Development of two new nuclear units in Texas could be delayed or put further at risk after estimates for the reactors rose 30% last month to $17 billion. The price escalation shocked San Antonio, Texas, municipal utility CPS Energy, which has a 40% stake in the South Texas Project in Matagorda County. The company’s board of trustees ordered an investigation into whether information about the price escalation for the 1,358- MW advanced boiling water reactor units was kept hidden.
“A cost estimate that exceeds our preliminary total project cost of $13 billion is not acceptable and will result in CPS Energy exploring other options,” says Steve Bartley, interim general manager.