I have read two articles about Entergy’s proposed new electric power generating plant. Nowhere have I read how the new system is to be fueled. Are they proposing coal, natural gas, bunker oil?

Entergy Louisiana wants to build a 994-megawatt combined-cycle gas turbine plant, called the Lake Charles Power Station, in Westlake to meet the area’s increasing demand for electrical power, chiefly among industrial customers.

Combined-cycle gas turbine plants use natural gas and steam to produce electricity via spinning turbines and heat-recovery units.

According to the application Entergy Louisiana filed with the state Public Service Commission on Nov. 2, the design of the local project incorporates two gas-powered turbines, two heat-recovery steam generators, a steam turbine generator and a cooling tower.

The plant would stand adjacent to the Nelson power plant, which is on Houston River Road, and would cost about $871.7 million.

In its application, Entergy Louisiana says the area of the state west of the Atchafalaya Basin “is a load constrained region due to concentrated loads and geographic features that limit transmission import” and that a local plant is needed to generate more power.

The application says “a large and efficient generator … would support reliability by making the region less dependent on importing power to serve load and enhancing the reactive power capability of the region.”

“LCPS is a crucial component of ELL’s long-term integrated generation and transmission resource planning and plays a significant role in maintaining reliability in the … region,” reads the application.

Entergy Louisiana President and CEO Phillip May last month told the American Press editorial board that the plant would cost customers about $3.68 a month but could save them up to $2 billion over 30 years and would reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 40 percent.

“It’s a major investment,” May told the board. “It’s a modern, highly efficient new technology plant. It will be the most efficient power plant on our system.”

He said the project could generate as many as 700 construction jobs, 800 indirect jobs and 30 permanent jobs. The company hopes to have the plant in operation by mid-2020.

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Online: www.lpsc.louisiana.gov; www.entergy-louisiana.com.

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DirecTV, station working on deal

Will the new CBS station in Lake Charles replace Alexandria CBS on DirecTV?

Yes, said Tarvis Thompson, a spokesman for AT&T, which owns DirecTV.

“DirecTV and the new Lake Charles station are working to implement that transition,” Thompson wrote in an email. “In the meantime, customers who had received the Alexandria CBS station will continue to receive it.”

The Lake Charles CBS affiliate, which began broadcasting in mid-February, is on Channel 17. Its call letters are KSWL. The station’s office is at 129 W. Prien Lake Road.