LITTLE ROCK, AR / ACCESSWIRE / August 28, 2023 / Summertime brings warmer temperatures, which can translate into financial stress for customers on a tight budget. Over the last several months, Entergy Arkansas has been committed to supporting Arkansans during the high-energy usage months of summer. Our "Beat the Heat" fan drive focuses on helping low-income customers and communities stay cool in the summer. This annual program is vital to many residents, as it can provide relief from the summer heat and offer potential cost savings on their energy bill.

"With it being so extremely hot right now, it's important to be careful and safe. I need this fan to do that," said Monica Williams, Entergy Arkansas customer. "My air filters in my home need to be replaced and I'm still waiting on building maintenance to do that. This fan will really help in the meantime."

Heating and cooling costs make up about 55% of an average customer's electric bill, so taking steps to save energy can help customers better manage usage when temperatures are hot. Placing fans strategically throughout a room can help supplement the use of air conditioning and help the room feel several degrees cooler.

This summer's hot weather and triple-digit temperatures across the Entergy Arkansas service area has resulted in higher energy usage. These conditions can be challenging to customers, and Entergy Arkansas wants to do whatever we can to help.

"The cost of living has gone up so much and to receive anything free that will help during the hot summer months is a blessing," said Erie Blakely, Entergy Arkansas Customer. "I've been an Entergy customer for 40 years and this is a good project for the whole community."

Entergy Arkansas has partnered with several organizations across the state to help distributed fans including:

• Ozark Center of Hope - Mountain Home
• Arkansas River Valley Area Council - Russellville
• Mississippi County Arkansas Economic Opportunity Commission - Blytheville
• Black River Area Development Corp. - Pocahontas
• Watershed Human Community Development Agency - Little Rock
• Area Agency on Aging - Pine Bluff

Since many of our customers are facing rising costs for everything from bills to groceries, Entergy Arkansas is doing our part to provide support where we can.

"We recognize the strain that summer energy usage costs can have on our customers," said Laura Landreaux, Entergy Arkansas president and CEO. "We are committed to doing everything we can to help customers manage the summer heat and their utility bills."

In addition to helping provide fans to customers in need, Entergy Arkansas is also equipping residential customers with information and tools to reduce the impact of high summer temperatures and increased energy usage, including partnering with community action agencies to:

• Commit more than $230,000 to The Power to Care program, which provides bill assistance to older adults and customers with disabilities.
• Provide an online platform that allows customers to apply for utility bill assistance through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The addition of this online option has resulted in a dramatic increase in LIHEAP applications this summer compared to past years.
• Promote Level Billing, Pick-a-Date, and Deferred Payment Arrangements (DPAs) to give all customers helpful options for payment.
• Distribute $4.7 million in energy efficiency resources to customers.

For more information about Entergy Arkansas' "Beat the Heat" program, visit www.entergy.com/answers.

About Entergy Arkansas

Entergy Arkansas, LLC provides electricity to approximately 730,000 customers in 63 counties. Entergy Arkansas is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation, a Fortune 500 electric company. Entergy powers life for 3 million customers through our operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. We're investing in the reliability and resilience of the energy system while helping our region transition to cleaner, more efficient energy solutions. With roots in our communities for more than 100 years, Entergy is a nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship. Since 2018, we have delivered more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to local communities through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has approximately 12,000 employees. For the latest news from Entergy, visit the Newsroom.

Entergy customer Erie Blakely receives a fan from Entergy Volunteers.

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SOURCE: Entergy Corporation