By Jennifer Dodd
KSAT.com

SAN ANTONIO -- A small group gathered at a CPS Energy informational meeting Wednesday afternoon to protest CPS Energy's plans to build two additional nuclear power plants at the Bay City South Texas project.

The newly formed group called Energia Mia is hoping to collect enough signatures and support to halt the nuclear power plants.

"It is not a clean technology, it produces radioactive waste, it will waste water,"" said group spokeswoman Cindy Weehler. "It consumes huge amounts of water and this is a drought-prone area."

Mayor Julian Castro has also expressed concerns over CPS Energy's plans to invest such a large amount of money in nuclear energy, calling into question both the process and asking for transparency on the part of the utility.

"In a few years, the cost of solar and wind is going to be a lot lower than it is now, so we want to be able to reserve some of our options for later," said Castro.

"We're working very closely with the mayor's office and city council to be in the community and meeting with every district so each district leader can hear from their constituents," said CPS Energy spokeswoman Theresa Brown Cortez.

To concerns over nuclear energy posed by Energia Mia, Brown Cortez said right now using coal offers up challenges and natural gas is very volatile.

"Nuclear, we believe, is a good option to expand our diversity and continue keeping low rates here in San Antonio," said Brown Cortez.

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