San Antonio looks at adding nuclear plants

San Antonio Express News:

CPS Energy customers still are paying for billions of dollars in cost overruns on two nuclear reactors built more than 20 years ago.

Still, there is widespread consensus the plants were a good investment, allowing San Antonio to enjoy some of the lowest electricity bills in the nation and making the city an attractive place for companies looking to expand or relocate.

On Monday, CPS will unveil its long-awaited cost estimate for the construction of two new nuclear reactors to meet the region's burgeoning appetite for energy.

The release will mark the beginning of a public discussion expected to culminate this fall in a decision by the City Council whether to give its blessing to the utility to increase its investment, already close to $300 million.

Cost estimates from other sources have ranged from $10 billion, by CPS Energy's partner in the nuclear effort, NRG Energy, up to $22 billion by a former Texas Public Utility Counsel official.

That official says low-end numbers don't take into account the likelihood that unanticipated expenses would force costs up to the point where new nuclear is not worth pursuing.

But CPS officials, who emphasize a decision to go ahead with reactors 3 and 4 hasn't been made, say their numbers show nuclear power still is the best option for meeting the city's needs.

They promise to unveil an analysis that shows that nuclear is better than investing in coal or natural gas or buying energy on the open market.

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One of the reasons for the costs overruns was the tactics of the opponents in driving up cost through frivolous litigation and appeals. Death sentence opponents do the same thing. Electricity from nuclear power should be a part of our overall strategy and it is one that causes the carbon phobes to think of other reasons for their anti energy agenda.