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PSC approves Mallard Park service-area swaps, Entergy Avaya switching station and telecom transfer; Great River supplemental CPCN also cleared
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Summary
At its February docket meeting the Mississippi Public Service Commission approved two service-area exchange petitions (Kahoma/Entergy) affecting Mallard Park, Entergy's certificate to build facilities to serve an Avaya data center (estimated cost $27.9M, in-service June 2027), a transfer of control to Bureau Broadband for two local carriers, and a supplemental wastewater certificate for Great River Utility covering Oak Grove and Oaks of Legacy Phase 3.
The Mississippi Public Service Commission voted on a series of routine and project-specific petitions at its February open docket meeting, approving staff recommendations for multiple utility filings across energy, telecommunications and water/sewer.
Energy agenda: staff (Miss Myrick) presented two related petitions by Kahoma Electric Power Association and Entergy to exchange certificated service areas in DeSoto County's Mallard Park subdivision (dockets 2024UA146 and 2025UA125). Staff said Kahoma already serves residential customers using underground distribution and recommended approval of the exchange; Kahoma requested an exception to continue serving three billboards along Highway 61 in the area that would become Entergy's certificated territory. Commissioners asked whether there would be any residential impact; staff said there was none and the commission approved the petitions by voice vote.
Entergy Avaya project: staff also presented Entergy's petition (docket 2025UA102) for a certificate of public convenience and necessity to construct a 230 kV market switching station sited on Avaya-owned property in the East Metropolitan Center Business and Industrial Park in Brandon, Rankin County. The project includes two parallel transmission lines (each about 0.9 miles), overhead fiber to Brandon substation and upgrades to Rankin-area substations. Staff estimated the total cost at approximately $27,900,000 and an in-service target of June 2027; staff said incremental revenues under Entergy's special contract with Avaya should offset the project's incremental revenue requirement and "prevent any outward rate pressure on other customers." Commissioners asked about rate impacts; staff said "today, there should be no impact." The commission approved the certificate by voice vote.
Telecommunications: Mr. Jones presented a joint petition (docket 2025UA113) for Bureau Broadband LLC's acquisition of Telephone Electronics Corporation, which would place Bay Springs Telephone Company and Tech of Jackson under Bureau Broadband's ownership. Staff found Bureau Broadband has the financial, technical and managerial qualifications to assume control and recommended approval contingent on required federal approvals. Commissioners approved the transfer by voice vote.
Water and sewer: staff (Mr. Rhodes) recommended that Great River Utility Operating Company be granted a supplemental certificate of public convenience and necessity to correct previously incorrect maps for the Oak Grove system (a legacy mapping error when Great River purchased the system) and to authorize connections for the new Oaks Of Legacy Phase 3 development. The new area will be connected by developer-installed force main and include approximately 26 future connections once construction is complete. No parties intervened; the commission approved the supplemental certificate by voice vote.
Administrative items including approval of the January 2026 minutes and several docket referrals were also adopted by voice vote.
All votes cited in the transcript were taken by voice and, where shown, recorded as "aye" with no voices recorded in opposition during the meeting.
The commission adjourned after a briefing from Holly Springs officials and additional administrative remarks.
