A Window of Opportunity.

A Wi n d o w o f O p p o r t u n i t y.
“There is no time to waste.”
—J. Wayne Leonard, Entergy Chairman and CEO
Low-Income Customer Assistance Progress Report 2 0 0 9
Time to seize
opportunity.
—Message from J. Wayne Leonard,
stances, as Americans we know oppor tunity is always just ahead.
Entergy Corporation chairman and CEO
The unraveling economy has left millions paying a price in lost
jobs, evaporated retirement savings and declining home values.
Still, no matter how much we worr y about our present circumThe recession is taking a huge, painful but temporar y toll; it’s
also opened a window of oppor tunity to make lasting change in the
lives of those caught in the generational trap of pover ty.
If we are to seize that chance, we must focus our effor ts on the
real victims of this or any recession—the poor. Unfor tunately, much
J. Way n e Le o n a rd
—Entergy Corporation chairman and CEO
of the attention is aimed at members of the middle-class. While we shouldn’t turn our back on
anyone deser ving assistance, we must target more of the resources flowing from Washington to
help those most in need—our neighbors mired in pover ty.
We also must harness the “spirit of ser vice” President Obama spoke of during his inauguration
to address the pover ty issue. It won’t be quick and it won’t end with this recession, but it must
be done if our nation and our region are to live up to their promise.
And we cannot hope to grow our regional economy on a sustainable basis when roughly one-
third of all families in our region are considered low income.
Climate Change—Must Act Now
Entergy is proud to stand on the side of our
For this year, at least, Washington is putting adequate funding into programs that experience
tells us are highly effective anti-pover ty weapons—the Low Income Home Energy Assistance
low-income customers in the ongoing debate over
Program (LIHEAP) and the Weatherization Assistance Program ( WAP).
climate change legislation.
We must act now if we are to avoid what
scientists warn will be catastrophic changes in our
environment. There is no time to waste.
We support the cap-and-trade system to
regulate carbon emissions as proposed by President
Obama, but whatever plan is ultimately adopted
must include a mechanism to offset the increased
costs for low and middle-income families.
Another key element in fighting climate change
is increasing energy efficiency.
We strongly support consistent funding for lowincome home weatherization programs at all levels.
The long-term reduction in energy costs for
low-income customers and the jobs created by
weatherization programs will help more Americans
move a big step closer to economic self-sufficiency.
And it will do so in a way that will improve our
environment—in every sense of the word.
They have been key tools over the last decade in our work to improve the lives of our low-
income customers. During that time, Entergy has invested $35 million in the fight against
pover ty, and we stand ready to invest millions more.
For years, LIHEAP reached only a small percentage of eligible families. The number is
Poverty Rates, U.S. and Entergy States
Source: U.S. Census 2009 ACS
22%
20%
18%
16%
14%
12%
10%
2000
New Orleans
1
2001
Mississippi
Entergy Low- I n co m e Pro gres s R e p o r t : A M e s s a g e f ro m Way ne Leonard
2002
Louisiana
2003
Arkansas
2004
2005
Beaumont
2006
Texas
2007
U.S.
expected to grow dramatically—but temporarily—in 2009 with the record $5.1 billion committed to LIHEAP. Some credit for the
increased funding should go to the dedicated Entergy employees and their community par tners who work to educate Congress on
the need for better LIHEAP funding. The four states ser ved by Entergy are now disbursing $313 million in LIHEAP funds for fiscal
year 2009, more than triple the amount received in 2008.
Perhaps our best chance to make a long-term impact on pover ty is
through WAP, which helps low-income families permanently cut their
energy consumption. An unprecedented $5 billion for low-income home
weatherization was included in the economic stimulus bill, $500 million
of which will flow to Entergy’s region in 2009 and 2010. Less money spent
on energy gives low-income residents extra funds that can have a positive,
cascading effect on their lives and help move them toward economic
2008 Progress
Summary Indicators —Entergy States
Customer bills paid
through Power to Care
Power to Care donations
Bills paid all sources
self-sufficiency.
LIHEAP
Low-Income Grants
We can’t rely solely on federal programs, however. Work by our utilities
to help low-income customers on the state and local level is gaining
traction as well. Entergy Texas, Inc. has just succeeded with its effor ts
Volunteer hours
in helping create a public benefit fund for its needy customers. Entergy
Value of volunteer hours
Arkansas, Inc. also is working with our par tners to implement a statewide
Homes weatherized
home weatherization effor t and other programs in its territor y. In addition,
Educational materials
we are putting in place a $2 million energy efficienc y and weatherization
initiative in New Orleans and have proposed a pilot home-weatherization
EITC to working poor
Total
Compared to
17,421
H
$2,312,276
$18,948,394
H
G
$101,396,019
G
$8,636,126
G
39,935
G
$779,132
G
2,755
H
226,808
G
$7,272,424,515
G
2007
program in Mississippi.
