Senate in Favor of More Nuclear Facilities in State Georgia Power Wants to Add Reactors at Its Facility Near Augusta.
Posted on: Monday, 20 March 2006, 18:00 CST
By VICKY ECKENRODE
ATLANTA -- Most of the Senate on Monday threw its support behind expanding nuclear power in Georgia as the state's largest electric utility considers adding reactors at Plant Vogtle near Augusta.
Though Senate Resolution 865 does nothing to help Georgia Power in its preliminary application process with federal regulators, the legislation shows where lawmakers stand on the issue of more nuclear facilities.
"Nuclear energy appears to be probably the best and safest in terms of base loading for power plants," Sen. Seth Harp, R-Midland, said. "I hope frankly that we will see more construction of this as we shift our [electricity] grid from a fossil fuel to a nuclear base."
The Senate resolution, which passed 43-6, encourages electric utilities in the state to pursue nuclear power and for state regulators to support the efforts.
It also points out that the energy bill the Congress recently approved includes financial incentives for companies investing in new nuclear facilities to reduce dependence on foreign energy supplies.
A similar supportive resolution is moving through the House.
"We feel like nuclear energy is important for a diverse fuel mix and to be an option for our customers," Georgia Power spokeswoman Carol Boatright said "We're very happy that our lawmakers see it the same way and want us to pursue this option."
The resolution comes up as Georgia Power and the other owners of Plant Vogtle are planning to submit an early site permit to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission this summer for two new reactors at the facility.
Georgia Power has asked the state Public Service Commission to allow electricity customers to cover about $51 million in licensing and planning costs with the applications.
Democrats who voted against the resolution Monday said they have a very different view about the effect nuclear power has on the environment, storage problems created by spent fuel and a history of massive construction cost overruns at Plant Vogtle.
"Nuclear power is expensive, and we just cannot afford it," said Sen. Regina Thomas, D-Savannah, who was particularly critical about pending request for Georgia Power customers to pick up the application expenses.
"It's hard enough for them to pay their bills," she said. "While we have them down, we're going to hold them down. We need to stop letting the utilities companies and lobbyists control what we do in here."vicky.eckenrode@morris.com, (404) 681-1701
Source: Florida Times Union
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