If you’ve never heard of the Mississippi Public Service Commission (PSC), you’re not alone. Most folks don’t realize just how important these three elected commissioners are. They regulate our electric, gas, water, and telecommunications utilities, and the decisions they make directly impact our monthly bills, the reliability of our power, and the kinds of energy resources we use across the state.

I tuned into the PSC’s August meeting, and I want to share a quick overview of what happened on the electric side of things—in particular, what it means for ratepayers and for renewable energy opportunities.

Property Tax and Industrial Growth

The Commission started with routine filings from Entergy Mississippi and Mississippi Power related to ad valorem (property) tax adjustments. These are pretty technical; basically, utilities recover the cost of property taxes they pay on power plants, substations, and other assets, and those costs get passed through to ratepayers.

For Entergy Mississippi customers, the adjustment will mean a slight decrease of about $0.29 per month on a typical residential bill. For Mississippi Power customers, the adjustment will go the other direction, adding about $0.79 per month. These aren’t huge swings, but over time these incremental changes matter. They’re a reminder that much of what shows up on our bills has little to do with the energy itself, but with the infrastructure and taxes tied to it.

One of the bigger items was Mississippi Power’s request to build new transmission lines and substations in Hancock and Harrison counties. This investment - roughly $31.9 million - is tied to serving a new industrial customer, PCC Gulf Chem, located at the Chemours DeLisle Plant in Harrison County.

This is a classic example of how industrial growth can shape the grid. The company made it clear that while the project will cost money, the new customer’s payments are expected to cover the expenses, meaning there shouldn’t be rate pressure on regular households. That’s good news is that if structured correctly, these kinds of deals can actually spread costs and benefits across the system.

Discussion About Large Power Users’ Affect on Mississippians’ Bills

Another interesting discussion came about when Commissioner Wayne Carr pressed Mississippi Power about how massive new “hyperscale” customers (think: crypto miners, data centers, and AI companies) could affect ordinary Mississippians’ bills. The short version: these customers use a ton of electricity, and that can drive up costs like property taxes.

The utilities said they try to negotiate contracts so that these big players pay their fair share, and ideally more, to keep costs from spilling over onto residential ratepayers. Commissioner DeKeither Stamps also emphasized that local governments benefit from higher property tax payments tied to this growth, meaning more money for schools and county services.

This is where renewables can and should come into play. Large power users are often interested in sourcing renewable energy, and utilities have a chance to expand wind, solar, and battery storage offerings to meet that demand. Done right, that means more clean energy on the grid, paid for by corporations, while communities reap the tax benefits.

Reliability Matters: Holly Springs in the Hot Seat

Finally, the PSC took up a serious complaint against the Holly Springs utility system, which has been plagued with reliability issues. An independent audit confirmed that decades of underinvestment have left the system in crisis. The Commission is now requiring the city to show cause as to why it shouldn’t be found in violation of its duty to provide adequate service.

For renewable developers and advocates, this is a reminder: grid reliability is not just a buzzword - it’s essential. Without reliable distribution systems, even the cleanest and cheapest power can’t get to homes and businesses. Fixing failing infrastructure is as important as adding new renewable generation.

So why does this matter? If you’re new to PSC meetings, here are three takeaways from this meeting:

• Your bill is shaped by more than just energy. Taxes, infrastructure, and industrial growth all flow into what you pay each month.
• Big new customers can be both a risk and an opportunity. If they’re held accountable, they can pay for new infrastructure and even help bring more renewables online.
• Reliable service is the foundation for everything else. The Holly Springs case shows what happens when a utility neglects its system for too long.

The Mississippi PSC may not make the nightly news, but their decisions ripple through our lives every month. Paying attention to these meetings is one of the best ways to understand how energy policy shapes our bills, our economy, and our renewable energy future.