Added to that is Entergy’s own effor t to help those in crisis pay
their energy costs through The Power to Care fund. Approximately
$2.3 million was donated to the fund in 2008, helping over 17,400 lowincome customers pay their utility bills.
Great oppor tunities also come with great challenges. State and local
agencies must put the flood of federal funds to effective use. Agencies
will have to create an administrative structure to suppor t vastly larger
programs. And they will have to help train and manage the thousands
of people needed to weatherize homes. These are daunting tasks, but
Entergy is eager to help these organizations succeed.
We also need to work together to make cer tain today’s funding
doesn’t evaporate in tomorrow’s budget. LIHEAP and WAP funding is not
assured in next year’s budget. For tunately the matter is far from resolved,
and I am hopeful that a remedy will be for thcoming in Congress. Clearly,
we must be vigilant in explaining the need for sustaining a life-saving
program like LIHEAP.
Verlin Gathings had three savings goals: one for her family
farm, one for her daughter’s continued college education, and
the other for her four-year-old’s college fund. She began her
Individual Development Account (IDA) savings program in
May 2005. To date, she
has achieved the f irst two goals and is
working hard to
accomplish the third.
As we move for ward, we should remember that the piecemeal
solutions of the past often failed. We need strong, consistent funding
photos, Southern Bancorp
from all sources as par t of a comprehensive approach to fighting pover ty.
If not, the poor will continue paying an unfair price—regardless of the economy.
Entergy Low-Income Progress R epor t: A Message f rom Wayne Leonard
2
The tools to bring about the breakthrough.
1. I m p r o v e t h e f l o w o f a s s i s t a n c e f u n d s t o n e e d y c u s t o m e r s
from all sources.
2. Provide customers with tools to manage their bills.
3. M o v e l o w - i n c o m e c u s t o m e r s t o s e l f - s u f f i c i e n c y.
There is no doubt that 2008 was a year of great change and 2009 is beginning the same
way. With recent announcements of huge government investments as a method to stimulate the
economy, it seems that an impor tant message was finally received by Washington—programs
that help the poor can benefit ever yone. The challenge is now to continue our momentum and
keep the effor t going. We cannot sit back and relax—too many people are counting on us to
seize this once-in-a-lifetime oppor tunity to interrupt the cycle of pover ty. They are asking,
“Can we count on you?”
Recognition
— E n t e r g y ’s 2 0 0 8 L o w - I n c o m e
Customer Assistance Initiative
following pages, you will see the results of last year’s activities. You will learn what we want to
■
National Public Relations Society of America
Bronze Anvil, Annual Reports
■
National Fuel Fund Network Awards,
Best Program Runner Up
■
Regional Silver Quill Award of Excellence,
Annual Report and Employee
Communications - International
Association of Business Communicators
■
Finalist, Community Service Program of the
Year - Platts Global Energy Awards
■
Gold Award, Annual Reports – Association
of Marketing and Communication
Professionals Awards
■
Finalist, IDA - PR News Corporate Social
Responsibility Awards
■
Magellan Platinum Award, Community
Connectors - League of
American Communications Professionals
■
Magellan Silver Award, EITC – League of
American Communications Professionals
■
Emergency Assistance Award
- Edison Electric Institute
■
Advocacy Excellence Award
– Edison Electric Institute
■
Outstanding Achievement Award
– Edison Electric Institute
Entergy’s three-point strategy continued to help customers live better lives in 2008. On the
get done in 2009. And we will offer ways ever yone can use to get involved in the effor t.
Join us.
In November, over 100 employees
of Entergy Mississippi, Inc., and
Entergy Nuclear, Inc., started building
the foundation for a new home and a
new life for the Drummond family of
Jackson, Mississippi.
Volunteers worked a total of 745
hours on the Habitat for Humanity
project, and what started as a concrete
slab became a three-bedroom
bungalow within a week.
Entergy employee Moon Mullins was one of those who worked on the house— his seventh Habitat effort.
“It’s about helping other people learn to help themselves,” said Mullins. “I believe in the old saying about teaching a
man to fish.”
As a bonus, the Drummond family’s new home is a model of energy-efficiency. The new home follows EnergySTAR
construction standards throughout, so it should use substantially less energy, allowing the Drummonds to save an
additional $200 to $400 in annual savings.
3
Entergy Low- I n co m e Pro gres s R e p o r t : To o l s to b r i n g a b o ut the break-through.
S T R AT E G Y
1.
—Improve the f low
of assistance funds to
needy customers from
all sources.
2008 Results:
Entergy Customers, Employees and Shareholders show over
17,000 families their Power to Care.
The Jones family doesn’t like to ask for help; in fact, Grammy prefers to be known as a giver,
not a taker. But then they recently just had to have some assistance in paying the utility bill. The Power to Care provided the funds to get this family by
until Grammy could adjust to the addition of grandchildren
in the household.
“I thank the people who gave to this fund,” Jones
said. “ When people do their jobs, I like to tell about it, and
the agencies and Entergy did a good job for me.”
