Entergy 10-Q 2022-06-30

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2022

OR

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Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Indicate by check mark whether the registrants (1) have filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrants were required to file such reports), and (2) have been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☑ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrants have submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrants were required to submit such files). Yes ☑ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether each registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrants have elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrants are shell companies (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☑

Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, LLC, Entergy Louisiana, LLC, Entergy Mississippi, LLC, Entergy New Orleans, LLC, E

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See “Market and Credit Risk Sensitive Instruments” section of Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis.

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of June 30, 2022, evaluations were performed under the supervision and with the participation of Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy (individually “Registrant” and collectively the “Registrants”) management, including their respective Principal Executive Officers (PEO) and Principal Financial Officers (PFO). The evaluations assessed the effectiveness of the Registrants’ disclosure controls and procedures. Based on the evaluations, each PEO and PFO has concluded that, as to the Registrant or Registrants for which they serve as PEO or PFO, the Registrant’s or Registrants’ disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by each Registrant in reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms; and that the Registrant’s or Registrants’ disclosure controls and procedures are also effective in reasonably assuring that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Registrant’s or

Registrants’ management, including their respective PEOs and PFOs, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting

Under the supervision and with the participation of each Registrants’ management, including its respective PEO and PFO, each Registrant evaluated changes in internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended June 30, 2022 and found no change that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, internal control over financial reporting.

ENTERGY ARKANSAS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

MANAGEMENT’S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Results of Operations

Net Income

Second Quarter 2022 Compared to Second Quarter 2021

Net income increased $6.5 million primarily due to higher volume/weather and higher retail electric price, partially offset by higher other operation and maintenance expenses and higher depreciation and amortization expenses.

Six Months Ended June 30, 2022 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2021

Net income decreased $21 million primarily due to the reversal in 2021 of the remaining $38.8 million regulatory liability for the formula rate plan 2019 historical year netting adjustment, higher other operation and maintenance expenses, and higher depreciation and amortization expenses, partially offset by higher retail electric price and higher volume/weather.

Operating Revenues

Second Quarter 2022 Compared to Second Quarter 2021

Following is an analysis of the change in operating revenues comparing the second quarter 2022 to the second quarter 2021:

Entergy Arkansas’s results include revenues from rate mechanisms designed to recover fuel, purchased power, and other costs such that the revenues and expenses associated with these items generally offset and do not affect net income. “Fuel, rider, and other revenues that do not significantly affect net income” includes the revenue variance associated with these items.

The volume/weather variance is primarily due to the effect of more favorable weather on residential and commercial sales, partially offset by a decrease in weather-adjusted residential usage.

The retail electric price variance is primarily due to an increase in formula rate plan rates effective January 2022. See Note 2 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for further discussion of the 2021 formula rate plan filing.

Entergy Arkansas, LLC and Subsidiaries

Management's Financial Discussion and Analysis

Total electric energy sales for Entergy Arkansas for the three months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:

See Note 13 to the financial statements herein for additional discussion of Entergy Arkansas’s operating revenues.

Six Months Ended June 30, 2022 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2021

Following is an analysis of the change in operating revenues comparing the six months ended June 30, 2022 to the six months ended June 30, 2021:

Entergy Arkansas’s results include revenues from rate mechanisms designed to recover fuel, purchased power, and other costs such that the revenues and expenses associated with these items generally offset and do not affect net income. “Fuel, rider, and other revenues that do not significantly affect net income” includes the revenue variance associated with these items.

The retail electric price variance is primarily due to increases in formula rate plan rates effective May 2021 and January 2022. See Note 2 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for further discussion of the 2020 formula rate plan filing and the 2021 formula rate plan filing.

The volume/weather variance is primarily due to increases in commercial and industrial usage, partially offset by the effect of less favorable weather on residential sales. The increase in commercial usage was primarily due to an increase in customers and the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on businesses in 2021. The increase in industrial usage was primarily due to an increase in demand from existing customers, primarily in the wood products and petroleum refining industries.

