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Risk Management And Fair Values (Notes)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block] RISK MANAGEMENT AND FAIR VALUES (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)
Market Risk

In the normal course of business, Entergy is exposed to a number of market risks.  Market risk is the potential loss that Entergy may incur as a result of changes in the market or fair value of a particular commodity or instrument.  All financial and commodity-related instruments, including derivatives, are subject to market risk including commodity price risk, equity price, and interest rate risk.  Entergy uses derivatives primarily to mitigate commodity price risk, particularly power price and fuel price risk.

The Utility has limited exposure to the effects of market risk because it operates primarily under cost-based rate regulation.  To the extent approved by their retail regulators, the Utility operating companies use derivative instruments to hedge the exposure to price volatility inherent in their purchased power, fuel, and gas purchased for resale costs, that are recovered from customers.

Entergy’s non-utility operations’ core business as a wholesale generator was selling energy, measured in MWh, to its customers.  The non-utility operations business entered into forward contracts with its customers and also sold energy and capacity in the day ahead or spot markets.  In addition to its forward physical power and gas contracts, the non-utility operations business used a combination of financial contracts, including swaps, collars, and options, to mitigate commodity price risk.  When the market price fell, the combination of financial contracts was expected to settle in gains that offset lower revenue from generation, which resulted in a more predictable cash flow. As a result of the completion of Entergy’s strategy to exit the merchant nuclear power business, which included the shut down and sale of all non-utility nuclear plants, the portfolio of derivative instruments held by Entergy’s non-utility operations business expired in April 2021, which was the settlement date for the last financial derivative contracts in the non-utility operations business’ portfolio.

Entergy’s exposure to market risk is determined by a number of factors, including the size, term, composition, and diversification of positions held, as well as market volatility and liquidity.  For instruments such as options, the time period during which the option may be exercised and the relationship between the current market price of the underlying instrument and the option’s contractual strike or exercise price also affects the level of market risk.  A significant factor influencing the overall level of market risk to which Entergy is exposed is its use of hedging techniques to mitigate such risk.  Hedging instruments and volumes are chosen based on ability to mitigate risk associated with future energy and capacity prices; however, other considerations are factored into hedge product and volume decisions including corporate liquidity, corporate credit ratings, counterparty credit risk, hedging costs, firm settlement risk, and product availability in the marketplace.  Entergy manages market risk by actively monitoring compliance with stated risk management policies as well as monitoring the effectiveness of its hedging policies and strategies.  Entergy’s risk management policies limit the amount of total net exposure and
rolling net exposure during the stated periods.  These policies, including related risk limits, are regularly assessed to ensure their appropriateness given Entergy’s objectives.

Derivatives

Some derivative instruments are classified as cash flow hedges due to their financial settlement provisions while others are classified as normal purchase/normal sale transactions due to their physical settlement provisions.  Normal purchase/normal sale risk management tools include power purchase and sales agreements, fuel purchase agreements, capacity contracts, and tolling agreements.  Financially-settled cash flow hedges can include natural gas and electricity swaps and options.  Entergy may enter into financially-settled swap and option contracts to manage market risk that may or may not be designated as hedging instruments.

Entergy entered into derivatives to manage natural risks inherent in its physical or financial assets or liabilities.  Electricity over-the-counter instruments and futures contracts that financially settled against day-ahead power pool prices were used to manage price exposure for the non-utility operations’ generation.

Entergy manages fuel price volatility for its Louisiana jurisdictions (Entergy Louisiana and Entergy New Orleans) and Entergy Mississippi through the purchase of natural gas swaps and options that financially settle against either the average Henry Hub Gas Daily prices or the NYMEX Henry Hub. These swaps and options are marked-to-market through fuel expense with offsetting regulatory assets or liabilities. All benefits or costs of the program are recorded in fuel costs. The notional volumes of these swaps are based on a portion of projected annual exposure to gas price volatility for electric generation at Entergy Louisiana and Entergy Mississippi and projected winter purchases for gas distribution at Entergy New Orleans. The maximum length of time over which Entergy has executed natural gas swaps and options as of December 31, 2023 is 3 months for Entergy Louisiana, 10 months for Entergy Mississippi, and 3 months for Entergy New Orleans. The total volume of natural gas swaps and options outstanding as of December 31, 2023 is 14,798,500 MMBtu for Entergy, including 1,820,000 MMBtu for Entergy Louisiana, 12,491,700 MMBtu for Entergy Mississippi, and 486,800 MMBtu for Entergy New Orleans.  Credit support for these natural gas swaps and options is covered by master agreements that do not require Entergy to provide collateral based on mark-to-market value, but do carry adequate assurance language that may lead to requests for collateral.

During the second quarter 2023, Entergy participated in the annual financial transmission rights auction process for the MISO planning year of June 1, 2023 through May 31, 2024. Financial transmission rights are derivative instruments that represent economic hedges of future congestion charges that will be incurred in serving Entergy’s customer load. They are not designated as hedging instruments. Entergy initially records financial transmission rights at their estimated fair value and subsequently adjusts the carrying value to their estimated fair value at the end of each accounting period prior to settlement. Unrealized gains or losses on financial transmission rights held by the non-utility operations are included in operating revenues. The Utility operating companies recognize regulatory liabilities or assets for unrealized gains or losses on financial transmission rights. The total volume of financial transmission rights outstanding as of December 31, 2023 is 62,809 GWh for Entergy, including 15,385 GWh for Entergy Arkansas, 26,990 GWh for Entergy Louisiana, 8,250 GWh for Entergy Mississippi, 2,478 GWh for Entergy New Orleans, and 9,611 GWh for Entergy Texas. Credit support for financial transmission rights held by the Utility operating companies is covered by cash and/or letters of credit issued by each Utility operating company as required by MISO. Credit support for financial transmission rights held by the non-utility operations business is covered by cash. No cash or letters of credit were required to be posted for financial transmission rights exposure for the non-utility operations business as of December 31, 2023 and 2022. Letters of credit posted with MISO covered the financial transmission rights exposure for Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy Texas as of December 31, 2023 and for Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, and Entergy Texas as of December 31, 2022.
The fair values of Entergy’s derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are shown in the table below. Certain investments, including those not designated as hedging instruments, are subject to master netting agreements and are presented in the balance sheet on a net basis in accordance with accounting guidance for derivatives and hedging.
InstrumentBalance Sheet LocationGross Fair Value (a)Offsetting Position (b)Net Fair Value (c) (d)
(In Millions)
2023
Assets:   
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$21$—$21
    
Liabilities:   
Natural gas swaps and optionsOther current liabilities$11 $— $11
2022
Assets:   
Natural gas swaps and optionsPrepayments and other$13$—$13
Natural gas swaps and optionsOther deferred debits and other assets$3$—$3
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$21($2)$19
Liabilities:   
Natural gas swaps and optionsOther current liabilities$25$—$25

(a)Represents the gross amounts of recognized assets/liabilities
(b)Represents the netting of fair value balances with the same counterparty
(c)Represents the net amounts of assets/liabilities presented on the Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries’ Consolidated Balance Sheets
(d)Excludes cash collateral in the amount of $8 million posted as of December 31, 2022. Also excludes letters of credit in the amount of $2 million posted as of December 31, 2023 and $3 million posted as of December 31, 2022.

As discussed above, the non-utility operations business’ portfolio of derivative instruments expired in April 2021, which was the settlement date for the last financial derivative contract in the portfolio. Prior to the expiration of the non-utility operations business’ portfolio of derivative instruments, Entergy may have effectively liquidated a cash flow hedge instrument by entering into a contract offsetting the original hedge, and then de-designating the original hedge in this situation.  Gains or losses accumulated in other comprehensive income prior to de-designation would have continued to be deferred in other comprehensive income until they were included in income as the original hedged transaction occurred. From the point of de-designation, the gains or losses on the original hedge and the offsetting contract were recorded as assets or liabilities on the balance sheet and offset as they flowed through to earnings. The non-utility operations business recognized a gain of $2 million in other comprehensive income and reclassified a gain of $40 million, before taxes of $8 million, from accumulated other comprehensive income into income, each resulting from the effect of Entergy’s derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges on the consolidated income statements for the year ended December 31, 2021.
The effects of Entergy’s derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the consolidated income statements for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 are as follows:
InstrumentIncome Statement locationAmount of gain (loss) recorded in the income statement
  (In Millions)
2023  
Natural gas swaps and optionsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale(a)($54)
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense(b)$124
   
2022  
Natural gas swaps and optionFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale(a)$74
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense(b)$176
   
2021  
Natural gas swapsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale(a)$32
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense(b)$179
Electricity swaps and options (c)Other operating revenues($2)

(a)Due to regulatory treatment, the natural gas swaps and options are marked-to-market through fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale and then such amounts are simultaneously reversed and recorded as an offsetting regulatory asset or liability.  The gains or losses recorded as fuel expenses when the swaps and options are settled are recovered or refunded through fuel cost recovery mechanisms.
(b)Due to regulatory treatment, the changes in the estimated fair value of financial transmission rights for the Utility operating companies are recorded through purchased power expense and then such amounts are simultaneously reversed and recorded as an offsetting regulatory asset or liability.  The gains or losses recorded as purchased power expense when the financial transmission rights for the Utility operating companies are settled are recovered or refunded through fuel cost recovery mechanisms.
(c)There were no gains (losses) recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income from electricity swaps and options prior to the expiration of the non-utility operations business’ portfolio of derivative instruments in April 2021.
The fair values of derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the Registrant Subsidiaries’ balance sheets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are shown in the table below. Certain investments, including those not designated as hedging instruments, are subject to master netting agreements and are presented in the balance sheet on a net basis in accordance with accounting guidance for derivatives and hedging.
InstrumentBalance Sheet LocationGross Fair Value (a)Offsetting Position (b)Net Fair Value (c) (d)Registrant
  (In Millions) 
2023   
Assets:   
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$6.0$—$6.0Entergy Arkansas
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$9.8$—$9.8Entergy Louisiana
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$1.4$—$1.4Entergy Mississippi
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$1.1$—$1.1Entergy New Orleans
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$2.7($0.3)$2.4Entergy Texas
Liabilities:
Natural gas swaps and optionsOther current liabilities$0.4$—$0.4Entergy Louisiana
Natural gas swapsOther current liabilities$10.1$—$10.1Entergy Mississippi
Natural gas swapsOther current liabilities$0.6$—$0.6Entergy New Orleans
InstrumentBalance Sheet LocationGross Fair Value (a)Offsetting Position (b)Net Fair Value (c) (d)Registrant
(In Millions)
2022  
Assets:   
Natural gas swaps and optionsPrepayments and other$13.1$—$13.1Entergy Louisiana
Natural gas swaps and optionsOther deferred debits and other assets$3.4$—$3.4Entergy Louisiana
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$10.3$—$10.3Entergy Arkansas
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$7.7($0.4)$7.3Entergy Louisiana
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$0.6$—$0.6Entergy Mississippi
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$0.8$—$0.8Entergy New Orleans
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$1.2($1.1)$0.1Entergy Texas
Liabilities:
Natural gas swapsOther current liabilities$24.0$—$24.0Entergy Mississippi
Natural gas swapsOther current liabilities$1.5$—$1.5Entergy New Orleans

(a)Represents the gross amounts of recognized assets/liabilities
(b)Represents the netting of fair value balances with the same counterparty
(c)Represents the net amounts of assets/liabilities presented on the Registrant Subsidiaries’ balance sheets
(d)As of December 31, 2023, letters of credit posted with MISO covered financial transmission rights exposure of $1.2 million for Entergy Arkansas, $0.5 million for Entergy Louisiana, $0.3 million for Entergy Mississippi, and $0.1 million for Entergy Texas. As of December 31, 2022, letters of credit posted with MISO covered financial transmission rights exposure of $0.2 million for Entergy Mississippi, $0.2 million for Entergy New Orleans, and $2.4 million for Entergy Texas.
The effects of derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the Registrant Subsidiaries’ income statements for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 are as follows:
InstrumentIncome Statement LocationAmount of gain (loss) recorded in the income statementRegistrant
  (In Millions) 
2023   
Natural gas swaps and optionsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale($8.4)(a)Entergy Louisiana
Natural gas swapsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale($42.9)(a)Entergy Mississippi
Natural gas swapsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale($3.0)(a)Entergy New Orleans
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$25.8(b)Entergy Arkansas
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$60.4(b)Entergy Louisiana
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$13.7(b)Entergy Mississippi
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$6.4(b)Entergy New Orleans
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$17.3(b)Entergy Texas
2022   
Natural gas swaps and optionsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale$21.4(a)Entergy Louisiana
Natural gas swapsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale$53.6(a)Entergy Mississippi
Natural gas swapsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale($1.2)(a)Entergy New Orleans
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$106.5(b)Entergy Arkansas
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$48.5(b)Entergy Louisiana
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$10.4(b)Entergy Mississippi
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$3.7(b)Entergy New Orleans
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$6.3(b)Entergy Texas
2021   
Natural gas swaps and optionsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale$12.6(a)Entergy Louisiana
Natural gas swapsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale$19.8(a)Entergy Mississippi
Natural gas swapsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale($0.1)(a)Entergy New Orleans
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$42.6(b)Entergy Arkansas
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$31.6(b)Entergy Louisiana
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$11.3(b)Entergy Mississippi
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$4.3(b)Entergy New Orleans
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$85.9(b)Entergy Texas

(a)Due to regulatory treatment, the natural gas swaps and options are marked-to-market through fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale and then such amounts are simultaneously reversed and
recorded as an offsetting regulatory asset or liability.  The gains or losses recorded as fuel expenses when the swaps and options are settled are recovered or refunded through fuel cost recovery mechanisms.
(b)Due to regulatory treatment, the changes in the estimated fair value of financial transmission rights for the Utility operating companies are recorded through purchased power expense and then such amounts are simultaneously reversed and recorded as an offsetting regulatory asset or liability.  The gains or losses recorded as purchased power expense when the financial transmission rights for the Utility operating companies are settled are recovered or refunded through fuel cost recovery mechanisms.

Fair Values

The estimated fair values of Entergy’s financial instruments and derivatives are determined using historical prices, bid prices, market quotes, and financial modeling.  Considerable judgment is required in developing the estimates of fair value.  Therefore, estimates are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that Entergy could realize in a current market exchange.  Gains or losses realized on financial instruments are reflected in future rates and therefore do not affect net income. Entergy considers the carrying amounts of most financial instruments classified as current assets and liabilities to be a reasonable estimate of their fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.

Accounting standards define fair value as an exit price, or the price that would be received to sell an asset or the amount that would be paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between knowledgeable market participants at the date of measurement.  Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries use assumptions or market input data that market participants would use in pricing assets or liabilities at fair value.  The inputs can be readily observable, corroborated by market data, or generally unobservable.  Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries endeavor to use the best available information to determine fair value.

Accounting standards establish a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value.  The hierarchy establishes the highest priority for unadjusted market quotes in an active market for the identical asset or liability and the lowest priority for unobservable inputs.

The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are:

Level 1 - Level 1 inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity has the ability to access at the measurement date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.  Level 1 primarily consists of individually owned common stocks, cash equivalents (temporary cash investments, securitization recovery trust account, and escrow accounts), debt instruments, and gas swaps traded on exchanges with active markets.  Cash equivalents includes all unrestricted highly liquid debt instruments with an original or remaining maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase.

Level 2 - Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are, either directly or indirectly, observable for the asset or liability at the measurement date.  Assets are valued based on prices derived by independent third parties that use inputs such as benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, and issuer spreads.  Prices are reviewed and can be challenged with the independent parties and/or overridden by Entergy if it is believed such would be more reflective of fair value.  Level 2 inputs include the following:

quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;
quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets;
inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; or
inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.
Level 2 consists primarily of individually-owned debt instruments and gas swaps and options valued using observable inputs.

Level 3 - Level 3 inputs are pricing inputs that are generally less observable or unobservable from objective sources.  These inputs are used with internally developed methodologies to produce management’s best estimate of fair value for the asset or liability.  Level 3 consists primarily of financial transmission rights.

As a result of the completion of Entergy’s strategy to exit the merchant nuclear power business, which included the shut down and sale of all non-utility nuclear plants, the portfolio of derivative instruments held by Entergy’s non-utility operations business expired in April 2021, which was the settlement date for the last financial derivative contracts in the non-utility operations business’ portfolio.

The values for power contract assets or liabilities prior to expiration in April 2021 were based on both observable inputs including public market prices and interest rates, and unobservable inputs such as implied volatilities, unit contingent discounts, expected basis differences, and credit adjusted counterparty interest rates.  They were classified as Level 3 assets and liabilities.  The valuations of these assets and liabilities were performed by the Office of Corporate Risk Oversight and the non-utility operations Accounting group.  The primary related functions of the Office of Corporate Risk Oversight included: gathering, validating, and reporting market data, providing market risk analyses and valuations in support of the non-utility operations commercial transactions, developing and administering protocols for the management of market risks, and implementing and maintaining controls around changes to market data in the energy trading and risk management system.  The Office of Corporate Risk Oversight was also responsible for managing the energy trading and risk management system, forecasting revenues, forward positions, and analysis. The non-utility operations Accounting group performed functions related to market and counterparty settlements, revenue reporting and analysis, and financial accounting. The Office of Corporate Risk Oversight reports to the Vice President and Treasurer while the non-utility operations Accounting group reports to the Chief Accounting Officer.

The amounts reflected as the fair value of electricity swaps were based on the estimated amount that the contracts were in-the-money at the balance sheet date (treated as an asset) or out-of-the-money at the balance sheet date (treated as a liability) and equaled the estimated amount receivable to or payable by Entergy if the contracts were settled at that date.  These derivative contracts included cash flow hedges that swapped fixed for floating cash flows for sales of the output from the non-utility operations business.  The fair values were based on the mark-to-market comparison between the fixed contract prices and the floating prices determined each period from quoted forward power market prices.  The differences between the fixed price in the swap contract and these market-related prices multiplied by the volume specified in the contract and discounted at the counterparties’ credit adjusted risk free rate were recorded as derivative contract assets or liabilities.  For contracts that had unit contingent terms, a further discount was applied based on the historical relationship between contract and market prices for similar contract terms.

The amounts reflected as the fair values of electricity options were valued based on a Black Scholes model and were calculated at the end of each month for accounting purposes.  Inputs to the valuation included end of day forward market prices for the period when the transactions settled, implied volatilities based on market volatilities provided by a third-party data aggregator, and U.S. Treasury rates for a risk-free return rate.  As described further below, prices and implied volatilities were reviewed and could be adjusted if it was determined that there was a better representation of fair value.

On a daily basis, the Office of Corporate Risk Oversight calculated the mark-to-market for electricity swaps and options.  The Office of Corporate Risk Oversight also validated forward market prices by comparing them to other sources of forward market prices or to settlement prices of actual market transactions.  Significant differences were analyzed and potentially adjusted based on these other sources of forward market prices or settlement prices of actual market transactions.  Implied volatilities used to value options were also validated using actual counterparty
quotes for transactions by the non-utility operations business when available and compared with other sources of market implied volatilities.  Moreover, on a quarterly basis, the Office of Corporate Risk Oversight confirmed the mark-to-market calculations and prepared price scenarios and credit downgrade scenario analysis.  The scenario analysis was communicated to senior management within Entergy.  Finally, for all proposed derivative transactions, an analysis was completed to assess the risk of adding the proposed derivative to the non-utility operations business’ portfolio.  In particular, the credit and liquidity effects were calculated for this analysis.  This analysis was communicated to senior management within Entergy.

The values of financial transmission rights are based on unobservable inputs, including estimates of congestion costs in MISO between applicable generation and load pricing nodes based on the 50th percentile of historical prices.  They are classified as Level 3 assets and liabilities.  The valuations of these assets and liabilities are performed by the Office of Corporate Risk Oversight.  The values are calculated internally and verified against the data published by MISO. Entergy’s Accounting group reviews these valuations for reasonableness, with the assistance of others within the organization with knowledge of the various inputs and assumptions used in the valuation. The Office of Corporate Risk Oversight reports to the Vice President and Treasurer.  The Accounting group reports to the Chief Accounting Officer.

The following tables set forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, Entergy’s assets and liabilities that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.  The assessment of the significance of a particular input to a fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.
2023Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$61 $— $— $61 
Decommissioning trust funds (a):
Equity securities24 — — 24 
Debt securities611 1,159 — 1,770 
Common trusts (b)3,070 
Securitization recovery trust account— — 
Storm reserve escrow accounts323 — — 323 
Financial transmission rights— — 21 21 
$1,027 $1,159 $21 $5,277 
Liabilities:
Gas hedge contracts$11 $— $— $11 
2022Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$109 $— $— $109 
Decommissioning trust funds (a):
Equity securities24 — — 24 
Debt securities534 1,122 — 1,656 
Common trusts (b)2,442 
Securitization recovery trust account13 — — 13 
Storm reserve escrow accounts402 — — 402 
Gas hedge contracts13 — 16 
Financial transmission rights— — 19 19 
$1,095 $1,125 $19 $4,681 
Liabilities:
Gas hedge contracts$25 $— $— $25 

(a)The decommissioning trust funds hold equity and fixed income securities. Equity securities are invested to approximate the returns of major market indices.  Fixed income securities are held in various governmental and corporate securities.  See Note 16 to the financial statements for additional information on the investment portfolios.
(b)Common trust funds are not publicly quoted and are valued by the fund administrators using net asset value as a practical expedient. Accordingly, these funds are not assigned a level in the fair value table. The fund administrator of these investments allows daily trading at the net asset value and trades settle at a later date.

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of changes in the net assets for the fair value of derivatives classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021:
 202320222021
Financial transmission rightsFinancial transmission rightsPower ContractsFinancial transmission rights
 
Balance as of January 1,$19 $4 $38 $9 
Total gains (losses) for the period
Included in earnings— — (2)— 
Included in other comprehensive income— — — 
Included as a regulatory liability/asset84 175 — 162 
Issuances of financial transmission rights42 16 — 12 
Settlements(124)(176)(38)(179)
Balance as of December 31,$21 $19 $— $4 

The fair values of the Level 3 financial transmission rights are based on unobservable inputs calculated internally and verified against historical pricing data published by MISO.
The following table sets forth an analysis of each of the types of unobservable inputs impacting the fair value of items classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy, and the sensitivity to changes to those inputs:
Significant Unobservable InputTransaction TypePositionChange to InputEffect on Fair Value
    
Unit contingent discountElectricity swapsSellIncrease (Decrease)Decrease (Increase)

The following table sets forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, the Registrant Subsidiaries’ assets and liabilities that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.  The assessment of the significance of a particular input to a fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.

