Governor blames nuclear opponents’ suits for $1 billion in delays in Plant Vogtle construction | jacksonville.com

ATLANTA | Opponents of nuclear power are to blame for much of the cost overruns at Plant Vogtle, Gov. Nathan Deal said Tuesday even as the utility overseeing its construction cites other reasons.

Groups opposed to building two additional reactors at the generating site in Waynesboro have caused it to go nearly $1 billion over its budget so far, Deal told reporters.

“There’s something a little bit unusual about being able to be the parties that are involved with running up the costs and then, on the other hand, complain about costs themselves,” he said. “That’s part of what’s happening here.”

That opinion came in response to a question on how concerned he was about the impact on customers.

Deal noted that the Public Service Commission has say over which construction expenses are passed along to customers, not governors. The commission begins hearings Thursday to review the latest batch of expenses.

Deal said he hoped the commission would keep electricity rates from becoming unaffordable.

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