Aug 12, 2008 11:21 pm US/Eastern
Potential New Nuclear Reactor Causes Controversy
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
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The future of our energy supply takes center stage over a plan to build a new nuclear reactor in our state.
WJZ
The future of our energy supply takes center stage over a plan to build a new nuclear reactor in our state.
Dennis Edwards explains why not everyone is happy about it.
The battle lines were drawn a long time ago in this fight. Opponents turned out Tuesday night to make sure their voices were heard.
If or when Constellation Energy decides to apply for state permission to build a third nuclear reactor at Calvert Cliffs, opponents are already making their position clear.
"Constellation's latest estimates of the cost of the plant are $9.6 billion and no matter what the company says, we know some of that cost is going to get passed on to rate payers," said Johanna Neumann with MaryPIRG.
Rate payers are already paying 85% more for electricity since caps were lifted. Constellation Energy believes a third reactor could be the answer to Maryland's growing energy crunch, but opponents fear health hazards associated with nuclear power and a possible $11 billion price tag, preferring instead clean energy alternatives like wind power and energy conservation.
"What I'd like to see them do is examine every single alternative energy source from wind to solar to geothermal. There are many things we have not tried," said Cathy Garger from Woodstock.
But a spokesperson for Constellation Energy tells
Eyewitness News those kinds of alternatives aren't cost effective or practical enough to outweigh the benefits of nuclear power.
Constellation argues the Cliffs are a perfect place for another reactor if there's enough federal, state, local and regulatory support.
"Since Three Mile Island in the late 1970s, nobody can quibble with the safety record of the nuclear power industry. It's a very safe industry," said Rob Gould, BGE spokesperson.
The next PSC public hearing is next week in the Calvert County area, but the major step in this process won't take place until Constellation decides it wants to build the reactor and that could be months away.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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