Georgia Power nuke bill clears Senate, moves to House
Wednesday, February 11th, 2009
The state Senate today passed a bill 38-16 that would allow Georgia Power to begin collecting fees from customers to help pay for two proposed nuclear reactors prior to their construction. (The Senate Press Office included in its release about the bill’s passage this hilarious photo to the right of the bill’s sponsor, state Sen. Don Balfour, R-Gavelville.)
The bill now moves to the House, where Jim Galloway of the AJC says lawmakers are generally warm to the idea.
Supporters of the bill say it’ll save the utility — and in turn, customers — money in the long run.
But many lawmakers and consumer groups oppose the move because they say it sidesteps the Public Service Commission — and partially exempts big business and industrial customers from the increased rates.
For an excellent rundown of the controversial legislation, view my esteemed colleague Scott Henry’s post.
After the jump, Dave Williams of the Atlanta Business Chronicle reports some lawmakers’ thoughts about the bill.