Entergy Arkansas
2023Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$3.1 $— $— $3.1 
Decommissioning trust funds (a):
Equity securities6.4 — — 6.4 
Debt securities129.9 367.0 — 496.9 
Common trusts (b)910.7 
Financial transmission rights— — 6.0 6.0 
$139.4 $367.0 $6.0 $1,423.1 

2022Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$3.4 $— $— $3.4 
Decommissioning trust funds (a):
Equity securities4.5 — — 4.5 
Debt securities126.8 343.9 — 470.7 
Common trusts (b)724.7 
Financial transmission rights— — 10.3 10.3 
$134.7 $343.9 $10.3 $1,213.6 
Entergy Louisiana
2023Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$0.5 $— $— $0.5 
Decommissioning trust funds (a):
Equity securities14.6 — — 14.6 
Debt securities271.7 516.4 — 788.1 
Common trusts (b)1,304.7 
Storm reserve escrow account243.8 — — 243.8 
Financial transmission rights— — 9.8 9.8 
$530.6 $516.4 $9.8 $2,361.5 
Liabilities:
Gas hedge contracts$0.4 $— $— $0.4 

2022Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$6.3 $— $— $6.3 
Decommissioning trust funds (a):
Equity securities16.8 — — 16.8 
Debt securities209.4 515.7 — 725.1 
Common trusts (b)1,037.2 
Storm reserve escrow account293.4 — — 293.4 
Gas hedge contracts13.1 3.4 — 16.5 
Financial transmission rights— — 7.3 7.3 
$539.0 $519.1 $7.3 $2,102.6 

Entergy Mississippi
2023Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$6.6 $— $— $6.6 
Storm reserve escrow account0.7 — — 0.7 
Financial transmission rights— — 1.4 1.4 
$7.3 $— $1.4 $8.7 
Liabilities:
Gas hedge contracts$10.1 $— $— $10.1 
2022Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$17.0 $— $— $17.0 
Storm reserve escrow account33.5 — — 33.5 
Financial transmission rights— — 0.6 0.6 
$50.5 $— $0.6 $51.1 
Liabilities:
Gas hedge contracts$24.0 $— $— $24.0 

Entergy New Orleans
2023Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Securitization recovery trust account$2.4 $— $— $2.4 
Storm reserve escrow account78.7 — — 78.7 
Financial transmission rights— — 1.1 1.1 
$81.1 $— $1.1 $82.2 
Liabilities:
Gas hedge contracts$0.6 $— $— $0.6 

2022Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$4.4 $— $— $4.4 
Securitization recovery trust account2.2 — — 2.2 
Storm reserve escrow account75.0 — — 75.0 
Financial transmission rights— — 0.8 0.8 
$81.6 $— $0.8 $82.4 
Liabilities:
Gas hedge contracts$1.5 $— $— $1.5 

Entergy Texas
2023Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$20.5 $— $— $20.5 
Securitization recovery trust account5.2 — — 5.2 
Financial transmission rights— — 2.4 2.4 
$25.7 $— $2.4 $28.1 
2022Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$3.0 $— $— $3.0 
Securitization recovery trust account10.9 — — 10.9 
Financial transmission rights— — 0.1 0.1 
$13.9 $— $0.1 $14.0 

System Energy
2023Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Decommissioning trust funds (a):
Equity securities$2.7 $— $— $2.7 
Debt securities209.5 275.7 — 485.2 
Common trusts (b)854.4 
$212.2 $275.7 $— $1,342.3 

2022Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$2.9 $— $— $2.9 
Decommissioning trust funds (a):
Equity securities2.8 — — 2.8 
Debt securities197.5 262.2 — 459.7 
Common trusts (b)680.4 
$203.2 $262.2 $— $1,145.8 

(a)The decommissioning trust funds hold equity and fixed income securities. Equity securities are invested to approximate the returns of major market indices.  Fixed income securities are held in various governmental and corporate securities.  See Note 16 to the financial statements for additional information on the investment portfolios.
(b)Common trust funds are not publicly quoted and are valued by the fund administrators using net asset value as a practical expedient. Accordingly, these funds are not assigned a level in the fair value table. The fund administrator of these investments allows daily trading at the net asset value and trades settle at a later date.
The following table sets forth a reconciliation of changes in the net assets for the fair value of derivatives classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas
 (In Millions)
Balance as of January 1, 2023$10.3 $7.3 $0.6 $0.8 $0.1 
Issuances of financial transmission rights20.6 18.1 1.3 1.4 0.2 
Gains (losses) included as a regulatory liability/asset0.9 44.8 13.2 5.3 19.4 
Settlements(25.8)(60.4)(13.7)(6.4)(17.3)
Balance as of December 31, 2023$6.0 $9.8 $1.4 $1.1 $2.4 

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of changes in the net assets for the fair value of derivatives classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas
 (In Millions)
Balance as of January 1, 2022$2.3 $0.6 $0.3 $0.1 $0.8 
Issuances of financial transmission rights5.4 5.3 0.8 0.8 3.9 
Gains (losses) included as a regulatory liability/asset109.1 49.9 9.9 3.6 1.7 
Settlements(106.5)(48.5)(10.4)(3.7)(6.3)
Balance as of December 31, 2022$10.3 $7.3 $0.6 $0.8 $0.1 
Entergy Arkansas [Member]  
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block] RISK MANAGEMENT AND FAIR VALUES (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)
Market Risk

In the normal course of business, Entergy is exposed to a number of market risks.  Market risk is the potential loss that Entergy may incur as a result of changes in the market or fair value of a particular commodity or instrument.  All financial and commodity-related instruments, including derivatives, are subject to market risk including commodity price risk, equity price, and interest rate risk.  Entergy uses derivatives primarily to mitigate commodity price risk, particularly power price and fuel price risk.

The Utility has limited exposure to the effects of market risk because it operates primarily under cost-based rate regulation.  To the extent approved by their retail regulators, the Utility operating companies use derivative instruments to hedge the exposure to price volatility inherent in their purchased power, fuel, and gas purchased for resale costs, that are recovered from customers.

Entergy’s non-utility operations’ core business as a wholesale generator was selling energy, measured in MWh, to its customers.  The non-utility operations business entered into forward contracts with its customers and also sold energy and capacity in the day ahead or spot markets.  In addition to its forward physical power and gas contracts, the non-utility operations business used a combination of financial contracts, including swaps, collars, and options, to mitigate commodity price risk.  When the market price fell, the combination of financial contracts was expected to settle in gains that offset lower revenue from generation, which resulted in a more predictable cash flow. As a result of the completion of Entergy’s strategy to exit the merchant nuclear power business, which included the shut down and sale of all non-utility nuclear plants, the portfolio of derivative instruments held by Entergy’s non-utility operations business expired in April 2021, which was the settlement date for the last financial derivative contracts in the non-utility operations business’ portfolio.

Entergy’s exposure to market risk is determined by a number of factors, including the size, term, composition, and diversification of positions held, as well as market volatility and liquidity.  For instruments such as options, the time period during which the option may be exercised and the relationship between the current market price of the underlying instrument and the option’s contractual strike or exercise price also affects the level of market risk.  A significant factor influencing the overall level of market risk to which Entergy is exposed is its use of hedging techniques to mitigate such risk.  Hedging instruments and volumes are chosen based on ability to mitigate risk associated with future energy and capacity prices; however, other considerations are factored into hedge product and volume decisions including corporate liquidity, corporate credit ratings, counterparty credit risk, hedging costs, firm settlement risk, and product availability in the marketplace.  Entergy manages market risk by actively monitoring compliance with stated risk management policies as well as monitoring the effectiveness of its hedging policies and strategies.  Entergy’s risk management policies limit the amount of total net exposure and
rolling net exposure during the stated periods.  These policies, including related risk limits, are regularly assessed to ensure their appropriateness given Entergy’s objectives.

Derivatives

Some derivative instruments are classified as cash flow hedges due to their financial settlement provisions while others are classified as normal purchase/normal sale transactions due to their physical settlement provisions.  Normal purchase/normal sale risk management tools include power purchase and sales agreements, fuel purchase agreements, capacity contracts, and tolling agreements.  Financially-settled cash flow hedges can include natural gas and electricity swaps and options.  Entergy may enter into financially-settled swap and option contracts to manage market risk that may or may not be designated as hedging instruments.

Entergy entered into derivatives to manage natural risks inherent in its physical or financial assets or liabilities.  Electricity over-the-counter instruments and futures contracts that financially settled against day-ahead power pool prices were used to manage price exposure for the non-utility operations’ generation.

Entergy manages fuel price volatility for its Louisiana jurisdictions (Entergy Louisiana and Entergy New Orleans) and Entergy Mississippi through the purchase of natural gas swaps and options that financially settle against either the average Henry Hub Gas Daily prices or the NYMEX Henry Hub. These swaps and options are marked-to-market through fuel expense with offsetting regulatory assets or liabilities. All benefits or costs of the program are recorded in fuel costs. The notional volumes of these swaps are based on a portion of projected annual exposure to gas price volatility for electric generation at Entergy Louisiana and Entergy Mississippi and projected winter purchases for gas distribution at Entergy New Orleans. The maximum length of time over which Entergy has executed natural gas swaps and options as of December 31, 2023 is 3 months for Entergy Louisiana, 10 months for Entergy Mississippi, and 3 months for Entergy New Orleans. The total volume of natural gas swaps and options outstanding as of December 31, 2023 is 14,798,500 MMBtu for Entergy, including 1,820,000 MMBtu for Entergy Louisiana, 12,491,700 MMBtu for Entergy Mississippi, and 486,800 MMBtu for Entergy New Orleans.  Credit support for these natural gas swaps and options is covered by master agreements that do not require Entergy to provide collateral based on mark-to-market value, but do carry adequate assurance language that may lead to requests for collateral.

During the second quarter 2023, Entergy participated in the annual financial transmission rights auction process for the MISO planning year of June 1, 2023 through May 31, 2024. Financial transmission rights are derivative instruments that represent economic hedges of future congestion charges that will be incurred in serving Entergy’s customer load. They are not designated as hedging instruments. Entergy initially records financial transmission rights at their estimated fair value and subsequently adjusts the carrying value to their estimated fair value at the end of each accounting period prior to settlement. Unrealized gains or losses on financial transmission rights held by the non-utility operations are included in operating revenues. The Utility operating companies recognize regulatory liabilities or assets for unrealized gains or losses on financial transmission rights. The total volume of financial transmission rights outstanding as of December 31, 2023 is 62,809 GWh for Entergy, including 15,385 GWh for Entergy Arkansas, 26,990 GWh for Entergy Louisiana, 8,250 GWh for Entergy Mississippi, 2,478 GWh for Entergy New Orleans, and 9,611 GWh for Entergy Texas. Credit support for financial transmission rights held by the Utility operating companies is covered by cash and/or letters of credit issued by each Utility operating company as required by MISO. Credit support for financial transmission rights held by the non-utility operations business is covered by cash. No cash or letters of credit were required to be posted for financial transmission rights exposure for the non-utility operations business as of December 31, 2023 and 2022. Letters of credit posted with MISO covered the financial transmission rights exposure for Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy Texas as of December 31, 2023 and for Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, and Entergy Texas as of December 31, 2022.
The fair values of Entergy’s derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are shown in the table below. Certain investments, including those not designated as hedging instruments, are subject to master netting agreements and are presented in the balance sheet on a net basis in accordance with accounting guidance for derivatives and hedging.
InstrumentBalance Sheet LocationGross Fair Value (a)Offsetting Position (b)Net Fair Value (c) (d)
(In Millions)
2023
Assets:   
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$21$—$21
    
Liabilities:   
Natural gas swaps and optionsOther current liabilities$11 $— $11
2022
Assets:   
Natural gas swaps and optionsPrepayments and other$13$—$13
Natural gas swaps and optionsOther deferred debits and other assets$3$—$3
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$21($2)$19
Liabilities:   
Natural gas swaps and optionsOther current liabilities$25$—$25

(a)Represents the gross amounts of recognized assets/liabilities
(b)Represents the netting of fair value balances with the same counterparty
(c)Represents the net amounts of assets/liabilities presented on the Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries’ Consolidated Balance Sheets
(d)Excludes cash collateral in the amount of $8 million posted as of December 31, 2022. Also excludes letters of credit in the amount of $2 million posted as of December 31, 2023 and $3 million posted as of December 31, 2022.

As discussed above, the non-utility operations business’ portfolio of derivative instruments expired in April 2021, which was the settlement date for the last financial derivative contract in the portfolio. Prior to the expiration of the non-utility operations business’ portfolio of derivative instruments, Entergy may have effectively liquidated a cash flow hedge instrument by entering into a contract offsetting the original hedge, and then de-designating the original hedge in this situation.  Gains or losses accumulated in other comprehensive income prior to de-designation would have continued to be deferred in other comprehensive income until they were included in income as the original hedged transaction occurred. From the point of de-designation, the gains or losses on the original hedge and the offsetting contract were recorded as assets or liabilities on the balance sheet and offset as they flowed through to earnings. The non-utility operations business recognized a gain of $2 million in other comprehensive income and reclassified a gain of $40 million, before taxes of $8 million, from accumulated other comprehensive income into income, each resulting from the effect of Entergy’s derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges on the consolidated income statements for the year ended December 31, 2021.
The effects of Entergy’s derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the consolidated income statements for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 are as follows:
InstrumentIncome Statement locationAmount of gain (loss) recorded in the income statement
  (In Millions)
2023  
Natural gas swaps and optionsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale(a)($54)
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense(b)$124
   
2022  
Natural gas swaps and optionFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale(a)$74
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense(b)$176
   
2021  
Natural gas swapsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale(a)$32
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense(b)$179
Electricity swaps and options (c)Other operating revenues($2)

(a)Due to regulatory treatment, the natural gas swaps and options are marked-to-market through fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale and then such amounts are simultaneously reversed and recorded as an offsetting regulatory asset or liability.  The gains or losses recorded as fuel expenses when the swaps and options are settled are recovered or refunded through fuel cost recovery mechanisms.
(b)Due to regulatory treatment, the changes in the estimated fair value of financial transmission rights for the Utility operating companies are recorded through purchased power expense and then such amounts are simultaneously reversed and recorded as an offsetting regulatory asset or liability.  The gains or losses recorded as purchased power expense when the financial transmission rights for the Utility operating companies are settled are recovered or refunded through fuel cost recovery mechanisms.
(c)There were no gains (losses) recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income from electricity swaps and options prior to the expiration of the non-utility operations business’ portfolio of derivative instruments in April 2021.
The fair values of derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the Registrant Subsidiaries’ balance sheets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are shown in the table below. Certain investments, including those not designated as hedging instruments, are subject to master netting agreements and are presented in the balance sheet on a net basis in accordance with accounting guidance for derivatives and hedging.
InstrumentBalance Sheet LocationGross Fair Value (a)Offsetting Position (b)Net Fair Value (c) (d)Registrant
  (In Millions) 
2023   
Assets:   
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$6.0$—$6.0Entergy Arkansas
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$9.8$—$9.8Entergy Louisiana
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$1.4$—$1.4Entergy Mississippi
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$1.1$—$1.1Entergy New Orleans
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$2.7($0.3)$2.4Entergy Texas
Liabilities:
Natural gas swaps and optionsOther current liabilities$0.4$—$0.4Entergy Louisiana
Natural gas swapsOther current liabilities$10.1$—$10.1Entergy Mississippi
Natural gas swapsOther current liabilities$0.6$—$0.6Entergy New Orleans
InstrumentBalance Sheet LocationGross Fair Value (a)Offsetting Position (b)Net Fair Value (c) (d)Registrant
(In Millions)
2022  
Assets:   
Natural gas swaps and optionsPrepayments and other$13.1$—$13.1Entergy Louisiana
Natural gas swaps and optionsOther deferred debits and other assets$3.4$—$3.4Entergy Louisiana
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$10.3$—$10.3Entergy Arkansas
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$7.7($0.4)$7.3Entergy Louisiana
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$0.6$—$0.6Entergy Mississippi
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$0.8$—$0.8Entergy New Orleans
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$1.2($1.1)$0.1Entergy Texas
Liabilities:
Natural gas swapsOther current liabilities$24.0$—$24.0Entergy Mississippi
Natural gas swapsOther current liabilities$1.5$—$1.5Entergy New Orleans

(a)Represents the gross amounts of recognized assets/liabilities
(b)Represents the netting of fair value balances with the same counterparty
(c)Represents the net amounts of assets/liabilities presented on the Registrant Subsidiaries’ balance sheets
(d)As of December 31, 2023, letters of credit posted with MISO covered financial transmission rights exposure of $1.2 million for Entergy Arkansas, $0.5 million for Entergy Louisiana, $0.3 million for Entergy Mississippi, and $0.1 million for Entergy Texas. As of December 31, 2022, letters of credit posted with MISO covered financial transmission rights exposure of $0.2 million for Entergy Mississippi, $0.2 million for Entergy New Orleans, and $2.4 million for Entergy Texas.
The effects of derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the Registrant Subsidiaries’ income statements for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 are as follows:
InstrumentIncome Statement LocationAmount of gain (loss) recorded in the income statementRegistrant
  (In Millions) 
2023   
Natural gas swaps and optionsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale($8.4)(a)Entergy Louisiana
Natural gas swapsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale($42.9)(a)Entergy Mississippi
Natural gas swapsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale($3.0)(a)Entergy New Orleans
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$25.8(b)Entergy Arkansas
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$60.4(b)Entergy Louisiana
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$13.7(b)Entergy Mississippi
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$6.4(b)Entergy New Orleans
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$17.3(b)Entergy Texas
2022   
Natural gas swaps and optionsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale$21.4(a)Entergy Louisiana
Natural gas swapsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale$53.6(a)Entergy Mississippi
Natural gas swapsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale($1.2)(a)Entergy New Orleans
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$106.5(b)Entergy Arkansas
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$48.5(b)Entergy Louisiana
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$10.4(b)Entergy Mississippi
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$3.7(b)Entergy New Orleans
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$6.3(b)Entergy Texas
2021   
Natural gas swaps and optionsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale$12.6(a)Entergy Louisiana
Natural gas swapsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale$19.8(a)Entergy Mississippi
Natural gas swapsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale($0.1)(a)Entergy New Orleans
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$42.6(b)Entergy Arkansas
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$31.6(b)Entergy Louisiana
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$11.3(b)Entergy Mississippi
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$4.3(b)Entergy New Orleans
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$85.9(b)Entergy Texas

(a)Due to regulatory treatment, the natural gas swaps and options are marked-to-market through fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale and then such amounts are simultaneously reversed and
recorded as an offsetting regulatory asset or liability.  The gains or losses recorded as fuel expenses when the swaps and options are settled are recovered or refunded through fuel cost recovery mechanisms.
(b)Due to regulatory treatment, the changes in the estimated fair value of financial transmission rights for the Utility operating companies are recorded through purchased power expense and then such amounts are simultaneously reversed and recorded as an offsetting regulatory asset or liability.  The gains or losses recorded as purchased power expense when the financial transmission rights for the Utility operating companies are settled are recovered or refunded through fuel cost recovery mechanisms.

Fair Values

The estimated fair values of Entergy’s financial instruments and derivatives are determined using historical prices, bid prices, market quotes, and financial modeling.  Considerable judgment is required in developing the estimates of fair value.  Therefore, estimates are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that Entergy could realize in a current market exchange.  Gains or losses realized on financial instruments are reflected in future rates and therefore do not affect net income. Entergy considers the carrying amounts of most financial instruments classified as current assets and liabilities to be a reasonable estimate of their fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.

Accounting standards define fair value as an exit price, or the price that would be received to sell an asset or the amount that would be paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between knowledgeable market participants at the date of measurement.  Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries use assumptions or market input data that market participants would use in pricing assets or liabilities at fair value.  The inputs can be readily observable, corroborated by market data, or generally unobservable.  Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries endeavor to use the best available information to determine fair value.

Accounting standards establish a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value.  The hierarchy establishes the highest priority for unadjusted market quotes in an active market for the identical asset or liability and the lowest priority for unobservable inputs.

The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are:

Level 1 - Level 1 inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity has the ability to access at the measurement date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.  Level 1 primarily consists of individually owned common stocks, cash equivalents (temporary cash investments, securitization recovery trust account, and escrow accounts), debt instruments, and gas swaps traded on exchanges with active markets.  Cash equivalents includes all unrestricted highly liquid debt instruments with an original or remaining maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase.

Level 2 - Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are, either directly or indirectly, observable for the asset or liability at the measurement date.  Assets are valued based on prices derived by independent third parties that use inputs such as benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, and issuer spreads.  Prices are reviewed and can be challenged with the independent parties and/or overridden by Entergy if it is believed such would be more reflective of fair value.  Level 2 inputs include the following:

quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;
quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets;
inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; or
inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.
Level 2 consists primarily of individually-owned debt instruments and gas swaps and options valued using observable inputs.

Level 3 - Level 3 inputs are pricing inputs that are generally less observable or unobservable from objective sources.  These inputs are used with internally developed methodologies to produce management’s best estimate of fair value for the asset or liability.  Level 3 consists primarily of financial transmission rights.

As a result of the completion of Entergy’s strategy to exit the merchant nuclear power business, which included the shut down and sale of all non-utility nuclear plants, the portfolio of derivative instruments held by Entergy’s non-utility operations business expired in April 2021, which was the settlement date for the last financial derivative contracts in the non-utility operations business’ portfolio.

The values for power contract assets or liabilities prior to expiration in April 2021 were based on both observable inputs including public market prices and interest rates, and unobservable inputs such as implied volatilities, unit contingent discounts, expected basis differences, and credit adjusted counterparty interest rates.  They were classified as Level 3 assets and liabilities.  The valuations of these assets and liabilities were performed by the Office of Corporate Risk Oversight and the non-utility operations Accounting group.  The primary related functions of the Office of Corporate Risk Oversight included: gathering, validating, and reporting market data, providing market risk analyses and valuations in support of the non-utility operations commercial transactions, developing and administering protocols for the management of market risks, and implementing and maintaining controls around changes to market data in the energy trading and risk management system.  The Office of Corporate Risk Oversight was also responsible for managing the energy trading and risk management system, forecasting revenues, forward positions, and analysis. The non-utility operations Accounting group performed functions related to market and counterparty settlements, revenue reporting and analysis, and financial accounting. The Office of Corporate Risk Oversight reports to the Vice President and Treasurer while the non-utility operations Accounting group reports to the Chief Accounting Officer.

The amounts reflected as the fair value of electricity swaps were based on the estimated amount that the contracts were in-the-money at the balance sheet date (treated as an asset) or out-of-the-money at the balance sheet date (treated as a liability) and equaled the estimated amount receivable to or payable by Entergy if the contracts were settled at that date.  These derivative contracts included cash flow hedges that swapped fixed for floating cash flows for sales of the output from the non-utility operations business.  The fair values were based on the mark-to-market comparison between the fixed contract prices and the floating prices determined each period from quoted forward power market prices.  The differences between the fixed price in the swap contract and these market-related prices multiplied by the volume specified in the contract and discounted at the counterparties’ credit adjusted risk free rate were recorded as derivative contract assets or liabilities.  For contracts that had unit contingent terms, a further discount was applied based on the historical relationship between contract and market prices for similar contract terms.

The amounts reflected as the fair values of electricity options were valued based on a Black Scholes model and were calculated at the end of each month for accounting purposes.  Inputs to the valuation included end of day forward market prices for the period when the transactions settled, implied volatilities based on market volatilities provided by a third-party data aggregator, and U.S. Treasury rates for a risk-free return rate.  As described further below, prices and implied volatilities were reviewed and could be adjusted if it was determined that there was a better representation of fair value.

On a daily basis, the Office of Corporate Risk Oversight calculated the mark-to-market for electricity swaps and options.  The Office of Corporate Risk Oversight also validated forward market prices by comparing them to other sources of forward market prices or to settlement prices of actual market transactions.  Significant differences were analyzed and potentially adjusted based on these other sources of forward market prices or settlement prices of actual market transactions.  Implied volatilities used to value options were also validated using actual counterparty
quotes for transactions by the non-utility operations business when available and compared with other sources of market implied volatilities.  Moreover, on a quarterly basis, the Office of Corporate Risk Oversight confirmed the mark-to-market calculations and prepared price scenarios and credit downgrade scenario analysis.  The scenario analysis was communicated to senior management within Entergy.  Finally, for all proposed derivative transactions, an analysis was completed to assess the risk of adding the proposed derivative to the non-utility operations business’ portfolio.  In particular, the credit and liquidity effects were calculated for this analysis.  This analysis was communicated to senior management within Entergy.

The values of financial transmission rights are based on unobservable inputs, including estimates of congestion costs in MISO between applicable generation and load pricing nodes based on the 50th percentile of historical prices.  They are classified as Level 3 assets and liabilities.  The valuations of these assets and liabilities are performed by the Office of Corporate Risk Oversight.  The values are calculated internally and verified against the data published by MISO. Entergy’s Accounting group reviews these valuations for reasonableness, with the assistance of others within the organization with knowledge of the various inputs and assumptions used in the valuation. The Office of Corporate Risk Oversight reports to the Vice President and Treasurer.  The Accounting group reports to the Chief Accounting Officer.

The following tables set forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, Entergy’s assets and liabilities that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.  The assessment of the significance of a particular input to a fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.
2023Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$61 $— $— $61 
Decommissioning trust funds (a):
Equity securities24 — — 24 
Debt securities611 1,159 — 1,770 
Common trusts (b)3,070 
Securitization recovery trust account— — 
Storm reserve escrow accounts323 — — 323 
Financial transmission rights— — 21 21 
$1,027 $1,159 $21 $5,277 
Liabilities:
Gas hedge contracts$11 $— $— $11 
2022Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$109 $— $— $109 
Decommissioning trust funds (a):
Equity securities24 — — 24 
Debt securities534 1,122 — 1,656 
Common trusts (b)2,442 
Securitization recovery trust account13 — — 13 
Storm reserve escrow accounts402 — — 402 
Gas hedge contracts13 — 16 
Financial transmission rights— — 19 19 
$1,095 $1,125 $19 $4,681 
Liabilities:
Gas hedge contracts$25 $— $— $25 

(a)The decommissioning trust funds hold equity and fixed income securities. Equity securities are invested to approximate the returns of major market indices.  Fixed income securities are held in various governmental and corporate securities.  See Note 16 to the financial statements for additional information on the investment portfolios.
(b)Common trust funds are not publicly quoted and are valued by the fund administrators using net asset value as a practical expedient. Accordingly, these funds are not assigned a level in the fair value table. The fund administrator of these investments allows daily trading at the net asset value and trades settle at a later date.

