Energy

SB 3273 expands the Sebastopol Natural Gas District to include specific sections of land across Scott, Newton, Leake, and Neshoba counties in Mississippi. It authorizes county boards of supervisors to join the district through formal resolutions, with Scott County leading the district's formation. The bill creates a temporary six-member board of commissioners (including county supervisors and appointed residents) to oversee the district's natural gas service expansion. This change directly affects residents in the newly defined geographic area by enabling the district to provide natural gas infrastructure and services to those communities. The legislation establishes the district as a local utility authority to carry out this purpose.

HB 186 extends the deadline for repealing rules governing energy efficiency service contracts in Mississippi. It clarifies that public entities - including schools, hospitals, and state agencies - can use any available funding sources to enter into these contracts. The bill specifically updates Section 31-7-14 to maintain existing contract terms for energy efficiency projects (like HVAC upgrades or lighting systems) that were already competitively bid. It ensures these agreements, which may include shared-savings or performance-based payments, remain valid beyond the original expiration date. The change focuses on administrative continuity, not altering contract requirements or funding eligibility.

HB 968 extends the expiration date of existing rules allowing Mississippi public entities (like schools, hospitals, and government agencies) to enter energy efficiency service contracts. It does not change the contract requirements or definitions but delays when those specific provisions will automatically expire. The bill ensures current energy efficiency contracting rules remain in effect longer, maintaining the process for entities to select qualified energy service providers and use performance-based contracts. This change applies to all public entities currently using or planning such contracts under the existing framework.