MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Local and Private

By: Senator(s) Blackmon

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE GOVERNING AUTHORITIES OF THE CITY OF CANTON, IN THEIR DISCRETION, BY AND THROUGH THE CITY'S UTILITY COMMISSION, TO PROVIDE NATURAL GAS UTILITY SERVICES TO CONSUMERS IN CERTAIN AREAS OF MADISON COUNTY OUTSIDE THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF CANTON; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 21-27-39, Mississippi Code of 1972, to the contrary, the governing authorities of the City of Canton are hereby authorized, in their discretion, by and through the city's Utility Commission, to install, construct, own, operate, maintain and replace any system or systems for the transmission and distribution of natural gas for the sale of such to the public for the purpose of supplying same to customers in all or any portion of the following described areas within Madison County, outside the corporate limits of the municipality:

All or any portion of Sections 9 and 10,

Township 8 North, Range 1 East, Madison

County, Mississippi.

Whenever such natural gas, water and sewer service is furnished to any consumer residing outside the corporate limits of the City of Canton, the consumer may not be charged at a rate greater than twice the rate charged for the same service within the corporate limits of the City of Canton.

(2) The authority conferred by this act shall not be construed as an exemption from the provisions of Section 77-3-1 et seq., Mississippi Code of 1972, as to the requirements for obtaining a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, the jurisdiction of the Public Service Commission to regulate rates or any other provisions of that law.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.