A group of Mississippi energy, business, community and academic leaders today announced the formation of Advance Mississippi, a coalition dedicated to identifying and promoting energy policy that will benefit and advance Mississippi’s economy.
To support the coalition’s launch and underscore the urgent importance of educating key stakeholders about Mississippi’s energy needs and the economic opportunities that depend on a reliable supply of energy, Advance Mississippi also released its first issue brief. Titled, “Keeping Mississippi Powered: A Snapshot of Mississippi’s Growing Demand for Electricity,” it provides data and analysis about Mississippi’s changing energy situation.
Glenn McCullough, Jr., the former Chairman of the Tennessee Valley Authority who also served as the Mayor of Tupelo, is Advance Mississippi’s Chairman. “Now is a time of unprecedented change in how Mississippi obtains and uses energy. Advance Mississippi will address these issues to ensure the state has superior and continually improving energy policy,” said Mr. McCullough.
“Mississippi is blessed with rich energy resources. We also face rapidly growing energy demands that must be met with smart, effective energy policy that will enable economic growth. Advance Mississippi will operate at the nexus of these issues to educate state leaders, the media and the public about key energy solutions, and promote ideas that are in the best interests of Mississippians,” said Mr. McCullough.
Founding member and former Mississippi Public Service Commissioner Nielsen Cochran also addressed Advanced Mississippi’s near-term priorities. “Our focus will be on issues education – for policy makers, the business community, and the general public – about the challenges we face from an energy standpoint, including the need for base load power and a diversified state energy portfolio. We will host policy forums, issue studies and policy papers, and discuss these and other matters with the media,” said Mr. Cochran.
Founding members include:
John Arledge, Community Bank
Nielsen Cochran, former Mississippi Public Service Commissioner
Quinton Dickerson, Frontier Strategies
Downtown Jackson Partners
Electric Power Associations of Mississippi
Entergy Mississippi
Hederman Brothers Printing
JBHM P.A. Architects
Glenn McCullough, Jr., former TVA Chairman and former Mayor of Tupelo
North American Coal Corporation – Mississippi
Noxubee Alliance
Ridgway Construction Consulting, LLC
Charlie Ross, former Mississippi State Senator, District 20
Southwest Mississippi Partnership
Sykes Sturdivant, Glendora, MS
Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
Advance Mississippi Press Release
6/4/9
Magnolia Tribune
