Entries by Charlotte Cavell

Cold Weather Restoration Explained

Extremely cold weather can create heavy demand for power and affect the electric system, causing outages that may take longer than normal to restore. Here’s why:Extremely low temperatures of 25 degrees or less cause abnormally high demand for power that can create isolated overloads of the electric distribution system. In most cases, extremely high demand occurs in areas where customers have all-electric homes.Heating systems and appliances are often left on during initial service disruption, creating too much energy demand all at once when power is restored. Electric heaters in particular can create a constant power demand, as they tend to run continuously and do not power off and on during periods of extreme cold.This demand causes restoration to take place in sections rather than in larger compositions.“During cold weather extremes, we use a methodical and calculated process to bring customers back online after an outage,” said Dennis Dawsey, Entergy’s vice president of customer service in Louisiana. “Rather than simply energizing an entire power line at once, we must bring customers back online one section at a time to avoid damage to our distribution system and make the situation worse. This takes more time to restore power to affected customers than if we were able to restore the entire line at the same time.”Customers should monitor the weather and have a plan. Click here to view our Storm Ready Guide, which has a section on preparing for extreme winter weather. Also, for winter energy-efficiency tips, view our recent news releases located along the sidebar to the right of this article.

Power Principles: A Conversation with Mark Russell

Mark Russell, senior construction and maintenance mechanic with Entergy New Orleans. He’s been a part of the Entergy family for nine years.What is your power principle?Just as safety is Entergy’s core value, it’s mine too. I always strive to keep safety first in all I do, and to help my co-workers do the same, so that the entire team can go home to our families each evening the same way we came to work that morning.What motivates you to live and work safely?My family motivates me. Not only do I want to provide for them, but I also want to be a good husband and father, as well as a good friend and coach to all. None of that is possible if I don’t live and work safely.

Charles Rice Honored by the NOPD

On Friday, April 28, Entergy New Orleans President and CEO Charles Rice delivered the graduation address to New Orleans Police Department Cadet Class 178. In his remarks, Rice discussed the importance of leadership and building relationships. 

How Sweet it Is … Norbert Rillieux, Sugar Savant

New Orleanian Norbert Rillieux, born into a prominent Creole family in 1806, was the son of an inventor. As such, he showed an interest in engineering and is widely considered to be one of the first notable chemical engineers. In honor of Black History Month, we salute his ingenuity and his major contribution to the sugar industry.

Power Principle: A Conversation with Travis Sholar

Name and title: Travis Sholar, construction and maintenance mechanic II, Entergy New Orleans, Inc.How long have you been with Entergy?Two and one-half years.What is your Power Principle?When it comes to my Power Principle, I live by the saying of anything in life worth doing is worth overdoing! I believe that you should treat everyone with respect! Also, nothing is impossible as long as you keep your heart and mind behind your goal.What is your proudest moment?I would have to say that the proudest moment for both my wife and me, was the amazing day that our beautiful baby girl came into this world on May 6, 2016. It truly is amazing how in an instant such a small package can make such a big impact on life.What does a typical day look like for you?My typical day starts at 6 a.m. I arrive at work, participate in a Safety at Sunrise meeting and then get my jobs for the day. I typically leave work at 4:30 p.m. – unless I’m on call – and then I get to go home and spend quality time with my wife and daughter. Towards the end of the night, I try to knock out as much homework as possible. Then I’m off to bed.

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