The good news is that Entergy is at work in Southwest Louisiana hardening its grid by installing 4,275 new distribution poles to withstand winds up to 125 mph and 115 transmission structures to endure winds up to 150 mph. Underground power lines are also part of the plan. In Downtown Lake Charles, Entergy has already buried infrastructure, and now work has begun on the first five miles of power lines in the Oak Park area.

The bad news is customers are on the hook to pay for the $1.9 billion plan that Entergy has said in a press release will “lead to accelerated, less costly recovery for communities vulnerable to major storms.”

“We harden the grid throughout each year, however the launch of our new resilience program marks the start of the most comprehensive grid strengthening program in Louisiana history,” Entergy Louisiana president and CEO Phillip May said in the press release. “ It’s a transformative moment for energy and economic prosperity in Louisiana. We’re always proud to serve the Lake Charles area, and we eagerly anticipate a future where our communities are stronger, more resilient and positioned to grow and thrive.”

The price increase will be small and gradually increased through 2029.

In April, the Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC) approved Entergy’s resiliency plan to be rolled out over the next three years. Entergy representatives at that meeting said bills will increase 57 cents in 2025, $2.64 in 2026 and increase through 2029 when the increase would reach $7.19.

Wednesday, the LPSC approved rate and late fee changes that will begin in September, said Jessica Hendricks, State Policy Director for Alliance for Affordable Energy.

Residential customers will see a modest one to three percent  increase on monthly bills over the next three years.

Late fees, which were previously set at a staggering five percent will be reduced by 70 percent to 1.5 percent of the bill. Additionally, residents with Smart Meters will no longer face disconnection or reconnection fees.

According to John Howat from the National Consumer Law Center, “Utility late fees in Louisiana have historically been the highest in the nation.”