News Release > Montgomery County Power Station Set to Power Texas for Tomorrow

For Immediate Release

Montgomery County Power Station Set to Power Texas for Tomorrow

07/28/2017

Contact
Kacee Kirschvink|504-576-4132|kkirsch@entergy.com
Artist rendering of Montgomery County Power Station
Artist rendering of Montgomery County Power Station

Approval Paves Way for Construction of New Power Plant

THE WOODLANDS, Texas – Paving the way for a new source of local, reliable power, the Public Utility Commission of Texas today voted to approve a proposal by Entergy Texas, Inc. to build the Montgomery County Power Station (MCPS), a 993 megawatt combined-cycle natural gas power plant in Willis, Texas. The PUCT’s action is a major step towards providing the next generation of clean and efficient energy for Southeast Texas.

“Southeast Texas has some of the fastest growing areas in the nation. Entergy Texas is committed to meeting our customers’ energy needs now and in the future. This investment will provide customers a new source of reliable power that reduces costs and lowers emissions, while also benefitting the southeast Texas economy,” said Sallie Rainer, president and CEO of Entergy Texas.

Entergy Texas filed its proposal to construct the Montgomery County Power Station in October 2016. Following that filing, the company reached an unopposed agreement with parties in the case – including entities representing consumers and cities across Entergy Texas’ service area – on the need and benefits of MCPS. 

Construction of the facility provides benefits for:

  • Customers. MCPS is a significant step forward for the region. The plant will provide a stable and secure supply of electricity for a growing region, resulting in estimated savings of $1.7 billion over 30 years for Entergy Texas’ customers. The plant will produce immediate benefits to customers through lower energy costs. These fuel savings will pay off the cost of construction after less than 10 years of operation – a third of the plant’s lifecycle.
  • Communities. According to an economic impact study from TXP Inc., the construction of this facility will generate $1 billion in economic activity across Texas, comprised of $410 million direct investment in the local area, as well as generating $307 million in worker earnings and 7,000 total supported jobs (direct and indirect).
  • Environment. MCPS will be built with the environment in mind, featuring state-of-the-art emissions control technology that will lower emissions compared to the existing fleet through the use of high-efficiency, combined-cycle natural gas turbines.

“We are very pleased that this project received support of the parties and over 70 cities in the region. This overwhelming support demonstrates that the Commission and stakeholders recognize the importance of a modern and efficient plant such as this to the region and to Texas,” Rainer said. “We look forward to breaking ground in the first quarter of 2019 and expect to have the unit complete by summer 2021.”

Entergy Texas, Inc. provides electricity to more than 440,000 customers in 27 counties. Entergy Corporation is an integrated energy company engaged primarily in electric power production and retail distribution operations. Entergy Texas is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation.

Entergy Corporation (NYSE: ETR) 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 9,000 megawatts of nuclear power. Entergy delivers electricity to 2.9 million utility customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Entergy has annual revenues of approximately $10.8 billion and nearly 13,000 employees.

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