Comments on: Georgia Power nuclear plan called ‘lousy’

By: GaLiberal

GaLiberal — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 03:11:44 +0000

I also support nuclear power; particularly the new generation of plants. They will be easier (and less costly) to operate and the construction costs should be fairly predictable. One factor in Vogtle’s cost was all the new requirements the NRC issued after TMI. Not to mention the constant legal actions by interveners. Yes, nuclear power (actually it is atomic power as it involves fission vs fusion) was supposed to be too cheap to meter. That was in the 50’s when they didn’t understand the complexities involved. They are better understood after over 40 years of experience.

That said, GP/SoCo should be getting shareholders to pay for this plant; not rate payers. I’m sure if this law was legally challenged it would be overturned. So why hasn’t anyone filed a legal challenge? Another question is what happens to all that money if GP/SoCo pulls the plug half way through if the economics don’t work out. FL is looking at building four new nukes so it’s demand for outside power will go down making the need for more generating capacity here questionable. Even if power demands grow by 4%/yr as projected, there are much easier and less costly ways to meet that growth. Offer new more efficient appliances for free or at huge discounts. People should to replace their refrigerators every five years (insulation breakdown and compressor aging) but hang on to them forever. Home solar panels are another possibility to make more capacity for business use.

By: Thomas Shanks

Thomas Shanks — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 12:20:10 +0000

The state should give Ga Power loans that can only be paid out directly to the builder, not let them charge us for something they can then get out of building by declaring bankruptcy like everyone else is lately.

By: P. Carter

P. Carter — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 20:20:40 +0000

Being a victim of Three Mile Island I could tell you a lot. What I do want to tell you that you that it is not what they say, and that even if it were, NOTHING is worth it. Please ask yourself, since there still isn’t any place for the waste, WHY is it still being considered. And, if you can only deal with cost, then please ask yourself, if it isprofitable, then why, in order for it to be built does the public need to pay for it BEFORE it’s built.

By: bonitis

bonitis — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 01:28:31 +0000

jason, i too am a big supporter of nuclear power. i would like to see a large increase in nuclear power production in this country.

problem is, nuclear power is far from cheap, especially when considering the mammoth start-up costs. this is why georgia power nearly went bankrupt and why there has not been a new nuclear reactor built in the US in decades.

if we want to increase nuclear power (a great idea if we are serious about reducing greenhouse emissions), it will require gigantic amounts of money. the financial demands are probably too large for a private firm to take on alone, and they will seek help from the government or directly from citizens.

dont expect more nuclear power until that happens.

By: Concerned Citizen

Concerned Citizen — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 01:13:36 +0000

Great article and information. Consumers should not be required to pay for something that will not happen for many years, if ever. That type of risk and cost should be borne by Georgia Power shareholders. If Georgia Power is not adequately comfortable that it will be able to recoup its investment in a nuclear plant, then they should not proceed. But Georgia Power should not ask consumers for a safety net (or a bailout).

By the way, Georgia Power needs to let the PSC do its work. Doing an end-run around the PSC through at the Georgia Legislature is ridiculous. It certainly will be a stinky mess if legislators who have been wined and dined by Georgia Power all of a sudden grant incredibly favorable treatment to Georgia Power. But then again, this is the State of Georgia….

By: Jason

Jason — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 20:44:57 +0000

I am a big supporter or nuclear power. It’s cheap, reliable, abundent, and produces no greenhouse gasses. Nuclear waste can be recycled/reprocessed.

That said, Southern Company has a history of raping Georgia rate payers. They have historically built new plants in South Georgia, on the rate payers’ dime, with transmission lines straight into Florida. Why? So the can sell the power to Florida utilities for profit while having Georgia rate payers cover the capital costs.

Georgia has plenty of electric generating capacity–if we kept it in the state.