     
     Total       8,320        (100,512)    
                     
                     
                     
Net derivative instrument fair value changes                    
 arising during the period (net of tax expense (benefit) of ($99,400) and $28,325)       (178,766)   (178,766)   41,467    41,467 
                     
Pension and other postretirement liabilities (net of tax expense of $3,977 and $274)       (4,136)   (4,136)   478    478 
                     
Net unrealized investment gains (losses) (net of tax expense (benefit) of ($26,630)
 and $2,790)
      (32,550)   (32,550)   3,996    3,996 
                     
Foreign currency translation (net of tax expense (benefit) of ($9) and $6)       (17)   (17)   11    11 
                     
                     
                     
Balance at end of period:                    
  Accumulated derivative instrument fair value changes       (191,306)       (64,111)    
                     
  Pension and other postretirement liabilities       (111,281)       (105,431)    
                     
  Net unrealized investment gains       89,061        108,547     
                     
  Foreign currency translation       6,377        6,435     
     Total       ($207,149)       ($54,560)    
Comprehensive Income           $93,280        $258,147 
                     
                     
PAID-IN CAPITAL                    
                     
Paid-in Capital - Beginning of period       $4,850,769        $4,827,265     
                     
  Add (Deduct):                    
    Common stock issuances related to stock plans       3,068        4,538     
                     
Paid-in Capital - End of period       $4,853,837        $4,831,803     
                     
                     
See Notes to Financial Statements.                    
                     

 

22

 

ENTERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
SELECTED OPERATING RESULTS
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 and 2007
(Unaudited)
 
            Increase/    
Description   2008   2007   (Decrease)   %
    (Dollars in Millions)    
Utility Electric Operating Revenues:                
  Residential   $731   $744   ($13)   (2)
  Commercial   548   556   (8)   (1)
  Industrial   606   633   (27)   (4)
  Governmental   52   51    
     Total retail   1,937   1,984   (47)   (2)
  Sales for resale   88   91   (3)   (3)
  Other   21   36   (15)   (42)
     Total   $2,046   $2,111   ($65)   (3)
                 
Utility Billed Electric Energy                
 Sales (GWh):                
  Residential   8,011   7,792   219   
  Commercial   6,238   6,116   122   
  Industrial   9,377   9,323   54   
  Governmental   569   549   20   
     Total retail   24,195   23,780   415   
  Sales for resale   1,290   1,638   (348)   (21)
     Total   25,485   25,418   67   
                 
                 
Non-Utility Nuclear:                
Operating Revenues   $680   $458   $222    48 
Billed Electric Energy Sales (GWh)   10,760   8,315   2,445    29 
                 
                 
                 

23

 

 

ENTERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

NOTE 1. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries are involved in a number of legal, regulatory, and tax proceedings before various courts, regulatory commissions, and governmental agencies in the ordinary course of business. While management is unable to predict 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 in the Form 10-K and herein and discusses tax proceedings in Note 3 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K and in Note 10 to the financial statements herein.

Nuclear Insurance

See Note 8 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for information on nuclear liability and property insurance associated with Entergy's nuclear power plants.

Conventional Property Insurance

See Note 8 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for information on Entergy's non-nuclear property insurance program. In April 2008, Entergy received from its primary insurer $53.6 million of additional insurance proceeds on its Hurricane Katrina claim, and all of the April 2008 proceeds were allocated to Entergy New Orleans.

Employment Litigation

The Registrant Subsidiaries and other Entergy subsidiaries are responding to various lawsuits in both state and federal courts and to other labor-related proceedings filed by current and former employees and third parties not selected for open positions. These actions 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 counterparts; claims of race, gender and disability discrimination; disputes arising under collective bargaining agreements; unfair labor practice proceedings and other administrative proceedings before the National Labor Relations Board; claims of retaliation; and claims for or regarding benefits under various Entergy Corporation sponsored plans. Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries are responding to these suits and proceedings and deny liability to the claimants.

Asbestos and Hazardous Material Litigation (Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy New Orleans)

See Note 8 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for information regarding asbestos and hazardous material litigation at Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy New Orleans.

24

 

NOTE 2. RATE AND REGULATORY MATTERS

Regulatory Assets

Other Regulatory Assets

See Note 2 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for information regarding regulatory assets in the Utility business reflected on the balance sheets of Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries.

Fuel and purchased power cost recovery

See Note 2 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for information regarding fuel proceedings involving the Utility operating companies. Following are updates to that information.

Entergy Arkansas

Production Cost Allocation Rider

In its June 2007 decision on Entergy Arkansas' August 2006 rate filing, the APSC approved a production cost allocation rider for recovery from customers of the retail portion of the costs allocated to Entergy Arkansas as a result of the System Agreement proceedings, but set a termination date of December 31, 2008 for the rider. In December 2007, the APSC issued a subsequent order stating the production cost allocation rider will remain in effect, and any future termination of the rider will be subject to eighteen months advance notice by the APSC, which would occur following notice and hearing. On March 18, 2008 the Arkansas attorney general and the AEEC filed a notice of appeal of the December 2007 APSC order. Entergy Arkansas will respond to the positions of the Arkansas attorney general and the AEEC in the appeal.

See Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries' "MANAGEMENT'S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - Significant Factors and Known Trends - Federal Regulation - System Agreement Proceedings" in the Form 10-K and herein for a discussion of the System Agreement proceedings.

Energy Cost Recovery Rider

Entergy Arkansas' retail rates include an energy cost recovery rider. In December 2007, the APSC issued an order stating that Entergy Arkansas' energy cost recovery rider will remain in effect, and any future termination of the rider will be subject to eighteen months advance notice by the APSC, which would occur following notice and hearing. On March 18, 2008 the Arkansas attorney general and the AEEC filed a notice of appeal of the December 2007 APSC order. Entergy Arkansas will respond to the positions of the Arkansas attorney general and the AEEC in the appeal.

In March 2008, Entergy Arkansas filed with the APSC its annual energy cost rate for the period April 2008 through March 2009. The filed energy cost rate increased from $0.01179/kWh to $0.01869/kWh. The increase was caused by the following: 1) all three of the nuclear power plants from which Entergy Arkansas obtains power, ANO 1 and 2 and Grand Gulf, will have refueling outages in 2008, and the energy cost rate is adjusted to account for the replacement power costs that will be incurred while these units are down; 2) Entergy Arkansas has a deferred fuel cost balance from under-recovered fuel costs at December 31, 2007; and 3) fuel and purchased power prices have increased.

Entergy Texas

In January 2008, Entergy Texas made a compliance filing with the PUCT describing how its 2007 Rough Production Cost Equalization receipts were allocated between Entergy Gulf States, Inc.'s Texas and Louisiana jurisdictions. Several parties have intervened but not yet stated a position on the allocation of such payments to PUCT-jurisdictional customers. A hearing is scheduled in July 2008.

25

In October 2007, Entergy Texas filed a request with the PUCT to refund $45.6 million, including interest, of fuel cost recovery over-collections through September 2007. In January 2008, Entergy Texas filed with the PUCT a stipulation and settlement agreement among the parties that updated the over-collection balance through November 2007 and establishes a refund amount, including interest, of $71 million. The PUCT approved the agreement in February 2008. The refund was made over a two-month period beginning February 2008. Amounts refunded through the interim fuel refund are subject to final reconciliation in a future fuel reconciliation proceeding.

Storm Cost Recovery Filings

See Note 2 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for information regarding storm cost recovery filings involving the Utility operating companies. The following is an update to the Form 10-K.

Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Louisiana - Act 55 Storm Cost Financings

In March 2008, Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, Entergy Louisiana and the Louisiana Utilities Restoration Corporation (LURC), an instrumentality of the State of Louisiana, filed at the LPSC an application requesting that the LPSC grant financing orders authorizing the financing of Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Louisiana storm costs, storm reserves, and issuance costs pursuant to Act 55 of the Louisiana Legislature (Act 55 financings). The Act 55 financings are expected to produce additional customer benefits as compared to Act 64 traditional securitization.  Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and 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.  On April 3, 2008, the Louisiana State Bond Commission granted preliminary approval for the Act 55 financings.  On April 8, 2008, the Louisiana Public Facilities Authority (LPFA), which will be the issuer of the bonds pursuant to the Act 55 financings, approved requests for the Act 55 financings.  On April 10, 2008, Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Louisiana and the LPSC Staff filed with the LPSC an uncontested stipulated settlement that includes Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Louisiana's proposals under the Act 55 financings, including the commitment to pass on to customers a minimum of $40 million of customer benefits as compared to traditional Act 64 financing. On April 16, 2008, the LPSC approved the settlement and issued two financing orders and one ratemaking order intended to facilitate implementation of the Act 55 financings.  On May 6, 2008, the State Bond Commission voted to approve the Act 55 financings.  Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Louisiana will invest the capital contributions that they receive from the Act 55 financings in affiliate securities.  Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Louisiana intend to complete the Act 55 financings by the end of the second quarter 2008.

Retail Rate Proceedings

See Note 2 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for information regarding retail rate proceedings involving the Utility operating companies. The following are updates to the Form 10-K.

Filings with the APSC (Entergy Arkansas)

Ouachita Acquisition

Entergy Arkansas filed with the APSC in September 2007 for its approval of the Ouachita plant acquisition, including full cost recovery.  The APSC Staff and the Arkansas attorney general have supported Entergy Arkansas' acquisition of the plant, but oppose the sale of one-third of the capacity and energy to Entergy Gulf States Louisiana.  The industrial group AEEC has opposed Entergy Arkansas' purchase of the plant.  The Arkansas attorney general has opposed recovery of the non-fuel costs of the plant through a separate rider, while the APSC Staff recommended revisions to the rider. In December 2007, the APSC issued an order approving recovery through a rider of the capacity costs associated with the interim tolling agreement, which will be in effect until APSC action on the acquisition of the plant. A hearing before the APSC was held in April 2008 to address Entergy Arkansas' request for acquisition of the plant and concurrent cost recovery, and a decision is pending.

26

On March 18, 2008 the Arkansas attorney general and the AEEC filed a notice of appeal of the December 2007 APSC order that approved recovery through a rider of the capacity costs associated with the interim tolling agreement. Entergy Arkansas will respond to the positions of the Arkansas attorney general and the AEEC in the appeal.

Filings with the LPSC

Retail Rates - Electric

(Entergy Louisiana)

In May 2006, Entergy Louisiana made its formula rate plan filing with the LPSC for the 2005 test year. Entergy Louisiana modified the filing in August 2006 to reflect a 9.45% return on equity which is within the allowed bandwidth. The modified filing includes an increase of $24.2 million for interim recovery of storm costs from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and a $119.2 million rate increase to recover LPSC-approved incremental deferred and ongoing capacity costs. The filing requested recovery of approximately $50 million for the amortization of capacity deferrals over a three-year period, including carrying charges, and approximately $70 million for ongoing capacity costs. The increase was implemented, subject to refund, with the first billing cycle of September 2006. Entergy Louisiana subsequently updated its formula rate plan rider to reflect adjustments proposed by the LPSC Staff with which it agrees. The adjusted return on equity of 9.56% remains within the allowed bandwidth. Ongoing and deferred incremental capacity costs were reduced to $118.7 million. The updated formula rate plan rider was implemented, subject to refund, with the first billing cycle of October 2006. An uncontested stipulated settlement was filed in February 2008 that will leave the current base rates in place, and the LPSC approved the settlement in March 2008. In the settlement Entergy Louisiana agreed to credit customers $7.2 million, plus $0.7 million of interest, for customer contributions to the Central States Compact in Nebraska that was never completed and agreed to a one-time $2.6 million deduction from the deferred capacity cost balance. The credit, for which Entergy Louisiana had previously recorded a provision, will be made in May 2008.

(Entergy Gulf States Louisiana)

In May 2007, Entergy Gulf States Louisiana made its formula rate plan filing with the LPSC for the 2006 test year. The filing reflected a 10.0% return on common equity, which is within the allowed earnings bandwidth, and an anticipated formula rate plan decrease of $23 million annually attributable to adjustments outside of the formula rate plan sharing mechanism related to capacity costs and the anticipated securitization of storm costs related to Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita and the securitization of a storm reserve. In September 2007, Entergy Gulf States Louisiana modified the formula rate plan filing to reflect a 10.07% return on common equity, which is still within the allowed bandwidth. The modified filing also reflected implementation of a $4.1 million rate increase, subject to refund, attributable to recovery of additional LPSC-approved incremental deferred and ongoing capacity costs. The rate decrease anticipated in the original filing did not occur because of the additional capacity costs approved by the LPSC, and because securitization of storm costs associated with Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita and the establishment of a storm reserve have not yet occurred. In October 2007, Entergy Gulf States Louisiana implemented a $16.4 million formula rate plan decrease that is due to the reclassification of certain franchise fees from base rates to collection via a line item on customer bills pursuant to an LPSC order. The LPSC staff issued its final report in December 2007, indicating a $1.6 million decrease in formula rate plan revenues for which interim rates were already in effect. In addition, the LPSC staff recommended that the LPSC give a one-year extension of Entergy Gulf States Louisiana's formula rate plan to synchronize with the final year of Entergy Louisiana's formula rate plan, or alternatively, to extend the formula rate plan for a longer period. Entergy Gulf States Louisiana indicated it is amenable to a one-year extension. An uncontested stipulated settlement was filed in February 2008 that will leave the current base rates in place and extend the formula rate plan for one year, and the LPSC approved the settlement in March 2008.

27

Retail Rates - Gas (Entergy Gulf States Louisiana)

In January 2008, Entergy Gulf States Louisiana filed with the LPSC its gas rate stabilization plan for the test year ending September 30, 2007.  The filing showed a revenue deficiency of $3.7 million based on a return on common equity mid-point of 10.5%. Entergy Gulf States Louisiana will implement a $3.4 million rate increase pursuant to an uncontested agreement with the LPSC staff.

Filings with the PUCT and Texas Cities

Entergy Texas made a rate filing in September 2007 with the PUCT requesting an annual rate increase totaling $107.5 million, including a base rate increase of $64.3 million and special riders totaling $43.2 million. The base rate increase includes $12.2 million for the storm damage reserve. Entergy Texas is requesting an 11% return on common equity. In December 2007 the PUCT issued an order setting September 26, 2008 as the effective date for the rate change from the rate filing. Testimony filed by the PUCT staff and intervenors generally asks for rates to be set lower than the rates now being charged by Entergy Texas. The hearing on the rate case is scheduled for May 2008.

Filings with the MPSC

In March 2008, Entergy Mississippi made its annual scheduled formula rate plan filing for the 2007 test year with the MPSC.  The filing showed that a $10.1 million increase in annual electric revenues is warranted. The filing is currently being reviewed by the Mississippi Public Utilities Staff.

Filings with the City Council

Retail Rates

In January 2008, Entergy New Orleans voluntarily implemented a 6.15% base rate credit for electric customers, which Entergy New Orleans estimates will return $10.6 million to electric customers in 2008. Entergy New Orleans was able to implement this credit because the recovery of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina has been occurring faster than expected. In addition, Entergy New Orleans set aside $2.5 million for an Energy Efficiency Fund.

Fuel Adjustment Clause Litigation

See Note 2 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for a discussion of the complaint filed in April 1999 by a group of ratepayers against Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Corporation, Entergy Services, and Entergy Power in state court in Orleans Parish purportedly on behalf of all Entergy New Orleans ratepayers and a corresponding complaint filed with the City Council. In February 2004, the City Council approved a resolution that resulted in a refund to customers of $11.3 million, including interest, during the months of June through September 2004. In May 2005 the Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans affirmed the City Council resolution, finding no support for the plaintiffs' claim that the refund amount should be higher. In June 2005, the plaintiffs appealed the Civil District Court decision to the Louisiana Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal. On February 25, 2008, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal issued a decision affirming in part, and reversing in part, the Civil District Court's decision.  Although the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal did not reverse any of the substantive findings and conclusions of the City Council or the Civil District Court, the Fourth Circuit found that the amount of the refund was arbitrary and capricious and increased the amount of the refund to $34.3 million.  Entergy New Orleans believes that the increase in the refund ordered by the Fourth Circuit is not justified. Entergy New Orleans, the City Council, and the plaintiffs requested rehearing, and in April 2008, the Fourth Circuit granted the plaintiffs' request for rehearing. In addition to changing the basis for the court's decision in the manner requested by the plaintiffs, the court also granted the plaintiffs' request that it provide for interest on the refund amount. The court denied the motions for rehearing filed by the City Council and Entergy New Orleans. In May 2008, Entergy New Orleans and the City Council filed petitions for appeal to the Louisiana Supreme Court, which has been opposed by the plaintiffs, and filed with the Louisiana Supreme Court applications for a writ of certiorari seeking, among other things, reversal of the Fourth Circuit decision.

28

System Energy Rate Proceeding

In March 2008, the LPSC filed a complaint at the FERC under Federal Power Act section 206 against System Energy and Entergy Services. The complaint requests that the FERC set System Energy's rate of return on common equity at no more than 9.75%. The LPSC's complaint further requests that System Energy base its decommissioning and depreciation expenses on a 60-year useful life for Grand Gulf as opposed to the 40-year life specified in the existing NRC operating license. The APSC, the City of New Orleans, the MPSC, and other parties have intervened in the proceeding. System Energy filed its answer to the complaint in April 2008, in which it denies the allegations of the LPSC and requests that the FERC dismiss the complaint without a hearing.

Electric Industry Restructuring in Texas

Refer to Note 2 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for a discussion of electric industry restructuring activity that involves Entergy Texas.

 

NOTE 3. COMMON EQUITY

Common Stock

Earnings per Share

The following tables present Entergy's basic and diluted earnings per share calculations included on the consolidated income statement:

 

 

For the Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

(In Millions, Except Per Share Data)

 

 

 

 

$/share

 

 

 

$/share

Earnings applicable to common stock

 

$308.7

 

 

 

$212.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average number of common shares
  outstanding - basic

 


192.6

 


$1.60 

 


200.5

 


$1.06 

Average dilutive effect of:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock Options

 

4.6

 

(0.037)

 

4.8

 

(0.025)

 

Equity Units

 

1.1

 

(0.009)

 

0.7

 

(0.003)

 

Deferred Units

 

 

(0.000)

 

0.1

 

(0.001)

Average number of common shares
  outstanding - diluted

 


198.3

 


$1.56 

 


206.1

 


$1.03 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Entergy's stock option and other equity compensation plans are discussed in Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements in the Form 10-K.

Treasury Stock

During the first quarter 2008, Entergy Corporation issued 245,349 shares of its previously repurchased common stock to satisfy stock option exercises and other stock-based awards. During the first quarter 2008, Entergy Corporation purchased 1,468,200 shares of common stock for a total purchase price of $158.2 million.

29

Retained Earnings

On April 8, 2008, Entergy Corporation's Board of Directors declared a common stock dividend of $0.75 per share, payable on June 2, 2008 to holders of record as of May 9, 2008.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Based on market prices as of March 31, 2008, cash flow hedges with net unrealized losses of approximately $108.9 million net-of-tax at March 31, 2008 are expected to be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to operating revenues during the next twelve months. The actual amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, however, could vary due to future changes in market prices. See Note 1 (Derivative Financial Instruments and Commodity Derivatives) and Note 16 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for additional discussion of the accounting treatment of cash flow hedges.

 

NOTE 4. LINES OF CREDIT, RELATED SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS, AND LONG-TERM DEBT

Entergy Corporation has in place a credit facility that expires in August 2012 and has a borrowing capacity of $3.5 billion. Entergy Corporation also has the ability to issue letters of credit against the total borrowing capacity of the credit facility. The facility fee is currently 0.09% of the commitment amount. Facility 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 as of March 31, 2008 was 3.831% on the drawn portion of the facility. Following is a summary of the borrowings outstanding and capacity available under the facility as of March 31, 2008.


