Ellington

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi Power Co. has filed three proposals seeking higher rates to pay for the $6.2 billion power plant that it's building in Kemper County.

CEO Ed Holland says the Southern Co. subsidiary prefers a plan that would result in the lowest increase for customers. But he says the company will use a provision in state law to enact the steepest increase at least temporarily if the Public Service Commission doesn't act with 120 days.

Under that worst-case scenario, typical residential customers could see their monthly bills rise from $143.89 to $180.75.

The move comes after the Mississippi Supreme Court in February overturned rate increases to fund the power plant and ordered $250 million in refunds. The company, regulators and some business groups are asking the court to overturn its ruling.