SCE&G Discusses Plans to Complete Nuclear Reactors in Jenkinsville

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO)- SCE&G briefed the South Carolina Public Service Commission for the first time since Westinghouse Electric Corporation, the company they contracted to construct nuclear reactors in the Midlands, filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Westinghouse’s bankruptcy left people questioning the fate of nuclear reactors being built at V.C. Summers in Fairfield County.  Some we spoke with believe SCE&G customers will have to foot part of the bill due to the company’s financial drought.

“We have some of the highest utility bills in the country in South Carolina. $27 of every month’s bill for South Carolina residential customers go to pay for these nuclear plants. We’re witnessing a financial meltdown of this construction project,” said Bob Guild of the Sierra Club.
SCANA CEO Kevin Marsh says the amount the company is due to receive from Westinghouse should be more than enough to cover the completion cost but the company is taking 30 to 90 days to evaluate the current cost of completion.

“The best option would be for us to complete our evaluation, determine the additional costs to complete the plants over and above the fixed priced option we had with Westinghouse is less than the amount we expect to recover from Westinghouse and Toshiba. If that’s the case, there should be no impact to customers for additional construction costs,” said Marsh.

Although the meeting served as an opportunity for SCE&G to address the Public Service Commission, community members did not have the opportunity to voice their concerns. Public interest groups are calling for more transparency.

“Stop the hemorrhaging. This is financial hemmorhaging. A hard look needs to be taken and the public needs to be able to see this information. Have hearings and engage because it’s their money,” said Sara Barczak of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy.