PJM auction highlights consumer benefit of competitive electricity markets

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- Citizens Against Nuclear Bailouts — a diverse coalition of Pennsylvania citizens’ groups, power generators, and energy, business and manufacturing associations — released the following statement today in response to Three Mile Island (TMI) nuclear power plant and the upcoming PJM Interconnection capacity auction:

“The PJM Interconnection capacity auction underscores that Pennsylvania’s competitive electricity markets are working on behalf of consumers by allowing the lowest-cost power generators access to customers.  

“As we have seen in other states, our coalition fully expects Exelon will attempt to exploit the auction results and a potential closing of TMI to justify a multibillion-dollar nuclear bailout that will result in higher energy costs for all Pennsylvania consumers, including senior citizens, manufacturers, small businesses and public institutions. Pennsylvania consumers should not be on the hook to prop up TMI, which is outdated and  uncompetitive.  

“Despite claims by Exelon and others, nuclear power will continue to be part of Pennsylvania’s power generation mix even if TMI is decommissioned, and it will take several years and hundreds of employees to complete the decommissioning process. Pennsylvania’s electricity grid will remain reliable and resilient, further bolstered by seven state-of-the-art power generation projects currently under construction in the state totaling more than $7 billion of private investment and supporting thousands of construction jobs.”

More information on the bailout and its personal and economic costs is available at: http://www.standunited.org/petition/no-nuclear-bailout-for-pennsylvania-nuclear-companies