Mississippi
State Scorecard Rank
Mississippi
Mississippi offers a loan program for energy efficiency investments, as well as a public-sector lease program for energy-efficient equipment. The state government leads by example by setting energy requirements for fleets, benchmarking energy use, and encouraging the use of energy savings performance contracts. Research focused on efficient vehicles is conducted at Mississippi State University.
Financial incentive information for Mississippi is provided by the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE Mississippi).
Last Updated: July 2017
The State of Mississippi does not yet have carbon pricing policies in place.
Last Reviewed: July 2019
In 2013, the Mississippi legislature passed ASHRAE 90.1-2010 as the new mandatory statewide building energy code standard for commercial and State-owned buildings and facilities. The new energy building code became effective July 1, 2013.
Mississippi Sustainability and Development Act of 2013, requires all State agencies, state institutions of higher learning, and community and junior colleges to work with the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) Energy and Natural Resources Division to develop Energy Management Plans. It also requires all State agencies to report energy consumption and cost or face penalties. MDA uses the Siemens Advantage Navigator system to track the total energy consumption and cost in all of the covered agencies throughout the state and reports this information to the Governor and Legislature on an annual basis. With 95% of all covered agencies reporting annual utility data, the state benchmarks about 70,000,000 square feet. Other public facilities are encouraged to participate in the State Energy Office’s online reporting system or to utilize ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager.
The Act also calls for a State Energy Management Advisory Board to meet at least once a year in order to review implementation of the State Energy Management Plan. State law now requires agencies to participate in the State Energy Management Program, in which they will benchmark their energy usage and develop energy management plans in order to reduce consumption.
Mississippi Senate Bill 3007 mandates benchmarking and monitoring for state funded new construction which is larger than 5,000 sqft and state funded renovation projects which involve more than 50% of the replacement value of the facility.
Last Updated: July 2017
Mississippi Code Sec. 25-1-77 requires that at least 75% of all vehicles in the State fleet must meet EPA fuel economy standards of 40 miles per gallon (MPG) by July 1, 2014. Additionally, Sec. 25-1-77 states that the Office of Fleet Management must encourage the use of fuel efficient or hybrid vehicles, as well as alternative fuel vehicles, including ethanol, biodiesel, natural gas, and electric power.
Last Updated: July 2017
Housed in the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA), the state has a detailed program with dedicated staff that oversees the Energy Savings Performance Contracting Program and Energy Efficiency Lease Program. The Program is actively involved, promotes the use of ESPCs, and offers a guide to clarify the process of using ESPCs and offers some sample documents. Under State Statute, MDA Energy and Natural Resources Division must review and approve Performance Contracts prior to their execution between an ESCO and any public entity.
Last Updated: July 2017
The Energy Institute (EI) at Mississippi State University works to develop new technologies to promote energy efficiency through combined heating and power concepts and energy audits, as well as developing technology to generate renewable transportation and heating fuel from biomass. MSU also has the Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems (CAVS), which conducts research on automotive fuel efficiency and has won the Challenge X competition a couple of times.
The Institute of Higher Learning (governing body for the state’s universities) formed an energy council a decade ago and have an internal sustainability policy (attached). Their systemwide avoided cost over 10 years is in excess of $100 million.
Under Mississippi's “Smart Business Act,” a corporation collaborating with a State university for research and development purposes, including energy-related research, is eligible for a 25 percent rebate of the total research costs.
Last Reviewed: August 2019
Mississippi is a home rule state, with a voluntary residential code based on ASHRAE 90-1975, Commercial codes were updated in 2013, setting the mandatory energy code standard for commercial and state-owned buildings as ASHRAE 90.1-2010. Jurisdictions can adopt more stringent codes. The state has completed a baseline compliance study, established a stakeholder advisory group, and offers training and outreach.
Mississippi's residential code is voluntary and is based on ASHRAE 90 – 1975 and the prior 92 MEC. Based on a June 2011 Energy Codes Economic Analysis conducted by BCAP and Southface, as well as additional data collected by MDA, approximately 60% (1.75 million out of a total 2.9 million residents) of the State’s population reside in cities or counties with building codes equivalent to 2003 IBC or higher, and the average code standard for these local jurisdictions is 2006 ICC. Jurisdictions can adopt more stringent codes, and several localities have done so for the residential code: Gulfport, Biloxi, Horn Lake, Ridgeland, Jackson, Greenville, Oliva Branch, Pascagoula, and Moss Point.
