An non-operational power plant that was supposed to serve as an example of how to produce clean energy from coal while at the same time turning a profit is failing to fulfill either of those objectives. There were big hopes for the Kemper coal plant, which was a major piece of Obama’s plan to slow the effects of global warming and a project that was supposed to bring thousands of jobs to the poorest state in America.
Not only is the plant non-operational, well behind schedule, and over budget, it is also under investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Concerns about mismanagement are among the project’s many problems, problems that are now public knowledge thanks to the efforts of a whistleblower named Brett Wingo, who provided the New York Times with access to thousands of pages of public records, undisclosed internal documents, emails, and secretly but legally recorded conversations among his colleagues at the plant.
The New York Times reviewed the materials that Wingo had provided to them, and the overall picture that emerged from the review is that the plant’s owners grossly understated the project’s cost, underestimated its timetable, and had a practice of attempting to conceal problems as they emerged. Brett Wingo had seen all of this happening from his position inside of the project, and he felt a need to speak up and expose the mismanagement and fraud that was going on. As is the case with many whistleblowers, Brett Wingo lost his job after disclosing the information regarding the extensive project management issues with the Kemper coal plant project. An investigation into his termination by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration let to a statement by the Administration that he had been fired illegally.
The New York Times review of the documentation from the Kemper coal plant project revealed how a monopoly utility with strong political backing from both state and federal government officials got investors and ratepayers to pay the hefty price tag on one of the most costly power plants ever built. Because of this project’s high cost and poor outcome, the Environmental Protection Agency is likely to revisit its proposed rules on new power plants. The problems with the project are also likely to affect discussions about the best methods for slowing climate change.
Barrett Law PLLC: Unwavering Support for Mississippi Whistleblowers
If you feel as though you were treated unfairly by your employer or former employer after you exposed violations of Federal law, you may be able to recover damages through the whistleblower claims process. The Mississippi Whistleblower Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC could help you navigate the entire whistleblower claims process with the goal of obtaining financial recovery for any losses and damages that you may have experienced as a result of your heroic actions. If you have questions about whistleblower protection, please call the Mississippi Whistleblower attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC today at 1 (601) 790-1505 to schedule a free, initial consultation.
