Commissioner De'Keither A. Stamps

08/07/2026

Today, on National Purple Heart Day, we pause to honor the extraordinary courage and sacrifice of the brave men and women who were wounded or killed in action while serving our nation.

As a retired veteran, this day carries deeply personal meaning for me. I had the privilege of serving alongside remarkable men and women whose courage, selflessness and commitment to something greater than themselves inspired me every day. I also witnessed firsthand the sacrifices that military service demands—not only from those who wear the uniform, but from the families who stand beside them.

The Purple Heart is more than a medal. It is a lasting symbol of sacrifice, resilience and an unwavering love of country. It reminds us that the freedoms we enjoy today have come at an immeasurable cost.

Today, and every day, let us honor our Purple Heart recipients, remember those who never made it home, and recommit ourselves to ensuring their service and sacrifice are never forgotten.

Thank you to every Purple Heart recipient and every veteran who answered the call to serve. America is stronger because of your courage.

Some medals are earned through achievement. The Purple Heart is earned through sacrifice. Today, we honor those whose courage was tested in ways most of us will never fully understand, and we pledge to never forget the price they paid to defend the freedoms we hold dear.

🇺🇸 God bless our Purple Heart recipients, our veterans, our active-duty service members, and the United States of America.

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08/06/2026

08/05/2026

Today's discussion on water affordability made one thing abundantly clear: this is an issue that deserves serious conversation.

I introduced a resolution supporting the establishment of a permanent federal water affordability program that would provide assistance to water utilities on behalf of eligible households—not direct payments to customers—to help keep this essential service affordable. The resolution did not receive majority support, and a substitute motion encouraging churches, local businesses and other community organizations to help those struggling with water bills was adopted.

Let me be clear: our churches have always been the heart of our communities. They feed the hungry, comfort families, provide shelter, and step in when people are at their lowest. They should be celebrated—not burdened with carrying a responsibility of this magnitude.

The reality is that many of the very people struggling to afford their water bills are the same people faithfully sitting in those pews every Sunday. Asking those communities to shoulder a challenge that requires resources on a much larger scale simply isn't a sustainable long-term solution.

Water affordability isn't a poor person's problem. It isn't a wealthy person's problem. It's everybody's problem. Access to safe, reliable and affordable water affects every home, every business and every community in Mississippi. That's why I believe solutions should match the scale of the challenge.

I'll continue working to identify practical, sustainable policies and partnerships that strengthen our water systems while helping keep water affordable for the people we serve. The conversation doesn't end with today's vote.

Stay tuned as I share highlights from today's discussion.

See Full Docket Meeting Here: tinyurl.com/DocketAug2026

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🎶: "Changed" by Walter Hawkins (High Key) [Instrumental Track] SAMPLE - Fruition Music Performance Tracks' YouTube channel

08/04/2026

Today's Mississippi Public Service Commission docket reflected the breadth of the work entrusted to us—from strengthening our state's energy and telecommunications infrastructure to recognizing the dedicated professionals who protect our water systems, while also tackling important policy discussions that impact Mississippi families every day. We also considered matters involving utility oversight, infrastructure planning and accountability as we continue working to ensure reliable, affordable and responsible public utility service across our state.

Every docket reminds me that the decisions made in this room extend far beyond these walls. They affect homes, businesses, communities and the future of Mississippi. That's why I'll continue approaching every issue with the people we serve at the forefront—listening, asking the tough questions and advocating for practical solutions through thoughtful collaboration.

For those interested in today's meeting, here are a few highlights:

⚡ Mississippi Power Infrastructure
• Consideration of Mississippi Power's proposed $53 million Plant Daniel substation upgrade project was tabled to allow additional information to be gathered before moving forward.
• The Commission approved Mississippi Power's annual Ad Valorem Tax Adjustment, which will result in a modest residential rate adjustment beginning in September.

📡 Telecommunications
• Multiple telecommunications providers were recertified as Eligible Telecommunications Carriers (ETCs) for the 2027 Universal Service Fund program year, helping ensure continued access to federal high-cost support.
• The Commission also approved the transfer of control of Spectrotel South and AireSpring to Spectrum Aggregator, LP, pending final FCC approval, with no anticipated interruption in customer service.

💧 Water & Wastewater
• We proudly recognized August as National Water Quality Month by honoring Mississippi's dedicated water and wastewater operators for the essential work they perform every day to protect public health and maintain critical infrastructure.

💙 Water Affordability Discussion
• One of today's most significant policy discussions centered on water affordability. I introduced a resolution supporting the establishment of a permanent federal water affordability program to assist eligible households through water utilities. After discussion, a substitute resolution encouraging churches, businesses, civic organizations and community partners to support utility assistance efforts was adopted by the Commission.

🔋 Additional Commission Business
• Two proposed battery energy storage projects were referred to a Hearing Examiner for further review and recommendation.
• The Commission also opened an investigation into Great River Utility Operating Company to further examine regulatory compliance and authorized an independent third-party review.

