Jackson Free Press

[Verbatim from AG Jim Hood] Jackson, MS - After months of denials, Entergy Mississippi has now admitted to overcharging Mississippi ratepayers for power, and to engaging in part of the same scheme it used in Louisiana, where it was forced to pay back $106 million, Attorney General Jim Hood announced today.
The admission was made on Jan. 6, 2009, to members of the Public Utilities Staff and counsel for the Mississippi Public Service Commission. An attorney for Entergy told staff members that the company was mistaken when it stated that the illegal activities in Louisiana did not affect Mississippi ratepayers. The PSC issued an order on Jan. 7, 2009, directing Entergy to file in writing those admissions.

Pursuant to the PSC's order, Entergy has now admitted in a letter to the Commission dated Jan. 8, 2009, that: "...in the course of the Companies' continuing review of the facts in connection with this matter Entergy Mississippi and Entergy Services now have reason to believe that beginning in January 2005 energy produced by the Evangeline (Louisiana) gas contract has been sold into the Entergy exchange and may have an effect on the costs paid by Entergy Mississippi customers."

Despite statements by Entergy CEO and President Haley Fisackerly to WAPT-TV on Oct. 27, 2008, in which he stated that the Louisiana case had "no relevance to the Mississippi ratepayers or to our cost of business here in Mississippi," the opposite now appears to be true.

Said General Hood, "I am glad to see that Entergy Mississippi has begun to come clean and admit that the company has overcharged Mississippi ratepayers by using part of the same scheme for which they had to refund the majority of more than $100 million in Louisiana."

In December, amid growing evidence of questionable business practices in Mississippi, General Hood filed a lawsuit on behalf of the state, charging Entergy with fraud, unjust enrichment, anti-trust violations and other illegal conduct. The suit also charges that Entergy has made false statements to the PSC.

General Hood emphasized that the Mississippi lawsuit is much broader than the Louisiana litigation, covering many more violations that include substantial penalties. The lawsuit charges that, as early as 1974, Entergy Mississippi has been padding its invoices and forcing Mississippi to be a dumping ground for unloading on Mississippi the highest-priced power Entergy has to offer within its four-state system. Entergy Mississippi's actions have resulted in millions of dollars in increased electricity and fuel costs paid by Mississippi consumers.

"Once we obtain their documents and conduct an accounting of the fraudulent charges, Entergy will be forced to pay back what they took by fraudulent means and pay ominous penalties," said General Hood.

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Previous Comments

ID

142778

Comment

Yes!!!! Finally. Thank you, Mr. Hood. We knew those bills were too much, even with rising prices of energy.

Author

Izzy

Date

2009-01-08T14:03:34-06:00

ID

142779

Comment

I say let's strike while the iron is hot and investigate all the utilities to make sure they're not overcharging customers.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2009-01-08T14:28:00-06:00

ID

142783

Comment

this is really quite frustrating to me; and burns me up; it seems that a scheme like this takes many hands and i am wondering how these people sleep at night or attend church on Sunday; someone has got to say no to this and stop it; ahh!

Author

John Sawyer

Date

2009-01-08T15:13:46-06:00

ID

142784

Comment

Yes! Thank You! As a stay at home mom we are living on one income. I had to barrow money to pay the remaining $600 I owed so as to not have our power cut off in Oct. Our bill, which is almost always around $240 was $400 plus each month in Aug, Sept, and Oct!!! So.... Thank You Thank You Thank You!!!!

Author

sgoodwill

Date

2009-01-08T15:25:34-06:00

ID

142785

Comment

Ok, so I want my money back!! I'm glad they looked into this.

Author

andi

Date

2009-01-08T16:11:23-06:00

ID

142786

Comment

HOORAY for HOOD!!! I need my refund today!!!

Author

dd39203

Date

2009-01-08T16:17:59-06:00

ID

142788

Comment

I'm wondering if someone should notify Arkansas Entergy customers as well? If two of the states have issues, I'm sure the other that uses Entergy does as well.

Author

Puck

Date

2009-01-08T16:29:22-06:00

ID

142790

Comment

The lawsuit charges that, as early as 1974, Entergy Mississippi has been padding its invoices and forcing Mississippi to be a dumping ground for unloading on Mississippi the highest-priced power Entergy has to offer within its four-state system. The highest-priced power in the poorest state. That's just evil.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2009-01-08T16:49:23-06:00

ID

142792

Comment

I want my money and I want it now!

Author

golden eagle

Date

2009-01-08T17:04:54-06:00

ID

142797

Comment

Thank you, AG Hood, for doing what the PSC has failed to do. Keep fighting these SOBs on behalf of the citizens and ratepayers of MS.

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2009-01-09T09:09:15-06:00

ID

142799

Comment

He just clinched his re-election.

Author

herman

Date

2009-01-09T12:50:22-06:00

ID

142810

Comment

Can we trust an energy company that lies to it's customers? This is the same company that just last year won approval to have us poor fools pay to build a nuclear power plant years before it comes on-line. We should not pay for a nuke plant that hasn't received safety inspections and doesn't have a well documented long-term waste disposal strategy. I am not afraid of nuclear power. I am afraid of profit-motivated companies running nuclear power plants.

Author

gwilly

Date

2009-01-09T16:00:49-06:00

ID

142833

Comment

Thank, Jim Hood. These are the kind of issues that the community deserves to have representation and a watchful eye. I will remember this deed as you seek re-election. Count on me for continued support. I am patiently awaiting my refund. LOL!

Author

justjess

Date

2009-01-12T10:55:39-06:00