From Deseret News archives:
Blank check for nuclear power?
Proposed bill would let utility recoup full cost
Critics of the proposal told the Public Utilities and Technology Interim Committee that they believe the measure could result in ratepayers footing the bill for plants that may not produce the power they would be built to generate. Supporters said nuclear power could be a source of energy needed as the state's population grows in the coming years.
"We have to continue to see development of energy, and the base of our energy policy should be that we use a broad spectrum," said the committee's chairman, Rep. Michael Noel, R-Kanab.
"We think in order to meet the base loads that we need in the next 30 years, nuclear has got to be part of that portfolio."
But S. David Freeman, president of Hydrogen Car Co. and former general manager of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, told the committee that he questioned the wisdom of any state government allowing a company to build a power plant with the promise of recovering all the company's costs. He said it would be a dream scenario for the utility company.
David Schissel with Synapse Energy Economics said the cost to build nuclear power facilities has historically been far more expensive than the proposed costs that planners have provided, and he cited examples in Japan and France.
Regarding the draft legislation being considered in Utah, Schissel said the bill seems overly broad.
"There needs to be public oversight of all nuclear energy options, and I don't think nuclear should get a benefit over the other options. It should be a level playing field," he said.
The committee agreed to continue studying the concerns of the draft bill before making any substantive changes to the legislation. However, Noel said he thinks offering incentives to utilities to develop energy is the way the state should proceed.
Few companies would be willing to risk the time and money to obtain a permit, find a site for a plant and obtain the water rights needed for nuclear power, he said, "unless they know that they've got some kind of an opportunity to come back to the ratepayer."
Recent comments
How come none of us in Kane County have herd of the Big Water power...
CDD | Oct. 21, 2007 at 8:13 p.m.
Anyone who thinks that we can solve the energy crisis with renewable...
mormon_nuke_in_AZ | Sept. 21, 2007 at 12:13 a.m.
A 10% "useability" factor means 60 acres, not 18 acres, for that...
Errata | Sept. 20, 2007 at 10:16 p.m.
- Palin's book tour hits Fort Bragg 2:42 p.m.
- RSL protects 11 players from draft 2:41 p.m.
- Matheson unsure about health bill 2:40 p.m.
- BYU's Lamb, Jorgensen reprimanded 2:38 p.m.
- Mapleton's sewer rate mulled 2:37 p.m.
- Stocks higher on home sales data 2:32 p.m.
- Pitta among Mackey Award finalists 2:31 p.m.
- Five arrested in explosive prank 2:24 p.m.
- Police seek men in home invasion 2:19 p.m.
- For Reid, Dodd, clout cuts both ways 2:09 p.m.
- Buttars wants to limit gay rights laws
213 - Glenn Beck to enter politics?
209 - RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
182 - Palin plans tour stop in Utah
178 - BYU records with win
132 - Palin's book shows she's unqualified
131 - Officer cleared in Cardall Taser case
103 - BYU cuts Women's Research Inst.
103 - Jazz finally win in San Antonio
99 - Bronco, Kyle rubber match
98
Utah's only Pottery Barn at Trolley Square, 600 S. 700 East, has...
A little after midnight Wednesday morning, about 21 hours ago as I write...
Congratulations!!! Awesome game. Thanks for some of the best soccer matches...
Timpview doesnt need to play 5A schools. No one would complain if they went...
No offense to Eric Dodge but who the heck is he?
now that`s crazy,boozers not even quick enough to stay with most 4`s,and you...
Re: Who's next. Thats too funny, i think you meant to say "thanks for the...
Maybe Gov Sanford will quit. I mean, he has 37 ethics complaints against...
just for your information the recent BCS rankings just came out and Utah...
It is already there pal. There is so much traffic on Redwood Road it is very...
Where's my pro-Palin comment??????????? I posted it here (or rather, tried...
To the 1:28 comment, How you get 700,000 plus people having been...