Capacity

 


Borrowings

 

Letters
of Credit

 

Capacity
Available

(In Millions)

             

$3,500 

 

$2,476 

 

$71 

 

$953

Entergy Corporation's facility requires it to maintain a consolidated debt ratio of 65% or less of its total capitalization. If Entergy fails to meet this ratio, or if Entergy or one of the Utility operating companies (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 Arkansas, Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, Entergy Louisiana, and Entergy Mississippi each had credit facilities available as of March 31, 2008 as follows:


Company

 


Expiration Date

 

Amount of
Facility

 


Interest Rate (a)

 

Amount Drawn as of March 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

Entergy Arkansas

 

April 2008

 

$100 million (b)

 

4.75%

 

-

Entergy Gulf States Louisiana

 

August 2012

 

$100 million (c)

 

3.13%

 

-

Entergy Louisiana

 

August 2012

 

$200 million (d)

 

3.06%

 

-

Entergy Mississippi

 

May 2008

 

$30 million (e)

 

3.95%

 

-

Entergy Mississippi

 

May 2008

 

$20 million (e)

 

3.95%

 

-

(a)

The interest rate is the weighted average interest rate as of March 31, 2008 that would be applied to the outstanding borrowings under the facility.

(b)

In April 2008, Entergy Arkansas renewed its credit facility through April 2009. The renewed credit facility requires Entergy Arkansas to maintain a debt ratio of 65% or less of its total capitalization.

   

30

   

(c)

The credit facility allows Entergy Gulf States Louisiana to issue letters of credit against the borrowing capacity of the facility. As of March 31, 2008, no letters of credit were outstanding. The credit facility requires Entergy Gulf States Louisiana to maintain a consolidated debt ratio of 65% or less of its total capitalization. Pursuant to the terms of the credit agreement, the amount of debt assumed by Entergy Texas, currently $1.079 billion, is excluded from debt and capitalization in calculating the debt ratio.

(d)

The credit facility allows Entergy Louisiana to issue letters of credit against the borrowing capacity of the facility. As of March 31, 2008, no letters of credit were outstanding. The credit facility requires Entergy Louisiana to maintain a consolidated debt ratio of 65% or less of its total capitalization.

(e)

Borrowings under the Entergy Mississippi credit facilities may be secured by a security interest in its accounts receivable. Prior to expiration on May 31, 2008, Entergy Mississippi expects to renew both of its credit facilities.

The facility fees on the credit facilities range from 0.09% to 0.15% of the commitment amount.

The short-term borrowings of the Registrant Subsidiaries and certain other Entergy subsidiaries are limited to amounts authorized by the FERC. The current FERC-authorized limits are effective through March 31, 2010 (except Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Texas, which are effective through November 8, 2009). In addition to borrowings from commercial banks, these companies are authorized under a FERC order to borrow from the Entergy System money pool. The money pool is an inter-company borrowing arrangement designed to reduce Entergy's subsidiaries' dependence on external short-term borrowings. Borrowings from the money pool and external borrowings combined may not exceed the FERC authorized limits. As of March 31, 2008, Entergy's subsidiaries' aggregate money pool and external short-term borrowings authorized limit was $2.1 billion, the aggregate outstanding borrowing from the money pool was $472 million, and Entergy's subsidiaries' had no outstanding short-term borrowing from external sources.

The following are the FERC-authorized limits for short-term borrowings and the outstanding short-term borrowings from the money pool for the Registrant Subsidiaries as of March 31, 2008:

 

 

Authorized

 

Borrowings

 

 

(In Millions)

 

 

 

 

 

Entergy Arkansas

 

$250

 

$91.4

Entergy Gulf States Louisiana

 

$200

 

-

Entergy Louisiana

 

$250

 

$47.5

Entergy Mississippi

 

$175

 

-

Entergy New Orleans

 

$100

 

-

System Energy

 

$200

 

-

Tax Exempt Bond Audit

The IRS completed an audit of certain Tax Exempt Bonds (Bonds) issued by St. Charles Parish, State of Louisiana (the Issuer). The Bonds were issued to finance previously unfinanced acquisition costs expended by Entergy Louisiana to acquire certain radioactive solid waste disposal facilities (the Facilities) at the Waterford Steam Electric Generating Station. In March and April 2005, the IRS issued proposed adverse determinations that the Issuer's 7.0% Series bonds due 2022, 7.5% Series bonds due 2021, and 7.05% Series bonds due 2022 were not tax exempt. The stated basis for these determinations was that radioactive waste did not constitute "solid waste" within the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and therefore the Facilities did not qualify as solid waste disposal facilities. The three series of Bonds are the only series of bonds issued by the Issuer for the benefit of Entergy Louisiana that were the subject of audits by the IRS. Because the Issuer, Entergy Louisiana, and IRS Office of Appeals desired to settle the issue that was raised, Entergy Louisiana made a $1.25 million payment to the IRS. The terms of the settlement have no effect on the Issuer or the bondholders.

31

 

NOTE 5. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Entergy grants stock options, which are described more fully in Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements in the Form 10-K. Entergy adopted SFAS 123R, "Share-Based Payment" on January 1, 2006. The adoption of the standard did not materially affect Entergy's financial position, results of operations, or cash flows because Entergy adopted the fair value based method of accounting for stock options prescribed by SFAS 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation" on January 1, 2003. Prior to 2003, Entergy applied the recognition and measurement principles of APB Opinion 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees," and related Interpretations in accounting for those plans. Awards under Entergy's plans generally vest over three years.

The following table includes financial information for stock options for the first quarter for each of the years presented:

 

2008

 

2007

 

(In Millions)

Compensation expense included in Entergy's Net Income

$4.4

 

$3.3

Tax benefit recognized in Entergy's Net Income

$1.7

 

$1.3

Compensation cost capitalized as part of fixed assets and inventory

$0.8

 

$0.5

Entergy granted 1,637,400 stock options during the first quarter 2008 with a weighted-average fair value of $14.43. At March 31, 2008, there were 11,962,373 stock options outstanding with a weighted-average exercise price of $65.39. The aggregate intrinsic value of the stock options outstanding was $523 million.

 

NOTE 6. RETIREMENT AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS

Components of Net Pension Cost

Entergy's qualified pension cost, including amounts capitalized, for the first quarters of 2008 and 2007, included the following components:

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost - benefits earned during the period

 

$22,598 

 

$23,897 

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation

 

51,647 

 

45,862 

Expected return on assets

 

(57,639)

 

(50,626)

Amortization of prior service cost

 

1,266 

 

1,383 

Amortization of loss

 

6,934 

 

11,444 

Net pension costs

 

$24,806 

 

$31,960 

32

The Registrant Subsidiaries' qualified pension cost, including amounts capitalized, for the first quarters of 2008 and 2007, included the following components:

Entergy

 

 

Entergy

 

Gulf States

 

Entergy

 

Entergy

 

Entergy

 

System

2008

 

Arkansas

 

Louisiana

 

Louisiana

 

Mississippi

 

New Orleans

 

Energy

 

 

(In Thousands)

Service cost - benefits earned

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  during the period

 

$3,584 

 

$1,841 

 

$2,058 

 

$1,063 

 

$445 

 

$930 

Interest cost on projected

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  benefit obligation

 

11,616 

 

5,047 

 

6,784 

 

3,627 

 

1,415 

 

1,937 

Expected return on assets

 

(11,765)

 

(7,165)

 

(8,134)

 

(4,075)

 

(1,839)

 

(2,452)

Amortization of prior service cost

 

223 

 

110 

 

119 

 

90 

 

52 

 

Amortization of loss

 

2,303 

 

115 

 

920 

 

485 

 

319 

 

90 

Net pension cost/(income)

 

$5,961 

 

($52)

 

$1,747 

 

$1,190 

 

$392 

 

$514 

Entergy

 

 

Entergy

 

Gulf States

 

Entergy

 

Entergy

 

Entergy

 

System

2007

 

Arkansas

 

Louisiana

 

Louisiana

 

Mississippi

 

New Orleans

 

Energy

 

 

(In Thousands)

Service cost - benefits earned

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  during the period

 

$3,638 

 

$3,011 

 

$2,231 

 

$1,089 

 

$470 

 

$1,021 

Interest cost on projected

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  benefit obligation

 

10,498 

 

8,139 

 

6,251 

 

3,371 

 

1,260 

 

1,710 

Expected return on assets

 

(11,009)

 

(10,750)

 

(7,808)

 

(3,837)

 

(1,446)

 

(2,136)

Amortization of prior service cost

 

412 

 

304 

 

160 

 

114 

 

44 

 

12 

Amortization of loss

 

2,721 

 

623 

 

1,433 

 

749 

 

368 

 

151 

Net pension cost

 

$6,260 

 

$1,327 

 

$2,267 

 

$1,486 

 

$696 

 

$758 

Entergy recognized $4.3 million and $4.0 million in pension cost for its non-qualified pension plans in the first quarters of 2008 and 2007, respectively.

The Registrant Subsidiaries recognized the following pension cost for their non-qualified pension plans in the first quarters of 2008 and 2007:

Entergy

 

 

Entergy

 

Gulf States

 

Entergy

 

Entergy

 

Entergy

 

 

 

Arkansas

 

Louisiana

 

Louisiana

 

Mississippi

 

New Orleans

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

Non-Qualified Pension Cost First
  Quarter 2008

 

$133 

 

$78 

 

$7 

 

$54 

 

$12 

 

Non-Qualified Pension Cost First
  Quarter 2007

 

$123 

 

$317 

 

$6 

 

$44 

 

$57 

 

33

Components of Net Other Postretirement Benefit Cost

Entergy's other postretirement benefit cost, including amounts capitalized, for the first quarters of 2008 and 2007, included the following components:

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost - benefits earned during the period

 

$11,800 

 

$10,893 

Interest cost on APBO

 

17,824 

 

15,686 

Expected return on assets

 

(7,027)

 

(6,260)

Amortization of transition obligation

 

957 

 

958 

Amortization of prior service cost

 

(4,104)

 

(3,959)

Amortization of loss

 

3,890 

 

4,743 

Net other postretirement benefit cost

 

$23,340 

 

$22,061 

The Registrant Subsidiaries' other postretirement benefit cost, including amounts capitalized, for the first quarters of 2008 and 2007, included the following components:

Entergy

 

 

Entergy

 

Gulf States

 

Entergy

 

Entergy

 

Entergy

 

System

2008

 

Arkansas

 

Louisiana

 

Louisiana

 

Mississippi

 

New Orleans

 

Energy

 

 

(In Thousands)

Service cost - benefits earned

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  during the period

 

$1,706 

 

$1,251 

 

$1,099 

 

$514 

 

$295 

 

$513 

Interest cost on APBO

 

3,443 

 

1,917 

 

2,187 

 

1,141 

 

953 

 

531 

Expected return on assets

 

(2,492)

 

 

 

(905)

 

(789)

 

(511)

Amortization of transition obligation

 

205 

 

84 

 

96 

 

88 

 

415 

 

Amortization of prior service cost

 

(197)

 

146 

 

117 

 

(62)

 

90 

 

(283)

Amortization of loss

 

1,440 

 

494 

 

677 

 

534 

 

291 

 

177 

Net other postretirement benefit cost

 

$4,105 

 

$3,892 

 

$4,176 

 

$1,310 

 

$1,255 

 

$429 

Entergy

 

 

Entergy

 

Gulf States

 

Entergy

 

Entergy

 

Entergy

 

System

2007

 

Arkansas

 

Louisiana

 

Louisiana

 

Mississippi

 

New Orleans

 

Energy

 

 

(In Thousands)

Service cost - benefits earned

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  during the period

 

$1,525 

 

$1,547 

 

$973 

 

$476 

 

$255 

 

$451 

Interest cost on APBO

 

3,037 

 

2,876 

 

1,941 

 

1,049 

 

870 

 

433 

Expected return on assets

 

(2,231)

 

(1,697)

 

 

(819)

 

(682)

 

(470)

Amortization of transition obligation

 

205 

 

151 

 

96 

 

88 

 

416 

 

Amortization of prior service cost

 

(197)

 

218 

 

117 

 

(62)

 

90 

 

(283)

Amortization of loss

 

1,500 

 

793 

 

764 

 

613 

 

282 

 

149 

Net other postretirement benefit cost

 

$3,839 

 

$3,888 

 

$3,891 

 

$1,345 

 

$1,231 

 

$282 

34

Employer Contributions

Based on current assumptions, Entergy expects to contribute $226 million to its qualified pension plans in 2008. As of the end of April 2008, Entergy had contributed $98 million to its pension plans. Therefore, Entergy presently anticipates contributing an additional $128 million to fund its qualified pension plans in 2008.

Based on current assumptions, the Registrant Subsidiaries expect to contribute the following to qualified pension plans in 2008:

Entergy

 

Entergy

 

Gulf States

 

Entergy

 

Entergy

 

Entergy

 

System

 

 

Arkansas

 

Louisiana

 

Louisiana

 

Mississippi

 

New Orleans

 

Energy

 

 

(In Thousands)

Expected 2008 pension contributions
  disclosed in Form 10-K

 


$40,470

 


$37,756

 


$ -

 


$10,955

 


$ -

 


$ -

Pension contributions made through
  April 2008

 

$10,710

 

$13,763

 


$ -

 

$2,899

 


$ -

 


$ -

Remaining estimated pension
  contributions to be made in 2008

 

$29,760

 

$23,993

 


$ -

 

$8,056

 


$ -

 


$ -

Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (Medicare Act)

Based on actuarial analysis, the estimated impact of future Medicare subsidies reduced the December 31, 2007 Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation (APBO) by $182 million, and reduced the first quarter 2008 and 2007 other postretirement benefit cost by $6.2 million and $6.5 million, respectively.

Based on actuarial analysis, the estimated impact of future Medicare subsidies reduced the December 31, 2007 APBO and the first quarters 2008 and 2007 other postretirement benefit cost for the Registrant Subsidiaries as follows:

Entergy

 

 

Entergy

 

Gulf States

 

Entergy

 

Entergy

 

Entergy

 

System

 

 

Arkansas

 

Louisiana

 

Louisiana

 

Mississippi

 

New Orleans

 

Energy

 

 

(In Thousands)

Reduction in 12/31/2007 APBO

 

($39,653)

 

($19,662)

 

($21,797)

 

($13,223)

 

($9,487)

 

($6,185)

Reduction in first quarter 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  other postretirement benefit cost

 

($1,266)

 

($876)

 

($706)

 

($406)

 

($279)

 

($236)

Reduction in first quarter 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  other postretirement benefit cost

 

($1,376)

 

($1,222)

 

($762)

 

($438)

 

($311)

 

($246)

For further information on the Medicare Act refer to Note 11 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K.

35

 

NOTE 7. BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION

Entergy Corporation

Entergy's reportable segments as of March 31, 2008 are Utility and Non-Utility Nuclear. Utility generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electric power in portions of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, and provides natural gas utility service in portions of Louisiana. Non-Utility Nuclear owns and operates six nuclear power plants and is primarily focused on selling electric power produced by those plants to wholesale customers. "All Other" includes the parent company, Entergy Corporation, and other business activity, including the non-nuclear wholesale assets business, the Competitive Retail Services business, and earnings on the proceeds of sales of previously-owned businesses. As a result of the Entergy New Orleans bankruptcy filing, Entergy discontinued the consolidation of Entergy New Orleans retroactive to January 1, 2005, and reported Entergy New Orleans results under the equity method of accounting in the Utility segment in 2006 and 2005. On May 7, 2007, the bankruptcy judge entered an order confirming Entergy New Orleans' plan of reorganization. With confirmation of the plan of reorganization, Entergy reconsolidated Entergy New Orleans in the second quarter 2007, retroactive to January 1, 2007.

Entergy's segment financial information for the first quarters of 2008 and 2007 is as follows:

 



Utility

 


Non-Utility
Nuclear*

 



All Other*

 



Eliminations

 



Consolidated

(In Thousands)

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Revenues

$2,136,330 

 

$680,484

 

$54,800 

 

($6,880)

 

$2,864,734 

Equity in loss of unconsolidated

 

 

 

 

 

  equity affiliates

$- 

 

$-

 

($929)

 

$- 

 

($929)

Income Taxes (Benefit)

$84,243 

 

$124,973

 

($16,213)

 

$- 

 

$193,003 

Net Income (Loss)

$117,147 

 

$221,697

 

($30,095)

 

$- 

 

$308,749 

Total Assets

$26,201,946 

$7,175,012

$1,938,323 

($1,450,448)

$33,864,833 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Revenues

$2,197,099 

 

$458,251

 

$45,048 

 

($6,338)

 

$2,694,060 

Equity in earnings (loss) of

 

 

 

 

 

  unconsolidated equity affiliates

($1)

 

$-

 

$1,625 

 

$- 

 

$1,624 

Income Taxes (Benefit)

$80,692 

 

$84,735

 

($19,362)

 

$- 

 

$146,065 

Net Income (Loss)

$104,450 

 

$128,170

 

($20,425)

 

$- 

 

$212,195 

Total Assets

$25,695,295 

$5,518,895

$2,882,628 

($2,421,989)

$31,674,829 

Businesses marked with * are sometimes referred to as the "competitive businesses," with the exception of the parent company, Entergy Corporation. Eliminations are primarily intersegment activity. Almost all of Entergy's goodwill is related to the Utility segment.

Registrant Subsidiaries

The Registrant Subsidiaries' have one reportable segment, which is an integrated utility business, except for System Energy, which is an electricity generation business. The Registrant Subsidiaries' operations are managed on an integrated basis because of the substantial effect of cost-based rates and regulatory oversight on the business process, cost structures, and operating results.

36

 

NOTE 8. ACQUISITION

Calcasieu (Entergy Gulf States Louisiana)

In March 2008, Entergy Gulf States Louisiana purchased the Calcasieu Generating Facility, a 322 MW simple-cycle gas-fired power plant located near the city of Sulphur in southwestern Louisiana, for approximately $56.4 million from Dynegy, Inc. Entergy Gulf States Louisiana received the plant, materials and supplies, SO2 emission allowances, and related real estate in the transaction. The FERC and the LPSC approved the acquisition.

 

NOTE 9. RISK MANAGEMENT AND FAIR VALUE

See Note 16 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for a discussion of Entergy's and the Registrant Subsidiaries' exposure to market and commodity risks. See Note 17 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for a discussion of Entergy's and the Registrant Subsidiaries' decommissioning trust funds.

Effective January 1, 2008 Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, "Fair Value Measurements" (SFAS 157), which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in GAAP, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS 157 generally does not require any new fair value measurements. However, in some cases, the application of SFAS 157 in the future may change Entergy's and the Registrant Subsidiaries' practice for measuring and disclosing fair values under other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements.

SFAS 157 defines 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 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.

SFAS 157 establishes 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 fair value hierarchy defined in SFAS 157 are as follows:

  • 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 and debt instruments.
  • 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. 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 consists primarily of individually owned debt instruments or shares in common trusts.

 

37

 

  • 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 derivative power contracts used as cash flow hedges of power sales at unregulated power plants.

The following table sets forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy established by SFAS 157, Entergy's assets and liabilities that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2008. The assessment of the significance of a particular input to a fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect their placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.

   

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

   

(In Millions)

Assets:

               

Decommissioning trust funds

 

$580

 

$2,601

 

$-

 

$3,181

Gas hedge contracts

 

86

 

-

 

-

 

86

   

$666

 

$2,601

 

$-

 

$3,267

                 

Liabilities:

               

Derivatives

 

$-

 

$-

 

$288

 

$288

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of changes in the liabilities for the fair value of derivatives classified as level 3 in the SFAS 157 fair value hierarchy (in millions):

Balance as of January 1, 2008

 

$12

     

Price changes

 

196

Originated

 

74

Settlements

 

6

     

Balance as of March 31, 2008

 

$288

38

The following table sets forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy established by SFAS 157, the Registrant Subsidaries' assets that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2008. 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.

