The top candidates for Georgia governor have refused to wade deeply into the crackling debate over the fate of the only U.S. nuclear power plant under construction, a troubled $28 billion project.
Democrat Stacey Abrams encouraged the bickering co-owners to “come to the table and work together to find a solution that supports the workers and the future of energy in Georgia.”
And Republican Brian Kemp pointed to the “huge economic development” potential for the project, which supporters have said is essential for the state’s growth.
“There’s a lot riding on that. And I’m glad all the stakeholders are talking and continuing to negotiate,” said Kemp. “I’m not going to get in the middle of their negotiations – that’s something they need to do.”
Those talks are closely watched by the U.S. nuclear industry, which counts Vogtle as the last commercial nuclear plant under construction after Scana Corp. was forced to abandon a similar project in South Carolina due to cost overruns.
Atlanta-based Southern Co. has pledged to go forward, and two minority partners – Dalton Utilities and the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia – have also agreed to plunge ahead on the project.
A fourth investor, Oglethorpe Power Corp., has insisted on a cap to control costs as the budget has doubled from an initial estimate of $14 billion.
It’s prickly territory for the two candidates, who are both under pressure from Southern Co. to support it.
Gov. Nathan Deal and a host of other state leaders have lobbied to keep it alive. So has the U.S. Department of Energy, which warned it could demand repayment of about $5.6 billion in federal loans if the project is abandoned.
And Democrats are mindful of crossing the 7,000 or so employees on what could be the largest union work site in Georgia.
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