Plant Vogtle delayed; consumers could bear the burden

In their most recent report, a state-hired independent monitor of the Plant Vogtle construction project has determined that the new nuclear reactors at the facility will be delayed at least a year.

In their most recent report, a state-hired independent monitor of the Plant Vogtle construction project has determined that the new nuclear reactors at the facility will be delayed at least a year.

Plant Vogtle, where Southern Company already operates two nuclear reactors, is located southeast of Augusta on the Savannah River.

Not only does this delay illustrate the difficulties and uncertainties of investing in nuclear power as opposed to cleaner, renewable energy, it adds hundreds of millions to the cost of the project.

Georgia Power might be asking the Public Service Commission for permission to pass on their portion of the bill—about $100 million dollars—to their customers.

In this case the PSC should respond with a resounding “no!” Ratepayers are already providing billions of dollars for Plant Vogtle; there is no reason they should subsidize poor management decisions and construction delays.