Item 8.01 Other Events.
U.S. Department of Justice Investigation
As previously reported, in September 2010, Entergy Corporation (Entergy) was notified that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) had commenced a civil investigation of competitive issues concerning certain generation procurement, dispatch, and transmission system practices and policies of the Utility operating companies. In July 2011, Entergy submitted to the DOJ and the Federal Trade Commission its Hart-Scott-Rodino pre-merger notification filing related to the proposed acquisition of the Hot Spring Energy Facility by Entergy Arkansas, Inc. (Entergy Arkansas) and the proposed acquisition of the Hinds Energy Facility by Entergy Mississippi, Inc. (Entergy Mississippi).
On November 14, 2012, the DOJ issued a press release in which the DOJ stated that it will not challenge the proposed acquisitions of such facilities and that it was closing its investigation into the proposed acquisitions. Entergy Arkansas and Entergy Mississippi expect to proceed to close such acquisitions in 2012.
The DOJ press release stated that the civil investigation concerning certain generation procurement, dispatch, and transmission system practices and policies of the Utility operating companies would remain open. However, the release noted the intention of each of Entergy’s Utility operating companies to join the Midwest Independent Transmission Operator (MISO) and Entergy’s agreement with ITC Holdings Corp. (ITC) to spin off and merge Entergy’s transmission business with ITC. The release stated that if Entergy follows through on these matters, the DOJ’s concerns will be resolved. The release further stated that the DOJ will monitor developments, and in the event that Entergy does not make meaningful progress, the DOJ can and will take appropriate enforcement action, if warranted.
Entergy’s Proposal to Join MISO
As previously reported, each of Entergy’s six Utility operating companies has filed an application with its retail rate regulators with respect to their proposal to join MISO. On November 15, 2012, the Council of the City of New Orleans (Council) issued a resolution concerning the application of Entergy New Orleans, Inc. (Entergy New Orleans) and Entergy Louisiana, LLC (Entergy Louisiana) and the Mississippi Public Service Commission (MPSC) issued an order concerning the application of Entergy Mississippi, Inc.
In the resolution issued by the Council, the Council approved a settlement agreement agreed to by Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Louisiana, MISO, and the advisors to the Council related to joining MISO and found that it is in the public interest for Entergy New Orleans and Entergy Louisiana to join MISO, subject to certain conditions.
In the order of the MPSC, the MPSC approved a joint stipulation filed by Entergy Mississippi and the Mississippi Public Utilities Staff, concluding that Entergy Mississippi’s proposed transfer of functional control of its transmission facilities is in the public interest, subject to certain conditions.
With these actions, Entergy’s utility operating companies have obtained all of the retail regulatory approvals sought by them to move forward with their plan to join MISO.