This commentary criticizes the completion and cost of Plant Vogtle, the first new nuclear reactors built in the U.S. in nearly 30 years.
The author argues that despite being hailed as an achievement, the $36 billion facility went $20 billion over budget and took 15 years to build, making it significantly more expensive than equivalent generation. The piece highlights the Georgia Public Service Commission's failure to implement ratepayer protections, leading to substantial rate increases for Georgia Power customers, with one household seeing a 35.8% jump.
The author questions the "Plant of the Year" award given to Vogtle by POWER magazine, citing documented issues like poor decision-making, lax oversight, and shoddy construction. Lawsuits filed by partners against Georgia Power and public anger over bill impacts are also noted.
The commentary suggests that the push for nuclear expansion is driven by fears of future energy demands from AI and data centers, overshadowing concerns about affordability and potentially leading to unconstrained investment by monopolies.
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