Entergy announcement - FitzPatrick Nuclear Power Plant

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    Date: Nov. 2, 2015

    For Release: Immediately

    Contact: ay Jones

    Media Relations)

    Paula Waters

    (Investor Relations)504) [email protected]

    (504) [email protected]

    Entergy to Close James A. FitzPatrick Nuclear Power Plant in Central New York

    NEW ORLEANSEntergy Corporation (NYSE: ETR) announced today that it will

    close the James A. FitzPatrick Nuclear Power Plant in Scriba, NY, in late 2016 or early 2017.

    The company said its decision to close the plant is based on the continued deteriorating

    economics of the facility. The key drivers cited by the company include significantly reduced

    plant revenues due to low natural gas prices, a poor market design that fails to properly

    compensate nuclear generators like FitzPatrick for their benefits, as well as high operational

    costs.

    Entergy is reporting today to the operator of the electric grid, the New York Independent

    System Operator, and to the New York State Public Service Commission that it will retire the

    plant at the end of the current fuel cycle.

    Entergy and New York State officials worked tirelessly over the past two months to

    reach a constructive and mutually beneficial agreement to avoid a shutdown, but were

    unsuccessful.

    Given the financial challenges our merchant power plants face from sustained wholesale

    power price declines and other unfavorable market conditions, we have been assessing each

    asset, said Leo Denault, Entergys chairman and chief executive officer. As part of this

    review, we previously announced the closure of the Pilgrim Nuclear Generating Station in

    Entergy Corporation639 Loyola Ave.New Orleans, LA 70113

    News

    Release

    mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]
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    Entergy to Close James A. FitzPatrick Nuclear Power PlantPage 2November 2, 2015

    Massachusetts and have now decided that despite good operational performance, market

    conditions require us to also close the FitzPatrick nuclear plant, Denault continued.

    FitzPatrick employs more than 600 workers, and has been a part of the Oswego County

    community since it began generating electricity in 1975.

    We recognize the consequences of the shutdown for our employees and the surrounding

    community and pledge to do our best to support both during this transition. As a company, we

    are committed to ensuring the well-being of our employees, and appreciate their continued

    dedication to making safe, clean, secure and reliable operations a top priority, Denault said.

    Additionally, to the community of Oswego, we would like to express our gratitude for its

    overwhelming support and willingness to stand with us for more than 40 years.

    Financial Factors Behind Decision

    The decision to close the FitzPatrick plant was based on the following factors that make

    it no longer economically viable:

    Sustained low current and long-term wholesale energy prices, driven by record low

    gas prices due to the plants proximity to the Marcellus shale formation, have reduced

    the plants revenues. Current and forecast power prices have fallen by about $10 per

    megawatt-hour, which equates to a projected annual loss of more than $60 million in

    revenues for FitzPatrick.

    Flawed market design fails to recognize or adequately compensate nuclear generators

    for their benefits. FitzPatrick and other nuclear power generators provide a key fuel

    diversity benefit with significant climate-related advantages. In addition to generating

    virtually carbon-free electricity, nuclear plants offer onsite fuel storage, maintain grid

    reliability and serve as a significant source of large-scale 24/7 energy generation.

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    Entergy to Close James A. FitzPatrick Nuclear Power PlantPage 3November 2, 2015

    The plant carries a high cost structure because it is a single unit. Entergy has already

    invested hundreds of millions of dollars to improve FitzPatricks reliability, safety

    and security. While the company will always make investments needed to assure safe

    operations, it considers the long-term financial viability of operating plants in

    markets that ignore the benefits of nuclear power.

    The locational constraints reduce the plants revenues. The region has excess power

    supply and low demand.

    Entergys Commitment to Nuclear Power

    When FitzPatrick closes, Entergy will have one power generating facility in operation in

    New York State, the Indian Point Energy Center in Buchanan, NY.

    Entergy remains committed overall to nuclear power, whose benefits include carbon-free,

    reliable power that is cost-effective over the long term, contributes to supply diversity and

    energy security as part of a balanced energy portfolio. It provides almost two-thirds of

    Americas clean-air electricity.

    Background Information

    The FitzPatrick Nuclear Power Plant generates 838 megawatts of nearly carbon-free

    electricity, enough to power more than 800,000 homes.

    Additional information regarding todays announcement is available at

    www.entergy.comandwww.FitzPatrickPower.com/Operational-Update .

    Entergy Corporation is an integrated energy company engaged primarily in electric

    power production and retail distribution operations. Entergy owns and operates power plants

    with approximately 30,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity, including nearly 10,000

    http://www.entergy.com/http://www.entergy.com/http://www.fitzpatrickpower.com/Operational-Updatehttp://www.fitzpatrickpower.com/Operational-Updatehttp://www.fitzpatrickpower.com/Operational-Updatehttp://www.fitzpatrickpower.com/Operational-Updatehttp://www.entergy.com/
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    Entergy to Close James A. FitzPatrick Nuclear Power PlantPage 4November 2, 2015

    megawatts of nuclear power, making it one of the nation's leading nuclear generators. Entergy

    delivers electricity to 2.8 million utility customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and

    Texas. Entergy has annual revenues of more than $12 billion and approximately 13,000

    employees.

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