Regulators to Consider MPC Rate Increase

By: The Associated Press

Posted: Mon 3:14 PM, Mar 04, 2013

Utility regulators will be asked again Tuesday to approve a rate increase to repay money Mississippi Power Co. has borrowed to build a coal-fired power plant in Kemper County.

The unit of Atlanta-based Southern Co. wants a total rate increase of 21.6 percent, or $171.6 million.

For an average residential customer, that's projected to work out to $31.08 a month, according to a company filing.

It's the second time that the Mississippi Public Service Commission will be asked to approve a plan to start paying for the $2.88 billion plant, which Mississippi Power calls Plant Ratcliffe.

The PSC rejected the first request, leading to a lawsuit settled with commissioners agreeing to consider another request quickly.

Commissioners could vote on the request Tuesday, but have until March 12 to decide.

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