LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Entergy Arkansas says a reduction in its costs for power will mean a 4.75 percent cut in the average residential customer's utility bill.
Entergy said in a news release Friday that it expects more nuclear generated power - which is less expensive - will be available in 2013 from Arkansas Nuclear One and Grand Gulf.
The company says the utility bill for a residential customer currently using 1,000 kilowatt hours is $101.31 per month, excluding taxes. Entergy says that bill would drop to $96.50 per month under the new rate.
The new rate will be effective from April through March 2014.
In addition to Nuclear One, Entergy attributes the reduction in the rider to several factors:
• Compared to 2011, in 2012, Entergy Arkansas generated more power with nuclear and gas-fired generation and less with coal, which reduced costs. The company also purchased slightly less energy in 2012. What was purchased in 2012 was at a lower price than in the previous year.
• A portion of the output of Arkansas Nuclear One that had been excluded from base rates has now been allowed by the Arkansas Public Service Commission to be included in base rates. Fuel cost savings for the reallocated portion of ANO are included in the April 1 fuel and purchased power rider rate adjustment.
• Entergy Arkansas collected in rates more than its actual fuel and purchased power costs in 2012. This is the reason for the annual adjustment, to true up cost forecasts with actual expenses.
Entergy Arkansas is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation and has approximately 700,000 customers in 63 Arkansas counties.
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