The Lens (https://thelensnola.org/tag/entergy-new-orleans/page/2/)
The vote on a settlement with company automatically cancels proposed resolutions to repeal the City Council’s March 2018 power plant approval. Plant opponents criticized council members for taking contributions from the company.
In an ongoing lawsuit, plant opponents say a 2015 council resolution shows that the approval of a new plant may have been predetermined. But City Council utility advisers say opponents are misinterpreting the resolution.
A resolution to repeal the City Council’s approval of a $210 million Entergy power plant in eastern New Orleans will be withdrawn. A new resolution will impose a $5 million fine and require cost protections, maintenance requirements.
Lawyers for groups opposed to the plant say the company botched an application for a state permit renewal. State agency should not grant it, they argue.
The council approved the controversial $211 million gas plant in a 6-1 vote last year. But three council members have concluded that an “astroturfing” scandal, uncovered by The Lens, disrupted the process. They’re offering a resolution to repeal the vote.
As City Council considers $5 million fine over paid actor scandal, council members receive letters from charitable groups supported by Entergy.
Two councilmembers indicated that they are open to revoting on Entergy’s proposal for a new power plant in eastern New Orleans.
“If Hawthorn can get more people I will pay,” Charles Rice wrote in October 2017, weeks before a utility committee meeting.
