Plant Vogtle Construction Faces Critical Vote

A vote that could determine the fate of Plant Vogtle must come by Monday.

Georgia Power, the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia, and Oglethorpe Power must decide whether to continue with construction of Plant Vogtle. A no vote by any of them could stall the project.

Bubba McDonald, chairman of the Georgia Public Service Commission, said this is just the latest roadblock in the nuclear plant’s construction.

"I want to complete the project,” McDonald said. “It's had hiccups, I understand that. It's tough to deal with but in my opinion it's essential for the next 80 years in the state of Georgia."

McDonald said he isn't sure which way either party will vote. On Thursday, MEAG held a meeting with JEA and Power South, two partners who would get power form MEAG once Vogtle is complete.

JEA asked the utility company to vote no while Power South supported the construction of the project but the board didn’t signal which way they were leaning.

Meanwhile, the project is billions over budget and years behind schedule.