/‘It ain’t sexy, but it’s important’ Public Service Commission candidates Bailey, Stamps make their cases

‘It ain’t sexy, but it’s important’ Public Service Commission candidates Bailey, Stamps make their cases

Bailey, who was defeated in the race four years back, but has been a clean energy advocate for the national group 25x’25 for six years, believes his experience before the Public Service Commission makes him qualified to be the next district commissioner. Bailey stated, “I will work everyday to ensure we have the lowest utility rates, the best reliable and the most safest available.” “If elected, I’ll be a full-time Commissioner. I will be your watchdog. “I’ll be there to protect transparency and I’ll act as a responsible regulator.” Stamps currently serves on Jackson City Council. He believes that his knowledge in helping cities find energy cost savings could be used statewide. Stamps stated, “We’re going be the most aggressive public servant commissioner you’ve ever witnessed, focusing on ratepayers’ interests and making sure our utilities are taken care.” “Those people in that industry provide great service when it comes to economic growth and providing quality life.” Mississippians elect three public-service commissioners every four years from the southern, central, and northern parts of the state. They regulate public utilities such as telecommunications and electricity. Commissioners have been at the forefront of controversy surrounding the high price of Mississippi Power’s Kemper County lignite-coal power plant. They also fight against unscrupulous telephone marketers and advocate for broadband internet expansion to rural areas of the state. Bailey and Stamps agreed with the decision of the commission to settle with the company and release its customers from the burden of paying for the multibillion-dollar coal gasification technology. This often-ignored regulatory body — “It’t sexy but it’s essential,” Bailey stated Monday — works to ensure that the state’s utilities providers charge fair rates for the state’s residents. Cecil Brown is currently the Central District commissioner. He has 24 years of governmental experience and serves as the chief fiscal officer of the state. Brown also currently serves as one of three state’s public service commissioners. After this year, Brown will be retiring from state government. Brown defeated Bailey in the race for the seat four years ago. Brown won 53 percent of the vote in 2015, owing to the district’s racial demographics. Gov. Phil Bryant, leader of the state Republican Party, supported Bailey’s opponent Nic Lott during the primary. In the northern district, Brandon Presley, a third-term Democratic commissioner, is unopposed. The southern district features Dane Maxwell (Republican) as Pascagoula Mayor and Connie Moran, former Ocean Springs mayor.