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AJC.com > Legislature > Blog > Archives > 2009 > February > 26 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USUPDATE: Georgia Power bill headed to governor
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The House has voted 107-66 to approve SB 31, the Georgia Power bill, which now heads to Gov. Sonny Perdue’s desk.
After more than three hours of debate, the vote was anti-climatic.
The bill would allow Georgia Power to begin charging customers in 2011 for new nuclear plants expected to go online in 2017.
10:10 a.m.Rep. Ben Harbin (R-Evans) just got a pretty tough question from Rep. Karla Drenner (D-Avondale Estates).
Harbin, leading the effort to pass SB 31, the Georgia Power bill, heard this from Drenner:
“Can you tell us why this isn’t a Ponzi scheme?” Drenner said.
Harbin’s response:
“In a Ponzi scheme, there’s no oversight. The Public Service Commission will have oversight and make sure the money is used only to cover the financing costs of construction. This is not a Ponzi scheme.”
UPDATE 10:17 a.m.: Harbin has yielded the floor, having taken up the 20 minutes he was allowed (and then some), and Rep. Austin Scott (R-Tifton) has replaced him.
Scott spoke against the bill, although he said he supports new nuclear construction.
He didn’t take long and now Rep. Georgianna Sinkfield (D-Atlanta) is calling the bill an opportunity for learning: “Lessons learned that should not be repeated,” she said.
It’s a bad idea to go down this road, Sinkfield said. .
And just to note, 17 House members have signed up to speak on the bill. We’re on number three.
UPDATE: 10:35 a.m.: Sinkfield is still in the well, and she’s gaining steam.
“We could very well be buying into an issue that will come back and bite us, because there could be something better out there than nuclear energy,” she said. “We haven’t examined it as a body, who should dwell on this issue.”
UPDATE: 10:48 a.m.: It’s Rep. David Lucas’ turn to bash the bill now. The Macon Democrat wants the bill to go back to committee.
“We ought not pay sales tax on the money they’re going to get for us to finance the debt service,” he said.
He points out, rightly, that because of House rules, SB 31 can’t be amended on the floor. And, he said, changes are needed.
“When it doesn’t turn out right, and they go to the Public Service Commission, they’re going to tell you and they’re going to tell your folk, ‘We didn’t do it, your representative did,’” Lucas said. “You need to be very, very careful to know what you’re doing.”
UPDATE: 10:57 a.m.: Next up on the I-hate-SB 31 train is Rep. Debbie Buckner (D-Junction City)
“I have no problem paying for something in advance that’s a fair system,” she said. “This isn’t a fair system.”
The citizens of Georgia, she said, “will share the risk that shareholders of this publicly traded company should be taking.”
And now she’s done and we’re on to number five: Rep. Earnest “Coach” Williams (D-Avondale Estates).
One thing that will be interesting to watch: Will any Republicans (besides Austin Scott, who already spoke) speak out against the bill?
UPDATE: 11:06 a.m.: Rep. Don Wix (D-Mableton) is challenging colleagues to show some backbone.
“Some of you out there are voting ‘yes’ for this bill or some of you are voting ‘no’ and hope it passes,” he said. “That’s not what you’re elected for. We’re down here to make a decision.”
Meanwhile, he said, there are more than 100 House bills waiting to be considered, yes House leaders are rushing this Senate bill through first.
“I just don’t appreciate the power play we’re seeing in the hall,” Wix said, referring to the Georgia Power lobbyists sporting “Yes on SB 31” stickers.
UPDATE: 11:15 a.m.: Georgia Power has gotten this far only because it managed to exempt its big industrial users from paying the higher fees that residential costumers will face, Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver (D-Decatur) said.
“If they had not been allowed to make a special deal with big industrial users they would not be here in front of 185 bills,” Oliver said. “The PSC would not let them do it. They had to come here to do that.”
And now it’s Rep. Rob Teilhet’s turn as the Smyrna Democrat takes the well.
UPDATE: 11:31 a.m.: Rep. Randal Mangham (D-Decatur) is charging that the fix is in on this bill.
Florida went through this, he said, and regrets their decision. Georgia will, too, Mangham said.
Mangham also managed to tie in the election of Barack Obama into all this and said democracy itself is at stake.
