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SCANA Considers New Nuclear Build

By Eric McErlain
From The State (S.C.):
Nuclear energy — long a radioactive bugaboo among institutional lenders — is now a power source that is getting another look, said William B. Timmerman, SCANA Corp. chairman and chief executive.

Answering an investor’s question during SCANA’s annual meeting Thursday in Columbia, Timmerman said that given the current energy environment, nuclear energy has to be on the table when making plans to meet the state’s growing power demands.

“If you asked me that two years ago, I’d say not on my watch,” Timmerman said.

Further . . .
Specifically, SCANA is dealing with:

• Increasing costs of other fuel sources such as coal and natural gas

• Environmental concerns and costs of cleanup associated with using those fuels

• An ever-growing demand for power.

For the next decade, Timmerman said SCANA can address anticipated power demands in South Carolina. After that, though, adding nuclear plants could be an option, especially if coal and natural gas prices remain high.

A few weeks ago, we reported that South Carolina state officials will be meeting in Columbia with utility executives on May 9 to dicuss new plants. Representatives from the NuStart Consortium are also expected to participate.

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Comments

Anonymous said…
Don't forget that when a company builds a new nuclear site they are going to pass the cost onto their customers. I would imagine a new nuclear site will cost somewhere above $5 billion so consumers will need to get out their checkbooks to get the same old electricity they always have but now pay more for it. SCANA's approach to building is the reason they use to justify raising rates and earning more money.
April 22, 2008 at 9:49 PM
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