/Costs and start date ignite investigation into Kemper plant

Costs and start date ignite investigation into Kemper plant

Friday’s statement by the state commission stated that it was aware of federal commission’s investigation. According to a state agency statement, “This Public Service Commission will continue monitoring the Kemper (integrated gazification combined cycle) Project. It will fully examine all pertinent issues in due course. And will take the appropriate steps to ensure that ratepayers receive fair treatment.” According to the Associated Press, the Southern Co. branch stated in its filing that the inquiry is primarily focused on “periods after 2010” and accounting matters, disclosure controls, procedures, and internal controls for financial reporting related to Kemper. In a statement, Jeff Shepard, a Mississippi Power Co. spokesperson said that the investigation is ongoing and that details cannot be provided beyond what has been given. “While we can’t predict the final outcome, as we have stated in our disclosures about this matter, we don’t expect the investigation to impact the financial statements either Southern Company nor Mississippi Power,” Mississippi Power Co. said April 26. The company will spend $61 million more on the power station, bringing it to $6.7 billion. The facility has been running on natural gas since August 2014. However, Mississippi Power delayed the completion date of the whole project by one month to Sept. 30. According to Cindy Duvall, spokesperson from Mississippi Power Co., “We expect the entire Kemper project will be in service during third quarter 2016,” she said. The plant’s extension is intended to transform lignite (a type of coal) into a gas that will create electricity in a way that is new.