x
Breaking News
More () »

Consumers add their voice to Plant Vogtle cancellation debate

The Georgia Public Service Commission listened to consumers' concerns over the Plant Vogtle nuclear debate and whether or not to cancel the beleaguered project.
Plant Vogtle Unit 3 & 4 remain under construction

On Monday, the public got to add their voice to the ongoing debate over the fate of the two nuclear power reactors under construction at Georgia Power's Plant Vogtle south of Augusta.

There was a packed house at the Public Service Commission meeting and for a little over an hour, Georgia taxpayers begged commissioners to stop allowing Georgia Power to allegedly waste their money on the project.

Each month, Georgia Power customers pay an extra fee on their bill which is supposed to go toward the project.

But after the primary contractor on the project, Westinghouse Electric Company, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, many consumers feared the worst -- that the project would be canceled outright and their money would be wasted.

RELATED | A concise history of Georgia Power's Plant Vogtle project

The Public Service Commission says consumers got a credit and didn't know it, however.

"The stipulation we agreed to, to establish a cost budget and schedule in December 2016, did actually reduce some of those financing costs, and there was a freeze on that, and so, absolutely yes," said Public Service Commission Chairman Stan Wise.

Still, that's not good enough for some folks.

"I'm wearing these Mardi Gras beads to symbolize the fact (that) Georgia Power gets everything they want," said Debbie Dooley, one consumer who was at the Public Service Commission meeting. "They will be having a real Mardi Gras celebration on the backs of ratepayers."

PHOTOS | Plant Vogtle Nuclear Power Plant

Dooley is not against the Vogtle plant -- she is against spending unnecessary funds.

"I find it unbelievable that Georgia Power knew two years ago there were issues with their contractor, and they kept spending like drunken sailors on leave," Dooley said.

That contractor -- Westinghouse Electric Company -- filed for bankruptcy protection, but ratepayers kept paying a stipend on their monthly bill and Georgia Power and its shareholders got the kickbacks.

"They weighed against the greed of power and a system that has moved all of their financial risks and placed it on me," said another person who attended the meeting, wishing to have their voice heard. "Placed it on public school budgets, placed the risk and cost of financing on struggling businesses trying to make their profit."

Consultants came in and suggested canceling the construction. But PSC Chairman Wise says that may not happen.

"We will not vote to discontinue this project," Wise said. "We will establish the financial standards on budget, on schedule to determine what is the appropriate level of pain and suffering the company must bear."

That pain and suffering is up for a vote by the commission on December 21. Georgia Power can agree to the new terms, or not. If they don't -- the new construction will be canceled.

Before You Leave, Check This Out