Great River Utility Controversy Over Rates
PSC approves Great River Utility rate stipulations despite unresolved cost-transparency questions
The Mississippi Public Service Commission voted Oct. 7 to approve two formula-rate-plan stipulations for Great River Utility Operating Company, covering roughly $3.2 million in deferred water costs and $6.6 million in deferred sewer costs.
The vote came during an open meeting on dockets 2026 UN8 and UN9, after pointed questioning from Commissioner Carr, who pressed company representatives on whether their spreadsheets could be reconciled with public filings. "So what we're asking for is a complete transparent review for we can know," he said. "You're asking us to sign off on this FRP up or down. How can we address up or down if we don't have a transparent review what the actual money is being spent?"
The stipulations remain subject to a pending independent audit of Great River's spending statewide. The commission's approval means nearly $10 million in deferred costs will move forward under the formula rate plan even as questions about how the money was spent remain unresolved, with ratepayers potentially locked into the rate structure before the underlying figures are verified.