Entergy Arkansas, LLC and Subsidiaries

Management's Financial Discussion and Analysis

The return of unprotected excess accumulated deferred income taxes to customers resulted from the return of unprotected excess accumulated deferred income taxes through a tax adjustment rider beginning in April 2018. For the six months ended June 30, 2021, $8 million was returned to customers. There is no effect on net income as the reduction in operating revenues was offset by a reduction in income tax expense. See Note 2 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for further discussion of regulatory activity regarding the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

Total electric

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See “PART I, Item 1, Litigation” in the Form 10-K for a discussion of legal, administrative, and other regulatory proceedings affecting Entergy. Also see Notes 1 and 2 to the financial statements herein and “Item 5, Other Information, Environmental Regulation” below for updates regarding environmental proceedings and regulation.

See the risk factors discussed in "Part I, Item 1A. RISK FACTORS" in the Form 10-K, which could materially affect Entergy's and its Registrant Subsidiaries' business, financial condition, or future results. The information set forth in this report, including the risk factor presented below, updates and should be read in conjunction with the risk factors and information disclosed in the Form 10-K.

The completion of capital projects, including the construction of power generation facilities, and other capital improvements involve substantial risks. Should such efforts be unsuccessful, the financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity of Entergy and the Utility operating companies could be materially affected.

Entergy’s and the Utility operating companies’ ability to complete capital projects, including the construction of power generation facilities, or make other capital improvements, in a timely manner and within budget is contingent upon many variables and subject to substantial risks. These variables include, but are not limited to, project management expertise, escalating costs for materials, labor, and environmental compliance, reliance on suppliers for timely and satisfactory performance, and pandemic-related delays and cost increases. Delays in obtaining permits, shortages in materials and qualified labor, levels of public support or opposition, suppliers and contractors not performing as expected or required under their contracts and/or experiencing financial problems that inhibit their ability to fulfill their obligations under contracts, changes in the scope and timing of projects, poor quality initial cost estimates from contractors, the inability to raise capital on favorable terms, changes in commodity prices affecting revenue, fuel costs, or materials costs, downward changes in the economy, changes in law or regulation, including environmental compliance requirements, trade and tariff issues associated with imported solar panels, supply chain delays or disruptions, and other events beyond the control of the Utility operating companies may occur that may materially affect the schedule, cost, and performance of these projects. If these projects or other capital improvements are significantly delayed or become subject to cost overruns or cancellation, Entergy and the Utility operating companies could incur additional costs and termination payments, or face increased risk of potential write-off of the investment in the project. In addition, the Utility operating companies could be exposed to higher costs and market volatility, which could affect cash flow and cost recovery, should their respective regulators decline to approve the construction of the project or new generation needed to meet the reliability needs of customers at the lowest reasonable cost.

For further information regarding capital expenditure plans and other uses of capital in connection with capital projects, including the potential construction and/or purchase of additional generation supply sources within the Utility operating companies’ service territory, see the “Liquidity and Capital Resources - Capital Expenditure Plans and Other Uses of Capital” section of Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis for Entergy herein and in the Form 10-K and the “Liquidity and Capital Resources - Uses of Capital” section of Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis in the Form 10-K and the “Liquidity and Capital Resources - Uses and Sources of Capital” section of Management’s Financial Discussion and Analysis herein for each of the Registrant Subsidiaries.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities (a)

In accordance with Entergy’s stock-based compensation plans, Entergy periodically grants stock options to key employees, which may be exercised to obtain shares of Entergy’s common stock. According to the plans, these shares can be newly issued shares, treasury stock, or shares purchased on the open market. Entergy’s management has been authorized by the Board to repurchase on the open market shares up to an amount sufficient to fund the exercise of grants under the plans. In addition to this authority, the Board has authorized share repurchase programs to enable opportunistic purchases in response to market conditions. In October 2010 the Board granted authority for a $500 million share repurchase program. The amount of share repurchases under these programs may vary as a result of material changes in business results or capital spending or new investment opportunities. In addition, in the first quarter 2022, Entergy withheld 79,738 shares of its common stock at $110.35 per share, 77,207 shares of its common stock at $111.16 per share, 35,940 shares of its common stock at $111.77 per share, 1,219 shares of its common stock at $109.01 per share, 577 shares of its common stock at $106.62 per share, 232 shares of its common stock at $110.77 per share, 87 shares of its common stock at $109.01 per share, and 82 shares of its common stock at $111.47 per share to pay income taxes due upon vesting of restricted stock granted and payout of performance units as part of its long-term incentive program.

