JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - An effort by Mississippi regulators to push utilities to hire more locally based companies has begun.
The Public Service Commission on Thursday launched its Hire Mississippi website, after approving the plan last August.
The rule requires regulated private utilities to keep lists of interested companies and notify them of available contracting opportunities worth more than $200,000. Utilities, though, aren’t required to set aside work for in-state companies.
Interested contractors can register on the website or can contact individual utilities.
Commissioners will review compliance yearly.
Public Service Commission Chairman Brandon Presley, a Democrat representing the state’s northern district, says he believes more Mississippi companies could provide services, if they were aware of opportunities.
The rule applies to Entergy Corp., Mississippi Power Co. and three private natural gas providers.
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