Entergy’s employees, customers and shareholders
have contributed millions to help customers pay their energy costs over the last three decades.
Through The Power to Care, donations are matched by shareholders and provided to local nonprofit
agencies who distribute the funds to qualifying
elderly and disabled Entergy customers who, like
5,000
on or paying for other critical needs, such as
4,000
generosity of thousands of their neighbors, they
—Source of contributions
Total: 17,421
the Joneses, face the choice of keeping the lights
groceries, gasoline and medicine. But through the
Customer Assistance Funds
Power to Care — C u s t o m e r s A s s i s t e d
were able to better face the challenges of the times.
3,000
2,000
1,000
0
LIHEAP Needs a $5.1 billion—plus
Appropriation in FY2010. During the
Economic Crisis, Funding Must Remain Steady.
Arkansas
Louisiana Mississippi New Orleans
Texas
Although LIHEAP now helps more Americans than ever before, the program still lacks enough
funds to reach most eligible Americans. Today’s achievement can only continue if appropriations
aren’t allowed to retreat. LIHEAP funds are perishable. Sustaining the program at $5.1 billion
is essential to keeping families safe and secure in their own homes. Congress must determine
Arkansas
21%
Louisiana
39%
Mississippi
15%
New Orleans
6%
Texas
18%
FY2010 LIHEAP funding in the months ahead.
States Call for More.
For the first time ever, $5.1 billion has
H o m e s We a t h e r i z e d
Total:
2,755
2,500
been committed to LIHEAP this year and $5.0
2,000
billion to Weatherization over FY2009-11.
1,500
We can take great, if brief pride in knowing
1,000
that these programs have finally been
better funded. States and charities are now
disbursing LIHEAP grants to more than seven
500
0
Arkansas
Louisiana Mississippi
Texas
Ente rg y Low- I n co m e Pro gre ss R epor t: Improve the flow of assistance funds to c ustomer s from all sources.
4
2008 LIHEAP Appropriations
U. S . to t a l s i n c l u d e LIHEAP Formula and
D i s c re t i o n a r y Co nt i ngenc y G rants
Arkansas
$14,666,858
Louisiana
$19,650,960
Mississippi
$16,479,389
Texas
$50,598,812
million families, in average grants of about $543. Arkansas disbursed 30 percent of its annual
grant in one month. Much of those funds (40 percent) helped families that have never
received LIHEAP before. Last December, state and local administrators and energy officials
from across the nation recommended that $7.6 billion be committed to LIHEAP. In this
context, $5.1 billion is a pared request.
Cuts Would Hit Warm States Hardest.
Entergy States Total $101,396,019
U.S. Total
largest “regular” appropriation in histor y, it would nonetheless be 37 percent less than
$2,590,000,000
President Obama requested $3.2 billion for LIHEAP in FY2010. While this represents the
today’s program, which Congress just supplemented and expanded through September
30, 2009. Because the economy hasn’t yet
recovered, there is a growing need for a
$5.1 billion or greater appropriation.
Additionally, due to LIHEAP ’s unique
grant allocation mechanism the effect of
U.S. appropriations funding cuts are
magnified in Southern/Southwestern states,
especially Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. For example, a 37 percent decrease
nationally would likely force bigger cuts in our region. Keeping LIHEAP at $5.1 billion avoids
these problems.
Helping America’s Poor in Ex traordinar y Times.
2009 LIHEAP Fac ts
■
LIHEAP is not an entitlement. Merely being poor, elderly, infirm or raising a preschooler
Entergy Mississippi, Inc.’s advocacy
doesn’t assure LIHEAP ’s help. LIHEAP can work well only if Congress appropriates sufficient
helped to raise LIHEAP funding from
funds. A smaller $3.2 billion program next year would force millions of families from
$16 million in FY2008 to $43 million
today’s program.
in FY2009. More than 4,500 letters
were mailed to customers informing
them of improved LIHEAP funding.
■
Entergy Texas, Inc., briefed congressional representatives and suppor ted
the 234 percent increase in LIHEAP
appropriations to the Lone Star Stat e.
■
In 2009, Arkansas is receiving
$39.7 million in LIHEAP funding.
5
Entergy Low- I n co m e Pro gres s R e p o r t : I m p rove t h e f l ow o f assistance funds to c ustomers from all sources.
Although the specifics of the president’s proposal are still unknown, we can estimate its effec ts. Bet ween $63 million
and $186 million may be lost to the four states Entergy ser ves at retail (a 37 percent to 60 percent reduction from FY2009).
FY2010 Appropriations are Just Beginning.
We have an oppor tunity and obligation to explain the harmful effects of LIHEAP funding cuts, especially for warm-
weather states. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has warned that heat is a killer. Heat is especially dangerous
to the elderly, young and infirm. When well-funded, LIHEAP reaches these populations in our region. As demonstrated by
FY2009’s grants to warm states, and thereby to millions of additional families, $5.1 billion is the minimum needed.
