We’re embracing the opportunities and challenges to make our communities stronger

We work to reduce water used in our operations while evaluating water availability and ensuring compliance with federal, state and local permits and requirements.

An overview of our water management strategy is available here. We protect water resources by maintaining a compliance rate with state and federal permit requirements of at least 99.9% from year to year. In 2024 our compliance rate was 99.97%.

Two of our plants operate in water-stressed areas. Since 2016, our Lewis Creek Power Plant has exceeded a water conservation goal of 30%, and the neighboring Montgomery County Power Station employs cooling towers and a closed-loop cooling reservoir to decrease water usage. Our portfolio transformation strategy also reduces water usage across our fleet since our power generation plants are more efficient and as we increase our solar portfolio, which requires no cooling water.

Waste minimization and management

We manage waste responsibly for the benefit of the environment and our communities. To address waste management and minimization, Entergy maintains a standard that outlines our basic philosophy and expectations. We reduce waste through our commodity recycling and investment recovery process . We manage coal ash for beneficial use at a rate dependent on local construction markets.

We also recycle and recover the value of materials that otherwise might end up in landfills as described on our supplier sustainability webpage. 

Percentage of coal combustion byproduct managed for beneficial use

Entergy’s coal ash beneficial use rate varies depending on the local construction markets. With demand for these products greater than ash produced in 2020, we used previously placed ash and blended it with current production ash to create oil stabilization products. That means Entergy managed more than 100% of our coal ash for beneficial use in 2020.

Compliance

Material fines or penalties imposed for environmental non-compliance are disclosed in Entergy's SEC Form 10-K. Information on Entergy spills reported to the National Response Center can be reviewed here.

Grassroots sustainability champions

Entergy employee volunteers planting trees

More than 150 Entergy employees have become Grassroots Sustainability Champions. They enrich the communities Entergy serves by engaging employees in environmental and social initiatives and raising awareness and impact of our environmental and social objectives.  

The group’s activities include a textile recycling pilot, sustainable living guides for employees, promoting employee participation in Earth Day activities, promoting a local Girl Scout sustainability patch, championing an Electric Vehicle Enthusiast Initiative, a month-long challenge to reduce single-use plastics, and guest speakers on ways to reduce waste and build a sustainable future.

Environmental Initiatives Fund

Our Environmental Initiatives Fund supports projects or programs that reduce emissions, protect natural resources, and restore wetlands and forests in communities Entergy serves. In 2024, Entergy shareholders contributed $1 million to partnering organizations through the fun. This was the 24th consecutive year that owners provided support to the fund, with a total investment of $43.8 million since the program launched in 2001. A list of 2024 EIF grant award recipients is available here. To submit an environmental improvement project for consideration of funding through Entergy's Environmental Initiatives Fund, visit here for timing and the most recent request for proposals.