   

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

   

(In Millions)

Entergy Arkansas:

               

Assets:

               

  Decommissioning trust funds

 

$49.8

 

$396.6

 

$-

 

$446.4

Entergy Gulf States Louisiana:

               

Assets:

               

  Decommissioning trust funds

 

$15.9

 

$332.9

 

$-

 

$348.8

  Gas hedge contracts

 

18.9

 

-

 

-

 

18.9

   

$34.8

 

$332.9

 

$-

 

$367.7

Entergy Louisiana:

               

Assets:

               

  Decommissioning trust funds

 

$42.4

 

$166.6

 

$-

 

$209.0

  Gas hedge contracts

 

36.9

 

-

 

-

 

36.9

   

$79.3

 

$166.6

 

$-

 

$245.9

Entergy Mississippi:

               

Assets:

               

  Gas hedge contracts

 

$30.6

 

$-

 

$-

 

$30.6

System Energy:

               

Assets:

               

  Decommissioning trust funds

 

$69.7

 

$235.0

 

$-

 

$304.7

 

NOTE 10. INCOME TAXES

Income Tax Audits and Litigation

In the first quarter 2008, Entergy agreed to concede the issue relating to the simplified method of allocating the "mixed service costs" component of overhead. Entergy's concession will result in an increase to taxable income for income tax purposes of $361 million for 2005 and $240 million for 2006. Because Entergy has a consolidated net operating loss carryover into these years, this concession has the effect of reducing the consolidated net operating loss carryover. Entergy's concession will not have a material effect on the Registrant Subsidiaries' net income. Of the total increase to taxable income for income tax purposes of $601 million, the taxable income for income tax purposes of the Registrant Subsidiaries increased as follows: Entergy Arkansas, $173 million; Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, $199 million; Entergy Louisiana, $15 million; Entergy Mississippi, $89 million; Entergy New Orleans, $15 million; and System Energy, $20 million.

 

NOTE 11. ENTERGY GULF STATES LOUISIANA BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Effective 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 now 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

 

39

 

interest in Nelson 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 Gulf States Louisiana now 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.

As the successor to Entergy Gulf States, Inc. for financial reporting purposes, Entergy Gulf States Louisiana's income statement and cash flow statement for three months ended March 31, 2007 include the operations of Entergy Texas. Entergy Gulf States Louisiana's balance sheets as of December 31, 2007 and March 31, 2008 reflect the effects of the separation of the Texas business.

 

NOTE 12. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In March 2008 the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161 "Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133" (SFAS 161), which requires enhanced disclosures about an entity's derivative and hedging activities. SFAS 161 requires qualitative disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of and gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements. SFAS 161 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008.

__________________________________

In the opinion of the management of Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, and System Energy, the accompanying unaudited financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting primarily of normal recurring accruals and reclassification of previously reported amounts to conform to current classifications) necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented. The business of the Registrant Subsidiaries is subject to seasonal fluctuations, however, with the peak periods occurring during the third quarter. The results for the interim periods presented should not be used as a basis for estimating results of operations for a full year.

 

Part I, Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of March 31, 2008, evaluations were performed under the supervision and with the participation of Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, and System Energy Resources (individually "Registrant" and collectively the "Registrants") management, including their respective Chief Executive Officers (CEO) and Chief Financial Officers (CFO). The evaluations assessed the effectiveness of the Registrants' disclosure controls and procedures. Based on the evaluations, each CEO and CFO has concluded that, as to the Registrant or Registrants for which they serve as CEO or CFO, the Registrant's or Registrants' disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by each Registrant in reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms; and that the Registrant's or Registrants' disclosure controls and procedures are also effective in reasonably assuring that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Registrant's or Registrants' management, including their respective CEOs and CFOs, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

40

ENTERGY ARKANSAS, INC.

MANAGEMENT'S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

Results of Operations

Net Income

Net income decreased $6.2 million for the first quarter 2008 compared to the first quarter 2007 primarily due to higher other operation and maintenance expenses, lower net revenue, and lower other income partially offset by lower taxes other than income taxes.

Net Revenue

Net revenue consists of operating revenues net of: 1) fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale, 2) purchased power expenses, and 3) other regulatory charges (credits). Following is an analysis of the change in net revenue comparing the first quarter 2008 to the first quarter 2007.

  

 

Amount

 

 

(In Millions)

 

 

 

2007 net revenue

 

$253.3 

Deferred fuel cost revisions

 

(5.8)

Volume/weather

 

(1.9)

Purchased power capacity

 

(1.8)

Net wholesale revenue

 

3.2 

Other

 

1.2 

2008 net revenue

 

$248.2 

The deferred fuel cost revisions variance is primarily due to the 2006 energy cost recovery true-up, made in the first quarter 2007, which increased net revenue by $6.6 million.

The volume/weather variance is primarily due to decreased usage during the unbilled sales period. See Note 1 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for a discussion of the accounting for unbilled revenues.

The purchased power capacity variance is primarily due to higher purchased power capacity charges partially offset by lower reserve equalization expenses.

The net wholesale revenue variance is primarily due to improved results from wholesale contracts and higher wholesale prices.

Gross operating revenues, fuel and purchased power expenses, and other regulatory charges (credits)

The gross operating revenues variance includes the following:

  • a decrease of $83.1 million in fuel cost recovery revenues due to a change in the energy cost recovery rider effective April 2007. The energy cost recovery rider filings are discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K;
  • an increase of $57.3 million in production cost allocation rider revenues which became effective in July 2007 as a result of the System Agreement proceedings. As a result of the System Agreement proceedings, Entergy Arkansas also has a corresponding increase in deferred fuel expense for payments to other Entergy system companies such that there is no effect on net income. Entergy Arkansas made these payments over a seven-month period in 2007 but collections from customers are occurring over a twelve-month period. The production cost allocation rider and System Agreement proceedings are discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K; and
  • an increase of $17.9 million in gross wholesale revenue due to higher wholesale prices.

41

The fuel and purchased power expenses variance includes the following:

  • a decrease in deferred fuel expense due to a lower energy cost recovery rate, as discussed above;
  • an increase of $57.3 million in deferred fuel expense related to System Agreement payments, as discussed above; and
  • an increase in purchased power expenses due to an increase in the average market price of purchased power and an increase in volume as a result of an outage at ANO in March 2008.

Other Income Statement Variances

Other operation and maintenance expenses increased primarily due to an increase of $11.4 million in storm damage charges as a result of several storms hitting Entergy Arkansas' service territory in the first quarter 2008. Entergy Arkansas discontinued regulatory storm reserve accounting beginning July 2007 as a result of the APSC order issued in Entergy Arkansas' rate case. As a result, non-capital storm expenses are charged to other operation and maintenance expenses.

Taxes other than income taxes decreased primarily due to a $3.5 million decrease related to resolution in the first quarter 2008 of issues relating to tax exempt bonds.

Other income decreased primarily due to a revision in 2007 to the allowance for equity funds used during construction related to removal costs and a decrease in interest earned on money pool investments.

Interest and other charges decreased primarily due to interest expense of $2.9 million recorded in the first quarter 2007 on advances from independent power producers per a FERC order, partially offset by a revision to the allowance for borrowed funds used during construction related to removal costs.

Income Taxes

The effective income tax rates for the first quarters of 2008 and 2007 were 41.7% and 45.4%, respectively. The difference in the effective income tax rate for the first quarter 2008 versus the federal statutory rate of 35.0% is primarily due to book and tax differences related to utility plant items and an adjustment of the federal tax reserve for prior tax years, partially offset by flow-through book and tax timing differences. The difference in the effective income tax rate for the first quarter 2007 versus the federal statutory rate of 35.0% is primarily due to book and tax differences related to utility plant items and state income taxes, partially offset by book and tax differences related to the allowance for equity funds used during construction.

42

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash Flow

Cash flows for the first quarters of 2008 and 2007 were as follows:

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

$212 

 

$34,815 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flow provided by (used in):

 

 

 

 

 

Operating activities

 

103,754 

 

208,282 

 

Investing activities

 

(99,056)

 

(115,117)

 

Financing activities

 

5,129 

 

(17,518)

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

9,827 

 

75,647 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$10,039 

 

$110,462 

Operating Activities

Cash flow from operations decreased $104.5 million for the first quarter 2008 compared to the first quarter 2007 primarily due to decreased recovery of deferred fuel costs and the timing of payments to vendors.

Investing Activities

Net cash flow used in investing activities decreased $16.1 million for the first quarter 2008 compared to the first quarter 2007 primarily due an increase in the money pool receivable in 2007. The decrease was partially offset by an increase in fossil construction expenditures related to a project that began in 2008.

Financing Activities

Financing activities provided $5.1 million of cash for the first quarter 2008 compared to using $17.5 million of cash for the first quarter 2007 primarily due to Entergy Arkansas increasing its money pool borrowings outstanding and a decrease in common stock dividends paid.

Capital Structure

Entergy Arkansas' capitalization is balanced between equity and debt, as shown in the following table.

 

 

March 31,
2008

 

December 31,
2007

 

 

 

 

 

Net debt to net capital

 

48.6%

 

49.0%

Effect of subtracting cash from debt

 

0.2%

 

0.0%

Debt to capital

 

48.8%

 

49.0%

Net debt consists of debt less cash and cash equivalents. Debt consists of notes payable, capital lease obligations, and long-term debt, including the currently maturing portion. Capital consists of debt and shareholders' equity. Net capital consists of capital less cash and cash equivalents. Entergy Arkansas 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' financial condition.

43

Uses and Sources of Capital

See "MANAGEMENT'S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - Liquidity and Capital Resources" in the Form 10-K for a discussion of Entergy Arkansas' uses and sources of capital. Following are updates to the information provided in the Form 10-K.

In April 2008, Entergy Arkansas renewed its $100 million credit facility through April 2009. There were no outstanding borrowings under the Entergy Arkansas credit facility as of March 31, 2008.

Entergy Arkansas' receivables from or (payables to) the money pool were as follows:

March 31,
2008

 

December 31,
2007

 

March 31,
2007

 

December 31,
2006

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

($91,448)

 

($77,882)

 

$62,748

 

$16,109

See Note 4 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for a description of the money pool.

Significant Factors and Known Trends

See "MANAGEMENT'S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - Significant Factors and Known Trends" in the Form 10-K for a discussion of state and local rate regulation, federal regulation, Energy Policy Act of 2005, utility restructuring, nuclear matters, and environmental risks. Following are updates to the information provided in the Form 10-K.

State and Local Rate Regulation

Ouachita Acquisition

Entergy Arkansas filed with the APSC in September 2007 for its approval of the Ouachita plant acquisition, including full cost recovery.  The APSC Staff and the Arkansas attorney general have supported Entergy Arkansas' acquisition of the plant, but oppose the sale of one-third of the capacity and energy to Entergy Gulf States Louisiana.  The industrial group AEEC has opposed Entergy Arkansas' purchase of the plant.  The Arkansas attorney general has opposed recovery of the non-fuel costs of the plant through a separate rider, while the APSC Staff recommended revisions to the rider. In December 2007, the APSC issued an order approving recovery through a rider of the capacity costs associated with the interim tolling agreement, which will be in effect until APSC action on the acquisition of the plant. A hearing before the APSC was held in April 2008 to address Entergy Arkansas' request for acquisition of the plant and concurrent cost recovery, and a decision is pending.

On March 18, 2008 the Arkansas attorney general and the AEEC filed a notice of appeal of the December 2007 APSC order that approved recovery through a rider of the capacity costs associated with the interim tolling agreement. Entergy Arkansas will respond to the positions of the Arkansas attorney general and the AEEC in the appeal.

Production Cost Allocation Rider

In its June 2007 decision on Entergy Arkansas' August 2006 rate filing, the APSC approved a production cost allocation rider for recovery from customers of the retail portion of the costs allocated to Entergy Arkansas as a result of the System Agreement proceedings, but set a termination date of December 31, 2008 for the rider. In December 2007, the APSC issued a subsequent order stating the production cost allocation rider will remain in effect, and any future termination of the rider will be subject to eighteen months advance notice by the APSC, which would occur following notice and hearing. On March 18, 2008 the Arkansas attorney general and the AEEC filed a notice of appeal of the December 2007 APSC order. Entergy Arkansas will respond to the positions of the Arkansas attorney general and the AEEC in the appeal.

44

Energy Cost Recovery Rider

Entergy Arkansas' retail rates include an energy cost recovery rider. In December 2007, the APSC issued an order stating that Entergy Arkansas' energy cost recovery rider will remain in effect, and any future termination of the rider will be subject to eighteen months advance notice by the APSC, which would occur following notice and hearing. On March 18, 2008 the Arkansas attorney general and the AEEC filed a notice of appeal of the December 2007 APSC order. Entergy Arkansas will respond to the positions of the Arkansas attorney general and the AEEC in the appeal.

In March 2008, Entergy Arkansas filed with the APSC its annual energy cost rate for the period April 2008 through March 2009. The filed energy cost rate increased from $0.01179/kWh to $0.01869/kWh. The increase was caused by the following: 1) all three of the nuclear power plants from which Entergy Arkansas obtains power, ANO 1 and 2 and Grand Gulf, will have refueling outages in 2008, and the energy cost rate is adjusted to account for the replacement power costs that will be incurred while these units are down; 2) Entergy Arkansas has a deferred fuel cost balance from under-recovered fuel costs at December 31, 2007; and 3) fuel and purchased power prices have increased.

Federal Regulation

See "System Agreement Proceedings" and "Independent Coordinator of Transmission" in the "Significant Factors and Known Trends" section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management's Financial Discussion and Analysis for updates to the discussion in the Form 10-K.

Critical Accounting Estimates

See "MANAGEMENT'S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - Critical Accounting Estimates" in the Form 10-K for a discussion of the estimates and judgments necessary in Entergy Arkansas' accounting for nuclear decommissioning costs, unbilled revenue, and qualified pension and other postretirement benefits.

New Accounting Pronouncements

See "New Accounting Pronouncements" section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management's Financial Discussion and Analysis for a discussion of new accounting pronouncements.

45

ENTERGY ARKANSAS, INC.
INCOME STATEMENTS
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 and 2007
(Unaudited)
     
    2008   2007
    (In Thousands)
         
OPERATING REVENUES        
Electric   $499,374    $502,738 
         
OPERATING EXPENSES        
Operation and Maintenance:        
  Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and        
    gas purchased for resale   83,562    138,039 
  Purchased power   166,524    116,405 
  Nuclear refueling outage expenses   6,931    7,013 
  Other operation and maintenance   107,123    99,855 
Decommissioning   8,552    8,000 
Taxes other than income taxes   15,739    19,983 
Depreciation and amortization   57,237    56,065 
Other regulatory charges (credits) - net   1,045    (5,028)
TOTAL   446,713    440,332
         
OPERATING INCOME   52,661    62,406 
         
OTHER INCOME        
Allowance for equity funds used during construction   1,778    5,596 
Interest and dividend income   5,257    7,583 
Miscellaneous - net   (1,014)   (1,206)
TOTAL   6,021    11,973 
         
INTEREST AND OTHER CHARGES  
Interest on long-term debt   18,628    19,354 
Other interest - net   1,938    4,897 
Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction   (850)   (2,744)
TOTAL   19,716    21,507 
         
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES   38,966    52,872 
         
Income taxes   16,248    23,990 
         
NET INCOME   22,718    28,882 
         
Preferred dividend requirements and other   1,718    1,718 
         
EARNINGS APPLICABLE TO        
COMMON STOCK  
$21,000 
 
$27,164 
         
See Notes to Financial Statements.        
         

 

46

 

ENTERGY ARKANSAS, INC.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 and 2007
(Unaudited)
     
   
2008
 
2007
    (In Thousands)
         
OPERATING ACTIVITIES        
Net income   $22,718    $28,882 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flow provided by operating activities:        
  Reserve for regulatory adjustments   (3,010)   (552)
  Other regulatory charges (credits) - net   1,045    (5,028)
  Depreciation, amortization, and decommissioning   65,789    64,065 
  Deferred income taxes, investment tax credits, and non-current taxes accrued   21,837    67,346 
  Changes in working capital:        
    Receivables   48,573    39,292 
    Fuel inventory   (7,339)   (12,908)
    Accounts payable   (71,886)   (27,956)
    Taxes accrued     (30,513)
    Interest accrued   2,771    596 
    Deferred fuel costs   27,179    84,739 
    Other working capital accounts   (7,711)   3,845 
  Provision for estimated losses and reserves   285    134 
  Changes in other regulatory assets   8,132    8,441 
  Other   (4,629)   (12,101)
Net cash flow provided by operating activities   103,754    208,282 
         
INVESTING ACTIVITIES        
Construction expenditures   (97,961)   (72,495)
Allowance for equity funds used during construction   1,778    5,596 
Nuclear fuel purchases   (58,998)   (30,530)
Proceeds from sale/leaseback of nuclear fuel   60,184    32,601 
Proceeds from nuclear decommissioning trust fund sales   23,449    7,008 
Investment in nuclear decommissioning trust funds   (27,508)   (10,658)
Change in money pool receivable - net     (46,639)
Net cash flow used in investing activities  
(99,056)
  (115,117)
         
FINANCING ACTIVITIES        
Change in money pool payable - net   13,566   
Dividends paid:        
  Common stock   (5,000)   (15,800)
  Preferred stock   (3,437)   (1,718)
Net cash flow provided by (used in) financing activities   5,129    (17,518)
         
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents   9,827    75,647 
         
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   212    34,815 
         
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period  
$10,039 
 
$110,462 
         
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:        
Cash paid/(received) during the period for:        
  Interest - net of amount capitalized   $15,227    $20,361
  Income taxes   ($3,554)   $- 
         
See Notes to Financial Statements.        

 

47

 

ENTERGY ARKANSAS, INC.
BALANCE SHEETS
ASSETS
March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007
(Unaudited)
   
  2008   2007
  (In Thousands)
         
CURRENT ASSETS        
Cash and cash equivalents   $10,039    $212 
Accounts receivable:        
  Customer   97,384    85,414 
  Allowance for doubtful accounts   (16,573)   (16,649)
  Associated companies   79,458    75,756 
  Other   73,173    124,111 
  Accrued unbilled revenues   54,857    68,240 
    Total accounts receivable   288,299    336,872 
Deferred fuel costs   87,584    114,763 
Fuel inventory - at average cost   27,844    20,505 
Materials and supplies - at average cost   108,969    106,165 
Deferred nuclear refueling outage costs   23,418    17,623 
System agreement cost equalization   268,000    268,000 
Prepayments and other   10,687    16,511 
TOTAL   824,840    880,651 
         
OTHER PROPERTY AND INVESTMENTS        
Investment in affiliates - at equity   11,203    11,203  
Decommissioning trust funds   451,337    466,348  
Non-utility property - at cost (less accumulated depreciation)   1,442    1,442  
Other   5,391    5,391  
TOTAL   469,373    484,384  
         
UTILITY PLANT        
Electric   6,880,975    6,792,825 
Property under capital lease   1,734    2,436 
Construction work in progress   152,503    146,651 
Nuclear fuel under capital lease   125,727    124,585 
Nuclear fuel   17,655    19,548 
TOTAL UTILITY PLANT   7,178,594    7,086,045 
Less - accumulated depreciation and amortization   3,159,458    3,112,896 
UTILITY PLANT - NET   4,019,136    3,973,149 
         
DEFERRED DEBITS AND OTHER ASSETS        
Regulatory assets:        
  SFAS 109 regulatory asset - net   99,487    93,557 
  Other regulatory assets   522,146    534,937 
Other   36,028    33,128 
TOTAL   657,661    661,622 
         
TOTAL ASSETS  
$5,971,010 
 
$5,999,806  
         
See Notes to Financial Statements.        
 