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of changes in the net assets for the fair value of derivatives classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021:
 202320222021
Financial transmission rightsFinancial transmission rightsPower ContractsFinancial transmission rights
 
Balance as of January 1,$19 $4 $38 $9 
Total gains (losses) for the period
Included in earnings— — (2)— 
Included in other comprehensive income— — — 
Included as a regulatory liability/asset84 175 — 162 
Issuances of financial transmission rights42 16 — 12 
Settlements(124)(176)(38)(179)
Balance as of December 31,$21 $19 $— $4 

The fair values of the Level 3 financial transmission rights are based on unobservable inputs calculated internally and verified against historical pricing data published by MISO.
The following table sets forth an analysis of each of the types of unobservable inputs impacting the fair value of items classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy, and the sensitivity to changes to those inputs:
Significant Unobservable InputTransaction TypePositionChange to InputEffect on Fair Value
    
Unit contingent discountElectricity swapsSellIncrease (Decrease)Decrease (Increase)

The following table sets forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, the Registrant Subsidiaries’ assets and liabilities that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.  The assessment of the significance of a particular input to a fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.

Entergy Arkansas
2023Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$3.1 $— $— $3.1 
Decommissioning trust funds (a):
Equity securities6.4 — — 6.4 
Debt securities129.9 367.0 — 496.9 
Common trusts (b)910.7 
Financial transmission rights— — 6.0 6.0 
$139.4 $367.0 $6.0 $1,423.1 

2022Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$3.4 $— $— $3.4 
Decommissioning trust funds (a):
Equity securities4.5 — — 4.5 
Debt securities126.8 343.9 — 470.7 
Common trusts (b)724.7 
Financial transmission rights— — 10.3 10.3 
$134.7 $343.9 $10.3 $1,213.6 
Entergy Louisiana
2023Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$0.5 $— $— $0.5 
Decommissioning trust funds (a):
Equity securities14.6 — — 14.6 
Debt securities271.7 516.4 — 788.1 
Common trusts (b)1,304.7 
Storm reserve escrow account243.8 — — 243.8 
Financial transmission rights— — 9.8 9.8 
$530.6 $516.4 $9.8 $2,361.5 
Liabilities:
Gas hedge contracts$0.4 $— $— $0.4 

2022Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$6.3 $— $— $6.3 
Decommissioning trust funds (a):
Equity securities16.8 — — 16.8 
Debt securities209.4 515.7 — 725.1 
Common trusts (b)1,037.2 
Storm reserve escrow account293.4 — — 293.4 
Gas hedge contracts13.1 3.4 — 16.5 
Financial transmission rights— — 7.3 7.3 
$539.0 $519.1 $7.3 $2,102.6 

Entergy Mississippi
2023Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$6.6 $— $— $6.6 
Storm reserve escrow account0.7 — — 0.7 
Financial transmission rights— — 1.4 1.4 
$7.3 $— $1.4 $8.7 
Liabilities:
Gas hedge contracts$10.1 $— $— $10.1 
2022Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$17.0 $— $— $17.0 
Storm reserve escrow account33.5 — — 33.5 
Financial transmission rights— — 0.6 0.6 
$50.5 $— $0.6 $51.1 
Liabilities:
Gas hedge contracts$24.0 $— $— $24.0 

Entergy New Orleans
2023Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Securitization recovery trust account$2.4 $— $— $2.4 
Storm reserve escrow account78.7 — — 78.7 
Financial transmission rights— — 1.1 1.1 
$81.1 $— $1.1 $82.2 
Liabilities:
Gas hedge contracts$0.6 $— $— $0.6 

2022Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$4.4 $— $— $4.4 
Securitization recovery trust account2.2 — — 2.2 
Storm reserve escrow account75.0 — — 75.0 
Financial transmission rights— — 0.8 0.8 
$81.6 $— $0.8 $82.4 
Liabilities:
Gas hedge contracts$1.5 $— $— $1.5 

Entergy Texas
2023Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$20.5 $— $— $20.5 
Securitization recovery trust account5.2 — — 5.2 
Financial transmission rights— — 2.4 2.4 
$25.7 $— $2.4 $28.1 
2022Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$3.0 $— $— $3.0 
Securitization recovery trust account10.9 — — 10.9 
Financial transmission rights— — 0.1 0.1 
$13.9 $— $0.1 $14.0 

System Energy
2023Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Decommissioning trust funds (a):
Equity securities$2.7 $— $— $2.7 
Debt securities209.5 275.7 — 485.2 
Common trusts (b)854.4 
$212.2 $275.7 $— $1,342.3 

2022Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$2.9 $— $— $2.9 
Decommissioning trust funds (a):
Equity securities2.8 — — 2.8 
Debt securities197.5 262.2 — 459.7 
Common trusts (b)680.4 
$203.2 $262.2 $— $1,145.8 

(a)The decommissioning trust funds hold equity and fixed income securities. Equity securities are invested to approximate the returns of major market indices.  Fixed income securities are held in various governmental and corporate securities.  See Note 16 to the financial statements for additional information on the investment portfolios.
(b)Common trust funds are not publicly quoted and are valued by the fund administrators using net asset value as a practical expedient. Accordingly, these funds are not assigned a level in the fair value table. The fund administrator of these investments allows daily trading at the net asset value and trades settle at a later date.
The following table sets forth a reconciliation of changes in the net assets for the fair value of derivatives classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas
 (In Millions)
Balance as of January 1, 2023$10.3 $7.3 $0.6 $0.8 $0.1 
Issuances of financial transmission rights20.6 18.1 1.3 1.4 0.2 
Gains (losses) included as a regulatory liability/asset0.9 44.8 13.2 5.3 19.4 
Settlements(25.8)(60.4)(13.7)(6.4)(17.3)
Balance as of December 31, 2023$6.0 $9.8 $1.4 $1.1 $2.4 

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of changes in the net assets for the fair value of derivatives classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas
 (In Millions)
Balance as of January 1, 2022$2.3 $0.6 $0.3 $0.1 $0.8 
Issuances of financial transmission rights5.4 5.3 0.8 0.8 3.9 
Gains (losses) included as a regulatory liability/asset109.1 49.9 9.9 3.6 1.7 
Settlements(106.5)(48.5)(10.4)(3.7)(6.3)
Balance as of December 31, 2022$10.3 $7.3 $0.6 $0.8 $0.1 
Entergy Louisiana [Member]  
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block] RISK MANAGEMENT AND FAIR VALUES (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)
Market Risk

In the normal course of business, Entergy is exposed to a number of market risks.  Market risk is the potential loss that Entergy may incur as a result of changes in the market or fair value of a particular commodity or instrument.  All financial and commodity-related instruments, including derivatives, are subject to market risk including commodity price risk, equity price, and interest rate risk.  Entergy uses derivatives primarily to mitigate commodity price risk, particularly power price and fuel price risk.

The Utility has limited exposure to the effects of market risk because it operates primarily under cost-based rate regulation.  To the extent approved by their retail regulators, the Utility operating companies use derivative instruments to hedge the exposure to price volatility inherent in their purchased power, fuel, and gas purchased for resale costs, that are recovered from customers.

Entergy’s non-utility operations’ core business as a wholesale generator was selling energy, measured in MWh, to its customers.  The non-utility operations business entered into forward contracts with its customers and also sold energy and capacity in the day ahead or spot markets.  In addition to its forward physical power and gas contracts, the non-utility operations business used a combination of financial contracts, including swaps, collars, and options, to mitigate commodity price risk.  When the market price fell, the combination of financial contracts was expected to settle in gains that offset lower revenue from generation, which resulted in a more predictable cash flow. As a result of the completion of Entergy’s strategy to exit the merchant nuclear power business, which included the shut down and sale of all non-utility nuclear plants, the portfolio of derivative instruments held by Entergy’s non-utility operations business expired in April 2021, which was the settlement date for the last financial derivative contracts in the non-utility operations business’ portfolio.

Entergy’s exposure to market risk is determined by a number of factors, including the size, term, composition, and diversification of positions held, as well as market volatility and liquidity.  For instruments such as options, the time period during which the option may be exercised and the relationship between the current market price of the underlying instrument and the option’s contractual strike or exercise price also affects the level of market risk.  A significant factor influencing the overall level of market risk to which Entergy is exposed is its use of hedging techniques to mitigate such risk.  Hedging instruments and volumes are chosen based on ability to mitigate risk associated with future energy and capacity prices; however, other considerations are factored into hedge product and volume decisions including corporate liquidity, corporate credit ratings, counterparty credit risk, hedging costs, firm settlement risk, and product availability in the marketplace.  Entergy manages market risk by actively monitoring compliance with stated risk management policies as well as monitoring the effectiveness of its hedging policies and strategies.  Entergy’s risk management policies limit the amount of total net exposure and
rolling net exposure during the stated periods.  These policies, including related risk limits, are regularly assessed to ensure their appropriateness given Entergy’s objectives.

Derivatives

Some derivative instruments are classified as cash flow hedges due to their financial settlement provisions while others are classified as normal purchase/normal sale transactions due to their physical settlement provisions.  Normal purchase/normal sale risk management tools include power purchase and sales agreements, fuel purchase agreements, capacity contracts, and tolling agreements.  Financially-settled cash flow hedges can include natural gas and electricity swaps and options.  Entergy may enter into financially-settled swap and option contracts to manage market risk that may or may not be designated as hedging instruments.

Entergy entered into derivatives to manage natural risks inherent in its physical or financial assets or liabilities.  Electricity over-the-counter instruments and futures contracts that financially settled against day-ahead power pool prices were used to manage price exposure for the non-utility operations’ generation.

Entergy manages fuel price volatility for its Louisiana jurisdictions (Entergy Louisiana and Entergy New Orleans) and Entergy Mississippi through the purchase of natural gas swaps and options that financially settle against either the average Henry Hub Gas Daily prices or the NYMEX Henry Hub. These swaps and options are marked-to-market through fuel expense with offsetting regulatory assets or liabilities. All benefits or costs of the program are recorded in fuel costs. The notional volumes of these swaps are based on a portion of projected annual exposure to gas price volatility for electric generation at Entergy Louisiana and Entergy Mississippi and projected winter purchases for gas distribution at Entergy New Orleans. The maximum length of time over which Entergy has executed natural gas swaps and options as of December 31, 2023 is 3 months for Entergy Louisiana, 10 months for Entergy Mississippi, and 3 months for Entergy New Orleans. The total volume of natural gas swaps and options outstanding as of December 31, 2023 is 14,798,500 MMBtu for Entergy, including 1,820,000 MMBtu for Entergy Louisiana, 12,491,700 MMBtu for Entergy Mississippi, and 486,800 MMBtu for Entergy New Orleans.  Credit support for these natural gas swaps and options is covered by master agreements that do not require Entergy to provide collateral based on mark-to-market value, but do carry adequate assurance language that may lead to requests for collateral.

During the second quarter 2023, Entergy participated in the annual financial transmission rights auction process for the MISO planning year of June 1, 2023 through May 31, 2024. Financial transmission rights are derivative instruments that represent economic hedges of future congestion charges that will be incurred in serving Entergy’s customer load. They are not designated as hedging instruments. Entergy initially records financial transmission rights at their estimated fair value and subsequently adjusts the carrying value to their estimated fair value at the end of each accounting period prior to settlement. Unrealized gains or losses on financial transmission rights held by the non-utility operations are included in operating revenues. The Utility operating companies recognize regulatory liabilities or assets for unrealized gains or losses on financial transmission rights. The total volume of financial transmission rights outstanding as of December 31, 2023 is 62,809 GWh for Entergy, including 15,385 GWh for Entergy Arkansas, 26,990 GWh for Entergy Louisiana, 8,250 GWh for Entergy Mississippi, 2,478 GWh for Entergy New Orleans, and 9,611 GWh for Entergy Texas. Credit support for financial transmission rights held by the Utility operating companies is covered by cash and/or letters of credit issued by each Utility operating company as required by MISO. Credit support for financial transmission rights held by the non-utility operations business is covered by cash. No cash or letters of credit were required to be posted for financial transmission rights exposure for the non-utility operations business as of December 31, 2023 and 2022. Letters of credit posted with MISO covered the financial transmission rights exposure for Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy Texas as of December 31, 2023 and for Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, and Entergy Texas as of December 31, 2022.
The fair values of Entergy’s derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are shown in the table below. Certain investments, including those not designated as hedging instruments, are subject to master netting agreements and are presented in the balance sheet on a net basis in accordance with accounting guidance for derivatives and hedging.
InstrumentBalance Sheet LocationGross Fair Value (a)Offsetting Position (b)Net Fair Value (c) (d)
(In Millions)
2023
Assets:   
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$21$—$21
    
Liabilities:   
Natural gas swaps and optionsOther current liabilities$11 $— $11
2022
Assets:   
Natural gas swaps and optionsPrepayments and other$13$—$13
Natural gas swaps and optionsOther deferred debits and other assets$3$—$3
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$21($2)$19
Liabilities:   
Natural gas swaps and optionsOther current liabilities$25$—$25

(a)Represents the gross amounts of recognized assets/liabilities
(b)Represents the netting of fair value balances with the same counterparty
(c)Represents the net amounts of assets/liabilities presented on the Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries’ Consolidated Balance Sheets
(d)Excludes cash collateral in the amount of $8 million posted as of December 31, 2022. Also excludes letters of credit in the amount of $2 million posted as of December 31, 2023 and $3 million posted as of December 31, 2022.

As discussed above, the non-utility operations business’ portfolio of derivative instruments expired in April 2021, which was the settlement date for the last financial derivative contract in the portfolio. Prior to the expiration of the non-utility operations business’ portfolio of derivative instruments, Entergy may have effectively liquidated a cash flow hedge instrument by entering into a contract offsetting the original hedge, and then de-designating the original hedge in this situation.  Gains or losses accumulated in other comprehensive income prior to de-designation would have continued to be deferred in other comprehensive income until they were included in income as the original hedged transaction occurred. From the point of de-designation, the gains or losses on the original hedge and the offsetting contract were recorded as assets or liabilities on the balance sheet and offset as they flowed through to earnings. The non-utility operations business recognized a gain of $2 million in other comprehensive income and reclassified a gain of $40 million, before taxes of $8 million, from accumulated other comprehensive income into income, each resulting from the effect of Entergy’s derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges on the consolidated income statements for the year ended December 31, 2021.
The effects of Entergy’s derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the consolidated income statements for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 are as follows:
InstrumentIncome Statement locationAmount of gain (loss) recorded in the income statement
  (In Millions)
2023  
Natural gas swaps and optionsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale(a)($54)
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense(b)$124
   
2022  
Natural gas swaps and optionFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale(a)$74
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense(b)$176
   
2021  
Natural gas swapsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale(a)$32
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense(b)$179
Electricity swaps and options (c)Other operating revenues($2)

(a)Due to regulatory treatment, the natural gas swaps and options are marked-to-market through fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale and then such amounts are simultaneously reversed and recorded as an offsetting regulatory asset or liability.  The gains or losses recorded as fuel expenses when the swaps and options are settled are recovered or refunded through fuel cost recovery mechanisms.
(b)Due to regulatory treatment, the changes in the estimated fair value of financial transmission rights for the Utility operating companies are recorded through purchased power expense and then such amounts are simultaneously reversed and recorded as an offsetting regulatory asset or liability.  The gains or losses recorded as purchased power expense when the financial transmission rights for the Utility operating companies are settled are recovered or refunded through fuel cost recovery mechanisms.
(c)There were no gains (losses) recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income from electricity swaps and options prior to the expiration of the non-utility operations business’ portfolio of derivative instruments in April 2021.
The fair values of derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the Registrant Subsidiaries’ balance sheets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are shown in the table below. Certain investments, including those not designated as hedging instruments, are subject to master netting agreements and are presented in the balance sheet on a net basis in accordance with accounting guidance for derivatives and hedging.
InstrumentBalance Sheet LocationGross Fair Value (a)Offsetting Position (b)Net Fair Value (c) (d)Registrant
  (In Millions) 
2023   
Assets:   
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$6.0$—$6.0Entergy Arkansas
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$9.8$—$9.8Entergy Louisiana
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$1.4$—$1.4Entergy Mississippi
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$1.1$—$1.1Entergy New Orleans
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$2.7($0.3)$2.4Entergy Texas
Liabilities:
Natural gas swaps and optionsOther current liabilities$0.4$—$0.4Entergy Louisiana
Natural gas swapsOther current liabilities$10.1$—$10.1Entergy Mississippi
Natural gas swapsOther current liabilities$0.6$—$0.6Entergy New Orleans
InstrumentBalance Sheet LocationGross Fair Value (a)Offsetting Position (b)Net Fair Value (c) (d)Registrant
(In Millions)
2022  
Assets:   
Natural gas swaps and optionsPrepayments and other$13.1$—$13.1Entergy Louisiana
Natural gas swaps and optionsOther deferred debits and other assets$3.4$—$3.4Entergy Louisiana
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$10.3$—$10.3Entergy Arkansas
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$7.7($0.4)$7.3Entergy Louisiana
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$0.6$—$0.6Entergy Mississippi
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$0.8$—$0.8Entergy New Orleans
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$1.2($1.1)$0.1Entergy Texas
Liabilities:
Natural gas swapsOther current liabilities$24.0$—$24.0Entergy Mississippi
Natural gas swapsOther current liabilities$1.5$—$1.5Entergy New Orleans

(a)Represents the gross amounts of recognized assets/liabilities
(b)Represents the netting of fair value balances with the same counterparty
(c)Represents the net amounts of assets/liabilities presented on the Registrant Subsidiaries’ balance sheets
(d)As of December 31, 2023, letters of credit posted with MISO covered financial transmission rights exposure of $1.2 million for Entergy Arkansas, $0.5 million for Entergy Louisiana, $0.3 million for Entergy Mississippi, and $0.1 million for Entergy Texas. As of December 31, 2022, letters of credit posted with MISO covered financial transmission rights exposure of $0.2 million for Entergy Mississippi, $0.2 million for Entergy New Orleans, and $2.4 million for Entergy Texas.
The effects of derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the Registrant Subsidiaries’ income statements for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 are as follows:
InstrumentIncome Statement LocationAmount of gain (loss) recorded in the income statementRegistrant
  (In Millions) 
2023   
Natural gas swaps and optionsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale($8.4)(a)Entergy Louisiana
Natural gas swapsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale($42.9)(a)Entergy Mississippi
Natural gas swapsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale($3.0)(a)Entergy New Orleans
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$25.8(b)Entergy Arkansas
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$60.4(b)Entergy Louisiana
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$13.7(b)Entergy Mississippi
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$6.4(b)Entergy New Orleans
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$17.3(b)Entergy Texas
2022   
Natural gas swaps and optionsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale$21.4(a)Entergy Louisiana
Natural gas swapsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale$53.6(a)Entergy Mississippi
Natural gas swapsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale($1.2)(a)Entergy New Orleans
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$106.5(b)Entergy Arkansas
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$48.5(b)Entergy Louisiana
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$10.4(b)Entergy Mississippi
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$3.7(b)Entergy New Orleans
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$6.3(b)Entergy Texas
2021   
Natural gas swaps and optionsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale$12.6(a)Entergy Louisiana
Natural gas swapsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale$19.8(a)Entergy Mississippi
Natural gas swapsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale($0.1)(a)Entergy New Orleans
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$42.6(b)Entergy Arkansas
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$31.6(b)Entergy Louisiana
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$11.3(b)Entergy Mississippi
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$4.3(b)Entergy New Orleans
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$85.9(b)Entergy Texas

(a)Due to regulatory treatment, the natural gas swaps and options are marked-to-market through fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale and then such amounts are simultaneously reversed and
recorded as an offsetting regulatory asset or liability.  The gains or losses recorded as fuel expenses when the swaps and options are settled are recovered or refunded through fuel cost recovery mechanisms.
(b)Due to regulatory treatment, the changes in the estimated fair value of financial transmission rights for the Utility operating companies are recorded through purchased power expense and then such amounts are simultaneously reversed and recorded as an offsetting regulatory asset or liability.  The gains or losses recorded as purchased power expense when the financial transmission rights for the Utility operating companies are settled are recovered or refunded through fuel cost recovery mechanisms.

Fair Values

The estimated fair values of Entergy’s financial instruments and derivatives are determined using historical prices, bid prices, market quotes, and financial modeling.  Considerable judgment is required in developing the estimates of fair value.  Therefore, estimates are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that Entergy could realize in a current market exchange.  Gains or losses realized on financial instruments are reflected in future rates and therefore do not affect net income. Entergy considers the carrying amounts of most financial instruments classified as current assets and liabilities to be a reasonable estimate of their fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.

Accounting standards define fair value as an exit price, or the price that would be received to sell an asset or the amount that would be paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between knowledgeable market participants at the date of measurement.  Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries use assumptions or market input data that market participants would use in pricing assets or liabilities at fair value.  The inputs can be readily observable, corroborated by market data, or generally unobservable.  Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries endeavor to use the best available information to determine fair value.

Accounting standards establish a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value.  The hierarchy establishes the highest priority for unadjusted market quotes in an active market for the identical asset or liability and the lowest priority for unobservable inputs.

The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are:

Level 1 - Level 1 inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity has the ability to access at the measurement date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.  Level 1 primarily consists of individually owned common stocks, cash equivalents (temporary cash investments, securitization recovery trust account, and escrow accounts), debt instruments, and gas swaps traded on exchanges with active markets.  Cash equivalents includes all unrestricted highly liquid debt instruments with an original or remaining maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase.

Level 2 - Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are, either directly or indirectly, observable for the asset or liability at the measurement date.  Assets are valued based on prices derived by independent third parties that use inputs such as benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, and issuer spreads.  Prices are reviewed and can be challenged with the independent parties and/or overridden by Entergy if it is believed such would be more reflective of fair value.  Level 2 inputs include the following:

quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;
quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets;
inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; or
inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.
Level 2 consists primarily of individually-owned debt instruments and gas swaps and options valued using observable inputs.

Level 3 - Level 3 inputs are pricing inputs that are generally less observable or unobservable from objective sources.  These inputs are used with internally developed methodologies to produce management’s best estimate of fair value for the asset or liability.  Level 3 consists primarily of financial transmission rights.

As a result of the completion of Entergy’s strategy to exit the merchant nuclear power business, which included the shut down and sale of all non-utility nuclear plants, the portfolio of derivative instruments held by Entergy’s non-utility operations business expired in April 2021, which was the settlement date for the last financial derivative contracts in the non-utility operations business’ portfolio.

The values for power contract assets or liabilities prior to expiration in April 2021 were based on both observable inputs including public market prices and interest rates, and unobservable inputs such as implied volatilities, unit contingent discounts, expected basis differences, and credit adjusted counterparty interest rates.  They were classified as Level 3 assets and liabilities.  The valuations of these assets and liabilities were performed by the Office of Corporate Risk Oversight and the non-utility operations Accounting group.  The primary related functions of the Office of Corporate Risk Oversight included: gathering, validating, and reporting market data, providing market risk analyses and valuations in support of the non-utility operations commercial transactions, developing and administering protocols for the management of market risks, and implementing and maintaining controls around changes to market data in the energy trading and risk management system.  The Office of Corporate Risk Oversight was also responsible for managing the energy trading and risk management system, forecasting revenues, forward positions, and analysis. The non-utility operations Accounting group performed functions related to market and counterparty settlements, revenue reporting and analysis, and financial accounting. The Office of Corporate Risk Oversight reports to the Vice President and Treasurer while the non-utility operations Accounting group reports to the Chief Accounting Officer.

