SB 31 Bill Passes 38-16

Georgia Senate roster as SB31 passes, 38-16, at the Capitol, Feb. 11, 2009. (Photo: John Sepulvado)

Senate: Balfour Closes, Members Vote

For the past hour, Sen. Balfour has seen his bill attacked.

He says, now, let's make it quick.

Balfour says the General Assembly checks the Public Service Commission. He notes the GA has tied the PSC's hands many times before.

"So," he says, "Don't tell me this bill doesn't belong here."

Balfour says he is disappointed because GP is portrayed as a Dr. Jekyl, Mr. Hyde.

Balfour then notes GP's good work after Hurricane Katrina. Balfour is showing real emotion. He's raising his voice.

"No deals were cut."

"This is good for business."

"This bill helps them, encourages (GP) to build this plant" and employee people looking for work.

"It keeps costs down."

"One of the best speeches I've ever seen from him" says one of the cameramen behind me.

Georgia Senate: SB 31 Update- Brown Says Vote No

"Think long and hard," Brown says. "Don't be too harsh" on GP. But, Brown says, "this bill does not belong here."

"It's going to cost the consumer."

Balfour is expected up to close after Brown wraps up. Several lobbyists in the hall say they expect it to pass.

Georgia Senate: Williams Explains Amendment

The short of the Williams Amendment requires the PSC to look at Georgia Power's entire balance sheet when considering and recovering pre-payment.

Before, (and this is very general as this is very complicated) the PSC would have only looked at GP's Plant Vogtle related financing.

Georgia Senate SB 31 Update

Casey Cagle announces time has expired. Then, grants more time for Adelman to take more questions.

Q: Doesn't this subsitute the wisdom of the PSC with the wisdom of the General Assembly?

Adleman says yes, and that's why it's not urgent.

Adleman exits, and in a weird moment, the music playing for the past half hour stops.

Georgia Senate SB 31 Update

The amendment consumer groups wanted letting poor seniors opt out has just hit.

For those keeping score, on line 31, before the period, add "Provided, however, that the income qualification for such assistance shall be 200 percent of the federal poverty level."

Adelman finishes as the string music still flutters in the air. Ends by saying: This breaks from 100 years of regulatory policy here in Georgia.

Sen. Orrock asks what the timetable for the PSC is. (GP is pushing this in the PSC as well.)

Adleman isn't sure.

Q: Is there a carve out for big business?

Adleman begins by explaining diffrernces in rate structures. Then says: My understanding is this applies to base rate customers, and those tend to be individual rate payers.

Q: Is it true it will only cost a buck thirty? (Advocates say that will be the average cost.)

Adleman: I don't think we can know.

Q: Will it save people money?

Adleman: I don't know. If you're unsure of it, vote no. That's why we have the PSC.

Georgia Senate: SB 31 Live Blog Update

Sen. Rob Brown is checking out his inbox while Sen. Adleman continues to explain why he thinks GP is getting a great deal.

Sen Adelmam essentially says: This wouldn't work for Waffle House, it shouldn't work for GP.

Balfour, the bill's sponsor, owns several Waffle House restaurants.

Georgia Senate: Live Blogging SB 31 Debate Part 2

The dramatic string music is still flooding the chamber as Sen. Adleman, as though he is auditioning for a movie about a crusading politician. And as the strings crescendo:

Adleman: We know from experience, not just in Georgia, but all across the country, these plants tend to end up costing a lot more...

Georgia Senate: Live Blogging Senate Debate on SB 31

As the State Senate begins debate on SB 31, the bill allowing Georgia Power and potentially other companies to charge customers for construction costs of nuclear power plants, two amendments aim to ease consumer watchdog concerns.

The first would require the Public Service Commission to look at the entire financial health of a power company when recovering costs.

Another amendment is expected shortly that would allow some seniors at or below the poverty line to be excluded from paying the bill.
11 36

Don Balfour, the Republican State Senator introducing the bill, says passage of this bill, will, among other things, help keep carpet manufacturing jobs in North Georgia

1140.

Democrat Rob Brown of Macon challeneges Balfour's assesment that Florida has a similar plan. Brown rightfully notes Florida is trying to stop their version of this bill.

1143

Senator Nan Orrock asks Balfour what about seniors who are paying into this, and might not be here when the power is produced?

"Seniors in my district aren't telling me they're going to die in six years," Balfour responds.

Balfour again mentions the carpet industry. Quick aside: Dalton Utilities owns a stake in Plant Vogtle.

1146

Orrock asks whether industrials got a carve out in this bill so they would get on board?

Balfour: That's not true. That's not true what so ever...

1147 (paraphrasing)

Orrock: Have you looked at the impact to the taxpayer, because the cost to power the state buildings would increase as a result?

Balfour: It will cost less in the long run, offsetting any increase begining in 2011 (when the charge is applied).

1150

Republican Senator Jeff Mullis of Chickamauga: Isn't true only Georgia Power has to go in front of the PSC to increase rates?

Balfour: Yes.

Mullis: Shouldn't every one have to go in front of the PSC to level the playing field?

Balfour: That would "cause a firestorm."

1155

Q: Isn't this about security for Georgia Power's rates?

Balfour: Yes. This provides security to GP.

1157-Real Debate Begins!

David Adelman: Balfour is a great guy who "is carrying a lousy bill for Georgia Power."

String music is playing from somewhere in the capitol and is flooding into the Senate Chamber, giving Adelman's speech a very dramatic effect as he talks about regulatory compacts. Imagine the theme from "Jaws" meets long discussion on nuances of power rate compacts.

1202

Adleman still talking. Says Southern Company is fine corporate citizen. Then says "What this bill does... is suggest the general assembly, should inject itself into the regulatory compact, on an issue, where the Georgia PSC staff as well as it's consultants, have said otherwise."

Adleman: This is not the first time Georgia Power has needed financing. The Georgia PSC has handled those before.