News Summary
Delta Utilities has completed its acquisition of Entergy’s regulated natural gas operations for $484 million, impacting over 200,000 customers in New Orleans and East Baton Rouge Parish. The deal ensures continuous service without any interruptions as Delta Utilities maintains current rates and expands its workforce. This acquisition positions Delta Utilities as the largest regulated natural gas provider in Louisiana, promising enhanced service coverage and economic growth in the Gulf South region.
New Orleans – Delta Utilities has officially completed its acquisition of Entergy’s regulated natural gas operations for a total value of $484 million. This acquisition affects approximately 109,000 customers in New Orleans and around 96,000 customers in East Baton Rouge Parish. The deal is effective immediately, ensuring no interruption in gas services for customers in these areas.
As part of the acquisition process, Delta Utilities will maintain current rates for customers after the transition. Customers can expect to receive detailed instructions for setting up online accounts and managing their billing with their first bill issued under Delta Utilities. In an effort to ensure seamless service continuity, Delta Utilities has also committed to maintaining safe and reliable natural gas service throughout the entire transition period.
Nearly 200 employees from Entergy’s gas operations have seamlessly transitioned to Delta Utilities, registering a 100% acceptance rate of job offers during this acquisition. Additionally, Delta Utilities has created 100 new corporate jobs to support the expanded operations following the acquisition. This move aligns with the company’s strategy to enhance its service coverage across Louisiana and Mississippi, now reaching approximately 600,000 natural gas customers.
Delta Utilities, which operates an extensive network of around 18,000 miles of pipeline across 37 parishes in Louisiana and 35 counties in Mississippi, is backed by Bernhard Capital Partners. With this acquisition, Delta Utilities has emerged as the largest regulated natural gas utility in Louisiana, signaling a significant shift in the natural gas landscape of the region.
The acquisition has been viewed as a substantial investment in the Gulf South, expected to create new opportunities for economic growth in the area. Customers of Delta Utilities will find various options available to manage their accounts, including services like Auto-Pay, Levelized Billing, and Paperless Billing, all of which will be explained in further detail with their initial billing statements.
Following the sale of its natural gas division, Entergy plans to redirect its focus primarily to electric operations, allowing Delta Utilities to spearhead natural gas services in Louisiana’s competitive market. The deal is believed to foster stronger and more resilient communities in the Gulf South region.
In light of the acquisition, Delta Utilities has secured the largest new Class A lease downtown in New Orleans over the past five years for its new corporate headquarters. This consolidation of resources and operations is expected to bolster the company’s ability to serve its expanding customer base effectively while contributing to local economic development.
As Delta Utilities embarks on this new venture, customers can look forward to continued service excellence while enjoying the benefits that come with a larger and more efficient natural gas provider.
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