The amounts reflected as the fair value of electricity swaps were based on the estimated amount that the contracts were in-the-money at the balance sheet date (treated as an asset) or out-of-the-money at the balance sheet date (treated as a liability) and equaled the estimated amount receivable to or payable by Entergy if the contracts were settled at that date.  These derivative contracts included cash flow hedges that swapped fixed for floating cash flows for sales of the output from the non-utility operations business.  The fair values were based on the mark-to-market comparison between the fixed contract prices and the floating prices determined each period from quoted forward power market prices.  The differences between the fixed price in the swap contract and these market-related prices multiplied by the volume specified in the contract and discounted at the counterparties’ credit adjusted risk free rate were recorded as derivative contract assets or liabilities.  For contracts that had unit contingent terms, a further discount was applied based on the historical relationship between contract and market prices for similar contract terms.

The amounts reflected as the fair values of electricity options were valued based on a Black Scholes model and were calculated at the end of each month for accounting purposes.  Inputs to the valuation included end of day forward market prices for the period when the transactions settled, implied volatilities based on market volatilities provided by a third-party data aggregator, and U.S. Treasury rates for a risk-free return rate.  As described further below, prices and implied volatilities were reviewed and could be adjusted if it was determined that there was a better representation of fair value.

On a daily basis, the Office of Corporate Risk Oversight calculated the mark-to-market for electricity swaps and options.  The Office of Corporate Risk Oversight also validated forward market prices by comparing them to other sources of forward market prices or to settlement prices of actual market transactions.  Significant differences were analyzed and potentially adjusted based on these other sources of forward market prices or settlement prices of actual market transactions.  Implied volatilities used to value options were also validated using actual counterparty
quotes for transactions by the non-utility operations business when available and compared with other sources of market implied volatilities.  Moreover, on a quarterly basis, the Office of Corporate Risk Oversight confirmed the mark-to-market calculations and prepared price scenarios and credit downgrade scenario analysis.  The scenario analysis was communicated to senior management within Entergy.  Finally, for all proposed derivative transactions, an analysis was completed to assess the risk of adding the proposed derivative to the non-utility operations business’ portfolio.  In particular, the credit and liquidity effects were calculated for this analysis.  This analysis was communicated to senior management within Entergy.

The values of financial transmission rights are based on unobservable inputs, including estimates of congestion costs in MISO between applicable generation and load pricing nodes based on the 50th percentile of historical prices.  They are classified as Level 3 assets and liabilities.  The valuations of these assets and liabilities are performed by the Office of Corporate Risk Oversight.  The values are calculated internally and verified against the data published by MISO. Entergy’s Accounting group reviews these valuations for reasonableness, with the assistance of others within the organization with knowledge of the various inputs and assumptions used in the valuation. The Office of Corporate Risk Oversight reports to the Vice President and Treasurer.  The Accounting group reports to the Chief Accounting Officer.

The following tables set forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, Entergy’s assets and liabilities that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.  The assessment of the significance of a particular input to a fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.
2023Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$61 $— $— $61 
Decommissioning trust funds (a):
Equity securities24 — — 24 
Debt securities611 1,159 — 1,770 
Common trusts (b)3,070 
Securitization recovery trust account— — 
Storm reserve escrow accounts323 — — 323 
Financial transmission rights— — 21 21 
$1,027 $1,159 $21 $5,277 
Liabilities:
Gas hedge contracts$11 $— $— $11 
2022Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$109 $— $— $109 
Decommissioning trust funds (a):
Equity securities24 — — 24 
Debt securities534 1,122 — 1,656 
Common trusts (b)2,442 
Securitization recovery trust account13 — — 13 
Storm reserve escrow accounts402 — — 402 
Gas hedge contracts13 — 16 
Financial transmission rights— — 19 19 
$1,095 $1,125 $19 $4,681 
Liabilities:
Gas hedge contracts$25 $— $— $25 

(a)The decommissioning trust funds hold equity and fixed income securities. Equity securities are invested to approximate the returns of major market indices.  Fixed income securities are held in various governmental and corporate securities.  See Note 16 to the financial statements for additional information on the investment portfolios.
(b)Common trust funds are not publicly quoted and are valued by the fund administrators using net asset value as a practical expedient. Accordingly, these funds are not assigned a level in the fair value table. The fund administrator of these investments allows daily trading at the net asset value and trades settle at a later date.

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of changes in the net assets for the fair value of derivatives classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021:
 202320222021
Financial transmission rightsFinancial transmission rightsPower ContractsFinancial transmission rights
 
Balance as of January 1,$19 $4 $38 $9 
Total gains (losses) for the period
Included in earnings— — (2)— 
Included in other comprehensive income— — — 
Included as a regulatory liability/asset84 175 — 162 
Issuances of financial transmission rights42 16 — 12 
Settlements(124)(176)(38)(179)
Balance as of December 31,$21 $19 $— $4 

The fair values of the Level 3 financial transmission rights are based on unobservable inputs calculated internally and verified against historical pricing data published by MISO.
The following table sets forth an analysis of each of the types of unobservable inputs impacting the fair value of items classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy, and the sensitivity to changes to those inputs:
Significant Unobservable InputTransaction TypePositionChange to InputEffect on Fair Value
    
Unit contingent discountElectricity swapsSellIncrease (Decrease)Decrease (Increase)

The following table sets forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, the Registrant Subsidiaries’ assets and liabilities that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.  The assessment of the significance of a particular input to a fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.

Entergy Arkansas
2023Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$3.1 $— $— $3.1 
Decommissioning trust funds (a):
Equity securities6.4 — — 6.4 
Debt securities129.9 367.0 — 496.9 
Common trusts (b)910.7 
Financial transmission rights— — 6.0 6.0 
$139.4 $367.0 $6.0 $1,423.1 

2022Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$3.4 $— $— $3.4 
Decommissioning trust funds (a):
Equity securities4.5 — — 4.5 
Debt securities126.8 343.9 — 470.7 
Common trusts (b)724.7 
Financial transmission rights— — 10.3 10.3 
$134.7 $343.9 $10.3 $1,213.6 
Entergy Louisiana
2023Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$0.5 $— $— $0.5 
Decommissioning trust funds (a):
Equity securities14.6 — — 14.6 
Debt securities271.7 516.4 — 788.1 
Common trusts (b)1,304.7 
Storm reserve escrow account243.8 — — 243.8 
Financial transmission rights— — 9.8 9.8 
$530.6 $516.4 $9.8 $2,361.5 
Liabilities:
Gas hedge contracts$0.4 $— $— $0.4 

2022Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$6.3 $— $— $6.3 
Decommissioning trust funds (a):
Equity securities16.8 — — 16.8 
Debt securities209.4 515.7 — 725.1 
Common trusts (b)1,037.2 
Storm reserve escrow account293.4 — — 293.4 
Gas hedge contracts13.1 3.4 — 16.5 
Financial transmission rights— — 7.3 7.3 
$539.0 $519.1 $7.3 $2,102.6 

Entergy Mississippi
2023Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$6.6 $— $— $6.6 
Storm reserve escrow account0.7 — — 0.7 
Financial transmission rights— — 1.4 1.4 
$7.3 $— $1.4 $8.7 
Liabilities:
Gas hedge contracts$10.1 $— $— $10.1 
2022Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$17.0 $— $— $17.0 
Storm reserve escrow account33.5 — — 33.5 
Financial transmission rights— — 0.6 0.6 
$50.5 $— $0.6 $51.1 
Liabilities:
Gas hedge contracts$24.0 $— $— $24.0 

Entergy New Orleans
2023Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Securitization recovery trust account$2.4 $— $— $2.4 
Storm reserve escrow account78.7 — — 78.7 
Financial transmission rights— — 1.1 1.1 
$81.1 $— $1.1 $82.2 
Liabilities:
Gas hedge contracts$0.6 $— $— $0.6 

2022Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$4.4 $— $— $4.4 
Securitization recovery trust account2.2 — — 2.2 
Storm reserve escrow account75.0 — — 75.0 
Financial transmission rights— — 0.8 0.8 
$81.6 $— $0.8 $82.4 
Liabilities:
Gas hedge contracts$1.5 $— $— $1.5 

Entergy Texas
2023Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$20.5 $— $— $20.5 
Securitization recovery trust account5.2 — — 5.2 
Financial transmission rights— — 2.4 2.4 
$25.7 $— $2.4 $28.1 
2022Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$3.0 $— $— $3.0 
Securitization recovery trust account10.9 — — 10.9 
Financial transmission rights— — 0.1 0.1 
$13.9 $— $0.1 $14.0 

System Energy
2023Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Decommissioning trust funds (a):
Equity securities$2.7 $— $— $2.7 
Debt securities209.5 275.7 — 485.2 
Common trusts (b)854.4 
$212.2 $275.7 $— $1,342.3 

2022Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$2.9 $— $— $2.9 
Decommissioning trust funds (a):
Equity securities2.8 — — 2.8 
Debt securities197.5 262.2 — 459.7 
Common trusts (b)680.4 
$203.2 $262.2 $— $1,145.8 

(a)The decommissioning trust funds hold equity and fixed income securities. Equity securities are invested to approximate the returns of major market indices.  Fixed income securities are held in various governmental and corporate securities.  See Note 16 to the financial statements for additional information on the investment portfolios.
(b)Common trust funds are not publicly quoted and are valued by the fund administrators using net asset value as a practical expedient. Accordingly, these funds are not assigned a level in the fair value table. The fund administrator of these investments allows daily trading at the net asset value and trades settle at a later date.
The following table sets forth a reconciliation of changes in the net assets for the fair value of derivatives classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas
 (In Millions)
Balance as of January 1, 2023$10.3 $7.3 $0.6 $0.8 $0.1 
Issuances of financial transmission rights20.6 18.1 1.3 1.4 0.2 
Gains (losses) included as a regulatory liability/asset0.9 44.8 13.2 5.3 19.4 
Settlements(25.8)(60.4)(13.7)(6.4)(17.3)
Balance as of December 31, 2023$6.0 $9.8 $1.4 $1.1 $2.4 

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of changes in the net assets for the fair value of derivatives classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas
 (In Millions)
Balance as of January 1, 2022$2.3 $0.6 $0.3 $0.1 $0.8 
Issuances of financial transmission rights5.4 5.3 0.8 0.8 3.9 
Gains (losses) included as a regulatory liability/asset109.1 49.9 9.9 3.6 1.7 
Settlements(106.5)(48.5)(10.4)(3.7)(6.3)
Balance as of December 31, 2022$10.3 $7.3 $0.6 $0.8 $0.1 
Entergy Mississippi [Member]  
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block] RISK MANAGEMENT AND FAIR VALUES (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)
Market Risk

In the normal course of business, Entergy is exposed to a number of market risks.  Market risk is the potential loss that Entergy may incur as a result of changes in the market or fair value of a particular commodity or instrument.  All financial and commodity-related instruments, including derivatives, are subject to market risk including commodity price risk, equity price, and interest rate risk.  Entergy uses derivatives primarily to mitigate commodity price risk, particularly power price and fuel price risk.

The Utility has limited exposure to the effects of market risk because it operates primarily under cost-based rate regulation.  To the extent approved by their retail regulators, the Utility operating companies use derivative instruments to hedge the exposure to price volatility inherent in their purchased power, fuel, and gas purchased for resale costs, that are recovered from customers.

Entergy’s non-utility operations’ core business as a wholesale generator was selling energy, measured in MWh, to its customers.  The non-utility operations business entered into forward contracts with its customers and also sold energy and capacity in the day ahead or spot markets.  In addition to its forward physical power and gas contracts, the non-utility operations business used a combination of financial contracts, including swaps, collars, and options, to mitigate commodity price risk.  When the market price fell, the combination of financial contracts was expected to settle in gains that offset lower revenue from generation, which resulted in a more predictable cash flow. As a result of the completion of Entergy’s strategy to exit the merchant nuclear power business, which included the shut down and sale of all non-utility nuclear plants, the portfolio of derivative instruments held by Entergy’s non-utility operations business expired in April 2021, which was the settlement date for the last financial derivative contracts in the non-utility operations business’ portfolio.

Entergy’s exposure to market risk is determined by a number of factors, including the size, term, composition, and diversification of positions held, as well as market volatility and liquidity.  For instruments such as options, the time period during which the option may be exercised and the relationship between the current market price of the underlying instrument and the option’s contractual strike or exercise price also affects the level of market risk.  A significant factor influencing the overall level of market risk to which Entergy is exposed is its use of hedging techniques to mitigate such risk.  Hedging instruments and volumes are chosen based on ability to mitigate risk associated with future energy and capacity prices; however, other considerations are factored into hedge product and volume decisions including corporate liquidity, corporate credit ratings, counterparty credit risk, hedging costs, firm settlement risk, and product availability in the marketplace.  Entergy manages market risk by actively monitoring compliance with stated risk management policies as well as monitoring the effectiveness of its hedging policies and strategies.  Entergy’s risk management policies limit the amount of total net exposure and
rolling net exposure during the stated periods.  These policies, including related risk limits, are regularly assessed to ensure their appropriateness given Entergy’s objectives.

Derivatives

Some derivative instruments are classified as cash flow hedges due to their financial settlement provisions while others are classified as normal purchase/normal sale transactions due to their physical settlement provisions.  Normal purchase/normal sale risk management tools include power purchase and sales agreements, fuel purchase agreements, capacity contracts, and tolling agreements.  Financially-settled cash flow hedges can include natural gas and electricity swaps and options.  Entergy may enter into financially-settled swap and option contracts to manage market risk that may or may not be designated as hedging instruments.

Entergy entered into derivatives to manage natural risks inherent in its physical or financial assets or liabilities.  Electricity over-the-counter instruments and futures contracts that financially settled against day-ahead power pool prices were used to manage price exposure for the non-utility operations’ generation.

Entergy manages fuel price volatility for its Louisiana jurisdictions (Entergy Louisiana and Entergy New Orleans) and Entergy Mississippi through the purchase of natural gas swaps and options that financially settle against either the average Henry Hub Gas Daily prices or the NYMEX Henry Hub. These swaps and options are marked-to-market through fuel expense with offsetting regulatory assets or liabilities. All benefits or costs of the program are recorded in fuel costs. The notional volumes of these swaps are based on a portion of projected annual exposure to gas price volatility for electric generation at Entergy Louisiana and Entergy Mississippi and projected winter purchases for gas distribution at Entergy New Orleans. The maximum length of time over which Entergy has executed natural gas swaps and options as of December 31, 2023 is 3 months for Entergy Louisiana, 10 months for Entergy Mississippi, and 3 months for Entergy New Orleans. The total volume of natural gas swaps and options outstanding as of December 31, 2023 is 14,798,500 MMBtu for Entergy, including 1,820,000 MMBtu for Entergy Louisiana, 12,491,700 MMBtu for Entergy Mississippi, and 486,800 MMBtu for Entergy New Orleans.  Credit support for these natural gas swaps and options is covered by master agreements that do not require Entergy to provide collateral based on mark-to-market value, but do carry adequate assurance language that may lead to requests for collateral.

During the second quarter 2023, Entergy participated in the annual financial transmission rights auction process for the MISO planning year of June 1, 2023 through May 31, 2024. Financial transmission rights are derivative instruments that represent economic hedges of future congestion charges that will be incurred in serving Entergy’s customer load. They are not designated as hedging instruments. Entergy initially records financial transmission rights at their estimated fair value and subsequently adjusts the carrying value to their estimated fair value at the end of each accounting period prior to settlement. Unrealized gains or losses on financial transmission rights held by the non-utility operations are included in operating revenues. The Utility operating companies recognize regulatory liabilities or assets for unrealized gains or losses on financial transmission rights. The total volume of financial transmission rights outstanding as of December 31, 2023 is 62,809 GWh for Entergy, including 15,385 GWh for Entergy Arkansas, 26,990 GWh for Entergy Louisiana, 8,250 GWh for Entergy Mississippi, 2,478 GWh for Entergy New Orleans, and 9,611 GWh for Entergy Texas. Credit support for financial transmission rights held by the Utility operating companies is covered by cash and/or letters of credit issued by each Utility operating company as required by MISO. Credit support for financial transmission rights held by the non-utility operations business is covered by cash. No cash or letters of credit were required to be posted for financial transmission rights exposure for the non-utility operations business as of December 31, 2023 and 2022. Letters of credit posted with MISO covered the financial transmission rights exposure for Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy Texas as of December 31, 2023 and for Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, and Entergy Texas as of December 31, 2022.
The fair values of Entergy’s derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are shown in the table below. Certain investments, including those not designated as hedging instruments, are subject to master netting agreements and are presented in the balance sheet on a net basis in accordance with accounting guidance for derivatives and hedging.
InstrumentBalance Sheet LocationGross Fair Value (a)Offsetting Position (b)Net Fair Value (c) (d)
(In Millions)
2023
Assets:   
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$21$—$21
    
Liabilities:   
Natural gas swaps and optionsOther current liabilities$11 $— $11
2022
Assets:   
Natural gas swaps and optionsPrepayments and other$13$—$13
Natural gas swaps and optionsOther deferred debits and other assets$3$—$3
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$21($2)$19
Liabilities:   
Natural gas swaps and optionsOther current liabilities$25$—$25

(a)Represents the gross amounts of recognized assets/liabilities
(b)Represents the netting of fair value balances with the same counterparty
(c)Represents the net amounts of assets/liabilities presented on the Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries’ Consolidated Balance Sheets
(d)Excludes cash collateral in the amount of $8 million posted as of December 31, 2022. Also excludes letters of credit in the amount of $2 million posted as of December 31, 2023 and $3 million posted as of December 31, 2022.

As discussed above, the non-utility operations business’ portfolio of derivative instruments expired in April 2021, which was the settlement date for the last financial derivative contract in the portfolio. Prior to the expiration of the non-utility operations business’ portfolio of derivative instruments, Entergy may have effectively liquidated a cash flow hedge instrument by entering into a contract offsetting the original hedge, and then de-designating the original hedge in this situation.  Gains or losses accumulated in other comprehensive income prior to de-designation would have continued to be deferred in other comprehensive income until they were included in income as the original hedged transaction occurred. From the point of de-designation, the gains or losses on the original hedge and the offsetting contract were recorded as assets or liabilities on the balance sheet and offset as they flowed through to earnings. The non-utility operations business recognized a gain of $2 million in other comprehensive income and reclassified a gain of $40 million, before taxes of $8 million, from accumulated other comprehensive income into income, each resulting from the effect of Entergy’s derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges on the consolidated income statements for the year ended December 31, 2021.
The effects of Entergy’s derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the consolidated income statements for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 are as follows:
InstrumentIncome Statement locationAmount of gain (loss) recorded in the income statement
  (In Millions)
2023  
Natural gas swaps and optionsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale(a)($54)
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense(b)$124
   
2022  
Natural gas swaps and optionFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale(a)$74
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense(b)$176
   
2021  
Natural gas swapsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale(a)$32
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense(b)$179
Electricity swaps and options (c)Other operating revenues($2)

(a)Due to regulatory treatment, the natural gas swaps and options are marked-to-market through fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale and then such amounts are simultaneously reversed and recorded as an offsetting regulatory asset or liability.  The gains or losses recorded as fuel expenses when the swaps and options are settled are recovered or refunded through fuel cost recovery mechanisms.
(b)Due to regulatory treatment, the changes in the estimated fair value of financial transmission rights for the Utility operating companies are recorded through purchased power expense and then such amounts are simultaneously reversed and recorded as an offsetting regulatory asset or liability.  The gains or losses recorded as purchased power expense when the financial transmission rights for the Utility operating companies are settled are recovered or refunded through fuel cost recovery mechanisms.
(c)There were no gains (losses) recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income from electricity swaps and options prior to the expiration of the non-utility operations business’ portfolio of derivative instruments in April 2021.
The fair values of derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the Registrant Subsidiaries’ balance sheets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are shown in the table below. Certain investments, including those not designated as hedging instruments, are subject to master netting agreements and are presented in the balance sheet on a net basis in accordance with accounting guidance for derivatives and hedging.
InstrumentBalance Sheet LocationGross Fair Value (a)Offsetting Position (b)Net Fair Value (c) (d)Registrant
  (In Millions) 
2023   
Assets:   
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$6.0$—$6.0Entergy Arkansas
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$9.8$—$9.8Entergy Louisiana
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$1.4$—$1.4Entergy Mississippi
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$1.1$—$1.1Entergy New Orleans
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$2.7($0.3)$2.4Entergy Texas
Liabilities:
Natural gas swaps and optionsOther current liabilities$0.4$—$0.4Entergy Louisiana
Natural gas swapsOther current liabilities$10.1$—$10.1Entergy Mississippi
Natural gas swapsOther current liabilities$0.6$—$0.6Entergy New Orleans
InstrumentBalance Sheet LocationGross Fair Value (a)Offsetting Position (b)Net Fair Value (c) (d)Registrant
(In Millions)
2022  
Assets:   
Natural gas swaps and optionsPrepayments and other$13.1$—$13.1Entergy Louisiana
Natural gas swaps and optionsOther deferred debits and other assets$3.4$—$3.4Entergy Louisiana
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$10.3$—$10.3Entergy Arkansas
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$7.7($0.4)$7.3Entergy Louisiana
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$0.6$—$0.6Entergy Mississippi
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$0.8$—$0.8Entergy New Orleans
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$1.2($1.1)$0.1Entergy Texas
Liabilities:
Natural gas swapsOther current liabilities$24.0$—$24.0Entergy Mississippi
Natural gas swapsOther current liabilities$1.5$—$1.5Entergy New Orleans

(a)Represents the gross amounts of recognized assets/liabilities
(b)Represents the netting of fair value balances with the same counterparty
(c)Represents the net amounts of assets/liabilities presented on the Registrant Subsidiaries’ balance sheets
(d)As of December 31, 2023, letters of credit posted with MISO covered financial transmission rights exposure of $1.2 million for Entergy Arkansas, $0.5 million for Entergy Louisiana, $0.3 million for Entergy Mississippi, and $0.1 million for Entergy Texas. As of December 31, 2022, letters of credit posted with MISO covered financial transmission rights exposure of $0.2 million for Entergy Mississippi, $0.2 million for Entergy New Orleans, and $2.4 million for Entergy Texas.
The effects of derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the Registrant Subsidiaries’ income statements for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 are as follows:
InstrumentIncome Statement LocationAmount of gain (loss) recorded in the income statementRegistrant
  (In Millions) 
2023   
Natural gas swaps and optionsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale($8.4)(a)Entergy Louisiana
Natural gas swapsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale($42.9)(a)Entergy Mississippi
Natural gas swapsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale($3.0)(a)Entergy New Orleans
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$25.8(b)Entergy Arkansas
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$60.4(b)Entergy Louisiana
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$13.7(b)Entergy Mississippi
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$6.4(b)Entergy New Orleans
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$17.3(b)Entergy Texas
2022   
Natural gas swaps and optionsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale$21.4(a)Entergy Louisiana
Natural gas swapsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale$53.6(a)Entergy Mississippi
Natural gas swapsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale($1.2)(a)Entergy New Orleans
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$106.5(b)Entergy Arkansas
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$48.5(b)Entergy Louisiana
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$10.4(b)Entergy Mississippi
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$3.7(b)Entergy New Orleans
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$6.3(b)Entergy Texas
2021   
Natural gas swaps and optionsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale$12.6(a)Entergy Louisiana
Natural gas swapsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale$19.8(a)Entergy Mississippi
Natural gas swapsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale($0.1)(a)Entergy New Orleans
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$42.6(b)Entergy Arkansas
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$31.6(b)Entergy Louisiana
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$11.3(b)Entergy Mississippi
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$4.3(b)Entergy New Orleans
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$85.9(b)Entergy Texas

(a)Due to regulatory treatment, the natural gas swaps and options are marked-to-market through fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale and then such amounts are simultaneously reversed and
recorded as an offsetting regulatory asset or liability.  The gains or losses recorded as fuel expenses when the swaps and options are settled are recovered or refunded through fuel cost recovery mechanisms.
(b)Due to regulatory treatment, the changes in the estimated fair value of financial transmission rights for the Utility operating companies are recorded through purchased power expense and then such amounts are simultaneously reversed and recorded as an offsetting regulatory asset or liability.  The gains or losses recorded as purchased power expense when the financial transmission rights for the Utility operating companies are settled are recovered or refunded through fuel cost recovery mechanisms.

