Entergy increasing power rates

JACKSON — Entergy Mississippi is raising electricity rates for its customers.

The Public Service Commission last week approved the utility's request for a rate increase to recoup costs from rising prices for natural gas, which Entergy uses to generate electricity. 

Last year's February ice storm and Hurricane Ida were two big drivers of the increase in prices, Entergy Mississippi spokesperson Joey Lee said.

The increase will affect 456,000 customers in 45 of the 82 counties in Mississippi, Lee said.

“The average Entergy customer, residential homeowner will see an increase of about $7.81,” Brent Bailey, Central District Public Service Commissioner, told WMC-TV. “That’s a customer that uses approximately a thousand-kilowatt hours a month.”

The increase will begin with February bills.