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PSC approves Entergy Mississippi acquisition of about 200 MW Grand Gulf entitlement
Summary
The Mississippi Public Service Commission approved Entergy Mississippi’s notice to implement a rider to recover first-year costs tied to acquiring roughly 200 megawatts of Grand Gulf nuclear capacity and associated energy. Commissioners said the transfer helps meet short- and long-term capacity needs and provide fuel diversity.
The Mississippi Public Service Commission on its February 2025 open meeting approved Entergy Mississippi’s notice to implement a unit power cost recovery rider (UPC-4) and to obtain Entergy Louisiana’s entitlement to about 200 megawatts of Grand Gulf nuclear station capacity and associated energy.
The filing, made Sept. 30, 2024, asked the commission to allow Entergy Mississippi to implement UPC-4 to recover first-year costs associated with the transfer and to find the transfer “just and reasonable,” according to Alicia Hall of Energy Mississippi, who presented the item to the commission.
Hall told the commission Entergy Mississippi’s filing cites the utility’s 2024 integrated resource plan and shows both short-term and long-term capacity needs that would be helped by adding the Grand Gulf entitlement. The company also submitted an economic evaluation and provided confidential responses to staff data requests, with staff and consultant Bates White reviewing the materials.
“Grand Gulf contributes to fuel price stability and fuel diversity within Mississippi’s generation fleet,” Hall said. She added that the plant’s licensing through 2044 and its solid-fuel baseload nature would help manage risk associated with natural gas price volatility.
Commissioners speaking after the presentation said the acquisition is an opportunity to obtain reliable nuclear capacity without building a new plant. “This is a unique opportunity for Mississippi to acquire 200 megawatts of nuclear power to further our needs and to position us in the marketplace,” one commissioner said, adding the transfer allows the state to grow its nuclear offering “without sticking a shovel in the dirt.”
Commissioners also asked whether new transmission lines would be required; Hall said none would be needed. Commissioners were told the transfer represents an additional roughly 14% ownership interest that would bring Entergy Mississippi’s total ownership to about one-third plus that amount (approximately 50% overall).
After brief discussion the commission voted to approve the notice filing and implement UPC-4 as requested. The motion was moved and seconded and the chair announced the motion carried.
The approval allows Entergy Mississippi to proceed with the rider to recover first-year costs tied to the transfer; the commission did not set specific future rate amounts in this action and directed staff oversight as provided under commission procedures.
The commission moved on to additional energy-agenda items after the vote.
