Mississippi has 25 electric power associations that deliver electricity to more than 731,000 meters (more than 632,000 residential meters) and one generation and transmission cooperative (South Mississippi Electric Power Association, Hattiesburg) which distributes wholesale power to 11 electric power associations.

These electric power associations energize a total of 90,846 miles of lines.

The average number of consumers served per mile of line is 8.05, compared to the national average of 32 for investor-owned utilities and 41 for municipal-operated systems.

Electric power associations serve 50% of the electric meters in Mississippi, investor owned 40%, municipal systems - 10%

The plant investment for, before depreciation, of all electric power associations is more than $2.75 billion.

The plant investment for generation and transmission is $1 billion.

The plant investment per mile of distribution line is $23,200.

Electric power associations employ 2,776 Mississippians with a total annual payroll of $96 million with a total of more than $26.5 million paid in taxes by all the electric power associations.

The total debt of the electric power associations is $1.85 billion.

Where does a consumer's dollar go when buying electricity from a rural electric cooperative?

Wholesale Power - 76%
Operating Expenses- 19%
Debt Expense- 3%
Margin - 2%