In the best of years from an appropriations perspective (FY2009), LIHEAP reaches just 21 percent of eligible Americans.
A year earlier, just 16 percent were helped nationally, and the South’s percentage was even smaller. Texas for example, now
ser ves 12 percent of its LIHEAP-eligible families; heretofore, it was about 4 percent. The difference—and the key— lies in
Congress’s willingness to sustain LIHEAP at $5.1 billion.
Any discussion of LIHEAP must look beyond the money. It must weigh the circumstances of working-poor families and
pensioners being helped in a time of great need. Families, charities and fuel funds are straining. Washington cannot relent
in the midst of a tough recession, just as the need for LIHEAP assistance is soaring.
Making the Case for LIHEAP and the Vulnerable Americans it Protec ts.
Entergy has an abiding faith that our government leaders will help LIHEAP—eligible families through these tough times.
LIHEAP Reauthorization.
U.S. law allows LIHEAP to operate on “such sums as necessar y” to achieve its mission. Advocates agree that $5.1 billion
is necessar y. LIHEAP is within the pur view of several congressional committees, which are exploring ways to improve and
reauthorize the program. Entergy suppor ts LIHEAP reauthorization and better funding of the program.
2009 Commitmen ts
In 2009, Entergy pledges to improve the flow of assistance funds to needy customers by:
■
■
■
■
■
maintaining and increasing LIHEAP funding;
capitalizing on advanced technology-enabled
services to improve LIHEAP fund processing and
distribution;
continuing to push for statewide fuel funds
where appropriate;
introducing new Power to Care fund-raising
campaigns and payment options; and
improving internal processes to handle
assistance payments.
H o w to g e t
in v o lv e d
Yo u ca n h el p
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in d iv id u al s an
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Ente rg y Low- I n co m e Pro gre ss R epor t: Improve the flow of assistance funds to c ustomer s from all sources.
6
2008 Results:
S T R AT E G Y
2.
—Provide customers
with tools to help
manage their bills.
I t t a ke s t i m e, e f f o r t a n d a c o m m u n i t y t o o p e n t h e way
t o o p p o r t u n i t y.
“Without a grant from Entergy Louisiana, the city of Kenner’s food bank would not be
possible,” said Beverly Nicolosi, personnel depar tment director for the city of Kenner.
Entergy long ago recognized the way to help our needy customers is to help those on the
front lines. In 2008, Entergy provided information,
Value of volunteer hours
encouragement and even direct grants to
Total: $779,132
nonprofit organizations like the city of Kenner’s
$750,000
food bank, which ser ves the daily needs of our
$600,000
neighbors in crisis.
$450,000
Entergy invested in Kenner and hundreds of
other communities in 2008 by contributing over
$300,000
$15.8 million to programs in ar ts and culture,
$150,000
community improvement and enrichment,
0
Arkansas
economic development, education and literac y,
Louisiana Mississippi New Orleans
Texas
ar ts and culture, environmental, healthy families and hurricane relief fund programs.
Entergy also made acquiring grants from regional and national foundations easier for
nonprofit agencies by expanding the GrantStation program. This interactive Web site allows
agencies to identify potential funding sources for their programs or projects, as well to find
mentors through the grant-application process. After one year, par ticipating organizations
repor t raising $102,400 through GrantStation, equal to almost 14 times Entergy’s initial
Making a difference
investment. By leveraging Entergy grants with these funds from other sources, agencies in the
Dr. Lindsey Moore, assistant principal at
Dr. Martin Luther King Elementary Charter
School for Science and Technology in
New Orleans, and
student Tione Johnson
didn’t let hurricaneforce winds keep them
Entergy ser vice region were able to help thousands of families revitalize their homes, save for
a post-secondar y education, pay for utility bills in times of financial crisis and stay cool during
the hottest months of the summer.
Grants
Grant
Percentage
Number
of Grants
5%
223
Communit y Improvement &
Enrichment Total
29%
774
customer service manager Katherine Miller
Economic D evelopment Total
1%
118
Harris and director of customer service Melonie
Educ ation/Literac y Total
35%
903
Hall, Dr. Moore (shown above) and Johnson
Environmental Total
9%
72
18%
692
from their schoolwork.
Program Area
The recipients of
the “Making Things
Brighter Award,” which
was presented by
Entergy New Orleans’
weathered the worst storm in American history,
watching as Hurricane Katrina devastated their
7
Ar ts & Culture Total
Healthy Families Total
school. But with their willingness to stay, the
Hurric ane Relief Fund Total
2%
17
school reopened in August 2007 with 98 percent
O ther Total
1%
121
of its pre-Katrina staff.
G rand Total
100%
2,920
Entergy Low- I n co m e Pro gres s R e p o r t : Prov i d e c u s to m e r s with tools to help manage their bills.
E nterg y emp loye e s su p p o r t t h eir f avo r i te c har i t i e s w i t h s weat e qui t y.
