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until the mid-20th century, electricity was mainly used for lighting. but that began to change as the means of producing, distributing and consuming electricity grew more efficient. with new electric appliances on the market, electricity became a direct competitor with natural gas, which had cornered the energy market for heating.

shaped by a legacy of growth, innovation, hardship, and disaster, entergy today forms a bedrock in the gulf coast, america’s new economic powerhouse.

the availability of dependable, affordable electricity has enabled us to envision and achieve not only a variety of modern conveniences and life-changing inventions, but also bold objectives like reducing the amount of carbon we emit into the atmosphere in the process. 

even though several lines had to be de-energized during the flood event, most customers never lost power because of the looped design of entergy’s electrical system. 

although couch died in 1941, the foundation he had established in mississippi helped position the company to meet the post-world war ii surge in electricity demand and the accelerated pace of business and industry expansion. 

a hundred years ago, arkansas businessman harvey couch was making good on his vision to electrify the south when he incorporated the mississippi power and light company, the precursor of entergy mississippi. his new venture not only brought modern electric service to the mississippi delta—the heart of the state’s agricultural economy—but also unlocked future growth opportunities in a region rich with potential.  

in november of last year, flave carpenter retired from entergy arkansas after 26 years, essentially ending the family legacy at the company.

arkansas power and light founder harvey couch made a deal in 1913 to purchase sawdust – the company’s first fuel source – to burn and power a steam-powered turbine and send power through a 20-mile transmission line to customers in malvern and arkadelphia.