Arkansas Power and Light founder Harvey Couch made a deal in 1913 to purchase sawdust – the company’s first fuel source – to burn and power a steam-powered turbine and send power through a 20-mile transmission line to customers in Malvern and Arkadelphia. That was the beginning of what would become Entergy Corporation, an integrated energy company engaged in electric power production, transmission and retail distribution operations across four service territories for 3 million customers. A little more than 10 years later, Mr. Couch’s Sterlington natural gas-powered plant in north Louisiana was placed online in November 1925. As the demand for electricity grew, so did the company’s fleet of power generation resources. Couch built Remmel Dam, the first hydroelectric dam on the Ouachita River, near Hot Springs in 1924. Just upstream in 1931 came Carpenter Dam, and both dams still generate emission-free power today.

With a 41-year career rooted in the early days of Arkansas Nuclear One, George Woerner still summons the awe for the large equipment and components it takes to do the job. This month, as the plant synchronized its Unit 1 back to the grid after a successful refuel and maintenance outage, Woerner takes pride in seeing that equipment run reliably to power the lives around him with carbon-free electricity.

Chris Bakken, Entergy executive vice president and chief nuclear officer, announces key positions due to recent retirements.

Teamwork allows brainstorming opportunities for co-workers to exchange ideas, build collaborations and come up with solutions to overcome obstacles. Elizabeth Smith, an administrative specialist II in the design engineering department at Grand Gulf Nuclear Station, consistently recognizes the value of teamwork at the site and across the nuclear fleet. Due to this passion, Smith received one of Entergy Nuclear Spotlight recognitions this month.