Preliminary site preparations are already underway at Plant Votgle where two new reactors are being planned. (image courtesy of Southern Company)
That’s a problem for Sarah Barczak of the Southern Alliance For Clean Energy. She says the loan guarantees put an unfair risk on taxpayers.
"Historically nuclear power plant projects have typically not, either been completed, or if they were completed they weren’t completed on time or on budget," Barczak said.
A 2008 report from the Government Accountability Office estimates the risk of default on nuclear projects as high as 50%. Energy Secretary Steven Chu says the DOE doesn’t believe that number is accurate.
