By Tracy Idell Hamilton
San ntonio Express-News

About three dozen anti-nuclear activists lined Commerce Street on Thursday near City Council chambers, banging on tin cans, hollering slogans and demanding CPS Energy drop its nuclear expansion plans in favor of renewable energy.

They mostly were members of Energia Mia, a recently formed coalition of environmental and social justice groups and others opposed to CPS Energy's plans to build two new nuclear reactors at the South Texas Project.

Holding signs extolling solar, wind and geothermal energy, the protesters took issue with everything from CPS Energy's figures - it says nuclear currently is the cheapest energy option - to the public process.

"I'm concerned about the process the city takes," said Letty Vela, a graduate student at St. Mary's University. "This is the most money the city will spend ever, on anything."

The cost for a proposed 40 percent stake in the expansion would be $5.2 billion - though the city-owned utility recommends selling half of its share of the power, reducing San Antonio's investment to $2.6 billion.

Vela said she's also concerned that CPS Energy hasn't released enough "accurate" data on the costs of nuclear or its alternatives - a charge utility officials dispute.

Genevieve Rodriguez, 26, said she's working to mobilize college students across the city against the project, urging them to call their council representatives.

"We will not stand for nuclear reactors to be built", she said.

Graciela Sanchez, executive director of the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center and a member of Energia Mia, said CPS Energy's contention that it can't afford all renewable energy sources because so many of San Antonio's rate-payers are low-income doesn't hold. After all, the city voted to tax itself to protect the aquifer, she noted.

"People are willing to pay for cleaner energy," she said.

But utility officials disagree.

"This is all about balance," said Mike Kotara, CPS Energy vice president of energy development, who said the utility already is committed to spending $2.5 billion on renewables by 2020.

That's about the same it would spend on a 20 percent investment in the nuclear expansion.

A diverse energy mix is key, he said, adding: "If you just want to do all solar, your bills are going to go through the roof."