Meanwhile, House Speaker Glenn Richardson (R-Hiram) has said the House will not break for lunch until this bill is done. We’ve got 10 more speakers to go, once Mangham finishes up.
UPDATE: 11:47 a.m.: So Mangham has finished up his remarks and is now taking questions from Appropriations Committee Ben Harbin (R-Evans), the sponsor of SB 31 in the House.
Harbin has already managed to poke a few holes in Mangham’s earlier remarks, including whether anyone was denied the opportunity to speak on the bill in committee. Apparently they were not, something Mangham admitted he wasn’t sure of because he wasn’t there.
Mangham’s time has expired and we’re on to speaker number 11. Mangham also says there is a minority report to the bill, meaning once they’re finished with the speakers, the minority report will be presented.
Rep. Mark Hatfield (R-Waycross) is now speaking. Will he be the Republican who speaks out against the bill?
UPDATE: 11:52 a.m. Rep. Mark Hatfield (R-Waycross) is kinda, sorta speaking against SB 31, the Georgia Power bill.
Hatfield says allowing the utility to charge customers in advance for future construction is a good idea, but, he said, that’s what the Public Service Commission is for. And that, he said, is who should decide this.
He has not, however, said whether he’s voting for the bill …
UPDATE: 11:55 a.m. Hatfield just made news.
The Waycross Republican said he will, at the appropriate time, make a motion to recommit the bill to committee. That motion, when it comes, will be an important test vote.
Hatfield has left the well and Rep. Chuck Martin (R-Alpharetta) has the floor. Hatfield has not yet made his motion, but keep an eye out for it.
UPDATE: 12:05 p.m.: Martin spoke in favor of the bill, because, he said, it’s a good tool for economic development.
Martin also claimed the Public Service Commission is not a constitutional body and the General Assembly, which is, should decide this issue.
That’s an odd argument to make, as Rep. Stephanie Benfield (D-Atlanta) just pointed out.
Benfield has the floor now making the argument, again, that PSC is where this issue should be decided.
UPDATE: 12:16 p.m.: OK, either we can’t count or we got confused. But Rep. Kevin Levitas (D-Atlanta) is now speaking and he, apparently, is speaker number 10 out of 17.
We still have a ways to go and Levitas is speaking in favor of the bill.
“We can’t decide policy on only today,” he said. “When you’re considering that vote consider Georgia’s future.”
And now he’s done and we’re on to Rep. Tommy Smith (R-Nichols) has started in on a story that begins, he said, in 1960.
UPDATE: 12:33 p.m.: Smith’s story took awhile and ended with support for the bill. And then Rep. Steve Davis (R-McDonough) said much the same thing, repeating the Georgia Power talking point that it saves consumers $330 million ultimately (of course, that’s over many decades, something they don’t as readily point out).
Now, Rep. Karla Drenner (D-Avondale Estates) is speaking in support of the bill, too. According to the best count available in the House Press Gallery, a place math goes to die, Drenner is speaker number 13 out of 17 signed up.
UPDATE: 12:40 p.m.: Well, we warned you before —Â we can’t count. Rep. Ed Setzler (R-Acworth) is now speaking and Speaker Richardson announced he is the final speaker.
“You are the only thing standing between us and a previous question,” Richardson said, using House jargon to refer to an actual vote.
Setzler said he understood and he wouldn’t take long (although he’s still going). Once he’s done, there are still a few speeches to make before the vote, however, as the sponsor gets to speak as does the signer of the minority report. But … we’re getting closer.
UPDATE: 12:48 p.m.: Setlzer is done, Richardson is ringing the bill and Hatfield is making his motion to commit the bill.
Hatfield wants to send the bill back to the Rules Committee. They’re voting on the board.
UPDATE: 12:49 p.m.: That’s an awfully red board as a “no” vote in this case is a vote against sending the bill back to committee.
Hatfield’s motion fails 44-116 and they’re on to the previous question and now Rep. Randal Mangham (D-Decatur) is back up to present the minority report.
He gets 20 minutes and then Ben Harbin gets 20.
Mangham is giving up his spot in favor of Rep. Brian Thomas (D-Lilburn) and Minority Leader DuBose Porter (D-Dublin).
UPDATE: 1:07 p.m.: Thomas took 15 minutes, making the same general argument against the bill and yielded his final five minutes to Porter.
Porter made clear that he is speaking not as the minority leader but as an individual lawmaker, a distinction that speaks to the difficulty in finding concensus on this bill.