The work continues.

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08/04/2026

One of the most meaningful moments of today's Mississippi Public Service Commission Monthly Docket wasn't on the agenda—it was taking a moment to celebrate a remarkable milestone.

It was an honor to join my fellow commissioners in recognizing Commissioner Chris Brown's beloved grandmother, Ms. Mildred, on her 100th Birthday! What an extraordinary blessing to celebrate a century of faith, family, wisdom, resilience and a life so beautifully lived.

Happy 100th Birthday, Ms. Mildred! May God continue to bless you with joy, love and many more precious moments surrounded by those who cherish you most.

Congratulations to Commissioner Brown and your entire family on such a special occasion. 💯🎉

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07/30/2026

Energy policy doesn't stop at state lines—and neither should the conversations that shape our future.

I appreciated the opportunity to join fellow utility commissioners from across the country as a panelist for "Aligning Federal, State & Regional Policy in MISO" at the Midcontinent Clean Energy Summit in Indianapolis. Together, we discussed the importance of aligning policy, strengthening reliability, planning for future energy demands, and ensuring states have a meaningful voice in shaping our nation's energy future.

Mississippi has a seat at the table, and I'll continue making sure our state's voice is heard as we work toward practical solutions through collaboration—not division.

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07/28/2026

"For the Love of Music" isn't just this year's theme... it's a reminder of how music has always brought people together, inspired generations and told the story of our communities. 🎶❤️

It was an honor to join the 52nd Annual Jackson Music Awards at the Jackson Convention Complex and celebrate an organization that has spent more than five decades recognizing the incredible artists, performers and trailblazers who have shaped the soundtrack of Mississippi and beyond.

Congratulations to the Jackson Music Awards Association on 52 remarkable years of preserving and celebrating our musical legacy. Special thanks to Jesse Thompson, Lee King, the dedicated board, volunteers, community partners, sponsors and every person who continues to pour into this incredible tradition year after year.

I enjoyed reconnecting with familiar faces, making new connections and celebrating the people whose gifts continue to unite us through the universal language of music. Here's to building even stronger partnerships that continue to uplift our artists, our culture and our capital city.

Congratulations again on an outstanding evening... and here's to many more years of honoring excellence For the Love of Music!

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07/22/2026

As Mississippi prepares for the future of artificial intelligence and data center growth, I believe the conversation must extend far beyond technology—it includes public trust, energy reliability, water resources and our responsibility to serve the people of Mississippi.

During the July 13 AIR Task Force meeting at the Mississippi State Capitol, I shared that "our biggest gap moving forward is the low amount of public trust that we have from the citizens who put us here." I also emphasized that Mississippi has a responsibility to support our nation's military operations by ensuring we have the technology and power infrastructure necessary to meet both today's needs and tomorrow's demands along the Gulf Coast.

As we continue these discussions, my focus remains on balancing economic opportunity, infrastructure readiness and the public's confidence every step of the way.

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🎶: "Lean On Me" - A Sax Tribute to Bill Withers by Dr.SaxLove - Dr.SaxLove's YouTube Channel

07/22/2026

On July 13, I joined my colleague, MS Public Service Commissioner Wayne Carr (Southern District), and Chris Wells, Executive Director of the MS Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), at the Legislative Artificial Intelligence Regulation (AIR) Task Force hearings inside the MS State Capitol for an important discussion on artificial intelligence, data centers and Mississippi's future.

During my remarks, I presented and distributed a letter to members of the Task Force outlining what I believe should serve as Mississippi's roadmap for responsible economic development in the age of AI: Six Principles centered on protecting the public interest. Those principles call for safeguarding our natural resources, putting ratepayers first, promoting accountability and transparency, ensuring fair cost sharing, demanding measurable economic returns and planning infrastructure before incentives.

I also emphasized that while artificial intelligence and data center investment present tremendous opportunities for our state, they must be pursued with thoughtful planning and responsible oversight. MS can embrace innovation without compromising the resources, infrastructure and communities that generations of Mississippians depend upon. As I shared with the committee, economic development and public protection are not in conflict—handled correctly, one strengthens the other.

Just as importantly, I stressed that we must begin preparing today's students for tomorrow's economy. That means bringing Shop and Home Economics back into our junior high and high schools, while placing a renewed emphasis on skilled trades and workforce development. As artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries, Mississippi must equip the next generation with practical, career-ready skills that cannot simply be outsourced or automated. Preparing our workforce is just as important as preparing our infrastructure.

The conversations may have taken place on July 13, but the work of preparing MS for the future continues. By leading with transparency, accountability and a commitment to the people we serve, we can position our state to thrive in the age of artificial intelligence while protecting what matters most.

Together, We Serve.

LINK TO LETTER: tinyurl.com/Letter2LegislatorsAIR

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🎶: "A Change Is Gonna Come" by Sam Cooke (Piano Karaoke) - Sing2Piano | Piano Karaoke Instrumentals YouTube channel