Reported by Crystal Mazza for News 4 WOAI:SAN ANTONIO -- Big changes are likely in store for CPS Energy now that an audit concerning a proposed nuclear plant expansion has been completed.
CPS Energy board members are calling what happened a 'communication failure.' In a meeting Tuesday, the board will consider action against employees who may have purposefully kept information from the board about the proposed nuclear plant.
CPS Energy officials now say they are working to restore the trust and confidence of city council and the public.
"We apologize deeply on behalf of the board for this failure of trust," CPS Energy Board Member Stephen Hennigan said.
Hennigan is talking about CPS Energy's failure to communicate information to city officials and the public about a huge increase in the estimated cost for the project. At some point in the deal, the contractor for the project, Toshiba, let CPS Energy know the costs for the project had jumped dramatically. But word of that jump in costs never reached board members or city leaders.
"We didn't know, the council didn't know, community didn't know," explained Hennigan. "So, we have to start with getting the truth out. Only after that can we render judgment and determine where to begin to rebuild the trust."
CPS Energy board members are reviewing an 80-page internal investigation report to find out who knew what and when they knew it. Hennigan admits the lapse in communication within the company puts a rather large black eye on its reputation.
"I think it's tectonic in size, huge," Hennigan added.
Hennigan said 2 CPS Energy employees were placed on administrative leave earlier this month as a result of the communication failure.
"We are dealing with personnel matters," said Hennigan. "So, as a board, we have to act objectively and impartial."