UPDATE: 1:09 p.m.: Porter is done, and we’re on to the final 20 minutes. Supporters have four people who are going to split their time, apparently, including Speaker Pro Tem Mark Burkhalter (R-Johns Creek) and Harbin, chairman of Appropriations who began this day speaking in favor of the bill.
Almost there!
UPDATE: 1:20 p.m.: Vote! Vote! Vote! Vote!
Nearly four hours after beginning this debate on SB 31, the House is voting on the Georgia Power bill.
A green board sends the bill to Gov. Sonny Perdue’s desk. A red board kills it.
UPDATE: 1:22 p.m.: SB 31, the Georgia Power bill, passes by a vote of 107-66.
After all that, it wasn’t even close.
Permalink | Comments (63) | Post your comment | Categories: Legislature
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Comments
By Pat
February 26, 2009 10:30 AM | Link to this
I think GA Power has already indicated the funds will be used to pay shareholders?? What about this statement did Harbin not understand??
By St simons
February 26, 2009 10:31 AM | Link to this
i worked for Ga power for over 20 yrs , a bunch of crooks!!!!
By Randall
February 26, 2009 10:33 AM | Link to this
This is a ponzi scheme! It strips the PSC of all oversight regarding these nuke plants. It’s mind boggling that these crooks under the gold dome are allowed to screw the good citizens of GA with no consuner outrage. I didn’t start paying for my 2009 model year car in 2005. Besides, the PSC is ALREADY in the pocket of Georgia Power. Why is this legistation necessary?
By joyce
February 26, 2009 10:56 AM | Link to this
This is crap! If aproved, everyone of these crooks should be voted off the public service commission.
And also any state officals.
By JS
February 26, 2009 11:00 AM | Link to this
I hate GA Power. I signed up for e-bill and the jacka$$es over there don’t send you notifications when it’s due and then try to screw you over with late fees and such when they actually do send you notification…3 months later. I just found out I had 3 months of overdue bills thanks to the morons over there and the e-bill BS that doesn’t f-ing notify you in any way that your bill is due. No more nuke plants!!!! I wouldn’t doubt they have a ponzi scheme going on. The bigger rip off is the green energy scam. Why am I paying for green energy when all you b******* do is keep building coal and nuke plants? Move into the 21st century!!!! I want clean energy. Georgia needs to take a lesson from progressive states like Colorado.
By dawg78
February 26, 2009 11:04 AM | Link to this
I promise if my representative votes for this I will work my a$$$ off to vote her out. This is corrupt and we have the PSC in place to monitor and oversee this type of project with the support of a staff of economists, engineers, attorneys and utility experts to guide them. This is AWFUL for consumers these legislators were elected to work in our best interest. Let’s see if they step up. And if they don’t….take names!!
By fsg
February 26, 2009 11:08 AM | Link to this
Politicians are, by and large, idiots. Oversight has nothing to do with it.
It’s not a Ponzi scheme because something is actually being created out of it that will provide actual value; i.e., a power plant, which would theoretically benefit everyone, if they all remain in the state (or even in the region, as SoCo provides (sells) excess power to others over the grid). No Ponzi scheme can ever result in a possible benefit for all parties.
That being said, if the PSC doesn’t own this decision, they’re not doing their job. Hand responsibility for this back where it belongs. Or if they want to be really helpful, how about negotiating some concessions from SoCo in return - ie, greater commitments to wind and solar generation, improved support for residential conservation/solar installation, etc.
By GC
February 26, 2009 11:09 AM | Link to this
I’m sorry did I miss something?? Where is the article explaining what is going on? I need a story not an update. What am I being updated on? I have more info from the comments than the above “article”
By Aaron Gould Sheinin
February 26, 2009 11:19 AM | Link to this
GC, we’re trying to live blog the debate in the House on Senate Bill 31, the so-called Georgia Power bill.
If you need some background, try here.
By GC
February 26, 2009 11:22 AM | Link to this
Thanks Aaron!!
By I want a refund
February 26, 2009 11:23 AM | Link to this
What about people that are not here when it the plant comes on line and there is some form of payback for the advance payments. Do those people get a refund for paying in advance for years on something that they get no benefit from down the road?
