Gulfport, Miss. – Today the Mississippi Public Service Commission approved funding for Mississippi Power’s Quick Start Energy Efficiency programs, which will allow the company to put in place additional programs to help customers reduce energy use and costs.

Today’s approval allows Mississippi Power to further implement programs for residential customers such as HVAC tune-ups and in-home energy assessments, as well as ones aimed at savings for business and industrial customers including installation of energy efficient LED lighting for indoor or outdoor use.

The majority of the energy efficiency incentives will begin in early December and continue through 2016.

“Mississippi Power is proud to offer these programs to our customers, as they further strengthen our commitment to enhance energy savings programs already available,” said Customer Services Organization Vice President Jeff Franklin. “Whether it’s switching to energy saving CFLs, reviewing individual energy habits or taking advantage of low-interest financing to replace heating and cooling units, these efforts will bring immediate value to customers.”

In July 2013, the PSC adopted the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Rule 29 that required all electric utilities in Mississippi to offer more energy efficiency incentives to customers. The rule set standards for the programs offered and also allowed for the cost to implement the initiatives to be recovered by utilities.

Beginning in December, billing cycle residential customers will see an increase of approximately $1.69 per 1,000 kWh. Small commercial and industrial customers will pay $0.504 per 1,000 kWh. Large commercial and industrial customers will pay $0.365 per 1,000 kWh.

To learn how to save energy and costs with Mississippi Power’s energy efficiency programs, customers can go to MississippiPower.com, visit any local customer service office or call Mississippi Power’s customer service center at 1-800-532-1502, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Mississippi Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), produces safe, reliable and environmentally responsible energy for more than 186,000 customers in 23 southeast Mississippi counties. Recognized throughout the utility industry for excellence in storm restoration and recovery efforts, Mississippi Power is the 2013 winner of the Edison Electric Institute’s Emergency Assistance Award. As a leader in safety, Mississippi Power ranked first in the 2013 Southeastern Electric Exchange (SEE) Safety Performance Reports. Visit our websites at mississippipower.com and mississippipowernews.com, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+ and YouTube.

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