Energy

HB 1677 creates the Metro Jackson Water Authority to manage Jackson's water and wastewater systems, directly affecting Jackson residents and the City of Jackson government. The bill requires the new authority to negotiate a lease agreement with the city to take over operations, replacing the current court-appointed interim manager. It establishes a board of directors, authorizes bond issuance for funding, and outlines financial management rules, including tax exemptions for authority assets. The legislation responds to ongoing water system issues highlighted by a 2022 federal complaint and court orders.

HB 1563 changes the composition of municipal utility commissions in Mississippi, requiring two members to be customers living outside the city limits who receive utility service. This directly affects municipal utility commissions managing water, electricity, or other public utilities owned by cities. The bill also adds a requirement for all community public water system board members to complete management training within two years of election, with costs covered by the water system. These changes aim to increase community representation and ensure board members have necessary operational knowledge.

HB 1305 requires municipalities owning utility systems (like water, electricity, or sewage) to undergo annual audits by independent third-party firms. These audits must be completed by December 1 each year, with results reported to the Public Service Commission and Public Utilities Staff. Municipal utilities that fail to comply face civil fines set by the commission. The bill directly affects all Mississippi municipalities operating public utility services, expanding oversight to ensure accountability and transparency in their operations. It takes effect July 1, 2026.

HB 1069 establishes the "Mississippi Agricultural and Farmland Wind Tower Protection Act of 2026" to regulate large wind energy projects. It gives the Mississippi Public Service Commission exclusive authority to approve wind tower siting, requiring developers to obtain permits that include environmental and agricultural impact assessments, landowner consent, and proof of financial assurance for site restoration. The bill mandates minimum setbacks from farmland, wildlife areas, migratory bird corridors, and residential zones to protect farming operations and ecosystems. It also requires projects to demonstrate public benefit and prohibits development near sensitive habitats, with penalties for noncompliance.

SB 2641 establishes the Wind-Tower Agricultural and Environmental Impact Study Committee to examine how wind-tower development affects aviation safety, wildlife mortality, and farmland use. The committee, composed of agriculture, wildlife, energy, and industry representatives, must develop statewide placement standards and a wildlife-buffer map by January 2027, modeling Arkansas’s framework. The bill also imposes a one-year moratorium on new wind-tower permits and Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity (effective upon enactment), applying only to projects not already underway. This procedural measure delays new wind energy projects while the committee studies impacts and creates regulatory guidelines.