Uncertainty prevails over the decades-long saga of the Bellefonte Nuclear Power Plant in northeastern Alabama, but some clarity could be forthcoming, according to State Sen. Steve Livingston (R-Scottsboro).
During an appearance on Huntsville radio’s “WVNN Afternoons,” Livingston said he anticipated a ruling from U.S. District Judge Liles Burke that could determine whether or not the sale of the shuttered Bellefonte facility to Nuclear Development, LLC from the Tennessee Valley Authority will proceed.
Livingston added that the Texas power failures during a bout with extreme winter weather last month showed there was a demand for the electricity a revamped Bellefonte Nuclear Plant could provide.
“We had attorneys in the courtroom two to three weeks ago now, I believe, for summary judgment in front of the judge,” Livingston said. “Judge, as of yesterday, had not made a ruling. I haven’t heard today. We’re waiting to see if he rules on the summary judgment filed by both sides. We’re anxious about that. We have the actual cases set for the first week of April. One way or another, we’re coming down to a pretty quick determination of what’s going to happen, minus all of the appeals that are going to take place if they do take place.”
“I know that Nuclear Development is anxious to get a whole plant to go to work,” Livingston added. “They’re still working toward the construction of that. The issues in Texas show there’s a need for power, demand, especially at peak times — what happened out there. Of course, they had significant failure out there. Hopefully, it won’t happen in Alabama. Actually, it won’t happen in Alabama. That’s the reason — Alabama is FERC-compliant. Texas regulates its own grid.”
“We’re anxious to get this judge’s ruling,” he added.
@Jeff_Poor is a graduate of Auburn University and the University of South Alabama, the editor of Breitbart TV, a columnist for Mobile’s Lagniappe Weekly, and host of Mobile’s “The Jeff Poor Show” from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. on FM Talk 106.5.
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