Fair Values

The estimated fair values of Entergy’s financial instruments and derivatives are determined using historical prices, bid prices, market quotes, and financial modeling.  Considerable judgment is required in developing the estimates of fair value.  Therefore, estimates are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that Entergy could realize in a current market exchange.  Gains or losses realized on financial instruments are reflected in future rates and therefore do not affect net income. Entergy considers the carrying amounts of most financial instruments classified as current assets and liabilities to be a reasonable estimate of their fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.

Accounting standards define fair value as an exit price, or the price that would be received to sell an asset or the amount that would be paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between knowledgeable market participants at the date of measurement.  Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries use assumptions or market input data that market participants would use in pricing assets or liabilities at fair value.  The inputs can be readily observable, corroborated by market data, or generally unobservable.  Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries endeavor to use the best available information to determine fair value.

Accounting standards establish a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value.  The hierarchy establishes the highest priority for unadjusted market quotes in an active market for the identical asset or liability and the lowest priority for unobservable inputs.

The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are:

Level 1 - Level 1 inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity has the ability to access at the measurement date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.  Level 1 primarily consists of individually owned common stocks, cash equivalents (temporary cash investments, securitization recovery trust account, and escrow accounts), debt instruments, and gas swaps traded on exchanges with active markets.  Cash equivalents includes all unrestricted highly liquid debt instruments with an original or remaining maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase.

Level 2 - Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are, either directly or indirectly, observable for the asset or liability at the measurement date.  Assets are valued based on prices derived by independent third parties that use inputs such as benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, and issuer spreads.  Prices are reviewed and can be challenged with the independent parties and/or overridden by Entergy if it is believed such would be more reflective of fair value.  Level 2 inputs include the following:

quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;
quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets;
inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; or
inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.
Level 2 consists primarily of individually-owned debt instruments and gas swaps and options valued using observable inputs.

Level 3 - Level 3 inputs are pricing inputs that are generally less observable or unobservable from objective sources.  These inputs are used with internally developed methodologies to produce management’s best estimate of fair value for the asset or liability.  Level 3 consists primarily of financial transmission rights.

As a result of the completion of Entergy’s strategy to exit the merchant nuclear power business, which included the shut down and sale of all non-utility nuclear plants, the portfolio of derivative instruments held by Entergy’s non-utility operations business expired in April 2021, which was the settlement date for the last financial derivative contracts in the non-utility operations business’ portfolio.

The values for power contract assets or liabilities prior to expiration in April 2021 were based on both observable inputs including public market prices and interest rates, and unobservable inputs such as implied volatilities, unit contingent discounts, expected basis differences, and credit adjusted counterparty interest rates.  They were classified as Level 3 assets and liabilities.  The valuations of these assets and liabilities were performed by the Office of Corporate Risk Oversight and the non-utility operations Accounting group.  The primary related functions of the Office of Corporate Risk Oversight included: gathering, validating, and reporting market data, providing market risk analyses and valuations in support of the non-utility operations commercial transactions, developing and administering protocols for the management of market risks, and implementing and maintaining controls around changes to market data in the energy trading and risk management system.  The Office of Corporate Risk Oversight was also responsible for managing the energy trading and risk management system, forecasting revenues, forward positions, and analysis. The non-utility operations Accounting group performed functions related to market and counterparty settlements, revenue reporting and analysis, and financial accounting. The Office of Corporate Risk Oversight reports to the Vice President and Treasurer while the non-utility operations Accounting group reports to the Chief Accounting Officer.

The amounts reflected as the fair value of electricity swaps were based on the estimated amount that the contracts were in-the-money at the balance sheet date (treated as an asset) or out-of-the-money at the balance sheet date (treated as a liability) and equaled the estimated amount receivable to or payable by Entergy if the contracts were settled at that date.  These derivative contracts included cash flow hedges that swapped fixed for floating cash flows for sales of the output from the non-utility operations business.  The fair values were based on the mark-to-market comparison between the fixed contract prices and the floating prices determined each period from quoted forward power market prices.  The differences between the fixed price in the swap contract and these market-related prices multiplied by the volume specified in the contract and discounted at the counterparties’ credit adjusted risk free rate were recorded as derivative contract assets or liabilities.  For contracts that had unit contingent terms, a further discount was applied based on the historical relationship between contract and market prices for similar contract terms.

The amounts reflected as the fair values of electricity options were valued based on a Black Scholes model and were calculated at the end of each month for accounting purposes.  Inputs to the valuation included end of day forward market prices for the period when the transactions settled, implied volatilities based on market volatilities provided by a third-party data aggregator, and U.S. Treasury rates for a risk-free return rate.  As described further below, prices and implied volatilities were reviewed and could be adjusted if it was determined that there was a better representation of fair value.

On a daily basis, the Office of Corporate Risk Oversight calculated the mark-to-market for electricity swaps and options.  The Office of Corporate Risk Oversight also validated forward market prices by comparing them to other sources of forward market prices or to settlement prices of actual market transactions.  Significant differences were analyzed and potentially adjusted based on these other sources of forward market prices or settlement prices of actual market transactions.  Implied volatilities used to value options were also validated using actual counterparty
quotes for transactions by the non-utility operations business when available and compared with other sources of market implied volatilities.  Moreover, on a quarterly basis, the Office of Corporate Risk Oversight confirmed the mark-to-market calculations and prepared price scenarios and credit downgrade scenario analysis.  The scenario analysis was communicated to senior management within Entergy.  Finally, for all proposed derivative transactions, an analysis was completed to assess the risk of adding the proposed derivative to the non-utility operations business’ portfolio.  In particular, the credit and liquidity effects were calculated for this analysis.  This analysis was communicated to senior management within Entergy.

The values of financial transmission rights are based on unobservable inputs, including estimates of congestion costs in MISO between applicable generation and load pricing nodes based on the 50th percentile of historical prices.  They are classified as Level 3 assets and liabilities.  The valuations of these assets and liabilities are performed by the Office of Corporate Risk Oversight.  The values are calculated internally and verified against the data published by MISO. Entergy’s Accounting group reviews these valuations for reasonableness, with the assistance of others within the organization with knowledge of the various inputs and assumptions used in the valuation. The Office of Corporate Risk Oversight reports to the Vice President and Treasurer.  The Accounting group reports to the Chief Accounting Officer.

The following tables set forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, Entergy’s assets and liabilities that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.  The assessment of the significance of a particular input to a fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.
2023Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$61 $— $— $61 
Decommissioning trust funds (a):
Equity securities24 — — 24 
Debt securities611 1,159 — 1,770 
Common trusts (b)3,070 
Securitization recovery trust account— — 
Storm reserve escrow accounts323 — — 323 
Financial transmission rights— — 21 21 
$1,027 $1,159 $21 $5,277 
Liabilities:
Gas hedge contracts$11 $— $— $11 
2022Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$109 $— $— $109 
Decommissioning trust funds (a):
Equity securities24 — — 24 
Debt securities534 1,122 — 1,656 
Common trusts (b)2,442 
Securitization recovery trust account13 — — 13 
Storm reserve escrow accounts402 — — 402 
Gas hedge contracts13 — 16 
Financial transmission rights— — 19 19 
$1,095 $1,125 $19 $4,681 
Liabilities:
Gas hedge contracts$25 $— $— $25 

(a)The decommissioning trust funds hold equity and fixed income securities. Equity securities are invested to approximate the returns of major market indices.  Fixed income securities are held in various governmental and corporate securities.  See Note 16 to the financial statements for additional information on the investment portfolios.
(b)Common trust funds are not publicly quoted and are valued by the fund administrators using net asset value as a practical expedient. Accordingly, these funds are not assigned a level in the fair value table. The fund administrator of these investments allows daily trading at the net asset value and trades settle at a later date.

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of changes in the net assets for the fair value of derivatives classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021:
 202320222021
Financial transmission rightsFinancial transmission rightsPower ContractsFinancial transmission rights
 
Balance as of January 1,$19 $4 $38 $9 
Total gains (losses) for the period
Included in earnings— — (2)— 
Included in other comprehensive income— — — 
Included as a regulatory liability/asset84 175 — 162 
Issuances of financial transmission rights42 16 — 12 
Settlements(124)(176)(38)(179)
Balance as of December 31,$21 $19 $— $4 

The fair values of the Level 3 financial transmission rights are based on unobservable inputs calculated internally and verified against historical pricing data published by MISO.
The following table sets forth an analysis of each of the types of unobservable inputs impacting the fair value of items classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy, and the sensitivity to changes to those inputs:
Significant Unobservable InputTransaction TypePositionChange to InputEffect on Fair Value
    
Unit contingent discountElectricity swapsSellIncrease (Decrease)Decrease (Increase)

The following table sets forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, the Registrant Subsidiaries’ assets and liabilities that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.  The assessment of the significance of a particular input to a fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.

Entergy Arkansas
2023Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$3.1 $— $— $3.1 
Decommissioning trust funds (a):
Equity securities6.4 — — 6.4 
Debt securities129.9 367.0 — 496.9 
Common trusts (b)910.7 
Financial transmission rights— — 6.0 6.0 
$139.4 $367.0 $6.0 $1,423.1 

2022Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$3.4 $— $— $3.4 
Decommissioning trust funds (a):
Equity securities4.5 — — 4.5 
Debt securities126.8 343.9 — 470.7 
Common trusts (b)724.7 
Financial transmission rights— — 10.3 10.3 
$134.7 $343.9 $10.3 $1,213.6 
Entergy Louisiana
2023Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$0.5 $— $— $0.5 
Decommissioning trust funds (a):
Equity securities14.6 — — 14.6 
Debt securities271.7 516.4 — 788.1 
Common trusts (b)1,304.7 
Storm reserve escrow account243.8 — — 243.8 
Financial transmission rights— — 9.8 9.8 
$530.6 $516.4 $9.8 $2,361.5 
Liabilities:
Gas hedge contracts$0.4 $— $— $0.4 

2022Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$6.3 $— $— $6.3 
Decommissioning trust funds (a):
Equity securities16.8 — — 16.8 
Debt securities209.4 515.7 — 725.1 
Common trusts (b)1,037.2 
Storm reserve escrow account293.4 — — 293.4 
Gas hedge contracts13.1 3.4 — 16.5 
Financial transmission rights— — 7.3 7.3 
$539.0 $519.1 $7.3 $2,102.6 

Entergy Mississippi
2023Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$6.6 $— $— $6.6 
Storm reserve escrow account0.7 — — 0.7 
Financial transmission rights— — 1.4 1.4 
$7.3 $— $1.4 $8.7 
Liabilities:
Gas hedge contracts$10.1 $— $— $10.1 
2022Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$17.0 $— $— $17.0 
Storm reserve escrow account33.5 — — 33.5 
Financial transmission rights— — 0.6 0.6 
$50.5 $— $0.6 $51.1 
Liabilities:
Gas hedge contracts$24.0 $— $— $24.0 

Entergy New Orleans
2023Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Securitization recovery trust account$2.4 $— $— $2.4 
Storm reserve escrow account78.7 — — 78.7 
Financial transmission rights— — 1.1 1.1 
$81.1 $— $1.1 $82.2 
Liabilities:
Gas hedge contracts$0.6 $— $— $0.6 

2022Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$4.4 $— $— $4.4 
Securitization recovery trust account2.2 — — 2.2 
Storm reserve escrow account75.0 — — 75.0 
Financial transmission rights— — 0.8 0.8 
$81.6 $— $0.8 $82.4 
Liabilities:
Gas hedge contracts$1.5 $— $— $1.5 

Entergy Texas
2023Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$20.5 $— $— $20.5 
Securitization recovery trust account5.2 — — 5.2 
Financial transmission rights— — 2.4 2.4 
$25.7 $— $2.4 $28.1 
2022Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$3.0 $— $— $3.0 
Securitization recovery trust account10.9 — — 10.9 
Financial transmission rights— — 0.1 0.1 
$13.9 $— $0.1 $14.0 

System Energy
2023Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Decommissioning trust funds (a):
Equity securities$2.7 $— $— $2.7 
Debt securities209.5 275.7 — 485.2 
Common trusts (b)854.4 
$212.2 $275.7 $— $1,342.3 

2022Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$2.9 $— $— $2.9 
Decommissioning trust funds (a):
Equity securities2.8 — — 2.8 
Debt securities197.5 262.2 — 459.7 
Common trusts (b)680.4 
$203.2 $262.2 $— $1,145.8 

(a)The decommissioning trust funds hold equity and fixed income securities. Equity securities are invested to approximate the returns of major market indices.  Fixed income securities are held in various governmental and corporate securities.  See Note 16 to the financial statements for additional information on the investment portfolios.
(b)Common trust funds are not publicly quoted and are valued by the fund administrators using net asset value as a practical expedient. Accordingly, these funds are not assigned a level in the fair value table. The fund administrator of these investments allows daily trading at the net asset value and trades settle at a later date.
The following table sets forth a reconciliation of changes in the net assets for the fair value of derivatives classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas
 (In Millions)
Balance as of January 1, 2023$10.3 $7.3 $0.6 $0.8 $0.1 
Issuances of financial transmission rights20.6 18.1 1.3 1.4 0.2 
Gains (losses) included as a regulatory liability/asset0.9 44.8 13.2 5.3 19.4 
Settlements(25.8)(60.4)(13.7)(6.4)(17.3)
Balance as of December 31, 2023$6.0 $9.8 $1.4 $1.1 $2.4 

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of changes in the net assets for the fair value of derivatives classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas
 (In Millions)
Balance as of January 1, 2022$2.3 $0.6 $0.3 $0.1 $0.8 
Issuances of financial transmission rights5.4 5.3 0.8 0.8 3.9 
Gains (losses) included as a regulatory liability/asset109.1 49.9 9.9 3.6 1.7 
Settlements(106.5)(48.5)(10.4)(3.7)(6.3)
Balance as of December 31, 2022$10.3 $7.3 $0.6 $0.8 $0.1 
Entergy New Orleans [Member]  
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block] RISK MANAGEMENT AND FAIR VALUES (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)
Market Risk

In the normal course of business, Entergy is exposed to a number of market risks.  Market risk is the potential loss that Entergy may incur as a result of changes in the market or fair value of a particular commodity or instrument.  All financial and commodity-related instruments, including derivatives, are subject to market risk including commodity price risk, equity price, and interest rate risk.  Entergy uses derivatives primarily to mitigate commodity price risk, particularly power price and fuel price risk.

The Utility has limited exposure to the effects of market risk because it operates primarily under cost-based rate regulation.  To the extent approved by their retail regulators, the Utility operating companies use derivative instruments to hedge the exposure to price volatility inherent in their purchased power, fuel, and gas purchased for resale costs, that are recovered from customers.

Entergy’s non-utility operations’ core business as a wholesale generator was selling energy, measured in MWh, to its customers.  The non-utility operations business entered into forward contracts with its customers and also sold energy and capacity in the day ahead or spot markets.  In addition to its forward physical power and gas contracts, the non-utility operations business used a combination of financial contracts, including swaps, collars, and options, to mitigate commodity price risk.  When the market price fell, the combination of financial contracts was expected to settle in gains that offset lower revenue from generation, which resulted in a more predictable cash flow. As a result of the completion of Entergy’s strategy to exit the merchant nuclear power business, which included the shut down and sale of all non-utility nuclear plants, the portfolio of derivative instruments held by Entergy’s non-utility operations business expired in April 2021, which was the settlement date for the last financial derivative contracts in the non-utility operations business’ portfolio.

Entergy’s exposure to market risk is determined by a number of factors, including the size, term, composition, and diversification of positions held, as well as market volatility and liquidity.  For instruments such as options, the time period during which the option may be exercised and the relationship between the current market price of the underlying instrument and the option’s contractual strike or exercise price also affects the level of market risk.  A significant factor influencing the overall level of market risk to which Entergy is exposed is its use of hedging techniques to mitigate such risk.  Hedging instruments and volumes are chosen based on ability to mitigate risk associated with future energy and capacity prices; however, other considerations are factored into hedge product and volume decisions including corporate liquidity, corporate credit ratings, counterparty credit risk, hedging costs, firm settlement risk, and product availability in the marketplace.  Entergy manages market risk by actively monitoring compliance with stated risk management policies as well as monitoring the effectiveness of its hedging policies and strategies.  Entergy’s risk management policies limit the amount of total net exposure and
rolling net exposure during the stated periods.  These policies, including related risk limits, are regularly assessed to ensure their appropriateness given Entergy’s objectives.

Derivatives

Some derivative instruments are classified as cash flow hedges due to their financial settlement provisions while others are classified as normal purchase/normal sale transactions due to their physical settlement provisions.  Normal purchase/normal sale risk management tools include power purchase and sales agreements, fuel purchase agreements, capacity contracts, and tolling agreements.  Financially-settled cash flow hedges can include natural gas and electricity swaps and options.  Entergy may enter into financially-settled swap and option contracts to manage market risk that may or may not be designated as hedging instruments.

Entergy entered into derivatives to manage natural risks inherent in its physical or financial assets or liabilities.  Electricity over-the-counter instruments and futures contracts that financially settled against day-ahead power pool prices were used to manage price exposure for the non-utility operations’ generation.

Entergy manages fuel price volatility for its Louisiana jurisdictions (Entergy Louisiana and Entergy New Orleans) and Entergy Mississippi through the purchase of natural gas swaps and options that financially settle against either the average Henry Hub Gas Daily prices or the NYMEX Henry Hub. These swaps and options are marked-to-market through fuel expense with offsetting regulatory assets or liabilities. All benefits or costs of the program are recorded in fuel costs. The notional volumes of these swaps are based on a portion of projected annual exposure to gas price volatility for electric generation at Entergy Louisiana and Entergy Mississippi and projected winter purchases for gas distribution at Entergy New Orleans. The maximum length of time over which Entergy has executed natural gas swaps and options as of December 31, 2023 is 3 months for Entergy Louisiana, 10 months for Entergy Mississippi, and 3 months for Entergy New Orleans. The total volume of natural gas swaps and options outstanding as of December 31, 2023 is 14,798,500 MMBtu for Entergy, including 1,820,000 MMBtu for Entergy Louisiana, 12,491,700 MMBtu for Entergy Mississippi, and 486,800 MMBtu for Entergy New Orleans.  Credit support for these natural gas swaps and options is covered by master agreements that do not require Entergy to provide collateral based on mark-to-market value, but do carry adequate assurance language that may lead to requests for collateral.

During the second quarter 2023, Entergy participated in the annual financial transmission rights auction process for the MISO planning year of June 1, 2023 through May 31, 2024. Financial transmission rights are derivative instruments that represent economic hedges of future congestion charges that will be incurred in serving Entergy’s customer load. They are not designated as hedging instruments. Entergy initially records financial transmission rights at their estimated fair value and subsequently adjusts the carrying value to their estimated fair value at the end of each accounting period prior to settlement. Unrealized gains or losses on financial transmission rights held by the non-utility operations are included in operating revenues. The Utility operating companies recognize regulatory liabilities or assets for unrealized gains or losses on financial transmission rights. The total volume of financial transmission rights outstanding as of December 31, 2023 is 62,809 GWh for Entergy, including 15,385 GWh for Entergy Arkansas, 26,990 GWh for Entergy Louisiana, 8,250 GWh for Entergy Mississippi, 2,478 GWh for Entergy New Orleans, and 9,611 GWh for Entergy Texas. Credit support for financial transmission rights held by the Utility operating companies is covered by cash and/or letters of credit issued by each Utility operating company as required by MISO. Credit support for financial transmission rights held by the non-utility operations business is covered by cash. No cash or letters of credit were required to be posted for financial transmission rights exposure for the non-utility operations business as of December 31, 2023 and 2022. Letters of credit posted with MISO covered the financial transmission rights exposure for Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy Texas as of December 31, 2023 and for Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, and Entergy Texas as of December 31, 2022.
The fair values of Entergy’s derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are shown in the table below. Certain investments, including those not designated as hedging instruments, are subject to master netting agreements and are presented in the balance sheet on a net basis in accordance with accounting guidance for derivatives and hedging.
InstrumentBalance Sheet LocationGross Fair Value (a)Offsetting Position (b)Net Fair Value (c) (d)
(In Millions)
2023
Assets:   
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$21$—$21
    
Liabilities:   
Natural gas swaps and optionsOther current liabilities$11 $— $11
2022
Assets:   
Natural gas swaps and optionsPrepayments and other$13$—$13
Natural gas swaps and optionsOther deferred debits and other assets$3$—$3
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$21($2)$19
Liabilities:   
Natural gas swaps and optionsOther current liabilities$25$—$25

(a)Represents the gross amounts of recognized assets/liabilities
(b)Represents the netting of fair value balances with the same counterparty
(c)Represents the net amounts of assets/liabilities presented on the Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries’ Consolidated Balance Sheets
(d)Excludes cash collateral in the amount of $8 million posted as of December 31, 2022. Also excludes letters of credit in the amount of $2 million posted as of December 31, 2023 and $3 million posted as of December 31, 2022.

As discussed above, the non-utility operations business’ portfolio of derivative instruments expired in April 2021, which was the settlement date for the last financial derivative contract in the portfolio. Prior to the expiration of the non-utility operations business’ portfolio of derivative instruments, Entergy may have effectively liquidated a cash flow hedge instrument by entering into a contract offsetting the original hedge, and then de-designating the original hedge in this situation.  Gains or losses accumulated in other comprehensive income prior to de-designation would have continued to be deferred in other comprehensive income until they were included in income as the original hedged transaction occurred. From the point of de-designation, the gains or losses on the original hedge and the offsetting contract were recorded as assets or liabilities on the balance sheet and offset as they flowed through to earnings. The non-utility operations business recognized a gain of $2 million in other comprehensive income and reclassified a gain of $40 million, before taxes of $8 million, from accumulated other comprehensive income into income, each resulting from the effect of Entergy’s derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges on the consolidated income statements for the year ended December 31, 2021.
The effects of Entergy’s derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the consolidated income statements for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 are as follows:
InstrumentIncome Statement locationAmount of gain (loss) recorded in the income statement
  (In Millions)
2023  
Natural gas swaps and optionsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale(a)($54)
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense(b)$124
   
2022  
Natural gas swaps and optionFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale(a)$74
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense(b)$176
   
2021  
Natural gas swapsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale(a)$32
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense(b)$179
Electricity swaps and options (c)Other operating revenues($2)

(a)Due to regulatory treatment, the natural gas swaps and options are marked-to-market through fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale and then such amounts are simultaneously reversed and recorded as an offsetting regulatory asset or liability.  The gains or losses recorded as fuel expenses when the swaps and options are settled are recovered or refunded through fuel cost recovery mechanisms.
(b)Due to regulatory treatment, the changes in the estimated fair value of financial transmission rights for the Utility operating companies are recorded through purchased power expense and then such amounts are simultaneously reversed and recorded as an offsetting regulatory asset or liability.  The gains or losses recorded as purchased power expense when the financial transmission rights for the Utility operating companies are settled are recovered or refunded through fuel cost recovery mechanisms.
(c)There were no gains (losses) recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income from electricity swaps and options prior to the expiration of the non-utility operations business’ portfolio of derivative instruments in April 2021.
The fair values of derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the Registrant Subsidiaries’ balance sheets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are shown in the table below. Certain investments, including those not designated as hedging instruments, are subject to master netting agreements and are presented in the balance sheet on a net basis in accordance with accounting guidance for derivatives and hedging.
InstrumentBalance Sheet LocationGross Fair Value (a)Offsetting Position (b)Net Fair Value (c) (d)Registrant
  (In Millions) 
2023   
Assets:   
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$6.0$—$6.0Entergy Arkansas
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$9.8$—$9.8Entergy Louisiana
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$1.4$—$1.4Entergy Mississippi
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$1.1$—$1.1Entergy New Orleans
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$2.7($0.3)$2.4Entergy Texas
Liabilities:
Natural gas swaps and optionsOther current liabilities$0.4$—$0.4Entergy Louisiana
Natural gas swapsOther current liabilities$10.1$—$10.1Entergy Mississippi
Natural gas swapsOther current liabilities$0.6$—$0.6Entergy New Orleans
InstrumentBalance Sheet LocationGross Fair Value (a)Offsetting Position (b)Net Fair Value (c) (d)Registrant
(In Millions)
2022  
Assets:   
Natural gas swaps and optionsPrepayments and other$13.1$—$13.1Entergy Louisiana
Natural gas swaps and optionsOther deferred debits and other assets$3.4$—$3.4Entergy Louisiana
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$10.3$—$10.3Entergy Arkansas
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$7.7($0.4)$7.3Entergy Louisiana
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$0.6$—$0.6Entergy Mississippi
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$0.8$—$0.8Entergy New Orleans
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$1.2($1.1)$0.1Entergy Texas
Liabilities:
Natural gas swapsOther current liabilities$24.0$—$24.0Entergy Mississippi
Natural gas swapsOther current liabilities$1.5$—$1.5Entergy New Orleans

(a)Represents the gross amounts of recognized assets/liabilities
(b)Represents the netting of fair value balances with the same counterparty
(c)Represents the net amounts of assets/liabilities presented on the Registrant Subsidiaries’ balance sheets
(d)As of December 31, 2023, letters of credit posted with MISO covered financial transmission rights exposure of $1.2 million for Entergy Arkansas, $0.5 million for Entergy Louisiana, $0.3 million for Entergy Mississippi, and $0.1 million for Entergy Texas. As of December 31, 2022, letters of credit posted with MISO covered financial transmission rights exposure of $0.2 million for Entergy Mississippi, $0.2 million for Entergy New Orleans, and $2.4 million for Entergy Texas.
The effects of derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the Registrant Subsidiaries’ income statements for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 are as follows:
InstrumentIncome Statement LocationAmount of gain (loss) recorded in the income statementRegistrant
  (In Millions) 
2023   
Natural gas swaps and optionsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale($8.4)(a)Entergy Louisiana
Natural gas swapsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale($42.9)(a)Entergy Mississippi
Natural gas swapsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale($3.0)(a)Entergy New Orleans
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$25.8(b)Entergy Arkansas
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$60.4(b)Entergy Louisiana
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$13.7(b)Entergy Mississippi
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$6.4(b)Entergy New Orleans
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$17.3(b)Entergy Texas
2022   
Natural gas swaps and optionsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale$21.4(a)Entergy Louisiana
Natural gas swapsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale$53.6(a)Entergy Mississippi
Natural gas swapsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale($1.2)(a)Entergy New Orleans
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$106.5(b)Entergy Arkansas
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$48.5(b)Entergy Louisiana
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$10.4(b)Entergy Mississippi
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$3.7(b)Entergy New Orleans
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$6.3(b)Entergy Texas
2021   
Natural gas swaps and optionsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale$12.6(a)Entergy Louisiana
Natural gas swapsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale$19.8(a)Entergy Mississippi
Natural gas swapsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale($0.1)(a)Entergy New Orleans
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$42.6(b)Entergy Arkansas
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$31.6(b)Entergy Louisiana
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$11.3(b)Entergy Mississippi
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$4.3(b)Entergy New Orleans
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$85.9(b)Entergy Texas

(a)Due to regulatory treatment, the natural gas swaps and options are marked-to-market through fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale and then such amounts are simultaneously reversed and
recorded as an offsetting regulatory asset or liability.  The gains or losses recorded as fuel expenses when the swaps and options are settled are recovered or refunded through fuel cost recovery mechanisms.
(b)Due to regulatory treatment, the changes in the estimated fair value of financial transmission rights for the Utility operating companies are recorded through purchased power expense and then such amounts are simultaneously reversed and recorded as an offsetting regulatory asset or liability.  The gains or losses recorded as purchased power expense when the financial transmission rights for the Utility operating companies are settled are recovered or refunded through fuel cost recovery mechanisms.

