Terrytown resident Elizabeth Foltz lost power nearly 8 times this year and up to 18 times the previous year.
She said it’s an issue her family has dealt with since moving to Jefferson Parish in 2020. The outages can come on a perfect, sunny day and last anywhere from 10 minutes to eight hours.
It’s now become a financial burden for her and her neighbors.
“You have people that have had to replace groceries, you have people that have had to replace expensive appliances, and it’s just very concerning,” Foltz said.
Earlier this month, Entergy completed an infrastructure walkthrough with Jefferson Parish Councilman Tim Kerner and Commissioner Lewis, identifying key issues including vegetation, need for new transformers, and low-hanging lines.
District 3 Public Service Commissioner Devante Lewis said he’s worked closely with the Jefferson Parish government to develop a plan with Entergy that will soon bring relief to Terrytown residents.
Part of that plan includes a discussion, set to happen this week, about funding for Entergy to remove vegetation that is impacting electrical infrastructure.
“Part of our requirement is that this is going to target areas where we see frequent power outages, so I made very clear to Entergy that if I do approve this vegetation management program, Terrytown has to be, if not the first, one of the first,” Lewis said.
As local leaders and Entergy officials continue to create a plan, neighbors say they have yet to see the difference.
“It does take time. Electric infrastructure, unfortunately, costs a lot its not as easy to replace or fix,” Lewis said.
READ MORE:Terrytown residents desperate for change following more power outages
