[Alberta's Child]

A power plant costs far more than $5 million. In fact, I would venture to guess that a typical large-scale power plant these days would cost at least $500 million to build from the ground up.

[mewzilla]

FWIW, here's a link to a story about a proposed plant in WI that puts the cost around 70 to 80 mil. This was a couple of years ago, though. The plant was supposed to be finished this year. It would be interesting to see if there were any overruns.

[DannyTN]

See post 5

[Muleteam1]

>>A power plant costs far more than $5 million.<<

In all seriousness, the environmental impact statement for one new plant could run as much as several million, not including legal defense costs.

Muleteam1

[Revel]

The dirty part of this was on the radio this morning. The Feds want control of the grid. They don't want that left to the power company's. Personaly I trust the power company's to do a better job. But even if you don't feel this way...there is the cost. Now estimated at 100 billion. First we are going to pay that to the utility companys. Then for the rest of time there is going to be an ever increasing tax added to our unility bill to cover this. I expect at least $10.00 before you know it. On top of this we will be employing more government workers and growing government and taxes in that way also. How convienant. It was 40 years between blackouts on the east coast. I don't think that is such a bad record. I suspect changes are already being made by the utility companys to ensure that we have another 40 to go as far as the grid is concerned. I suspect that our main worry about power is going to come from loss of generating power due to shortages of fuel and such. One thing is for sure though. If the feds get control of this then it will turn into a monster. And one mistake on there part will effect a lot more than the east coast.