Texas Business Profile -
Utilities - Electric Power & Fuel

Entergy Corporation is one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, serving about 2.5 million customers in a 112,000-square-mile area in portions of Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Mississippi. Of those, 359,000 customers are in Texas.

To provide dependable service at the lowest cost possible, Entergy has diversified its fuel mix. Natural gas, fuel oil, coal and nuclear power are utilized as fuel sources. Entergy is also able to purchase low cost, coal-fired, power through tie-ins with other companies in the south. Purchased power is utilized when gas prices inflate so that Entergy’s customers will be assured of the lower cost, best quality power available.

Entergy’s Texas commercial and industrial rates are very competitive when compared to other companies’ electric rates.

The Texas Legislature adopted a law introducing retail competition in the sale of electricity. Most Texas utilities have moved to competition. Because the Entergy grid covers states and involves federal regulatory, Entergy has not moved to competition.

Water Resources

A major benefit the region enjoys is its location on the Gulf Coast. Major rivers including the Sabine, Neches, San Jacinto, Trinity and Brazos flow through our area on their way to the Gulf of Mexico. Rainfall in the area averages 55 inches per year, assuring the region an ample supply of fresh water.

Fresh water is available in almost inexhaustible supply for agriculture, industrial, domestic and recreational purposes. Water intensive industries have large volumes of fresh water available by accessing the many rivers, lakes or from the many fresh water canals and systems operated by authorities. Water is readily available from wells or from municipal systems.

Water Cost

Cost can be determined by contacting the municipality or one of the river authorities. The authorities are actively engaged in pollution prevention and control activities. The authorities can issue revenue bonds for the construction of pollution abatement facilities designed to serve several companies, thus lowering capital and operating costs for the individual companies served.

Texas Water Resources

Southeast Texas is fortunate to be able to accommodate many industries' requirements for exceptional quantities of fresh water, from contract sources or direct diversion from the river basins. Direct diversion is available from the rivers by permitting from the Texas Water Development Board.

Contact Information:

Texas Water Development Board
1700 North Congress Ave.
P.O. Box 13231
Austin, Texas 78711-3231
Ph. (512) 463-7847

Lower Neches Valley Authority
7850 Eastex Freeway
P. 0. Box 5117
Beaumont, Texas 77726-5117
Ph. (409) 892-4011

Trinity River Authority
5300 South Collins
P. O. Box 60
Arlington, Texas 76004
Ph. (817) 467-4343

Sabine River Authority of Texas
12777 North Hwy. 87
P. 0. Box 579
Orange, Texas 77630
Ph. (409) 746-2192

San Jacinto River Authority
1577 Dam Site Rd.
P. O. Box 329
Conroe, Texas 77305-0329
Ph. (409) 588-1111

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