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PSC approves Cooperative Energy, Magnolia EPA plan for Lake Walthall substation and 2.8-mile transmission line
Summary
The Public Service Commission approved Cooperative Energy and Magnolia Electric Power Association’s petition to build a 115-kV transmission line, a switching station and a Lake Walthall substation in Walthall County, with staff conditioning final approval on filing completed plans and specifications before construction.
The Public Service Commission on an undisclosed date approved a joint petition from Cooperative Energy and Magnolia Electric Power Association to construct a new 115-kV transmission line, a switching station and a Lake Walthall substation in Walthall County (docket 2025UA46).
Commission staff said the project will add a new source to the area to reduce transformer loading at the Tylertown substation, establish a back feed between the Tylertown, Dexter and Holmesville substations and improve system reliability. "The new Lake Walthall substation will be built on an existing 5-acre site near Tylertown," said Miss Myrick, commission staff, during the docket presentation.
Staff reported the project requires approximately 2.8 miles of new single-circuit 115-kV transmission line and a right-of-way 100 feet wide, including authority to remove danger trees along the route. The total estimated cost is about $7.9 million, with Cooperative Energy responsible for approximately $4.3 million for the transmission line and switching station and Magnolia Electric Power Association responsible for about $3.5 million for the Lake Walthall substation. Staff said no negative impact on customer rates is expected.
Staff reviewed the filing, issued data requests and found no interveners. The proposed Walthall delivery point was included in the MISO MTIP 25 study and is scheduled for the Midcontinent Independent System Operator board of directors' approval in December 2025. The utilities requested a temporary waiver to delay filing completed plans and specifications; staff did not object to that waiver but recommended the commission condition its approval on the companies filing completed plans and specifications before beginning construction.
Commissioners asked clarifying questions about the timing of the companies' filings and the administrative condition. A motion to approve the proposed order carried unanimously by voice vote.
Next steps specified by staff and reflected in the order require the companies to file completed plans and specifications once they are available and before construction starts. The commission noted construction is expected to start within one year of approval and to be completed within 24 months.
