The Mississippi Public Service Commission (MPSC) was created to insure that rates and charges for service were just and reasonable, approved rate schedules were adhered to, service rendered by utility and transportation companies was reasonably adequate, and facilities constructed were required for the convenience and necessity of the public. This report evaluated the MPSC’s operational performance in regulating Mississippi’s utility and transportation industries. It was divided into two sections-MPSC’s regulation of utilities subject to its jurisdiction, and the motor carrier and railroad regulatory enforcement operations administered by MPSC’s Department of Transportation. Detailed information was provided on rate regulation, regulation of utility construction, regulation of fuel cost recovery, service regulation, quantitative monitoring of utility operations by the MPSC, and judicial review procedures for the MPSC. After discussion of each topic, major findings and recommendations were presented.
In general, the MPSC lacked the necessary internal expertise to regulate Mississippi’s utility and transportation industries in an effective manner. The PEER Committee recommended that the MPSC be organizationally restructured into divisional groupings which would be based on regulatory functions. It was also recommended that nine professional personnel, including an Executive Director, be added to the existing commission staff. Further, these recommended staffing increases could be funded with existing resources.
For a paper copy of this report, contact PEER by telephone at 601-359-1226 or by e-mail at reports@peer.ms.gov.