CPS Energy Makes More Personnel Moves, Mayor Says Nuke Expansion May Be "Too Costly"
board moves end three days of closed door sessions
Monday, November 30, 2009
The CPS Energy board of directors wrapped up three days of marathon closed door meetings this afternoon by accepting the resignation of another key utility executive, re-instating two who had been on suspension, and naming long time city staffer Jelynne LeBlanc-Burley to be the new interim general manager, 1200 WOAI news reports.
The moves had been a response to the shocking revelation last month, just as city council was preparing to vote on what it had been told was a $13 billion expansion of the South Texas Nuclear Project, that the cost was approaching $17 billion, a fact which had not been made known to the board or to the council.
"These personnel changes will help CPS Energy put this matter behind us and focus on our important work of meeting the energy needs of this community," Board Chair Aurora Geis said. "I know this has been a difficult time, but I want to thank the CPS Energy employees who have remained committed to serving our community."
Deputy General Counsel and Vice President of Nuclear Development Bob Temple will resign, following general manager Steve Bartley out the door. Re-instated are Michael Kotara and Jim Nesrata, who were suspended at the outset of the utility's investigation into the inflated cost estimate.
The most significant action is the appointment of Burley, a long time city 'fix it' woman with experience running the convention center, as well as a deputy city manager.
She will manage the day to day operations of the utility until a new CEO is named to replace Milton Lee, who announced his retirement before the nuclear dispute occurred.
"These personnel changes are an important part of the healing process here at CPS, so that the residential and business customers of the utility understand that they have a utility that is looking out for them, that is being open and transparent as we make important energy decisions for San Antonio's future," Mayor Julian Castro, who is an ex-officio board member, told 1200 WOAI news.
But Castro said the idea of nuclear power may be a dead issue.
"It would appear from the numbers that we have seen, that just on the merits, the nuclear project seems too costly at this point," he said. "However, I am reserving judgment until we receive an official cost estimate from Toshiba, by the end of the year."
The board also took several steps to 'put the matter behind us and focus our important work on meeting the energy needs of the community,' in the words of a statement, including accelerating the search for a permanent CEP, and directing an immediate review of CPS Energy's communications procedures to institutionalize effective communication at all levels.
A study revealed that while several top executives knew of the $4 billion cost increase, that information was not made available to top officials.
The moves had been a response to the shocking revelation last month, just as city council was preparing to vote on what it had been told was a $13 billion expansion of the South Texas Nuclear Project, that the cost was approaching $17 billion, a fact which had not been made known to the board or to the council.
"These personnel changes will help CPS Energy put this matter behind us and focus on our important work of meeting the energy needs of this community," Board Chair Aurora Geis said. "I know this has been a difficult time, but I want to thank the CPS Energy employees who have remained committed to serving our community."
Deputy General Counsel and Vice President of Nuclear Development Bob Temple will resign, following general manager Steve Bartley out the door. Re-instated are Michael Kotara and Jim Nesrata, who were suspended at the outset of the utility's investigation into the inflated cost estimate.
The most significant action is the appointment of Burley, a long time city 'fix it' woman with experience running the convention center, as well as a deputy city manager.
She will manage the day to day operations of the utility until a new CEO is named to replace Milton Lee, who announced his retirement before the nuclear dispute occurred.
"These personnel changes are an important part of the healing process here at CPS, so that the residential and business customers of the utility understand that they have a utility that is looking out for them, that is being open and transparent as we make important energy decisions for San Antonio's future," Mayor Julian Castro, who is an ex-officio board member, told 1200 WOAI news.
But Castro said the idea of nuclear power may be a dead issue.
"It would appear from the numbers that we have seen, that just on the merits, the nuclear project seems too costly at this point," he said. "However, I am reserving judgment until we receive an official cost estimate from Toshiba, by the end of the year."
The board also took several steps to 'put the matter behind us and focus our important work on meeting the energy needs of the community,' in the words of a statement, including accelerating the search for a permanent CEP, and directing an immediate review of CPS Energy's communications procedures to institutionalize effective communication at all levels.
A study revealed that while several top executives knew of the $4 billion cost increase, that information was not made available to top officials.
© 2010