Another program Entergy has put into action is the Community Connectors employee volunteer program. For almost a decade,
Community Connectors has logged between 13,000 and 14,000 hours each year in employee volunteer hours as well as $30,000 to
$40,000 annually in grants for local nonprofits. However, less than 1 percent of employees were par ticipating in the Community
Connector program and recording their hours.
Based on research, Entergy revamped Community Connectors in 2008 to
Volunteer Hours
Total: 39,935
encourage and promote volunteerism among employees, raise par ticipation in
15,000
programs aligned with the company’s core values, increase the percentage of
12,000
employees logging volunteer hours and build the company’s visibility in the
9,000
communities it ser ves.
The Community Connectors program re-launched with a new Web por tal.
6,000
More than 5,000 employees visited the site in the first 30 days and volunteer hours
3,000
logged increased more than 120 percent.
0
Arkansas
Louisiana Mississippi New Orleans
Texas
2009 Commitmen ts
To continue its commitment to community service, Entergy will provide customers
with tools to help manage their bills in 2009 by :
■
increasing customer and agency awareness of
billing options, printed and web-based energy
efficiency educational tools;
■
engaging more employees in volunteer efforts;
■
continuing to award grants to innovative
nonprofit partners ;
■
improving the flow of information through
Entergy’s Web site and other communications
channels; and
■
developing new partnerships to provide case
management support to customers in greatest
need of all types of financial assistance.
H o w to g e t
in v o lv e d
Yo u ca n in ve
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m m u n it y b y
to d et er m in e
ta lk in g w it h
w h ere yo u ca
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n h el p th e m
h o o ls an d n o
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h tt p s: // w w w
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Ente rg y Low- I n come Progress R epor t: Provide c ustomers with tools to help manage their bills.
8
S T R AT E G Y
3.
—Move low-income
c us tomer s to e conomic
s e l f - s u f f i c i e n c y.
2008 Results:
I DA’s b u i l d co m m u n i t i e s.
Yve t te H u b b a rd originally used her IDA savings and match to purchase a three-bedroom, two-
bath home in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. As she continued to save, she was able to build a 480-squarefoot addition to her home. She used it to launch “Home Away From Home,” one of the only facilities
in the county that provides around the
clock child-care.
Thousands of low-income residents
are achieving their economic goals thanks
to Individual Development Account (IDA)
programs throughout Entergy’s ser vice
territor y. The nation’s first multi-state
IDA effor t, the Mid South IDA initiative
has developed roughly 60 IDA programs
p h o t o, S o u t h e r n B a n c o r p
since its creation by the Foundation for
the Mid South (FMS).
When the initiative star ted with $1.2 million in funding from Entergy, there were only six
IDA programs in Arkansas and Louisiana and none in Mississippi. The concept has since flourished
with dozens of asset-building programs created, an expansion into southeastern Texas and the
doubling of the number of IDA accounts. In 2008, with the addition of a rural IDA program in the
Entergy Texas territor y, all qualified Entergy customers can build their savings through
2 0 0 8 I n d i v i d ual D evelopment Accounts
IDA matching.
Typically, IDAs are matched savings accounts created for low-income residents to buy a home,
Source: Foundation for the Mid South
star t a small business or get a college education. To help reach long-term stability, par ticipants
agree to complete financial education classes, credit counseling and asset-specific training as
par t of the program.
Would you file your taxes if you had $200 million coming from the IRS?
One of the few advantages of being on Social Security is you often need not file an annual
income tax return. But in 2008, failing to file left $200 million sitting in government coffers
that was meant for eligible senior citizens, veterans and others in states ser ved by Entergy. All
17% Renovating or Repairing a Home
17% Renovating or Repairing a Home
they had to do was file for it, but by mid-June, 700,000 people had not requested their stimulus
37% Purchasing a First Home
37% Purchasing a First Home
payment. So Entergy’s low-income champions joined
20% Starting or Expanding a Small Business
economic stimulus payments. Entergy employees
forces with the IRS to promote the need to file for
20% Starting or Expanding a Small Business
26% Attending College
26% Attending College
26%
provided a full-cour t press of media releases, phone
calls to customers, and special e-mail messages
to associations ser ving elected officials, including
county judges, sheriffs and mayors. The results gained
2008 Economic Stimulus Statistics
Entergy States
Total Potential Filers
2008 2008
Total Accounted For
301,960
231,828
Total Potential
Remaining to File
70,132
Percentage Responding
40%
people the money that was theirs to begin with, helping them pay bills, save or stimulate their
local economies as they saw fit. Between the campaign kick-off in June and the end of the filing
period in October, nearly 40 percent of those eligible responded to the appeal.
9
Entergy Low- I n co m e Pro gres s R e p o r t : M ove l ow- i n co m e c u stomers to economic self-sufficienc y.
“A m e r i c a’s m o s t e f f e c t i v e p o v e r t y w e a p o n” g i v e s w o r k i n g
families an ex tra boost.
