nuclear-news

Iowa pro nuclear Bill scrapes in by just one Senate vote

Iowa Senate panel passes nuclear power bill, Des Moines Register, Mar. 14, 2012 A bill that could lead to nuclear power expansion in Iowa passed by one vote in a Senate committee Tuesday, and opponents said there would be election consequences for legislators who supported it.

A spokesman for seniors group AARP, one of the most aggressive foes of the bill, told The Des Moines Register that the organization would soon unveil a voter education program complete with a website to highlight how each lawmaker voted on the issue.

“We’ll make every effort to make sure that Iowans know how these
lawmakers — both the Senate and the House — voted on this all the way
through the election,” said Anthony Carroll, an AARP lobbyist.

House File 561 outlines how the Iowa Utilities Board should proceed
with rate-making principles if a public utility moves forward with
plans  to build a nuclear plant. It passed the Commerce Committee by
one vote when, after the first vote count indicated the measure had
failed, Sen. Randy Feenstra, R-Hull, changed his no vote to a yes. Six
Republicans and two Democrats voted for the bill; all seven no votes
came from Democrats.

Critics, dozens of whom packed the committee meeting Tuesday, contend
the bill would increase utility rates and threaten the state with
environmental destruction. Advocates say the legislation is needed to
encourage energy diversity and meet consumer demand for years to come.

MidAmerican Energy is considering a 540-megawatt nuclear plant to be
built at an unspecified site. The company expects its cost share to be
$1 billion to $2 billion. The Register’s Iowa Poll last month found
that 77 percent of Iowans oppose allowing a utility to charge its
customers upfront for the costs to plan and build a nuclear plant, and
18 percent support it…..
The committee approved a provision that members of both parties said
offers protection to ratepayers. The provision calls for MidAmerican
to have financing in place before beginning construction. It also
would require the utility to carry out construction once state
regulators approve a new plant.

The agreement is intended to mitigate concerns that the utility could
raise rates without moving forward to build a plant.

The bill is now eligible for consideration by the full Senate.
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20120314/NEWS10/303140063/-1/becker_trial/Iowa-Senate-panel-passes-nuclear-power-bill
5:34 AM,

March 15, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | politics, USA