Right now State House lawmakers will begin debating whether Georgia Power will get to charge customers in advance for construction costs to expand Plant Vogtle near Augusta. GPB learned the House will not amend the bill---that means lawmakers hands are tied---they can vote yes, they can vote no, but they won't be unable to offer up compromises or alternative policies to fund the nuclear expansion. Conventional Wisdom in Atlanta says that move will help get Georgia Power exactly what they want in the legislation. WGPB's John Sepulvado reports those perceived heavy handed legislative tactics have set off a grassroots movement against the bill.
listen to story here
Showing posts with label SB31. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SB31. Show all posts
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Lawmakers get pressure on SB31
Twitter SB31 debate with GPB
You can follow the debate of SB31 at twitter.com/gpbnews.
There GPB reporters are following the controversial measure over how to fund a new nuclear reactor at plant to be built in the next decade.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Vogtle Nuclear Plant Bill Passes House C'tee
Plant Vogtle. (Courtesy: Nuclear Regulatory Commission)
Legislation that would effectively boost electric rates for thousands of Georgia Power customers beginning in 2011 passed a hurdle in the legislature on Friday.
Senate Bill 31 bill cleared the House Committee on Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications on Friday by voice vote.
The bill passed the state Senate 38-16 on Feb. 11. Click here to read the liveblogging of the Senate debate over the bill.
The bill allows Georgia Power to begin collecting interest costs for its nuclear expansion at Plant Vogtle six years before the new nuclear reactors are set to be completed.
Critics of the nuclear charges bill say the measure is a raw deal for consumers being asked to the foot the bill for the reactors long before they'll see any benefit from them.
Supporters say it will slash some $300 million off the project's estimated $14 billion total price tag, saving consumers money in the long run. Either way electric bills will go up, they argue.
S.B. 31: http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2009_10/fulltext/sb31.htm
(AP)
Click here for previous GPB News coverage of this story.
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