msso8ksupcourtdec3-12.htm
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D. C.  20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)                         March 15, 2012                                                                

Commission
File Number
Registrant, State of Incorporation,
Address and Telephone Number
I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.
     
1-3526
The Southern Company
(A Delaware Corporation)
30 Ivan Allen Jr. Boulevard, N.W.
Atlanta, Georgia 30308
(404) 506-5000
58-0690070
     
001-11229
Mississippi Power Company
(A Mississippi Corporation)
2992 West Beach
Gulfport, Mississippi 39501
(228) 864-1211
64-0205820

The names and addresses of the registrants have not changed since the last report.

This combined Form 8-K is filed separately by two registrants: The Southern Company and Mississippi Power Company.  Information contained herein relating to each registrant is filed by each registrant solely on its own behalf.  Each registrant makes no representation as to information relating to the other registrant.

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

[  ]
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
 
[  ]
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
 
[  ]
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
 
[  ]
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
Item 8.01
Other Events.

See MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS – FUTURE EARNINGS POTENTIAL – “Integrated Coal Gasification Combined Cycle” of Mississippi Power Company (“Mississippi Power”) in Item 7 and Note 3 to the financial statements of The Southern Company and of Mississippi Power under “Integrated Coal Gasification Combined Cycle” in Item 8 of each company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 for information regarding the integrated coal gasification combined cycle under construction in Kemper County, Mississippi (“Kemper IGCC”).

In June 2010, the Sierra Club filed an appeal of the Mississippi Public Service Commission’s (“MPSC”) June 2010 decision (“MPSC Order”) to grant the Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (“CPCN”) for the Kemper IGCC with the Chancery Court of Harrison County, Mississippi (“Chancery Court”).  On February 28, 2011, the Chancery Court issued a judgment affirming the MPSC Order and, on March 1, 2011, the Sierra Club appealed the Chancery Court’s decision to the Mississippi Supreme Court.  On March 15, 2012, the Mississippi Supreme Court reversed the Chancery Court’s decision and the MPSC Order.  The Mississippi Supreme Court concluded that the MPSC Order did not cite in sufficient detail substantial evidence upon which the Mississippi Supreme Court could determine the basis for the findings of the MPSC granting the CPCN.  The Mississippi Supreme Court has remanded the matter to the MPSC to correct the MPSC Order.  Mississippi Power is continuing construction of the Kemper IGCC.  While Mississippi Power believes there is no reason for the MPSC to change its decision to grant the CPCN, the ultimate outcome of this matter cannot be determined at this time.
 

 
SIGNATURE
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Date:           March 15, 2012
THE SOUTHERN COMPANY
 
 
By        /s/ Melissa K. Caen                                                       
Melissa K. Caen
Assistant Secretary
   
 
MISSISSIPPI POWER COMPANY
 
 
By        /s/ Melissa K. Caen                                                       
Melissa K. Caen
Assistant Secretary