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"Even after we've spent over $2 billion so far building this plant, we still have people that would like to shut this project down-namely the Sierra Club," he said. "I believe in the process we have in the United States, but at some point it becomes futile to the point where you're costing our customers money. We estimate by not paying for our construction interests as we go along, our customers will pay an additional five to six-hundred million dollars for this plant, just in construction interests alone, due to lawsuits by the Sierra Club."
Opponents to the lignite coal plant, which includes Northern District Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley, say the company cannot provide proof that the plant will actually work. Presley has told us in previous interviews that the company could not guarantee at start-up that the technology would actually bring power to customers.
Earlier this year when Mississippi Power asked for a rate increase to help pay for the continuing construction, all three commissioners, including Republicans Lynn Posey and Leonard Bentz, gave the thumbs down.
It seemed for a while that due to millions in cost over runs and a lack of support from the PSC that many were frowning, or even changing their minds about whether the plant was a good idea.
But, construction has continued. Day said with companies like Ingall's Shipbuilding planning more construction and more jobs, it's a necessary component to the economy.
"They're one of our largest customers and that's the reason we're bringing our Kemper facility online. Our former governor used to say it's not about the type of power, it's about, do you have enough power. It's the abundance of power."
Many economists would agree with that point, telling communities around Mississippi that in order to attract industry, having an infrastructure in place, with sufficient power, is necessary. One example is the West Point mega site. The Prarie Belt Power Site made its debut this week, with 1,100 acres and power to host a facility that could span the site.
Day said the plant is on schedule to go online withing 18 months, most likely by May 2014. This week the plant is responsible for traffic disruptions in the east part of the state as two huge pieces of equipment are making their way there, blocking portions of Hwy. 388, 45 and 16.