48
 
ENTERGY ARKANSAS, INC.
BALANCE SHEETS
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007
(Unaudited)
   
  2008   2007
  (In Thousands)
 
CURRENT LIABILITIES        
Accounts payable:        
  Associated companies   $440,219    $486,201 
  Other   87,908    100,246 
Customer deposits   59,188    57,751 
Accumulated deferred income taxes   16,338    26,964 
Interest accrued   20,218    17,447 
Obligations under capital leases   49,048    49,738 
Other   11,681    10,890 
TOTAL   684,600    749,237 
         
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES        
Accumulated deferred income taxes and taxes accrued   1,365,218    1,330,324 
Accumulated deferred investment tax credits   54,861    55,854 
Obligations under capital leases   78,412    77,283 
Other regulatory liabilities   98,440    117,510 
Decommissioning   514,178    505,626 
Accumulated provisions   14,699    14,414 
Pension and other postretirement liabilities   261,579    260,381 
Long-term debt   1,316,061    1,314,525 
Other   66,050    73,739 
TOTAL   3,769,498    3,749,656 
         
Commitments and Contingencies        
         
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY        
Preferred stock without sinking fund   116,350    116,350 
Common stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 325,000,000        
  shares; issued and outstanding 46,980,196 shares in 2008        
  and 2007   470    470 
Paid-in capital   588,527    588,527 
Retained earnings   811,565    795,566 
TOTAL   1,516,912    1,500,913 
         
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY  
$5,971,010 
 
$5,999,806 
         
See Notes to Financial Statements.        

 

49

 

ENTERGY ARKANSAS, INC.
SELECTED OPERATING RESULTS
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 and 2007
(Unaudited)
 
            Increase/    
Description   2008   2007   (Decrease)   %
    (Dollars In Millions)    
Electric Operating Revenues:                
  Residential   $ 179   $ 181   ($ 2)   (1)
  Commercial   94   99   (5)   (5)
  Industrial   92   102   (10)   (10)
  Governmental   4   5   (1)   (20)
     Total retail   369   387   (18)   (5)
  Sales for resale                
    Associated companies   96   78   18    23 
    Non-associated companies   33   33    
  Other   1   5   (4)   (80)
     Total   $ 499   $ 503   ($ 4)   (1)
                 
Billed Electric Energy                
 Sales (GWh):                
   Residential   2,143   2,032   111   
   Commercial   1,347   1,327   20   
   Industrial   1,713   1,721   (8)  
   Governmental   65   65    
     Total retail   5,268   5,145   123   
   Sales for resale                
    Associated companies   1,954   1,993   (39)   (2)
    Non-associated companies   540   669   (129)   (19)
     Total   7,762   7,807   (45)   (1)
                 
                 

50

ENTERGY GULF STATES LOUISIANA, L.L.C.

MANAGEMENT'S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Jurisdictional Separation of Entergy Gulf States, Inc. into Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Texas

See Part I, Item 1 in the Form 10-K and Entergy Gulf States Louisiana's Management's Financial Discussion and Analysis in the Form 10-K for a discussion of the jurisdictional separation of Entergy Gulf States, Inc. 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 Gulf States Louisiana is the successor for financial reporting purposes to Entergy Gulf States, Inc. Entergy Gulf States Louisiana's Income Statement and Cash Flow Statement for the three months ended March 31, 2008 reflect the effects of the separation of the Texas business. Entergy Gulf States Louisiana's Income Statement and Cash Flow Statement for the three months ended March 31, 2007 include the operations of Entergy Texas. Entergy Gulf States Louisiana's balance sheets as of March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 reflect the effects of the separation of the Texas business.

On March 31, 2008, pursuant to the LPSC order approving the jurisdictional separation plan, Entergy Gulf States Louisiana made its jurisdictional separation plan balance sheet compliance filing with the LPSC.

Results of Operations

Following are income statement variances for Entergy Gulf States Louisiana comparing the first quarter 2008 to the first quarter 2007 showing how much the line item increased or (decreased) in comparison to the prior period:

 


First Quarter 2007

 

Variance caused by the jurisdictional separation

 

Variance caused by other factors


First Quarter 2008

(In Thousands)

Net revenue (operating revenue less fuel expense,
  purchased power, and other regulatory
  charges/credits)

 



$278,452



($75,574)



($7,388)



$195,490

Other operation and maintenance expenses

 

125,854

(41,951)

(4,426)

79,477

Taxes other than income taxes

 

31,311

(13,133)

(896)

17,282

Depreciation

 

52,415

(17,134)

(2,155)

33,126

Other expenses

6,500

(42)

280 

6,738

Other income

 

20,807

4,009 

(1,243)

23,573

Interest charges

 

37,349

(4,974)

(864)

31,511

Income taxes

 

18,233

2,273 

(403)

20,103

Net Income (Loss)

 

$27,597

 

$3,396 

 

($167)

$30,826

Net Income

Net income increased by $3.2 million primarily due to the jurisdictional separation of Entergy Gulf States, Inc. into Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Texas, effective December 31, 2007. For the first quarter 2007, Entergy Texas reported a net loss of $3.4 million.

 

51

 

Net Revenue

Net revenue consists of operating revenues net of: 1) fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale, 2) purchased power expenses and 3) other regulatory charges. Following is an analysis of the change in net revenue comparing the first quarter 2008 to the first quarter 2007.

 

 

Amount

 

 

(In Millions)

 

 

 

2007 net revenue

 

$278.5 

Jurisdictional separation

 

(75.6)

Other

 

(7.4)

2008 net revenue

 

$195.5 

Net revenue decreased primarily due to the jurisdictional separation of Entergy Gulf States, Inc. into Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Texas, effective December 31, 2007. The remaining variance was caused by various individually insignificant factors.

Gross operating revenues and fuel and purchased power expenses

Gross operating revenues and fuel and purchased power expenses both decreased primarily due to the jurisdictional separation of Entergy Gulf States, Inc. into Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Texas, effective December 31, 2007.

Other Income Statement Variances

Other operation and maintenance decreased primarily due to the jurisdictional separation of Entergy Gulf States, Inc. into Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Texas, effective December 31, 2007. The remaining variance was caused by various individually insignificant factors.

Taxes other than income taxes decreased primarily due to the jurisdictional separation of Entergy Gulf States, Inc. into Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Texas, effective December 31, 2007.

Depreciation and amortization decreased primarily due to the jurisdictional separation of Entergy Gulf States, Inc. into Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Texas, effective December 31, 2007.

Other income includes $15 million in interest and dividend income in 2008 related to the debt assumption agreement between Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Texas and the $1.079 billion of debt assumed by Entergy Texas. Entergy Gulf States Louisiana remains primarily liable on this debt. This income is partially offset by $11 million of other income reported by Entergy Texas for the first quarter 2007. The income from the debt assumption agreement offsets the interest expense on the portion long-term debt assumed by Entergy Texas.

Interest and other charges decreased primarily due to the jurisdictional separation of Entergy Gulf States, Inc. into Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Texas, effective December 31, 2007.

Income Taxes

The effective income tax rate was 39.5% for the first quarter 2008 and 39.8% for the first quarter 2007. The difference in the effective income tax rate for the first quarter 2008 versus the federal statutory rate of 35% is due to book and tax differences related to utility plant items and state income taxes, partially offset by flow-through book and tax timing differences and the amortization of investment tax credits. The difference in the effective income tax rate for the first quarter 2007 is primarily due to book and tax differences related to the utility plant items and state income taxes, partially offset by book and tax differences related to the allowance for equity funds used during construction.

 

52

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash Flow

Cash flows for the first quarters of 2008 and 2007 were as follows:

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

$108,036 

 

$180,381 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flow provided by (used in):

 

 

 

 

 

Operating activities

 

64,214 

 

141,210 

 

Investing activities

 

(121,392)

 

(88,201)

 

Financing activities

 

(30,641)

 

(36,818)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

(87,819)

 

16,191 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$20,217 

 

$196,572 

Operating Activities

Net cash flow provided in operating activities decreased $77 million for the first quarter 2008 compared to the first quarter 2007 primarily due to the jurisdictional separation of Entergy Gulf States, Inc. into Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Texas, effective December 31, 2007, and decreased recovery of deferred fuel costs.

Investing Activities

Net cash flow used in investing activities increased $33.2 million for the first quarter 2008 compared to the first quarter 2007 primarily due to:

  • the purchase of the Calcasieu Generating Facility for $56.4 million. See "MANAGEMENT'S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - Liquidity and Capital Resources" in the Form 10-K for a discussion of this purchase which was completed in March 2008;
  • an increase in nuclear construction expenditures of $17.3 million due to the River Bend refueling outage;
  • nuclear fuel purchases of $21.6 million in March 2008 that are expected to be reimbursed from the trust in the second quarter 2008; and
  • insurance proceeds received in 2007 relating to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

The increase was partially offset by the effect of the jurisdictional separation on construction expenditures and cash received from money pool receivables.

Financing Activities

Net cash flow used in financing activities decreased $6.2 million for the first quarter 2008 compared to the first quarter 2007 primarily due to a decrease of $3.2 million in common equity distributions and the redemption of $2.3 million preferred stock in March 2007.

53

Capital Structure

Entergy Gulf States Louisiana's capitalization is balanced between equity and debt, as shown in the following table. The calculation below does not reduce the debt by the $1.079 billion of debt assumed by Entergy Texas because Entergy Gulf States Louisiana remains primarily liable on the debt.

 

 

March 31,
2008

 

December 31,
2007

 

 

 

 

 

Net debt to net capital

 

65.4%

 

64.4%

Effect of subtracting cash from debt

 

0.2%

 

1.0%

Debt to capital

 

65.6%

 

65.4%

Net debt consists of debt less cash and cash equivalents. Debt consists of notes payable, capital lease obligations, and long-term debt, including the currently maturing portion. Capital consists of debt and members' equity. Net capital consists of capital less cash and cash equivalents. Entergy Gulf States Louisiana 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 Gulf States Louisiana's financial condition.

Uses and Sources of Capital

See "MANAGEMENT'S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - Liquidity and Capital Resources" in the Form 10-K for a discussion of Entergy Gulf States Louisiana's uses and sources of capital. Following are updates to the information provided in the Form 10-K.

Entergy Gulf States Louisiana's receivables from the money pool were as follows:

March 31,
2008

 

December 31,
2007

 

March 31,
2007

 

December 31,
2006

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$40,372

 

$55,509

 

$107,555

 

$75,048

See Note 4 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for a description of the money pool.

As discussed in the Form 10-K, Entergy Gulf States Louisiana has a credit facility in the amount of $100 million scheduled to expire in August 2012. No borrowings were outstanding under the facility as of March 31, 2008.

Hurricane Rita and Hurricane Katrina

See the Form 10-K for a discussion of the effects of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, which hit Entergy Gulf States Inc.'s jurisdictions in Louisiana and Texas in August and September 2005, which resulted in power outages, significant damage to electric distribution, transmission, and generation infrastructure, the temporary loss of sales and customers due to mandatory evacuations, and Entergy Gulf States Inc.'s initiatives to recover storm restoration and business continuity costs and incremental losses.

Act 55 Storm Cost Financings

In March 2008, Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, Entergy Louisiana and the Louisiana Utilities Restoration Corporation (LURC), an instrumentality of the State of Louisiana, filed at the LPSC an application requesting that the LPSC grant financing orders authorizing the financing of Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Louisiana storm costs, storm reserves, and issuance costs pursuant to Act 55 of the Louisiana Legislature (Act 55 financings). The Act 55 financings are expected to produce additional customer benefits as compared to Act 64 traditional securitization.  Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Louisiana also filed an application requesting LPSC approval for ancillary

 

54

 

 

issues including the mechanism to flow charges and savings to customers via a Storm Cost Offset rider.  On April 3, 2008, the Louisiana State Bond Commission granted preliminary approval for the Act 55 financings.  On April 8, 2008, the Louisiana Public Facilities Authority (LPFA), which will be the issuer of the bonds pursuant to the Act 55 financings, approved requests for the Act 55 financings.  On April 10, 2008, Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Louisiana and the LPSC Staff filed with the LPSC an uncontested stipulated settlement that includes Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Louisiana's proposals under the Act 55 financings, including the commitment to pass on to customers a minimum of $40 million of customer benefits as compared to traditional Act 64 financing. On April 16, 2008, the LPSC approved the settlement and issued two financing orders and one ratemaking order intended to facilitate implementation of the Act 55 financings.  On May 6, 2008, the State Bond Commission voted to approve the Act 55 financings.  Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Louisiana will invest the capital contributions that they receive from the Act 55 financings in affiliate securities.  Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Louisiana intend to complete the Act 55 financings by the end of the second quarter 2008.

Significant Factors and Known Trends

See "MANAGEMENT'S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - Significant Factors and Known Trends" in the Form 10-K for a discussion of state and local rate regulation; transition to retail competition; federal regulation; the Energy Policy Act of 2005; industrial and commercial customers; nuclear matters; and environmental risks. Following are updates to the information disclosed in the Form 10-K.

State and Local Rate Regulation

Retail Rates - Electric

In May 2007, Entergy Gulf States Louisiana made its formula rate plan filing with the LPSC for the 2006 test year. The filing reflected a 10.0% return on common equity, which is within the allowed earnings bandwidth, and an anticipated formula rate plan decrease of $23 million annually attributable to adjustments outside of the formula rate plan sharing mechanism related to capacity costs and the anticipated securitization of storm costs related to Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita and the securitization of a storm reserve. In September 2007, Entergy Gulf States Louisiana modified the formula rate plan filing to reflect a 10.07% return on common equity, which is still within the allowed bandwidth. The modified filing also reflected implementation of a $4.1 million rate increase, subject to refund, attributable to recovery of additional LPSC-approved incremental deferred and ongoing capacity costs. The rate decrease anticipated in the original filing did not occur because of the additional capacity costs approved by the LPSC, and because securitization of storm costs associated with Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita and the establishment of a storm reserve have not yet occurred. In October 2007, Entergy Gulf States Louisiana implemented a $16.4 million formula rate plan decrease that is due to the reclassification of certain franchise fees from base rates to collection via a line item on customer bills pursuant to an LPSC order. The LPSC staff issued its final report in December 2007, indicating a $1.6 million decrease in formula rate plan revenues for which interim rates were already in effect. In addition, the LPSC staff recommended that the LPSC give a one-year extension of Entergy Gulf States Louisiana's formula rate plan to synchronize with the final year of Entergy Louisiana's formula rate plan, or alternatively, to extend the formula rate plan for a longer period. Entergy Gulf States Louisiana indicated it is amenable to a one-year extension. An uncontested stipulated settlement was filed in February 2008 that will leave the current base rates in place and extend the formula rate plan for one year, and the LPSC approved the settlement in March 2008.

Retail Rates - Gas

In January 2008, Entergy Gulf States Louisiana filed with the LPSC its gas rate stabilization plan for the test year ending September 30, 2007.  The filing showed a revenue deficiency of $3.7 million based on a return on common equity mid-point of 10.5%. Entergy Gulf States Louisiana will implement a $3.4 million rate increase pursuant to an uncontested agreement with the LPSC staff.

 

55

 

 

Federal Regulation

See "System Agreement Proceedings" and "Independent Coordinator of Transmission" in the "Significant Factors and Known Trends" section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management's Financial Discussion and Analysis for updates to the discussion in the Form 10-K.

Critical Accounting Estimates

See "MANAGEMENT'S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - Critical Accounting Estimates" in the Form 10-K for a discussion of the estimates and judgments necessary in Entergy Gulf States Louisiana's accounting for nuclear decommissioning costs, the application of SFAS 71, unbilled revenue, and qualified pension and other postretirement benefits.

New Accounting Pronouncements

See "New Accounting Pronouncements" section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management's Financial Discussion and Analysis for a discussion of new accounting pronouncements.

56

ENTERGY GULF STATES LOUISIANA, L.L.C.
INCOME STATEMENTS
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 and 2007
(Unaudited)
   
    2008   2007
    (In Thousands)
         
OPERATING REVENUES        
Electric   $520,296    $795,254 
Natural gas   38,268    37,928 
TOTAL   558,564    833,182 
         
OPERATING EXPENSES        
Operation and Maintenance:        
  Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and        
    gas purchased for resale   25,722    239,568 
  Purchased power   331,806    306,804 
  Nuclear refueling outage expenses   3,699    3,656 
  Other operation and maintenance   79,477    125,854 
Decommissioning   3,039    2,844 
Taxes other than income taxes   17,282    31,311 
Depreciation and amortization   33,126    52,415 
Other regulatory charges - net   5,546    8,358 
    499,697    770,810 
         
OPERATING INCOME   58,867    62,372 
         
OTHER INCOME        
Allowance for equity funds used during construction   1,693    4,432 
Interest and dividend income   22,808    16,375 
Miscellaneous - net   (928)  
TOTAL   23,573    20,807 
         
INTEREST AND OTHER CHARGES    
Interest on long-term debt   31,766    34,893 
Other interest - net   824    5,344 
Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction   (1,079)   (2,888)
TOTAL   31,511    37,349 
         
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES   50,929    45,830 
         
Income taxes   20,103    18,233 
         
NET INCOME   30,826    27,597 
         
Preferred distribution requirements and other   206    962 
         
EARNINGS APPLICABLE TO        
COMMON EQUITY   $30,620    $26,635 
         
See Notes to Financial Statements.        

57

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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58

 

ENTERGY GULF STATES LOUISIANA, L.L.C.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 and 2007
(Unaudited)
     
    2008   2007
    (In Thousands)
         
OPERATING ACTIVITIES        
Net income   $30,826    $27,597 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flow provided by operating activities:        
  Reserve for regulatory adjustments     11,816 
  Other regulatory charges - net   5,546    8,358 
  Depreciation, amortization, and decommissioning   36,165    55,259 
  Deferred income taxes, investment tax credits, and non-current taxes accrued   45,885    13,128 
  Changes in working capital:        
    Receivables   (69,806)   17,530 
    Fuel inventory   (10,278)   (6,595)
    Accounts payable   111,852    (6,063)
    Taxes accrued     (384)
    Interest accrued   (995)   579 
    Deferred fuel costs   (45,841)   34,127 
    Other working capital accounts   (67,801)   (18,560)
  Provision for estimated losses and reserves   439    693 
  Changes in other regulatory assets   5,891    7,971 
  Other   22,331    (4,246)
Net cash flow provided by operating activities   64,214    141,210 
         
INVESTING ACTIVITIES        
Construction expenditures   (60,204)   (69,249)
Allowance for equity funds used during construction   1,693    4,432 
Insurance proceeds     8,134 
Nuclear fuel purchases   (21,713)   (7,461)
Proceeds from sale/leaseback of nuclear fuel     9,923 
Payment for purchase of plant   (56,409)  
Proceeds from nuclear decommissioning trust fund sales   11,049    12,093 
Investment in nuclear decommissioning trust funds   (14,879)   (15,947)
Change in money pool receivable - net   15,137    (32,507)
Changes in other investments - net   3,934    2,381 
Net cash flow used in investing activities   (121,392)   (88,201)
         
FINANCING ACTIVITIES        
Redemption of preferred stock     (2,250)
Dividends/distributions paid:        
  Common equity   (30,400)   (33,600)
  Preferred membership interests   (241)   (968)
Net cash flow used in financing activities   (30,641)   (36,818)
         
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents   (87,819)   16,191 
         
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   108,036    180,381 
         
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period   $20,217    $196,572 
         
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:        
Cash paid/(received) during the period for:        
  Interest - net of amount capitalized   $32,824    $37,457 
  Income taxes   ($621)   $-  
         
See Notes to Financial Statements.        
         