Fair Values

The estimated fair values of Entergy’s financial instruments and derivatives are determined using historical prices, bid prices, market quotes, and financial modeling.  Considerable judgment is required in developing the estimates of fair value.  Therefore, estimates are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that Entergy could realize in a current market exchange.  Gains or losses realized on financial instruments are reflected in future rates and therefore do not affect net income. Entergy considers the carrying amounts of most financial instruments classified as current assets and liabilities to be a reasonable estimate of their fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.

Accounting standards define fair value as an exit price, or the price that would be received to sell an asset or the amount that would be paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between knowledgeable market participants at the date of measurement.  Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries use assumptions or market input data that market participants would use in pricing assets or liabilities at fair value.  The inputs can be readily observable, corroborated by market data, or generally unobservable.  Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries endeavor to use the best available information to determine fair value.

Accounting standards establish a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value.  The hierarchy establishes the highest priority for unadjusted market quotes in an active market for the identical asset or liability and the lowest priority for unobservable inputs.

The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are:

Level 1 - Level 1 inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity has the ability to access at the measurement date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.  Level 1 primarily consists of individually owned common stocks, cash equivalents (temporary cash investments, securitization recovery trust account, and escrow accounts), debt instruments, and gas swaps traded on exchanges with active markets.  Cash equivalents includes all unrestricted highly liquid debt instruments with an original or remaining maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase.

Level 2 - Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are, either directly or indirectly, observable for the asset or liability at the measurement date.  Assets are valued based on prices derived by independent third parties that use inputs such as benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, and issuer spreads.  Prices are reviewed and can be challenged with the independent parties and/or overridden by Entergy if it is believed such would be more reflective of fair value.  Level 2 inputs include the following:

quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;
quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets;
inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; or
inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.
Level 2 consists primarily of individually-owned debt instruments and gas swaps and options valued using observable inputs.

Level 3 - Level 3 inputs are pricing inputs that are generally less observable or unobservable from objective sources.  These inputs are used with internally developed methodologies to produce management’s best estimate of fair value for the asset or liability.  Level 3 consists primarily of financial transmission rights.

As a result of the completion of Entergy’s strategy to exit the merchant nuclear power business, which included the shut down and sale of all non-utility nuclear plants, the portfolio of derivative instruments held by Entergy’s non-utility operations business expired in April 2021, which was the settlement date for the last financial derivative contracts in the non-utility operations business’ portfolio.

The values for power contract assets or liabilities prior to expiration in April 2021 were based on both observable inputs including public market prices and interest rates, and unobservable inputs such as implied volatilities, unit contingent discounts, expected basis differences, and credit adjusted counterparty interest rates.  They were classified as Level 3 assets and liabilities.  The valuations of these assets and liabilities were performed by the Office of Corporate Risk Oversight and the non-utility operations Accounting group.  The primary related functions of the Office of Corporate Risk Oversight included: gathering, validating, and reporting market data, providing market risk analyses and valuations in support of the non-utility operations commercial transactions, developing and administering protocols for the management of market risks, and implementing and maintaining controls around changes to market data in the energy trading and risk management system.  The Office of Corporate Risk Oversight was also responsible for managing the energy trading and risk management system, forecasting revenues, forward positions, and analysis. The non-utility operations Accounting group performed functions related to market and counterparty settlements, revenue reporting and analysis, and financial accounting. The Office of Corporate Risk Oversight reports to the Vice President and Treasurer while the non-utility operations Accounting group reports to the Chief Accounting Officer.

The amounts reflected as the fair value of electricity swaps were based on the estimated amount that the contracts were in-the-money at the balance sheet date (treated as an asset) or out-of-the-money at the balance sheet date (treated as a liability) and equaled the estimated amount receivable to or payable by Entergy if the contracts were settled at that date.  These derivative contracts included cash flow hedges that swapped fixed for floating cash flows for sales of the output from the non-utility operations business.  The fair values were based on the mark-to-market comparison between the fixed contract prices and the floating prices determined each period from quoted forward power market prices.  The differences between the fixed price in the swap contract and these market-related prices multiplied by the volume specified in the contract and discounted at the counterparties’ credit adjusted risk free rate were recorded as derivative contract assets or liabilities.  For contracts that had unit contingent terms, a further discount was applied based on the historical relationship between contract and market prices for similar contract terms.

The amounts reflected as the fair values of electricity options were valued based on a Black Scholes model and were calculated at the end of each month for accounting purposes.  Inputs to the valuation included end of day forward market prices for the period when the transactions settled, implied volatilities based on market volatilities provided by a third-party data aggregator, and U.S. Treasury rates for a risk-free return rate.  As described further below, prices and implied volatilities were reviewed and could be adjusted if it was determined that there was a better representation of fair value.

On a daily basis, the Office of Corporate Risk Oversight calculated the mark-to-market for electricity swaps and options.  The Office of Corporate Risk Oversight also validated forward market prices by comparing them to other sources of forward market prices or to settlement prices of actual market transactions.  Significant differences were analyzed and potentially adjusted based on these other sources of forward market prices or settlement prices of actual market transactions.  Implied volatilities used to value options were also validated using actual counterparty
quotes for transactions by the non-utility operations business when available and compared with other sources of market implied volatilities.  Moreover, on a quarterly basis, the Office of Corporate Risk Oversight confirmed the mark-to-market calculations and prepared price scenarios and credit downgrade scenario analysis.  The scenario analysis was communicated to senior management within Entergy.  Finally, for all proposed derivative transactions, an analysis was completed to assess the risk of adding the proposed derivative to the non-utility operations business’ portfolio.  In particular, the credit and liquidity effects were calculated for this analysis.  This analysis was communicated to senior management within Entergy.

The values of financial transmission rights are based on unobservable inputs, including estimates of congestion costs in MISO between applicable generation and load pricing nodes based on the 50th percentile of historical prices.  They are classified as Level 3 assets and liabilities.  The valuations of these assets and liabilities are performed by the Office of Corporate Risk Oversight.  The values are calculated internally and verified against the data published by MISO. Entergy’s Accounting group reviews these valuations for reasonableness, with the assistance of others within the organization with knowledge of the various inputs and assumptions used in the valuation. The Office of Corporate Risk Oversight reports to the Vice President and Treasurer.  The Accounting group reports to the Chief Accounting Officer.

The following tables set forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, Entergy’s assets and liabilities that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.  The assessment of the significance of a particular input to a fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.
2023Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$61 $— $— $61 
Decommissioning trust funds (a):
Equity securities24 — — 24 
Debt securities611 1,159 — 1,770 
Common trusts (b)3,070 
Securitization recovery trust account— — 
Storm reserve escrow accounts323 — — 323 
Financial transmission rights— — 21 21 
$1,027 $1,159 $21 $5,277 
Liabilities:
Gas hedge contracts$11 $— $— $11 
2022Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$109 $— $— $109 
Decommissioning trust funds (a):
Equity securities24 — — 24 
Debt securities534 1,122 — 1,656 
Common trusts (b)2,442 
Securitization recovery trust account13 — — 13 
Storm reserve escrow accounts402 — — 402 
Gas hedge contracts13 — 16 
Financial transmission rights— — 19 19 
$1,095 $1,125 $19 $4,681 
Liabilities:
Gas hedge contracts$25 $— $— $25 

(a)The decommissioning trust funds hold equity and fixed income securities. Equity securities are invested to approximate the returns of major market indices.  Fixed income securities are held in various governmental and corporate securities.  See Note 16 to the financial statements for additional information on the investment portfolios.
(b)Common trust funds are not publicly quoted and are valued by the fund administrators using net asset value as a practical expedient. Accordingly, these funds are not assigned a level in the fair value table. The fund administrator of these investments allows daily trading at the net asset value and trades settle at a later date.

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of changes in the net assets for the fair value of derivatives classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021:
 202320222021
Financial transmission rightsFinancial transmission rightsPower ContractsFinancial transmission rights
 
Balance as of January 1,$19 $4 $38 $9 
Total gains (losses) for the period
Included in earnings— — (2)— 
Included in other comprehensive income— — — 
Included as a regulatory liability/asset84 175 — 162 
Issuances of financial transmission rights42 16 — 12 
Settlements(124)(176)(38)(179)
Balance as of December 31,$21 $19 $— $4 

The fair values of the Level 3 financial transmission rights are based on unobservable inputs calculated internally and verified against historical pricing data published by MISO.
The following table sets forth an analysis of each of the types of unobservable inputs impacting the fair value of items classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy, and the sensitivity to changes to those inputs:
Significant Unobservable InputTransaction TypePositionChange to InputEffect on Fair Value
    
Unit contingent discountElectricity swapsSellIncrease (Decrease)Decrease (Increase)

The following table sets forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, the Registrant Subsidiaries’ assets and liabilities that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.  The assessment of the significance of a particular input to a fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.

Entergy Arkansas
2023Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$3.1 $— $— $3.1 
Decommissioning trust funds (a):
Equity securities6.4 — — 6.4 
Debt securities129.9 367.0 — 496.9 
Common trusts (b)910.7 
Financial transmission rights— — 6.0 6.0 
$139.4 $367.0 $6.0 $1,423.1 

2022Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$3.4 $— $— $3.4 
Decommissioning trust funds (a):
Equity securities4.5 — — 4.5 
Debt securities126.8 343.9 — 470.7 
Common trusts (b)724.7 
Financial transmission rights— — 10.3 10.3 
$134.7 $343.9 $10.3 $1,213.6 
Entergy Louisiana
2023Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$0.5 $— $— $0.5 
Decommissioning trust funds (a):
Equity securities14.6 — — 14.6 
Debt securities271.7 516.4 — 788.1 
Common trusts (b)1,304.7 
Storm reserve escrow account243.8 — — 243.8 
Financial transmission rights— — 9.8 9.8 
$530.6 $516.4 $9.8 $2,361.5 
Liabilities:
Gas hedge contracts$0.4 $— $— $0.4 

2022Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$6.3 $— $— $6.3 
Decommissioning trust funds (a):
Equity securities16.8 — — 16.8 
Debt securities209.4 515.7 — 725.1 
Common trusts (b)1,037.2 
Storm reserve escrow account293.4 — — 293.4 
Gas hedge contracts13.1 3.4 — 16.5 
Financial transmission rights— — 7.3 7.3 
$539.0 $519.1 $7.3 $2,102.6 

Entergy Mississippi
2023Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$6.6 $— $— $6.6 
Storm reserve escrow account0.7 — — 0.7 
Financial transmission rights— — 1.4 1.4 
$7.3 $— $1.4 $8.7 
Liabilities:
Gas hedge contracts$10.1 $— $— $10.1 
2022Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$17.0 $— $— $17.0 
Storm reserve escrow account33.5 — — 33.5 
Financial transmission rights— — 0.6 0.6 
$50.5 $— $0.6 $51.1 
Liabilities:
Gas hedge contracts$24.0 $— $— $24.0 

Entergy New Orleans
2023Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Securitization recovery trust account$2.4 $— $— $2.4 
Storm reserve escrow account78.7 — — 78.7 
Financial transmission rights— — 1.1 1.1 
$81.1 $— $1.1 $82.2 
Liabilities:
Gas hedge contracts$0.6 $— $— $0.6 

2022Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$4.4 $— $— $4.4 
Securitization recovery trust account2.2 — — 2.2 
Storm reserve escrow account75.0 — — 75.0 
Financial transmission rights— — 0.8 0.8 
$81.6 $— $0.8 $82.4 
Liabilities:
Gas hedge contracts$1.5 $— $— $1.5 

Entergy Texas
2023Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$20.5 $— $— $20.5 
Securitization recovery trust account5.2 — — 5.2 
Financial transmission rights— — 2.4 2.4 
$25.7 $— $2.4 $28.1 
2022Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$3.0 $— $— $3.0 
Securitization recovery trust account10.9 — — 10.9 
Financial transmission rights— — 0.1 0.1 
$13.9 $— $0.1 $14.0 

System Energy
2023Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Decommissioning trust funds (a):
Equity securities$2.7 $— $— $2.7 
Debt securities209.5 275.7 — 485.2 
Common trusts (b)854.4 
$212.2 $275.7 $— $1,342.3 

2022Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$2.9 $— $— $2.9 
Decommissioning trust funds (a):
Equity securities2.8 — — 2.8 
Debt securities197.5 262.2 — 459.7 
Common trusts (b)680.4 
$203.2 $262.2 $— $1,145.8 

(a)The decommissioning trust funds hold equity and fixed income securities. Equity securities are invested to approximate the returns of major market indices.  Fixed income securities are held in various governmental and corporate securities.  See Note 16 to the financial statements for additional information on the investment portfolios.
(b)Common trust funds are not publicly quoted and are valued by the fund administrators using net asset value as a practical expedient. Accordingly, these funds are not assigned a level in the fair value table. The fund administrator of these investments allows daily trading at the net asset value and trades settle at a later date.
The following table sets forth a reconciliation of changes in the net assets for the fair value of derivatives classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas
 (In Millions)
Balance as of January 1, 2023$10.3 $7.3 $0.6 $0.8 $0.1 
Issuances of financial transmission rights20.6 18.1 1.3 1.4 0.2 
Gains (losses) included as a regulatory liability/asset0.9 44.8 13.2 5.3 19.4 
Settlements(25.8)(60.4)(13.7)(6.4)(17.3)
Balance as of December 31, 2023$6.0 $9.8 $1.4 $1.1 $2.4 

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of changes in the net assets for the fair value of derivatives classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas
 (In Millions)
Balance as of January 1, 2022$2.3 $0.6 $0.3 $0.1 $0.8 
Issuances of financial transmission rights5.4 5.3 0.8 0.8 3.9 
Gains (losses) included as a regulatory liability/asset109.1 49.9 9.9 3.6 1.7 
Settlements(106.5)(48.5)(10.4)(3.7)(6.3)
Balance as of December 31, 2022$10.3 $7.3 $0.6 $0.8 $0.1 
Entergy Texas [Member]  
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block] RISK MANAGEMENT AND FAIR VALUES (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)
Market Risk

In the normal course of business, Entergy is exposed to a number of market risks.  Market risk is the potential loss that Entergy may incur as a result of changes in the market or fair value of a particular commodity or instrument.  All financial and commodity-related instruments, including derivatives, are subject to market risk including commodity price risk, equity price, and interest rate risk.  Entergy uses derivatives primarily to mitigate commodity price risk, particularly power price and fuel price risk.

The Utility has limited exposure to the effects of market risk because it operates primarily under cost-based rate regulation.  To the extent approved by their retail regulators, the Utility operating companies use derivative instruments to hedge the exposure to price volatility inherent in their purchased power, fuel, and gas purchased for resale costs, that are recovered from customers.

Entergy’s non-utility operations’ core business as a wholesale generator was selling energy, measured in MWh, to its customers.  The non-utility operations business entered into forward contracts with its customers and also sold energy and capacity in the day ahead or spot markets.  In addition to its forward physical power and gas contracts, the non-utility operations business used a combination of financial contracts, including swaps, collars, and options, to mitigate commodity price risk.  When the market price fell, the combination of financial contracts was expected to settle in gains that offset lower revenue from generation, which resulted in a more predictable cash flow. As a result of the completion of Entergy’s strategy to exit the merchant nuclear power business, which included the shut down and sale of all non-utility nuclear plants, the portfolio of derivative instruments held by Entergy’s non-utility operations business expired in April 2021, which was the settlement date for the last financial derivative contracts in the non-utility operations business’ portfolio.

Entergy’s exposure to market risk is determined by a number of factors, including the size, term, composition, and diversification of positions held, as well as market volatility and liquidity.  For instruments such as options, the time period during which the option may be exercised and the relationship between the current market price of the underlying instrument and the option’s contractual strike or exercise price also affects the level of market risk.  A significant factor influencing the overall level of market risk to which Entergy is exposed is its use of hedging techniques to mitigate such risk.  Hedging instruments and volumes are chosen based on ability to mitigate risk associated with future energy and capacity prices; however, other considerations are factored into hedge product and volume decisions including corporate liquidity, corporate credit ratings, counterparty credit risk, hedging costs, firm settlement risk, and product availability in the marketplace.  Entergy manages market risk by actively monitoring compliance with stated risk management policies as well as monitoring the effectiveness of its hedging policies and strategies.  Entergy’s risk management policies limit the amount of total net exposure and
rolling net exposure during the stated periods.  These policies, including related risk limits, are regularly assessed to ensure their appropriateness given Entergy’s objectives.

Derivatives

Some derivative instruments are classified as cash flow hedges due to their financial settlement provisions while others are classified as normal purchase/normal sale transactions due to their physical settlement provisions.  Normal purchase/normal sale risk management tools include power purchase and sales agreements, fuel purchase agreements, capacity contracts, and tolling agreements.  Financially-settled cash flow hedges can include natural gas and electricity swaps and options.  Entergy may enter into financially-settled swap and option contracts to manage market risk that may or may not be designated as hedging instruments.

Entergy entered into derivatives to manage natural risks inherent in its physical or financial assets or liabilities.  Electricity over-the-counter instruments and futures contracts that financially settled against day-ahead power pool prices were used to manage price exposure for the non-utility operations’ generation.

Entergy manages fuel price volatility for its Louisiana jurisdictions (Entergy Louisiana and Entergy New Orleans) and Entergy Mississippi through the purchase of natural gas swaps and options that financially settle against either the average Henry Hub Gas Daily prices or the NYMEX Henry Hub. These swaps and options are marked-to-market through fuel expense with offsetting regulatory assets or liabilities. All benefits or costs of the program are recorded in fuel costs. The notional volumes of these swaps are based on a portion of projected annual exposure to gas price volatility for electric generation at Entergy Louisiana and Entergy Mississippi and projected winter purchases for gas distribution at Entergy New Orleans. The maximum length of time over which Entergy has executed natural gas swaps and options as of December 31, 2023 is 3 months for Entergy Louisiana, 10 months for Entergy Mississippi, and 3 months for Entergy New Orleans. The total volume of natural gas swaps and options outstanding as of December 31, 2023 is 14,798,500 MMBtu for Entergy, including 1,820,000 MMBtu for Entergy Louisiana, 12,491,700 MMBtu for Entergy Mississippi, and 486,800 MMBtu for Entergy New Orleans.  Credit support for these natural gas swaps and options is covered by master agreements that do not require Entergy to provide collateral based on mark-to-market value, but do carry adequate assurance language that may lead to requests for collateral.

During the second quarter 2023, Entergy participated in the annual financial transmission rights auction process for the MISO planning year of June 1, 2023 through May 31, 2024. Financial transmission rights are derivative instruments that represent economic hedges of future congestion charges that will be incurred in serving Entergy’s customer load. They are not designated as hedging instruments. Entergy initially records financial transmission rights at their estimated fair value and subsequently adjusts the carrying value to their estimated fair value at the end of each accounting period prior to settlement. Unrealized gains or losses on financial transmission rights held by the non-utility operations are included in operating revenues. The Utility operating companies recognize regulatory liabilities or assets for unrealized gains or losses on financial transmission rights. The total volume of financial transmission rights outstanding as of December 31, 2023 is 62,809 GWh for Entergy, including 15,385 GWh for Entergy Arkansas, 26,990 GWh for Entergy Louisiana, 8,250 GWh for Entergy Mississippi, 2,478 GWh for Entergy New Orleans, and 9,611 GWh for Entergy Texas. Credit support for financial transmission rights held by the Utility operating companies is covered by cash and/or letters of credit issued by each Utility operating company as required by MISO. Credit support for financial transmission rights held by the non-utility operations business is covered by cash. No cash or letters of credit were required to be posted for financial transmission rights exposure for the non-utility operations business as of December 31, 2023 and 2022. Letters of credit posted with MISO covered the financial transmission rights exposure for Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy Texas as of December 31, 2023 and for Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, and Entergy Texas as of December 31, 2022.
The fair values of Entergy’s derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are shown in the table below. Certain investments, including those not designated as hedging instruments, are subject to master netting agreements and are presented in the balance sheet on a net basis in accordance with accounting guidance for derivatives and hedging.
InstrumentBalance Sheet LocationGross Fair Value (a)Offsetting Position (b)Net Fair Value (c) (d)
(In Millions)
2023
Assets:   
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$21$—$21
    
Liabilities:   
Natural gas swaps and optionsOther current liabilities$11 $— $11
2022
Assets:   
Natural gas swaps and optionsPrepayments and other$13$—$13
Natural gas swaps and optionsOther deferred debits and other assets$3$—$3
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$21($2)$19
Liabilities:   
Natural gas swaps and optionsOther current liabilities$25$—$25

(a)Represents the gross amounts of recognized assets/liabilities
(b)Represents the netting of fair value balances with the same counterparty
(c)Represents the net amounts of assets/liabilities presented on the Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries’ Consolidated Balance Sheets
(d)Excludes cash collateral in the amount of $8 million posted as of December 31, 2022. Also excludes letters of credit in the amount of $2 million posted as of December 31, 2023 and $3 million posted as of December 31, 2022.

