NEW ORLEANS, LA - On Tuesday, June 30, 2026, the Climate Change and Sustainability Committee and the Public Works, Sanitation, and Environment Committee held a joint meeting to discuss a resolution directing Entergy New Orleans (ENO) to implement consolidated pilling as part of the community solar program. Additionally, the committees received presentations from ENO and the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO) regarding updates surrounding power outages in District E, power failure resulting from Tropical Storm Arthur, and water service issues in New Orleans East.

e discussed a resolution regarding UD-18-03, the community solar program. This resolution will direct ENO to implement consolidated pilling as part of the community solar program. Consolidated billing will allow participating customers to receive solar bill credits and pay their community solar subscription through a single utility bill.

ENO must submit implementation plans and cost estimates within 60 days of approval, provide monthly progress reports, and fully implement the new billing system by March 30, 2027, with the Council retaining oversight and authority to adjust program requirements after two years of operation.

It is important to note that the City Council will vote on this resolution during the Regular Meeting scheduled for July 9, 2026.

Discussing Recent Power Outages in District E

Representatives of ENO gave a presentation before the joint committee regarding recent power outages affecting District E. ENO explained that there were 82 outages, affecting individual and multiple-customer homes. Additionally, Tropical Storm Author caused 25 outage incidents. On June 10, 16, and 28, outages affected the North Kenilworth area, caused by deeply damaged electrical connections and a damaged cable.

ENO's Reliability Plan focuses on reliability programs, recabling efforts, installation of hardened poles, self-healing network implementation, monitoring and maintaining obstructing vegetation, and reliable fault indicators.

Members of the committee urged ENO to be more proactive in preventing outages like these going forward. They encouraged them to make it a priority to repair the failing infrastructure leading to these outages.

To view the full presentation, click here.

Updates on Power Failures During Tropical Storm Arthur

Representatives from both ENO and SWBNO gave presentations to the joint committee regarding power failures caused by Tropical Storm Arthur. 

ENO provided an overview of the impacts and response to Tropical Storm Arthur, which struck on June 18, 2026. Approximately 6,690 ENO customers lost power, but all service was restored before midnight on June 18, and the transmission system sustained no damage. The storm damaged 12 distribution poles, 21 cross arms, and 8 transformers, with the greatest impacts occurring in Council Districts A and D. ENO also reported that none of the poles installed during the first phase of its resiliency program were damaged, despite nearby storm impacts.

ENO also updated the Council on power events affecting the SWBNO Power Complex. The utility attributed a May 20 outage to equipment failure and a voltage sag that disrupted services on the transmission grid. According to SWBNO, the system recorded two voltage sags that day, marking the first time it had experienced this issue. Following the voltage sag, SWBNO reached out to Entergy after realizing it was a voltage issue rather than an equipment issue.

Additionally, on June 18, an outage occurred when tornado debris struck a transmission line. SWBNO reported that at 5:45 a.m., SFC equipment tripped offline due to a voltage sag from the same tornado debris. This resulted in street-level flooding along Fleur de Lis Blvd.

ENO explained that the Sullivan Substation remained energized during both events and said it is working with the SWB and a third-party engineering firm to review the incidents.

To view ENO's presentation, click here.

To view SWBNO's presentation, click here.

Updates on New Orleans East Water Service Issues

SWBNO provided an update on two recent water service disruptions in eastern New Orleans. By 2:30 p.m. on June 25, SWBNO reportedly received notice of an ongoing water outage at the Chateau Carmel apartment complex and inspected the site that evening to assess the issue.

On June 26, SWBNO shut off water to facilitate repairs, temporarily affecting the entire Lake Carmel subdivision. SWBNO crews assisted with the repairs, and water service was restored later at 10:00 p.m.

Separately, a water main break on Morrison Road prompted a precautionary boil water advisory affecting approximately 26,000 customers. Crews restored water pressure to most areas by early morning, completed temporary repairs that afternoon, and fully restored service by 3:00 p.m.

Permanent repairs are pending the arrival of additional materials. SWBNO lifted the boil water advisory the following day after water quality testing confirmed the system was safe. The utility also acknowledged communication issues during the incident, noting that its online outage map failed to update properly.

Updates on the French Quarter Project

SWBNO provided an update on its $9.8 million federally funded French Quarter infrastructure project, which is replacing four blocks of 115-year-old 24-inch transmission water mains, sewer lines, and drainage infrastructure. Although the project was initially designed to minimize disruptions around major tourism events, the construction approach was modified to preserve federal funding after delays caused by high Mississippi River levels and archaeological discoveries, which extended the schedule by four to five months.

Construction remains on track for completion in mid-to-late September 2026, with paving finished on the 600 block of St. Peter, utility work nearing completion on the 900 block of Decatur, and sidewalk restoration progressing on multiple blocks as concrete cures.

To view the meeting agenda, click here.

To view the full meeting, click here.

To view a meeting recap from the Committee Chair, click here.