 

59

 

ENTERGY GULF STATES LOUISIANA, L.L.C.
BALANCE SHEETS
ASSETS
March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007
(Unaudited)
       
  2008   2007
  (In Thousands)
       
CURRENT ASSETS          
Cash and cash equivalents:          
  Cash     $8,612    $233 
  Temporary cash investments - at cost,          
    which approximates market     11,605    107,803 
      Total cash and cash equivalents     20,217    108,036 
Accounts receivable:          
  Customer     74,144    62,408 
  Allowance for doubtful accounts     (1,193)   (979)
  Associated companies     233,513    218,891 
  Other     94,026    59,059 
  Accrued unbilled revenues     47,571    54,021 
      Total accounts receivable     448,061    393,400 
Deferred fuel costs     51,485    5,644 
Accumulated deferred income taxes       21,938 
Fuel inventory - at average cost     42,088    31,810 
Materials and supplies - at average cost     100,575    100,161 
Deferred nuclear refueling outage costs     38,224    5,155 
Debt assumption by Entergy Texas     309,123    309,123 
Prepayments and other     55,330    23,533 
TOTAL     1,065,103    998,800 
           
OTHER PROPERTY AND INVESTMENTS        
Decommissioning trust funds     350,568    366,062 
Non-utility property - at cost (less accumulated depreciation)     111,856    109,517 
Other     12,889    17,350 
TOTAL     475,313    492,929 
           
UTILITY PLANT        
Electric     6,249,836    6,132,362 
Natural gas     99,451    98,484 
Construction work in progress     117,767    141,528 
Nuclear fuel under capital lease     131,099    110,769 
Nuclear fuel     10,414    11,256 
TOTAL UTILITY PLANT     6,608,567    6,494,399 
Less - accumulated depreciation and amortization     3,445,869    3,433,131 
UTILITY PLANT - NET     3,162,698    3,061,268 
           
DEFERRED DEBITS AND OTHER ASSETS        
Regulatory assets:          
  SFAS 109 regulatory asset - net     301,238    299,023 
  Other regulatory assets     329,469    335,897 
  Deferred fuel costs     100,124    100,124 
Long-term receivables     1,879    1,872 
Debt assumption by Entergy Texas     769,971    769,971 
Other     16,007    12,807 
TOTAL     1,518,688    1,519,694 
           
TOTAL ASSETS     $6,221,802    $6,072,691 
           
See Notes to Financial Statements.          
 
60
 
ENTERGY GULF STATES LOUISIANA, L.L.C.
BALANCE SHEETS
LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS' EQUITY
March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007
(Unaudited)
 
  2008   2007
  (In Thousands)
 
CURRENT LIABILITIES        
Currently maturing long-term debt   $675,000    $675,000 
Accounts payable:          
  Associated companies     292,027    201,217 
  Other     132,621    111,579 
Customer deposits     39,062    38,061 
Accumulated deferred income taxes     7,347   
Interest accrued     28,403    29,398 
Obligations under capital leases     28,795    28,795 
Pension and other postretirement liabilities     7,160    7,064 
System agreement cost equalization     124,775    124,775 
Other     5,399    9,052 
TOTAL     1,340,589    1,224,941 
           
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES        
Accumulated deferred income taxes and taxes accrued     1,233,985    1,219,568 
Accumulated deferred investment tax credits     94,717    95,745 
Obligations under capital leases     102,304    81,974 
Other regulatory liabilities     83,722    69,890 
Decommissioning and asset retirement cost liabilities     209,213    204,828 
Accumulated provisions     12,326    11,887 
Pension and other postretirement liabilities     97,167    102,510 
Long-term debt     1,673,785    1,674,113 
Other     73,666    87,468 
TOTAL     3,580,885    3,547,983 
           
Commitments and Contingencies          
           
MEMBERS' EQUITY        
Preferred membership interests without sinking fund     10,000    10,000 
Members' equity     1,312,933    1,312,701 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss     (22,605)   (22,934)
TOTAL     1,300,328    1,299,767 
           
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS' EQUITY     $6,221,802    $6,072,691 
           
See Notes to Financial Statements.          

 

61

 

ENTERGY GULF STATES LOUISIANA, L.L.C.
STATEMENTS OF MEMBERS' EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 and 2007
(Unaudited)
                   
       
      2008   2007
      (In Thousands)
MEMBERS' EQUITY                  
Members' Equity - Beginning of period     $1,312,701        $2,225,465     
                   
  Add:                  
    Net Income     30,826    $30,826   27,597    $27,597
    Other     12           
      30,838        27,597     
                   
  Deduct:                  
    Dividends/distributions declared on common equity     30,400        33,600     
    Preferred membership interests     206    206   962    962
      30,606        34,562     
                   
Members' Equity - End of period     $1,312,933        $2,218,500     
                   
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (Net of Taxes):                  
Balance at beginning of period:                  
  Pension and other postretirement liabilities     ($22,934)       $ (19,914)    
                   
Pension and other postretirement liabilities (net of tax expense of $428 and $326)     329    329   334    334
                   
Balance at end of period:                  
  Pension and other postretirement liabilities     ($22,605)       ($19,580)    
Comprehensive Income         $30,949       $26,969
                   
See Notes to Financial Statements.                  
                   
                   

 

62

 

ENTERGY GULF STATES LOUISIANA, L.L.C.
SELECTED OPERATING RESULTS
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 and 2007
(Unaudited)
 
                 
        Increase/    
Description   2008   2007   (Decrease)   %
    (Dollars In Millions)    
Electric Operating Revenues (1):                
  Residential   $115   $242   ($127)   (52)
  Commercial   111   193   (82)   (42)
  Industrial   153   255   (102)   (40)
  Governmental   6   12   (6)   (50)
    Total retail   385   702   (317)   (45)
  Sales for resale                
    Associated companies   86   28   58    207
    Non-associated companies   45   50   (5)   (10)
  Other   4   15   (11)   (73)
      Total   $520   $795   ($275)   (35)
                 
Billed Electric Energy                
Sales (GWh) (1):                
  Residential   1,091   2,322   (1,231)   (53)
  Commercial   1,135   2,024   (889)   (44)
  Industrial   2,137   3,584   (1,447)   (40)
  Governmental   53   112   (59)   (53)
    Total retail   4,416   8,042   (3,626)   (45)
Sales for resale                
  Associated companies   746   754   (8)   (1)
  Non-associated companies   664   851   (187)   (22)
    Total   5,826   9,647   (3,821)   (40)
                 
                 
(1) Amounts for the three months ended March 31, 2008 reflect the effects of the separation of the Texas business. Amounts for the three months ended March 31, 2007 include the operations of Entergy Texas.
 
                 

63

ENTERGY LOUISIANA, LLC

MANAGEMENT'S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

Results of Operations

Net Income

Net income decreased $4.2 million for the first quarter 2008 compared to the first quarter 2007 primarily due to higher other operation and maintenance expenses and a higher effective income tax rate, partially offset by higher net revenue.

Net Revenue

Net revenue consists of operating revenues net of: 1) fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale, 2) purchased power expenses, and 3) other regulatory charges. Following is an analysis of the change in net revenue comparing the first quarter 2008 to the first quarter 2007.

 

 

Amount

 

 

(In Millions)

 

 

 

2007 net revenue

 

$214.4 

Base revenues

 

2.9 

Other

 

1.9 

2008 net revenue

 

$219.2 

The base revenues variance is primarily due to a formula rate plan increase effective October 2007. See Note 2 to the financial statements for a discussion of the formula rate plan filing.

Gross operating revenues and fuel and purchased power expenses

Gross operating revenues decreased primarily due to a decrease of $48.5 million in fuel cost recovery revenues due to lower fuel rates.

Fuel and purchased power expenses decreased primarily due to a decrease in deferred fuel expense as a result of lower fuel rates, as discussed above, partially offset by increases in the average market prices of natural gas and purchased power.

Other Income Statement Variances

Other operation and maintenance expenses increased primarily due to higher fossil expenses due to fossil plant maintenance outages in 2008.

Income Taxes

The effective income tax rates for the first quarters of 2008 and 2007 were 44.5% and 35.6%, respectively. The difference in the effective income tax rate for the first quarter 2008 versus the federal statutory rate of 35.0% is primarily due to book and tax differences related to utility plant items, state income taxes, and a federal tax reserve adjustment, partially offset by book and tax differences related to the allowance for equity funds used during construction and the amortization of investment tax credits.

64

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash Flow

Cash flows for the first quarters of 2008 and 2007 were as follows:

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

$300 

 

$2,743 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flow provided by (used in):

 

 

 

 

 

Operating activities

 

 29,049 

 

29,837 

 

Investing activities

 

(72,029)

 

(41,487)

 

Financing activities

 

43,210 

 

11,325 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

230 

 

(325)

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$530 

 

$2,418 

Investing Activities

The increase of $30.5 million in net cash used by investing activities for the first quarter 2008 compared to the first quarter 2007 is primarily due to:

  • increased spending on the Little Gypsy Unit 3 repowering project;
  • increased spending on the Waterford 3 steam generator replacement project; and
  • timing differences between nuclear fuel payments and reimbursements from the trust that occurred in 2007.

Financing Activities

The increase of $31.9 million in net cash provided by financing activities for the first quarter 2008 compared to the first quarter 2007 is primarily due to an increase in borrowings from the money pool.

Capital Structure

Entergy Louisiana's capitalization is balanced between equity and debt, as shown in the following table.

 

 

March 31,
2008

December 31,
2007

 

 

Net debt to net capital

 

44.0%

43.4%

Effect of subtracting cash from debt

 

-

-

Debt to capital

 

44.0%

43.4%

Net debt consists of debt less cash and cash equivalents. Debt consists of notes payable, capital lease obligations, and long-term debt, including the currently maturing portion. Capital consists of debt and members' equity. Net capital consists of capital less cash and cash equivalents. Entergy Louisiana 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.

65

Uses and Sources of Capital

See "MANAGEMENT'S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - Liquidity and Capital Resources" in the Form 10-K for a discussion of Entergy Louisiana's uses and sources of capital. Following are updates to the discussion in the Form 10-K.

Entergy Louisiana's payables to the money pool were as follows:

March 31,
2008

 

December 31,
2007

 

March 31,
2007

 

December 31,
2006

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

($47,460)

 

($2,791)

 

($67,103)

 

($54,041)

See Note 4 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for a description of the money pool.

As discussed in the Form 10-K, Entergy Louisiana has a credit facility in the amount of $200 million scheduled to expire in August 2012. No borrowings were outstanding under the facility as of March 31, 2008.

Hurricane Rita and Hurricane Katrina

See the Form 10-K for a discussion of the effects of Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita and Entergy's initiatives to recover storm restoration and business continuity costs and incremental losses, which includes obtaining reimbursement of certain costs covered by insurance and pursuing recovery through existing or new rate mechanisms regulated by the FERC and local regulatory bodies, in combination with securitization. In August and September 2005, Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita, along with extensive flooding that resulted from levee breaks in and around Entergy Louisiana's service territory, caused catastrophic damage.

Act 55 Storm Cost Financings

In March 2008, Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, Entergy Louisiana and the Louisiana Utilities Restoration Corporation (LURC), an instrumentality of the State of Louisiana, filed at the LPSC an application requesting that the LPSC grant financing orders authorizing the financing of Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Louisiana storm costs, storm reserves, and issuance costs pursuant to Act 55 of the Louisiana Legislature (Act 55 financings). The Act 55 financings are expected to produce additional customer benefits as compared to Act 64 traditional securitization.  Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and 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.  On April 3, 2008, the Louisiana State Bond Commission granted preliminary approval for the Act 55 financings.  On April 8, 2008, the Louisiana Public Facilities Authority (LPFA), which will be the issuer of the bonds pursuant to the Act 55 financings, approved requests for the Act 55 financings.  On April 10, 2008, Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Louisiana and the LPSC Staff filed with the LPSC an uncontested stipulated settlement that includes Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Louisiana's proposals under the Act 55 financings, including the commitment to pass on to customers a minimum of $40 million of customer benefits as compared to traditional Act 64 financing. On April 16, 2008, the LPSC approved the settlement and issued two financing orders and one ratemaking order intended to facilitate implementation of the Act 55 financings.  On May 6, 2008, the State Bond Commission voted to approve the Act 55 financings.  Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Louisiana will invest the capital contributions that they receive from the Act 55 financings in affiliate securities.  Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Louisiana intend to complete the Act 55 financings by the end of the second quarter 2008.

Little Gypsy Repowering Project

The preconstruction and operating air permits for the Little Gypsy repowering project was issued by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) in November 2007 under then-effective federal and state air regulations, including the EPA's Clean Air Mercury

 

66

 

Rule that had been issued in 2005 (CAMR 2005). As discussed in more detail in part I, Item 1, "Environmental Regulation, Clean Air Act and Subsequent Amendments, Hazardous Air Pollutants" in the Form 10-K, in February 2008 the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit struck down CAMR 2005. The D.C. Circuit decision may require utilities to undergo a case-by-case Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) analysis for construction or reconstruction of emission units pursuant to the Clean Air Act before beginning construction. The Little Gypsy project as currently configured is expected to meet MACT standards. Because Little Gypsy received its construction permit before a formal MACT analysis was required, however, Entergy Louisiana will likely need to provide additional technical analysis to the LDEQ to show that the plant meets the MACT standards. Entergy Louisiana is in discussions with state and federal environmental agencies to identify the additional analysis that needs to be submitted. Onsite construction of the project was scheduled to begin in July 2008, but the additional analysis could cause a delay in the start of construction for several months. The ALJ in Phase II of the Little Gypsy proceedings at the LPSC, which are discussed further in the Form 10-K, has temporarily suspended the procedural schedule, subject to the LPSC's review, which could occur at its May 14, 2008 meeting.

Significant Factors and Known Trends

See "MANAGEMENT'S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - Significant Factors and Known Trends" in the Form 10-K for a discussion of state and local rate regulation, federal regulation, the Energy Policy Act of 2005, utility restructuring, nuclear matters, and environmental risks. Following are updates to the information provided in the Form 10-K.

Retail Rates

In May 2006, Entergy Louisiana made its formula rate plan filing with the LPSC for the 2005 test year. Entergy Louisiana modified the filing in August 2006 to reflect a 9.45% return on equity which is within the allowed bandwidth. The modified filing includes an increase of $24.2 million for interim recovery of storm costs from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and a $119.2 million rate increase to recover LPSC-approved incremental deferred and ongoing capacity costs. The filing requested recovery of approximately $50 million for the amortization of capacity deferrals over a three-year period, including carrying charges, and approximately $70 million for ongoing capacity costs. The increase was implemented, subject to refund, with the first billing cycle of September 2006. Entergy Louisiana subsequently updated its formula rate plan rider to reflect adjustments proposed by the LPSC Staff with which it agrees. The adjusted return on equity of 9.56% remains within the allowed bandwidth. Ongoing and deferred incremental capacity costs were reduced to $118.7 million. The updated formula rate plan rider was implemented, subject to refund, with the first billing cycle of October 2006. An uncontested stipulated settlement was filed in February 2008 that will leave the current base rates in place, and the LPSC approved the settlement in March 2008. In the settlement Entergy Louisiana agreed to credit customers $7.2 million, plus $0.7 million of interest, for customer contributions to the Central States Compact in Nebraska that was never completed and agreed to a one-time $2.6 million deduction from the deferred capacity cost balance. The credit, for which Entergy Louisiana had previously recorded a provision, will be made in May 2008.

Federal Regulation

See "System Agreement Proceedings" and "Independent Coordinator of Transmission" in the "Significant Factors and Known Trends" section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management's Financial Discussion and Analysis for updates to the discussion in the Form 10-K.

Critical Accounting Estimates

See "MANAGEMENT'S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - Critical Accounting Estimates" in the Form 10-K for a discussion of the estimates and judgments necessary in Entergy Louisiana's accounting for nuclear decommissioning costs, unbilled revenue, and qualified pension and other postretirement benefits.

67

New Accounting Pronouncements

See "New Accounting Pronouncements" section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management's Financial Discussion and Analysis for a discussion of new accounting pronouncements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

68

 

 

ENTERGY LOUISIANA, LLC
INCOME STATEMENTS
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 and 2007
(Unaudited)
   
    2008   2007
    (In Thousands)
         
OPERATING REVENUES        
Electric   $564,744    $617,479 
         
OPERATING EXPENSES        
Operation and Maintenance:        
  Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and        
   gas purchased for resale   112,995    193,956 
  Purchased power   222,527    197,763 
  Nuclear refueling outage expenses   4,503    4,197 
  Other operation and maintenance   100,872    91,467 
Decommissioning   4,844    4,508 
Taxes other than income taxes   14,741    13,814 
Depreciation and amortization   47,060    48,978 
Other regulatory charges - net   9,983    11,343 
TOTAL   517,525    566,026 
         
OPERATING INCOME   47,219    51,453 
         
OTHER INCOME        
Allowance for equity funds used during construction   3,257    3,948 
Interest and dividend income   4,749    3,594 
Miscellaneous - net   (1,213)   (1,232)
TOTAL   6,793    6,310 
         
INTEREST AND OTHER CHARGES  
Interest on long-term debt   19,555    20,233 
Other interest - net   1,155    3,360 
Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction   (1,997)   (2,746)
TOTAL   18,713    20,847 
         
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES   35,299    36,916 
         
Income taxes   15,703    13,148 
         
NET INCOME   19,596    23,768 
         
Preferred dividend requirements and other   1,738    1,738 
         
EARNINGS APPLICABLE TO        
COMMON EQUITY   $17,858    $22,030 
         
See Notes to Financial Statements.        
         

69

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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70

 

 

ENTERGY LOUISIANA, LLC
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 and 2007
(Unaudited)
     
    2008   2007
    (In Thousands)
         
OPERATING ACTIVITIES        
Net income   $19,596    $23,768 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flow provided by operating activities:        
  Reserve for regulatory adjustments     104 
  Other regulatory charges - net   9,983    11,343 
  Depreciation, amortization, and decommissioning   51,904    53,486 
  Deferred income taxes, investment tax credits, and non-current taxes accrued   7,407    17,108 
  Changes in working capital:        
    Receivables   23,570    (19,852)
    Accounts payable   (25,241)   (100,435)
    Taxes accrued   26,052    15,123 
    Interest accrued   (8,215)   (1,764)
    Deferred fuel costs   (65,003)   52,789 
    Other working capital accounts   (38,510)   (22,023)
  Provision for estimated losses and reserves   (3)   (2,209)
  Changes in other regulatory assets   6,272    7,084 
  Other   21,237    (4,685)
Net cash flow provided by operating activities   29,049    29,837 
         
INVESTING ACTIVITIES        
Construction expenditures   (75,244)   (56,974)
Allowance for equity funds used during construction   3,257    3,948 
Insurance proceeds     2,765 
Nuclear fuel purchases   (50,096)   (3,103)
Proceeds from the sale/leaseback of nuclear fuel   52,482    14,279 
Proceeds from nuclear decommissioning trust fund sales   5,169    3,693 
Investment in nuclear decommissioning trust funds   (7,597)   (6,095)
Net cash flow used in investing activities   (72,029)   (41,487)
         
FINANCING ACTIVITIES        
Additional equity from parent     1,119 
Change in money pool payable - net   44,669    13,062 
Distributions paid:        
  Preferred membership interests   (1,459)   (2,856)
Net cash flow provided by financing activities   43,210    11,325 
         
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents   230    (325)
         
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   300    2,743 
         
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period   $530    $2,418 
         
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:        
Cash paid during the period for:        
  Interest - net of amount capitalized   $28,041    $24,402 
  Income taxes   $1,250    $- 
         
See Notes to Financial Statements.        