As discussed above, the non-utility operations business’ portfolio of derivative instruments expired in April 2021, which was the settlement date for the last financial derivative contract in the portfolio. Prior to the expiration of the non-utility operations business’ portfolio of derivative instruments, Entergy may have effectively liquidated a cash flow hedge instrument by entering into a contract offsetting the original hedge, and then de-designating the original hedge in this situation.  Gains or losses accumulated in other comprehensive income prior to de-designation would have continued to be deferred in other comprehensive income until they were included in income as the original hedged transaction occurred. From the point of de-designation, the gains or losses on the original hedge and the offsetting contract were recorded as assets or liabilities on the balance sheet and offset as they flowed through to earnings. The non-utility operations business recognized a gain of $2 million in other comprehensive income and reclassified a gain of $40 million, before taxes of $8 million, from accumulated other comprehensive income into income, each resulting from the effect of Entergy’s derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges on the consolidated income statements for the year ended December 31, 2021.
The effects of Entergy’s derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the consolidated income statements for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 are as follows:
InstrumentIncome Statement locationAmount of gain (loss) recorded in the income statement
  (In Millions)
2023  
Natural gas swaps and optionsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale(a)($54)
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense(b)$124
   
2022  
Natural gas swaps and optionFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale(a)$74
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense(b)$176
   
2021  
Natural gas swapsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale(a)$32
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense(b)$179
Electricity swaps and options (c)Other operating revenues($2)

(a)Due to regulatory treatment, the natural gas swaps and options are marked-to-market through fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale and then such amounts are simultaneously reversed and recorded as an offsetting regulatory asset or liability.  The gains or losses recorded as fuel expenses when the swaps and options are settled are recovered or refunded through fuel cost recovery mechanisms.
(b)Due to regulatory treatment, the changes in the estimated fair value of financial transmission rights for the Utility operating companies are recorded through purchased power expense and then such amounts are simultaneously reversed and recorded as an offsetting regulatory asset or liability.  The gains or losses recorded as purchased power expense when the financial transmission rights for the Utility operating companies are settled are recovered or refunded through fuel cost recovery mechanisms.
(c)There were no gains (losses) recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income from electricity swaps and options prior to the expiration of the non-utility operations business’ portfolio of derivative instruments in April 2021.
The fair values of derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the Registrant Subsidiaries’ balance sheets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are shown in the table below. Certain investments, including those not designated as hedging instruments, are subject to master netting agreements and are presented in the balance sheet on a net basis in accordance with accounting guidance for derivatives and hedging.
InstrumentBalance Sheet LocationGross Fair Value (a)Offsetting Position (b)Net Fair Value (c) (d)Registrant
  (In Millions) 
2023   
Assets:   
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$6.0$—$6.0Entergy Arkansas
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$9.8$—$9.8Entergy Louisiana
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$1.4$—$1.4Entergy Mississippi
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$1.1$—$1.1Entergy New Orleans
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$2.7($0.3)$2.4Entergy Texas
Liabilities:
Natural gas swaps and optionsOther current liabilities$0.4$—$0.4Entergy Louisiana
Natural gas swapsOther current liabilities$10.1$—$10.1Entergy Mississippi
Natural gas swapsOther current liabilities$0.6$—$0.6Entergy New Orleans
InstrumentBalance Sheet LocationGross Fair Value (a)Offsetting Position (b)Net Fair Value (c) (d)Registrant
(In Millions)
2022  
Assets:   
Natural gas swaps and optionsPrepayments and other$13.1$—$13.1Entergy Louisiana
Natural gas swaps and optionsOther deferred debits and other assets$3.4$—$3.4Entergy Louisiana
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$10.3$—$10.3Entergy Arkansas
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$7.7($0.4)$7.3Entergy Louisiana
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$0.6$—$0.6Entergy Mississippi
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$0.8$—$0.8Entergy New Orleans
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$1.2($1.1)$0.1Entergy Texas
Liabilities:
Natural gas swapsOther current liabilities$24.0$—$24.0Entergy Mississippi
Natural gas swapsOther current liabilities$1.5$—$1.5Entergy New Orleans

(a)Represents the gross amounts of recognized assets/liabilities
(b)Represents the netting of fair value balances with the same counterparty
(c)Represents the net amounts of assets/liabilities presented on the Registrant Subsidiaries’ balance sheets
(d)As of December 31, 2023, letters of credit posted with MISO covered financial transmission rights exposure of $1.2 million for Entergy Arkansas, $0.5 million for Entergy Louisiana, $0.3 million for Entergy Mississippi, and $0.1 million for Entergy Texas. As of December 31, 2022, letters of credit posted with MISO covered financial transmission rights exposure of $0.2 million for Entergy Mississippi, $0.2 million for Entergy New Orleans, and $2.4 million for Entergy Texas.
The effects of derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the Registrant Subsidiaries’ income statements for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 are as follows:
InstrumentIncome Statement LocationAmount of gain (loss) recorded in the income statementRegistrant
  (In Millions) 
2023   
Natural gas swaps and optionsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale($8.4)(a)Entergy Louisiana
Natural gas swapsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale($42.9)(a)Entergy Mississippi
Natural gas swapsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale($3.0)(a)Entergy New Orleans
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$25.8(b)Entergy Arkansas
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$60.4(b)Entergy Louisiana
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$13.7(b)Entergy Mississippi
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$6.4(b)Entergy New Orleans
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$17.3(b)Entergy Texas
2022   
Natural gas swaps and optionsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale$21.4(a)Entergy Louisiana
Natural gas swapsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale$53.6(a)Entergy Mississippi
Natural gas swapsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale($1.2)(a)Entergy New Orleans
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$106.5(b)Entergy Arkansas
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$48.5(b)Entergy Louisiana
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$10.4(b)Entergy Mississippi
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$3.7(b)Entergy New Orleans
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$6.3(b)Entergy Texas
2021   
Natural gas swaps and optionsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale$12.6(a)Entergy Louisiana
Natural gas swapsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale$19.8(a)Entergy Mississippi
Natural gas swapsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale($0.1)(a)Entergy New Orleans
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$42.6(b)Entergy Arkansas
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$31.6(b)Entergy Louisiana
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$11.3(b)Entergy Mississippi
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$4.3(b)Entergy New Orleans
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$85.9(b)Entergy Texas

(a)Due to regulatory treatment, the natural gas swaps and options are marked-to-market through fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale and then such amounts are simultaneously reversed and
recorded as an offsetting regulatory asset or liability.  The gains or losses recorded as fuel expenses when the swaps and options are settled are recovered or refunded through fuel cost recovery mechanisms.
(b)Due to regulatory treatment, the changes in the estimated fair value of financial transmission rights for the Utility operating companies are recorded through purchased power expense and then such amounts are simultaneously reversed and recorded as an offsetting regulatory asset or liability.  The gains or losses recorded as purchased power expense when the financial transmission rights for the Utility operating companies are settled are recovered or refunded through fuel cost recovery mechanisms.

Fair Values

The estimated fair values of Entergy’s financial instruments and derivatives are determined using historical prices, bid prices, market quotes, and financial modeling.  Considerable judgment is required in developing the estimates of fair value.  Therefore, estimates are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that Entergy could realize in a current market exchange.  Gains or losses realized on financial instruments are reflected in future rates and therefore do not affect net income. Entergy considers the carrying amounts of most financial instruments classified as current assets and liabilities to be a reasonable estimate of their fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.

Accounting standards define fair value as an exit price, or the price that would be received to sell an asset or the amount that would be paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between knowledgeable market participants at the date of measurement.  Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries use assumptions or market input data that market participants would use in pricing assets or liabilities at fair value.  The inputs can be readily observable, corroborated by market data, or generally unobservable.  Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries endeavor to use the best available information to determine fair value.

Accounting standards establish a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value.  The hierarchy establishes the highest priority for unadjusted market quotes in an active market for the identical asset or liability and the lowest priority for unobservable inputs.

The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are:

Level 1 - Level 1 inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity has the ability to access at the measurement date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.  Level 1 primarily consists of individually owned common stocks, cash equivalents (temporary cash investments, securitization recovery trust account, and escrow accounts), debt instruments, and gas swaps traded on exchanges with active markets.  Cash equivalents includes all unrestricted highly liquid debt instruments with an original or remaining maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase.

Level 2 - Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are, either directly or indirectly, observable for the asset or liability at the measurement date.  Assets are valued based on prices derived by independent third parties that use inputs such as benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, and issuer spreads.  Prices are reviewed and can be challenged with the independent parties and/or overridden by Entergy if it is believed such would be more reflective of fair value.  Level 2 inputs include the following:

quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;
quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets;
inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; or
inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.
Level 2 consists primarily of individually-owned debt instruments and gas swaps and options valued using observable inputs.

Level 3 - Level 3 inputs are pricing inputs that are generally less observable or unobservable from objective sources.  These inputs are used with internally developed methodologies to produce management’s best estimate of fair value for the asset or liability.  Level 3 consists primarily of financial transmission rights.

As a result of the completion of Entergy’s strategy to exit the merchant nuclear power business, which included the shut down and sale of all non-utility nuclear plants, the portfolio of derivative instruments held by Entergy’s non-utility operations business expired in April 2021, which was the settlement date for the last financial derivative contracts in the non-utility operations business’ portfolio.

The values for power contract assets or liabilities prior to expiration in April 2021 were based on both observable inputs including public market prices and interest rates, and unobservable inputs such as implied volatilities, unit contingent discounts, expected basis differences, and credit adjusted counterparty interest rates.  They were classified as Level 3 assets and liabilities.  The valuations of these assets and liabilities were performed by the Office of Corporate Risk Oversight and the non-utility operations Accounting group.  The primary related functions of the Office of Corporate Risk Oversight included: gathering, validating, and reporting market data, providing market risk analyses and valuations in support of the non-utility operations commercial transactions, developing and administering protocols for the management of market risks, and implementing and maintaining controls around changes to market data in the energy trading and risk management system.  The Office of Corporate Risk Oversight was also responsible for managing the energy trading and risk management system, forecasting revenues, forward positions, and analysis. The non-utility operations Accounting group performed functions related to market and counterparty settlements, revenue reporting and analysis, and financial accounting. The Office of Corporate Risk Oversight reports to the Vice President and Treasurer while the non-utility operations Accounting group reports to the Chief Accounting Officer.

The amounts reflected as the fair value of electricity swaps were based on the estimated amount that the contracts were in-the-money at the balance sheet date (treated as an asset) or out-of-the-money at the balance sheet date (treated as a liability) and equaled the estimated amount receivable to or payable by Entergy if the contracts were settled at that date.  These derivative contracts included cash flow hedges that swapped fixed for floating cash flows for sales of the output from the non-utility operations business.  The fair values were based on the mark-to-market comparison between the fixed contract prices and the floating prices determined each period from quoted forward power market prices.  The differences between the fixed price in the swap contract and these market-related prices multiplied by the volume specified in the contract and discounted at the counterparties’ credit adjusted risk free rate were recorded as derivative contract assets or liabilities.  For contracts that had unit contingent terms, a further discount was applied based on the historical relationship between contract and market prices for similar contract terms.

The amounts reflected as the fair values of electricity options were valued based on a Black Scholes model and were calculated at the end of each month for accounting purposes.  Inputs to the valuation included end of day forward market prices for the period when the transactions settled, implied volatilities based on market volatilities provided by a third-party data aggregator, and U.S. Treasury rates for a risk-free return rate.  As described further below, prices and implied volatilities were reviewed and could be adjusted if it was determined that there was a better representation of fair value.

On a daily basis, the Office of Corporate Risk Oversight calculated the mark-to-market for electricity swaps and options.  The Office of Corporate Risk Oversight also validated forward market prices by comparing them to other sources of forward market prices or to settlement prices of actual market transactions.  Significant differences were analyzed and potentially adjusted based on these other sources of forward market prices or settlement prices of actual market transactions.  Implied volatilities used to value options were also validated using actual counterparty
quotes for transactions by the non-utility operations business when available and compared with other sources of market implied volatilities.  Moreover, on a quarterly basis, the Office of Corporate Risk Oversight confirmed the mark-to-market calculations and prepared price scenarios and credit downgrade scenario analysis.  The scenario analysis was communicated to senior management within Entergy.  Finally, for all proposed derivative transactions, an analysis was completed to assess the risk of adding the proposed derivative to the non-utility operations business’ portfolio.  In particular, the credit and liquidity effects were calculated for this analysis.  This analysis was communicated to senior management within Entergy.

The values of financial transmission rights are based on unobservable inputs, including estimates of congestion costs in MISO between applicable generation and load pricing nodes based on the 50th percentile of historical prices.  They are classified as Level 3 assets and liabilities.  The valuations of these assets and liabilities are performed by the Office of Corporate Risk Oversight.  The values are calculated internally and verified against the data published by MISO. Entergy’s Accounting group reviews these valuations for reasonableness, with the assistance of others within the organization with knowledge of the various inputs and assumptions used in the valuation. The Office of Corporate Risk Oversight reports to the Vice President and Treasurer.  The Accounting group reports to the Chief Accounting Officer.

The following tables set forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, Entergy’s assets and liabilities that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.  The assessment of the significance of a particular input to a fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.
2023Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$61 $— $— $61 
Decommissioning trust funds (a):
Equity securities24 — — 24 
Debt securities611 1,159 — 1,770 
Common trusts (b)3,070 
Securitization recovery trust account— — 
Storm reserve escrow accounts323 — — 323 
Financial transmission rights— — 21 21 
$1,027 $1,159 $21 $5,277 
Liabilities:
Gas hedge contracts$11 $— $— $11 
2022Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$109 $— $— $109 
Decommissioning trust funds (a):
Equity securities24 — — 24 
Debt securities534 1,122 — 1,656 
Common trusts (b)2,442 
Securitization recovery trust account13 — — 13 
Storm reserve escrow accounts402 — — 402 
Gas hedge contracts13 — 16 
Financial transmission rights— — 19 19 
$1,095 $1,125 $19 $4,681 
Liabilities:
Gas hedge contracts$25 $— $— $25 

(a)The decommissioning trust funds hold equity and fixed income securities. Equity securities are invested to approximate the returns of major market indices.  Fixed income securities are held in various governmental and corporate securities.  See Note 16 to the financial statements for additional information on the investment portfolios.
(b)Common trust funds are not publicly quoted and are valued by the fund administrators using net asset value as a practical expedient. Accordingly, these funds are not assigned a level in the fair value table. The fund administrator of these investments allows daily trading at the net asset value and trades settle at a later date.

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of changes in the net assets for the fair value of derivatives classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021:
 202320222021
Financial transmission rightsFinancial transmission rightsPower ContractsFinancial transmission rights
 
Balance as of January 1,$19 $4 $38 $9 
Total gains (losses) for the period
Included in earnings— — (2)— 
Included in other comprehensive income— — — 
Included as a regulatory liability/asset84 175 — 162 
Issuances of financial transmission rights42 16 — 12 
Settlements(124)(176)(38)(179)
Balance as of December 31,$21 $19 $— $4 

The fair values of the Level 3 financial transmission rights are based on unobservable inputs calculated internally and verified against historical pricing data published by MISO.
The following table sets forth an analysis of each of the types of unobservable inputs impacting the fair value of items classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy, and the sensitivity to changes to those inputs:
Significant Unobservable InputTransaction TypePositionChange to InputEffect on Fair Value
    
Unit contingent discountElectricity swapsSellIncrease (Decrease)Decrease (Increase)

The following table sets forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, the Registrant Subsidiaries’ assets and liabilities that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.  The assessment of the significance of a particular input to a fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.

Entergy Arkansas
2023Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$3.1 $— $— $3.1 
Decommissioning trust funds (a):
Equity securities6.4 — — 6.4 
Debt securities129.9 367.0 — 496.9 
Common trusts (b)910.7 
Financial transmission rights— — 6.0 6.0 
$139.4 $367.0 $6.0 $1,423.1 

2022Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$3.4 $— $— $3.4 
Decommissioning trust funds (a):
Equity securities4.5 — — 4.5 
Debt securities126.8 343.9 — 470.7 
Common trusts (b)724.7 
Financial transmission rights— — 10.3 10.3 
$134.7 $343.9 $10.3 $1,213.6 
Entergy Louisiana
2023Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$0.5 $— $— $0.5 
Decommissioning trust funds (a):
Equity securities14.6 — — 14.6 
Debt securities271.7 516.4 — 788.1 
Common trusts (b)1,304.7 
Storm reserve escrow account243.8 — — 243.8 
Financial transmission rights— — 9.8 9.8 
$530.6 $516.4 $9.8 $2,361.5 
Liabilities:
Gas hedge contracts$0.4 $— $— $0.4 

2022Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$6.3 $— $— $6.3 
Decommissioning trust funds (a):
Equity securities16.8 — — 16.8 
Debt securities209.4 515.7 — 725.1 
Common trusts (b)1,037.2 
Storm reserve escrow account293.4 — — 293.4 
Gas hedge contracts13.1 3.4 — 16.5 
Financial transmission rights— — 7.3 7.3 
$539.0 $519.1 $7.3 $2,102.6 

Entergy Mississippi
2023Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$6.6 $— $— $6.6 
Storm reserve escrow account0.7 — — 0.7 
Financial transmission rights— — 1.4 1.4 
$7.3 $— $1.4 $8.7 
Liabilities:
Gas hedge contracts$10.1 $— $— $10.1 
2022Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$17.0 $— $— $17.0 
Storm reserve escrow account33.5 — — 33.5 
Financial transmission rights— — 0.6 0.6 
$50.5 $— $0.6 $51.1 
Liabilities:
Gas hedge contracts$24.0 $— $— $24.0 

Entergy New Orleans
2023Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Securitization recovery trust account$2.4 $— $— $2.4 
Storm reserve escrow account78.7 — — 78.7 
Financial transmission rights— — 1.1 1.1 
$81.1 $— $1.1 $82.2 
Liabilities:
Gas hedge contracts$0.6 $— $— $0.6 

2022Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$4.4 $— $— $4.4 
Securitization recovery trust account2.2 — — 2.2 
Storm reserve escrow account75.0 — — 75.0 
Financial transmission rights— — 0.8 0.8 
$81.6 $— $0.8 $82.4 
Liabilities:
Gas hedge contracts$1.5 $— $— $1.5 

Entergy Texas
2023Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$20.5 $— $— $20.5 
Securitization recovery trust account5.2 — — 5.2 
Financial transmission rights— — 2.4 2.4 
$25.7 $— $2.4 $28.1 
2022Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$3.0 $— $— $3.0 
Securitization recovery trust account10.9 — — 10.9 
Financial transmission rights— — 0.1 0.1 
$13.9 $— $0.1 $14.0 

System Energy
2023Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Decommissioning trust funds (a):
Equity securities$2.7 $— $— $2.7 
Debt securities209.5 275.7 — 485.2 
Common trusts (b)854.4 
$212.2 $275.7 $— $1,342.3 

2022Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$2.9 $— $— $2.9 
Decommissioning trust funds (a):
Equity securities2.8 — — 2.8 
Debt securities197.5 262.2 — 459.7 
Common trusts (b)680.4 
$203.2 $262.2 $— $1,145.8 

(a)The decommissioning trust funds hold equity and fixed income securities. Equity securities are invested to approximate the returns of major market indices.  Fixed income securities are held in various governmental and corporate securities.  See Note 16 to the financial statements for additional information on the investment portfolios.
(b)Common trust funds are not publicly quoted and are valued by the fund administrators using net asset value as a practical expedient. Accordingly, these funds are not assigned a level in the fair value table. The fund administrator of these investments allows daily trading at the net asset value and trades settle at a later date.
The following table sets forth a reconciliation of changes in the net assets for the fair value of derivatives classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas
 (In Millions)
Balance as of January 1, 2023$10.3 $7.3 $0.6 $0.8 $0.1 
Issuances of financial transmission rights20.6 18.1 1.3 1.4 0.2 
Gains (losses) included as a regulatory liability/asset0.9 44.8 13.2 5.3 19.4 
Settlements(25.8)(60.4)(13.7)(6.4)(17.3)
Balance as of December 31, 2023$6.0 $9.8 $1.4 $1.1 $2.4 

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of changes in the net assets for the fair value of derivatives classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas
 (In Millions)
Balance as of January 1, 2022$2.3 $0.6 $0.3 $0.1 $0.8 
Issuances of financial transmission rights5.4 5.3 0.8 0.8 3.9 
Gains (losses) included as a regulatory liability/asset109.1 49.9 9.9 3.6 1.7 
Settlements(106.5)(48.5)(10.4)(3.7)(6.3)
Balance as of December 31, 2022$10.3 $7.3 $0.6 $0.8 $0.1 
System Energy [Member]  
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block] RISK MANAGEMENT AND FAIR VALUES (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)
Market Risk

In the normal course of business, Entergy is exposed to a number of market risks.  Market risk is the potential loss that Entergy may incur as a result of changes in the market or fair value of a particular commodity or instrument.  All financial and commodity-related instruments, including derivatives, are subject to market risk including commodity price risk, equity price, and interest rate risk.  Entergy uses derivatives primarily to mitigate commodity price risk, particularly power price and fuel price risk.

The Utility has limited exposure to the effects of market risk because it operates primarily under cost-based rate regulation.  To the extent approved by their retail regulators, the Utility operating companies use derivative instruments to hedge the exposure to price volatility inherent in their purchased power, fuel, and gas purchased for resale costs, that are recovered from customers.

Entergy’s non-utility operations’ core business as a wholesale generator was selling energy, measured in MWh, to its customers.  The non-utility operations business entered into forward contracts with its customers and also sold energy and capacity in the day ahead or spot markets.  In addition to its forward physical power and gas contracts, the non-utility operations business used a combination of financial contracts, including swaps, collars, and options, to mitigate commodity price risk.  When the market price fell, the combination of financial contracts was expected to settle in gains that offset lower revenue from generation, which resulted in a more predictable cash flow. As a result of the completion of Entergy’s strategy to exit the merchant nuclear power business, which included the shut down and sale of all non-utility nuclear plants, the portfolio of derivative instruments held by Entergy’s non-utility operations business expired in April 2021, which was the settlement date for the last financial derivative contracts in the non-utility operations business’ portfolio.

Entergy’s exposure to market risk is determined by a number of factors, including the size, term, composition, and diversification of positions held, as well as market volatility and liquidity.  For instruments such as options, the time period during which the option may be exercised and the relationship between the current market price of the underlying instrument and the option’s contractual strike or exercise price also affects the level of market risk.  A significant factor influencing the overall level of market risk to which Entergy is exposed is its use of hedging techniques to mitigate such risk.  Hedging instruments and volumes are chosen based on ability to mitigate risk associated with future energy and capacity prices; however, other considerations are factored into hedge product and volume decisions including corporate liquidity, corporate credit ratings, counterparty credit risk, hedging costs, firm settlement risk, and product availability in the marketplace.  Entergy manages market risk by actively monitoring compliance with stated risk management policies as well as monitoring the effectiveness of its hedging policies and strategies.  Entergy’s risk management policies limit the amount of total net exposure and
rolling net exposure during the stated periods.  These policies, including related risk limits, are regularly assessed to ensure their appropriateness given Entergy’s objectives.

Derivatives

Some derivative instruments are classified as cash flow hedges due to their financial settlement provisions while others are classified as normal purchase/normal sale transactions due to their physical settlement provisions.  Normal purchase/normal sale risk management tools include power purchase and sales agreements, fuel purchase agreements, capacity contracts, and tolling agreements.  Financially-settled cash flow hedges can include natural gas and electricity swaps and options.  Entergy may enter into financially-settled swap and option contracts to manage market risk that may or may not be designated as hedging instruments.

Entergy entered into derivatives to manage natural risks inherent in its physical or financial assets or liabilities.  Electricity over-the-counter instruments and futures contracts that financially settled against day-ahead power pool prices were used to manage price exposure for the non-utility operations’ generation.

