Georgia Power announced that the third reactor at Plant Vogtle in Burke County has reached full capacity. During the next several months, the Georgia Public Service Commission will decide who will pay for the increase in costs for the project. Some lawmakers and consumer advocates are saying that Georgia Power shareholders, and not power customers, should pay for the project costs.
The first two reactors have been generating electricity for decades. The Georgia Public Service Commission approved two more in 2009. The cost of the third and fourth reactors was originally supposed to be $14 billion, but the projects are now on track to cost the owners close to $35 billion.
It’s estimated Georgia Power customers could have to pay anywhere from nine to 14% more on their bill if the Georgia Public Service Commission approves Georgia Power’s request for customers to pay more for the project. That would cost the average household $400 more a year.
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