 

71

 

 

ENTERGY LOUISIANA, LLC
BALANCE SHEETS
ASSETS
March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007
(Unaudited)
         
  2008   2007
  (In Thousands)
         
CURRENT ASSETS        
Cash and cash equivalents   $530    $300 
Accounts receivable:        
  Customer   109,734    96,679 
  Allowance for doubtful accounts   (1,277)   (1,988)
  Associated companies   64,397    91,873 
  Other   12,878    14,186 
  Accrued unbilled revenues   67,308    75,860 
    Total accounts receivable   253,040    276,610 
Deferred fuel costs   16,932   
Accumulated deferred income taxes   9,765    15,229 
Materials and supplies - at average cost   111,611    108,959 
Deferred nuclear refueling outage costs   3,930    7,080 
Gas hedge contracts   36,856   
Prepayments and other   7,885    7,820 
TOTAL   440,549    415,998 
         
OTHER PROPERTY AND INVESTMENTS        
Decommissioning trust funds   212,831    221,971 
Non-utility property - at cost (less accumulated depreciation)   1,442    1,488 
Note receivable - Entergy New Orleans   9,353    9,353 
Other    
TOTAL   223,630    232,816 
         
UTILITY PLANT        
Electric   6,622,716    6,550,597 
Property under capital lease   253,387    253,387 
Construction work in progress   266,707    276,974 
Nuclear fuel under capital lease   86,521    44,532 
TOTAL UTILITY PLANT   7,229,331    7,125,490 
Less - accumulated depreciation and amortization   3,134,424    3,095,473 
UTILITY PLANT - NET   4,094,907    4,030,017 
         
DEFERRED DEBITS AND OTHER ASSETS        
Regulatory assets:        
  SFAS 109 regulatory asset - net   117,250    117,322 
  Other regulatory assets   825,621    832,449 
  Deferred fuel costs   67,998    67,998 
Long-term receivables   2,982    2,982 
Other   26,379    23,539 
TOTAL   1,040,230    1,044,290 
         
TOTAL ASSETS   $5,799,316    $5,723,121 
         
See Notes to Financial Statements.        
 
72
 
ENTERGY LOUISIANA, LLC
BALANCE SHEETS
LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS' EQUITY
March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007
(Unaudited)
         
  2008   2007
  (In Thousands)
 
CURRENT LIABILITIES        
Accounts payable:        
  Associated companies   $97,340    $65,930 
  Other   136,669    148,651 
Customer deposits   77,503    79,013 
Taxes accrued   33,808    7,756 
Interest accrued   21,524    29,739 
Deferred fuel costs   713    48,784 
Obligations under capital leases   42,714    42,714 
Pension and other postretirement liabilities   8,854    8,772 
System agreement cost equalization   46,000    46,000 
Other   18,302    18,961 
TOTAL   483,427    496,320 
         
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES        
Accumulated deferred income taxes and taxes accrued   1,798,763    1,803,430 
Accumulated deferred investment tax credits   85,245    86,045 
Obligations under capital leases   43,807    1,818 
Other regulatory liabilities   153,191    127,836 
Decommissioning   261,910    257,066 
Accumulated provisions   18,402    18,405 
Pension and other postretirement liabilities   147,706    145,786 
Long-term debt   1,147,663    1,147,660 
Other   87,321    85,214 
TOTAL   3,744,008    3,673,260 
         
Commitments and Contingencies        
         
MEMBERS' EQUITY        
Preferred membership interests without sinking fund   100,000    100,000 
Members' equity   1,499,367    1,481,509 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (27,486)   (27,968)
TOTAL   1,571,881    1,553,541 
         
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS' EQUITY   $5,799,316    $5,723,121 
         
See Notes to Financial Statements.        
         

73

 

ENTERGY LOUISIANA, LLC
STATEMENTS OF MEMBERS' EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 and 2007
(Unaudited)
                 
    2008   2007
    (In Thousands)
MEMBERS' EQUITY                
Members' Equity - Beginning of period   $1,481,509        $1,344,003     
                 
  Add:                
    Net income   19,596    $19,596   23,768    $23,768
    Additional equity from parent   -        1,119     
    19,596        24,887     
                 
  Deduct:                
    Distributions declared:                
      Preferred membership interests   1,738    1,738   1,738    1,738
    1,738        1,738     
                 
Members' Equity - End of period   $1,499,367        $1,367,152     
                 
                 
                 
                 
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE                
LOSS (Net of Taxes):                
Balance at beginning of period:                
  Pension and other postretirement liabilities   ($27,968)       ($25,695)    
                 
Pension and other postretirement liabilities (net of tax expense of $409 and $466)   482    482   511    511
                 
Balance at end of period:                
  Pension and other postretirement liabilities   ($27,486)       ($25,184)    
Comprehensive Income       $18,340       $22,541
                 
                 
See Notes to Financial Statements.                
                 

 

74

 

ENTERGY LOUISIANA, LLC
SELECTED OPERATING RESULTS
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 and 2007
(Unaudited)
 
                 
        Increase/    
Description   2008   2007   (Decrease)   %
    (Dollars In Millions)    
Electric Operating Revenues:                
  Residential   $182   $196   ($14)   (7)
  Commercial   128   136   (8)   (6)
  Industrial   205   225   (20)   (9)
  Governmental   11   12   (1)   (8)
    Total retail   526   569   (43)   (8)
  Sales for resale                
    Associated companies   31   38   (7)   (18)
    Non-associated companies   2   2    
  Other   6   8   (2)   (25)
    Total   $565   $617   ($52)   (8)
                 
Billed Electric Energy                
  Sales (GWh):                
    Residential   1,970   1,952   18   
    Commercial   1,308   1,300    
    Industrial   3,230   3,228    
    Governmental   117   115     2 
      Total retail (1)   6,625   6,595   30   
  Sales for resale                
    Associated companies   480   342   138    40 
    Non-associated companies   23   32   (9)   (28)
      Total   7,128   6,969   159   
                 
                 
 75

 

ENTERGY MISSISSIPPI, INC.

MANAGEMENT'S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

Results of Operations

Net Income

Net income remained relatively unchanged for the first quarter 2008 compared to the first quarter 2007 as higher net revenue was substantially offset by higher other operation and maintenance expenses and lower other income.

Net Revenue

Net revenue consists of operating revenues net of: 1) fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale, 2) purchased power expenses, and 3) other regulatory charges. Following is an analysis of the change in net revenue comparing the first quarter 2008 to the first quarter 2007.

   

Amount

   

(In Millions)

     

2007 net revenue

 

$93.9 

Attala costs

 

4.7 

Base revenue

 

2.8 

Rider revenue

 

1.9 

Other

 

2.2 

2008 net revenue

 

$105.5 

The Attala costs variance is primarily due to an increase in the Attala power plant costs that are recovered through the power management rider. The net income effect of this recovery is limited to a portion representing an allowed return on equity with the remainder offset by Attala power plant costs in other operation and maintenance expenses, depreciation expenses, and taxes other than income taxes. The recovery of Attala power plant costs is discussed in "MANAGEMENT'S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - Liquidity and Capital Resources - Use of Capital" in the Form 10-K.

The base revenue variance is primarily due to a formula rate plan increase effective July 2007. The formula rate plan is discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K.

The rider revenue variance is the result of a storm damage rider that became effective in October 2007. The establishment of this rider results in an increase in rider revenue and a corresponding increase in other operation and maintenance expense for the storm reserve with no impact on net income.

Gross operating revenues, fuel and purchased power expenses, and other regulatory charges

Gross operating revenues increased primarily due to:

  • an increase of $15.0 million in fuel cost recoveries due to higher fuel rates;
  • an increase of $3.6 million in gross wholesale revenue that resulted from a higher volume of sales to affiliated systems; and
  • the base revenue and pass-through rider revenue variances discussed above.

 

76

 

Fuel expenses increased primarily due to an increase in the cost of natural gas combined with an increase in the proportion of power generated using that fuel.

Other regulatory charges increased primarily due to increased recovery through the Grand Gulf Rider of Grand Gulf capacity costs due to higher rates and increased usage. The increase in other regulatory charges was partially offset by decreased recovery of costs associated with the power management recovery rider. There is no material effect on net income due to quarterly adjustments to the power management recovery rider.

Other Income Statement Variances

Other operation and maintenance expense increased primarily due to a $2.2 million increase in loss reserves for storm damages and an increase of $2.0 million in fossil expenses primarily related to Attala equipment service agreement expenses and increased materials and supplies expenses.

Other income decreased primarily due to a gain recorded in 2007 on the sale of non-utility property and lower interest earned on money pool investments.

Income Taxes

The effective income tax rates for the first quarters 2008 and 2007 were 31.1% and 35.6%, respectively. The difference between the effective tax rate for the first quarter 2008 and the federal statutory rate of 35.0% is primarily due to book and tax differences related to the allowance for equity funds used during construction and the amortization of investment tax credits, partially offset by state income taxes.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash Flow

Cash flows for the first quarters of 2008 and 2007 were as follows:

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

$40,582 

 

$73,417 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flow provided by (used in):

 

 

 

 

 

Operating activities

 

(9,123)

 

(18,033)

 

Investing activities

 

(18,299)

 

84,504 

 

Financing activities

 

(9,407)

 

(102,707)

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 

(36,829)

 

(36,236)

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$3,753 

 

$37,181 

Operating Activities

Cash flow used in operating activities decreased $8.9 million for the first quarter 2008 compared to the first quarter 2007 primarily due to the timing of payments to vendors partially offset by decreased recovery of deferred fuel costs.

Investing Activities

Entergy Mississippi's investing activities used $18.3 million in cash flow for the first quarter 2008 compared to providing $84.5 million for the first quarter 2007 primarily due to the receipt of proceeds in 2007 from funds held in trust in 2006 that were used for the redemption of $100 million of First Mortgage Bonds as discussed below.

 

77

 

Financing Activities

Net cash flow used in financing activities decreased $93.3 million for the first quarter 2008 compared to the first quarter 2007 primarily due to the redemption, prior to maturity, of $100 million of 4.35% Series First Mortgage Bonds in January 2007.

Capital Structure

Entergy Mississippi's capitalization is balanced between equity and debt, as shown in the following table.

 

 

March 31,
2008

 

December 31,
2007

 

 

 

 

 

Net debt to net capital

 

49.8%

 

48.4%

Effect of subtracting cash from debt

 

0.2%

 

1.5%

Debt to capital

 

50.0%

 

49.9%

Net debt consists of debt less cash and cash equivalents. Debt consists of notes payable, capital lease obligations, and long-term debt, including the currently maturing portion. Capital consists of debt and shareholders' equity. Net capital consists of capital less cash and cash equivalents. 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.

Uses and Sources of Capital

See "MANAGEMENT'S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - Liquidity and Capital Resources" in the Form 10-K for a discussion of Entergy Mississippi's uses and sources of capital. Following are updates to the information presented in the Form 10-K.

Entergy Mississippi's receivables from the money pool were as follows:

March 31,
2008

 

December 31,
2007

 

March 31,
2007

 

December 31,
2006

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$11,256

 

$20,997

 

$29,999

 

$39,573

See Note 4 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for a description of the money pool.

As discussed in the Form 10-K, Entergy Mississippi has two separate credit facilities in the aggregate amount of $50 million that expire in May 2008. Borrowings under the credit facilities may be secured by a security interest in Entergy Mississippi's accounts receivable. Entergy Mississippi expects to renew both of its credit facilities prior to expiration. No borrowings were outstanding under either facility as of March 31, 2008.

Significant Factors and Known Trends

See "MANAGEMENT'S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - Significant Factors and Known Trends" in the Form 10-K for a discussion of state and local rate regulation, federal regulation, the Energy Policy Act of 2005, and utility restructuring. Following is an update to that discussion.

 

78

 

State and Local Rate Regulation

In March 2008, Entergy Mississippi made its annual scheduled formula rate plan filing for the 2007 test year with the MPSC. The filing showed that a $10.1 million increase in annual electric revenues is warranted. The filing is currently being reviewed by the Mississippi Public Utilities Staff.

Federal Regulation

See "System Agreement Proceedings" and "Independent Coordinator of Transmission" in the "Significant Factors and Known Trends" section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management's Financial Discussion and Analysis for updates to the discussion in the Form 10-K.

Critical Accounting Estimates

See "MANAGEMENT'S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - Critical Accounting Estimates" in the Form 10-K for a discussion of the estimates and judgments necessary in Entergy Mississippi's accounting for unbilled revenue and qualified pension and other postretirement benefits.

New Accounting Pronouncements

See "New Accounting Pronouncements" section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management's Financial Discussion and Analysis for a discussion of new accounting pronouncements.

79

ENTERGY MISSISSIPPI, INC.

INCOME STATEMENTS

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 and 2007

(Unaudited)

2008

2007

(In Thousands)

OPERATING REVENUES

Electric

$294,850 

$270,525 

OPERATING EXPENSES

Operation and Maintenance:

  Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and

   gas purchased for resale

78,764 

70,974 

  Purchased power

96,099 

95,835 

  Other operation and maintenance

51,106 

45,115 

Taxes other than income taxes

14,812 

15,015 

Depreciation and amortization

20,415 

20,269 

Other regulatory charges - net

14,485 

9,795 

TOTAL

275,681 

257,003 

OPERATING INCOME

19,169 

13,522 

OTHER INCOME

Allowance for equity funds used during construction

776 

1,676 

Interest and dividend income

210 

1,448 

Miscellaneous - net

(661)

2,252 

TOTAL

325 

5,376 

INTEREST AND OTHER CHARGES

Interest on long-term debt

10,550 

10,382 

Other interest - net

1,136 

1,235 

Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction

(435)

(1,119)

TOTAL

11,251 

10,498 

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

8,243 

8,400 

Income taxes

2,564 

2,991 

NET INCOME

5,679 

5,409 

Preferred dividend requirements and other

707 

707 

EARNINGS APPLICABLE TO

COMMON STOCK

$4,972 

$4,702 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

80

 

ENTERGY MISSISSIPPI, INC.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 and 2007
(Unaudited)
     
    2008   2007
    (In Thousands)
         
OPERATING ACTIVITIES        
Net income   $5,679    $5,409 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flow used in operating activities:        
  Other regulatory charges - net   14,485    9,795 
  Depreciation and amortization   20,415    20,269 
  Deferred income taxes, investment tax credits, and non-current taxes accrued   (13,210)   (2,936)
  Changes in working capital:        
    Receivables   7,259    11,621 
    Fuel inventory   474    (44)
    Accounts payable   (894)   (10,893)
    Taxes accrued   (9,851)   (23,943)
    Interest accrued   1,741    1,697 
    Deferred fuel costs   (29,538)   (19,802)
    Other working capital accounts   (28,170)   (15,662)
  Provision for estimated losses and reserves   805    292 
  Changes in other regulatory assets   11,551    18,322 
  Other   10,131    (12,158)
Net cash flow used in operating activities   (9,123)   (18,033)
         
INVESTING ACTIVITIES        
Construction expenditures   (28,474)   (29,362)
Allowance for equity funds used during construction   776    1,676 
Change in money pool receivable - net   9,741    9,574 
Change in other temporary investments - net     100,000 
Proceeds from sale of assets     2,616 
Payment to storm reserve escrow account   (342)  
Net cash flow provided by (used in) investing activities   (18,299)   84,504 
         
FINANCING ACTIVITIES        
Retirement of long-term debt     (100,000)
Dividends paid:        
  Common stock   (8,700)   (2,000)
  Preferred stock   (707)   (707)
Net cash flow used in financing activities   (9,407)   (102,707)
         
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents   (36,829)   (36,236)
         
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   40,582    73,417 
         
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period   $3,753    $37,181 
         
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:        
Cash paid/(received) during the period for:        
  Interest - net of amount capitalized   $9,419    $9,401 
  Income taxes   ($1,025)   $- 
         
See Notes to Financial Statements.        

 

81

 

ENTERGY MISSISSIPPI, INC.
BALANCE SHEETS
ASSETS
March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007
(Unaudited)
 
  2008   2007
  (In Thousands)
CURRENT ASSETS        
Cash and cash equivalents:        
  Cash   $857    $117 
  Temporary cash investments - at cost,        
   which approximates market   2,896    40,465 
     Total cash and cash equivalents   3,753    40,582 
Accounts receivable:        
  Customer   64,123    62,052 
  Allowance for doubtful accounts   (679)   (615)
  Associated companies   11,100    23,534 
  Other   6,471    8,234 
  Accrued unbilled revenues   28,725    33,535 
     Total accounts receivable   109,740    126,740 
Accumulated deferred income taxes   11,399    7,686 
Fuel inventory - at average cost   9,892    10,366 
Materials and supplies - at average cost   30,567    30,167 
Gas hedge contracts   30,636   
Prepayments and other   10,473    13,701 
TOTAL   206,460    229,242 
         
OTHER PROPERTY AND INVESTMENTS        
Investment in affiliates - at equity   5,531    5,531 
Non-utility property - at cost (less accumulated depreciation)   5,105    5,140 
Storm reserve escrow account   31,089    30,748 
Note receivable - Entergy New Orleans   7,610    7,610 
TOTAL   49,335    49,029 
         
UTILITY PLANT        
Electric   2,866,634    2,829,065 
Property under capital lease   8,795    9,116 
Construction work in progress   61,337    72,753 
TOTAL UTILITY PLANT   2,936,766    2,910,934 
Less - accumulated depreciation and amortization   1,013,928    995,902 
UTILITY PLANT - NET   1,922,838    1,915,032 
         
DEFERRED DEBITS AND OTHER ASSETS        
Regulatory assets:        
  SFAS 109 regulatory asset - net   33,717    29,868 
  Other regulatory assets   126,819    141,717 
Long-term receivables   819    819 
Other   24,273    20,562 
TOTAL   185,628    192,966 
         
TOTAL ASSETS   $2,364,261    $2,386,269 
         
See Notes to Financial Statements.        
 
82
 
ENTERGY MISSISSIPPI, INC.
BALANCE SHEETS
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007
(Unaudited)
 
  2008   2007
  (In Thousands)
CURRENT LIABILITIES        
Accounts payable:        
  Associated companies   $41,403    $46,424 
  Other   40,231    36,104 
Customer deposits   56,512    55,719 
Taxes accrued   26,187    36,038 
Interest accrued   16,935    15,194 
Deferred fuel costs   47,044    76,582 
Other   7,750    8,905 
TOTAL   236,062    274,966 
         
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES        
Accumulated deferred income taxes and taxes accrued   526,533    535,469 
Accumulated deferred investment tax credits   9,462    9,748 
Obligations under capital lease   7,466    7,806 
Other regulatory liabilities   30,822   
Asset retirement cost liabilities   4,579    4,505 
Accumulated provisions   51,069    50,264 
Pension and other postretirement liabilities   57,010    56,946 
Long-term debt   695,282    695,266 
Other   42,648    44,243 
TOTAL   1,424,871    1,404,247 
         
Commitments and Contingencies        
         
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY        
Preferred stock without sinking fund   50,381    50,381 
Common stock, no par value, authorized 15,000,000        
 shares; issued and outstanding 8,666,357 shares in 2008 and 2007   199,326    199,326 
Capital stock expense and other   (690)   (690)
Retained earnings   454,311    458,039 
TOTAL   703,328    707,056 
         
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY   $2,364,261    $2,386,269 
         
See Notes to Financial Statements.        
         

 

83

 

ENTERGY MISSISSIPPI, INC.
SELECTED OPERATING RESULTS
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 and 2007
(Unaudited)
 
                 
        Increase/    
Description   2008   2007   (Decrease)   %
    (Dollars In Millions)    
Electric Operating Revenues:                
  Residential   $ 111   $ 101   $10    10 
  Commercial   99   90   9    10 
  Industrial   42   41   1    2 
  Governmental   10   9   1    11 
     Total retail   262   241   21    9 
  Sales for resale                 
    Associated companies   20   16   4    25 
    Non-associated companies   6   6   -    - 
  Other   7   7   -    - 
     Total   $ 295   $ 270   $25    9 
                 
Billed Electric Energy                
 Sales (GWh):                
  Residential   1,289   1,251   38    3 
  Commercial   1,097   1,070   27    3 
  Industrial   622   653   (31)   (5)
  Governmental   95   95   -    - 
     Total retail   3,103   3,069   34    1 
  Sales for resale                
    Associated companies   181   146   35    24 
    Non-associated companies   36   84   (48)   (57)
     Total   3,320   3,299   21    1 
                 
                 
                 

84

 

ENTERGY NEW ORLEANS, INC.

