Late last year, I had the pleasure of visiting Kemper County, Mississippi, the proposed site of Mississippi Power’s dirty, expensive, and unnecessary coal-fired power plant and mine. There, I explored beautiful Okatibbee Lake and Wildlife Management Area, which is located directly south of the massive coal mine, and wandered around some of the rustic pine forests that that will be destroyed by the mine.I also spoke with one local resident who told me that contractors are working 24/7 and that she “can see the haze and smoke” from the huge pines trees they’re burning to clear the site. Despite several legal and permitting challenges against the project, Mississippi Power is trying to move full speed ahead before anyone can stop them!Next week, we have a chance to take a stand. Please come out to the Gulfport Chancery Court to show your support for Sierra Club’s lawsuit challenging the decision to saddle ratepayers with the cost of this $2.8 billion project.What: Press Conference and Court Hearing on Sierra Club’s Appeal of MPSC DecisionWhen: February 14, 2011 at 8:45 am.Where: Harrison County Chancery Court, 1801 23rd Ave, Gulfport, MSMississippi Power is doing everything they can to push this project through, but on Monday we can show the courts, and the media, that we don’t want a dirty, destructive and expensive coal plant and mine in our backyards. For more info, email me at Raleigh@healthygulf.org.Raleigh Hoke is GRN’s Mississippi Organizer