By cp
February 26, 2009 11:24 AM | Link to this
This is more dirty politics. Since so many organizations and individuals were questioning the necessity and economics of this nuclear expansion at the PSC, the industry got their bidding through going through the backdoor with legislature politics. This industry makes the ponzi schemes seem like a really great idea.
By Carol C
February 26, 2009 11:29 AM | Link to this
Retired seniors and working poor people will be forced to pay in advance for a nuclear boondoggle that might not even get built if this crazy scheme passes. Heck, some residents would prepay higher electric bills and end up moving or dying before these nukes could get built! Not to mention the environmental hazards…there’s already tritium in the Savannah River, endangering the health of community residents downriver. AARP is against SB 31 and so is Clark Howard. Just say NO to this folly!
By Charles Horton Jr.
February 26, 2009 11:35 AM | Link to this
Ga. Power is asking….no….forcing us to pay for the new expansion up front with us not seeing any benefits until it is finished. If requirements are less than or flat at that time, then they are out no money. Just the residential power customers. They are at NO risk in the matter. What happened to seeing a need, taking a risk and THEN recovering your costs? This is a win-win situation for Georgia Power and a lose-lose/maybe win down the road for the residential customers of Georgia Power. How does Georgia Power plan to credit the current customers for prepayment? How is it fair for the current customers to pay for the expansion and then future customers possibly reap the benefits of the expansion without any prepayment costs to them. Perhaps Georgia Power should be pretaxed on their projected future sales without hope of credit when the future arrives.
By catlady
February 26, 2009 11:39 AM | Link to this
Vote NO to any scheme to bail out, in advance, Ga Power shareholders. I am not sure it is a ponzi scheme. I think it is an advance bail out.
And, in addition, and more importantly, ONLY GOD CAN HANDLE NUCLEAR POWER!
By Disgusted Republican
February 26, 2009 11:39 AM | Link to this
This bill hurts the citizens of Georgia, the ones with power any way. There is no end in sight to the increase in rates, Georgia Power, a monopoly, said its going to raise rates to help build its power plant. Since when does the legislature in Georgia, or any where for that matter, succumb to private business wishes. Oh…I forgot that Don Balfour is the author of this bill. The last 6 years he has been Big Business’ boy for their bills. Every Big Business initiative that seems to hurt the people of Georgia is pushed onto him and he so elegantly and conveniently forgets to mention facts. He and the lobbyist of Ga Power are the only ones that agree on the supposed $300 billion this initiative “saves” the rate payers.
What’s worse is the party that supposed to stay out of business and is supposed to help small business, The GOP, is the one pushing it so hard. The leadership, in both parties, have done everything they can to assure Georgia Power gets what it wants. They halted any amendments from being placed on the bill on the floor, which a number of Representatives wished to do. The House suspended its usual rules of not introducing Senate bills before crossover day, Day 30, on the Floor of the House.
This legislation has been introduced and passed and implemented in a number of states. Alabama and, perhaps more publicized, Florida are desperately trying to get out of similar chains they placed around their own ankles. As a Republican I am shocked at my party leadership and as a citizen I am appalled! Appalled at my General Assembly! It’s simply disgusting and revolting that the representatives of Georgia are rushing through something they know not what the complete consequences are going to be. If you took the time to call your elected officials you were probably met with a planned response, probably one that was given to the representatives directly by Ga Power Lobbyists. The response made me wonder if they even looked at the bill or let Ga Power write it without any input from our “leaders.” Wow. Did I mention we don’t even see the benefits from this, i.e. the product, for 7-8 years? The 7-8 years is a hopeful completion date and if you have ever followed the construction of a nuclear power plant, it’s extremely rare they finish on time. Guess who is going to pay the costs that are incurred during the overtime? We are, we are.
By SJ
February 26, 2009 11:41 AM | Link to this
Even more telling is that SoCo/GP shareholders aren’t interested in taking the risk on this. They expect the customers to pay, rather than the shareholders. If this doesn’t pass, they are saying they won’t build the plant. Since when does the risk fall on the customers instead of the shareholders? Great scam, if you can bully it through.
By Dave
February 26, 2009 11:41 AM | Link to this
Face it there are a lot of politicians are making money on the backs of us consumers. In GA they made lots of money on natural gas by creating a middle man to go along with our gas provider. They never look out for the consumer or care what we think much of the time. That is why we can’t get Sunday beer sales done either.