Entergy manages fuel price volatility for its Louisiana jurisdictions (Entergy Louisiana and Entergy New Orleans) and Entergy Mississippi through the purchase of natural gas swaps and options that financially settle against either the average Henry Hub Gas Daily prices or the NYMEX Henry Hub. These swaps and options are marked-to-market through fuel expense with offsetting regulatory assets or liabilities. All benefits or costs of the program are recorded in fuel costs. The notional volumes of these swaps are based on a portion of projected annual exposure to gas price volatility for electric generation at Entergy Louisiana and Entergy Mississippi and projected winter purchases for gas distribution at Entergy New Orleans. The maximum length of time over which Entergy has executed natural gas swaps and options as of December 31, 2023 is 3 months for Entergy Louisiana, 10 months for Entergy Mississippi, and 3 months for Entergy New Orleans. The total volume of natural gas swaps and options outstanding as of December 31, 2023 is 14,798,500 MMBtu for Entergy, including 1,820,000 MMBtu for Entergy Louisiana, 12,491,700 MMBtu for Entergy Mississippi, and 486,800 MMBtu for Entergy New Orleans.  Credit support for these natural gas swaps and options is covered by master agreements that do not require Entergy to provide collateral based on mark-to-market value, but do carry adequate assurance language that may lead to requests for collateral.

During the second quarter 2023, Entergy participated in the annual financial transmission rights auction process for the MISO planning year of June 1, 2023 through May 31, 2024. Financial transmission rights are derivative instruments that represent economic hedges of future congestion charges that will be incurred in serving Entergy’s customer load. They are not designated as hedging instruments. Entergy initially records financial transmission rights at their estimated fair value and subsequently adjusts the carrying value to their estimated fair value at the end of each accounting period prior to settlement. Unrealized gains or losses on financial transmission rights held by the non-utility operations are included in operating revenues. The Utility operating companies recognize regulatory liabilities or assets for unrealized gains or losses on financial transmission rights. The total volume of financial transmission rights outstanding as of December 31, 2023 is 62,809 GWh for Entergy, including 15,385 GWh for Entergy Arkansas, 26,990 GWh for Entergy Louisiana, 8,250 GWh for Entergy Mississippi, 2,478 GWh for Entergy New Orleans, and 9,611 GWh for Entergy Texas. Credit support for financial transmission rights held by the Utility operating companies is covered by cash and/or letters of credit issued by each Utility operating company as required by MISO. Credit support for financial transmission rights held by the non-utility operations business is covered by cash. No cash or letters of credit were required to be posted for financial transmission rights exposure for the non-utility operations business as of December 31, 2023 and 2022. Letters of credit posted with MISO covered the financial transmission rights exposure for Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy Texas as of December 31, 2023 and for Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, and Entergy Texas as of December 31, 2022.
The fair values of Entergy’s derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are shown in the table below. Certain investments, including those not designated as hedging instruments, are subject to master netting agreements and are presented in the balance sheet on a net basis in accordance with accounting guidance for derivatives and hedging.
InstrumentBalance Sheet LocationGross Fair Value (a)Offsetting Position (b)Net Fair Value (c) (d)
(In Millions)
2023
Assets:   
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$21$—$21
    
Liabilities:   
Natural gas swaps and optionsOther current liabilities$11 $— $11
2022
Assets:   
Natural gas swaps and optionsPrepayments and other$13$—$13
Natural gas swaps and optionsOther deferred debits and other assets$3$—$3
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$21($2)$19
Liabilities:   
Natural gas swaps and optionsOther current liabilities$25$—$25

(a)Represents the gross amounts of recognized assets/liabilities
(b)Represents the netting of fair value balances with the same counterparty
(c)Represents the net amounts of assets/liabilities presented on the Entergy Corporation and Subsidiaries’ Consolidated Balance Sheets
(d)Excludes cash collateral in the amount of $8 million posted as of December 31, 2022. Also excludes letters of credit in the amount of $2 million posted as of December 31, 2023 and $3 million posted as of December 31, 2022.

As discussed above, the non-utility operations business’ portfolio of derivative instruments expired in April 2021, which was the settlement date for the last financial derivative contract in the portfolio. Prior to the expiration of the non-utility operations business’ portfolio of derivative instruments, Entergy may have effectively liquidated a cash flow hedge instrument by entering into a contract offsetting the original hedge, and then de-designating the original hedge in this situation.  Gains or losses accumulated in other comprehensive income prior to de-designation would have continued to be deferred in other comprehensive income until they were included in income as the original hedged transaction occurred. From the point of de-designation, the gains or losses on the original hedge and the offsetting contract were recorded as assets or liabilities on the balance sheet and offset as they flowed through to earnings. The non-utility operations business recognized a gain of $2 million in other comprehensive income and reclassified a gain of $40 million, before taxes of $8 million, from accumulated other comprehensive income into income, each resulting from the effect of Entergy’s derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges on the consolidated income statements for the year ended December 31, 2021.
The effects of Entergy’s derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the consolidated income statements for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 are as follows:
InstrumentIncome Statement locationAmount of gain (loss) recorded in the income statement
  (In Millions)
2023  
Natural gas swaps and optionsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale(a)($54)
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense(b)$124
   
2022  
Natural gas swaps and optionFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale(a)$74
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense(b)$176
   
2021  
Natural gas swapsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale(a)$32
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense(b)$179
Electricity swaps and options (c)Other operating revenues($2)

(a)Due to regulatory treatment, the natural gas swaps and options are marked-to-market through fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale and then such amounts are simultaneously reversed and recorded as an offsetting regulatory asset or liability.  The gains or losses recorded as fuel expenses when the swaps and options are settled are recovered or refunded through fuel cost recovery mechanisms.
(b)Due to regulatory treatment, the changes in the estimated fair value of financial transmission rights for the Utility operating companies are recorded through purchased power expense and then such amounts are simultaneously reversed and recorded as an offsetting regulatory asset or liability.  The gains or losses recorded as purchased power expense when the financial transmission rights for the Utility operating companies are settled are recovered or refunded through fuel cost recovery mechanisms.
(c)There were no gains (losses) recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income from electricity swaps and options prior to the expiration of the non-utility operations business’ portfolio of derivative instruments in April 2021.
The fair values of derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the Registrant Subsidiaries’ balance sheets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are shown in the table below. Certain investments, including those not designated as hedging instruments, are subject to master netting agreements and are presented in the balance sheet on a net basis in accordance with accounting guidance for derivatives and hedging.
InstrumentBalance Sheet LocationGross Fair Value (a)Offsetting Position (b)Net Fair Value (c) (d)Registrant
  (In Millions) 
2023   
Assets:   
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$6.0$—$6.0Entergy Arkansas
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$9.8$—$9.8Entergy Louisiana
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$1.4$—$1.4Entergy Mississippi
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$1.1$—$1.1Entergy New Orleans
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$2.7($0.3)$2.4Entergy Texas
Liabilities:
Natural gas swaps and optionsOther current liabilities$0.4$—$0.4Entergy Louisiana
Natural gas swapsOther current liabilities$10.1$—$10.1Entergy Mississippi
Natural gas swapsOther current liabilities$0.6$—$0.6Entergy New Orleans
InstrumentBalance Sheet LocationGross Fair Value (a)Offsetting Position (b)Net Fair Value (c) (d)Registrant
(In Millions)
2022  
Assets:   
Natural gas swaps and optionsPrepayments and other$13.1$—$13.1Entergy Louisiana
Natural gas swaps and optionsOther deferred debits and other assets$3.4$—$3.4Entergy Louisiana
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$10.3$—$10.3Entergy Arkansas
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$7.7($0.4)$7.3Entergy Louisiana
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$0.6$—$0.6Entergy Mississippi
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$0.8$—$0.8Entergy New Orleans
Financial transmission rightsPrepayments and other$1.2($1.1)$0.1Entergy Texas
Liabilities:
Natural gas swapsOther current liabilities$24.0$—$24.0Entergy Mississippi
Natural gas swapsOther current liabilities$1.5$—$1.5Entergy New Orleans

(a)Represents the gross amounts of recognized assets/liabilities
(b)Represents the netting of fair value balances with the same counterparty
(c)Represents the net amounts of assets/liabilities presented on the Registrant Subsidiaries’ balance sheets
(d)As of December 31, 2023, letters of credit posted with MISO covered financial transmission rights exposure of $1.2 million for Entergy Arkansas, $0.5 million for Entergy Louisiana, $0.3 million for Entergy Mississippi, and $0.1 million for Entergy Texas. As of December 31, 2022, letters of credit posted with MISO covered financial transmission rights exposure of $0.2 million for Entergy Mississippi, $0.2 million for Entergy New Orleans, and $2.4 million for Entergy Texas.
The effects of derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the Registrant Subsidiaries’ income statements for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 are as follows:
InstrumentIncome Statement LocationAmount of gain (loss) recorded in the income statementRegistrant
  (In Millions) 
2023   
Natural gas swaps and optionsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale($8.4)(a)Entergy Louisiana
Natural gas swapsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale($42.9)(a)Entergy Mississippi
Natural gas swapsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale($3.0)(a)Entergy New Orleans
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$25.8(b)Entergy Arkansas
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$60.4(b)Entergy Louisiana
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$13.7(b)Entergy Mississippi
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$6.4(b)Entergy New Orleans
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$17.3(b)Entergy Texas
2022   
Natural gas swaps and optionsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale$21.4(a)Entergy Louisiana
Natural gas swapsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale$53.6(a)Entergy Mississippi
Natural gas swapsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale($1.2)(a)Entergy New Orleans
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$106.5(b)Entergy Arkansas
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$48.5(b)Entergy Louisiana
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$10.4(b)Entergy Mississippi
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$3.7(b)Entergy New Orleans
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$6.3(b)Entergy Texas
2021   
Natural gas swaps and optionsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale$12.6(a)Entergy Louisiana
Natural gas swapsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale$19.8(a)Entergy Mississippi
Natural gas swapsFuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale($0.1)(a)Entergy New Orleans
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$42.6(b)Entergy Arkansas
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$31.6(b)Entergy Louisiana
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$11.3(b)Entergy Mississippi
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$4.3(b)Entergy New Orleans
Financial transmission rightsPurchased power expense$85.9(b)Entergy Texas

(a)Due to regulatory treatment, the natural gas swaps and options are marked-to-market through fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale and then such amounts are simultaneously reversed and
recorded as an offsetting regulatory asset or liability.  The gains or losses recorded as fuel expenses when the swaps and options are settled are recovered or refunded through fuel cost recovery mechanisms.
(b)Due to regulatory treatment, the changes in the estimated fair value of financial transmission rights for the Utility operating companies are recorded through purchased power expense and then such amounts are simultaneously reversed and recorded as an offsetting regulatory asset or liability.  The gains or losses recorded as purchased power expense when the financial transmission rights for the Utility operating companies are settled are recovered or refunded through fuel cost recovery mechanisms.

Fair Values

The estimated fair values of Entergy’s financial instruments and derivatives are determined using historical prices, bid prices, market quotes, and financial modeling.  Considerable judgment is required in developing the estimates of fair value.  Therefore, estimates are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that Entergy could realize in a current market exchange.  Gains or losses realized on financial instruments are reflected in future rates and therefore do not affect net income. Entergy considers the carrying amounts of most financial instruments classified as current assets and liabilities to be a reasonable estimate of their fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.

Accounting standards define fair value as an exit price, or the price that would be received to sell an asset or the amount that would be paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between knowledgeable market participants at the date of measurement.  Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries use assumptions or market input data that market participants would use in pricing assets or liabilities at fair value.  The inputs can be readily observable, corroborated by market data, or generally unobservable.  Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries endeavor to use the best available information to determine fair value.

Accounting standards establish a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value.  The hierarchy establishes the highest priority for unadjusted market quotes in an active market for the identical asset or liability and the lowest priority for unobservable inputs.

The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are:

Level 1 - Level 1 inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity has the ability to access at the measurement date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.  Level 1 primarily consists of individually owned common stocks, cash equivalents (temporary cash investments, securitization recovery trust account, and escrow accounts), debt instruments, and gas swaps traded on exchanges with active markets.  Cash equivalents includes all unrestricted highly liquid debt instruments with an original or remaining maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase.

Level 2 - Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are, either directly or indirectly, observable for the asset or liability at the measurement date.  Assets are valued based on prices derived by independent third parties that use inputs such as benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, and issuer spreads.  Prices are reviewed and can be challenged with the independent parties and/or overridden by Entergy if it is believed such would be more reflective of fair value.  Level 2 inputs include the following:

quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;
quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets;
inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; or
inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.
Level 2 consists primarily of individually-owned debt instruments and gas swaps and options valued using observable inputs.

Level 3 - Level 3 inputs are pricing inputs that are generally less observable or unobservable from objective sources.  These inputs are used with internally developed methodologies to produce management’s best estimate of fair value for the asset or liability.  Level 3 consists primarily of financial transmission rights.

As a result of the completion of Entergy’s strategy to exit the merchant nuclear power business, which included the shut down and sale of all non-utility nuclear plants, the portfolio of derivative instruments held by Entergy’s non-utility operations business expired in April 2021, which was the settlement date for the last financial derivative contracts in the non-utility operations business’ portfolio.

The values for power contract assets or liabilities prior to expiration in April 2021 were based on both observable inputs including public market prices and interest rates, and unobservable inputs such as implied volatilities, unit contingent discounts, expected basis differences, and credit adjusted counterparty interest rates.  They were classified as Level 3 assets and liabilities.  The valuations of these assets and liabilities were performed by the Office of Corporate Risk Oversight and the non-utility operations Accounting group.  The primary related functions of the Office of Corporate Risk Oversight included: gathering, validating, and reporting market data, providing market risk analyses and valuations in support of the non-utility operations commercial transactions, developing and administering protocols for the management of market risks, and implementing and maintaining controls around changes to market data in the energy trading and risk management system.  The Office of Corporate Risk Oversight was also responsible for managing the energy trading and risk management system, forecasting revenues, forward positions, and analysis. The non-utility operations Accounting group performed functions related to market and counterparty settlements, revenue reporting and analysis, and financial accounting. The Office of Corporate Risk Oversight reports to the Vice President and Treasurer while the non-utility operations Accounting group reports to the Chief Accounting Officer.

The amounts reflected as the fair value of electricity swaps were based on the estimated amount that the contracts were in-the-money at the balance sheet date (treated as an asset) or out-of-the-money at the balance sheet date (treated as a liability) and equaled the estimated amount receivable to or payable by Entergy if the contracts were settled at that date.  These derivative contracts included cash flow hedges that swapped fixed for floating cash flows for sales of the output from the non-utility operations business.  The fair values were based on the mark-to-market comparison between the fixed contract prices and the floating prices determined each period from quoted forward power market prices.  The differences between the fixed price in the swap contract and these market-related prices multiplied by the volume specified in the contract and discounted at the counterparties’ credit adjusted risk free rate were recorded as derivative contract assets or liabilities.  For contracts that had unit contingent terms, a further discount was applied based on the historical relationship between contract and market prices for similar contract terms.

The amounts reflected as the fair values of electricity options were valued based on a Black Scholes model and were calculated at the end of each month for accounting purposes.  Inputs to the valuation included end of day forward market prices for the period when the transactions settled, implied volatilities based on market volatilities provided by a third-party data aggregator, and U.S. Treasury rates for a risk-free return rate.  As described further below, prices and implied volatilities were reviewed and could be adjusted if it was determined that there was a better representation of fair value.

On a daily basis, the Office of Corporate Risk Oversight calculated the mark-to-market for electricity swaps and options.  The Office of Corporate Risk Oversight also validated forward market prices by comparing them to other sources of forward market prices or to settlement prices of actual market transactions.  Significant differences were analyzed and potentially adjusted based on these other sources of forward market prices or settlement prices of actual market transactions.  Implied volatilities used to value options were also validated using actual counterparty
quotes for transactions by the non-utility operations business when available and compared with other sources of market implied volatilities.  Moreover, on a quarterly basis, the Office of Corporate Risk Oversight confirmed the mark-to-market calculations and prepared price scenarios and credit downgrade scenario analysis.  The scenario analysis was communicated to senior management within Entergy.  Finally, for all proposed derivative transactions, an analysis was completed to assess the risk of adding the proposed derivative to the non-utility operations business’ portfolio.  In particular, the credit and liquidity effects were calculated for this analysis.  This analysis was communicated to senior management within Entergy.

The values of financial transmission rights are based on unobservable inputs, including estimates of congestion costs in MISO between applicable generation and load pricing nodes based on the 50th percentile of historical prices.  They are classified as Level 3 assets and liabilities.  The valuations of these assets and liabilities are performed by the Office of Corporate Risk Oversight.  The values are calculated internally and verified against the data published by MISO. Entergy’s Accounting group reviews these valuations for reasonableness, with the assistance of others within the organization with knowledge of the various inputs and assumptions used in the valuation. The Office of Corporate Risk Oversight reports to the Vice President and Treasurer.  The Accounting group reports to the Chief Accounting Officer.

The following tables set forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, Entergy’s assets and liabilities that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.  The assessment of the significance of a particular input to a fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.
2023Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$61 $— $— $61 
Decommissioning trust funds (a):
Equity securities24 — — 24 
Debt securities611 1,159 — 1,770 
Common trusts (b)3,070 
Securitization recovery trust account— — 
Storm reserve escrow accounts323 — — 323 
Financial transmission rights— — 21 21 
$1,027 $1,159 $21 $5,277 
Liabilities:
Gas hedge contracts$11 $— $— $11 
2022Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$109 $— $— $109 
Decommissioning trust funds (a):
Equity securities24 — — 24 
Debt securities534 1,122 — 1,656 
Common trusts (b)2,442 
Securitization recovery trust account13 — — 13 
Storm reserve escrow accounts402 — — 402 
Gas hedge contracts13 — 16 
Financial transmission rights— — 19 19 
$1,095 $1,125 $19 $4,681 
Liabilities:
Gas hedge contracts$25 $— $— $25 

(a)The decommissioning trust funds hold equity and fixed income securities. Equity securities are invested to approximate the returns of major market indices.  Fixed income securities are held in various governmental and corporate securities.  See Note 16 to the financial statements for additional information on the investment portfolios.
(b)Common trust funds are not publicly quoted and are valued by the fund administrators using net asset value as a practical expedient. Accordingly, these funds are not assigned a level in the fair value table. The fund administrator of these investments allows daily trading at the net asset value and trades settle at a later date.

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of changes in the net assets for the fair value of derivatives classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021:
 202320222021
Financial transmission rightsFinancial transmission rightsPower ContractsFinancial transmission rights
 
Balance as of January 1,$19 $4 $38 $9 
Total gains (losses) for the period
Included in earnings— — (2)— 
Included in other comprehensive income— — — 
Included as a regulatory liability/asset84 175 — 162 
Issuances of financial transmission rights42 16 — 12 
Settlements(124)(176)(38)(179)
Balance as of December 31,$21 $19 $— $4 

The fair values of the Level 3 financial transmission rights are based on unobservable inputs calculated internally and verified against historical pricing data published by MISO.
The following table sets forth an analysis of each of the types of unobservable inputs impacting the fair value of items classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy, and the sensitivity to changes to those inputs:
Significant Unobservable InputTransaction TypePositionChange to InputEffect on Fair Value
    
Unit contingent discountElectricity swapsSellIncrease (Decrease)Decrease (Increase)

The following table sets forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, the Registrant Subsidiaries’ assets and liabilities that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.  The assessment of the significance of a particular input to a fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.

Entergy Arkansas
2023Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$3.1 $— $— $3.1 
Decommissioning trust funds (a):
Equity securities6.4 — — 6.4 
Debt securities129.9 367.0 — 496.9 
Common trusts (b)910.7 
Financial transmission rights— — 6.0 6.0 
$139.4 $367.0 $6.0 $1,423.1 

2022Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$3.4 $— $— $3.4 
Decommissioning trust funds (a):
Equity securities4.5 — — 4.5 
Debt securities126.8 343.9 — 470.7 
Common trusts (b)724.7 
Financial transmission rights— — 10.3 10.3 
$134.7 $343.9 $10.3 $1,213.6 
Entergy Louisiana
2023Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$0.5 $— $— $0.5 
Decommissioning trust funds (a):
Equity securities14.6 — — 14.6 
Debt securities271.7 516.4 — 788.1 
Common trusts (b)1,304.7 
Storm reserve escrow account243.8 — — 243.8 
Financial transmission rights— — 9.8 9.8 
$530.6 $516.4 $9.8 $2,361.5 
Liabilities:
Gas hedge contracts$0.4 $— $— $0.4 

2022Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$6.3 $— $— $6.3 
Decommissioning trust funds (a):
Equity securities16.8 — — 16.8 
Debt securities209.4 515.7 — 725.1 
Common trusts (b)1,037.2 
Storm reserve escrow account293.4 — — 293.4 
Gas hedge contracts13.1 3.4 — 16.5 
Financial transmission rights— — 7.3 7.3 
$539.0 $519.1 $7.3 $2,102.6 

Entergy Mississippi
2023Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$6.6 $— $— $6.6 
Storm reserve escrow account0.7 — — 0.7 
Financial transmission rights— — 1.4 1.4 
$7.3 $— $1.4 $8.7 
Liabilities:
Gas hedge contracts$10.1 $— $— $10.1 
2022Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$17.0 $— $— $17.0 
Storm reserve escrow account33.5 — — 33.5 
Financial transmission rights— — 0.6 0.6 
$50.5 $— $0.6 $51.1 
Liabilities:
Gas hedge contracts$24.0 $— $— $24.0 

Entergy New Orleans
2023Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Securitization recovery trust account$2.4 $— $— $2.4 
Storm reserve escrow account78.7 — — 78.7 
Financial transmission rights— — 1.1 1.1 
$81.1 $— $1.1 $82.2 
Liabilities:
Gas hedge contracts$0.6 $— $— $0.6 

2022Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$4.4 $— $— $4.4 
Securitization recovery trust account2.2 — — 2.2 
Storm reserve escrow account75.0 — — 75.0 
Financial transmission rights— — 0.8 0.8 
$81.6 $— $0.8 $82.4 
Liabilities:
Gas hedge contracts$1.5 $— $— $1.5 

Entergy Texas
2023Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$20.5 $— $— $20.5 
Securitization recovery trust account5.2 — — 5.2 
Financial transmission rights— — 2.4 2.4 
$25.7 $— $2.4 $28.1 
2022Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$3.0 $— $— $3.0 
Securitization recovery trust account10.9 — — 10.9 
Financial transmission rights— — 0.1 0.1 
$13.9 $— $0.1 $14.0 

System Energy
2023Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Decommissioning trust funds (a):
Equity securities$2.7 $— $— $2.7 
Debt securities209.5 275.7 — 485.2 
Common trusts (b)854.4 
$212.2 $275.7 $— $1,342.3 

2022Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
(In Millions)
Assets:
Temporary cash investments$2.9 $— $— $2.9 
Decommissioning trust funds (a):
Equity securities2.8 — — 2.8 
Debt securities197.5 262.2 — 459.7 
Common trusts (b)680.4 
$203.2 $262.2 $— $1,145.8 

(a)The decommissioning trust funds hold equity and fixed income securities. Equity securities are invested to approximate the returns of major market indices.  Fixed income securities are held in various governmental and corporate securities.  See Note 16 to the financial statements for additional information on the investment portfolios.
(b)Common trust funds are not publicly quoted and are valued by the fund administrators using net asset value as a practical expedient. Accordingly, these funds are not assigned a level in the fair value table. The fund administrator of these investments allows daily trading at the net asset value and trades settle at a later date.
The following table sets forth a reconciliation of changes in the net assets for the fair value of derivatives classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas
 (In Millions)
Balance as of January 1, 2023$10.3 $7.3 $0.6 $0.8 $0.1 
Issuances of financial transmission rights20.6 18.1 1.3 1.4 0.2 
Gains (losses) included as a regulatory liability/asset0.9 44.8 13.2 5.3 19.4 
Settlements(25.8)(60.4)(13.7)(6.4)(17.3)
Balance as of December 31, 2023$6.0 $9.8 $1.4 $1.1 $2.4 

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of changes in the net assets for the fair value of derivatives classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Entergy ArkansasEntergy LouisianaEntergy MississippiEntergy New OrleansEntergy Texas
 (In Millions)
Balance as of January 1, 2022$2.3 $0.6 $0.3 $0.1 $0.8 
Issuances of financial transmission rights5.4 5.3 0.8 0.8 3.9 
Gains (losses) included as a regulatory liability/asset109.1 49.9 9.9 3.6 1.7 
Settlements(106.5)(48.5)(10.4)(3.7)(6.3)
Balance as of December 31, 2022$10.3 $7.3 $0.6 $0.8 $0.1