New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell called for more transmission, microgrids and renewable energy during a talk featured at North America Smart Energy Week.

Divisions between MISO and MISO South stakeholders deepened over the RTO’s long-range transmission plan.

Entergy said it could either sell its New Orleans unit, merge it with Entergy Louisiana or step out of the way as New Orleans navigates a municipal utility.

A former FERC commissioner, along with other stakeholders, say MISO has allowed itself to be led by Entergy in long-term transmission planning.

Entergy has pushed back on the notion that sturdier transmission or more solar panels would have helped Louisiana's grid better withstand Hurricane Ida. 

Experts say the electric grid needs heartier construction, new technology and microgrids to reduce outages from increasingly common severe weather events.

Entergy has activated two of the eight transmission lines serving the New Orleans area, allowing them to restore power to parts of downtown.

Entergy said most of its Louisiana customers affected by Hurricane Ida will see their power restored by Sept. 9 but that some areas will require a "rebuild."

As greater New Orleans endures a second day of blackouts following Hurricane Ida, questions are swirling regarding Entergy's massive transmission failure.

Entergy restored power to a fraction of customers in New Orleans Wednesday morning, using a transmission line from the northern side of Lake Pontchartrain.