NEW ORLEANS, Feb. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Entergy Corporation employees and advocates for low-income residents are heading to Washington, D.C., as part of a national campaign to urge Congress to provide more funding to help low-income families and the elderly and disabled offset high energy costs through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

On Feb. 11, more than 150 representatives of nonprofit groups and utilities from across the country will be on Capitol Hill as part of the National Fuel Funds Network's Washington Action Day for LIHEAP. Entergy employees are participating in the event as part of their commitment to help low-income customers. LIHEAP is the primary tool to help working-poor families, especially those with preschoolers, elderly or disabled residents struggling to pay energy costs.

"Economic problems are pushing more and more American families into financial crisis," said Patty Riddlebarger, director of social corporate responsibility for Entergy. "We are seeing more first-time LIHEAP applicants this year, which is a strong indicator of how deep the recession is cutting. Congress needs to provide a safety net for those caught in this economic tragedy, and better LIHEAP funding is an important part of that effort.

"Entergy believes Congress should increase LIHEAP funding for fiscal year 2010 or, at the least, keep it stable at the $5.1 billion level approved for fiscal year 2009," she said. "This is no time to pull that net out from under people struggling to survive."

Kristi Hackney of Catholic Charities in Baton Rouge agreed the need for LIHEAP is growing.

"The level of desperation in the voices of people seeking help is much higher this year," Hackney said. "I think it's directly related to the increased number of people looking for help for the first time in their lives. They've never been in this situation before and they are scared. They want and need help."

LIHEAP funding for FY 2009 was the first time in the program's history that it reached authorized levels. Texas’ share was $169 million, up from $50 million in FY2008. Louisiana received $61.5 million compared to $19.7 million in FY2008. Mississippi was given $42.6 million compared to $16.5 million in FY2008. Arkansas was allotted $39.7 million versus the FY2008 appropriation of $14.7 million.

"Even though funding is at record levels, LIHEAP still reaches only about one in four American households eligible to receive it. I'm afraid demand is only going to continue rising," Riddlebarger said.

"By sustaining LIHEAP funding at $5.1 billion, or by adding to funding, Congress can ensure states like Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas at last receive their fair share of LIHEAP funding," she said.

Entergy Corporation is an integrated energy company engaged primarily in electric power production and retail distribution operations. Entergy owns and operates power plants with approximately 30,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity, and it is the second-largest nuclear generator in the United States. Entergy delivers electricity to 2.7 million utility customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Entergy has annual revenues of more than $13 billion and approximately 14,300 employees.

For more information about Entergy, visit entergy.com.

Entergy Corporation

Entergy Corporation

Entergy is a Fortune 500 company that powers life for 3 million customers through our operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. We’re investing in the reliability and resilience of the energy system while helping our region transition to cleaner, more efficient energy solutions. With roots in our communities for more than 100 years, Entergy is a nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship. Since 2018, we have delivered more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to local communities through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has approximately 12,000 employees. Learn more at entergy.com and follow @Entergy on social media. #WePowerLife

Corporate Social Responsibility at Entergy

For more than 100 years, Entergy has powered life in our communities through strategic philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy’s corporate social responsibility initiatives help create and sustain thriving communities, position the company for sustainable growth and are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Our top CSR priorities are education/workforce development, poverty solutions/social services and environmental programs. Entergy annually contributes $16-$18 million in shareholder-funded grants to approximately 2,000 nonprofit organizations in the communities where we operate. In addition, our employees volunteer more than 100,000 hours in those communities' values at more than $3 million.

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