By Politicians
February 26, 2009 11:44 AM | Link to this
fsg hit the nail on the head. Our politicians don’t understand what a Ponzi scheme is much less what is really happening here. Negotiating some green energy concepts and commitments, in hand with nuclear power is the way to go.
By MuttsRDummies...
February 26, 2009 11:54 AM | Link to this
This is a ripe off by Ga power…We pay now, but if we move to another state prio to 2017 we never benefit from the allegedly cheaper nuclear power….I say let the share holders bare the risk, not the current rate payers.
By DBL
February 26, 2009 11:58 AM | Link to this
Nuclear energy is not the way to go. Give some incentives to produce solar energy. Remember 3 Mile Island. There is no safe way to dispose of nuclear waste. Ga Power and our leaders need to get into this century and do some progressive thinking.
By Arthur Trim
February 26, 2009 11:58 AM | Link to this
The fact that the PSC will have oversight should scare everyone! The same PSC that regulates natural gas marketing. The PSC will regulate/over see what GA Power wants it to regulate & over see. This IS NOT in the best interest of anyone except GA Power!
By catlady
February 26, 2009 11:59 AM | Link to this
Ga Power knows that it better collect the money now: in 5-6 years even more homes will NOT be dependent on GaPower for their electricity. They will have converted their homes to more green power. This is besides that they will get the float on the money all those years.
Are any of our Republican “representatives” going to speak against it?
And will the representatives be held hostage and not allowed to eat until it is passed?
By Eric
February 26, 2009 12:01 PM | Link to this
This is a terrible bill—GA Power should be stopped!! Please legislators—protect us citizens from utility bill increases. Enough is enough! Let GA Power invest in this themselves, as any other entity would be required to do—individual or business regardless.
By Les Horn
February 26, 2009 12:11 PM | Link to this
Energy is the basis for all economic development.
The environmental impact fee on my electic bill should be enough.
If the GA State law makers allow this new tax on our power bill
it won’t be the last.
Remember the failed deregulation of natural gas.
Competition will just drive the price of natural gas down. RIGHT!
By SheKnows2
February 26, 2009 12:24 PM | Link to this
How in the world has this idiotic idea gotten this far? Isn’t Harbin the same politican that fought against the Lottery Lady receiving a deserved bonus? Well for the record, GA Power shareholders should not receive one dime in profit in advance of actual work done that benefits the public from the good citizens of GA, to raise our bill for what may or may not happen in the future is ridiculous we can’t trust them that these plants will ever be actually be built. Let the politicans pay for this out of their own pockets since they think it’s such a good idea. How much are the backers of this bill getting paid someone should investigate that. The paying public is getting the shaft on this deal and the backers are getting paid, and I for one am tired of being ripped off.
By Dean
February 26, 2009 12:32 PM | Link to this
I am for nuclear power if they will replace the coal burning plants with the new nuclear power plants. I am sick of the smoggy air we breathe. If the public is to pre-pay for something, then the public should own it. If this is a private venture, then let the investor pre-pay for it.
By JW
February 26, 2009 12:34 PM | Link to this
This bill is clearly the taxpayers subsidizing private industry. Doesn’t matter if it’s an additional dollar on my power bill or not. I’m not subsidizing industry and their wealthy shareholders, just like I didn’t want my tax dollars to bail out irresponsible banks.
By Eleanor
February 26, 2009 12:35 PM | Link to this
Well after they charge up front and the big shots get their outrageous bonuses and the shareholders make a small fortune off of the little guy, we still won’t have the power plant and the little guy will continue to decide whether to have power, buy food or buy medicine. What a bunch of a** holes we have representing us. Do you think for one minute they care about us? Of course not; they get wined - top notch wine; they get dined - high priced meals; and then they dance with the devil.
By cynthia
February 26, 2009 12:35 PM | Link to this
Do not give more “power” to this utility company. Just look up the road at the Cobb Energy debacle.
By Dean F
February 26, 2009 12:42 PM | Link to this
To legislators: if you vote for this bill, you will pay for it at election time. Count on it!
By MJ
February 26, 2009 12:50 PM | Link to this
The Georgia Power plan will save rate payers over $300 million in costs, and will have PSC oversight. I am in favor of the plan. To the writer named JS who posted a note at 11:00, you are showing a lack of intelligence first of all by your use of profane language, and secondly by not realizing that nuclear energy is green energy. Last, you call Georgia Power reps morons, because you don’t know that you owe a power bill that is three months late. Perhaps you could look in a mirror.
