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 anticipates acquiring about 60 parcels of right of way. Manuel said part of the project will be funded through customer contributions under the electric service agreement previously approved by the commission.

The commission also approved Mississippi Power’s petition to replace 255 miles of existing above-ground fiber with a new 288-fiber underground cable, a project the company estimated at about $49 million. Leo Manuel described the replacement as needed because the existing fiber is roughly 30 years old and near capacity in places. Staff reviewed the filing and recommended approval.

Separately, the commission approved a reconductoring and pole-replacement project in Harrison County. Mississippi Power sought authority to reconductor roughly 11 miles of 115 kV transmission and replace wood poles with steel or concrete as required; staff said the $13.6 million project is part of the utility’s storm-hardening plan.

Earlier on the energy agenda, the commission approved a certificate for Alcorn County Electric Power Association to build a new industrial substation in Corinth. Staff said the existing substation is nearing the end of its useful life and is close to firm transformer capacity; the project’s estimated cost is $4,970,000 and staff indicated the company does not anticipate rate increases tied to the project. Construction is expected to begin within six months of approval and the substation to be in service in June 2026.

On the water and sewer agenda, staff recommended and the commission approved a supplemental certificate for Great River Utility Operating Company LLC to correct service-area boundaries for the Robinwood subdivision and to permit service extension to a 59-unit development adjacent to its certificated area. Staff said Great River currently serves about 100 customers outside its previously approved boundaries and that final decisions about treatment infrastructure and costs will be handled in a separate facilities filing; the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality has approved an initial lagoon-directed treatment plan.

On administrative matters, the commission authorized the executive secretary to execute a one-year final extension of existing fuel-audit contracts with Horn & London Economics, Forvis and Bates White, citing staff and public utility staff recommendations to retain the same auditors for continuity into the final year of the audit cycle.

The commission approved a staff-supported prudence determination for Entergy Mississippi’s Verilya Catlett Transmission Project, finding project costs were prudently incurred under the statute cited in the record. The commission also approved a referral order in a petition from Soul City Energy LLC for a solar generating facility in Hinds County and referred the matter to Commissioner Stamps for hearing.

Throughout the meeting, staff told commissioners that reviews of the filings were complete and recommended approval on each item. Where asked about rate impacts, staff said the utilities did not anticipate rate increases tied to the projects presented.

Votes at a glance: the commission approved the consent docket and minutes for April 2025; approved the proposed orders for docket numbers 2024UA140 (Alcorn County substation), 2025UA13 (Mississippi Power fiber replacement), 2025UA18 (reconductoring in Harrison County), 2025UA25 (Meridian/Compass Data Center transmission projects), 2025UA09 (Great River supplemental wastewater certificate); approved a prudence finding in 2024UA101 (Entergy Mississippi Verilya Catlett Transmission Project); extended fuel-audit contracts for one year; and referred 2024UA135 (Soul City Energy LLC solar petition) for hearing to Commissioner Stamps. All motions carried with affirmative voice votes as recorded on the docket.

Commissioners closed the meeting by noting a change in format that allowed utilities and public utility staff to present directly to the commission, a modification the chair said was intended to increase transparency about how staff and utilities work together behind the scenes.