Public Service Commission candidate talks about Plant Vogtle, other hot-button issues
The commission is composed of five popularly elected members who serve staggered, six-year terms.
AH: Wow, that is refreshing to hear a politician talk about responsibility. Too often citizens/consumers seem to be fed the old spill about we need more, more. We need more power plants, we need more to satisfy the demand, or we need sustainable growth, which in itself seems counter-productive to a healthy environment don't you think?
Noel: What is sustainable growth? All sustainable growth is, is the sustainable growth of
AH: Let's talk about safety. Nuclear accidents are rare, but they do happen with terrible consequences. The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant in
Noel: Your are exactly right. It would be bye bye Augusta, and there wouldn't be anymore Master's. You are correct. As with anything that is radioactive, it is inherently less safe than something that is not radioactive. So the question before us is what is more safe? Is it a field of solar panels or is it a large bulls-eye for terrorists or an accident or anything else as far as a power plant goes? Now I'm not going around the state making an anti-nuclear argument. In fact, the truth is you could be agnostic on nuclear (dangers), but you can't be agnostic about the economics. The economics have completely overtaken the argument. And that's where it doesn't even matter if the environmentalists or the pro-nuke people are right. I, myself, am somebody who cares a lot about the planet, but whether we know we are right or wrong on the safety remains to be seen. But what we know we are right on is the economics. The economics have gotten so out of whack. The Senate Republican Finance chairman said when this thing comes online it is going to be three times the cost of comparable solar power. Even
AH: If energy demand is down across the state, why do we need a new
Noel: By the way, it's not
AH: Let me ask your opinion about the future of solar power. I had the opportunity last year to cover the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the solar power plant in
Noel: You know, I juiced up on solar before I came. (Noel drives a
AH: Then how do we make the leap from fossil fuels, or even nuclear power, to clean, safe, abundant renewable solar power?
Noel: That's a good question. So, here's the good news. Renewables have a downward pressure on rates. Take
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