10PM Entergy Power Outage Update

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- Power began coming back on line throughout the evening and there are areas that are still waiting to get power back.

1. Areas that have been without power the longest are first in line. More areas will be coming online throughout the evening a loads drop with the temperature.

2. Shortly after Hurricane Laura hit SETX/SWLA Entergy had 7 of their 8 transmission lines go down.

3. Entergy was required to manage loads with only one line functioning. That required dropping 500 MegaWatts immediately.

4. One of the seven downed lines is currently being tested. If this line is functional it can help spread the load and potentially eliminate future rolling blackouts. We should know by early Morning the status of this transmission line.

5. There is a power generation plant in Orange County that was evacuated ahead of Hurricane Laura. It is being assessed and prepped to comeback on-line early tomorrow. It takes time for it to ramp up but could have additional power available mid-day to afternoon that will also help alleviate potential rolling blackouts.

6. Entergy sought and was granted DOE approval for ERCOT power transfers. This is the adjacent grid to our area that can provide energy that would additionally offset load balancing requirements. This step is the third option behind the 2nd transmission line and Orange County Power Plant. It’s 3rd because it would require up to 8 hours to establish the transfers. Entergy is optimistic that the first two options will suffice but wanted to make sure everyone knew they had a tertiary option ready to go if needed.

7. If there is a need for further rolling blackout they will have time to provide advance notices and will share those with their customers and local government.