Bellefonte to become working nuclear plant?

KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - The TVA board will consider changing part of its electricity rate structure and upping its spending to explore the controversial possibility of turning its Bellefonte site into a working nuclear plant.

A change in the Tennessee Valley Authority rate structure related to the "fuel cost adjustment" formula is up for discussion. The formula today changes the electric rates every month, depending on the price of fuel for electricity production.

Under this scenario, the public pays and also is compensated more quickly when the cost goes up or down.

The costs, which are passed on to ratepayers, have repeatedly gone up over the last several months.

TVA's Bellefonte property is on the Tennessee River about two hours southeast of Nashville. Several environmental and anti-nuclear groups have said that the public power producer should not commit money to what they say is a costly and risky nuclear plant until energy efficiency and conservation measures are fully explored and implemented.

Ratepayer money is used to back whatever decision the board makes.

The public can comment at a “listening session” held at 8:30 a.m. EDT before the board meeting on August 20. To speak, pre-register at www.tva.gov or sign in that morning before the session begins.

The boardÂ’s formal meeting starts after the last public comment has been made.