MANAGEMENT'S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

Hurricane Katrina

See the Form 10-K for a discussion of the effects of Hurricane Katrina, which in August 2005 caused catastrophic damage to Entergy New Orleans' service territory, including the effect of extensive flooding that resulted from levee breaks in and around the New Orleans area, and Entergy's initiatives to recover storm restoration and business continuity costs.

Bankruptcy Proceedings

See the Form 10-K for a discussion of the significant terms in Entergy New Orleans' plan of reorganization that became effective in May 2007.

Insurance Claim

In April 2008, Entergy received from its primary insurer $53.6 million of additional insurance proceeds on its Hurricane Katrina claim, and all of the April 2008 proceeds were allocated to Entergy New Orleans.

Results of Operations

Net Income

Net income increased $4.8 million in the first quarter 2008 compared to the first quarter 2007 primarily due to higher net revenue partially offset by a higher effective income tax rate.

Net Revenue

Net revenue consists of operating revenues net of: 1) fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale, 2) purchased power expenses, and 3) other regulatory charges. Following is an analysis of the changes in net revenue comparing the first quarter 2008 to the first quarter 2007.

   

Amount

   

(In Millions)

     

2007 net revenue

 

$50.0 

Net gas revenue

 

4.6 

Volume/weather

 

3.4 

Price applied to unbilled electric sales

 

2.5 

Other

 

1.9 

2008 net revenue

 

$62.4 

The net gas revenue variance is primarily due to an increase in base rates and increased usage. Refer to Note 2 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for a discussion of the base rate increase.

The volume/weather variance is due to an increase in electricity usage primarily in the residential sector in 2008 compared to the same period in 2007, which increased 72 GWh, an increase of 31%, as customers have returned to service following the losses from Hurricane Katrina.

 

85

 

The price applied to unbilled electric sales variance is due to an increase in the fuel cost component of the price applied to unbilled sales. See Note 1 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for further discussion of the accounting for unbilled revenues.

Other Income Statement Variances

Other operation and maintenance expenses increased primarily due to consultant fees and the accrual of an Energy Efficiency Fund effective in the first quarter 2008.

Reorganization items in 2007 consist primarily of professional fees associated with the bankruptcy case.

Other income decreased primarily due to a reduction in the allowance for equity funds used during construction related to a decrease in storm-related construction.

Income Taxes

The effective income tax rate was 48.8% for the first quarter 2008 and 32.4% for the first quarter 2007. The effective income tax rate for the first quarter 2008 was higher than the federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to book and tax differences related to utility plant items and state income taxes. The effective income tax rate for the first quarter 2007 was lower than the federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to book and tax differences related to the allowance of equity funds used during construction and the amortization of deferred income taxes and investment tax credits, partially offset by book and tax differences related to utility plant items and state income taxes.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash Flow

Cash flows for the first quarters of 2008 and 2007 were as follows:

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

$92,010 

 

$17,093 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flow provided by (used in):

 

 

 

 

 

Operating activities

 

5,212 

 

17,191 

 

Investing activities

 

(71,413)

 

(3,795)

 

Financing activities

 

(482)

 

(10,000)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

(66,683)

 

3,396 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$25,327 

 

$20,489 

Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities decreased $12.0 million for the first quarter 2008 compared to the first quarter 2007 primarily due to the timing of collections of receivables from customers and decreased recovery of deferred fuel costs, partially offset by an increase in net income.

Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities increased $67.6 million for the first quarter 2008 compared to the first quarter 2007 primarily due to an increase in Entergy New Orleans' receivable from the money pool and proceeds of $10 million received in 2007 related to the sale in the first quarter 2007 of a power plant that had been out of service since 1984.

 

86

 

Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities decreased $9.5 million for the first quarter 2008 compared to the first quarter 2007 primarily due to a partial repayment of Entergy New Orleans' borrowings under the debtor in possession credit facility in 2007.

Capital Structure

Entergy New Orleans' capitalization is shown in the following table. The increase in net debt to net capital ratio is primarily due to the decrease in cash and cash equivalents as a result of n increase in Entergy New Orleans' money pool receivable.

 

 

March 31,
2008

 

December 31,
2007

 

 

 

 

 

Net debt to net capital

 

57.6%

 

51.8%

Effect of subtracting cash from debt

2.1%

8.8%

Debt to capital

 

59.7%

 

60.6%

Net debt consists of debt less cash and cash equivalents. Debt consists of notes payable and long-term debt, including the currently maturing portion. Capital consists of debt and shareholders' equity. Net capital consists of capital less cash and cash equivalents. Entergy New Orleans 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 New Orleans' financial condition.

Uses and Sources of Capital

See "MANAGEMENT'S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - Liquidity and Capital Resources" in the Form 10-K for a discussion of Entergy New Orleans' uses and sources of capital. The following are updates to the Form 10-K.

Entergy New Orleans' receivables from or (payables to) the money pool were as follows:

March 31,
2008

 

December 31,
2007

 

March 31,
2007

 

December 31,
2006

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$94,689

 

$47,705

 

($37,166)

 

($37,166)

See Note 4 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for a description of the money pool. As discussed in the Form 10-K, in May 2007, Entergy New Orleans issued notes in satisfaction of its affiliate prepetition accounts payable, including its indebtedness to the Entergy System money pool.

87

Significant Factors and Known Trends

See "MANAGEMENT'S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - Significant Factors and Known Trends" in the Form 10-K for a discussion of state and local rate regulation, federal regulation, the Energy Policy Act of 2005, and environmental risks. The following are updates to the Form 10-K.

State and Local Rate Regulation

Retail Rates

In January 2008, Entergy New Orleans voluntarily implemented a 6.15% base rate credit for electric customers, which Entergy New Orleans estimates will return $10.6 million to electric customers in 2008. Entergy New Orleans was able to implement this credit because the recovery of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina has been occurring faster than expected. In addition, Entergy New Orleans also set aside $2.5 million for an Energy Efficiency Fund.

Fuel Adjustment Clause Litigation

See the Form 10-K for a discussion of the complaint filed in April 1999 by a group of ratepayers against Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Corporation, Entergy Services, and Entergy Power in state court in Orleans Parish purportedly on behalf of all Entergy New Orleans ratepayers and a corresponding complaint filed with the City Council. In February 2004, the City Council approved a resolution that resulted in a refund to customers of $11.3 million, including interest, during the months of June through September 2004. In May 2005 the Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans affirmed the City Council resolution, finding no support for the plaintiffs' claim that the refund amount should be higher. In June 2005, the plaintiffs appealed the Civil District Court decision to the Louisiana Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal. On February 25, 2008, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal issued a decision affirming in part, and reversing in part, the Civil District Court's decision.  Although the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal did not reverse any of the substantive findings and conclusions of the City Council or the Civil District Court, the Fourth Circuit found that the amount of the refund was arbitrary and capricious and increased the amount of the refund to $34.3 million.  Entergy New Orleans believes that the increase in the refund ordered by the Fourth Circuit is not justified. Entergy New Orleans, the City Council, and the plaintiffs requested rehearing, and in April 2008, the Fourth Circuit granted the plaintiffs' request for rehearing. In addition to changing the basis for the court's decision in the manner requested by the plaintiffs, the court also granted the plaintiffs' request that it provide for interest on the refund amount. The court denied the motions for rehearing filed by the City Council and Entergy New Orleans. In May 2008, Entergy New Orleans and the City Council filed petitions for appeal to the Louisiana Supreme Court, which has been opposed by the plaintiffs, and filed with the Louisiana Supreme Court applications for a writ of certiorari seeking, among other things, reversal of the Fourth Circuit decision.

Federal Regulation

See "System Agreement Proceedings" and "Independent Coordinator of Transmission" in the "Significant Factors and Known Trends" section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management's Financial Discussion and Analysis for updates to the discussion in the Form 10-K.

Critical Accounting Estimates

See "MANAGEMENT'S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - Critical Accounting Estimates" in the Form 10-K for a discussion of the estimates and judgments necessary in Entergy New Orleans' accounting for unbilled revenue and qualified pension and other postretirement benefits.

New Accounting Pronouncements

See "New Accounting Pronouncements" section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management's Financial Discussion and Analysis for a discussion of new accounting pronouncements.

88

 

ENTERGY NEW ORLEANS, INC.
INCOME STATEMENTS
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 and 2007
(Unaudited)
   
    2008   2007
    (In Thousands)
         
OPERATING REVENUES        
Electric   $140,228    $121,619 
Natural gas   51,127    47,023 
TOTAL   191,355    168,642 
         
OPERATING EXPENSES        
Operation and Maintenance:        
  Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and        
   gas purchased for resale   79,898    77,431 
  Purchased power   48,011    40,159 
  Other operation and maintenance   24,820    22,205 
Taxes other than income taxes   10,134    9,774 
Depreciation and amortization   8,094    8,123 
Reorganization items     2,343 
Other regulatory charges - net   1,030    1,033 
TOTAL   171,987    161,068 
         
OPERATING INCOME   19,368    7,574 
         
OTHER INCOME        
Allowance for equity funds used during construction   78    1,191 
Interest and dividend income   2,354    2,733 
Miscellaneous - net   (762)   (179)
TOTAL   1,670    3,745 
         
INTEREST AND OTHER CHARGES      
Interest on long-term debt   3,242    3,245 
Other interest - net   2,332    4,309 
Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction   (50)   (898)
TOTAL   5,524    6,656 
         
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES   15,514    4,663 
         
Income taxes   7,567    1,513 
         
NET INCOME   7,947    3,150 
         
Preferred dividend requirements and other   241    241 
         
EARNINGS APPLICABLE TO        
COMMON STOCK   $7,706    $2,909 
         
See Notes to Financial Statements.        
         

89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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90

 

 

 

ENTERGY NEW ORLEANS, INC.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 and 2007
(Unaudited)
     
    2008   2007
    (In Thousands)
OPERATING ACTIVITIES        
Net income   $7,947    $3,150 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flow provided by operating activities:        
  Other regulatory charges - net   1,030    1,033 
  Depreciation and amortization   8,094    8,123 
  Deferred income taxes, investment tax credits, and non-current taxes accrued   11,702    15,615 
  Changes in working capital:        
    Receivables   (13,306)   (6,626)
    Fuel inventory   3,727    4,843 
    Accounts payable   2,010    15,069 
    Taxes accrued   (2,212)   7,123 
    Interest accrued   (2,165)   (1,377)
    Deferred fuel costs   (8,509)   2,207 
    Other working capital accounts   (5,734)   (5,790)
  Provision for estimated losses and reserves   867    421 
  Changes in other regulatory assets   3,128    (1,175)
  Other   (1,367)   (25,425)
Net cash flow provided by operating activities   5,212    17,191 
         
INVESTING ACTIVITIES        
Construction expenditures   (22,760)   (17,836)
Allowance for equity funds used during construction   78    1,191 
Insurance proceeds     2,804 
Proceeds from the sale of assets     10,046 
Change in money pool receivable - net   (46,984)  
Changes in other investments - net   (1,747)  
Net cash flow used in investing activities   (71,413)   (3,795)
         
FINANCING ACTIVITIES        
Repayment of DIP credit facility     (9,908)
Dividends paid:        
  Preferred stock   (482)   (92)
Net cash flow used in financing activities   (482)   (10,000)
         
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents   (66,683)   3,396 
         
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   92,010    17,093 
         
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period   $25,327    $20,489 
         
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:        
Cash paid during the period for:        
  Interest - net of amount capitalized   $7,552    $8,745 
  Income taxes   $716    $- 
         
See Notes to Financial Statements.        
         

91

 

ENTERGY NEW ORLEANS, INC.
BALANCE SHEETS
ASSETS
March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007
(Unaudited)
 
         
  2008   2007
  (In Thousands)
         
CURRENT ASSETS        
Cash and cash equivalents        
  Cash   $969    $119 
  Temporary cash investments - at cost        
   which approximates market   24,358    91,891 
     Total cash and cash equivalents   25,327    92,010 
Accounts receivable:        
  Customer   52,027    45,478 
  Allowance for doubtful accounts   (1,023)   (4,639)
  Associated companies   114,820    58,952 
  Other   5,385    9,928 
  Accrued unbilled revenues   23,642    24,842 
     Total accounts receivable   194,851    134,561 
Deferred fuel costs   25,790    17,281 
Fuel inventory - at average cost   773    4,500 
Materials and supplies - at average cost   9,093    9,007 
Prepayments and other   7,487    2,539 
TOTAL   263,321    259,898 
         
OTHER PROPERTY AND INVESTMENTS        
Investment in affiliates - at equity   3,259    3,259 
Non-utility property at cost (less accumulated depreciation)   1,016    1,016 
Other property and investments   7,019    5,272 
TOTAL   11,294    9,547 
         
UTILITY PLANT        
Electric   755,888    745,426 
Natural gas   205,139    201,870 
Construction work in progress   7,524    14,144 
TOTAL UTILITY PLANT   968,551    961,440 
Less - accumulated depreciation and amortization   515,616    507,537 
UTILITY PLANT - NET   452,935    453,903 
         
DEFERRED DEBITS AND OTHER ASSETS        
Regulatory assets:        
  Other regulatory assets   146,437    143,726 
Long term receivables   126    126 
Other   9,687    8,995 
TOTAL   156,250    152,847 
         
TOTAL ASSETS   $883,800    $876,195 
         
See Notes to Financial Statements.        
 
92
 
ENTERGY NEW ORLEANS, INC.
BALANCE SHEETS
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007
(Unaudited)
 
         
  2008   2007
  (In Thousands)
 
CURRENT LIABILITIES        
Currently maturing long-term debt   $30,000    $30,000 
Accounts payable:        
  Associated companies   19,142    27,138 
  Other   33,372    23,366 
Customer deposits   18,519    17,803 
Taxes accrued   2,769    4,981 
Accumulated deferred income taxes   6,088    1,754 
Interest accrued   3,052    5,217 
Other   8,287    9,944 
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES   121,229    120,203 
         
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES        
Accumulated deferred income taxes and taxes accrued   118,426    114,729 
Accumulated deferred investment tax credits   2,723    2,809 
SFAS 109 regulatory liability - net   75,657    73,613 
Other regulatory liabilities   9,522    9,522 
Retirement cost liability   2,819    2,772 
Accumulated provisions   15,196    14,329 
Pension and other postretirement liabilities   14,521    15,484 
Long-term debt   273,704    273,912 
Gas system rebuild insurance proceeds   30,708    36,958 
Other   14,365    14,640 
TOTAL NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES   557,641    558,768 
         
         
Commitments and Contingencies        
         
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY        
Preferred stock without sinking fund   19,780    19,780 
Common stock, $4 par value, authorized 10,000,000        
 shares; issued and outstanding 8,435,900 shares in 2008        
 and 2007   33,744    33,744 
Paid-in capital   36,294    36,294 
Retained earnings   115,112    107,406 
TOTAL   204,930    197,224 
         
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY   $883,800    $876,195 
         
See Notes to Financial Statements.        
         

93

 

ENTERGY NEW ORLEANS, INC.
SELECTED OPERATING RESULTS
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 and 2007
(Unaudited)
 
                 
            Increase/    
Description   2008   2007   (Decrease)   %
    (Dollars In Millions)    
Electric Operating Revenues:                
  Residential   $33   $25   $8    32 
  Commercial   40   38    
  Industrial   10   10    
  Governmental   16   15    
     Total retail   99   88   11    13 
  Sales for resale                
    Associated companies   36   34    
    Other   5   -    
     Total   $140   $122   $18    15 
                 
Billed Electric Energy                
 Sales (GWh):                
  Residential   306   234   72    31 
  Commercial   408   395   13   
  Industrial   131   137   (6)   (4)
  Governmental   178   164   14   
     Total retail   1,023   930   93    10 
  Sales for resale                
    Associated companies   326   350   (24)   (7)
    Non-associated companies   3   2     50 
     Total   1,352   1,282   70   
                 
                 

94

 

SYSTEM ENERGY RESOURCES, INC.

MANAGEMENT'S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

Results of Operations

System Energy's principal asset consists of a 90% ownership and 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.

Net income decreased $5.7 million for the first quarter 2008 compared to the first quarter 2007. The decrease is primarily due to a decrease in rate base in the first quarter 2008 compared to the same period in 2007 resulting in lower operating income. Lower interest income earned on money pool investments also contributed to the decrease in net income.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash Flow

Cash flows for the first quarters of 2008 and 2007 were as follows:

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

$105,005 

 

$135,012 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flow provided by (used in):

 

 

 

 

 

Operating activities

 

52,852 

 

59,420 

 

Investing activities

 

(77,502)

 

(31,754)

 

Financing activities

 

(49,301)

 

(45,835)

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 

(73,951)

 

(18,169)

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$31,054  

 

$116,843 

Investing Activities

The increase of $45.7 million in net cash used by investing activities in the first quarter 2008 compared to the first quarter 2007 is primarily due to an increase in System Energy's receivable from the money pool.

Capital Structure

System Energy's capitalization is balanced between equity and debt, as shown in the following table.

 

 

March 31,
2008

 

December 31,
2007

 

 

 

 

 

Net debt to net capital

 

48.7%

 

47.4%

Effect of subtracting cash from debt

 

0.9%

 

3.2%

Debt to capital

 

49.6%

 

50.6%

95

Net debt consists of debt less cash and cash equivalents. Debt consists of notes payable, capital lease obligations, and long-term debt, including the currently maturing portion. Capital consists of debt and common shareholder's equity. Net capital consists of capital less cash and cash equivalents. 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.

Uses and Sources of Capital

See "MANAGEMENT'S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - Liquidity and Capital Resources" in the Form 10-K for a discussion of System Energy's uses and sources of capital. The following is an update to the Form 10-K.

System Energy's receivables from the money pool were as follows:

March 31,
2008

 

December 31,
2007

 

March 31,
2007

 

December 31,
2006

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$111,245

 

$53,620

 

$99,031

 

$88,231

See Note 4 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for a description of the money pool.

Significant Factors and Known Trends

See "MANAGEMENT'S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - Significant Factors and Known Trends" in the Form 10-K for a discussion of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, nuclear matters, and environmental risks. The following is an update to the Form 10-K.

System Energy Rate Proceeding

In March 2008, the LPSC filed a complaint at the FERC under Federal Power Act section 206 against System Energy and Entergy Services. The complaint requests that the FERC set System Energy's rate of return on common equity at no more than 9.75%. The LPSC's complaint further requests that System Energy base its decommissioning and depreciation expenses on a 60-year useful life for Grand Gulf as opposed to the 40-year life specified in the existing NRC operating license. The APSC, the City of New Orleans, the MPSC, and other parties have intervened in the proceeding. System Energy filed its answer to the complaint in April 2008, in which it denies the allegations of the LPSC and requests that the FERC dismiss the complaint without a hearing.

Critical Accounting Estimates

See "MANAGEMENT'S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - Critical Accounting Estimates" in the Form 10-K for a discussion of the estimates and judgments necessary in System Energy's accounting for nuclear decommissioning costs and qualified pension and other postretirement benefits.

New Accounting Pronouncements

See "New Accounting Pronouncements" section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management's Financial Discussion and Analysis for a discussion of new accounting pronouncements.

