Nuclear Plant Bailout Bill Stalls In Legislative Committee

A proposed bailout of Akron-based FirstEnergy's two Ohio nuclear power plants appears to be stalled in the state Legislature. An Ohio Senate committee has held its fourth hearing on a plan that could lead to 300 million dollars in new charges annually for FirstEnergy customers. The committee has yet to vote on the proposal. A House committee last month suspended testimony because of protests by consumer, business and energy groups. Much of the testimony submitted to lawmakers opposes the proposal. The plan calls for a special charge for FirstEnergy customers the company says is needed to secure the future of its aging Davis-Besse and Perry nuclear plants in northern Ohio. The two plants combine to generate 14 percent of Ohio's electricity.