Another federal program, the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), has helped
working-poor families since its inception in the 1980s take home more of their pay
and reduce the amount of assistance required to provide life’s necessities. In that
respect, it helps employed workers by effectively returning to them much of the
taxes withheld from their paychecks.
JoAnn Taylor needed help with her taxes, so she
turned to her local VITA site. The volunteers made
In 2008, Entergy par tnered with the Internal Revenue Ser vice (IRS) to
promote EITC and assist eligible filers in preparing their taxes so they could take
sure she knew about the Earned Income Tax Credit
advantage of the credit. The key elements of the par tnership were communications
and other ways to increase her refund.
p h o t o, S o u t h e r n B a n c o r p
to all Entergy customers about EITC as well as suppor t for Volunteer Income Tax
Assistance ( VITA) sites. For example, Entergy Texas worked with the Lamar University Community Outreach Program, the IRS
and the L.L. Melton YMCA to increase awareness of EITC. Through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance ( VITA) Program, Lamar
University coordinated training and volunteers and provided free tax preparation for individuals and families, students, senior
citizens and non-English speaking people in Beaumont, Texas. Participating taxpayers received more than $100,000 in tax refunds.
Entergy Louisiana, Inc., worked with the Mid-City
Redevelopment Alliance, the IRS, the state Depar tments of Social
Ser vices and Revenue, Baton Rouge Community College and others
to host its first Super Tax Saturday event, which provided working
families an oppor tunity to have their taxes filed free of charge
EITC Recipients by State and Tax Year
Source: Internal Revenue Service
Texas
TY2003
TY2004
TY2005
TY2006
TY2007
2,182,254
2,124,080
2,187,672
2,204,607
2,285,029
Arkansas
275,181
271,097
276,099
277,569
289,522
without having to miss work.
Louisiana
483,885
525,995
465,341*
488,058*
501,061
Entergy Louisiana assisted by providing a training facility to cer tify
Mississippi
373,391
367,110
365,138
376,757
386,921
preparers, notifying customers through the automated telephone
*Decrease attributed to population losses following hurricanes.
system and providing a grant to help defray expenses.
2009 Commitmen ts
To help more low-income customers move to self-sufficiency, Entergy will:
n seek new resources, legislation and partners to expand asset-building programs;
n gain insight on community-based and
H o w to g e t
in v o lv e d
workforce-development programs to help
Yo u ca n h el p
break the cycle of poverty; and
w o rk in g p eo
p le ke ep m o
d
o w n lo ad in g
re o f w h at th
n help our advocates and partners to
th e ta x p re p
ey ea rn b y ac
ar er an d p ar
ce ss in g th e
U rg e yo u r st
prepare for future challenges affected by
tn
er to o lk it s. V
IR S Web si te
at e to es ta b
o
lu
n
li
an d
te
sh
er
a st at e EI TC
at a V ITA si te
potential climate-change legislation.
p ro g ra m an d
.
ex p an d st at e
ID A fu n d in g
.
Ente rg y Low- I ncome Progress R epor t: Move low-income c ustomers to economic self-sufficienc y.
10
Behind the numbers.
Entergy employees alleviate poverty one customer at a time.
Entergy Arkansas, Inc., customers reached out to the company for help throughout 2008 as
they grappled with devastating weather, soaring prices and employment setbacks.
Thelma Howard of Forrest City, Arkansas, had dripping windows and whistling walls before
Entergy Arkansas volunteers rolled up their sleeves and weatherized her home. With updating
p h o t o, S o u t h e r n B a n c o r p
paid for by the Arkansas Weatherization Program, Howard had about 20 customer ser vice
employees caulk windows and patch holes to seal her home from outside air. Overall, Entergy
Arkansas provided $392,000 to make 335 low-income homes more efficient. The work resulted in
an estimated $130,000 in energy savings for customers.
Elderly low-income residents in and around Harrison and Boone County have more
comfor table places to live in the summer and may have lower energy bills after nearly
40 employees spent the day patching, caulking, insulating, weather stripping and other wise
improving their homes. The Sharing Weatherization Effor ts with Elderly People (SWEEP) program
is a ser vice of the Entergy Arkansas low-income initiative. Workers included members of the
customer ser vice manager organization and customer relations, who coordinated effor ts with
seven representatives of Ozark Share & Care and the First Latin American Baptist Church of Green
Forest. The par tner organizations selected the homes to be repaired.
Growing assets for self-sufficiency.
Entergy’s support of IDA (Individual
Entergy Louisiana, LLC and Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, L.L.C., focused on tr ying to
rid the state of predator y lenders, and more than 200 people attended workshops in Houma and
Development Account) programs has given
Ruston on predator y lending tactics. By par tnering with the Predator y Lending Council, Entergy
hundreds of families a new start.
helped conduct two Dollar Defense Workshops in Metairie and another in Avondale where
Because owning a business is one of the
par ticipants learned about elderly abuse, payday/title loan telemarketing scams, and Medicare
most effective ways to improve financial
and insurance fraud.
well-being, IDAs provide the needed boost
to help low-income families realize
their dreams.
