Mississippi News
Clean energy: incentives for self-generated renewables
New incentives for self-generated renewables a ‘win for clean energy'
The Mississippi Public Service Commission on Tuesday added a new rebate and low-income credits in its updated rule on compensating homeowners for generating renewable power.
With hopes of growing the number of Mississippians self-generating renewable power, the PSC announced a $3,500 rebate for home and small business owners purchasing a system such as rooftop solar panels, as well as higher payments to households earning up to 250% of the federal poverty level.
“These new rules will make Mississippi open to business to clean energy technology developers, manufacturers, and installers, and will help boost low-income opportunities allowing Mississippians to experience the cost-saving benefits of solar energy,” Central District Public Service Commissioner Brent Bailey said.
Net metering works by customers selling any extra renewable power they generate back to their utility company.
Mississippi has the second-lowest number of participants – roughly 300, as of February – among states with a net metering law. It also was one of the last states to adopt net metering, starting the program in 2015.
Clean energy advocates were critical of the original rule because, unlike in most states, net metering customers in Mississippi aren't reimbursed at the retail price for their generated power.
The PSC's regulated utility companies – Entergy Mississippi and Mississippi Power – pushed back against expanding net metering, arguing that paying too much money in incentives puts an unfair cost burden on non-participating customers.
Although the new rule announced this week didn't raise the reimbursement rate, Mississippi Sierra Club director Louie Miller called it a “win for the clean energy sector.”
“I applaud the commission on what they did, I think they really stepped up,” Miller said. “As we've seen with the price of natural gas and with how volatile fossil fuels are, this is going to give a lot of people the option to self-generate their electricity.”
Between the new $3,500 rebate and federal rebates available to self-generating customers, those homeowners are going to “see some real money,” he explained. Miller also pointed to long-term benefits of self-generation, such as during storms when customers lose connection to their utility's power grid.
Among other changes, the new rule allows the PSC to go back and make changes once the threshold for net metering customers – which increased from 3% of a utility company's peak demand to 4% – is met, giving the commission more flexibility. The changes also lock in whatever reimbursement rate a customer is receiving for the next 25 years.
This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
Mississippi News
Manhunt underway in Rankin County for attempted murder suspect
SUMMARY: A manhunt is underway in Rankin County, Mississippi for an attempted murder suspect after a call was received about a gunshot victim. The victim, found with a gunshot wound at a home, is in critical condition. Witnesses reported seeing a small, white car leaving the scene at a high speed. Rankin County Sheriff's Office is working on developing a suspect and searching for the individual. The shooting occurred in the Reservoir area, and deputies, along with other emergency services, responded to the scene. The suspect faces charges of attempted murder.
The post Manhunt underway in Rankin County for attempted murder suspect appeared first on www.wjtv.com
Mississippi News
Mississippi man sentenced to 50 years for child exploitation
SUMMARY: Willard Geven Knight, a Mississippi man, was sentenced to 50 years without parole for multiple counts of child exploitation. A 2023 investigation revealed Knight was using social networks to traffic child pornography. Law enforcement agencies, including Homeland Security, apprehended Knight at his home in Wesson, where electronic devices with child pornography were found. Knight was already a registered sex offender on supervised probation for a 2015 conviction. Upon pleading guilty to the new charges, Knight will serve a total of 50 years in prison. The judge revoked the suspended portion of his previous sentence and ordered him to serve the entirety.
The post Mississippi man sentenced to 50 years for child exploitation appeared first on www.wjtv.com
Mississippi News
Warming up over the next few days, some mid-week rain chances – Home – WCBI TV
SUMMARY: Temperatures in Columbus, Mississippi will be trending towards and above normal through the rest of the week. The forecast includes a shift to southerly winds, increased breeziness, lots of sunshine, and highs in the upper 70s. A weakening front may bring a few showers and possible storms midweek. By the weekend, warmer air will move in with highs in the 80s. Friday and Saturday are expected to be dry, with a chance of showers on Sunday. The best chance for rain will be on Monday of next week.
The post Warming up over the next few days, some mid-week rain chances – Home – WCBI TV appeared first on www.wcbi.com
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