Across the nation, electricity demand forecasts are increasing, driven by economic development and our society’s ever-increasing dependency on technology. The growth opportunities we have before us in Mississippi rely on many key outcomes, but the one I’m most excited about is Entergy Mississippi’s ability to meet our customers’ needs. We’re going to do that, while continuing our commitment to build a better future by balancing power reliability and affordability for our customers.

Ask anyone who lived through the 1970s what they remember about the energy crisis, and you’ll hear some common themes: The oil embargo and skyrocketing fuel prices. Panic over gasoline shortages and long lines at the pump. Energy conservation mandates and growing concerns over America’s dependence on foreign oil.

The Sunflower Solar Station is the first plant in what will eventually be the most significant expansion of renewable power in the state’s history, according to Fisackerly.nThe year was 1980. I was in 8th grade at Coleman Junior High School in Greenville. My science project was a solar furnace; it utilized a Fresnel lens which could easily melt aluminum, which melts at approximately 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit. I placed second for my grade at the State Science Fair in Biloxi that year. Unlike wind, I have always thought that we as a nation could better harness the sun’s energy. My first use of solar cells was a transistor radio I built from a kit. I think it may have been from RadioShack. The solar cell was about 1" X 2" in size.