Entergy Corporation (NYSE:ETR) Q4 2022 Earnings Call Transcript

Constantine Lednev: And just as a follow up. Does the kind of information, does this kind of set you up for a better position for any kind of settlement discussions just given the fact that some of these issues are starting to get off the table?

Rod West: Well, I’ll — This is Rod again. I can respond there to the extent that we are progressing with FERC being clear about its intentions. It does set up a clear path to settlement. And I think what’s upcoming and outstanding that being FERC having an opportunity to clarify its prior decision in December as well as addressing any of the issues upon which the rehearing is being requested. Again, it further clarifies those outstanding issues that may be standing in the way of settlement. Our position is settlements in the best interest of our customers and other stakeholders, and we will remain aggressive in pursuing that. But it’s in FERC’s corner right now to clarify their end of 2022 decision that I think will guide our next steps on settlement.

Drew Marsh: And I’ll just add that — this is Drew. Whenever we were back in December, we did have conversations going whenever the FERC did decide that they were going to put an order out. It halted those conversations to see what those orders were. And so, pending that information and clarity around that as Rod said, we would hope to be able to get back to the table with them.

Constantine Lednev: That’s very helpful. Thank you for taking the questions. I’ll jump back in the queue.

Drew Marsh: Great. Thanks.

Operator: Thank you. One moment for our next question. And our next question comes from the line of Paul Zimbardo from Bank of America. Your question, please.

Paul Zimbardo: Hi. Good morning. Thank you, all.

Drew Marsh: Good morning.

Rod West: Hey, good morning.

Paul Zimbardo: Just a couple of smaller ones. Just on the — you put on your slide that pension is less of an O&M drag year-over-year in 2023. Just — if you could quantify that, and also how much was the pension contribution that you made last year in 2022?

Kimberly Fontan: Paul, this is Kimberly. I may need to get back with you on the specific numbers, but in general, our pension expense is down as you noted as the funded status has increased about $500 million to about 85%. We did increase the contribution at the end of the year, but I’ll have Bill follow up with the specific number on that. Our pension liability came down due to the increase in interest rates, which, of course, is reflected in the discount rate for that liability, but that was offset by lower than expected returns on the asset side of our investments. But on a net basis, we are in a better funded status position at the end of the year.

Drew Marsh: Yeah. The liability was helped by a number of retirements along with interest rates. I think the number for the contribution was around $400 million in that ballpark, Paul, but Bill can give you the exact number.

Paul Zimbardo: Okay.

Drew Marsh: And it’s going to be in the K.

Paul Zimbardo: Okay. Great. And then also, I noticed there was a $33 million depreciation adjustment for SERI you had in your earnings release. If you could just give some information on what that related to.