The $4.7 Billion Nuclear Bill That No One Wants to Pay

Utility and South Carolina lawmakers clash over who should pick up the costs of abandoned project

The primary owner of a power plant with two partially built nuclear reactors in South Carolina walked away from the $9 billion project last summer because of high construction costs and delays. Now no one wants to pay for it.

The utility overseeing the Virgil C. Summer plant is asking ratepayers across the Palmetto State to shoulder its construction expenses of $4.7 billion, citing a law passed last decade.  But local lawmakers are trying to force South Carolina Electric & Gas Co. to pick up more of the tab.

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