The Rev. Henr y Mancuso of Sacred Hear t Catholic Church blessed Annette Morris’s new threebedroom, two-bath home, which was constructed in par tnership with the Louisiana Housing
Community Development Corporation (LHCDC), Sacred Hear t’s Project Build a Future and Entergy.
Morris’ home—in addition to several others—foster a strong housing market, which is not only
beneficial for families across America, but for helping communities grow and prosper.
Through an agreement established in 2001, Entergy and the LHCDC created a $500,000
revolving-loan fund—now a $1.4 million loan fund—to provide affordable housing for lowincome residents in Entergy’s Louisiana ser vice area.
Entergy helped weatherize and rehabilitate low-income family homes in each of its
Louisiana regions as par t of National Weatherization Day activities on October 30. Stella Jenkins’
home received an efficienc y makeover thanks to Entergy Louisiana and the St. James Parish
Council on Aging and Youth Build. A $6,000 grant purchased insulation, heaters, doors, caulking,
paint and wood to frame windows for the Jenkins project.
6
11
Entergy Low- I n co m e Pro gres s R e p o r t : Ente rg y e m p l oye e s alleviate pover t y one c ustomer at a time.
In addition, Metro customer ser vice managers completed two 911 projects with Little Gypsy plant workers by building
handicap entrance ramps for two families, and the St. Charles Parish Council on Aging purchased the materials. The Baton Rouge
region worked with Delta Community Ser vice Corporation and Habitat for Humanity Youth Build to complete renovations on a
home for a single adult raising five children. Entergy employees put their construction skills to good use when they volunteered
to make repairs on two low-income senior citizen homes in par tnership with safeHARBOR Coalition, an organization that helps
low-income senior citizens with emergenc y repairs and
desperately needed work on their homes.
Pove r t y i n t h e Ente rg y St ate s
Entergy Mississippi, Inc., gave $1.1 million in
grants to suppor t 515 programs across the state in
2008. The grants included a par tnership between the
Boys and Girls Club of the Mississippi Delta and
Parents for Public Schools to provide training at
19 club units throughout the Delta to help parents
better prepare students for new state curriculum
tests; a radiation technology program at Alcorn State
University as well as scholarships and internships to
less than 10 percent
prepare students for a career in nuclear energy; grants
10 to 12.9 percent
to 15 public schools through the Adopt-A-School
Par tners program; and giving more than $500,000 to
The U.S. average is 13 percent
13 to 16.9 percent
17 percent or more
local United Way chapters.
Entergy Mississippi also celebrated its 10th anniversar y of par ticipating in the Habitat for Humanity Blitz Build by
providing financial suppor t and 106 volunteers to construct a new home for a single mother with two children. In addition, the
company hosted nine cooling stations throughout its ser vice area so low-income elderly and
disabled citizens could stay comfor table during the summer’s high temperatures. The annual
Beat the Heat event put 150 air-conditioning units in low-income households. The company
rounded out its grassroots effor ts by par tnering with more than 300 Jackson State University
students who helped assemble conser vation materials and distribute compact fluorescent light
bulbs (CFLs) to the school’s neighbors.
Entergy New Orleans, Inc., focused on increasing awareness of programs and ser vices available to low-income customers. The company donated 500 CFLs and gave energy efficiency tips
to par ticipants during Senior Fest, sponsored by the New Orleans Council on Aging and the
city of New Orleans, and worked with Neighborhood Par tnership Networks to distribute energy
efficienc y information at events, including an Army Corps of Engineers employees meeting, a
Harrah’s employees meeting, a city wide planning forum at Xavier and Tulane universities, Dillard University’s Community Development Health Fair, Freret Street Festival, Acorn Rebuilding
Fair and the New Orleans Zoo’s Ear th Fest.
Ente rg y Low- I n co m e Progress R epor t: Entergy employees alleviate pover t y one c ustomer at a time.
12
One of Entergy New Orleans’ most successful outreach effor ts was its work with Green Light New Orleans (GLNO), an
environmental group that works to increase energy efficienc y and reduce carbon emissions in New Orleans. Entergy’s $100,000
grant allowed GLNO to purchase and distribute 40,000 CFLs to city residents. In addition, the company distributed 500 weatherization kits to elderly customers during its Beat the Heat events held with the New Orleans Council on Aging at ten senior centers.
Entergy Texas, Inc., celebrated the creation of a public benefit fund that will provide $2 million annually to low-income
customers. The fund replaces the low-income/low-use and senior citizen discount rates, and current recipients will be automatically
enrolled to receive the new credit. Approximately 14,000 customers received a monthly $4.09 credit under the discount rates, and
projections indicate the new fund will increase the amount of help available to families.
