Constant changes for project overruns

Claire Zinzer in her Sept. 1 coal plant letter bitterly questions the billion-dollar overrun on the coal plant that they are contracted with to buy their power.

She rightly fears that her electric bill will be higher.

One must ask another question. Why the billion dollar overrun?

The way these things work, I have modest experience in this area, the plans and specifications are drawn and approved - sort of - and priced. Then an obscure government agency decides on a "change." An extra order is approved.

The local government would like "something" built so that it blocks an eyesore. The state of Illinois feels left out, and in order to justify their existence, they need to add in a change.

After all that, an active citizen committee claims we will all get cancer unless we shield plant.

Finally, (maybe) the EPA has made a miscalculation and the scrubbers will need to be upgraded.

Changes easily cost double or triple what they would have cost if made part of the original plan. That, Ms. Zinzer, is why most all government projects run over budget.

D.O. Lipensky

Wheaton