Iowans complain about rate increases nuclear expansion would bring

http://www.whotv.com/news/who-story-iowa-nuclear-power-legislature-032811,0,3594382.story

As Japan's nuclear plants continue to have more problems following a massive earthquake there earlier this month, Iowa lawmakers find themselves right in the middle of a debate on whether to expand nuclear power in the state.

MidAmerican Energy wants to build a $2-3 billion project of small, modular nuclear plants somewhere in the state. Monday, lawmakers heard from Iowans before a senate subcommittee looking at a bill that would allow studies of the nuclear expansion project to continue. But, a lead senator on that subcommittee was surprised by what she didn't hear. Swati Dandekar, a Marion Democrat, expected Iowans to bring up safety concerns. However, she found, "Almost everybody, almost every group talked about cost overruns."

Sonia Ashe, an advocate with the Iowa Public Interest Research Group, told lawmakers of worries of "high cost and high risk" associated with nuclear power expansion. She said private companies have been staying away from nuclear power, instead focusing on wind energy. She said, "The private market won't touch nuclear power with a 10-foot poll."

Anthony Carroll, associate state director for the Iowa AARP, also opposes the project. He said a record number of Iowans are already struggling to pay their electric bills. And the nuclear industry has a bad history of accurately projecting costs. He said projects often end up costing two to three times as much as originally forecast. He said the legislation would ultimately, "Force ratepayers to pay for a lot of unknowns."

<more>

This doesn't mean Iowans aren't concerned with the safety issues related to nuclear power.

I think it just means that legislators won't listen to the people unless they voice their concerns in monetary terms.

If Iowans were to share their concerns about safety, those in favor of nuclear energy would cite all kinds of examples of how safe it is and pooh pooh the concerns, and the pro-nuclear legislators would have their excuse to vote for it.