Last Reviewed: September 2019
Mississippi is a home-rule state, although its commercial energy codes are mandatory statewide. In the 2013 Regular Session, the Mississippi Legislature passed and Governor Bryant signed laws setting the mandatory energy code standard for commercial and state-owned buildings as ASHRAE 90.1-2010, which took effect on July 1, 2013. Jurisdictions can adopt more stringent codes.
Last Reviewed: September 2019
- Gap Analysis/Strategic Compliance Plan: NA
- Baseline & Updated Compliance Studies: No formal compliance study has been done. However, in June 2011, BCAP and Southface produced an economic analysis for building energy code adoption in Mississippi. This study estimated baseline compliance based on DOE data for building energy code compliance in jurisdictions across the State. Based on recent estimates, a large percentage of the State’s population reside in jurisdictions that have adopted a residential building code. Based on the June 2011 Energy Codes Economic Analysis conducted by BCAP and Southface, as well as additional data collected by MDA, approximately 60% (1.75 million out of a total 2.9 million residents) of the state’s population reside in cities or counties with building codes equivalent to 2003 IBC or higher, and the average code standard for these local jurisdictions is 2006 ICC.
- Utility Involvement: NA
- Stakeholder Advisory Group: An advisory group, the Mississippi Building Energy Code Collaborative, has been formed to meet on a quarterly basis for the implementation of both code training and enforcement (training schedule and compliance activities). The Collaborative is comprised of local and state code enforcement officials, builders, contractors, architects, engineers, energy managers, facility managers, and State government officials.
- Training/Outreach: The MDA Energy and Natural Resources Division provides energy code training to educate codes officials, engineers, architects, and other interested parties statewide about the new ASHRAE 90.1-2010 mandatory energy building code for commercial and state-owned buildings. These codes training sessions complement the work of MDA by leveraging a network of officials to educate and implement the building energy code standard.
Last Reviewed: September 2019
The state has a not adopted policies to encourage the deployment of CHP systems. One new CHP system was installed in Mississippi in 2018.
There is currently no interconnection standard in place that applies to CHP.
For more information on interconnection standards, click here.
Last Updated: September 2018
There are currently no state policies designed to acquire energy savings from CHP (like other efficiency resources) or energy generation from CHP (in terms of kWh production) that apply to all forms of CHP.
Last Updated: September 2018
There are currently no state policies that provide additional incentives for CHP deployment.
Last Updated: September 2018
Mississippi has some additional supportive policies to encourage CHP, in the form of technical assistance programs. Mississippi Development Authority – Energy and Natural Resources Division in partnership with Innovate Mississippi has conducted workshops around the state to educate industrial, institutional, commercial and utility stakeholders on the benefits, opportunities and barriers pertaining to CHP deployment.
Last Updated: September 2018
The Mississippi Public Service Commission (MPSC) issued energy efficiency rules in July 2013 (Docket No. 2010-AD-2) that lays out a framework requiring investor-owned utilities to implement “Quick Start” energy efficiency programs. The rules apply to regulated electric and natural gas service providers, defining elements of Quick Start and teeing up issues and ideas for phase two Comprehensive portfolios. The rule also lays out criteria for program cost-benefit tests, cost recovery, and evaluation, monitoring, and verification (EM&V).
Each major utility serving customers in Mississippi has filed a Quick Start Energy Efficiency Plan to be implemented between mid-2014 and 2016.
The most recent budgets for energy efficiency programs and electricity and natural gas savings can be found in the State Spending and Savings Tables.
Last updated: July 2018
Until recently, utilities in Mississippi offered few energy efficiency programs. However, the Public Service Commission's Rule 29 required "Quick Start" programs for utilities in the state (Docket 2010-AD-2).
In 2014, each major utility serving customers in Mississippi filed a Quick Start Energy Efficiency Plan to be implemented between mid-2014 and 2016. The first three years will serve as a trial period for the companies' proposed programs. The Mississippi Public Service Commission will review and evaluate each of the programs on an annual basis and will make recommendations as to successful programs for companies to include in their comprehensive energy efficiency portfolios. Programs that will be made available to customers in the Quick Start Phase range from residential lighting programs and low-flow showerheads to Prescriptive and Custom programs for Commercial, Industrial, and Governmental Customers.
