It argued that the plant's black start capability would quickly restore power to part of New Orleans even if damage to all eight transmission lines leading into the city.

Residents of the predominantly Black and Vietnamese-American New Orleans East neighborhood opposed the plant and raised concerns that its location at the confluence of the Mississippi River–Gulf Outlet Canal and Gulf Intracoastal Waterway would make it susceptible to flooding.

Entergy hired a public relations firm that paid actors to attend council meetings in support of the proposal.

Entergy was fined $5 million for the practice, but the plant was ultimately approved and funded by consumer rate increases.

[4] Entergy did not bring the New Orleans Power Station online until two days after the storm, prompting the city council to launch an investigation.