Tens of thousands still without power in Arkansas

Tens of thousands still without power in Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Entergy Arkansas says it has restored power to about 40 percent of its 194,000 customers who lost electricity in the Christmas Day winter storm, but says the pace has slowed due to the difficult nature of the job.

Entergy Arkansas CEO Hugh McDonald said at news conference today that he understands people without electricity are becoming dissatisfied with the publicly traded utility.

But McDonald blamed the weather forecast for not quickly predicting that the state’s most populous area would get 10 inches of snow.

McDonald defended Entergy’s tree-trimming program, saying the utility spends $15 million per year to clear vegetation.

Without electricity, many businesses have been closed during the crucial after-Christmas sale period and grocery stores have had to throw out perishable stock.