Senate Bill 2610 Summary

• Transfers energy planning powers from the Board of Energy and Transportation to the Mississippi Development Authority's Energy and Natural Resources Division.

• Renames the "Energy Development Fund" as the "Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund" and requires the Mississippi Development Authority to promulgate rules for loan eligibility and fund administration.

• Requires the Division to coordinate development and implementation of a State Energy Management Plan for state-owned facilities in conjunction with the Department of Finance and Administration, including energy data collection, benchmarking, and reduction strategies.

• Creates a Biomass Center of Excellence to be jointly organized and managed by the Mississippi Development Authority and the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning to coordinate biomass research, development, and industry efforts.

• Expands the Energy Infrastructure Revolving Loan Program to allow loans to energy utility companies and cooperatives in addition to counties and municipalities, with projects defined as facilities constructed after July 1, 2012 with at least $50,000,000 in private capital investment.