Integrated Resource Planning Overview

We all want New Orleans to become a green, sustainable, and more energy efficient city at the lowest cost to its residents. Luckily, the opportunity to make some drastic positive changes is before the City Council right now. This opportunity is in the form of Entergy New Orleans' Integrated Resource Plan (IRP)

What is an IRP?
An Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) is document created by a utility for its regulators that lays out how the utility plans to provide power to its ratepayers in the coming years. It addresses both “demand-side” and “supply-side” options. In an IRP, a utility must assess its long-term power generation resources, and include room for new options. Entergy New Orleans (ENO) submitted its IRP in January 2011 to the City Council, and the Utility Committee is currently reviewing it. If accepted, the process will repeat every three years to ensure that goals are met and the IRP evolves to include new technologies and best practices.

Why is the IRP important to you? Read on to learn more about this pressing issue.

Why is it important?
The IRP process is an important opportunity for citizens and the City Council to positively influence New Orleans’ power consumption, and the high utility bills that come with it. By rule, an IRP must consider Demand Side Management (DSM)—energy reductions on the consumer side of the meter—on equal footing with traditional power sources like coal and natural gas. This means ENO has to look at limiting its power production by helping customers use less energy. Not only is DSM better for the environment, but energy efficiency measures decrease utility bills and provide a cheaper option to developing new power plants. An IRP also assesses the potential of wind, solar and other renewable energy sources as alternatives to environmentally-harmful fossil fuel plants.

What are the benefits of a solid IRP?

• Lower utility bills due to:
• Energy efficiency measures installed
• DSM programs being less expensive for utilities than new power production
• Reduced demand at “peak” load times—when households use the most energy
• Improved quality of life and health benefits that accompany energy efficiency upgrades
• Positive environmental impacts of renewable energy and DSM—reduced greenhouse gas emissions
• More local jobs in a green economy
• More money in New Orleans thanks to supporting local contractors and utility workers rather than purchasing power from elsewhere

Andrew Spaulding of Global Green weatherizes a New Orleans attic

What is the issue?
Entergy’s IRP does not include enough DSM and renewable energy potential for New Orleans. Entergy claims DSM measures can only reduce power generation by 2.56% over ten years. By comparison, national DSM programs at “medium” levels usually strive for 4%, while “high” aiming programs reach 8-10%. Global Green has weatherized homes across New Orleans, and has seen much higher energy savings for these residents. Moreover, the IRP includes two nuclear plant updates and creates two natural gas power plants by 2030, two expensive and less clean technologies, while it barely includes renewables despite the proven potential of solar and hydro in New Orleans.

What can I do?
Contact your Councilmember using the attached letter to demand more DSM and renewables. Attend important Utility Committee meetings to voice your concerns and show your support. Stay up to date as the process continues. Lastly, spread the word.

Interested in showing support for this cause? Download a letter to edit and send to your councilmembers here!