(a)See Note 12 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for additional discussion of the stock-based compensation plans.

(b)Maximum amount of shares that may yet be repurchased relates only to the $500 million plan and does not include an estimate of the amount of shares that may be purchased to fund the exercise of grants under the stock-based compensation plans.

Regulation of the Nuclear Power Industry

Following is an update to the “Regulation of the Nuclear Power Industry” section of Part I, Item 1 of the Form 10-K.

Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982

Nuclear Plant Decommissioning

In March 2022 filings with the NRC were made reporting on decommissioning funding for Palisades and the Big Rock Point dry fuel storage facility. Those reports showed that decommissioning funding for those facilities met the NRC’s financial assurance requirements.

Environmental Regulation

Following are updates to the “Environmental Regulation” section of Part I, Item 1 of the Form 10-K.

National Ambient Air Quality Standards

See the Form 10-K for discussion of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) set by the EPA in accordance with the Clean Air Act. Following are updates to that discussion.

Hazardous Air Pollutants

The EPA released the final Mercury and Air Toxics Standard (MATS) rule in December 2011, which had a compliance date, with a widely granted one-year extension, of April 2016. The required controls have been installed and are operational at all affected Entergy units. In May 2020 the EPA finalized a rule that finds that it is not “appropriate and necessary” to regulate hazardous air pollutants from electric steam generating units under the provisions of section 112(n) of the Clean Air Act. This is a reversal of the EPA’s previous finding requiring such regulation. The final appropriate and necessary finding does not revise the underlying MATS rule. Several lawsuits have been filed challenging the appropriate and necessary finding. In February 2021 the D.C. Circuit granted the EPA’s motion to hold the litigation in abeyance pending the agency’s review of the appropriate and necessary rule. In February 2022 the EPA issued a proposed rule revoking the 2020 rule and determining, again, that it is “appropriate and necessary” to regulate hazardous air pollutants. The EPA is seeking additional information, which it could use to further tighten the standard. Entergy will continue to monitor this situation.

Cross-State Air Pollution

As discussed in the Form 10-K, the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) has been remanded to and modified by the EPA on multiple occasions. In April 2022 the EPA published a rule to address interstate transport for the 2015 ozone NAAQS and which will increase the stringency of the CSAPR program in all four of the states where the Utility operating companies operate. If finalized as proposed, the rule will significantly reduce emission allowances and would likely require the installation of post-combustion nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions controls on any coal or large legacy gas units that will operate beyond 2026 and are not currently equipped with such controls. Fifteen Entergy-owned units, totaling approximately 9,370 MW of total unit capacity, are identified by the EPA for selective catalytic reduction retrofits. If all of these units were retrofitted as proposed, the EPA estimates that the capital cost is expected to be approximately $1.6 billion. Additionally the EPA is proposing controls on certain non-electric generating NOx sources. Since releasing the proposed rule, the price for Group 3 allowances has increased significantly, reaching $40,000 per allowance in late June 2022. Comments on the proposed rule were due in June 2022. MISO, other impacted regional transmission organizations, and various state public service commissions all filed comments expressing reliability concerns if the rule is finalized as proposed. Entergy filed individual comments which assert, in addition to other issues, that the EPA’s proposal represents over-control of the Entergy units in Arkansas and Mississippi; the EPA should consider an alternative approach or provide flexibility for units with a limited remaining useful life; the EPA should consult with regional transmission organizations to determine the reliability impacts of the proposed rule; and the EPA should consider and incorporate current economic trends, including inflation, into any benefit-costs analysis supporting the rule.

Regional Haze

As discussed in the Form 10-K, the second planning period (2018-2028) for the regional haze program required states to examine sources for impacts on visibility and to prepare State Implementation Plans (SIPs) by July 31, 2021 which the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment, Division of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) did not meet. The ADEQ released a draft proposed SIP in February 2022. The ADEQ reviewed Entergy’s Independence plant, but determined that additional air emission controls would not be cost-effective considering the facility’s commitment to cease coal-fired combustion by December 31, 2030. The ADEQ is expected to finalize this SIP and submit to the EPA for review by the end of 2022.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has completed its second-planning period SIP and submitted it to the EPA for review. There were no Entergy sources selected for additional emission controls. The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality continues to develop its SIP, but there are no Entergy sources that are expected to be impacted.

