UD-21-02: In Re: Application of Entergy New Orleans, LLC For Certification Of Costs Related To Hurricane Zeta
Council Docket UD-21-02, established via Resolution R-21-296, is a proceeding to establish a procedural schedule to certify storm cost related to Hurricane Zeta as well as receive input relative to ENO’s practices related to major storms and its storm reserves. On October 28, 2020, Hurricane Zeta’s winds brought down trees, limbs, poles, and lines throughout the metropolitan New Orleans area causing extensive damage to ENO’s distribution facilities, as well as some damage to ENO’s transmission facilities. The storm caused widespread customer service outages across several states, and ENO reports that at its peak, the storm knocked out power to approximately 178,171 ENO customers. In response, ENO worked with other Entergy Operating Companies (“EOCs”), mutual-assistance utilities, and outside contractors, ENO was able to restore power to 96% of its customers within five days, and to 100% of all customers who were able to accept service (i.e. customers who did not require reconstruction of their personal property) within seven days. As a result, on May 21, 2021, ENO filed its Application for Council’s Certification of Costs Related to Hurricane Zeta (“ENO Application”) and on August 8, 2021, the Council adopted Resolution R-21-296 opening a docket establishing a procedural schedule.
Pertinent Hurricane Zeta Storm Certification docket deadline dates are/were as follows:
- August 6, 2021 – Discovery commences and all responses to discovery shall be made on a rolling basis and due within 15 calendar days of receipt. The discovery deadline shall be 15 days prior to the deadline for the submission of the Advisors’ Report to the Council.
- September 7, 2021 – Deadline for all stakeholders desiring to intervene to file a motion to intervene with the Clerk of Council, with a copy submitted to Bobbie Mason (bfmason1@nola.gov). Objections to motions to intervene shall be filed within 5 days of such requests. Timely-filed motions to intervene not objected to within that time period shall be deemed GRANTED.
- April 18, 2022 – Intervenors are directed to file comments or testimony, if they choose to do so, by Monday, April 18, 2022.
- May 18, 2022 – The Advisors shall file their Advisors Report or testimony.
- June 17, 2022 – The Hearing Officer shall certify the record to the Council for consideration.
- September 15, 2022 – Council adopted Resolution R-22-410 approving the application of ENO for certification of costs related to Hurricane Zeta.