Public Service Commission approves transmission, fiber and wastewater certificates; extends audit contracts

The Public Service Commission at its May 2025 open meeting approved a package of utility certificates and orders intended to support grid reliability, a new data center build-out and local wastewater service, and authorized one-year extensions of fuel-audit contracts.

The commission voted to approve Mississippi Power Company’s multi-project transmission application tied to the Compass Data Center in Meridian, approve a large fiber-replacement project and two transmission upgrades, grant a supplemental wastewater certificate to Great River Utility Operating Company LLC, ratify a prudence finding for Entergy Mississippi, and extend several auditing contracts for one additional year. Staff recommended approval on the contested filings and the motions carried.

Mississippi Power’s Meridian/Compass Data Center transmission plan was the largest item. The company sought authority to build about 26 miles of new 230 kV transmission, upgrade about 18.7 miles of existing 230 kV, upgrade three substations, and build one new substation to serve the customer in Lauderdale County. Leo Manuel, of Balch Bingham representing Mississippi Power Company, told the commission the work is phased to match the customer’s build-out and that the full program is expected to be in service by 2032. The filing estimates about $117.5 million in capital costs and…