The decisions by utilities to construct nuclear plants and the costs incurred have in many cases been judged by regulators to have been prudent based on the facts known at that time, but only after extensive and lengthy evidentiary hearings. In other cases, commissions have judged some costs to be imprudent and therefore not recoverable, and the shareholders paid for these mistakes. Stranded costs can only be recovered from two groups - customers or shareholders. Any solution to this complex issue must treat utilities, shareholders and customers equitably. Utilities deserve to maintain their financial integrity by being allowed to recover their just costs.
Shareholders deserve a reasonable return for the use of their hard-earned money.
And customers deserve the lowest-priced electricity available consistent with reliability, safety and service. Walter Meller of Abilene is a retired West Texas Utilities engineer. E.W. Scripps Publications , All Rights Reserved. Site users are subject to our User Agreement . We also have a Privacy Policy .