A State Senate panel Wednesday approved legislation that would hike electric bills for customers of Georgia Power. The bill would allow the utility to begin collecting interest costs on the construction of two new nuclear reactors before they're completed. The Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee passed
the bill on the 8-2 vote. It now goes to the full Senate for consideration. Under the bill, Georgia Power customers would see their bills rise by an average of $1.30 a month beginning in 2011.
Georgia Power wants to expand its nuclear facility at Plant Vogtle near Augusta years before construction would be finished. Company officials argue that recouping the interest costs means ratepayers will pay less in the long run. They estimate it will shave $300 million off the $16 billion expansion. Critics say customers would actually pay more in future years.
the bill on the 8-2 vote. It now goes to the full Senate for consideration. Under the bill, Georgia Power customers would see their bills rise by an average of $1.30 a month beginning in 2011.
Georgia Power wants to expand its nuclear facility at Plant Vogtle near Augusta years before construction would be finished. Company officials argue that recouping the interest costs means ratepayers will pay less in the long run. They estimate it will shave $300 million off the $16 billion expansion. Critics say customers would actually pay more in future years.