In April 2022 the EPA announced that states have until August 15, 2022 to submit their SIPs in order to avoid a Finding of Failure to Submit which the EPA intends to issue by August 31, 2022.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

As discussed in the Form 10-K, in July 2019 the EPA released the Affordable Clean Energy Rule (ACE), which applies only to existing coal-fired electric generating units. The ACE determines that heat rate improvements are the best system of emission reductions and lists six candidate technologies for consideration by states at each coal unit. The rule and associated rulemakings by the EPA replace the Obama administration’s Clean Power Plan, which established national emissions performance rates for existing fossil-fuel fired steam electric generating units and combustion turbines. The ACE rule provides states discretion in determining how the best system for emission reductions applies to individual units, including through the consideration of technical feasibility and the remaining useful life of the facility. In January 2021 the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit vacated ACE. The court held that ACE relied on an incorrect interpretation of the Clean Air Act that the statute expressly forecloses emission reduction approaches, such as emissions trading and generating shifting, that cannot be applied at and to the individual source. The court remanded ACE to the EPA for further consideration and also vacated the repeal of the Clean Power Plan. In March 2021 the D.C. Circuit issued a partial mandate vacating the ACE rule, but withheld the mandate vacating the repeal of the Clean Power Plan pending the EPA’s new rulemaking to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. Thus, there currently is no regulation in place with respect to greenhouse gas emissions from existing electric generating units and states are not expected to take further action to develop and submit plans at this time. In October 2021 the United States Supreme Court agreed to hear a challenge to the already vacated ACE rule. In June 2022 the United States Supreme Court held that the EPA could not use generation shifting as the best system of emission reduction under Section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act. The EPA does still have the authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, but those emissions reductions must be technology based. Despite the decision, the EPA appears to be moving forward with a new proposal, which is expected in 2023, to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from new and existing electric generating units.

Federal Jurisdiction of Waters of the United States

In June 2020 the EPA’s revised definition of waters of the United States in the Navigable Waters Protection Rule (NWPR) became effective, narrowing the scope of Clean Water Act jurisdiction, as compared to a 2015 definition which had been stayed by several federal courts. In August 2021 a federal district court vacated and remanded the NWPR for further consideration. The EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) subsequently issued a statement that the agencies would revert to pre-2015 regulations pending a new rulemaking. In December 2021, the EPA and the Corps proposed a revised definition of waters of the United States by repealing the NWPR and codifying a definition that reflects the pre-2015 regulatory regime as interpreted by several United States Supreme Court decisions. Comments on the proposed rule were due in February 2022. In January 2022, despite pending rulemaking, the United States Supreme Court agreed to hear a case regarding the proper test under previous Supreme Court decisions for determining jurisdiction of waters of the United States. The EPA intends to complete the rulemaking in two phases: finalize the proposed rulemaking in August 2022 and then subsequent rulemaking in 2023 that refines the rule as necessary based on the United States Supreme Court’s decision.

Retail Rate Regulation

The following replaces the information provided in footnote (b) to the table providing rate base and other information in the “Retail Rate Regulation” section of Part I, Item 1 of the Form 10-K relating to the Entergy Louisiana (electric) rate base amount of $13.6 billion: (b) Based on December 31, 2020 test year and includes approximately $800 million for the Lake Charles Power Station and excludes $300 million for the Washington Parish Energy Center, included in the capacity rider, $100 million of transmission plant investment, included in the transmission rider, and $300 million of distribution investment, included in the distribution rider.

Pursuant to Item 601(b)(4)(iii) of Regulation S-K, Entergy Corporation agrees to furnish to the Commission upon request any instrument with respect to long-term debt that is not registered or listed herein as an Exhibit because the total amount of securities authorized under such agreement does not exceed ten percent of the total assets of Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. The signature for each undersigned company shall be deemed to relate only to matters having reference to such company or its subsidiaries.

Date: August 4, 2022