Mississippi Power Scores 44 in Sierra Club's Dirty Truth Report
Mississippi Power received a score of 44 out of 100 in the Sierra Club's sixth Dirty Truth Report. The utility plans to add 548 megawatts of gas, retire all its coal, and add zero renewable energy. The report says this leads to higher bills and more pollution.
Mississippi Power scored 44 out of 100 in the Sierra Club's sixth Dirty Truth Report, which grades utilities on coal retirements, gas expansion plans, and renewable energy additions. The utility intends to add 548 megawatts of gas by 2035 while retiring its entire coal fleet, yet it has committed to zero new renewable energy capacity.
Nationally, the 76 utilities assessed received an aggregate score of just 7 out of 100, marking an eight-point decline from the previous year and the lowest score in the report's history. The Sierra Club argues that renewable energy remains the cheapest generation source, while continued fossil fuel reliance translates into higher customer bills, greater pollution, and reduced grid reliability.
This report could influence public perception of Mississippi Power and Southern Company, potentially pressuring regulators and rate-setting bodies to scrutinize future resource plans. Customers may face continued bill increases if gas prices fluctuate, while communities near fossil fuel plants could experience ongoing health impacts. As data center demand grows, the utility's lack of renewable investment may also affect regional grid reliability and economic competitiveness, though the report's advocacy framing means its conclusions should be weighed alongside other perspectives.