“Plant Vogtle is not an argument for wind and solar, which are also uneconomic and require government subsidies, penalizing taxpayers and running up the federal budget deficit. It is a call for a free market in electricity where ratepayers come first, while protecting the environment from wind, solar, and battery industrialization.”
“Clean Energy Strategist” Jamie Skarr revisited the Plant Vogtle #3 and #4 debacle with this summary:
World’s Most Expensive Electricity Just Went Online (Why It Matters) 💡
Remember when a gallon of gas cost 99 cents? Now imagine if one gas station spent 15 years building a “next-generation” pump that made gas cost $50 per gallon. You’d probably have questions.
That’s basically what just happened with electricity in Georgia. The state spent 15 years and $37 billion building new nuclear power plants that will force every resident to pay an extra $420 on their electric bills each year – forever.
Let’s break this down in simple terms:
1. What Happened
– Georgia decided to build new nuclear plants in 2009
– Promised it would be cheap and quick
– Took twice as long as planned
– Cost three times more than promised
– Now customers are stuck with the bill
2. Why It Matters
– Everyone’s electric bills going up $35/month
– That’s double what people were told
– No way to opt out or switch providers
– Payments continue for decades
3. The Alternatives They Passed Up
– Solar power costs 90% less
– Wind power costs 90% less
– Takes months to build, not decades
– No radioactive waste to deal with
Here’s what makes this important: Imagine if your town was deciding between two roads to the same destination. One takes 15 years to build and costs 10 times more. Which would you choose? That’s the energy choice Georgia made, and now everyone has to pay for it.
The kicker? For the same money, Georgia could have built enough solar and batteries to power every home in the state—with money left over.
Question for readers: Should customers have more say in these decisions?
Regarding his two conclusions, I responded:
No, Plant Vogtle is not an argument for wind and solar, which are also uneconomic and require government subsidies, penalizing taxpayers and running up the federal budget deficit.
It is a call for a free market in electricity where ratepayers come first, while protecting the environment from wind, solar, and battery industrialization.
The opportunity cost is natural gas combined cycle, right?