By Bulldawg
February 26, 2009 12:51 PM | Link to this
JS-
You are an idiot. You are blaming Ga Power for your own irresponsibility; like many Nobama voters do.
I use e-bill and they send you an email, like the one i rec’d today, notifying you that your latest bill is ready for viewing, printing and payment. Additionally, should you have realized you had not paid your power bill in over 4 months and checked online? huh? oh, that’s right it is not your responsibility to do that, someone needs to hold your hand.
Yeah, that’s the ticket, let’s put up big wind turbines and solar panel farms all over the state when coal is a dime a ton (exaggeration for emphasis).
Drill here, Drill now, pay less.
And build nuke plants.
By Ellen Sherman
February 26, 2009 1:02 PM | Link to this
Will they agree to a per bill percentage that they can’t go over even if costs of the nuclear plants run over budget as they will?
By MC
February 26, 2009 1:05 PM | Link to this
I understand the confusion with this bill. What I dont understand is the total misunderstanding people have when it comes to green energy. Anyone that thinks in 5-6 years homes wont be dependant on power companies are crazy as a bed bug. First of all, the technology to store the energy produced by solar panels is at least 10 years away according to latest surveys. If people think nulear energy is expensive, what do they think solar caost…per house hold? I will tell you. The average size home system would cost somewhere in the $30,000 and up range to add solar technology and thats just enough to offset the total load by 50%. Nuclear energy is by far the greenest dependable energy source alternative on the market today when it comes to large scale distribution. Another type is wind power…here again 2 things keeps this from being viable. 1st, there is not enough sustaining winds in Georgia to support this technology. 2nd, like solar the storage part of the equation is still to be solved. For all those want to be green folks out there who think nuclear is not clean, lets say we put solar and wind farms all over the place. With the amount of batteries that would be needed to support such an effort would be enormous. If you think 1 nuclear plants wastes creates problems, what about the 10s of millions of batteries that would need to be disposed of at the end of their lifespan. I have mixed feelings about what they are requesting, I mean afterall, I am a customer and I am eventually going to be paying for it anyway. With that said, I dont guess I really have that big of a problem with it. We still have some of the lowest rates anywhere in the united states and the by them having to answer to the PSC, they will always be held to accountability for their actions. If an EMC decided to do this there is not one thing you nor I could do about it. They are not governed by the PCS and can charge whatever they wish, how they wish.One thing in closing, I dont want us to get the idea GPC/SOCO doesnt do anything for the green movement….they have spent billions to update their plants to clean up the atmosphere with not one penny of those billions giving anything in return. Like it or not, Coal and Nuclear are still very good and viable systems in creating electricity. Im all for being greener but not if the return is minimal and the payout is enormous.
By aldread
February 26, 2009 1:06 PM | Link to this
The comments here, nearly 100% against by my count, will have no effect on this vote, because these politicians are much more beholding to these corporate interests than to the “people”. Also note that this bill is being pushed through by the Repubican majority against Democratic opposition, just another reminder of which party has our best interests at heart.
By JR
February 26, 2009 1:11 PM | Link to this
I everyone is very uninformed on this bill. Nuclear reactors takes several years to build and billions of dollars, which GA Power will owe to the banks at the end of the construction. When that money comes due after construction they will have to jump rates by a large percentage to pay off the cost. If they increase by a small percentage each year then they can go ahead and start paying off the construction ahead of time and save the consumer millions of dollars which will be less of an impact on the consumer. The other concern is that the last nuclear plant in the U.S. was never opened so there is an $8 Billion investment justing sitting there and the consumers are paying for something they dont’t use, because of the environmental law suites. The expansion is necessary because we do not have the wind or solar resources in this state to replace what a clean nuclear reactor will do.
By MJ
February 26, 2009 1:51 PM | Link to this
Well, the bill passed, so quit complaining. Enjoy the reliable, economic electric service Georgia Power provides. Remember the great job they do restoring your power, when storms cause outages. Go Georgia Power!
By catlady
February 26, 2009 1:56 PM | Link to this
Dean, if you don’t like dirty air you are going to HATE nuclear radiation! I doubt you were born before 1970.
