GA Power "Pay It Forward" Plan Challenged in Lawsuit

A bill that would charge Georgia Power customers to pay early for the construction of two nuclear reactors awaits Governor Sonny Perdue’s signature. The governor has indicated he’ll sign it.

Meanwhile, it has become the target of a lawsuit by the Fulton County Taxpayers’ Foundation. The group sued Governor Perdue, Lt. Governor Casey Cagle and House Speaker Glenn Richardson among others last week.

The lawsuit argues Senate bill 31 is illegal because it originated in the state Senate instead of the House, and that any measure that increases revenues should originate in the House.

Publish Post

Georgia Power officials say they aren’t worried about the lawsuit.

(The Atlanta Journal Constitution)

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.