Public Service Commission approves two Cooperative Energy transmission projects and service-area agreement for Compass Data Center

The Mississippi Public Service Commission voted unanimously at its Sept. 11 meeting to approve two 69 kV transmission projects filed by Cooperative Energy and to approve a service-area agreement allowing Mississippi Power to serve certain Compass Data Center facilities in Lauderdale County.

The commission’s staff, represented by Miss Myrick, recommended approval of the projects after reviewing filings and company responses. “Staff agrees the transmission line facilities are needed to improve reliability and quality of service in the areas of George County,” Myrick said during the hearing.

The North Lucedale project (docket 2025 UA 66) would construct about 2.8 miles of single-circuit 69 kV transmission line and a new group-operated air-break switch to serve the North Lucedale substation from Cooperative Energy’s transmission system. Staff said the project would affect about 34 acres and estimated the total cost at approximately $2,500,000. Cooperative Energy told the commission it does not anticipate eminent-domain proceedings and expects construction to begin within 12 months of commission approval.

Cooperative Energy also presented a West Hattiesburg loop project to be built on existing and new rights-of-way in Lamar and Forrest counties. That project would build roughly 6.2 miles of 69 kV line, including about 5.9 miles on new rights-of-way, affecting approximately 72 acres. Staff said the estimated cost is about $5,600,000 and that the project has been entered into the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) transmission expansion planning (MTEP) process for study in the MTEP ’26 cycle.

During discussion, Commissioner Carr asked whether Mississippi Power would remove existing infrastructure near the North Lucedale substation. Ben Vance of Mississippi Power said the company expects to remove a switch and possibly a short tap segment if present. Sean Stewart of Cooperative Energy confirmed the existing Mississippi Power line near the station is a short segment and the removal would be minimal. Steven Jackson of Cooperative Energy said landowner notification and final line location work would begin after the commission issues a certificate.

On a separate docket, Mississippi Power and East Mississippi Electric Power Association asked the commission to approve a service-area agreement allowing Mississippi Power to provide electric service to part of the Compass Data Center that lies inside East Mississippi’s certificated area. Miss Myrick told commissioners Mississippi Power agreed to pay East Mississippi an annual fixed fee for serving the affected portion and that staff expects the incremental revenue to offset costs, producing “no negative impacts on rates.” The companies said they entered a confidential agreement setting the payment terms.

All three items were approved by voice vote. Commissioners did not record a roll-call tally on the record.