Entergy Arkansas is proposing to build a natural gas-fired power generation facility adjacent to its White Bluff plant, which is due to stop burning coal in 2028.
Entergy sent out a letter, dated July 7, to “community and government” leaders inviting them to a “virtual open house” to “review information regarding the potential construction of a proposed new power generation facility by Entergy Arkansas, LLC (EAL) called Jefferson Power Station (JPS),” stated the letter. “The proposed JPS resource would replace the existing White Bluff facility (located south of Redfield) at the end of coal operations.”
The letter was signed by Thomas Aureli, regulatory project coordinator.
The new power station is expected to generate 754 megawatts of electricity and be designed “in a way that supports customers’ sustainability goals and our path toward decarbonization,” according to an online site referenced in the letter.
The site said some 700 to 800 jobs would be created during the peak construction phase, with a much smaller worker demand once the facility is up and running.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
“During the operational life of the resource, we anticipate employing at least 22 full-time employees to operate the facility and procuring outside services for project site maintenance such as land management and vegetation control, which is expected to have a local impact,” according to the site. “Local businesses such as restaurants, stores and hotels could also benefit indirectly from the infusion of construction workers and activity during the construction portion of the project. Entergy Arkansas also will continue to support the local community through the payment of property taxes as well as through financial contributions to local non-profit organizations and employee volunteering in the community.”
The utility stated that it will ask the state Public Service Commission for a CECPN or Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need and will seek approval from other state and federal agencies.
“The Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment – Division of Environmental Quality (ADEQ), as well as other federal and state agencies, requires Entergy Arkansas to file for approval of various permits for construction of the proposed facility, stated the online site. “Entergy Arkansas will apply for all necessary certifications and permits for the proposed facility.”
Entergy said it hoped to start construction on the project in the second quarter of 2026 and be completed in 2029. No dollar figures were listed online for what the cost would be for building the new power plant.
The planned footprint of the proposed project includes about 45 acres located adjacent to the White Bluff facility “and has been configured to mitigate impacts to natural and human resources as well as other obstacles or constraints,” stated the site. During the construction process, Entergy Arkansas plans to use about 100 acres of the existing site.
“All final decisions regarding new facilities will be made only after considering public input,” stated the site. “Feedback from our customers, area residents and community leaders is essential in developing an effective and efficient project plan. Entergy Arkansas welcomes any comments that you may have.”
The project area will use property owned by Entergy Arkansas, adjacent to the White Bluff plant.
“The property would be developed and repurposed to house the infrastructure necessary for Jefferson Power Station,” stated the site. “Existing access points and current infrastructure would be used to the extent possible, which are anticipated to reduce the overall cost of the plant.”
No additional right-of-way will be needed for the transmission of the electricity created by the power station.
“The White Bluff 500kV substation would be altered to allow a new point of interconnection for the Jefferson Power Station 500kV gen-tie line within the boundary of Entergy Arkansas properties and facilities,” stated the site.
As for environmental impact, information on the utility’s site said the power station would “include modern emissions control systems and will operate within the ADEQ permit limits” and that there would be no impact on the nearby Arkansas River.
Public officials could not be reached on Sunday, but the development of a replacement for the White Bluff plant would likely come as a relief for Jefferson County and the White Hall School District, where White Bluff is located. The district has reaped millions of dollars in tax proceeds from the plant, which has been in operation for close to about 45 years and produces some 1,659 MW of electricity.
The utility was successfully sued years ago by environmental groups over the pollution created by some of its power generation plants, one of which was White Bluff. The lawsuit led to a consent decree between the groups dictating that Entergy stop burning coal at the plant.