Eleanor, I am not sure they “dance” with the devil. I think it is some other motion they do with him.
MJ, nuclear energy is GREEN energy? Exactly what part of nuclear energy is renewable and biodegradable? What is the half-life of the nuclear fuel? And what have you been smoking?
JR, do you REALLY think Ga Power will start paying off the (unbuilt) reactors with our pre-collected money? They will stash it in the bank, pocket the float, give out bonuses, increase payments to stockholders, declare victory, and then there will be billions of cost overruns which we will pay for in addition.
Why are the large users exempt?
And why is the legislature bypassing its own duly elected body that is to make the decisions like this (the PSC)? Guys, with a move like this you and I have been disenfranchised. We voted for the PSC members who have no power over what they are supposed to do! I smell a lawsuit on behalf of voters. We have to have the most ignorant (or crooked?) legislators on the Earth.
By MJ
February 26, 2009 2:15 PM | Link to this
Gee Catlady, why are you so angry ? Nuclear energy is clean, efficient, and does not use resources such as coal or natural gas. It is much less costly to produce than coal related electricity as well. Calm down, and enjoy the benefits of cheap electricity. I bet you have electric lights turned on right now.
By Shawn
February 26, 2009 2:16 PM | Link to this
I do not want to EVER hear another Conservative say again that Dems raising taxes is the reason they hate them and would never vote for one!!
By libertarian with a small 'l'
February 26, 2009 2:21 PM | Link to this
As a regular citizen on the outside, this just smells fishy. Ga Power has lobbied its way to the front of the line and did an end around on the PSC thus reducing the serious study and debate this issue deservres. This just continues a trend where lobbyist get what they want and the people are left in the dark. It also part of a larger trend where the state is usurping local control such as with taxes and schools. Speaking as a libertarian, it is not that less government in general is better but that the more local the governing process the more responsive it is to the people. Aside from that, past history of Vogtle shows that the first reactors were projected to cost around 600 million dollars circa 1975 but ballooned to about 10 billion dollars and took much longer to build partially because the Three Mile Island incident occurred a couple of years into construction resulting in much redesign and re-engineering for Vogtle at that time.
Personally, I don’t understand why we have to build such huge reactors. We should look at other countries such as France and build smaller but more numerous reactors. We could build them as we need them at a lower cost and using newer technology due to decreased design and construction time. Also, until we resolve the issue of how to safely dispose of nuclear waste, nuclear power has a very cloudy picture in this country. Is is a shame that we don’t have the political will to resolve the nuclear waste issue for good. Nuclear power might could then be accepted as greener technology by more people.
By GB
February 26, 2009 2:24 PM | Link to this
Dems raising taxes is the reason I hate them and would never vote for one!! —GB Conservative
By Carol C
February 26, 2009 2:24 PM | Link to this
Monopoly capital wins again. Let the gouging begin. P.S. Will Georgia glow in the dark at night and be visible from space-stations when/if those new nukes are built?
By Michael
February 26, 2009 2:44 PM | Link to this
This is a joke! These “Republicans” should renouce this title beacuse they are not. I was so glad when Tom Murphy finally left and now this is what we get? More bad government!
By Leary
February 26, 2009 2:49 PM | Link to this
Be thankful that we do not live in California or almost any other part of the US where the elec rates are much higher. We don’t have brown outs and we can depend on the service when we need it. I don’t like higher rates, but we can pay now and not have to pay as much later. Its not fair to everyone, but what plan is fair to everyone. None of us may be here to use the power from this plant.
By No Whining
February 26, 2009 3:04 PM | Link to this
Every one of us is currently using electricity from power plants that were, for the most part, paid for by customers years ago. I used to live near Morgan Falls Dam. That plant was built 100 years ago, and it’s still producing electricity! It was paid for by our grandparents, but we’re reaping the benefits. Is that fair? Maybe, maybe not. But it’s the system we have, and if you don’t like it, go out and buy yourself a Honda generator!
By Mike
February 26, 2009 3:31 PM | Link to this
Why is everyone so suprised over this? This thing has been rushed through the Legislature and has been sent to Sonny to be signed, however no one showed up to vote today on repealing the Sunday blue laws. Our state government doesn’t work for us but for the corporations; but refuse to give us a chance to vote on how we spend our time off from work (that is, for those of us who are even lucky enough to have a job). They never cease to amaze me.
