2006
June 19
NRG Energy files a letter of intent with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to pursue development of South Texas Projects Sites 3 and 4. Initial cost estimate: $5.2 billion
2007
September
In a preliminary estimate, Toshiba puts its share of the project at $8.5 billion; the STP Nuclear Operating Company reviews the numbers and puts its estimate at $8.1 billion
October
CPS Energy’s Board of Trustees approves $206 million for preliminary site-design work for the STP expansion and $10 million to explore other nuclear-power options
November
CPS and NRG file application with NRC to build and operate two new Toshiba Advanced Boiling Water Reactors at STP
2008
February
NRG forms Nuclear Initiative North America with reactor developer Toshiba to pursue nuclear-development projects, including STP
May
San Antonio’s City Council approves 3.5 percent of a requested 5-percent rate hike for CPS Energy and adds a condition that none of the money should be used for the STP expansion. CPS taps capital reserves to meet its expansion obligations
September 2008
CPS Energy asks Toshiba to recalculate its 2008 estimate because of price drops in key commodities such as concrete. Toshiba declines to do so, but agrees to provide a new price estimate in 2009
2009
January 20
CPS Board of Trustees approves another $60 million for STP expansion
June
Newly elected Mayor Julián Castro takes his seat on CPS board; NRG hires local attorney and Castro supporter Frank Burney to represent its interests in San Antonio
June 28 & 29
The day after CPS staff learn Toshiba’s estimate may reach $12 billion, CPS GM Steve Bartley announces the $10 billion figure publicly for the first time; CPS makes its formal recommendation that San Antonio invest in a 40-percent stake in the STP expansion
July 15
Toshiba reps share PowerPoint presentation with 2008 figure of $12.7 billion with members of the STP Nuclear Operating Company. A disclaimer calls the figure “outdated and not effective today.”
July 24
Castro Chief of Staff Robbie Greenblum meets with Bartley and other CPS Staff
July 31
NINA CEO Steve Winn suggests to CPS Co-GM Steve Bartley that NRG may be willing to buy out CPS’s share in STP 3&4; Mayor Castro meets with Winn and NINA COO John Bates
August 5
Castro announces to the Express-News editorial board that he favors a 20-percent stake in the STP expansion
August 31
Castro meets with NRG CEO David Crane, NINA CEO Steve Winn, and Burney
October
According to NRG, Toshiba estimates its cost for the STP expansion at $12.3 billion
October 13
The CPS Board votes unanimously to develop a 20-25-percent stake in the STP expansion, meaning they now need to find a buyer for 20-25 percent of its original stake; Toshiba figure of $12.35 billion shared with Bartley
October 22
NINA asks CPS’s Jim Nesrsta if CPS plans to share newer cost estimate with the CPS Board before the Council vote. Nesrsta says no.
October 26
Frank Burney, at NRG’s direction, tips the Mayor’s office to the unreported $4-billion discrepancy
October 27
The Express-News is alerted to the $4-billion discrepancy via “a tip from a difference source.” Castro calls a press conference and puts CPS Acting GM Bartley in the hot seat. Castro also cancels scheduled Thursday Council vote on an additional $400-million credit for STP expansion
November 2
Mayor Castro has a teleconference with NRG’s Crane
November 7
CPS Veep Bob Temple writes email to all board members save Castro, criticizing the handling of the price issue
November 19
As it had warned CPS it planned to do, NRG shares an estimated Toshiba price of $12.3 billion, pre-financing, at an analysts’ meeting in Houston. The
Express-News reports the following day that NINA CEO Winn said “We would expect ... the price estimate that Toshiba will come back with may be outside the affordability range for `CPS’s` ratepayers.”
November 25
Bartley resigns
November 30
Castro calls for CPS Board Chair Aurora Geis and board member Steve Hennigan to resign
December 1
Temple announces he will
resign, effective December 15
December 6
CPS Energy files suit against NINA
December 8
Geis agrees to resign
December 23
CPS accuses NINA and NRG of “fraudulent, defamatory, and illegal conduct.” Seeks $32 billion in damages.
2010
January 4
Castro calls all parties to the table January 11 to negotiate a resolution before the January 25 court date. •