The nuke plant near me has applied for and reportedly will receive a license to build a new reactor. It is reported that $600 million was spent for "project development and preliminary construction". But there is no commitment by the utility to actually build the $19 billion reactor. The Virginia Attorney-General's Office called for the abandonment of the project because of the cost burden on consumers. Consumer groups have also called for the reactor plans to be abandoned.
My question is who should pay for the planning of a reactor that may never be built? I read that about half the $600 million in costs has already been billed to consumers and the utility indicates the will seek permission to bill the remainder to consumers as well. In the various fields I have worked, this sort of research and development would be part of the company's investment coming directly out of profits.
As to the expense of the new reactor, this is not a prohibition to the utility. Just the opposite. The profits of a public utility are based on their capital investment. Building a large, expensive reactor will allow them to increase their profits, with the capital expenditure paid by the consumers without regard to the needs of consumers.