The Mississippi Public Service Commission has announced phase one hearings for a proposed new "clean" coal power plant in Kemper County. The hearings are in reponse to a petition filed by Mississippi Power, seeking a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for the proposed $2.4 billion electricity-generating plant, and "associated transmission facilities, associated gas pipeline facilities, associated right-of-way and related facilities in Kemper, Lauderdale, Clarke and Jasper counties," according to a release.

The phase one hearings will concentrate on establishing a need for the plant, and if a need exists, when it will appear. If the commission finds there is a need for a new power plant, it will proceed to the next phase of hearings.

Phase one hearings will be held Monday, Oct. 5, through Wednesday, Oct. 8, in the MPSC's court room on the First Floor of the Woolfolk Building and can be viewed via the Internet on the Commission Web site (http://www.psc.state.ms.us).