TVA also operates within the state and has taken strides to advance energy efficiency in its service territory.
The most recent budgets for energy efficiency programs and electricity and natural gas savings can be found in the State Spending and Savings Tables.
Last Updated: July 2018
There is currently no policy in place that treats energy efficiency as a resource. Utilities are required by the MPSC to file demand-side management plans and implement energy efficiency programs.
Last Updated: July 2018
There is currently no EERS in place, but new MPSC rules issued in July 2013 establish a comprehensive phase that will set long-term energy efficiency targets.
For more information on Energy Efficiency Resource Standards, click here.
Last Updated: July 2018
In July 2013, the Mississippi Public Service Commission issued an order that defines energy efficiency program costs as the incremental program costs that are not already included in the then-current utility rates and the lost contribution to fixed costs associated with approved energy efficiency programs (see Docket No. 2010-AD-2). Mississippi currently allows utilities to recover lost contribution to fixed costs in their energy efficiency cost recovery riders along with direct program costs. Cost recovery mechanisms were adopted in September 2014.
There is currently no policy in place that rewards successful energy efficiency programs, but a collaborative process has led to a draft of “guiding principles” for an efficiency rule that call for efficiency incentives. In July 2013, the Mississippi Public Service Commission issued an order allowing utilities to earn a return on energy efficiency investments through a shared savings or other performance-based incentive mechanism to make these investments more like other investments on which utilities earn a return (See 2010-AD-2 Rule 29).
Last Updated: July 2018
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Cost-effectiveness test(s) used: total resource cost, utility cost test, participant cost test, ratepayer impact measure test
Electric and gas utilities with more than 25,000 customers were required to submit Quick Start Plans with implementation starting in mid-2014 that included plans for EM&V and estimated savings. Cost effectiveness testing was not initially required for Quick Start programs. However, the Quick Start phase was later extended through 2020, and the Commission required utilities to submit cost-effectiveness test results. Section 105 of Rule 29 includes guidance on cost inputs, which include program design; implementation; delivery; customer incentives; customer education and marketing; measurement of benefits; and administration. Cost-benefit results are presented for both an individual program and portfolio levels. Utilities may use either an evaluation period of ten years (a natural gas utility may use an evaluation period of fifteen years) or the actual lives for each measure in a program to evaluate a program or portfolio. Utilities may submit additional economic analyses information in support of a proposed program or portfolio.
According to the Database of State Efficiency Screening Practices (DSESP), Mississippi specifies the total resource cost test (TRC), utility cost test (UCT), participant cost test (PCT), and rate impact measure (RIM) tests to be its primary tests for decision making. However, Rule 29 states that no one test should be used to determine if a program or portfolio is lacking cost-effectiveness.
Further information on cost-effectiveness screening practices for Mississippi is available in the Database of State Efficiency Screening Practices (DSESP), a resource of the National Efficiency Screening Project (NESP).
Last Updated: August 2019
Requirements for State and Utility Support of Low-Income Energy Efficiency Programs
No specific required spending or savings requirements were identified, although most regulated utilities voluntarily offer low-income programs.
Cost-Effectiveness Rules for Low-Income Energy Efficiency Programs
No specific adjustments or exceptions to general cost-effectiveness rules are in place for low-income programs.
Coordination of Ratepayer-Funded Low-Income Programs with WAP Services
Level of coordination is unclear from publicly available data.
Last updated: July 2018
There are no self-direct or opt-out programs in Mississippi.
Last updated: July 2018
Mississippi has no policy in place that requires utilities to release energy use data to customers or third parties.
Last Updated: July 2018
The state has complete streets legislation in place, but has not otherwise pursued policies to encourage efficient transportation system development.
Transportation and Land Use Integration: No policy in place or proposed.
VMT Targets: No policy in place or proposed.
Complete Streets: In 2010, the Mississippi DOT adopted complete streets legislation to incorporate bicyclists and pedestrians into all road planning, design, construction and maintenance activities.
FAST Freight Plans and Goals: Mississippi has a state freight plan that identifies a multimodal freight network, but it does not include freight energy or greenhouse gas reduction goals.
Last Reviewed: July 2019
No policy in place or proposed.
Last Reviewed: July 2019