Georgia Power executives will face questions next week about the delays and expense of building a new nuclear plant.

Utility regulators in Georgia will start a cycle of oversight hearings Tuesday focusing on the construction of two nuclear reactors at Plant Vogtle in eastern Georgia.

The elected members of the Public Service Commission must decide whether to approve the company's expenditures on the project during the six-month period ending Dec. 31. Georgia Power owns a 46 percent stake in the project. It originally estimated its share of the construction would cost $6.1 billion. The latest company estimate puts that cost at $7.5 billion.

PSC analysts have predicted the costs could reach $8.2 billion or more since the delays would force Georgia Power to buy replacement electricity elsewhere.

Tags: Plant Vogtle