Gulfport, Miss. – Today Mississippi Power filed an application with the Mississippi Supreme Court asking the Court to grant a rehearing on its ruling last month regarding the state Public Service Commission’s rate case for the Kemper County energy facility.

“Because the Court action will result in higher rates and bills to customers, Mississippi Power is asking the Court to reconsider its decision,” Mississippi Power President and CEO Ed Holland said. “The company is committed to ensuring our customers are not hurt by this decision and that we do what is in their best interest.”

In the filing, Mississippi Power asserts:

• The PSC appropriately used its authority under the Mississippi Public Utility Act to establish fair and reasonable rates for Kemper, which the Court failed to address.
• The PSC and Legislature hold the authority to set rates, not the Supreme Court, which it has essentially done in its ruling.
• The company and the PSC complied with Mississippi law and the PSC’s rules concerning public notice of the rate proceedings regarding Kemper.
• The Court’s decision will require rate increases of 35-40 percent rather than the approximately 24 percent increase anticipated under the rate proposal considered by the PSC.

“If the Supreme Court ruling stands, our customers will see a substantial increase in rates,” Holland said. “We do not believe that was the Court’s intent.”

Mississippi Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), produces safe, reliable and environmentally responsible energy for more than 186,000 customers in 23 southeast Mississippi counties. Mississippi Power’s been recognized throughout the utility industry for excellence in storm restoration and recovery efforts and as a leader in safety. Visit our websites at mississippipower.com and mississippipowernews.com, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+ and YouTube.