By Anne
February 26, 2009 3:33 PM | Link to this
Oh why the hell not. Let Georgia power can whatever is left after Obama gets his. Wake up America there is no one out there protecting your rights. Let the president of Georgia Power get off some of his millions. Or maybe they should cut back on those big bonues the emoloyees get every year.
By Mary Lou
February 26, 2009 3:33 PM | Link to this
I wonder how much GA Power payed these BUMS to pass this blood sucking bill?
By disgusted
February 26, 2009 3:46 PM | Link to this
GA Power is getting outrageous with these frequent requests for increases. This is about the sixth one since the Katrina disaster. We should protest! Who would listen?
By Jeff
February 26, 2009 3:55 PM | Link to this
Lawmakers—-If you going to allow GA Power to rip off Georgia citizens, then you ought to at least allow us to buy alcohol on Sundays to ease the pain. Bunch of goobers!
By Michael
February 26, 2009 4:02 PM | Link to this
Some smart lawyer like Roy Barnes will figure out how to sue over this.
By Bernie
February 26, 2009 4:06 PM | Link to this
I still think that electricity and first class stamps are two of the best values we have, for what we get out of them. Those, and cheap long distance telephone service.
By Scott
February 26, 2009 4:14 PM | Link to this
I hope the AJC publishes a list with the yay and nay voters.
By rICHARD TENNEY
February 26, 2009 4:17 PM | Link to this
YOU WILL LOOKE BACK DOWN THE ROAD ABOUT SB-31 AND IT WILL PROVE TO BE A GOOD BILL PASS FOR THE STATE OF GEORGIA -NO ONE LIKES RATE INCREASES BUT I BELIEVE WE WILL PAY LESS WHEN THE PLANT IS COMPLETED
By csb
February 26, 2009 4:19 PM | Link to this
wonder how many lake lots it cost ga power to pull this off. find a ga power lake and look at the politians or close family that have a lot on lakes burton, rabun or seed
By David
February 26, 2009 4:23 PM | Link to this
This is TOTAL ABSURDITY!!! Since WHEN do you pay for something BEFORE it’s even built??? The PSC is a JOKE, GA Power is a CROOK and those that voted FOR this should be CANNED!!!
By Mel
February 26, 2009 4:47 PM | Link to this
I wish the AJC would publish a list of those who voted for this bill along with a list of any campaign contributions they took from Southern Company or Georgia Power or their political action committees. Come on AJC, let’s connect the money with the votes!
By george
February 26, 2009 4:50 PM | Link to this
Isn’t this just like the federal bailout of the banks and auto industry. Whatever happened to the good old system of capitalism where companies pay for there own way. Are we in the Republican party becoming socialist. Government sponsoring a private business venture. Saving me $300 million dollars over 30ysrs is not that much in the grand scheme of things. By the way how many in the house recieved political donations from Ga Power ? I guess when coke needs a new bottling plant we pop a top for that too.
By dgroy
February 26, 2009 5:04 PM | Link to this
Most of you folks posting about this have no earthly idea what you’re talking about. There’s a lot of smart people at GPC and SoCo working on this and they have figured out that’s it’s a good deal for the ratepayers…..there is no diabolical plan to screw you. These are two of the best managed companies in Georgia…..they do a great job of keeping your rates well below the national average. All they’re doing is trying to save you money. If you don’t like doing business with them, buy your power from someone else, i. e., move
By RW
February 26, 2009 5:10 PM | Link to this
This is corruption at the highest levels. Everyone who voted for this bill should be put on trial for treason. I did not realize representative represent only businesses. What are you doing to the people who elected you? What happens to the inevitable cost over-runs? Georgia Power will simply pass them on to the citizens of the state. Hopefully, this will force people to start thinking about who they are electing. If you are a Republican voter, your state rep is sticking it to all of us!!!
By dura10
February 26, 2009 5:12 PM | Link to this
I have wasted the time to read most of these comments and marveled at the time most took to post them.
At what point does everyone realize that a politician is nothing more than a self serving liar. Most are lawyers, does that maybe give you a clue?
We talk about how great our society is because of our right to vote. All we do is try to vote for the lesser of two evils.
You can count on the fact that there was untold amounts of money under the table on this one and untold numbers of grinning politicians that got the benefit.