by Chris Davis
GULFPORT, Miss.--A hearing will happen Friday in an attempt by opponents of the Kemper County Coal Plant to have its construction permit revoked. One of the chief groups protesting the construction is the Sierra Club, and a statement by that group says Mississippians for Affordable will host a tailgate breakfast in the Civil Defense room Friday morning.

The Sierra Club says the hearing is an appeal by their group to try to have the construction permit overturned. The permit was issued by the Public Service Commission following the initial denial of a permit March 15, according to the Club.

Sierra Club members aren't the only ones who oppose the construction. Northern District Commissioner Brandon Presley has opposed moves to get the plant in operation on numerous occassions on the grounds that the lignite technology that will be used is untested and that rate payers will see increases in monthly bills.

The other two commissioners joined Presley earlier this year in denying Mississippi Power, the company that is building and will operate the plant, permission to hike rates amidst news that construction was costing millions more than initially expected.