Entergy Texas to use technology to provide better service and new tools for customers

                                                                                              

To The Leader

BEAUMONT, Texas – Improved outage restoration. Better customer service. Energy-saving tools for customers. These are all part of Entergy Texas, Inc.’s vision for a smarter energy future. The company took another step toward that vision when the Public Utility Commission of Texas voted to approve an advanced metering system.

“The PUCT’s approval will allow us to move forward with a landmark investment in new technology that will improve how we serve our customers,” said Sallie Rainer, Entergy Texas president and CEO. “This system will lay the foundation for grid modernization technologies that offer a wide range of benefits to our customers.”

Upgrading to an advanced metering system has numerous benefits:

• Customers can get timely and more detailed information, so they can better manage their energy usage, which can lead to energy reduction and potentially lower bills.
• Entergy Texas will have a clearer real-time picture of the power grid and how it is operating. Outages can be identified remotely and more accurately, so crews can make repairs and restore electricity faster.
• With better information, we can answer customers’ billing and service questions more quickly and effectively, improving customer service.

Utilities in Texas have installed advanced meters across the state, with approximately 7 million meters deployed.

Entergy Texas will build and deploy the technology and communications infrastructure, and then install the meters needed to deliver this vision. By 2021, homes and businesses in the Entergy Texas service area will be part of a smarter energy future. Customers will see a charge on their bill starting in January, as Entergy Texas begins to deploy this advanced network.