Editorial: Time running out for PSC decision
IT’S NOT surprising that the Public Service Commission has decided it needs more time to consider a decision that will determine the future of an innovative $2.4 billion coal-fired plant in Kemper County.
A great deal is riding on the regulators’ response to an appeal by the Mississippi Power Co. of an earlier PSC ruling that placed a number of conditions on the utility’s plan to finance the project. Mississippi Power officials say the conditions would make it impossible for them to finance and build the plant.
In the April 29 vote, two commissioners — Leonard Bentz and Lynn Posey — voted to approve the project with the conditions. Commissioner Brandon Presley voted “no.”
The project would have a substantial economic impact in southeast Mississippi, creating 260 permanent jobs and more than 1,000 construction jobs. Locally mined lignite coal would be used in the plant’s coal gasification process.
GulfLive
5/18/10
