MS HB883

Amends Mississippi Code Section 77-3-44 to extend economic development authority to rate-regulated natural gas public utilities, in addition to electric utilities.

Authorizes natural gas utilities to undertake economic development activities including providing capital, investing in business or industrial sites, developing infrastructure, and attracting new or existing businesses within their certificated service areas.

Allows facilities and capital investments made by natural gas utilities for economic development purposes (including natural gas reserves investments for fuel cost stability) to be deemed used and useful for utility rate recovery regardless of whether end-use customers currently take service from those facilities.

Applies to facilities approved by the Public Service Commission on or after July 1, 2015.

Effective upon passage.