Entergy Texas’ energy efficienc y program weatherized 2,000 homes and employees par ticipated in building the first
“Women Build” Habitat for Humanity
house in Beaumont. In addition,
Entergy Texas provided 2,675 CFLs in
the Change a Light Campaign, which
included several nonprofits that
focused on senior citizens; distributed 1,220 box fans to low-income
household over the summer through
22 nonprofit par tner agencies; and
gave 108 oscillating tower fans to
seniors with health problems in the
How to get invo lved
righ t her e at hom e.
buting a box fan or air condit ioner to a local comm unity
You can help neighb ors keep their cool in 2009 by contri
te
for low-in come citizen s in your area. You also can educa
action agenc y, or loan your skills to weath erize homes
g
church goers about predat ory lender s in the area utilizin
elderly and low-in come family memb ers, friend s and
/pred/ predle nd.cfm and
inform ation at http:/ /www.hud.g ov/off ices/h sg/sfh
http:/ /www.respo nsible lendin g.org/ consum ers/.
e incand escent bulbs
Save energy and money by purcha sing CFLs to replac
in home lamps to save money and energy.
m
Access http:/ /www.energ y.gov/ energy efficie ncy/in dex.ht
for more inform ation. Or contac t your local
Enterg y Low-In come Champ ion listed below.
Beaumont, Por t Ar thur, and Orange
ser vice areas.
Entergy Low-Income Champions Team
—Let us know how to help you and your clients. The best way to access the advocacy resources
of Entergy is to become familiar with the programs overseen by the Champions in each geographic region. With your involvement, we can bring hope and
change to our communities.
Arkansas
Jamie Stringfellow
Customer Service Manager
Entergy Arkansas, Inc.
1405 Hwy 62 SW
Mountain Home, AR 72653
870-365-7156
[email protected]
Dwayne Stuar t
Customer Service Manager
Entergy Arkansas, Inc.
900 South Louisiana
Little Rock, AR 72201
501-379-6868
[email protected]
Eunice Harris
Customer Service Specialist
Entergy Louisiana, L.L.C.
2200 W. Church St.
Hammond, LA 70401
985-549-6902
[email protected]
Mississippi
Patricia Rucker
Manager, External Affairs
Entergy Louisiana, L.L.C.
446 North Boulevard
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
225-381-5764
[email protected]
13
Initiative Suppor t Team
Amy J. Davis
Kay Arnold
Corporate/National
Media Relations
Entergy Services, Inc.
639 Loyola Ave
New Orleans, LA 70113
504-576-4352
[email protected]
Te x a s
Patty Riddlebarger
Dan Baw
Customer Service Manager
Entergy New Orleans, Inc.
1600 Perdido St.
New Orleans, LA 70112
504-670-3663
[email protected]
Customer Service Manager
Entergy Mississippi, Inc.
1165 Highway 51 N
Madison, MS 39110
601-853-5975
[email protected]
Paula Odom
Elizabeth Brister
Mar y Young
Louisiana
Beverly Trahan
New Orleans
External Affairs Manager
Entergy Mississippi, Inc.
308 East Pearl Street;
Jackson, MS 39201
601-969-2440
[email protected]
Customer Service Specialist
Entergy Texas, Inc.
9425 Pinecroft
The Woodlands, TX 77380
281-362-4084
[email protected]
Sr. Customer Service Specialist
Entergy Texas, Inc.
350 Pine Street
Beaumont, TX 77701
409-981-2656
[email protected]
Entergy Low- I n co m e Pro gres s R e p o r t : Ente rg y Low- I n co m e Champions Team
Vice President, Public Affairs
Entergy Services, Inc.
425 West Capitol
Little Rock, AR 72201
501-377-3553
[email protected]
Director of Corporate Social
Responsibility
Entergy Services, Inc.
639 Loyola Ave
New Orleans, LA 70113
504-576-6116
[email protected]
Linda Barnes
Manager, Low-Income
Customer Assistance
Entergy Services, Inc.
425 West Capitol
Little Rock, AR 72201
501-377-3817
[email protected]
Michael Burns
Consultant
3304 Bunker Hill Drive
North Little Rock, AR 72116
501-258-2584 or
501-377-3584
[email protected]
[email protected]
Here’s your window to more information.
Entergy strives to provide information and resources to its customers in the easiest, most accessible
ways. At Entergy’s Web site, entergy.com, customers can access their accounts online, view and pay their
bills, locate programs to help with energy costs and find ways to save energy and money.
For each of these resources, you can type in the web addresses in any search engine on the Internet for
more information.
Emergency Funds
Options for Bill Payment
Disconnection Prevention
Special Cases
The Power to Care
Pick-A-Date
Courtesy Calls
Landlord/Tenant Agreement
LIHEAP Referrals
Level Billing
Third-Party Notification
Essential Service Credit
Bill Payment Extensions
Equal Pay
Extended Absence Program
Certified Medical Emergency
Delayed Payment Agreement
Draw Draft
Life Support Identity Program
Protected Customer
Entergy Low-Income Progress R epor t: Window to more information.
14
1-800-ENTERGY
entergy.com