The Mississippi Public Service Commission (PSC) held a public meeting on September 9, 2025, where significant discussions centered on two petitions filed by Cooperative Energy for the construction of new electric transmission lines aimed at enhancing service reliability in George County and Hattiesburg.

The first petition, submitted on July 21, seeks approval for a 69 kV transmission line and a new air brake switch in George County. This project is designed to upgrade Cooperative Energy's existing system and provide bulk electric transmission service to Singing River Electric Cooperative. Currently, the North Lucedale substation is served by Mississippi Power, which subjects it to Southern Company's transmission rates. The new line will reduce transmission costs and improve service reliability by decreasing the exposure of existing lines. The project will involve constructing approximately 2.8 miles of transmission line and is estimated to cost around $2.5 million. Construction is expected to begin within 12 months of commission approval.

The second petition focuses on a similar project in North and West Hattiesburg, proposing a 69 kV transmission line that will loop service to two existing delivery points. This project aims to enhance service reliability, particularly for a hospital served by the West Hattiesburg substation. The proposed line will require approximately 6.2 miles of new construction and is estimated to cost about $5.6 million. Like the first project, construction is anticipated to start within a year of receiving approval.

Both projects have been reviewed by PSC staff, who found no issues with the cost estimates and recommended approval. There were no interveners in either case, and the commission is expected to move forward with the approvals, which will ultimately enhance the reliability and quality of electric service in the affected areas.