Signed by Governor Haley Barbour

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to adopt a conference report for a bill that authorizes the state Public Service Commission to allow energy companies to charge consumers for the cost of planning and constructing new facilities before they become operational.

Highlights:

- Allows the Public Service Commission to include the expenditures connected with new facility construction in a utility's rates, whether or not the construction of any facility in question is completed [Sec. 3 (1)(a)]. - Prevents a public utility from ceasing construction of a generating facility after a permit for construction is granted, unless the Public Service Commission decides that the facility is no longer in the public interest [Sec. 3 (1)(e)]. - Creates a board to advise the Public Service Commission and requires the commission to submit a written report to the advisory board every six months (Sec. 5).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to adopt a conference report for a bill that authorizes the state Public Service Commission to allow energy companies to charge consumers for the cost of planning and constructing new facilities before they become operational.

Highlights:

- Allows the Public Service Commission to include the expenditures connected with new facility construction in a utility's rates, whether or not the construction of any facility in question is completed [Sec. 3 (1)(a)]. - Prevents a public utility from ceasing construction of a generating facility after a permit for construction is granted, unless the Public Service Commission decides that the facility is no longer in the public interest [Sec. 3 (1)(e)]. - Creates a board to advise the Public Service Commission and requires the commission to submit a written report to the advisory board every six months (Sec. 5).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to adopt a conference report for a bill that authorizes the state Public Service Commission to allow energy companies to charge consumers for the cost of planning and constructing new facilities before they become operational.

Highlights:

- Requires the select committee to make a report of its findings, including any proposed legislation, by December 1, 2008 [Amdt. 1, Sec. 1(1)]. - Requires the select committee to dissolve by or before December 1, 2008 [Amdt. 1, Sec. 1(6)].

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill authorizing the state Public Service Commission to let energy companies charge consumers for the cost of planning and constructing new facilities before they become operational.

Highlights:

- Allows rates to be raised regardless of whether construction of new facilities is completed or the facilities in question become commercially operational. [Sec. 3 (1)(a)]. - Takes effect immediately after the bill is signed into law. (Sec. 5).

Full Bill Text