The $1.8 billion plant is being planned for Kemper County. Mississippi Power Company has received certification for the project from the U.S. Department of Energy, as well as tax credits from the Internal Revenue Service.

The plant will use lignite coal to produce electricity. The site in Kemper County was chosen because of the amount of lignite found locally.

The proposed facility will be located on a 1500 acre site about six miles north of the Kemper-Lauderdale county line.

The construction of the plant is something that officials say would be great, not only for this part of the state, but for the nation.

"We will be the place where every corporation who is looking to make a significant investment will say, 'Mississippi--it's energy is abundant, it is reliable, it is clean, it is efficient, and it will make us profitable and successful'," said Cong. Chip Pickering. "And it is our chance to make this state and our people and those who invest here, prosperous."

While there are some hurdles still to be overcome, Mississippi governor, Haley Barbour, said he feels confident that this plant will be built in Kemper County.

Officials estimate that the project will create about 1,000 construction jobs during the next three years, and permanently employ about 300 people.

"This is one of the big projects that Mississippi can contribute to America's goal of energy independence and to my goal and vision for Mississippi that we be an energy reliable state," said Barbour.

To use the tax credits, the proposed 600-megawatt plant would have to be completed by November 2013. Mississippi Power officials say their target on line date is June 2013.