96

 

 

SYSTEM ENERGY RESOURCES, INC.
INCOME STATEMENTS
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 and 2007
(Unaudited)
       
    2008   2007
    (In Thousands)
         
OPERATING REVENUES        
Electric   $114,372    $126,157 
         
OPERATING EXPENSES        
Operation and Maintenance:        
  Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and        
   gas purchased for resale   10,616    8,388 
  Nuclear refueling outage expenses   4,204    4,535 
  Other operation and maintenance   24,989    24,237 
Decommissioning   6,724    6,255 
Taxes other than income taxes   (2,072)   8,411 
Depreciation and amortization   26,555    25,962 
Other regulatory credits - net   (1,986)   (1,960)
TOTAL   69,030    75,828 
         
OPERATING INCOME   45,342    50,329 
         
OTHER INCOME        
Allowance for equity funds used during construction   1,129    416 
Interest and dividend income   2,547    5,815 
Miscellaneous - net   (167)   (79)
TOTAL   3,509    6,152 
         
INTEREST AND OTHER CHARGES      
Interest on long-term debt   11,962    12,353 
Other interest - net   43    16 
Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction   (378)   (135)
TOTAL   11,627    12,234 
         
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES   37,224    44,247 
         
Income taxes   15,623    16,950 
         
NET INCOME   $21,601    $27,297 
         
See Notes to Financial Statements.        

 

97

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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98

 

SYSTEM ENERGY RESOURCES, INC.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 and 2007
(Unaudited)
     
    2008   2007
    (In Thousands)
         
OPERATING ACTIVITIES        
Net income   $21,601    $27,297 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flow provided by operating activities:        
  Other regulatory credits - net   (1,986)   (1,960)
  Depreciation, amortization, and decommissioning   33,279    32,217 
  Deferred income taxes, investment tax credits, and non-current taxes accrued   24,917    57,248 
  Changes in working capital:        
    Receivables   29,425    969 
    Accounts payable   (10,550)   17,411 
    Taxes accrued     (47,988)
    Interest accrued   (32,863)   (31,678)
    Other working capital accounts   (34,307)   (17,321)
  Changes in other regulatory assets   (536)   721 
  Other   23,872    22,504 
Net cash flow provided by operating activities   52,852    59,420 
         
INVESTING ACTIVITIES        
Construction expenditures   (13,376)   (14,275)
Allowance for equity funds used during construction   1,129    416 
Nuclear fuel purchases     (56,279)
Proceeds from sale/leaseback of nuclear fuel     56,370 
Proceeds from nuclear decommissioning trust fund sales   35,097    27,337 
Investment in nuclear decommissioning trust funds   (42,727)   (34,523)
Change in money pool receivable - net   (57,625)   (10,800)
Net cash flow used in investing activities   (77,502)   (31,754)
         
FINANCING ACTIVITIES        
Retirement of long-term debt   (26,701)   (23,335)
Dividends paid:        
  Common stock   (22,600)   (22,500)
Net cash flow used in financing activities   (49,301)   (45,835)
         
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents   (73,951)   (18,169)
         
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   105,005    135,012 
         
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period   $31,054    $116,843 
         
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:        
Cash paid during the period for:        
  Interest - net of amount capitalized   $43,584    $42,592 
  Income taxes   $36    $- 
         
See Notes to Financial Statements.        
         

 

99

 

 

SYSTEM ENERGY RESOURCES, INC.
BALANCE SHEETS
ASSETS
March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007
(Unaudited)
             
    2008   2007
  (In Thousands)
             
CURRENT ASSETS            
Cash and cash equivalents:            
  Cash       $582   $406
  Temporary cash investments - at cost,            
   which approximates market       30,472   104,599
     Total cash and cash equivalents       31,054   105,005
Accounts receivable:            
  Associated companies       142,088   112,598
  Other       2,631   3,921
     Total accounts receivable       144,719   116,519
Materials and supplies - at average cost       71,555   68,613
Deferred nuclear refueling outage costs       10,170   13,640
Prepayments and other       44,060   9,225
TOTAL       301,558   313,002
             
OTHER PROPERTY AND INVESTMENTS        
Decommissioning trust funds       306,906   315,654
Note receivable - Entergy New Orleans       25,560   25,560
TOTAL       332,466   341,214
             
UTILITY PLANT        
Electric       3,282,575   3,273,390
Property under capital lease       475,157   475,157
Construction work in progress       92,462   88,296
Nuclear fuel under capital lease       73,832   81,616
Nuclear fuel       6,785   7,656
TOTAL UTILITY PLANT       3,930,811   3,926,115
Less - accumulated depreciation and amortization       2,129,214   2,101,484
UTILITY PLANT - NET       1,801,597   1,824,631
             
DEFERRED DEBITS AND OTHER ASSETS        
Regulatory assets:            
  SFAS 109 regulatory asset - net       91,071   93,083
  Other regulatory assets       275,884   274,202
Other       12,291   12,628
TOTAL       379,246   379,913
             
TOTAL ASSETS       $2,814,867   $2,858,760
             
See Notes to Financial Statements.            
 
100
 
SYSTEM ENERGY RESOURCES, INC.
BALANCE SHEETS
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY
March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007
(Unaudited)
             
    2008   2007
  (In Thousands)
 
CURRENT LIABILITIES        
Currently maturing long-term debt       $28,440   $26,701
Accounts payable:            
  Associated companies       3,292   8,902
  Other       24,242   29,182
Accumulated deferred income taxes       3,171   4,494
Interest accrued       14,540   47,403
Obligations under capital leases       30,058   30,058
TOTAL       103,743   146,740
             
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES        
Accumulated deferred income taxes and taxes accrued       335,773   314,991
Accumulated deferred investment tax credits       64,315   65,184
Obligations under capital leases       43,819   51,558
Other regulatory liabilities       253,026   243,450
Decommissioning       375,284   368,559
Accumulated provisions       2,469   2,469
Pension and other postretirement liabilities       30,226   30,031
Long-term debt       744,844   773,266
Other       -   145
TOTAL       1,849,756   1,849,653
             
Commitments and Contingencies            
             
SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY        
Common stock, no par value, authorized 1,000,000 shares;            
 issued and outstanding 789,350 shares in 2008 and 2007       789,350   789,350
Retained earnings       72,018   73,017
TOTAL       861,368   862,367
             
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY       $2,814,867   $2,858,760
             
See Notes to Financial Statements.            

101

ENTERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

See "PART I, Item 1, Litigation" in the Form 10-K for a discussion of legal, administrative, and other regulatory proceedings affecting Entergy.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes to the risk factors discussed in "PART I, Item 1A, Risk Factors" in the Form 10-K.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities (1)

Period

 

Total Number of
Shares Purchased

 

Average Price Paid
per Share

 

Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of a
Publicly
Announced Plan

 

Maximum $
Amount
of Shares that May
Yet be Purchased
Under a Plan (2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1/01/2008-1/31/2008

 

151,100

 

$118.95

 

151,100

 

$1,002,605,862

2/01/2008-2/29/2008

 

785,000

 

$106.68

 

785,000

 

$921,455,080

3/01/2008-3/31/2008

 

532,100

 

$106.11

 

532,100

 

$867,033,426

Total

 

1,468,200

 

$107.74

 

1,468,200

 

 

(1)

In accordance with Entergy's stock-based compensation plans, Entergy periodically grants stock options 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 this authority, on January 29, 2007, the Board approved a repurchase program under which Entergy is authorized to repurchase up to $1.5 billion of its common stock. The program does not have an expiration date, but Entergy expects to complete it in 2008. In January 2008, the Board authorized an incremental $500 million share repurchase program to enable Entergy to consider opportunistic purchases in response to equity market conditions. See Note 12 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for additional discussion of the stock-based compensation plans.

(2)

Maximum amount of shares that may yet be repurchased relates only to the $1.5 billion and $500 million plans and does not include an estimate of the amount of shares that may be purchased to fund the exercise of grants under the stock-based compensation plans.

The amount of share repurchases may vary as a result of material changes in business results or capital spending or new investment opportunities.

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Item 5. Other Information

Affiliate Purchased Power Agreements

See the Part I, Item 1 of the Form 10-K for a discussion of the FERC proceeding involving the purchased power agreements entered by Entergy Louisiana and Entergy New Orleans to procure electric power from affiliates, the FERC's decision in the proceeding, and the LPSC's appeal of that decision. On April 10, 2008, the LPSC filed its initial brief with the D.C. Circuit. In its initial brief, the LPSC argues the FERC erred: (1) in concluding that Entergy Arkansas' short term sale of capacity and energy to third parties did not trigger the obligation to offer a right of first refusal with respect to this capacity to the other Utility operating companies pursuant to the provisions of the System Agreement; and (2) by approving an allocation of baseload generating resources that unduly preferred Entergy New Orleans and unduly discriminated against Entergy Gulf States Louisiana. The joint brief of the Utility operating companies, the APSC, the MPSC, and the City Council is due June 24, 2008.

Franchises and Certificates

As discussed in the Form 10-K, on December 28, 2007, the Texas Industrial Energy Consumers (TIEC) filed a petition asking the PUCT to declare that Entergy Gulf States, Inc. was required to obtain prior PUCT approval in connection with Entergy Texas' acquisition of its certificate of convenience and necessity as part of the jurisdictional separation of Entergy Gulf States, Inc. into Entergy Texas and Entergy Gulf States Louisiana.  The TIEC further requested that the PUCT declare Entergy Texas' acquisition of the certificate of convenience and necessity null and void if it occurred without prior PUCT approval.  Entergy Texas filed responses challenging the TIEC's petition and requesting dismissal of the petition. The PUCT staff in a pleading in the proceeding stated its view that no approval by the PUCT of the jurisdictional separation was necessary. The administrative law judge declined to dismiss TIEC's petition, and the PUCT did not vote to hear Entergy Texas' appeal of the administrative law judge's order.

To resolve expeditiously any outstanding related issues, on March 31, 2008, Entergy Texas filed a request with the PUCT for approval of the allocation to Entergy Texas of the certificate of convenience and necessity to the extent the PUCT finds such an approval is necessary. The PUCT staff recommended, and the administrative law judge ordered, that this proceeding be abated pending a decision on the TIEC petition. Entergy Texas has appealed the abatement order to the PUCT. On May 1, 2008, the administrative law judge issued an order unabating the proceeding initiated by Entergy Texas in order to facilitate expedient processing of the proceeding. The administrative law judge has requested comments on whether the proceeding initiated by TIEC should be consolidated with Entergy Texas' request for approval of the allocation of the certificate of convenience and necessity.

Entergy Texas continues to believe that no regulatory approval by the PUCT of the jurisdictional separation was necessary and that the ultimate resolution of this matter will not affect the jurisdictional separation of Entergy Gulf States, Inc.

Environmental Regulation

Ozone Non-attainment

Entergy Texas and Entergy Gulf States Louisiana each operate fossil-fueled generating units in geographic areas that are not in attainment of the currently-enforced national ambient air quality standards for ozone. Texas non-attainment areas that affect Entergy are the Houston-Galveston and the Beaumont-Port Arthur areas. In Louisiana, Entergy is affected by the non-attainment status of the Baton Rouge area. Areas in non-attainment are 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.

In April 2004, the EPA issued a final rule, effective June 2005, revoking the 1-hour ozone standard, including designations and classifications. In a separate action over the same period, the EPA enacted 8-hour ozone non-attainment classifications and stated that areas designated as

 

103

 

non-attainment under a new 8-hour ozone standard shall have one year to adjust to the new requirements with submittal of a new attainment plan. For Louisiana, the Baton Rouge area is currently classified as a ''marginal" (rather than "severe") non-attainment area under the new standard with an attainment date of June 15, 2007. On March 21, 2008 the EPA published a notice that the Baton Rouge area had failed to meet the standard by the attainment date and was proceeding with a "bump-up" of the area to the next higher non-attainment level. The Baton Rouge area is now classified as "moderate" non-attainment under the new standard with an attainment date of June 15, 2010.

For Texas, the Beaumont-Port Arthur area is currently classified as a "marginal" (rather than "serious") non-attainment area under the new standard with an attainment date of June 15, 2007. On March 18, 2008 the EPA published a notice that the Beaumont-Port Arthur area had failed to meet the standard by the attainment date and was proceeding with a "bump-up" of the area to the next higher non-attainment level. The Houston-Galveston area is now classified as "moderate" non-attainment under the new standard with an attainment date of June 15, 2010. On June 15, 2007, the Texas governor petitioned the EPA to reclassify the Houston-Galveston area from "moderate" to "severe" with an attainment date of June 15, 2019. EPA consideration of the petition is still pending.

In December 2006, the EPA's revocation of the 1-hour ozone standard was rejected by the courts. As a result, numerous requirements can return for areas that fail to meet 1-hour ozone levels by dates set by the law. These requirements include the potential to increase fees significantly for plants operating in these areas. In addition, it is possible that new emission controls may be required. Specific costs of compliance cannot be estimated at this time, but Entergy is monitoring development of the respective state implementation plans and will develop specific compliance strategies as the plans move through the adoption process.

On March 12, 2008 the EPA reduced the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for ozone, which will in turn place additional counties and parishes in which Entergy operates in nonattainment status. States will develop State Implementation Plans that outline control requirements to enable these counties and parishes to reach attainment status. Entergy facilities in these areas will be subject to installation of NOx controls, but the degree of control will not be known until the State Implementation Plans are developed. Entergy will monitor and be involved in the State Implementation Plans development process in states where Entergy has facilities.

316(b) Cooling Water Intake Structures

In March 2008, the NYDEC issued a draft water quality certification and a draft discharge permit for FitzPatrick, opening a 30-day public comment period on these documents. The certification, or a waiver or exemption of the same, is required by section 401 of the federal Clean Water Act as a supporting document to the NRC's license renewal decision. The discharge permit action is not related to the license renewal decision. The NYDEC received comments on the draft documents from Entergy and from the public, and New York law requires that a hearing now be held on these public comments prior to the issuance of a final discharge permit or water quality certification. In response, the NYDEC issued a draft denial without prejudice of the certification because the NYDEC asks for more information before making a final decision. The NYDEC is required to begin hearings on both draft documents in the near term. FitzPatrick, having filed a timely and complete application for permit renewal, continues to operate under its former discharge permit.

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Earnings Ratios (Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, and System Energy)

The Registrant Subsidiaries have calculated ratios of earnings to fixed charges and ratios of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred dividends/distributions pursuant to Item 503 of Regulation S-K of the SEC as follows:

 

Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges

 

Twelve Months Ended

 

December 31,

 

March 31,

 

2003

 

2004

 

2005

 

2006

 

2007

 

2008

                       

Entergy Arkansas

3.17

 

3.37

 

3.75

 

3.37

 

3.19

 

3.14

Entergy Gulf States Louisiana

1.51

 

3.04

 

3.34

 

3.01

 

2.84

 

2.96

Entergy Louisiana

3.93

 

3.60

 

3.50

 

3.23

 

3.44

 

3.53

Entergy Mississippi

3.06

 

3.41

 

3.16

 

2.54

 

3.22

 

3.22

Entergy New Orleans

1.73

 

3.60

 

1.22

 

1.52

 

2.74

 

3.46

System Energy

3.66

 

3.95

 

3.85

 

4.05

 

3.95

 

3.84

 

Ratios of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges
and Preferred Dividends/Distributions

 

Twelve Months Ended

 

December 31,

 

March 31,

 

2003

 

2004

 

2005

 

2006

 

2007

 

2008

                       

Entergy Arkansas

2.79

 

2.98

 

3.34

 

3.06

 

2.88

 

2.83

Entergy Gulf States Louisiana

1.45

 

2.90

 

3.18

 

2.90

 

2.73

 

2.87

Entergy Louisiana

-

 

-

 

-

 

2.90

 

3.08

 

3.13

Entergy Mississippi

2.77

 

3.07

 

2.83

 

2.34

 

2.97

 

2.97

Entergy New Orleans

1.59

 

3.31

 

1.12

 

1.35

 

2.54

 

3.16

 

Item 6. Exhibits *

 

4(a)

Instrument of Correction dated March 20, 2008, to Debt Assumption Agreement dated as of December 31, 2007, between Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, L.L.C. and Entergy Texas, Inc.

     
 

4(b)

Act of Correction to Mortgage and Security Agreement dated March 20, 2008, between Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, L.L.C. and Entergy Texas, Inc.

     
 

4(c)

First Amendment to Mortgage, Deed of Trust, and Security Agreement dated March 20, 2008, among Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, L.L.C., Entergy Texas, Inc., and Mark G. Otts, as Trustee.

     
 

10(a)

Restricted Unit Agreement between Leo P. Denault and Entergy Corporation.

     
 

12(a) -

Entergy Arkansas' Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges and of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Dividends, as defined.

     
 

12(b) -

Entergy Gulf States Louisiana's Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges and of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Distributions, as defined.

     
 

12(c) -

Entergy Louisiana's Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges and of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Distributions, as defined.

     

105

     
     
 

12(d) -

Entergy Mississippi's Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges and of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Dividends, as defined.

     
 

12(e) -

Entergy New Orleans' Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges and of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Dividends, as defined.

     
 

12(f) -

System Energy's Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges, as defined.

     
 

31(a) -

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification for Entergy Corporation.

     
 

31(b) -

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification for Entergy Corporation.

     
 

31(c) -

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification for Entergy Arkansas.

     
 

31(d) -

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification for Entergy Arkansas.

     
 

31(e) -

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification for Entergy Gulf States Louisiana.

     
 

31(f) -

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification for Entergy Gulf States Louisiana.

     
 

31(g) -

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification for Entergy Louisiana.

     
 

31(h) -

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification for Entergy Louisiana.

     
 

31(i) -

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification for Entergy Mississippi.

     
 

31(j) -

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification for Entergy Mississippi.

     
 

31(k) -

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification for Entergy New Orleans.

     
 

31(l) -

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification for Entergy New Orleans.

     
 

31(m) -

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification for System Energy.

     
 

31(n) -

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification for System Energy.

     
 

32(a) -

Section 1350 Certification for Entergy Corporation.

     
 

32(b) -

Section 1350 Certification for Entergy Corporation.

     
 

32(c) -

Section 1350 Certification for Entergy Arkansas.

     
 

32(d) -

Section 1350 Certification for Entergy Arkansas.

     
 

32(e) -

Section 1350 Certification for Entergy Gulf States Louisiana.

     
 

32(f) -

Section 1350 Certification for Entergy Gulf States Louisiana.

     
 

32(g) -

Section 1350 Certification for Entergy Louisiana.

     
 

32(h) -

Section 1350 Certification for Entergy Louisiana.

     
 

32(i) -

Section 1350 Certification for Entergy Mississippi.

     
 

32(j) -

Section 1350 Certification for Entergy Mississippi.

     
 

32(k) -

Section 1350 Certification for Entergy New Orleans.

 

106

     
     
 

32(l) -

Section 1350 Certification for Entergy New Orleans.

     
 

32(m) -

Section 1350 Certification for System Energy.

     
 

32(n) -

Section 1350 Certification for System Energy.

___________________________

Pursuant to Item 601(b)(4)(iii) of Regulation S-K, Entergy Corporation agrees to furnish to the Commission upon request any instrument with respect to long-term debt that is not registered or listed herein as an Exhibit because the total amount of securities authorized under such agreement does not exceed ten percent of the total assets of Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.

*

Reference is made to a duplicate list of exhibits being filed as a part of this report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2008, which list, prepared in accordance with Item 102 of Regulation S-T of the SEC, immediately precedes the exhibits being filed with this report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2008.

**

Incorporated herein by reference as indicated.

107

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. The signature for each undersigned company shall be deemed to relate only to matters having reference to such company or its subsidiaries.

ENTERGY CORPORATION
ENTERGY ARKANSAS, INC.
ENTERGY GULF STATES LOUISIANA, L.L.C.
ENTERGY LOUISIANA, LLC
ENTERGY MISSISSIPPI, INC.
ENTERGY NEW ORLEANS, INC.
SYSTEM ENERGY RESOURCES, INC.

 

/s/ Theodore H. Bunting, Jr.
Theodore H. Bunting, Jr.
Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
(For each Registrant and for each as
Principal Accounting Officer)

 

Date: May 9, 2008

 

108