JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi’s utility regulators have approved a revised plan to let victims of domestic violence delay paying utility deposits for 60 days.
The Public Service Commission voted 3-0 Tuesday to approve the waiver a month after a hearing where the proposal drew opposition. Northern District Commissioner Brandon Presley and Southern District Commissioner Steve Renfroe both say the commission worked to change its proposal to account for concerns raised in that hearing, but rightly decided to proceed.
Jim Herring, a lawyer who represents both the Mississippi Rural Water Association and Madison County’s Bear Creek Water Association, says his clients still believe that the commission is overstepping its jurisdiction by trying to regulate not only privately-owned utilities but public and community utilities. He says his clients haven’t decided yet whether they will sue.
