Mirant Conducting Search for a New Chief

Mirant Corp., an Atlanta-based power producer that is in bankruptcy protection, said its board of directors was searching for a new chief executive who might replace Marce Fuller.

The search began early this year and was confidential until Thursday, a Mirant spokesman said.

He declined to say whether the board decided to fire Fuller, 44, or whether she planned to step down. The board is looking at internal and external candidates.

Mirant filed for bankruptcy protection in July 2003 after wholesale power prices plummeted and Fuller failed to persuade bondholders and banks to reschedule $4.9 billion of debt. Mirant owes creditors $11 billion.