Exhibit 12(a) Entergy Arkansas, Inc. Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Ratios of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Dividends December 31, 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 Fixed charges, as defined: Interest on long-term debt $133,854 $120,317 $107,771 $101,439 $102,339 $93,852 Interest on notes payable -- 117 349 1,311 678 688 Amortization of expense and premium on debt-net(cr) 1,112 1,359 2,702 4,563 4,514 4,679 Other interest 1,303 2,308 8,769 3,501 7,806 5,570 Dividends on preferred securities of subsidiary trust -- -- -- -- -- 1,927 Interest applicable to rentals 21,969 17,657 16,860 19,140 18,158 19,121 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Total fixed charges, as defined 158,238 141,758 136,451 129,954 133,495 125,837 Preferred dividends, as defined (a) 31,458 32,195 30,334 23,234 27,636 24,731 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Combined fixed charges and preferred dividends, as defined $189,696 $173,953 $166,785 $153,188 $161,131 $150,568 ======================================================================== Earnings as defined: Net Income $143,451 $130,529 $205,297 $142,263 $136,666 $157,798 Add: Provision for income taxes: Federal & State 44,418 57,089 58,162 83,300 105,964 128,982 Deferred - net 11,048 3,490 34,748 (17,939) (28,225) (39,772) Investment tax credit adjustment - net (1,600) (9,989) (10,573) (36,141) (5,658) (4,765) Fixed charges as above 158,238 141,758 136,451 129,954 133,495 125,837 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Total earnings, as defined $355,555 $322,877 $424,085 $301,437 $342,242 $368,080 ======================================================================== Ratio of earnings to fixed charges, as defined 2.25 2.28 3.11 2.32 2.56 2.93 ======================================================================== Ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred dividends, as defined 1.87 1.86 2.54 1.97 2.12 2.44 ======================================================================== - ------------------------ (a) "Preferred dividends," as defined by SEC regulation S-K, are computed by dividing the preferred dividend requirement by one hundred percent (100%) minus the income tax rate.