Georgia May Seek White House Help to Complete Reactors

A Georgia utility regulator may seek help from the White House to get two nuclear reactors — whose future has been thrown into question following the bankruptcy of contractor Westinghouse — completed.

Tim Echols, vice-chairman of the state Public Service Commission, said he’s asked Energy Secretary Rick Perry for federal assistance in extending or increasing a tax credit for the reactors being built for Southern Co. at Plant Vogtle.

“They wouldn’t be rescuing Georgia ratepayers, they’d be rescuing nuclear,” Echols told reporters during a meeting in Atlanta on Thursday. “Then the rest of the country could take advantage of what Georgia ratepayers have taken on.” 

Federal lawmakers have pushed to get an extension for a nuclear tax credit. Southern expects Toshiba Corp.’s Westinghouse unit to back out of a contract to complete the two half-finished reactors which are billions of dollars over budget and years behind schedule. An interim agreement between the two runs out on May 12 with Southern evaluating whether to take over as lead contractor.

About BloombergNEF

BloombergNEF (BNEF) is a strategic research provider covering global commodity markets and the disruptive technologies driving the transition to a low-carbon economy. Our expert coverage assesses pathways for the power, transport, industry, buildings and agriculture sectors to adapt to the energy transition. We help commodity trading, corporate strategy, finance and policy professionals navigate change and generate opportunities.
 
Sign up for our free monthly newsletter →

Want to learn how we help our clients put it all together? Contact us